Jaina used Teleport to return directly to familiar Dalaran. Just a moment ago, she was in the city of Durnholde, filled with high-rise buildings and a sense of technology, and now she was once again on the violet-hued land. This was where she had lived for many years; every stone dome, every magical spire, every street was deeply etched in her memory.
She couldn't help but compare these two very different cities: Dalaran was a city with a strong academic atmosphere, where almost everyone who lived here was involved with magic, either as a mage or as someone who served mages. Everyone was serious and rigid. Durnholde, on the other hand, could be considered a city of technology, where there were also mages and summoners, but more importantly, there were civilians and laborers. The people there were friendly and enthusiastic.
And those adorable Yordles.
Thinking of those Valoran people who were similar to gnomes, but even more adorable in appearance, Jaina couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile.
She walked towards Antonidas' residence, overhearing the low voices of the mages next to her.
"Have you heard about that Miss Lux?"
"More news about her?"
"Yes, this time she tricked a poor fellow named Grimm."
"How so?"
"She used magic to make the part of Grimm's body below his neck invisible... Everyone saw him going to class with only a head floating."
"How pitiful... those suitors."
Jaina was a little surprised to hear this. They must be talking about that genius mage representing Valoran in Dalaran, "The Lady of Luminosity," Lux, right? She imagined a magical apprentice having his body hidden by magic, completely unaware, and going to class—that would be terrible.
Jaina met her teacher in Archmage Antonidas' magic tower. Somewhat unexpectedly, the protagonist of the story she had heard on the way was also here.
Lux lowered her head and said meekly, "I know, Archmage Antonidas, I won't use this method again. I promise!"
Antonidas pressed sharply, "Does your subtext mean you'll change to a new method next time?"
"I've been found out," Lux stuck out her tongue and said playfully, "Alright, I won't use magic to tease them next time."
"Other methods are not allowed either," Antonidas warned, "I heard you don't want Aiden to summon your brother too quickly—"
"Alright, Alright, Alright, I promise!" Lux immediately surrendered, then pitifully begged, "Don't tell the Commander, Alright, Archmage!"
Antonidas said with a stern face, "Not again!"
"I promise!" Lux vowed. Then she saw Jaina coming in, and immediately put on a smiling face and waved, "Miss Proudmoore, you're here!"
"Teacher, Miss Lux," Jaina greeted the two.
"Jaina," the Archmage looked at his prized disciple, "You look a little different, have you touched that realm?"
Jaina nodded reservedly, "I think so, Teacher."
Antonidas looked closely and sighed, "You're improving so fast! When I was your age, I was still secretly pleased that I had just become a high-level mage!"
Jaina should have been proud. She did realize that she had touched the realm of a hero, and she could break through that bottleneck at any time and officially become an Archmage. However, when she saw the innocent and lively Lux next to her, she couldn't feel proud.
"Miss Lux is the one who is really improving quickly."
Lux waved her hand and said, "No, actually, I'm not as powerful as you think. It's just because of the special nature of the League of Legends that you have this illusion." She explained to the two Azerothian mages, "Actually, after the establishment of the Valoran League of Legends organization, in order to balance the gap between the major forces, the abilities of all heroes who join the League of Legends must be unconditionally adjusted. Those who are particularly powerful are adjusted to the level of ordinary heroes, and those who are not powerful enough are adjusted to be similar to ordinary heroes. So, I am actually a hero whose strength has been enhanced!"
Hearing this explanation, Jaina felt a little more balanced.
"But talent doesn't lie," Antonidas laughed, "You are the most talented mage I have ever seen, Lux, you don't have to be too modest. I have personally witnessed your growth these days, and it is even more surprising than Jaina."
"I should show a jealous expression at this time," Jaina joked.
Antonidas laughed heartily.
Lux waved her hand and said, "My talent is just average, because there is someone in the League of Legends whose talent far exceeds mine."
"Oh?" Both of them looked interested. However, they both thought this was Lux's modesty. Far exceeding Lux, what kind of realm would that be? Completely unimaginable.
Lux said, "Really, her name is Annie. At the age of two, she subdued a powerful shadow bear with magic, and at the age of eight, she became a hero."
"Eight years old? A hero?" Antonidas and Jaina felt their worldviews collapsing.
When Jaina was eight years old, she hadn't even started to learn magic. And now she was twenty-two and had not yet officially become a hero. Even so, she was known as a genius mage who was rarely seen in a century.
So she decided to get down to business: "Teacher, Lord Aiden invites you to Durnholde to discuss how to deal with Kel'Thuzad."
"They found him?" Antonidas asked in surprise.
"Yes, in the Alterac Mountains, at Broken Ridge."
"Excellent!" Antonidas punched his palm with his fist. "Aiden will bring me good news!"
Now that the traces of the Scourge had been found, Harkula was useless. Antonidas was going to Durnholde, so he first found Archmage Krasus, who was on duty, to tell him to eliminate this hidden danger.
However, in Krasus's mage tower, he met an unexpected person.
"Rhonin?"
"Archmage Antonidas." It was the mage Rhonin, representing the Alliance in Stormwind City.
"When did you arrive?"
"Just now."
Antonidas looked at the two, master and apprentice, and remembered the last time he mentioned seeking the essence of life from the Red Dragon Queen: "Perfect, let's go to Durnholde together."
"What about Harkula—?" Jaina prompted.
"I'll inform Modera and let her handle it."
… …
Highlord Alexandros Mograine was the first to arrive at Durnholde.
"The architectural style here is truly unique," Mograine commented.
His deputy, General Abbendis, was full of amazement after entering the city: "It's unbelievable, just over a month ago this place was completely in ruins."
His Inquisitor, Isillien, also nodded in agreement: "The lord here is truly a remarkable person."
"Shouldn't we have known this already?" Mograine watched every resident around him. They looked energetic, optimistic, and busy everywhere. When the defense was handed over, he could clearly distinguish which were refugees and which were outsiders from Valoran, but now everyone here was the same. Well, the Yordles were special.
Angel Ophiel led them to the Lord's Manor. Aiden got up to greet them: "Welcome, welcome, Highlord Mograine!"
Mograine stood at attention and saluted: "Greetings, Commander Aiden!"
Aiden immediately returned the salute, feeling a little flattered. Although his actual status was indeed Mograine's superior, he was not yet accustomed to such a role—Mograine was a legendary figure.
"These two are my deputies, General Abbendis and Inquisitor Isillien," Mograine introduced to Aiden. The two also saluted him respectively.
While greeting them, Aiden sized up these two deputies, who were also quite famous: Isillien was dressed as a priest, wearing a simple gray-white priest's robe and carrying a staff. He looked thin and energetic, and it was hard to imagine that he would become insane for revenge in the original history.
Abbendis looked tall and sturdy, with dark skin. Although he saluted Aiden, his eyes contained a deep-seated arrogance and contempt.
Perhaps this kind of personality was the reason for the deterioration of these two future Scarlet Crusade leaders and their army. However, Abbendis did have a daughter with a very pure heart, but her fate was not so good.
"I invited you here to discuss dealing with Kel'Thuzad. We have basically confirmed his whereabouts," Aiden said straightforwardly.
Mograine said solemnly: "According to His Majesty the King's order, I and my troops will unconditionally obey your command!"
"Very good. I have also notified the Archmages of Dalaran, and I will notify Lordaeron. This time, we must completely eliminate Kel'Thuzad!"
Isillien frowned and said, "General, I think we are enough to deal with the Scourge. Those mages—I'm afraid they won't be of much use."
"What if Kel'Thuzad uses magic to escape?" Aiden stared at Isillien.
He had always heard that the servants of the Holy Light and the users of magic did not have a good relationship. However, judging from the last encirclement of Scholomance, the two sides cooperated quite well. Now it seemed that perhaps only Uther, who commanded the operation that time, was not so narrow-minded.
Hearing his question, Isillien retorted: "Then we will eliminate the Lich before it uses magic!"
"…" Aiden felt that there was no need to argue with such a stubborn person. He looked at Mograine, who immediately reprimanded his subordinate: "Isillien, we only need to obey the General's command! Understood?"
"Yes, Lord." Isillien closed his mouth.
At this time, the second person Aiden was waiting for arrived. Tirion Fordring, who had returned from his mission, arrived at the Lord's Manor.
Aiden saw that his expression was calm and joyful, and smiled: "It seems that your mission has been completed well, Lord Tirion."
"Thanks to your suggestion, things are developing in the best direction!" Tirion replied with a smile.
He saw that Mograine was also present and greeted him: "Old friend, why are you here?"
"The General summoned us to discuss dealing with Kel'Thuzad," Mograine replied.
"Have you found his whereabouts?" Tirion looked at Aiden in surprise, who nodded.