Time passed and Sean and Meryl had spent ten days studying.
Within those ten days, Sean had already combed through the pile of textbooks multiple times so that he could memorize all of its content by heart. Having a greater comprehension ability than people his age and also being exposed to magic knowledge in his past life meant that his understanding towards these textbooks surpassed what the female Elven Mage had expected.
The female Elven Mage was pleased with Sean's performance.
Judging from his progress, it would probably take another 10 days before Sean could attempt Conjuration.
On this day, Sean and Meryl meditated in their room.
The meditation was to enhance their mental strength.
This world was filled with Arcane energy, but to cast a spell, one must use their mental energy to manipulate this Arcane energy. During meditation, one could also absorb the Arcane energy that lingered within this plane and store it within their bodies. When the Arcane energy was needed, a spell could then be swiftly casted.
Sean had already started studying other magical textbooks that were more specialized.
The first one that he had read was a magical textbook on summoning Water Elementals.
Here, summoning Water Elementals did not refer to summoning Water Elemental companions that were battle-ready. Very simply, it referred to the summoning of a Water Elemental, and then condensing it into water. Anyone who had played the game would understand that this was the 'Conjure Water' spell, the simplest of Conjuration spells.
Sean had great magical talent, which probably originated from the Elven blood that coursed through his veins.
When the Dark Trolls had evolved into the Night Elves, they had been constantly bathed in the rich Arcane energy that surrounded the Well of Eternity. After thousands of years of infusion, their magical talents had surpassed that of any other race within the great land of Azeroth.
To grow from having zero understanding of magic to being able to cast the simple Conjure Water spell within ten days was a shocking display of magical talent.
Though, the amount of water that Sean conjured was only enough to dampen a cloth.
"Sean, I'm thirsty."
Meryl closed the last magical textbook on the table and told Sean.
As a Human teenager who was at the age of fifteen, being able to thoroughly finish and understand a huge pile of magical textbooks within ten days signified that Meryl was incredibly smart.
"Open your mouth."
Sean extended his left hand. As beams of pale blue colored lights gradually condensed together, a water globe the size of an egg took shape. With the swing of his hand, the water globe travelled a perfect parabolic trajectory and landed in Meryl's mouth.
Licking his lips, Meryl complained, "I've finally finished all of it! I don't know what's the purpose behind having us reading so much, they didn't even teach us any spells. If I can learn how to conjure water too that'd be great, at least I'd be able to head out and perform a magic show to earn some money."
Sean laughed when he heard Meryl's complaint. He teased Meryl, "Meryl, how is it that the only thing you think of is money!"
Meryl gestured with his fingers and explained, "You see, when I have enough money, I can afford to purchase nice clothes, delicious food, a strong horse, a stable and comfortable house and marry a beautiful, caring wife… You see, being rich is great!"
Meryl spoke with such confidence that Sean had almost believed in his narrative.
However, Sean understood clearly that in a fantasy world like Azeroth, it was strong abilities that defined who one was. 'Money? Heh. Had anyone seen a Mage who went bankrupt? Every person who became a Mage was richer and more formidable than even the nobles.' Sean thought.
Now that he was able to conjure water, Sean could already somewhat be considered a Mage. However, he was still not considered a proper Mage. At best, he was a Mage Apprentice.
There were no magic books in the room. In order to learn true spells, they must meet the Elven Mages. The female Elven Mage had instructed them to meet her only after they both had completed studying the textbooks.
Had he not been waiting for the future legend, Meryl Winterstorm to finish, Sean would have gone to meet the Elven Mage five days ago.
Today, Meryl had also completed his assigned tasks. Therefore, it was time.
Night approached.
Recently at these hours, the atmosphere within Stromgarde Keep was tense. Arathor's army was being assembled and King Thoradin had announced a compulsory order to all the nobles. All of mankind must form an alliance with the High Elves of Quel'Thalas to collectively fight against the invasion of the Zul'Aman Trolls.
Their fates were linked. This was an undeniable truth.
King Thoradin had always placed significant trust in the strength of his warriors. Obviously, he had low expectations on how the future Human Mages would turn out. Even the High Elves did not dare have high hopes. What Quel'Thalas truly needed was not the nurturing of a few dozen amateur Human Mages, but the greatest powers in the entire Human kingdom.
Arathor's warriors, the royal knights.
These were Quel'Thalas' true saviors.
When Sean and Meryl found the female Elven Mage, she was leading the rest of the Mages in enchanting the armor and weapons of the Arathor knights.
As the light on her hand flickered, rich Arcane energy and colorful elements of Earth, Fire, Water and Wind all converged within the room and condensed above a delicate runed rod.
The female Elven Mage brandished her rod and inscribed a detailed pattern onto the knight armor. After it was completed, she retrieved a crystal vial the size of a palm and opened it. A small pinch of Strange Dust that was light green in color behaved as if it had been instructed by a flow of mysterious energy, uniformly attaching itself onto the lines of the pattern.
The armor glowed with a light green color. Soon enough, the light gradually dimmed as the pattern slowly vanished along with it. The valuable knight armor had become an even more valuable enchanted piece of equipment.
"An excellent piece of equipment, with a minor permanent enchantment."
Sean raised his eyebrows.
Being Blue Rare Equipment meant that the quality of this armor was extraordinary. Enchantments were categorized into two types - temporary and permanent enchantments. Temporary enchantments typically did not require reagents, and its effects only lasted a short period of time. On the other hand, permanent enchantments required more precious reagents, and its effects could last for a prolonged period of time. Theoretically, it could even last forever.
The quality of a minor enchantment was equivalent to Green Uncommon Equipment. It did not measure up to the value of this armor piece. If this were to happen in Dalaran, it would have been considered a wasteful practise. However…
This was Stromgarde Keep, the Stromgarde Keep 2800 years ago.
The current number of Mages was not as great as it would be in the future. The scarcely numbered Elven Mages did not have many reagents prepared either. The only reagents that could be utilized by the female Elven Mage had been hastily made. They had limited supplies to work with.
In fact, only officers and knights who were mid level and above had the privilege to acquire permanent enchantments. The rest of the low level officers could only use temporarily enchanted equipment.
The Elven Mages unfortunately could not make bricks without straw. It was not that they were unwilling to offer the same privilege to everyone, but that they lacked the proper resources to do so.
The female Elven Mage noticed Sean and Meryl's arrival and signalled for the knight to collect his enchanted armor. As she turned her head around, her tiredness was obvious. She managed to squeeze a faint smile and asked, "Sean, I see you and your friend are here. Have you finished the books?"