The news about Malfurion Stormrage startled Gale, but when he arrived at Cenarius Grove, he realized he had overthought things.
Malfurion was too young, and his brother Illidan was also very young.
Such an immature Stormrage brothers clearly couldn't shoulder the task of saving the world.
Malfurion was exceptionally gifted and could learn all sorts of nature spells. It was just that his power was still very weak, and he couldn't even summon a Treant. Illidan Stormrage was even more distracted, clearly not interested in nature magic at all.
As a Kaldorei who could cultivate golden eyes, Malfurion was easy to recognize. Currently, his cultivation was still shallow, and his eyes were a semi-golden color.
"Are you Malfurion?"
Malfurion subconsciously nodded, a bit dazed. This Mage was too bold, daring to intrude on Cenarius's lecture.
Cenarius said displeased, "What do you want?"
He wasn't angry because Gale had sent people to warn him; after all, those Druids had gone a bit too far. But this Gale fellow suddenly barged in, disrupting his teaching, and then stared intently at his proud disciple. He was probably up to something mischievous again.
Gale silently withdrew from the lecture area, "You continue."
"Hmph!"
Cenarius glanced at Gale, then continued to explain the Way of the Druid.
Gale listened from the side, but his mind was constantly complaining about Malorne's teaching: too barbaric, too crude. Listen to what your son is teaching, meticulous and patient. This guiding approach truly has the demeanor of a master.
Malfurion had just been unnerved by Gale's gaze; how could he focus on the lecture? He kept stealing glances at Gale, really wanting to know who this Kaldorei was.
Cenarius saw that Malfurion's mind was distracted, so he had to stop the lecture.
He looked at Gale with annoyance, "Speak, do you have something for me?"
"Class is over!" Gale said with a grin, "I didn't come for you."
"You're looking for Malfurion?" Cenarius frowned, "You don't even know him, what do you want with him?"
Gale shrugged, "Nothing much, just heard there was a golden-eyed Kaldorei and a Kaldorei whose eyes were turning golden here."
Cenarius breathed a sigh of relief. He knew the Kaldorei tradition that golden eyes represented nobility.
Wait, shouldn't he be looking for Illidan? Malfurion's golden eyes were a later transformation; what was so strange about that? Energy had the ability to change a creature's body, and he didn't believe Gale didn't know that. Arcane could turn creatures purple, so what was strange about natural energy changing an eye color?
Thinking of this, Cenarius was startled.
The primary color of natural energy was green; even if it changed, it would shift towards green. Turning golden was clearly illogical. Others might not notice, but Gale surely would.
A miscalculation!
Indeed, Malfurion's eyes turning golden was Cenarius's masterpiece. He had changed his proud disciple's eye color according to Kaldorei legend, precisely to encourage more Kaldorei to learn the Way of the Druid in the future. Historically, he succeeded; after the War of the Ancients, Malfurion became the leader of the Kaldorei, and the Kaldorei also became the Guardians of nature.
Gale didn't know Cenarius was wildly overthinking things; he just wanted to see the Stormrage brothers and gauge how long it would be until the War of the Ancients.
Now he had his answer: with the Stormrage brothers so young, the War of the Ancients was at least another hundred years away.
While relieved, he also blamed himself for overreacting. Kaldorei were so long-lived, why use the Stormrage brothers as a reference point!
The Kaldorei Empire hadn't yet pacified the Trolls, Ere Suras hadn't been established, Toseyrin hadn't become a prince, Huln Highmountain hadn't been born—how could the War of the Ancients possibly happen?
Cenarius snapped back to reality, looking at Gale warily.
"Gale, what exactly do you want with Malfurion?"
The Druids were immediately surprised; so this "arrogant" Kaldorei was actually Gale Morninglight.
Gale was a prominent figure in the Empire, and many young Kaldorei had looked up to Gale as an idol. In the hearts of newly adult Kaldorei like Malfurion and Illidan, Gale was even a legendary figure. Now, the legendary figure had appeared before their eyes; how could they not be astonished?
Especially Illidan, who had always wanted to learn Arcane. Now, seeing Gale, his eyes were practically glowing, completely like a devoted fan.
Gale: "I told you, I just came to look."
"Then you should be looking for Illidan!"
"I've already seen naturally golden eyes!" Gale waved his hand and said, "On the other hand, eyes that formed later, I've seen for the first time."
"What's so noteworthy about that?" Cenarius asked, puzzled.
Gale: "That's certainly noteworthy. Acquired effort is more important than talent. What's the difference between having talent but not using it, and not having it at all? If one has less talent but works hard, they can still become a hero."
Malfurion was greatly encouraged by these words. His talent was inferior to Illidan's, so he had always studied hard, wanting to close the gap with Illidan. What Gale said was a perfect reflection of his own situation.
Illidan, however, looked displeased. His talent was stronger than Malfurion's, but because he was unwilling to learn nature magic, his cultivation had always lagged behind. In Gale's words, Illidan was the one with talent who didn't use it, which made his impression of Gale turn sour.
You don't know anything, yet you casually judge people?
Gale chatted with Cenarius about the Tauren and the Drogbar, then bid farewell and left.
From beginning to end, he had no idea he had offended Illidan. Even if he had known, he wouldn't have cared. He had never considered recruiting Illidan; this guy was ruthless and dark-hearted, and might stab him in the back at any time.
If it weren't for needing a renegade like Illidan to cause trouble for the Burning Legion, Gale would have wanted to eliminate him before the war even began. Such a person could be used, but not trusted. Otherwise, it would be asking for a quick death. No matter how much Blizzard tried to whitewash him, they couldn't erase his repeated flip-flopping.
On his way back, he went to the Temple of the Moon to see Maiev. Maiev was delighted to see him, "You're finally done."
"For now, it's a temporary conclusion. Next, I'll stay in Andu Talla to improve the strength of the subordinate Mages."
Maiev smiled and nodded, "You should manage them too. Always letting them develop on their own, they're being outshone by other Mage Towers."
Gale gave an embarrassed laugh, "I've just been too busy!"
"Is being busy an excuse?" Maiev gave him a sidelong glance.
Gale didn't dare to answer. He didn't know if Maiev was asking about the subordinate Mages or for herself.
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