"Teacher, are you saying that a magister summoned this creature within Silvermoon City? On purpose?" Leylin asked in surprise.
A solemn expression gathered between his brows. Belo'vir, pondering, nodded, confirming Leylin's thinking.
"Does that mean this creature just now not only drained large amounts arcane energy, but also affected other mages?" Leylin continued to ask.
He didn't deny that, Grand Magister Belo'vir also shared his concerns.
Quick-thinking, Leylin came up with a more serious problem. Since this creature specialized in plundering arcane energy, wouldn't its next target be the Sunwell, the richest source of arcane energy in all of Quel'Thalas?
Belo'vir stood outside the Mage Tower, gazing north of Silvermoon City. There lay an island, the source of mana upon which the elves depended for survival.
"Prepare for teleportation, student." Belo'vir said quickly after a moment's silence.
Teacher's gaze clarified everything to Leylin. Grand Magister Belo'vir also understood the arcane creature's next destination.
Following his teacher up to the observatory, the surging arcane aura had completely vanished. Without the arcane energy surrounding him, Leylin spotted a miniature portal within the observatory.
A blurry image drifted within the portal: another island, one with a similar atmosphere to Eversong Forest.
Due to the portal's energy structure, there was no need to activate a magic circle or channel magical energy. The teacher and student passed through the miniature portal, and almost instantly, Leylin arrived on another location. Leylin and his mentor landed in a magical temple.
The surroundings were quite tranquil; elves would not enter this sacred ground unless on particularly important business.
Emerging from the temple, in the moonlight, they could vaguely see a magister walking on a floating bridge directly ahead of them.
"Stop, Kanthin! You've triggered a power beyond your control." Belo'vir called out to the magister.
No energy fluctuations surrounded the magister; he remained well hidden. Even after the massive energy sweep through Silvermoon City, he remained so calm.
A hoarse voice, seemingly resonating with the surrounding magical energy, echoed through the empty space as the sorcerer spoke.
"Such powerful arcane energy, I cannot resist it, Grand Magister." Kanthin's azure eyes were gone, now radiating a purplish-black light.
Just looking directly at him, Leylin felt a sense of oppression. This must be the magister who had seized such a vast amount of arcane energy. But what about the arcane creatures he had summoned?
Leylin kept looking around trying to find where the arcane creature had hidden. Unbeknownst to him, the surroundings had changed—morphing into something far more intense and threatening.
The once faint whispers of the wind had transformed into distant, ghostly echoes that clawed at his mind. The shadows deepened, swirling and twisting like living things, and an almost tangible aura of malevolence clung to every surface.
The air grew thicker, each breath feeling heavier and more labored. Leylin's heartbeat quickened, not just from exertion but from the rising sense of danger.
The very ground beneath him seemed to pulse with an ominous rhythm, as if the city itself was holding its breath, waiting for something terrible to unfold.
Belo'vir glanced at the Leylin from the corner of his eye, showing no emotion. Leylin paused, trying to steady his nerves, but the oppressive intensity made it quite a challenge.
Kanthin continued forward, completely ignoring to the presence of the two people behind him. Belo'vir began to mobilize his magical energy, and lavender arcane energy converged at an incredibly fast pace.
Two massive arcane circles, each with a ten-meter radius, appeared to the left and right of the magister, Kanthin.
Arcane energy began to surge around the instructor, mobilizing the island's vast arcane energy. The arcane energy swirled and swirled, a void storm.
Countless tiny arcane circles, following a regular flight path, emerged from either side of the massive arcane circle, filling the gaps between them.
Nearly a thousand tiny arcane circles flew out simultaneously, a spectacular spectacle that left Leylin stunned. What a precise control of arcane energy!
Soon, an arcane prison materialized from thin air, trapping Kanthin within. Kanthin's movements were currently restricted.
"We will help you, Kanthin to regain your consciousness." the Grand Magister's breathing was rapid, a sheen of sweat on his forehead.
Imprisoned, Kanthin remained calm. With his body hunched, he began to unleash the immense energy hidden within him.
Entirely attached to him, a massive arcane creature emerged from his back.
This was an Arcane Wraith, capable of being enslaved by a summoner. But today, the roles of master and servant had reversed.
Kanthin faced the elven temple before him, perched high on the plateau. He knew what lay hidden within this sacred place, brimming with light and affinities with the arcane.
Kanthin unleashed the arcane energy within him. He had absorbed vast quantities of energy from Silvermoon City and the arcane creature on his back.
The arcane creature's body continued to expand, finally reaching the arcane barrier constructed by Grand Magister Belo'vir.
The situation was urgent, and Belo'vir's face was solemn.
Leylin asked, "Can I join in?"
The Grand Magister nodded. Leylin injected his arcane energy speeding up the recovery of the arcane barrier. While Leylin marveled at his teacher's precise arcane manipulation, he also panicked at the weakening arcane barrier.
When his own pure arcane energy injected. The barrier quickly repaired the cracks appearing. But still there is a difference between the rate Leylin infused his own arcane energy and the arcane creatures' absorption.
Yet, Leylin persisted. It was completely uncontrollable. But it wasn't over yet. Dozens of mages appeared and hurriedly poured out their arcane energy into the arcane prison.
Streams of purple arcane energy replenished the prison. The barrier began to recharge, and its structure continued to expand.
Help finally arrived? Leylin thought in his mind. He had used half of his magical energy, and dragged his exhausted body on the meadow. Belo'vir did the same, sitting on the meadow, trusting the magisters who had finally come to their aid.
A familiar figure approached them, a mage with abundant energy. Magister Nallorath, smiling at the two, teacher and their student, said, "We're not that late, right?"
Fifteen mages strengthened the arcane prison's magical barrier. By dawn, the arcane creature was completely trapped within the barrier.
As usual, the island sun shone brightly, warm. The chirping of birds and insects filled the ears of the surrounding mages.
Magister Rommath, leading the mages of the Silvermoon Council, had been busy since last night, still standing atop the nearly ten-meter-tall arcane creature.
Grand Magister Belo'vir and Magister Nallorath also stood on either side of him, discussing how to properly disperse such a huge amount of arcane energy without causing any losses.