Chapter 714

Chapter 714: Malin’s Doubt

By the time Jesse returned to Stormwind, it was already January. After landing, he drank a bit at a small tavern near the city walls with Greed. Once he dropped off his things at his rented place, he hurried to the Mage Quarter to find his teacher, Master Malin.

With two weeks left before classes at the Wizard’s Sanctum began, Master Malin was likely free, having no apprentices or apprentice mages seeking him out. This was the perfect opportunity for Jesse…

At this thought, Jesse suddenly realized he hadn’t needed to hide anything anymore. He touched the ring on his hand, where the name "Jesse Seso" remained clearly engraved.

Carrying the Death Knight report completed at his parents’ house, he headed to the Mage Quarter. The document recorded everything from his first encounter with a Death Knight pursuing him in Dalaran, to confronting Teron Gorefiend directly, discovering the Death Knight hidden in Hogger’s woods… to the Worgen legends in Duskwood, and finally the battle against Teron Gorefiend’s spirit in the Thaurissan ruins. He had detailed the entire journey and his analysis of Death Knights as thoroughly as possible.

After all, his teacher had pressed him for so long while he delayed repeatedly; he owed a serious effort.

The Mage Quarter still felt damp from recent rain. Jesse approached Malin’s study door, glanced at the gloom-shrouded Wizard’s Sanctum tower under the overcast sky, and knocked.

"It’s unlocked. Enter," called a familiar voice. Jesse opened the door to find Malin looking up.

"Mr. Seso, you’ve returned from Lordaeron."

"Yes, Master." Jesse nodded, setting the report on the table. Malin asked, "Is this your Death Knight documentation? Completed?"

"Correct," Jesse said. "I promised I’d submit it upon returning from Lordaeron."

"Excellent."

Malin carefully extracted the papers from the folder, skimming through them. Soon, his expression shifted as he focused intently on a section.

Jesse watched Malin pull another file from his drawer, rapidly flipping to a page for comparison. "Is something wrong, Master?"

Malin said, "Your account of the black dragon siege at Dalaran… deviates from Dalaran’s official report. Naturally, two years have passed—memory gaps are understandable."

"How does it differ?" Jesse asked.

Malin studied him. "You stated Dalaran’s protective shield remained active during your fight against Teron Gorefiend and his forces within the city."

"True," Jesse replied. "I clearly saw black dragon spells strike the shield, casting arcane flashes high in the sky."

"Do you know what powered Dalaran’s shield, Mr. Seso?" Malin pressed.

"The Eye of Dalaran," Jesse answered. "A Reliquary member told me."

Malin nodded. "Precisely what the Death Knights and black dragons conspired to steal. Dalaran insists Teron Gorefiend took the Eye. Yet its removal should’ve crippled the shield. How could it repel dragons?"

"The shield vanished after Teron Gorefiend discarded his body and fled," Jesse countered.

"Correct," Malin said. "But during your encounter with him, the shield held. That implies another thief stole the Eye."

"I assumed Deathwing…" Jesse offered.

"Deathwing?!" Malin’s calm shattered. "You claim Deathwing personally invaded Dalaran? Impossible!"

Indeed, back then, only Kel’Thuzad (a confirmed traitor) and Jesse (armed with foreknowledge) knew of Deathwing’s presence—not even the Kirin Tor Council’s other members.

Jesse considered silently before asking, "Then, Master… you suspect a Dalaran traitor?"

"I suspect nothing," Malin retorted instantly.

Jesse swallowed. After a pause, Malin murmured, "A traitor accessing the Eye would implicate Antonidas himself. I’ll consult Master Andromath and update you—provided you stand by your report’s accuracy, Mr. Seso."

In Dalaran, Jesse had suspected insider betrayal, but his only evidence against Kel’Thuzad stemmed from foreknowledge: Kel’Thuzad’s necromancy interests and Deathwing’s mastery of it. Plausible yet circumstantial.

Now, after Grim Batol, Jesse felt certain.

Only Council members knew of his Grim Batol mission. Krasus was trustworthy; Kael’thas lacked motive; Antonidas was unthinkable—he’d never surrender the Eye.

As for the other two archmages, Drenden and Modera: Jesse barely recalled Drenden from his past life, as the mage rarely appeared in records. Both held lesser Council influence, making Eye access unlikely.

Still, Krasus mentioned Council allies helping uncover Deathwing’s link to Lord Dalaran Prestor. Deathwing had sneered at Korialstrasz leading "purple-robed performers" to assault his manor—likely meaning Drenden and Modera.

Thus, Kel’Thuzad remained the prime suspect, especially after Amy noted his near-disappearance post-Grim Batol…

Even if Kel’Thuzad wasn’t guilty, rooting out a Kirin Tor traitor was worthwhile.

Had Vaelastrasz found Krasus in Blackrock Spire? Half a month had passed since the red dragon left for Blackrock Mountain. If Blackrock Orcs and dragons held Krasus captive, secrecy would complicate the search. More time was needed.

If Vaelastrasz failed to contact him after securing the Tower of Ilgalar for King Varian, Jesse would seek Queen Alexstrasza herself.

"I stand by it, Master Malin," he declared.

Malin nodded. "This may stir Kirin Tor turmoil." Jesse almost detected smugness in his tone—or imagined it.