According to the classification of magic in the Dungeons & Dragons world, spells range in difficulty from the simplest to the most complex, categorized from zero-level to ninth-level spells.
In Azeroth, a mage capable of casting zero or first-level spells is generally considered an apprentice. Those who can cast spells above the seventh level are regarded as archmages. As for ninth-level and beyond, only legendary mages—capable of using "legendary spells"—exist, and they are exceedingly rare even in Azeroth.
To Alaric's knowledge, only Aegwynn and her son, Medivh, truly belong to this tier. Perhaps Antonidas of Dalaran and Anasterian Sunstrider of Quel'Thalas are close, but most other mages fall far short of this level.
Of course, if one includes naturally extraordinary beings, the number of legendary spellcasters increases significantly—such as Krasus, the red dragon disguised as a high elf in Dalaran, or certain powerful blue dragons.
However, this classification isn't absolute.
Firstly, a mage's true power also depends heavily on their combat proficiency.
Many mages are reclusive scholars who dwell in their towers, possessing immense magical power but lacking real battle experience. Against non-magic users, they fare decently, but when facing fellow spellcasters, they often flounder.
Secondly, unlike in games where magic levels are strictly measured, no such rigid system exists in reality. Alaric's classification, based on D&D rules, is merely a reference.
In practice, the difficulty of learning spells varies from mage to mage, and there's no clear-cut division between spell levels.
A mage isn't automatically no longer an apprentice just because they can cast second-level spells, nor does failing to cast a seventh-level spell disqualify them from being an archmage. Exceptions always exist.
Still, Alaric's ranking provides some useful insights.
Currently, his own magical prowess has reached the ninth level, though his mastery of ninth-level spells is far inferior to his command of those below it.
He has essentially learned every available spell up to the eighth level, making him a true prodigy in all nine schools of magic. However, regarding ninth-level magic...
He still has a ways to go.
As for Jaina, his apprentice, Alaric is training her in the same direction—to master all nine schools of magic, at least until she reaches the seventh level.
Most mages have limited mental capacity for magic, forcing them to specialize in one or two schools while neglecting others.
Alaric's expectations for Jaina, however, demand that she learn several times—if not dozens of times—more than an ordinary mage at her level.
Unfamiliar with the magical world, Jaina often laments the difficulty of her studies, mistakenly believing all mages must endure such rigorous training. At times, she even doubts her own talent.
It remains to be seen how she will react when she arrives in Dalaran and realizes just how much her so-called "unfair" training differs from that of other apprentices and mages.
In any case, as the Alliance and Horde prepare for the impending war, Jaina's magic studies continue despite her complaints.
But time for peaceful learning is running out.
Still, not all news is bad before war breaks out.
For example, promising updates have arrived from the holy city of Stratholme.
The six original paladins have now reached the point of graduation.
Aside from Turalyon, the remaining five have fully mastered the foundational abilities of the paladin order.
More advanced techniques and stronger powers await further development by these first-generation knights.
In Stratholme, Alaric also reunited with someone he had placed among them: the high elf Liadrin, bearer of the Sigil of Chastity.
This once gentle and kind-hearted priestess had undergone a dramatic transformation, now exuding an aura of valiant determination.
Gazing at the still-beautiful but now significantly changed young woman, Alaric couldn't help but wonder—when he eventually brought Liadrin back to Quel'Thalas, would her mentor, the soon-to-be Archbishop of Silvermoon, Vandellor, try to kill him?
After all, anyone would be furious to see their once-demure student turned into a hardened warrior.
Perhaps due to the Sigil of Chastity's influence, Liadrin's devotion to the Light appeared less fanatical compared to her fellow initiates.
Rather than viewing the Light as something to worship, she seemed to wield it as a tool.
This was not surprising—after all, the Sigil of Chastity originated from the Titan Keeper, the Maiden of Virtue.
As a creation of the Titans, their kind did not worship the Light but instead harnessed it as a force of nature.
This suited Alaric just fine. As a mage, he preferred rational allies over zealots.
As the one who had guided Liadrin toward becoming a paladin, Alaric naturally received an enthusiastic welcome from her.
"Hello, Mr. Sandor," she greeted warmly upon noticing him, immediately halting her training in paladin techniques to approach him.
"It's been a while! How have you been? May the Light bless you—oh, wait, I forgot, you're a mage. You probably don't need the Light's blessing. How about the Arcane's blessing instead?"
At this, the elf girl playfully stuck out her tongue in embarrassment.
Seeing the once-serene girl now brimming with cheerful energy, Alaric found himself infected by her enthusiasm, feeling unexpectedly happy.
He walked up to her and said with a smirk, "The Arcane blesses no one. If you want its favor, you must earn it yourself. But I see you've developed some new views on the Light?"
Alaric had once debated the nature of the Light with Liadrin when he first took her away from Quel'Thalas.
Back then, she had been a devout believer, convinced that the Light responded to its followers' unwavering faith.
However, Alaric—who understood the cosmology of the Warcraft universe—had countered that the Light was merely one of the fundamental forces of the world.
Those whose beliefs aligned with it could access its power, but faith alone did not create it.
Many of those who claimed to draw power from the Light through sheer devotion were actually unknowingly channeling energy granted by immensely powerful Light-wielding entities.
Yes—Alaric had been referring to the naaru. It was these celestial beings who had spread the Light's power throughout Azeroth, and they were the true "gods" that many devout races unknowingly worshipped.
The Titans, on the other hand—beings equal to or even greater than the naaru—would never pray to the Light. They wielded it as one of many cosmic forces.
As Liadrin was now a disciple of a Titan Keeper and the bearer of the Sigil of Chastity, Alaric suspected she had come to the same realization.
Sure enough, at his words, the elf girl's expression turned conflicted.
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