Until returning to Karazhan, Su Ming was still analyzing the benefits of not watching explosions for Kadaga.
"Let's not talk about protecting your eyesight, think about it: you cast a Flame Burst Skill, then confidently turn away, letting the enemy turn into a pile of black ash, facing inevitable death. Isn't that quite stylish?"
Su Ming hooked Kadaga's shoulder as they walked downstairs, stuffing a cigarette into his mouth and a bottle of alcohol in his hand.
Kadaga's historical background aside, since Su Ming got involved, his future must include smoking, drinking, and getting his hair permed.
"Um... I still don't know Flame Burst Skill." Kadaga scratched his head, having no concept of that scene.
"Why are you so down-to-earth? Looks like I still have to teach you starting from fighting with lime. But since you've mastered the instant-cast technique like Calm and Relaxed, it seems you're more talented in the Arcane category."
Su Ming passed by the ballroom, casually grabbing a few apples. The golems in the exhibition hall were all shut down; it seems Medivh had arranged it before leaving.
"But I read in books that some monsters transform their elemental resistance. Mastering only one type of magic could be countered by such enemies, so I need to learn other magic." Kadaga actually started talking about magic seriously, clearly uninterested in learning how to use lime.
Su Ming nodded: "Some, indeed. Hammer of Doom has a type of Cannibal Flower that can change its elemental resistance and even reflect magic. They're all experimental products of the Sindella Mage Association. By the way, where are Karazhan's enchantment recipes and meal plans? Find them for me to take away; after all, Medivh doesn't use them anymore."
Kadaga sighed deeply, looking at Su Ming with a pleading gaze: "Isn't there really no way to save Master Medivh?"
"His soul disappeared into the Star Realm; only Sargeras remains in that body. If you show any softness, the Demon will immediately exploit it, and the world will be doomed." Su Ming shattered Kadaga's naive ideas.
Medivh isn't beyond saving, but the cost is too great.
Compared to Kadaga, Medivh's personality is too quirky, hard to control; it's better for him to temporarily die.
Kadaga nodded sadly, and the cigarette hanging from his mouth and the little mustache on his face drooped down. He went to help Su Ming search for those recipes and blueprints.
A few minutes later, the two walked out of Karazhan's tower. The night wind howled like a ghost in the canyon. Looking at the small town below the Mage Tower, it remained very quiet.
"Teacher..." Kadaga felt something was off.
"Ah, that's what you're thinking. Go take a look; there might still be survivors." Su Ming knew the possibility was slim; the residents here should be the same as those in the tower, either lying down or hanging in the Shadow Tower.
Kadaga hurriedly checked the town, but as expected, all the houses were empty, and even some people's dinners were left on the table.
He was stubbornly unwilling to give up, feverishly searching every house, but received the same answer.
Ten minutes later, he returned to Su Ming, holding only a worn-out cloth doll. It was carefully dressed in a handmade skirt.
"I don't understand, Teacher. What benefit does the Burning Legion gain by destroying world after world?" Kadaga looked at the doll in his hands, asking with a trembling voice.
"The Burning Legion wants to use Evil Power to change each planet's Star Soul, forming a deck of worlds to fight against the Void Monarch." Su Ming leaned calmly against the lamppost in front of the Karazhan entrance, smoking as he looked at the sky, which seemed about to rain.
The cycle of life and death; who knows if there's such a cycle in Azeroth.
"Star Soul? Deck? Void Monarch?" Kadaga shook his head slowly. Those unfamiliar terms meant nothing to him; he only knew his heart was filled with anger. The townspeople had always been kind to him, and Kadaga recognized the owner of the doll.
But now, the doll remained, while the little girl was gone.
"Some use worlds as pawns or cards to battle their enemies. After all, the universe is boundless, and the road is dark. If you don't kill your enemies, they will kill you."
Su Ming took out a lighter to light Kadaga's cigarette. Nicotine would help stabilize his emotions.
Probably, it was the first time today Kadaga had seen so many dead people, so much darkness; it's understandable he couldn't recover.
Thankfully, he still hadn't collapsed, showing potential instead.
"Are you that kind of person?" Kadaga raised his head and placed the doll into his bag, finally asking the question.
Su Ming smiled, patting Kadaga on the shoulder: "I won't give my enemies the chance to sit at the card table. Magic often needs to rely on the world's energy to function, but swords and blades do not."
"I understand now, Teacher. Please teach me how to use weapons, how to become strong." Kadaga finally accepted Deathstroke's role as a teacher. His eyes showed acceptance; he realized who the greatest enemy truly was, and hate drove him to make this choice.
"No problem, apart from other things, swords, guns, halberds, axes, spears, hooks, whips, clubs, hammers, and maces—you name it, I can teach you." Su Ming nodded with satisfaction. Having hatred is not a problem; if guided correctly, it is a very powerful driving force.
"Wait... Teacher, you're actually a warrior, aren't you?" Kadaga seemed to discover something, his gaze becoming sharp.
Su Ming tapped his head: "Nonsense! I'm the Supreme Mage. Anyone who says I'm not a mage, I'll hit his head into his chest cavity. Now, quickly open a Teleportation Gate to Stormwind City."
Kadaga grinned and rubbed his head but felt much more relaxed.
Deathstroke's stern yet approachable demeanor made Kadaga feel more comfortable, as if this was the teacher he always envisioned.
................
When Kadaga and Deathstroke rushed to Stormwind Fortress, the Royal Guard had already completely sealed off the Royal Palace. The two were blocked outside the gates, catching only a glimpse of chaos inside through the people, with everyone moving hurriedly and looking exceptionally grim.
"What happened?" Kadaga had a bad feeling.
"It seems some important figures had an incident. Look over there, those people within the security line." Although Su Ming's armor was brightly colored, wearing armor on the streets of Azeroth wasn't a problem.
The world line shifted a bit, indicating that when entering Azeroth, some had sensed it.
Following his teacher's pointing, Kadaga recognized those people, dressed in white Magic Robes.
"It's Archbishop Alonsus Faol from the Lordaeron Kingdom. He's here for inter-kingdom exchanges at the North County Monastery, and behind him is his student, Stormwind City Archbishop Beneditas." Kadaga worried that his teacher didn't recognize them, thus explaining their identities: "Archbishop Faol is seen as an embodiment of Light. His Truth-Telling Technique is incredibly powerful, while Archbishop Beneditas excels at Healing Divine Skill..."
"I can recognize them. Think about it: it's Midnite now, and such a group of High-tier Priests enter Stormwind Fortress, which is also the King's palace. Who do you think had the problem?"
Su Ming guided Kadaga's thoughts, watching the young apprentice's face gradually pale.
"This... But I must get inside to inform them about the changes in Karazhan."
Kadaga urgently stood on tiptoe, trying to peek past the guards' human wall into the castle. He caught sight of a young silhouette flashing past inside the security line and began jumping to call out:
"Wendesol! Here! Look this way, my friend, let us in quickly."