Drawing closer

Patrick practiced his spells as usual. Having just entered the Sixth Ring, he needed to consolidate his realm.

A mass of arcane energy gathered in Patrick's hand. Through mental intervention, he made the paths of the arcane energy within it regular and structured, as though inscribing a rune inside the spell, much like a compound spell.

Patterns slowly emerged within the arcane energy. Patrick constructed an amplification array inside it, with good results. Arcane mimicry took effect, and a fireball formed in his palm, radiating scorching heat and orange-red light.

"A splendid compound spell. Quite an eye-opener for an elf," Idonis said as he entered. "Marshal Alleria has called everyone together for a routine meeting. She specifically sent me to notify you."

"I'll be there shortly." Patrick looked up and saw Idonis. Dressed just as he had been in Patrick's previous life, Idonis wore red robes and looked very formal and efficient.

This time, everyone in the tower gathered to discuss the next stage of their campaign against the trolls.

Everyone had their own views. Baron Sunstrider proposed marching straight into Life Forest, riding the momentum of their victory to wipe out Zeb'Watha, then establishing defenses at Lake Darrowmere, bringing the entire Life Forest under elven control in one stroke.

Baron Sunstrider's approach gained considerable support. The result would be to bring all the land west of Lake Elrendar entirely under elven control, leaving the East Sanctum standing on Thalassian Pass free of threats.

"Do you have any thoughts, Patrick?" Alleria looked at Patrick, wanting to hear his opinion.

"Zeb'Watha must be eliminated. There's no question about that. The only thing we need to determine is when to eliminate it. After such a major battle, the trolls' defenses are presumably very tight, while we haven't gained a proper understanding of Life Forest over all these years. We even lack a detailed map of Zeb'Watha. Advancing so rashly would truly be unwise.

"What chance of victory would we have in a battle without any preparation? My recommendation is that now isn't the time to march into Life Forest. We should intensify our troops' training and their coordination with the reinforcements, while sending scouts into Life Forest to survey the terrain and draw maps, facilitating our future advance on Zeb'Watha."

Patrick's main aim was to reduce elven casualties. Although the population losses caused by war seemed insignificant now, the high elves were living very comfortably and had never considered the problem of a drastic population decline.

Population was supposed to be a renewable resource, but with the elves' birth rate-his own father, for instance, had only had two children, him and his older brother, in three thousand years... Sigh, forget it. Every elf saved was one more alive. As long as the trolls had enough food, trading five of them for one elf would still be worthwhile.

Patrick's remarks won the approval of most of those present. Life at the East Sanctum slowly returned to normal, the restrictions were lifted, and elven civilians began returning to the sanctum.

Patrick specifically discussed with Alleria and Idonis his wish to access the high-ring arcane texts in the East Sanctum's library before the council's orders arrived. Patrick was not serving at the East Sanctum, but after this battle, Idonis and the others would not refuse such a request.

Although his itinerary had changed this time, and fighting the trolls had not been part of Patrick's original plan.

Patrick now had new plans, hoping to further hone his arcane skills and deepen his mastery of spells.

Class stratification in Silvermoon City was extremely rigid, with major clans controlling every aspect of the city. Even if Patrick successfully became a master elsewhere, once he returned to Silvermoon City, the other clans would certainly not readily agree to let a new clan emerge and take a share.

Patrick entered the library and once again found a copy of "The Interplay of Enchantment and Conjuration." The school of conjuration was the core of the arcane, and Patrick did not mind learning more.

Just as he began reading, Patrick saw Alleria walk in as well.

"You really are as diligent as ever, Mr. Patrick. Those mages in Silvermoon City spend all day engrossed in salons, parties, and making friends. You're very different from them," Alleria said.

"Truly intelligent arcanists are the least willing to waste time. There's too much knowledge I need to master, so I'm unwilling to waste even a second." Patrick glanced at Alleria, arcane energy spilling from his eyes. Fully recovered, his body was brimming with arcane energy, constantly giving off its aura.

Alleria licked her lips, their red vivid, their softness like water; her crimson lips shone without, her white teeth gleamed within. Before she spoke, her breath was like a secluded orchid.

Patrick briefly lost himself.

"Have you studied enchanting extensively?" Alleria's words brought Patrick back to reality.

"Hmm?"

"Could you help enchant my Windrunner's Bow? After the last battle, there's a slight problem with its magical patterns, and the enchantments won't activate."

Alleria took the bow from her back and placed it on Patrick's desk.

Patrick picked up the longbow. Its body was ornate, with only a shallow gouge along one side, seemingly caused by a sharp weapon. The bow was already enchanted with agility, lightness, and greater eagle eye. The enchantments on this war bow were flawless, and their magical glow was dazzling.

Alleria had also brought plenty of arcane crystals, arcane dust, planar essences, and the like. It seemed she had come prepared.

After studying it for several days, Patrick decided to follow the patterns of the bow's enchantments to create new ones, connecting the existing magical sigils to new sigils. Ellen suggested adding two spells to the bow: Mongoose and Execute.

They were also two enchantments Patrick knew relatively well, having left a deep impression on him back in the TBC era.

As for these two enchantments, Ellen said they were child's play.

An inscribing ray formed in his hand. Guided by Ellen, Patrick inscribed the bow, first creating the magical circuits and filling them with arcane dust.

He then inscribed the large magical sigils and arcane nodes, fusing planar essences and prismatic shards into them. Finally, he drew out the magic from the arcane crystals and channeled it into the sigils.

Patrick's enchantments were flawless, and the magical effects on the bow were enough to catch anyone's eye.

The bow now gave off a lightning effect, blue light swirling around it and shooting outward, with dark energy particles scattering within the light. Patrick held it up and tried a few motions, nearly blinding himself with its brilliance.

When Patrick returned the bow to Alleria, she looked delighted, her eyes sparkling.

Then Alleria asked Patrick to inscribe a magical signature on the bow. Patrick took it, mentally locked onto its body, and directed his mental power to guide space, inscribing Patrick Cabrolon directly onto its side. Arcane energy flowed over the name, making it particularly eye-catching.