The magic competition

The crowd began to whisper. Rommath's previously unruffled expression suddenly turned flustered. This was not what His Majesty Anasterian had promised him.

"Please hear a few more words of rambling from this tactless old man."

Antonidas pressed both hands downward, only continuing once everyone had calmed down.

"Of course, the rules of this magic competition will have to be settled through joint discussions between the Kirin Tor and Silvermoon's leadership..."

At this, Rommath's agitation subsided. At least the other party still wanted to keep talking, which meant he still had a chance to regain the initiative he had lost.

"Competition alone would not suit the Kirin Tor's usual style, so I propose that the winning side receive a prize."

The crowd had already calmed down, but upon hearing that the competition would even offer a prize, their breathing grew heavy.

This was a magic competition jointly hosted by Dalaran and Silvermoon City, the two oldest cities of magic. The prize promised by the chairman...

"If the Quel'dorei side led by Grand Archmage Rommath wins, he will receive a coveted seat on the Council of Six...

"But if the Kirin Tor, led by this old man, should be fortunate enough to win, we will receive shared access to all of Master Al's research results to date, as well as those of the next ten years..."

An uproar swept through the hall. Modera looked at Antonidas with a complicated expression, while the two hot-tempered human Archmages stood straight up, loudly demanding answers.

Rommath's face turned livid. This banquet had completely disrupted his plans, but he could not rashly reject the proposal outright. He still needed to consult the Sun King.

"How could you..."

Kael'thas's golden eyebrows shot up. He was about to say something when Al interrupted him from beside him.

The young man gently patted the prince's raised arm, waiting until he slowly lowered it before speaking:

"Are my research results actually more valuable than a position as a Kirin Tor councilor, Lord Antonidas?"

The young man's teasing remark did not displease the chairman in the slightest. He merely replied with a genial smile.

"Master Al, you are far too modest. Your research results are treasures of all Azeroth...

"The Rocket Boots, the Limited Invincible Belt developed by the Sarona Alchemy Workshop... His Majesty the Sun King sold these early achievements to the Kingdom of Lordaeron at a high price.

"Even now, only the most elite troops can be equipped with small quantities of those precious engineering creations.

"And the Jinkela you developed recently has taken all of Dalaran by storm, allowing countless low-level mages to find a shortcut to advancement. This is an epoch-making achievement.

"But none of this fully demonstrates your greatness... Perhaps you should not keep your treasures to yourself, but share this knowledge with Dalaran, which is equally hungry for it. What do you think?"

Well, well. So this was what he was waiting for.

Al could not help laughing. All the honeyed, treacherous old man's earlier praise had been sugar-coated bullets. Only with that final remark had he revealed his true intentions.

Al neither agreed nor disagreed, merely smiling as he watched Antonidas put on his one-man show.

He really is extraordinary. I provoked him in front of everyone, yet at his age, he showed no excessive reaction at all.

Antonidas silently weighed something. His face filled with smiles, making his approachable features look even more kindly.

"Of course, I am not trying to pressure you. Knowledge has a price. If you contribute this knowledge, I can bypass everyone else and make you a member of the great Kirin Tor family."

"Oh..."

A succession of sharp gasps erupted throughout the hall. Rommath, who had been resting with his eyes closed, abruptly stood up. His already livid face grew uglier still, and the wineglass trembling in his hand slowly cracked, scattering across the floor.

Hemet warily studied the elf struggling to contain his anger. He knew that this fellow before him, supposedly an important figure in Silvermoon City, did not have as harmonious a relationship with Lord Al as appearances suggested.

"Very well. I agree."

Al rose, elegantly raised his wineglass, and took a small sip.

Antonidas said, "Wonderful, this magic competition..."

"I agree to this magic competition!"

Al shook his head. Watching Antonidas's face shift like a face-changing opera performance, purple one moment and black the next, he finally could not hold back his laughter.

"You cannot do this, Master Al."

Rommath could no longer maintain his composure. He bent forward, and the human Common he had been speaking unwittingly gave way to rapid Thalassian.

"I don't think the Sun King will refuse my proposal. Lord Rommath, go consult His Majesty."

Al smiled faintly and slowly left, flanked by Hemet and Kael'thas, leaving a complete mess behind.

Antonidas fought back the urge to swing his staff and sat down in his seat, breathing heavily.

Very well. You forced me into this, Aier Salona.

PS: December 13 is National Memorial Day. Let us observe a moment of silence for the fallen heroes and those innocent victims. Never forget our national humiliation!

Also, an apology to you gentlemen: a chapter was blocked just now. I foolishly tried editing and posting it several times, but every attempt was blocked, and I couldn't even fucking delete them. After the restriction was lifted, they were all automatically posted. I've now deleted them all and left only the correct chapter, so you can read without worry.