Azeroth Monster Manual

“Speaker…”

Neras Eran bowed respectfully, not with an ordinary noble's greeting, but with the respect of a disciple.

“Good, excellent! Eran, I never expected you to come to Dalaran at this crucial juncture.”

Antonidas's aged face, usually impassive, revealed a heartfelt smile as he patted the Archmage's shoulder with familiarity.

In his youth, Eran had done what every apprentice mage dreamed of – traveled to Dalaran.

During the time when Antonidas was not yet the Speaker, or even a council member, he recognized the talented apprentice mage.

He had personally tutored him for a time, and although they had no formal master-disciple relationship, Eran always regarded Antonidas as his teacher.

In a sense, Modera's seat on the Council was what Antonidas had reserved for Eran, but the Archmage's ambitions lay elsewhere, leaving Antonidas with no choice but to give up on the idea.

Such leniency was an almost unbelievable act for the Kirin Tor Speaker, known for his iron-fisted rule.

“Speaker, I saw the notice board. Is it true?”

Eran accepted the teacup Antonidas offered him with trepidation and asked softly.

“Indeed, I have reached an agreement with the Sun King of Quel'Thalas. If we win this time…”

Antonidas pondered for a long time, then decided to reveal the truth to Eran, and continued:

“If we win… we will gain the right to share all of El Salona's research results, and the right to share all his research results for the next ten years.”

Eran's breathing became heavy. He had memorized Master El's writings and academic papers, so he understood what Antonidas was saying.

“I…”

Eran was uneasy. He wanted to say something, but he couldn't bring himself to speak. He didn't want their relationship to be tainted by interests.

Antonidas seemed to see the Archmage's embarrassment, and the experienced old man imperceptibly curled the corner of his mouth, then said:

“Are you willing to join our team, Eran?”

Antonidas asked sincerely.

“I… I… can I?”

Eran's face was flushed, and he spoke with a trembling voice.

“Of course, if you are willing, I, on behalf of the Kirin Tor, sincerely invite you: Neras Eran, please join our team.”

“But… but… I”

“It's alright, you can make any requests.”

Antonidas maintained his smile. Such a warm smile made Eran feel relieved. He seemed to use all his strength to say loudly:

“Our Kingdom of Azeroth also wants to share Master El's research results with Dalaran. Our country's borders… are suffering from the ravages of trolls.”

After saying this, Eran seemed to have all his strength drained and slumped into the sofa.

“Alright, no problem, but I have a condition too.”

Antonidas agreed without much thought. This cunning old politician seemed to be weaving another plan.

“Please speak.”

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Eran said.

“If we win, I am very willing to share these research results with the Kingdom of Azeroth, but dear Neras, as a mage, I think you should understand a principle.”

Antonidas stood up, his eyes no longer kind and docile, but sparkling with an emotion called ambition.

“Knowledge… has a price. After this is over, I can share this precious knowledge with you, and even send a mid-level mage legion to help you defeat the trolls, but… what is the price?”

Eran's excited expression became bitter. He understood the principle of equivalent exchange, but he also understood that the Kingdom of Azeroth, beset by internal and external troubles, did not have enough reward to seek Dalaran's help.

“Don't rush to refuse, and don't be too embarrassed. The price of winning Dalaran's help is not as unbearable as you think.

【 】

You might discuss this with the esteemed Lionheart King, but now let's talk about the Magic Tournament.”

…

On the other side, at the Silvermoon Embassy.

Kael'ner Flamesong, with a bruised face and swollen nose, was clutching the hem of a high elf's trousers. This was the third time he had been thrown out of the mage tower by Rommath's supporters.

“I beg you, stop hitting me, stop hitting me.”

“Bah, a pig-raising, low-class commoner, dares to come to the embassy and cause trouble. Do you think becoming a mage will change your status as a commoner? Haha, go dream with your Ar疣.”

A high-ranking mage in a standard mage robe kicked Kael'ner away and strode away amidst the laughter of his companions.

“I'm already a high-ranking mage…”

Kael'ner covered his bleeding panda eyes with a desperate expression. He had come to join Master El full of anticipation, but he hadn't even seen the master's face before being beaten up by these overbearing high-ranking mages.

He wanted to fight back, but he inadvertently saw Rommath sitting in the hall, so he could only endure it silently?

Rommath glanced at the subordinates who were beating Kael'ner crazily, and only slightly curled the corner of his mouth.

This humble, low-class elf brought him some amusement. The few spots in the Magic Tournament were not something these nobodies could covet.

…

“Father… I'm sorry, I think I'll never climb up again in this life…”

Kael'ner just knelt on the street, ignoring the pointing fingers of passersby, tears streaming down silently, his pupils, which were originally full of hope, became empty, until a snow-white silk scarf was handed to him.

El, who had been playing all day, was preparing to return to the embassy to rest when he saw the elf with wounds all over his body kneeling by the roadside.

For some reason, Kael'ner's empty pupils seemed to touch the softness in his heart, so El slowly walked up to him and handed the snow-white silk scarf he had casually taken from the banquet to the elf in front of him.

“Wipe away your tears, what can't a big man get over.”

“Too… too dazzling.”

“What did you say?”

El asked in confusion.

Kael'ner looked at the warm smile and concerned gaze, and a beam of light suddenly lit up in his heart. This beam of light was too bright, and even made him feel dazzling. The young man in front of him was like a god exuding light, pulling him, who was about to fall into the abyss, to the other shore.

“You are? I recognize you, Kael'ner Flamesong.”

Strange light flashed in the young man's pupils. Under the effect of hyperthymesia, he remembered who he was.

“I'm sorry, Lord El, I've done so many wrong things. I came here to join your team, but I've changed my mind. Now I just want to beg for your forgiveness.”

Kael'ner lowered his head, suppressing the trembling cry as much as possible, and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito.

“Welcome to join my team.”

“Wh… wh… what did you say?”

Kael'ner raised his head, and two more new tear stains appeared on his face. His pupils flickered with a light called hope, but then dimmed again. He must have been hallucinating to hear such an absurd thing. How could Lord El…

“Welcome to join.”

Messy, broken hair covered half of his forehead, and the silver moonlight sprinkled on the young man, as if automatically adding a layer of filter. The young man's delicate face was filled with a bright smile, and under the long, slightly curled eyelashes, the crystal-clear eyes seemed to be shining.

The young man stretched out his hand and pulled Kael'ner, who was slumped on the ground, up.

In Kael'ner's unbelievable gaze, the young man said to him for the third time.

“I said, welcome to join my team, Kael'ner Flamesong.”

…

After a long time, just when the young man thought that the elf named Kael'ner had fallen asleep…

“Mm!”

Kael'ner heavily ‘mm’ed, he wiped away the tears in his eyes fiercely, and also revealed a bright smile.