As the teleportation array activated, Leylin flashed and intercepted Lirath. The Shadow Bomb had already exploded, but no matter what, hope remained.
Arcane light and shadow swirled around the Western Sanctum. On the temple platform, the members of the Sanguinar family caravan were all present. Leylin, along with Lirath, fell from the teleportation array.
"Lirath, fucking wake up!" Leylin slapped Lirath's face, shouting.
Verlana's eyes were vacant as she looked at her beloved's pale face. She slumped onto the temple platform.
Aminel supported Verlana and said to Tyr'ganal, "Go find a priest; Liadrin is in a village on the outskirts of the Western Sanctum!"
Tyr'ganal leaped off the temple platform, casting a speed spell on himself, and quickly disappeared from Aminel's sight. Despite the chaos of the moment, Tyr'ganal's mind remained razor-sharp. He knew that in the face of danger, maintaining calm was crucial.
A faint heartbeat caught his attention—still alive, still breathing. That small sign of life was a beacon of hope amid the turmoil.This brat is still breathing, which means he's not dead!
Ten minutes later, Liadrin appeared at the Western Sanctum. The long-awaited holy light enveloped Lirath.
A soft, holy aura healed the wounds on Lirath's back. She said, "The orc warlocks' shadow attacks only exploded halfway in his back; he's not in mortal danger."
Hearing Liadrin's reply, Leylin sat down on a bench in the temple with a sigh of relief. It seemed his Blink had been timely enough! The moment he leaned back, a sharp pain shot through his back.
Liadrin saw Leylin's contorted face and said, "Compared to Lirath, you also desperately need healing."
Leylin knew better than Liadrin the incomplete assimilation of shadow power within his body; though he managed to block the orcs' shadow cannon fire, that one shadow bomb was completely unexpected. It was already considered a miracle that he survived that blast, if it were any other only death awaits them.
Liadrin's breath caught in her throat at the sight before her. Her eyes widened in shock and horror. Leylin's back was a tapestry of devastation—deep gashes that oozed dark blood mingled with shadowy tendrils, and patches of pale yellow skin scarred and torn.
The wounds were so severe that it was almost impossible to distinguish where flesh ended and bone began. In the deepest cuts, she could see white, stark bone protruding from the torn tissue, a grim testament to how close Leylin was to losing himself entirely.
"Aren't you in pain? You should be the one receiving treatment before Lirath!" Liadrin said, unable to believe that a human could endure such pain!
Liadrin's voice trembled slightly as she prepared her holy light, knowing that healing such profound injuries would require all her strength. Leylin had been completely numb to the pain in his back until Liadrin told him, at which point he felt the excruciating agony.
Liadrin was truly shocked by Leylin's resilience, it really is extraordinary.
"It's good that he's alright," Leylin smiled.
Liadrin shook her head. "Lirath should be grateful he has such a good sister; otherwise, he wouldn't have such a good brother-in-law."
"Instead of praising me, you should heal me first. I'm in a lot of pain," Leylin said awkwardly.
Strands of holy light emanated from Liadrin's hands; she could feel it. Leylin's body recovered quickly. Not only was she healing him, but the magical energy within Leylin's body was also rapidly assimilating the remaining shadow power.
The entire healing process went remarkably smoothly. After settling Verlana in, Aminel approached Leylin.
Staring blankly at him, she said, "How much do you love Vereesa and Sylvanas? That you'd risk your life just to avoid hurting them?"
"They're both back safe and sound," Leylin replied with a smile.
Aminel remained silent, waiting for Leylin to begin treatment. Half an hour later, Liadrin withdrew her holy light. She then treated Leylin's wounds with potions and bandaged them.
After the treatment, Leylin looked at the still silent Aminel and said, "Don't be so lost in thought. I'm perfectly fine."
"Fool, bastard, selfish jerk! Don't you know how cruel this is to me?" Tears welled in Aminel's eyes, not just from heartache, but from a different kind of torment. She was terrified that she would never see this mage again in the next battle.
What a wonderful girl! Thank goodness she met me! Feeling the love in Aminel's words, Leylin smiled and said, "I promise you; I won't die. Because the fireworks festival hasn't started yet, has it?"
He was getting increasingly cheeky. Was this really the same somewhat rigid magician he'd first met?
A blush spread across Aminel's face. She took Leylin's hand and said, "That doesn't matter anymore. I can feel your feelings."
"Then I won't say it. You understand anyway." Leylin gripped Aminel's hand tightly.
Aminel shook her head, playfully scolding, "No, you have to say it! It's your promise!"
"You promised to marry Vereesa after the war, didn't you?" Aminel's voice grew weaker. She didn't want to bring it up, but she couldn't help asking.
Leylin smiled mischievously and said, "I understand what you mean, but I don't know if you'll still like me by then."
Aminel snorted coldly, "Who likes you? I was just asking out of curiosity."
"Just marry them both, it'll be more convenient that way," Leylin said shamelessly.
"Shameless! I'm not talking to you anymore!" Aminel shook off Leylin's hand and hurriedly walked out of the temple.
Just as she left the temple steps, she turned back and smiled wryly: "You're lucky, considering I... sigh."
That evening, Sylvanas arrived at the Western Sanctum from Silvermoon City.
Upon reaching the temple, she saw Aminel, but Aminel gave Sylvanas a cold look, clearly disliking the ranger-general. Sylvanas ignored the half-baked mage and walked straight into the temple.
Inside, Leylin was immersed in his daily routine of absorbing magical energy from the surrounding environment. His focus was absolute, his mind attuned to the faintest traces of ambient power swirling around him.
What made this moment astonishing was the sheer speed at which he now drew in the energy, an almost terrifying pace that seemed to warp the very fabric of the air around him.
"Did Alleria send you?" Leylin asked, rising to his feet.
Sylvanas remained expressionless. She pressed Leylin back into his chair and pushed aside the spell books in front of him, saying, "You need rest now, not magical training."
Though her tone was cold, Leylin could feel Sylvanas's concern.
"Thank you, Leylin. I know gratitude is inadequate, but it's the only thing I can do right now."
"You have the nerve to say that!" Aminel said coldly from outside the temple doors.
Sylvanas stared coldly at Aminel, saying, "What right do you have to say that? Are you also one of Leylin's sweethearts? He loves my little sister, not you!"
Aminel retorted, unyielding. "Whether he loves me or not, I won't burden him. I really wish you could see his injuries today."
"May I see them, Leylin?" Sylvanas's tone softened.
Leylin shook his head, saying, "Lirath's already resting well, you can go back now. That's all for today."
Aminel gestured for her to leave. Looking at Sylvanas, Sylvanas nodded and turned to leave the temple. As she reached Aminel's side, she said coldly, "I know better than you how good he is to you!"