Grand Magister Belo'vir's face was graver than ever, etched with lines of concern and deep contemplation.
His usually commanding presence had taken on a somber hue, as if the weight of unseen burdens pressed heavily upon his shoulders.
He ordered the construct to get some hot drinks, then asked, "Have you got the sample data?"
Thalorien Dawnseeker glanced at Leylin, as if he didn't want Leylin to hear this news. Leylin was tactful and turned to head upstairs.
The Grand Magister stopped him, saying, "This is my new student. There's no need to hide anything from him."
Thalorien Dawnseeker nodded and pulled a small vial of green smoke from his bag. "This is voodoo seized from a squad of trolls that had a witch doctor troll found just outside the Sanctum of the Sun. This should be the source of that torments all of our elven soldiers and magicians."
Grand Magister Belo'vir carefully took the vial of voodoo smoke and examined it carefully. He stood up, walked to the lab table, gently unscrewed the bottle cap, and poured the smoke into a container formed by a magic circle.
An arcane circle rose in the grand magister's hand, and the voodoo transformed into tiny crystals, scattered within the magical container.
After the voodoo mist ceased its floating motion and transformed into crystals, Belo'vir swept them into his palm with a delicate dragonhawk feather, feeling the texture of the crystals and observing their shapes. "Leylin, take down the third book from the top shelf of the third row, from left to right."
The third row held historical bookshelves, and Leylin had never read the books there. He used [Levitate] to retrieve the book and handed it to the Grand Magister Belo'vir.
Setting the crystals aside for a moment, the grand magister carefully leafed through the contents of the book.
Thalorien Dawnseeker was also waiting. After almost an hour of research, he had already finished several cups of hot drinks. He was anxious, and Leylin could sense it.
Finally, Belo'vir closed the book and said, "This is a voodoo curse that has existed for fifty years. The trolls have used this voodoo against us before. If the records are correct, the creator of this voodoo is believed to be a troll witch doctor named Ral'jin."
Thalorien Dawnseeker immediately said, "Send a small force to attack him immediately and capture him in Silvermoon City."
"Such a hasty mission may be counterproductive. The trolls must have been thoroughly prepared for this attack. Rash action will not solve the problem." The grand magister's expression was calm.
Thalorien Dawnseeker clenched his fists, frowning. Nearly a hundred elven warriors on the front lines have already been infected with this voodoo. If it is not stopped, they may die.
Thalorien Dawnseeker, his voice trembling, tried to maintain his composure. "We don't have much time, Grand Magister. I need your help."
Grand Magister Belo'vir extended his right hand, firmly grasping Thalorien's steel bracer, and moved closer to speak. "You and I, and indeed all of the Ghostlands elven warriors and mages, are helping each other and fulfilling our respective duties. This task is now ours."
"We?" Leylin, standing by and listening to the conversation, shuddered. Aside from Thalorien Dawnseeker, only the Grand Magister and himself remained in the Mage Tower.
Thalorien Dawnseeker chose to believe, bowing devoutly to Grand Magister Belo'vir in gratitude. Belo'vir stopped him, whispering solemnly, "You and I are both citizens of Quel'Thalas."
Indeed, this was Grand Magister Belo'vir's residence; unnecessary rules and formalities were non-existent. Unlike the other members of the Magisters and the Silvermoon Council, Thalorien once again witnessed Grand Magister Belo'vir's unique style.
Thalorien Dawnseeker obtained the Grand Magister's assistance and left Silvermoon City. He had more pressing matters to attend to in the Ghostlands.
"Student, prepare yourself. We'll be leaving in an hour." Belo'vir didn't want to waste a moment on anything that threatened the people of Quel'Thalas.
Carrying 20 bottles of mana potions and magic scrolls, along with some daily necessities, he was ready for the mission.
Mages weren't warriors or rangers; they didn't need extensive equipment and supplies. With a simple wardrobe, they could carry out their mission.
As they set out, Leylin felt uneasy. Going deep behind enemy lines to deal with the troll witch doctor named Ral'jin would surely be no easy task.
He had already experienced the trolls' ways a few months ago: a cannibalistic clan with no trace of civilization. From the perspectives of humans and elves, these trolls were nothing more than villains and parasites entrenched in the forest.
Unable to suppress his doubts, Leylin finally asked, "Master, do you think I'm capable of carrying out this mission?"
Belo'vir fully understood his student's feelings. He smiled and said, "Do you distrust yourself, or do you distrust me?"
"That's not the point. I trust you, and I'm not afraid. I'm just curious why you trust me so much. To expedite the mission, you could find some high-level mages to work with you."
"You're still a rookie, after all." Belo'vir asked, "Is a magician's strength solely based on their magical proficiency, student?"
Leylin begged to differ, shaking his head. A magician's magical proficiency was certainly a source of strength, but it wasn't the root.
"Very well, you understand. An outstanding mage has qualities of a warrior and a ranger. You must possess the courage of a warrior, the agility of a ranger, and the wisdom of a magician. These qualities aren't exclusive to one profession; they're universal. Magic isn't everything! And I know you've already reached the ranks of being a magister, you just didn't bother showing off." Belo'vir stood beneath a fountain statue made out of four elven maids, teaching his student.
A strong heart is the key. Leylin was bashful about his advancement and naturally understood the meaning of his teacher's words. These weren't empty words; in this world, this was a must.
"I understand, Teacher!"
"The power of the mind can unleash a force more powerful than supernatural magic. That's easy to understand, isn't it?" Belo'vir continued.
"I've made a note, Teacher."
Clearing their minds of doubt, the teacher and his student followed the streets of Silvermoon City to the outskirts of Quel'Thalas.
Still at Duskwither Spire, they found the dragonhawk administrator and flew together to Ghostlands, at the Sanctum of the Sun.
At the same time, the Silvermoon Council also began its mission. The mission they undertook would shock Leylin to the core.
It was a rescue mission. Two hours later, the dragonhawk landed in the Ghostlands.
Standing outside the Sanctum of the Sun, waiting, was a Ranger Lieutenant. Upon seeing the Grand Magister, his nervous expression finally relaxed.
"Ranger Lieutenant of the Farstriders, Halduron Brightwing. Grand Magister Belo'vir, please come inside the temple." The Ranger Lieutenant Halduron ushered Belo'vir into the temple.
Leylin followed the Grand Magister inside the temple, where important matters began to be discussed.