Chapter 49: Archmage Allen |
[Warlock profession unlocked.]
"Warlocks—where they come from is truly baffling. They wield spells that are etched into their minds from birth.
Some warlocks do not know the origin of their power; others connect their abilities to family history or to strange events in their personal past.
A dragon's blessing, a treant present at a child's birth, or being struck by lightning under a clear sky could all trigger a warlock's gift.
A god's endowment, exposure to exotic magic from another plane, or even a fleeting glimpse of the underlying principles of reality can likewise create a warlock.
No matter the origin, it leaves an indelible mark on the warlock—a surging magical force that can be passed down for generations.
A warlock's casting key attribute is charisma. For a warlock, charisma is not just the ability to bend others to your will, it is certainty in your own existence.
Simply believing you can work miracles—that actually helps.
Your charm and confidence can sometimes twist wills, bend magic to your body, even make the whole world fall for you.
[Please choose your subclass.]
Three options unfolded before Allen, each radiating tempting light.
"Dragonblood Warlock: As one of the oldest, mightiest, and most mercurial lineages, dragons sometimes form secret intimate bonds with a few mortals.
Among descendants of these dragons, spellcasters who accept the dragon bloodline and learn to use their abilities become Dragonblood Warlocks. As they gradually awaken ancestral power, they can learn to breathe fire, fly using membranous wings, and, when reaching the pinnacle, even transform into a true dragon."
"Wild Warlock: Your magic springs from ancient chaos. No matter how things transpire, this chaotic power churns within you, always waiting for release."
"Storm Warlock: Whether in the thunderous might of ancient deluges or pierced by sudden gales and lashing rain, your bloodline is forever a strange tapestry woven by storms."
Dragonblood...
Wild...
Storm...
That bolt of lightning from just now, that feeling of commanding lightning... it was exhilarating.
But Allen hesitated.
Each of the three options was alluring.
"This is so hard to choose," he murmured. "Can I pick later?"
"Yes."
The system neatly closed the option panel and replaced it with another line of text:
"3 random mid-tier draws successful. Congratulations, you have obtained spells: Communion, Dreamweaving, and Anywhere Door."
[Communion]
[Tier: 5]
[Effect: You contact a deity or an agent of a deity and ask up to three yes-or-no questions. You will receive the correct answer to each question.]
Allen's eyelid twitched as he read the spell description.
He dared not casually use this spell on Azeroth; after all, Azeroth was full of every kind of strange spirit.
God only knows who he'd connect to if he dialed a communion.
What if he thought he was speaking to a Naaru, but on the other end was Sargeras or N'Zoth?
[Dreamweaving]
[Tier: 5]
[Effect: You designate a creature you know that exists in the same plane as you. If the target is asleep, you may enter their dream and converse with them while they slumber. You may freely craft the dream's scene.]
Dreamweaving—another ghostly, otherworldly spell, maybe useful in special circumstances.
[Anywhere Door]
[Tier: 4]
[Effect: You can instantly teleport yourself to any location within 30 meters. You may also bring one willing creature with you.]
Allen's eyes lit up.
Blink!
Isn't this Blink?!
He was delighted. Although he lacked an arcane talent, with Blink he could still be considered a proper mage.
At the same time, a side quest was completed.
"Side Quest: Blood for Blood (Completed)"
"Quest Objective: Kill Teron Gorefiend, 1/1"
"Reward: +2 to all attribute points has been granted"
"Reward: 2 random low-tier spells are being drawn, 1 random mid-tier spell is being drawn..."
"..."
"Draw successful. Congratulations, you have obtained spells: Shield, Tongues, and Polymorph."
[Shield]
[Tier: 1]
[Effect: An invisible magical barrier appears around you, protecting you and preventing damage from magic missiles.]
Allen almost burst into tears on the spot.
He finally had a defensive tool! No longer would he worry about being knocked out with a single club or being bound and carried off.
After all, everything about Allen was fine now—except he was paper-thin.
With Shield, his survivability would improve to some extent.
[Tongues]
[Tier: 1]
[Effect: For the spell's duration, you understand the literal meaning of all spoken languages you hear. You may also touch written text to read its literal meaning.]
A useful spell—Azeroth had plenty of tongues, things like Draconic, Thalassian, or the Elemental languages—this might come in handy someday.
[Polymorph]
[Tier: 4]
[Effect: This spell changes a creature you can see within casting range into a new form. A non-consenting creature gets a Perception saving throw to avoid the effect.]
Allen stared at this description, his grin widening crazily.
Polymorph—he could turn someone into a sheep!
Even stronger than World of Warcraft's sheep spell. Beyond transforming enemies, he could turn teammates into useful forms.
What a haul, what a haul. Allen felt himself getting closer and closer to his dream of becoming an archmage.
"Allen!"
Allen snapped back to attention and found Varian being supported by Morgan, standing before him, one hand pounding his shoulder hard.
Behind them, the surviving soldiers were still celebrating.
Cheers, raucous laughter, and people belting out war songs.
They had just helped slay Teron Gorefiend and protected the king—a staggering feat to brag about for the rest of their lives.
"What are you doing?" Varian asked, eyeing him suspiciously. "Still savoring your dramatic entrance just now?"
Allen glanced at him. The young king was drenched in blood with several cuts on his face, but his eyes gleamed brilliantly; he was in a state of intense excitement.
"Your Majesty," Allen said slowly, "you should go back and rest to recover your wounds."
"I'm not tired at all!" Varian shook his head forcefully. "I can't sit still!"
He grabbed Allen's arm, babbling with excitement:
"Can you imagine? We wiped out Teron Gorefiend's Death Knight contingent! Teron Gorefiend—that scourge that plagued the Alliance and the Sons of Lothar for so long! We just took him down!"
"Let's see who dares say I'm not grown up yet!"
Then Wen Lei came over. Her first question was about Allen's condition:
"Are you all right?"