Chapter 760

Chapter 760: The Archmage’s Solution

“Ah… it’s about fire magic,” Jesse said as he pulled out *The First Flame*. “I’ve hit a wall with the Fire Protection Barrier, Master.”

“A wall?” Malin exclaimed, surprised. “This spell’s far simpler than Mage Armor, Mr. Seso. I recall your talent for fire magic too. How could you struggle with Fire Protection Barrier?”

Jesse smiled awkwardly. “That’s why I came to you.”

Malin pushed aside a nearby chair and perched on the table, gesturing to the room’s center. “Cast it. Show me your progress.”

Jesse stepped forward, glancing at the high windows behind him. The moment reminded him of learning Mage Armor as a rookie—just wanting basic protection against being cut down by Kobolds or Murlocs. Back then, stirring the faintest ripple of Arcane energy thrilled him, knowing he lacked talent.

But now, gifted with the Red Dragon Queen’s Fire Affinity, failing to fully conjure the barrier felt unbearable. He’d expected effortless mastery over fire magic, yet only Fireball had grown stronger; new spells remained stubbornly out of reach.

“Won’t you use Azuresong Mageblade?” Malin asked.

“I’d rather cast unaided first, Master,” Jesse replied. Reciting the book’s incantation, he chanted: “Poliander, Blorclarifileri, Elder!”

The words flowed smoothly after days of practice—no twisted Nathrezim or Ered’ruin phrases to stumble over.

Arcane energy answered his call but refused to herd the airborne fire elementals like Mage Armor’s spell did. Fire elementals swirled wildly around him, while the Arcane proved too weak to bind them into a barrier.

As Jesse finished, the Arcane dissipated. Fire elementals dissolved into ashy smoke. Malin waved away the scorched scent. “Arcane and fire elementals rarely cooperate, Mr. Seso. That’s why Fire Mages face greater risks—why we prioritize Fire Protection Barrier over Frost.”

“Your fire elementals behave unusually. Most apprentices fail to catch them at all. Your problem is inverted: fire rushes to you faster than Arcane…”

Malin narrowed his eyes. “Have you considered… skipping Arcane entirely? Commanding fire elementals directly?” Jesse froze. “Is that possible?”

“No spell exists for it,” Malin admitted. “But Aerie Peak’s Sages speak to the skies. Kul Tiras’ water whisperers commune with seas. Though untrained in Arcane, they enlist elements for extraordinary feats. Orcs once did this too—Master Duchamp told me Shamans ranked highest before their tribe embraced demonic power.”

*Was Malin suggesting he become a Shaman?*

Absurd as it sounded, the logic held. The Red Dragon Queen’s blessing granted Fire Affinity, not Arcane. The Wizard’s Sanctum and Kirin Tor taught fire manipulation through Arcane—essentially fire enslavement. True mastery required Arcane talent, Jesse’s weakness.

Malin’s words echoed the Queen’s warning: flames answered *him*, not his Arcane.

“I understand, Master,” Jesse said.

That evening, Jesse met Greed at The Gilded Rose. He’d arrived early, ordering blood sausage and cornbread for the dwarf, wolf jerky for himself. Greed scanned the room before sitting. “Where’s the Elven Wisp?”

“She returned,” Jesse said.

“In such a hurry?” Greed raised an eyebrow. “Sneaking out again?”

“Likely,” Jesse replied. “I didn’t stop her.”

“Shame. Could’ve shared a meal.” Greed bit into a sausage. “Anyway, I found Bronzebeard renovators in the Dwarven District. They inspected your house—only the roof needs fixing. Five gold for repairs. Fair?”

“Cheaper than that middleman,” Jesse nodded. “Keep an eye on it?”

“Done.”

As the sommelier brought dark beers, Jesse slid one to Greed. The dwarf eyed his hand. “Need another favor?”

“I want to learn the language of Kalimdor,” Jesse said.

Greed nearly choked. “Element-tongue? Planning to become a human Sage?”

“Not exactly,” Jesse said. “The Queen’s blessing made me curious about communicating with fire elementals.”

Greed sipped his beer. “If it’s fireplay, visit Dark Iron Dwarves, Jesse.”

He chuckled at Jesse’s thoughtful expression, then sobered. “Wait—you’re serious? You’d go to Shadowforge City?”

“Any Dark Iron Sages in Ironforge or Stormwind?” Jesse pressed.

Greed pondered. “A group broke from Shadowforge City—calls itself the Thorium Brotherhood. They’ll know more.”