Chapter Ninety-Eight: An Accident

For a large-scale spell array, and for the sake of both safety and success, Patrick decided that they would carve this one together. He wanted Allen to lend a hand as well. After all, with an immortal archmage who had studied the arcane since ancient times working alongside him, at the very least there would be far more assurance in terms of success and safety.

Allen readily agreed. When the second attempt began, Patrick also gave special instructions for Aurelia to oversee the administrative affairs of the Sun Sanctuary during this period.

Eight arcane crystals were assembled together. Guided by mental force, they rose into the air and settled into their predetermined positions, and the eight separate arrays were transformed into a single, integrated formation.

The arcane beam in Patrick’s hand moved across the crystal surface, becoming an energy carving blade as it etched the arcane nodes. Allen, too, was using his ability to probe the movement of energy within the crystals, ensuring the array’s safety and the smooth flow of power.

Patrick had become completely immersed in his experiment. Time passed without his noticing. He only knew that Aurelia would come in the evening, and he had little room left in his mind for anything else.

The carving of a large rune array consumed an immense amount of time. Only after a full fifteen days was the first array finally completed. By then, Patrick had already turned into a disheveled old mage with wild hair and a beard gone ragged. The eight arcane crystals were linked by threads of arcane power, and only after the final inspection was finished did he come out to rest.

Back in his bedroom, Patrick looked into the mirror and realized that he had truly become a “traditional” mage. His clothes, though exquisite, were in utter disorder, his long golden hair looked as though it had not been cared for in ages, and the beard on his face was equally untidy. Once the carving was done, Patrick immediately washed and tidied himself up.

Aurelia had already prepared a fresh robe and left it outside. During these past few days, the elven woman had only watched quietly as Patrick carved the array, occasionally helping him with trivial matters.

When Patrick emerged from the bath, he looked refreshed, and the air of gloom and weariness that had clung to him for days had vanished.

Aurelia said from the side, “Your arcane mastery has improved again, and the arcane aura here has grown even denser, but at the very least, don’t spend every day locked away in the laboratory.”

The mages of Silvermoon City might have been devoted to arcane study, but they still attended plenty of salons and parties. A spellcaster like Patrick, who did nothing but immerse himself in arcane research, was truly rare. That made Aurelia somewhat displeased as well. After all, this was supposed to be her rare holiday, and yet he had spent it in a frenzy of arcane experiments. What exactly was he trying to do?

Patrick gave a helpless, wry smile. “There’s nothing I can do. In truth, I’m planning to ascend to the eighth tier.”

Aurelia stared at him in shock. The eighth tier, spoken of so casually, as though it were something simple? Then what exactly were the councilors of Silvermoon City, those who served as the kingdom’s administrative leaders, supposed to amount to? The eighth tier was an attainment many elves never reached in their entire lives, and it was also the key to entering the highest circle of power in Quel’Thalas.

“Yes. I want to reach the eighth tier and request permission from His Majesty Anasterian to read the floating knowledge. The Sun Sanctuary will become the core city under our control, a city of sunlight belonging to House Cabron and House Windrunner.”

Patrick laid out his future plans, and at once the resentment in Aurelia’s eyes diminished, though she soon sank into thought. “When I first met you at the Farstrider lodge, you were only a minor mage, sent by your house to deliver supplies.

“Then I met you again at the Eastern Sanctum. You shone brilliantly in those two battles, and only then did I begin to realize that you were not quite like the other arcanists I knew. You were more serious than they were, almost fanatical in your pursuit of the arcane, and you handled politics with an ease that left no room for strain. I don’t know what you’re rushing toward—whether it’s a sense of crisis or a thirst for power. That doesn’t matter. What matters is that at the very least, you should tell the people around you what it is you’re pursuing.”

Patrick fell silent.

He could not speak of the matters concerning Silvermoon City’s future. He could only speak of his own plans for development in order to reassure the elven woman. Over all this time, from the Forest of Life to the Wastes, from the Sun Sanctuary to the Silvermoon Council, Aurelia had always been the one silently supporting him at his side. As for the future construction of the Tower of Sunlight, Patrick had directly placed part of it under her management.

“Perhaps because I’ve stayed in Silvermoon City too long, I’ve come to understand the shadows beneath the kingdom’s brilliance,” Patrick said. “That’s why I want to hurry my own growth and step beyond Silvermoon City to develop outward. The expectations of the future, and the responsibilities I bear, do not allow me to stop. Even for the sake of a better future, I have to keep moving forward.”

Hearing this, Aurelia still carried a trace of grievance, but far more than that, she felt relief. Seeing that Patrick had finished washing up, she called over the servants to bring the prepared food.

The elven woman ate lightly, and Patrick, having spent all his focus on crafting arcane items, paid little attention to the meal. He only had a little plain bread soaked in milk, fruit salad, and cream-filled rolls.

“Have you finished the item you were making?” the elven woman asked.

“Not yet. I’ve only completed the preliminary work. I’m going to install a platinum disk here in the Tower of Sunlight.”

“A platinum disk? The thing you found in the lower levels of Uldaman?”

“Yes. I found that the platinum disk has excellent malleability, and it also absorbs arcane energy very well. I want to use it as the initial power source for the Tower of Sunlight.” Patrick’s expression grew solemn as he continued, “The platinum disk was most likely created personally by Norgannon. The Titan power within it is extremely dense and can serve as a solid foundation for energy.”

“So that really was a Titan ruin?” Aurelia said in disbelief. Yet when she saw the certainty on Patrick’s face, she added, “At first, I thought it was just something adventurers had invented at random.”

“It is indeed a Titan ruin. The earth elementals and the palace inside were all Titan creations, and the four platinum disks in the deepest chamber were also made by a Titan, personally crafted by Norgannon, the Titan who governs knowledge and wisdom.”

Among the living beings of Azeroth, apart from the five Dragon Aspects and the Old Gods, no race had ever truly seen the Titans themselves. They knew of the Titans’ greatness only through stories and ruins. As the highest of creator gods in this world, it was understandable for Titan creations to possess the effects of any divine relic. Aurelia was no different. Once she learned that the platinum disk was a Titan creation, her expression became one of sudden understanding.

“I’ll set the platinum disk in the sealed chamber. For the time being, the affairs of the Sun Sanctuary will be left to you.”

Aurelia knew Patrick well. His pursuit of the arcane would never cease. Now that the Sun Sanctuary’s work had only just begun, she could also call in some people from House Windrunner to help manage the daily affairs.

After breakfast, Patrick, together with Aurelia, returned to the laboratory and began the second round of arcane crystal engraving.