The Arcane Academy

Patrick had reason to believe that King Anasterian would help him achieve his goal.

Patrick took out the letter of recommendation Thas'wether had given him before. "I can use this letter of recommendation from Thas'wether to enter the Royal Academy of Arcane Arts and study there."

Old Phil took the letter and examined it carefully. "This is Thas'wether's magical seal. Why didn't you enter the Royal Academy of Arcane Arts sooner?"

"What standing would an ordinary apprentice have at the Arcane Academy? If I joined the Royal Academy of Arcane Arts now, as an intermediate Arcanist, at least I wouldn't be looked down on. Showing my strength is also a way of protecting myself."

If Patrick had entered the Royal Academy of Arcane Arts at the outset and studied under one of its masters, he could have obtained some resources by depending on their favor, perhaps even an energy quota from the Sunwell. But his standing at the Arcane Academy would naturally have been a notch below theirs afterward, and that was something Patrick did not want to see.

Moreover, once Patrick became strong enough to be a master, he would naturally have many reservations when dealing with his former teacher and the clan behind them. With every avenue of advancement blocked, he would have almost no path forward except to attach himself to one of the Council's major clans. This was also one reason those High Elves had left Quel'Thalas and put down roots in Dalaran.

With their innate racial advantage in arcane magic, as well as their beautiful looks and firm physiques, High Elves easily won humans' favor in Dalaran. High Elves also had long lives; even if they spent twice, three times, or even ten times as long as humans, they could still distinguish themselves in Dalaran and gain sufficient social standing.

Now Patrick would be joining the Royal Academy of Arcane Arts as a Sixth Ring mage while also having to keep the Mage Tower in the Ghostlands running. The academy would probably give him the position of Lecturer, with his affiliation being largely nominal. Although joining would brand him as a Royalist and effectively mean parting ways with the Council, he would gain King Anasterian's protection. Besides, Patrick had never intended to leave the Sun Temple and return to Silvermoon City to pursue his future.

King Anasterian had always secretly used royal authority to counterbalance the Council. Patrick believed he had enough to bargain with. After all, the Royalists' reach had yet to extend into the Ghostlands, which had always been administered by the Farstriders under the Windrunner clan's leadership. Once he entered the Royal Academy of Arcane Arts, he would effectively become a Royalist and help King Anasterian control the Ghostlands.

Old Phil nodded in satisfaction, then said with displeasure, "It's just that I'm still a little reluctant to give up life in Silvermoon City."

Life in Silvermoon City was indeed good. With the Sunwell's radiation, it was always immersed in a high-magic environment. The weather was favorable, and it was as warm as spring all year round. All the social resources of Quel'Thalas were concentrated in Silvermoon City.

There was nothing Old Phil could do, either. That was simply how Silvermoon City was. On the surface, all was peaceful, and the elves lived in abundance, barely needing to concern themselves with anything all day. Behind the scenes, however, the scheming had never stopped. After thousands of years of development-six thousand years for the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas-the high-ranking clans that had crossed the Great Sea back then had gradually taken control of everything in the kingdom, from politics to people's livelihoods.

The next day.

Patrick headed to the Royal Academy of Arcane Arts, located to the left of Sunfury Spire. It was a magnificent, towering magical tower, with a graceful white body and a golden dome covered in red patterns. Exquisitely beautiful in the distinctive aesthetic of the High Elves, it stood amid the many magical towers and connected to Sunstrider Tower behind it.

The tower's body was graceful, its outline elegant and stately. A huge gemstone adorned the spire atop its dome, gleaming gold in the sunlight. Eight smaller spires surrounded it, linked to the central spire by eight roof ridges. Each of the Mage Tower's nine stories was carved with exquisite reliefs. Its projecting eaves swept upward, forming uniquely shaped corners. With its many corners, ridges, and eaves, the entire Mage Tower stood in close-set, staggered ranks with the surrounding towers, rising tier upon tier.

Exquisite beyond compare, it complemented Sunfury Spire to its right, creating a beautiful and spectacular sight. Sunstrider Tower and Sunfury Spire represented the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas's greatest masterpieces, as well as the highest, unrivaled achievements of magic in Azeroth.

As he approached the tower, people streamed back and forth without end. White paving tiles led straight to the Mage Tower's main entrance, while the surrounding flowerbeds and benches complemented one another. The magical trees, turned golden by the Sunwell, were thick with branches and leaves that rustled softly in the breeze.

After crossing the Great Sea, the High Elves had used water from the Well of Eternity to create the Sunwell and developed an entirely new civilization. After six thousand years of accumulation and refinement, the High Elves' pursuit of artistry in life and magic had now reached an entirely new level.

He handed the envelope to the guard at the entrance and requested an audience with Master Sailervor. He would first have the guard announce him, then meet the master once permission was granted. First impressions mattered, and observing etiquette was a necessary preparation.

Before long, an elf came out who looked to be a mage apprentice. The elf walked over and said, "Master Sailervor invites you inside. The master is in the main hall. Please follow me."

Patrick followed the elf into the academy, passed through several red doors, and arrived at the Mage Tower's main hall. Sailervor was seated in the center, examining documents.

"Master Sailervor." Patrick greeted Master Sailervor, alerting him to his arrival.

"Yes, I've heard about you for quite some time, Cabrolon Family's boy. You did very well in the Life Forest, wiping out so many trolls in a single operation." Sailervor seemed to have encountered some troublesome problem and did not look up.

"You flatter me. I merely did what many elves wanted to do. It was nothing much."

"Oh? What brings you to see me this time?" Master Sailervor set down the documents in his hands and looked up at Patrick.

"I would like to become a member of the Royal Academy of Arcane Arts."

"According to this letter of recommendation from Thas'wether, you are a talented mage-diligent and focused, with qualities of a mage that other elves lack. You've already become a Sixth Ring mage in such a short time. You are indeed a talented mage."

"I simply spend more time on arcane magic than other mages do. Mastering new arcane knowledge is every mage's dream."

"I will pass your information on to His Majesty Anasterian. You only recently became the Chief Mage of the Sun Temple, and affairs in the Ghostlands may keep your hands full. Still, His Majesty the King may give you a satisfactory answer," Sailervor said after a moment's thought.