Chapter 116: The Gate of Darkness

Spatial analysis: the high elven magi had already gained a profound understanding of space, and could even be said to wield it with consummate ease. Their accumulated knowledge offered Patrick an entirely new perspective, yet there was also the strange feeling that, beneath the surface, it was merely a different expression of the same principles. He could not shake the sense that it was somehow connected to the School of Conjuration.

As for “blink,” the name was self-explanatory: folding and leaping. Unlike conventional teleportation, blink produced the smallest displacement, but demanded the greatest expenditure of energy.

For example, if an object on a plane needed to travel from Point A to Point B, the fastest method would be to fold the plane until the two points coincided. The object would then need only to move a short distance to arrive at its destination. In reality, however, the energy required to fold space at will would be extraordinarily difficult to provide, making this technique impractical for levitation.

For the levitation technology Patrick envisioned, however, this was merely a simple beginning. Once magic was adapted for practical use, his considerations would extend beyond whether a spell could succeed. Stability, practicality, and energy efficiency would all have to be taken into account.

He continued reading: *The Principles of Levitation*.

“Every object, no matter how insignificant—even a tiny ant—possesses weight. Whether one accepts it or not, that weight is innate. From birth until death, it remains its companion.”

“To overcome this weight and achieve levitation, there are three possible approaches: redefine the surrounding space, alter the laws of gravity, or counteract the effects of gravity.”

This was largely consistent with Allen’s own understanding: deconstructing and reconstructing space, altering the gravitational constant, and applying anti-gravitational force.

Yet, as Allen had said, deconstructing and reconstructing space placed tremendous demands on the caster’s skill. It also required the space itself to remain highly stable, while precautions had to be taken against magical interference from the surroundings and spatial fluctuations caused by the spell. In practice, the results were poor. The moment a spatial anomaly appeared, everything could go disastrously wrong.

The second method—altering the gravitational constant of a floating tower or floating city until its gravity vanished—was the most practical. The conditions for levitation were relatively simple, and so long as the core power system remained unaffected, the safety of the floating tower would suffer little interference.

The third method, applying anti-gravitational force, involved exerting an upward force on the entire levitating structure to oppose its weight. Though stable and effective, it consumed an enormous amount of energy and was highly inefficient.

“Altering the laws of gravity is, in essence, the most practical approach. It changes only part of an object’s physical state, allowing the spell to remain relatively stable. Take the Falthrien Academy on Sunstrider Isle as an example. The entire academy floats above the sea, with its main entrance connected to Sunstrider Isle by an arched bridge. Two towers on either side house arcane force fields, creating a stable environment, while the primary energy crystals are installed at the center of the academy to provide its power supply. The principles of its magical runes are as follows…”

Falthrien Academy was where every novice blood elf eventually went. It was a genuine high elven floating structure.

Falthrien, however, did not rely entirely on altered gravitational laws. It also incorporated a portion of spatial deconstruction and reconstruction. The two towers on its sides had been built to create a stable environment for the academy. By comparison, Dath'Remar Tower, constructed entirely according to the theories of the School of Transmutation, was considerably safer and far less costly in both time and effort.

That was why Dath'Remar Tower served so many purposes. It monitored the Azuremyst Coast east of Silvermoon, managed the surrounding magical energy fields, and functioned as a logistical hub and staging point for the Farstriders. More importantly, it was the central link in the gryphon route between Silvermoon and the Isle of Quel'Danas.

The book recorded the levitation principles employed by Falthrien Academy and Dath'Remar Tower. It also used them as examples to explain how different types of magical formations affected levitation, comparing in detail the advantages and disadvantages of every approach.

Patrick rose and took a brief rest. Arcane memory placed an additional strain on the mind.

Suddenly, Patrick sensed cracks appearing in the laws governing the world. The shackles binding him began to loosen as well, and his power gradually started advancing toward the ninth rank. But the phenomenon soon subsided. The shackles tightened once more, though he could sense that cracks had already appeared across them.

The Dark Portal had finally opened. Horde scouts would soon establish an initial camp in the Blasted Lands, while the Violet Eye would send the spy Khadgar to Karazhan to steal the secrets of the Guardian. A world of turmoil was about to begin.

A breach had also appeared in Azeroth’s ley line network. Its defensive systems had weakened, and the world laws established by the Titans had been affected.

“Only the eighth rank.” Given Patrick’s current strength, he was still somewhat lacking. Six years from now, Orgrim Doomhammer would lead the Horde into Quel’Thalas, and Orgrim himself was a legendary powerhouse. “I need to accelerate the accumulation of resources—and my own cultivation as well.”

The Dark Portal had opened, and the entire course of “history” had begun to move.

Now, development in the Sun Temple had entered a fever pitch. Every elf was striving to demonstrate their value there—some for greater status, others for more gold. Elves of every kind had gathered at the Sun Temple to seek their fortunes.

The central district of the Sun Temple lay near the mountains, where the mage tower of a standing member of the Silvermoon Council was located. With a high-ranking figure taking up residence there, the entire region developed at astonishing speed.

As the population continued to grow, development accelerated further. The more concentrated the population, the faster the progress became, thanks to the natural increase in efficiency that came from large numbers of people working together. Patrick’s task was to plan ahead. Development plans could not wait until the population reached its limits; otherwise, the city would become hopelessly congested, resulting in severe overpopulation.

The Cabalon family shifted the focus of its development from Silvermoon to the Sun Temple. Because of Alleria, the Windrunners also began investing in the region. Large numbers of members from both the Windrunner and Cabalon families arrived at the Sun Temple, earning enormous profits from its endless construction projects.

Although no one understood why the newly appointed councilor continued investing in urban construction without end, no one else had the authority to interfere with a councilor’s decisions.

Most people held the same attitude: Why worry about it? Simply follow the councilor’s orders. After all, they were making money. Anything beyond that was none of their concern—and not something they could control. Once he realized that the city no longer needed so many residences and facilities, he would naturally stop building them.

Patrick now stood at the very pinnacle of power in the Kingdom of Quel’Thalas. No elf would casually provoke the displeasure of a councilor. Doing so would only make trouble for oneself.