A noble title

Patrick felt he was gradually growing accustomed to life in Quel'Thalas. Enjoying the comfortable life of the high elves and experiencing a way of living utterly different from Earth's, he felt he had found a sense of reality. He no longer felt like a spectator, as though he were dreaming, but was truly becoming part of this world.

And because he belonged, he cared...

His parents, brothers, clansmen, and perhaps Alleria as well-they had always been by his side. He grieved at their sorrows and rejoiced in their happiness.

"Sister." Patrick had only just left when Sylvanas dropped her playful expression and looked at Alleria with a solemn face.

"Hmm? Little sister?"

"Do you really care that much about Patrick Cabrolon?"

"He's a business partner of our family. The herb plantation his family is overseeing the construction and management of will become an important source of income." Alleria turned her head, avoiding Sylvanas's gaze, and raised her teacup for a small sip.

"It's more than just business, isn't it? You wouldn't pay so much attention to an ordinary elf." Clearly unconvinced, Sylvanas pouted. "Didn't you even tell a few rangers to keep an eye on Patrick's life at the Sun Temple?"

"He certainly is different from other mages. He's been at the Sun Temple for several months, and he's spent all that time studying the arcane. The rangers resting between rotations often hold parties and have invited him, but he hasn't attended a single one. He's always buried himself in the library at Sunfury Spire."

Alleria showed no surprise at this. "Back at the East Sanctum, aside from attending meetings, he spent all his time in the library studying Arcane Magic. He was so focused when he read that it seemed his entire mind had merged into the arcane tomes."

Sylvanas burst out laughing. "And you still say it's just a simple business relationship. You've watched him so carefully, right down to the smallest details."

Alleria: "..."

Patrick returned to his study and received a letter from the Royal Academy of Arcane Arts. The academy had dispatched an arcanist to Sunfury Spire to announce a royal commendation, reportedly in recognition of Mage Patrick Cabrolon's outstanding performance in the previous battle.

Judging by the time given in the letter, the academy's envoy should arrive soon. On his last visit to the Royal Academy of Arcane Arts, Patrick had met with Sailervor and made his wishes clear, but Sailervor had given no direct answer.

It looks like the Royalists' decision about me has arrived, Patrick thought. I just don't know what arrangements the royal family will make. The Council faction isn't very trustworthy, and the Royalists' attempts to win me over need careful scrutiny too.

Politics could be called the most complex of disciplines. It was an important social phenomenon that emerged when the history of intelligent life developed to a certain stage. The essence of politics in Quel'Thalas was class relations; in Silvermoon City's class-based society, class character was the fundamental feature of politics.

If he wanted to develop while navigating between the Council and the Royalists, he would have to handle things carefully.

As he pondered this, a voice transmission arrived from Quelrintis. Telestra, the Arcane Academy's envoy, had reached Sunfury Spire, and Arcanist Yanida was receiving her in the hall.

Telestra? She could be considered an old acquaintance: a Nexus dungeon boss from the WLK era, a triple-specialization grand archmage, a high-level spellcaster proficient in arcane, frost, and fire.

"Ambassador Telestra, Chief Patrick is discussing the strategy against the trolls with Marshal Alleria and General Sylvanas. You'll need to wait a little." Yanida politely explained the reason to prevent the Arcane Academy's envoy from becoming displeased.

Telestra knew that the Ranger Forces needed to organize stronger defenses at this time of year. Before winter, troll activity would increase as they gathered food to last through the season, putting great pressure on the Ranger Forces at the front.

Although Eversong Woods had a powerful magical barrier that blocked much of the cold air from the north, temperatures would still fall after winter arrived, reducing food production.

Telestra could hardly object and merely replied politely, "Yes, of course. The fighting at the front takes priority. Could you also arrange for my attendants to rest somewhere? I'll wait here for Chief Patrick myself."

"Certainly. Please follow me, everyone." Yanida led Telestra's attendants to the Mage Tower's second floor.

After receiving Quelrintis's notification, Patrick teleported to the first-floor hall to welcome the academy's ambassador.

With a ripple of arcane energy, Patrick appeared in the teleportation circle on the first floor.

"Ambassador Telestra?" Patrick saw the academy's ambassador, who had been waiting on the first floor for some time.

"Chief Patrick." Telestra examined Patrick. His arcane energy circulated steadily, and his mind was vigorous and full of vitality. He was a steady arcanist.

"You've come a long way, Ambassador. Please, let's speak in my office." Patrick gestured for her to proceed.

Telestra teleported with Patrick to the fifth floor, where she saw the two female elves, Alleria and Sylvanas.

"Marshal Alleria and General Sylvanas are here as well. I trust that won't be a problem?" Patrick asked.

"Not at all. This is the commendation issued by the king. Please have a look, Chief Patrick." Telestra took an envelope bearing Silvermoon City's Fire Phoenix emblem from her magical bag and handed it to Patrick.

The commendation was simply worded and concise in meaning:

In the year 6895 of the Quel'Thalas calendar, the Ranger Forces led by Marshal Alleria, together with Arcanist Patrick, ventured deep into the Life Forest and thwarted the trolls' evil plan to attack Farstrider Lodge. They later entered the Life Forest once more and destroyed the troll stronghold of Zeb'Watha in a single stroke. In recognition of Arcanist Patrick's contributions to elven society, he is hereby granted the title of Baron and the Golden Dragonhawk Medal.

The Royalists had not given him their direct support and were still testing the waters. The title of Baron was essentially meaningless to Patrick.

Elves had always been known for their pride. The Kingdom of Quel'Thalas had been virtually unrivaled in the world for many years, and individual elves were also exceptionally powerful, so that pride had become etched into their souls. When dealing with other elves, they paid little attention to noble rank. Although high elves acknowledged the status of the various nobles and high clans, deep down they truly believed that greatness was not inherited and that one ought to strive to better oneself.

The Sunstrider clan had become royalty entirely because Lord Dath'Remar had obtained water from the Well of Eternity from Illidan. It was that very vial of water from the Well of Eternity that had allowed the high elves to create the Sunwell, giving the entire Kingdom of Quel'Thalas access to arcane energy for research.

That was why the Sunstrider family had been able to become the royal family of Quel'Thalas.

Every elven commoner considered themselves one of the chosen and would never abase themselves before someone merely because that person held a title. In elven society, there were plenty of elves whose parents were both unremarkable, yet whose offspring were high-level spellcasters. The entire high elf race was like this. Especially when dealing with humans, they were the very embodiment of arrogance, looking down their noses at others.