Chapter 236
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Chapter 236: The Best Candidate
Today was the first day of school, but Jesse didn’t have classes on Monday. He arrived early at Malin’s study, wondering if he should clean up as an assistant.
He actually wanted to take it easy, but then he thought about the spell from last night, debating whether to buy a lamb at the market today or go to the farm outside to get one. As he pondered, work had already begun.
Before long, Amy Malin entered the room.
"Ah, you’re here, Jesse!"
"Amy," Jesse asked, "Is that pen useful?"
"How could I bear to use it!" Amy said. "I’m afraid it would get dusty just sitting there, let alone touching ink. By the way, my dad told me you encountered a black dragon, is it true or false?"
"It’s true, in Southshore."
Jesse told the story of meeting the black dragon from start to finish, following the version told by Greed to the soldiers in Southshore, ending with using a Light Spell to dazzle the dragon’s eyes.
After listening, Amy took a deep breath and shook her head.
"You don’t believe me?" Jesse asked.
"I was just thinking, if I encountered a dragon… I would probably be too scared to do anything," Amy said helplessly. "I hope I can have the courage to confront evil like you when the time comes."
"Until you’re truly in that situation, you never know how you’ll react," Jesse said. "Actually, before encountering that black dragon, I thought I would be terrified if I ever faced such a situation. But when it actually flew overhead, I felt I had to make it pay."
"Now I understand why you were able to face so many Gnolls at Stonewatch Keep," Amy said with a smile. "So, that’s how you met Miss Asselwin? Meeting a ranger from Quel’Thalas in a dragon-slaying battle? It’s like something out of a poem."
Jesse hesitated for a moment.
Amy continued, "I saw you going to dinner with that elf, do you think the Wizard’s Sanctum is a big place? When I went out, I saw her waiting for you there. I can’t decide what surprised me more, you facing a black dragon or going on a date with an elf."
Jesse sighed, "We met in Dalaran, she came here to investigate the Orc matter and thought I might know something. As for a date… I don’t think she has much fondness for humans."
By the way, do you know if Vereesa has already left Stormwind and returned the key?
"Has she been here these past two days?"
"No, I haven’t seen her since that day, you seem quite concerned about her," Amy asked, moving closer.
"You don’t have classes this morning?!" Jesse suddenly asked.
"Oh… that’s right!" Amy quickly picked up her book and whispered to herself, "Oh no…"
The female mage hurriedly ran out the door, while Jesse stared at the slightly ajar door, thinking how curious his sister was.
Just as he was staring at the door, Malin suddenly pushed it open with a pile of books in her arms.
"Good morning!"
"Good morning, master!"
Malin placed a big pile of books on the table and sighed to himself, saying, "Another batch of fools."
"So," he looked up and asked, "You haven’t come to ask me for tasks these past two days, only coming on the day we start classes? Don’t forget you are still my assistant, Mr. Seso."
"Sorry, Master, I have been a bit busy these past two days…"
"Busy hunting down that Riverpaw Gnoll?"
"You know?"
"Of course I know! You’re pretty much earning the title of Gnoll Slayer." Malin said from behind the desk.
Jesse remembered the ridiculous things he heard at the Westbrook Garrison yesterday and awkwardly slapped his forehead.
Malin picked up a letter tucked in a book and remarked, "Mr. Jesse Seso, the mage from Wizard’s Sanctum… Hah, it’s all laid out in the thank-you letter from the Westbrook Garrison’s sheriff. I didn’t expect you to hold grudges, getting beat up and seeking revenge like this. How much bounty did you get?"
Jesse replied, "Split 60 silver coins between two of us."
Malin nodded and said, "It’s not a small amount of money, but considering the trouble it caused, it’s a bit less than what’s fair."
"I thought the king would be worrying for another six months. After it dies, the west of Elwynn Forest will be peaceful for a while, and the remaining Gnolls will probably flee to the west of Nazferiti River, seeking refuge with their relatives, which brings us to the issue of Sentinel Hill."
"The strong resilience of those Riverpaw Gnolls has always been a problem. Actually, two weeks ago, King Varian wrote a letter hoping that Master Andromath would send investigators, but we hadn’t prepared yet. Since you were involved in the battle, why do you think those Riverpaw Gnolls are so special? How could they defeat so many mercenary groups?"
"Some of those Gnolls are undead," Jesse said. "We suspect that the death magic of Duskwood has influenced the area north of Nazferiti. Master, my companions and I could see it."
Malin sighed and said, "So the Gnoll undead are real? I used to think it was just a rumor. But now some mages are heading to Menethil Harbor, some are helping the kingdom deal with Gnolls in Redridge, some are investigating the influence of Karazhan in Duskwood, and some are searching for the traces of the Orc Warlock in the Black Marsh… There’s really no time left to investigate the undead on the north bank. Fortunately, this matter has come to a close. So not only did you save the people of Westbrook Garrison, but you also saved those mages. Jesse, I should have Andromath pay for a new robe for you."
He pointed to the arrow wound on Jesse’s chest.
"Really?"
"Yes, I’ll talk to him this afternoon about it. Why should I let my student deal with problems for Wizard’s Sanctum without any reward at all? Don’t block the way. This place was broken by the Gnolls, right?"
"Uh, yes."
"Look, this is how it is, you shouldn’t spend your own money to solve these problems."
Jesse nodded vigorously, thinking to himself that what was said was absolutely right.
Malin said, "I know about the encounter you had with the black dragon in Southshore, Jesse. You must have heard plenty of praise by now, remember our initial doubts? The situation where the black dragon helped the Orcs to pressure the Red Dragon…I have a feeling that the Wizard’s Sanctum is on the verge of uncovering the truth. While their mages are investigating the wetlands, we can’t let up on our end. I’m planning to send you back to Redridge, when are you free?"
"Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday."
"How about this Friday?" Malin suggested, "If you can’t make it back by Tuesday, I’ll arrange for you to have some time off."
"What mission?"
"Someone claims to have found scales from a black dragon. You’re the only one I know who has actually seen a real black dragon. After you go and confirm if it really is a black dragon, if it is, we’ll negotiate a good price to buy it. The Wizard’s Sanctum will provide the funds."
"Dragon scales…" Jesse nodded, saying, "I understand."
"I didn’t remember all the details at once, I’ll write a letter and leave it at your apartment tomorrow, okay?"
"Don’t worry, Master, I’ll come back the day after tomorrow to get it."
"Sure." Malin glanced at his pocket watch and said, "I wanted to chat with you about that Death Knight thing, but we’ve run out of time. Let’s talk about it next time. Are you still feeling uneasy about your Mage Armor spell after the incident last time? Or are you planning to study defensive magic for a while before trying again?"
"I can try it now," Jesse said. "I feel like I’ve learned a lot on this journey."
He remembered that he had stolen the spell himself… which meant he shouldn’t be too skilled at it.
"Do you need me to demonstrate a spell?" Malin asked. "Last time, you were almost there, so try it on your own."
The elder mage extended his hand towards the middle of the room. Jesse nodded and walked onto the violet carpet.
He thought he should cast the spell slowly, try to act like he still wasn’t proficient, and as he began to chant the spell, he suddenly felt something was wrong.
"Wait, teacher… the spell… I haven’t memorized it yet."
Malin crossed his right leg over his left, rested his hands on his knees, squinted, and said, "Rare to see an apprentice start chanting a spell before realizing they haven’t memorized it. Let’s not pretend anymore, show me what progress you’ve made in these two months of practice."
Jesse scratched his head and said, "I’ve been found out."
He skillfully cast a Mage Armor spell, and the flowing Arcane energy made the tiny study room glow beautifully.
Malin nodded and said, "I can see that your magical abilities have improved a lot since leaving Stormwind, Mr. Seso… But there are still two small issues in your spells. I guess you relied solely on Arcane Intellect to remember the spells I taught you before you left? Luckily, I thought you had been sneaking into my cabinet just now."
Jesse was truly impressed this time.