CHAPTER 3: AROAN

Chapter 3: Aroan

As Charlemagne and Aurelia drew closer, a faint voice interrupted the budding intimacy between them. A soft voice emerged from behind, putting an end to the pinkish atmosphere.

Aurelia, startled awake, swiftly released Charlemagne's hand and disappeared into the forest like a deer, leaving behind the sight of her reddening ears.

"Lotharama... so, you were here?" Charlemagne in a somewhat constipated expression stared at his brother, Lotharama, who had a face that seemed to say, "Did I disturb you?"

"I've been here all along... please don't ignore me."

"Indeed, Lotharama, you've got quite the sneaking skills. You'd make a better rogue than a ranger, I'm sure."

In Charlemagne's memories, Lotharama Sealon, who had inherited the position of Ranger General after Sylvanas, became Regent Lord of Quel'Thalas when Prince Kael'thas followed Illidan Stormrage to Outland.

After a series of foolish decisions, Kael'thas was eventually defeated, and although Lotharama still held the title of Regent Lord, he effectively became the leader of the new Sin'dorei, or Blood Elves. He, along with his deputy, Ranger General Halduron Brightwing, and the Archmage Rommath, formed the new Silvermoon Council, governing the entire kingdom.

However, the current Lotharama was still a green youth. Not yet a matured Blood Elf, he had not even acquired the one-eye and thus had not donned the iconic black eyepatch.

"Big brother, when will you and Aurelia become official, after all these years? I've been anxious for both of you."

"...Mind your own business. If it weren't for your interruption earlier, I might have succeeded by now. Do you have any shame asking that?"

Lotharama had never looked down on Charlemagne, even when he was still in his mentally impaired state. Together with their parents, he had taken care of Charlemagne, forming a happy family.

After their parents passed away and Charlemagne fully regained his sanity, their relationship naturally grew more harmonious.

Under Charlemagne's guidance, Lotharama, who had initially been exploring his training according to their father's methods, joined Lireza's training as well.

Learning from an instructor was vastly different from self-improvisation, even though he couldn't match Charlemagne's remarkable progress or Aurelia's initial advantage, as she had a higher starting point. Lotharama's grounded nature allowed him to steadily grow in strength.

However, he had one major flaw: he was too inconspicuous. Even the vigilant Ranger General Lireza sometimes forgot his presence when not paying attention. He had trained with Aurelia on numerous occasions, and she often teased Lotharama, saying he should have become a rogue instead of a ranger.

Yet, Lotharama, who had trained as a ranger since childhood, did not want to give up midway. Although there were no restrictions on professions in the real Azeroth, a person's energy and time were still limited.

"I'd rather specialize in one thing than dabble in everything. At least until I break through to the hero level, I won't consider picking up another profession."

Lotharama's composed personality, while sometimes missing opportunities, ensured that he did not go astray. Since he had made up his mind, his older brother Charlemagne did not intend to force him to do otherwise.

Historically, it seemed that Lotharama, as a ranger, had achieved excellent results.

It's worth mentioning that the training group with Lireza included not only the three of them but also Aurelia's sister, Sylvanas, Alleria, and the youngest brother, Lilas.

Compared to his elder sisters, Sylvanas and Alleria, who had already reached the middle of the high tier, Charlemagne and Lilas had just entered the middle tier. Even Lilas, who was younger than him, had barely advanced to the middle tier. Lotharama was still at the middle level.

Lilas, the youngest brother, was still in his formative stage and received special attention from his mother.

Sylvanas, on the other hand, though not much stronger than Aurelia in terms of power, still had to learn management-related tasks alongside her mother. She also stayed behind with her younger siblings.

As for Sylvanas, although her strength was not much inferior to Aurelia's, she was already earmarked to succeed her mother as Ranger General. Thus, she had to study management matters under her mother's guidance alongside her younger siblings.

According to Lireza, all professions were divided into five ranks: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and, subsequently, Hero and Epic. However, before the Novice rank, there was an apprentice phase. Those in this stage could switch professions at any time based on their advantages. As a result, they were not included in the official ranking.

Within the category of Heroic Rangers, which Lireza belonged to, were rare individuals in the same tier. Among the high elves, only King Anasterian Sunstrider had achieved the rank of Epic. However, due to his age and the burden of political affairs, he was considered one of the weakest Epics.

The Silvermoon Council consisted of a collection of heroic mages, primarily 7th and 8th Circle mages. The ranks were as follows: 1-2 circles were Novice, 3-4 were Intermediate, 5-6 circled mages were the core strength of the kingdom, 7-8 circled mages were eligible to become heroes, and the 9th circle marked the mortal limit, which was the realm of the Epic.

It was said that Prince Kael'thas, who was still not yet a thousand years old, had already achieved the 7th circle of mages. This marked him as a genius even among the high elves, known for their abundant talent.

However, when Charlemagne heard about Kael'thas from Lireza, he subtly raised an eyebrow. The high elves had been isolated from the outside world for too long, and the only information they had about external races came from the Amani Trolls, who now occupied a corner of the Eversong Woods.

Even though he didn't know the exact time of the world in Azeroth, he made a rough guess when he heard the names of the human kingdoms to the south: Lordaeron, Gilneas, and Stormwind. "Tyrande, Genn, and Llane, huh? All of them are in the prime of their lives, which means that it's no more than ten or twenty years until the Dark Portal opens. At that time, the orcish invaders, led by numerous heroes and epic-level warriors, will invade our world..."

At present, the fallen Guardian Medivh remained asleep. When he woke up, he would begin planning for Guld'an to lead the orcs in invading Azeroth.

Charlemagne had always been concerned about Medivh's news. After all, this related to a crucial time point. Once Medivh woke up, it meant that his time was running out.

That night, when Lireza returned to Windrunner Village, Charlemagne received important news from her.

"I don't know why you're so interested in the human kingdoms to the south, but today, King Sunstrider received an invitation from Stormwind Kingdom. Their little prince has been born and named Varian Wrynn."

Upon hearing Lireza's words, Charlemagne shuddered. "Varian has been born... meaning, we have about ten years until the orcs invade. Time waits for no one..."