Before leaving Nasalas, Gale and Rielly met.
Rielly had now become a formal Mage, and the Elemental Spell Codex had greatly benefited him. Influenced by Gale's incredible achievements, Rielly developed a strong interest in Frost Spell and spent a lot of time researching it.
After a test, Gale was very satisfied with Rielly's progress.
"You are about to graduate. As long as you maintain your current grades in your graduation assessment, I will personally craft a staff for you."
"Really?" Rielly was overjoyed. "Brother, don't worry, I will definitely graduate with the best grades."
"Keep it up!"
Rielly's talent was not very strong, similar to Sethonis, Meijia, and others. Compared to top talents like Metri and Nalarex, he was quite a bit weaker. However, Gale believed that talent could not entirely determine strength; effort was also very important.
For a genius, one percent is inspiration, and ninety-nine percent is perspiration. But that one percent of inspiration is the most important, even more important than the ninety-nine percent of perspiration.
This saying was true on Earth, but in Azeroth, it did not apply. The existence of the Well of Eternity weakened the importance of talent. Just like Sethonis, his talent was not strong, but with the promotion theory created by Gale, he could still become an Archmage in just a few decades.
What's more, with him around, Rielly's future achievements would not be weaker than Metri and Nalarex.
Gale did not move the Forging Factory; the Empire needed epic weapons to equip its soldiers. Even if it didn't make a profit, Gale would keep the Forging Factory running. What's more, the Forging Factory was making a considerable income every month now.
Following the main road north, then turning east upon reaching the Temple of the Moon, they soon arrived at Andu Talla.
Andu Talla was very small, not even comparable to Heda'shal. Previously, it belonged to Black Rook Hold and had no appointed lord. Now that Gale had taken over, the Raven Case had withdrawn their people.
Ravencrest, in Thalassian, means 'Raven Crown'. This family was an old military noble family, and their relationship with Gale was not bad. The Ravencrest Captain in Suramar was the envoy from this family who contacted Gale.
Therefore, to thank the Raven Case for their departure, Gale sent Metri with many gifts.
In the future, the two families would become neighbors, so they couldn't let their relationship sour.
The task of renovating Andu Talla was given to Antalia. He, accompanied by Maiev, crossed the river to the northern river.
After two days of walking into the forest, Gale saw Shaladrassil again. It was Maiev's first time seeing the World Tree, and she was utterly astonished.
"This tree is so tall?"
Gale nodded and began to introduce it to her.
"This is Shaladrassil, the World Tree. It connects to the Emerald Dream, and I owe my awakening to it."
He told Maiev about his experiences in the Emerald Dream, and Maiev couldn't help but exclaim, "I never imagined there could be such magical things in this world."
"There's still a lot we can't imagine."
Soon, the two arrived at the base of the tree. Gale, following his memory, found the tree hollow that connected the real world and the Emerald Dream.
Gale said, "Malorne told me that I can only stay in the Emerald Dream to avoid the interference of the curse. So, until I resolve the curse, I will enter the Emerald Dream for a long time."
Maiev expressed understanding, "Don't worry, I'll be here. I'll apply to be transferred to Cenarius Grove, and except for necessary rituals, I will guard this place. You can tell me anything you need."
Gale: "Help me build a house here and set up a barrier. When I come out of the Emerald Dream, I will need a quiet place to create an artifact."
"I will do it myself. You will see it when you come out."
Gale kissed Maiev on the forehead, "Wait for me to come back."
Maiev watched Gale activate the portal and disappear into the tree hollow, tears streaming down her face. Soon, she wiped away her tears and walked into the forest.
It took Maiev a month to build the wooden house and set up an Arcane barrier. After another month, she returned to Suramar to participate in the Moon God Ritual. At the same time, she applied to be transferred to the Temple of the Moon in Cenarius Grove, becoming its High Priestess.
Except for necessary rituals, Maiev stayed at the wooden house. But Gale did not emerge from the Emerald Dream for three years.
Three years was long enough for Andu Talla to become a prosperous small town, and many Kaldorei who admired Gale chose to settle there. Antalia's talent was more than sufficient to manage a small town, and with the assistance of Navoli and others, Andu Talla was run perfectly.
Rielly also graduated with excellent grades. He came to Andu Talla, found Gale absent, and then returned to Nasalas to recruit those talented Mages who had not yet graduated.
Three years was also short enough for the Kaldorei Empire to enter a period of peace, no longer deploying troops externally. The Trolls were also licking their wounds, silently accumulating strength.
Finally, on Winter Veil, there was a commotion in the tree hollow.
A giant white stag emerged from it, and behind it was Gale, who had been missing for three years.
Maiev flashed over and excitedly hugged Gale, "You're finally back."
Gale was also very excited, "Yes, I'm back."
Watching the two kiss, Malorne smiled and quietly walked a little further away. After a long while, the two separated, and Gale said, "Let me introduce you, this is Lord Malorne."
Maiev was a little embarrassed and greeted Malorne.
Malorne smiled and said, "My child, I understand your feelings of reunion after a long separation."
Gale: "In the Emerald Dream, we have already discussed a plan for crafting an artifact. As long as this artifact can be made, I will no longer be troubled by the curse."
"Really?" Maiev was overjoyed, "That's wonderful."
"Don't be too happy yet," Malorne reminded, "the crafting of the Reaver's Scythe is not easy. Besides the rare materials, it also requires the power of Elune."
Maiev was stunned. Elune no longer favored Gale, so how could she help him craft an artifact?
Gale, however, was calm. "What we can do is finish what we can do. As for whether Elune will forgive me, that depends on Her own will."
As long as the Reaver's Scythe could be crafted, even without Elune's blessing, it would be enough for him to suppress the curse. As long as the curse could be suppressed, he would have enough time to think of other ways to resolve it.
Maiev gritted her teeth, "I will pray to Elune with all my might."
Gale smiled, "I believe you!"
A hint of worry flashed in Malorne's eyes. Gale was an unexpected fellow. If Elune refused to help Gale, then he might no longer believe in Elune in the future.
Although his current faith was still shallow, it was faith after all.