Chapter 715

Chapter 715: Continuing to Improve

"Had the King come to the Wizard’s Sanctum, Master?" Jesse asked. "I mean regarding the Tower of Ilgalar. I promised to help Stonewatch Keep’s soldiers reclaim that tower. The King said we’d act this spring but didn’t give a date."

"No," Malin replied, tidying his desk. "Stonewatch just had snowfall. I suspect we’ll wait another month. Ask the King yourself—you’re the court mage now, not me. Frankly, we’re in different departments."

"Expelling me from the Wizard’s Sanctum, teacher?" Jesse grinned.

Malin tilted his head, eyeing him like a troublemaking student, then smiled. "You’ll always belong here if you claim it, Mr. Seso."

"Since I’m still your student and part of the Sanctum," Jesse pressed, "when will you teach me fire element control?"

"Whenever you’re ready." Malin pulled a dog-eared book from his shelf without looking. "But read this first: *The First Flames* by Diltarian, Tirisfal’s fire master. A fire magic primer. You’ve mastered Scorch Curse and Fireball, yet you’d benefit from fundamentals. Chapter 2 teaches the basic Fire Protection Barrier—essential for advanced fire spells. An evoker must survive their training to improve, though you’re adept at survival."

Jesse accepted the book. "Understood, Master. I’ll take my leave."

"Wait, Mr. Seso." Malin hesitated. "The Death Knight report is thorough; I’ll study it before sending it to the Mage Tower. But what of Deathwing…? I know it was harrowing, so I’ll respect your decision."

Jesse couldn’t evade this forever—not with everyone supporting him.

"I’ll write a full account of Grim Batol for the Sanctum and King."

"Good," Malin said. "Show me first."

"Of course, Master."

After leaving Malin, Jesse headed to The Slaughtered Lamb.

The Sanctum surroundings seemed ordinary. Malin hadn’t mentioned issues, so likely no rogue Demon Guards were rampaging through the Garden District.

He sensed Molofeel’s presence—the basement remained controlled.

At The Slaughtered Lamb, Zarel chatted with a patron. They exchanged nods before Jesse descended.

In the central hall, Molofeel sat glaring. "No welcome for your master?" Jesse asked.

"That smell of romance clung to you since Stormwind," the succubus grumbled.

Jesse sniffed his sleeve. "Nonsense. You felt me through the Soul Link. Did Zardeth attempt a Demon Guard summoning?"

*"He* tried," Molofeel tossed her black dagger. "Failed. Spell or materials flawed. Saenor wasn’t here to diagnose it."

Saenor scrambled from Jesse’s bag onto his shoulder. "Told you I was right, didn’t I?"

The succubus’s eyes chilled. She gripped her dagger, aiming at the imp. "You surviving the Twisting Nether shocks me more than Azeroth enduring the Burning Legion."

"Shows your ignorance!" the imp cackled.

"Where are the others? Zardeth? Ursula?"

"Ursula’s here," Molofeel said. "Zardeth went to Ironforge—supposedly to verify the summoning spell. But master… it’s not just that."

"Explain."

The Red Dragon fire in her eyes dimmed. "His shadow mastery advances swiftly—you’ve noticed. Yet his affinity differs starkly from yours."

Jesse knew her implication. He’d nearly guessed it himself. *Had Zardeth met forbidden contacts?*

Ironforge… Dark Iron Dwarves. Elements linking to entities sealed deep within Azeroth.

Old Gods.

It seemed that when Zardeth returned, Jesse would have to have a serious talk with him. He remembered telling Zardeth that under no circumstances should he get involved with anything related to those beings. He didn’t know if Zardeth had been deceived or if he had willingly connected with them. Often, there was little difference between the two.

"I will talk to him when he gets back," Jesse said. "What about you? How are you getting along with your new powers?"

"I’m fitting in so well that I’m almost forgetting what I really am," Molofeel said. "But it’s not a bad thing."

She pinched out a small flame with her fingertips and added, "The fiery power you gave me, master, is really addictive. I wonder when I’ll get to feel it again…"

"We’ll see," Jesse replied, looking at the smiling succubus. "I’m going to find Ursula."

In the corridor, Ursula was leaning in a chair, fast asleep. Seeing she was sleeping soundly, Jesse thought he should wait and read the book Malin had just given him until she woke up. But as he started to turn away, Ursula suddenly opened her eyes with a gasp, as if she heard his boots, startling Jesse too.

"What’s wrong?" Jesse asked. "Did you have a nightmare?"

"Jesse!" Ursula sighed in relief. "Why didn’t you make any noise? You scared me! I thought another Satyr demon was coming to slit my throat."

"After all this time, you still can’t relax?" Jesse asked.

"Killing a demon is like killing a chicken for you; you don’t get how scared we are," Ursula complained. "If Basadre hadn’t been watching, I couldn’t sleep at all!"

Jesse remembered the fight on the stairs with that Satyr demon; it wasn’t as simple as killing a chicken. He glanced back at Molofeel, thinking he should practice Shadowstep soon.

"About Andorhal," Jesse said. "I took care of that incubus, Ursula. It was the only demon I found in Andorhal, and it was a male incubus, but it tricked the locals by looking like a woman."

"A male incubus," Ursula sighed with relief. "That explains why they told me about both men and women; I thought there were many succubi in Andorhal. Did you sprinkle the purification potion like I asked?"

"I did," Jesse said.

"Good," Ursula said. "I hope he knows I’m not a ‘Lamb to the Slaughter’ and can bite back. Thanks, Jesse. How can I repay you…"

"Don’t forget, this is me thanking you, Ursula," Jesse waved his hand. "Besides, we don’t need thanks between us. Right now, I’m short on money, so call me for work next time, and we’ll talk pay."

Ursula smiled. "Meeting you was lucky, Jesse. I’ll ask you first for jobs. Erlan and Surena are too slow."

"Then I’m off," Jesse said.

"Hold on, Jesse," Ursula said. "There’s something I’m not sure I should ask… You said you went to the Wetlands, right?"

"Right."

"And that thing with Grim Batol…"

Jesse said, "Yes, that’s what it was about. Sorry for keeping it secret."

Ursula paused before saying, "So it was really you… Zardeth said Deathwing, the black dragon’s master, died at Grim Batol."

"You’re not off the hook either," Jesse said. "Guess how much your potion helped."

"I can’t guess," Ursula whispered. "Damn, I feel like I can’t breathe. What have I done…"

"You saved my life," Jesse said. "So killing a succubus for you is nothing. See you next time, Ursula. I need to see the King."

Ursula seemed dazed for a moment, then nodded. "Alright… See you later, Jesse."