"She truly looks like a princess now," Kael'thas said, nodding with a satisfied smile.
This appearance was fitting for the Sunstrider image. The aura Anveena carried was a gift from the Sunwell itself, something no other elf could hope to match.
"Can... can I see what I look like now? I feel much taller, and my body feels so much lighter," Anveena said, spinning in place.
"Leave that to me!" Jaina chirped, smiling as she used her frost magic to conjure a mirror of crystalline ice.
"Is... is this really me? It's unbelievable. I actually became an elf," Anveena whispered, covering her mouth. Every woman has a heart for beauty, and her current form was vastly more stunning than her human state. Before, she was a rustic village flower; now, she was a noble Imperial Princess.
Rhodes nodded in approval. If the Red Dragons ever decided to go into the plastic surgery business, they'd be rolling in gold. Moreover, this ability to shape life was impressive. While Anveena was primarily the Sunwell's essence, the Red Dragonflight's magic—blessed by the Titans—clearly possessed the power to forge new life from raw energy.
"Alright, Anveena. From now on, your public identity is a Princess of the Sunstrider Court—Kael'thas's half-sister," Krasus said warmly, looking at her with fatherly affection. Anveena was like a daughter to him, a life he had shaped with his own hands. Although he was the Dragonqueen's consort, procreation was primarily the Queen's domain, and he had yet to produce a suitable heir with her.
"Teacher Krasus, will I stay with you and learn magic from you?" Anveena asked.
Krasus shook his head. "Actually, I am merely proficient in the spells known to ordinary human mages. my greatest abilities are draconic—the Breath of Life and life-weaving spells unique to the Red Dragons, as well as the shapeshifting magic all dragons master. Now that you are a Princess, there is a better choice for your growth. I believe Lord Rhodes is better suited to guide you."
He had originally intended to teach her himself, but their circumstances had changed. As a Sunstrider Princess, she needed an education that fit her status. Furthermore, Anveena's connection to the newly reborn Sunwell—which was now infused with Holy Light—gave her an incredible affinity for the Light.
Rhodes was not only a master of Azerothian magic but also proficient in Titan sorcery and powerful Holy Light magic. If anyone was suited to train the "new" Anveena, it was the Son of the Holy Light.
"So... you want me to study under Mr. Rhodes?" Anveena looked at her "father" in surprise. Krasus took a deep breath and nodded. His draconic life spells simply weren't something she could learn.
"It is an excellent choice," Kael'thas agreed. "Rhodes is the most fitting mentor. He bridges the gap between the Light, Arcane, and the mysterious magic of the Titans."
Kael'thas felt that destiny was at play. Moments ago, he had wanted to turn her back into raw energy to empower the well. But Rhodes had stopped him, securing her a place as a Princess—which removed the threat to his throne—and placing her under his tutelage. This move would also draw Rhodes closer to the Blood Elves and ensure the prophecy of her "bringing light to Azeroth" would come true.
"You have a link to the Sunwell, and since the well now holds the Light, I can teach you Holy magic along with the Titan sorcery I specialize in," Rhodes said.
Anveena's potential was massive. Rather than letting her be led astray by some Blue Dragon in the future, it was better to keep her close as a top-tier combatant.
Since she was a manifestation of pure energy and life, her body could likely handle the "memory-dump" style of learning from his Academic skill. While Solmyr was away holding Kalimdor, his level-ups had boosted Rhodes's Academic ability to intermediate, allowing him to directly transmit spells up to Level 3.
Hell, Rhodes thought, if she's willing, I could even teach her Fel or Shadow magic. My teaching method is simple and brutal: I don't explain the process; I just shove the principles directly into your brain.
"Alright, Lord Rhodes. Please look after me," Anveena said, nodding after a moment of thought. "I only have a year of memories, but your name is like thunder to my ears—the Savior of Humanity, the Liberator of Lordaeron, the Victor of Mount Hyjal, and Vice-Commander of the Silver Hand."
"Lord Krasus, since the misunderstanding is cleared, please stay in Silvermoon for a while so I may show you our hospitality," Kael'thas said.
"Very well. I shall use the time to teach Anveena the basics before I depart," Krasus replied.
To establish Anveena's new identity, Kael'thas organized a grand "Homecoming Banquet" in the Sunfury Spire. The hall was brilliant, filled with elven nobles in their finest attire, all eyes fixed on the new Princess. When Anveena entered, dressed in the traditional gold-and-red royal gown and led by Kael'thas himself, the room fell silent.
The resemblance wasn't in her facial features compared to the late King Anasterian, but in her aura. She carried an innate nobility and a pure, unmistakable scent of the Sunwell. To some nobles, her connection to the well felt even more potent than the Prince's.
"My noble kin!" Kael'thas announced, standing beside her. "In this glorious hour of the Sunwell's rebirth, I formally recognize Anveena Sunstrider as a Princess of the Sunstrider Court—my sister! Guided by the Eternal Sun and the Holy Light, she has returned to us. Let us raise our glasses to Princess Anveena!"
After a moment of shock, the hall erupted in applause.
"To Princess Anveena!"
"Welcome home, Your Highness!"
Anveena was initially flustered, but under the encouraging gazes of Rhodes and Jaina, she steadied herself. She raised her crystal glass in a slightly stiff, unpracticed gesture that only served to convince the nobles that she truly was a "long-lost" royal illegitimate daughter.
"She's adapting quickly," Kael'thas noted.
"The Light protects her. Her talent for it is terrifying," Rhodes said, rubbing his chin.
He was struck by a wild thought: if he eventually traveled back 10,000 years, what would happen if he brought this Living Sunwell with him? If she bathed in the original Well of Eternity or drank its water, she might become a "Mobile Sunwell" capable of upgrading all his Holy Light Phoenixes—and perhaps even his elemental army.
There's huge potential here, he mused. But first, I'll use her as the ultimate bait to lure out Dar'Khan Darkboy.