Survival Guide: Azeroth

by Servant Ruler

EMIYA was reincarnated into another world. It was a world embroiled in thousands of years of war. Better yet, he was reincarnated in a time just before another war would erupt. Best thing was, his enemies were beings with near god-like powers and with innumerable armies! How fun![Gamer][Semi-Crackish]

3. Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I don't own warcraft or FS/N or related series.

A lot of thanks guys. It's because of the reviews and support that I continue to write this. Hope you enjoy.

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I remember it so vividly like it was yesterday.

It had happened so suddenly without warning.

The future was covered by 'fog' and 'shadows'. We could not 'see' anything. The flight was in an uproar. Some had thought that the ends of time had arrived undetected while other's believed that our enemies had finally triumphed against us. But in my opinion, I believed it what had happened was something akin to a sickness that had spread like lightning over our people.

The elders had gathered all the most capable Dragons and Wyrms together. I had been but a young man, a Drake, at that time yet I had felt the great danger that befell us. I had considered it my pride when I found that I was the only Drake chosen among several Dragons included in this great incursion.

The patriarch, Lord Nozdormu, was stirred from his dreamless rest. Taking command of the flight Lord Nozdormu searched out the pathways of time. Our elders, the Wyrms had commanded us to keep watch while they conducted a massive ritual that would enable us to find the source of the 'cause' of this event. I, along with several other Dragons were too inexperienced to peek into the complex weaves of time without our gifts of 'sight' to aid us.

We were assigned to guard the area while the Elders and the Lord peered through time.

I had always been curious as to how the elders did it, how they 'saw' the future without the blessing the Titans had given us. Unable to resist my desire I had carefully snuck in within the timeless chambers wherein they had conducted the ritual and observation. Hidden away I watched with bated breath as the ritual had concluded and what answer the elders may have found. But what they found out was something so inexplicable, so utterly terrifying, that even the wise patriarch had screamed in pain at what he saw.

Unfortunately, I had been caught before the elders could discuss the details. But despite that I could never forget… I could never forget the fear in our elders faces of the knowledge they had gained. The truth they had found.

The elders had been furious when they had learned what I had done. They had only let me go after I had been made to promise to never divulge what I had seen under the threat of death. I complied without any hesitation. Afterward I was confined for the duration of the excursion. They had not sent me back but rather chose to have me watched by the adult Dragons.

It was only later that I heard of what had happened.

The Lord had decided to delve into the pathways of time to resolve it himself. No one was to follow. We had expected his victory…We had hoped for his success… But all of that was forgotten the moment our patriarch returned from his mission.

The Lord had returned with wounds so grievous that it had not only stunned but disturbed us deeply. His wings were torn, his scales broken, and his body riddled with massive wounds. The elders had tried numerous times to heal the injuries but every attempt ended in failure.

Before the Lord went into deep slumber in an attempt to recuperate his strength, he had made a declaration upon us all, his children. I will never forget what he had said at that time. Had it not come from anyone else but our Lord they would have been branded a failure, a heretic, and a sinner.

"We have failed in our eternal task. Our purpose is no more. Live and find life, my children. The Bronzeflight has lost its sight."

-Excerpt from the 'Dichronos Codex', translated by elven historian Fiora Everbright, published in the year 5020. The controversial results of the translation were highly debated and have become one of the hottest topics of research in the College of Arcadia.

-I-

It was a good day, a glorious day to live. Kael'drin Hopebringer was not fleeing from women, nay he was making a tactical retreat in the face of a hopeless situation where the only outcome was imminent death awaiting him.

Only when he was a good distance away did he stop running and become fully aware on the incongruity of his movements. Checking himself over while testing his body's reactions he began to realize that he had grown physically older. The oddness in his motions was his own mind adjusting to the sudden change that had happened to his body. According to Xera, it was a side-effect from the magic he previously cast which nearly resulted in his death.

He had used structural analysis on himself to further inspect the changes he underwent as he couldn't look in a mirror at the moment. He cursed his luck once again when he realized he had not aged enough. His appearance had aged to look like a person in his late teenage years. Unfortunately, was that he still had to suffer through the hormones that came with it, it seemed. Curiously, he still hadn't developed physical signs of facial hair such as the beginnings of a mustache or the start of a beard. Both of which tended to show up around this age or at least they did when he was human anyway. He couldn't help but wonder if his elven heritage had anything to do with it.

Regardless he shook off such thoughts and proceeded to run towards his target.

He was following the scent of the arcane magic that he had sensed thrice now. Traversing through the greenery of the woods to end up in a small clearing where a man was apparently waiting for him.

The man in front of him was seated upon the stump of a tree. The visible features from the brown robes that could be seen were a bearded chin and sagging skin, a clear indicator of the magic user's age. Judging from the figure of the man Kael observed, he noted the stranger was quite tall and holding onto a staff. The wind gently picked up blowing the man robes in the direction of the wind. Putting everything together from his observations, the old man was most likely a wizard of some sort… fantastic.

The chattering of critters and sound of nature tickled his elven ears.

"Are you Medivh?" Kael asked with caution and masked suspicion as he stared at the old man.

"I've been waiting for you Kael'drin. Or should I call you Emiya Shirou?" The stranger answered.

His body tensed when he heard that name. His mouth was already twisting into a frown before catching himself and shifting it back into a neutral expression. He had already decided to throw away that name, just as he threw away the ideals associated with it.

"Enough with this game, I want answers. Who are you and why did you save me?" Kael demanded with impatience in contrast to his normally calm behavior. The old magic user took this in stride however as he proceeded to respond to Kael's demands.

"I am Medivh as you already know. If you want answers then I shall tell you. I saw the future Kael'drin, and do you know what I saw in that future? I saw you as you lead the Army of the Undying. I saw you stand before the throne of the Lich King. I saw you march upon Azeroth killing all who stood in your way and enslaving them against their will.

"I saw you burn the World Tree. I saw everything. In your quest to save the world, you will devour all life upon it. You will become no different from the enemy you seek to destroy. You will become Death's strongest sword. You will claim that your actions are to save the world. To save everyone, but it will only result in eternal damnation for all the souls who follow you.

"I saved you because your death would bring untold destruction upon this world. You had become a vessel for the Lich King. Your ideals would be corrupted, twisted beyond measure. You will promise to save the world by 'making' sure no one stayed dead." Medivh spoke gravely as he foretold what he had seen with his own eyes. His diatribe went uninterrupted as Kael listened with rapt attention.

Kael could not say anything. He remembered a dream that he had a few nights ago. He could understand what Medivh meant by 'death'. But what he could not believe was that he would be the reason for all that?

"That... that is impossible. You lie old man! I do not have the power to do something like that." He replied weakly. Yet, he could not erase the feeling of deep unease he felt within.

"This is not a lie Kael. You will become Death's Scythe, an unequaled Champion, the Paragon of War. Do you know what I saw before all that?" Medivh asked.

"Stop." Kael growled out. He knew.

"You will kill all those you held dear-"

"Stop." The sheer coldness and indifference as he unleashed his aura were palpable and the full might of his magical energy created winds that flew around him.

"You know that all I speak of is the truth." Medivh said as he held onto the lapels of his robe.

"Give me proof..." Kael said weakly as he allowed his aura to fade away, the very winds subsiding with it.

"Very well, if that is what you want..." Medivh moved and raised his arm. A palm was placed over his eyes and his head.

There standing upon the path to Silvermoon stood a man clad in holy mithril armor, armed with a blessed bow and a sword of light. He was Quel'thalas' last soldier as the civilians were evacuated and the elven armies retreated.

He was no General, nor was he an Archmage.

But he stood there to protect the gates to delay the enemy to ensure no innocent would perish. As the skies darkened with magic and the undead marched forward, he held out his hand and thrummed his bow. As he drew his arm back, an arrow of light formed upon the bow. He aimed and released it at the army of undead.

Then there was an explosion of light.

For a moment the marching undead paused. However, they soon resumed the warrior stood upon the narrow path. The magical fires at his sides were his walls and the city to his back. An endless, tireless, fearless army lay at his front before him.

Any warrior would have quailed and fled before such might.

But not this warrior, he would receive no thanks and few would grieve him. Nonetheless, he stood his ground and stopped the Dead. With bow and blade he drove them off. The dead would pile and pile as high as the walls. But the man would not fall.

For seven days and seven nights he fought continuing to hold off the undead scourge against all odds.

Alas, for all his strength and boundless courage, he was mortal thus he had the weakness of all who lived. He felt his throat burn, parched and thirsty. His arms, weak without sustenance nor rest.

At last, weakened and wounded... he met his mortal end. But not his role upon this world... no… that was far from finished.

The warrior rose up once again from deaths cold embrace taking his arms and mighty bow with him. His sword was twisted, corrupted with death. So much death…

The peerless warrior, who once fought to protect the innocent, now hunted those he had stood to protect. He screamed and thrashed within his vessel but the Lich King saw fit to seal him and raise him as his blade. He crafted the mightiest magic to enslave the warrior's soul.

The warrior would become the herald of death. He would be renamed Asura.If the who one ruled him was death, then he was War.

The vision of changed as he felt like he was being pulled up from the ground to the skies and the stars. The vision focused on another world.

Kael staggered back from Medivh's outstretched hands. He felt the gastric acid rising from his throat but he held it down. He grit his teeth at what he saw. He knew there would be more. He didn't see what happened to that warrior but he could make a guess. He took as step forwards towards the arm. He would witness all that he could.

An army of demons was spilling forth from a dark purplish portal being supported by thousands of warlocks. Demons in all their varied and twisted forms marched onwards toward a burning medieval city. The city's high walls were useless. The struggle was futile against such an army of demons.

Infernals and Abyssals rained down from the skies cratering the earth. Doomlords lead their vast army to extinguish all life that remained on this pitiful world. Cries of dread and despair echoed throughout the surrounding area.

The earth was watered deep in the blood and corpses of this world's inhabitants. A humanoid creature garbed in the robes of priests kneeled down and wailed out aloud. They were the Raaknar, a proud race of warriors who defied the Burning Legion. But for all their efforts, they were doomed to fall.

The corpses of his people surrounded the priest.

The Raaknar prayed to their gods but none answered their prayers. No god would answer their prayer, but a greater evil would. On the brink of death, they saw a vision of a floating city. It was a city that welcomed the dead, the city that created death.

Their fervent prayers were answered... but the answer was eternal damnation...

Within the castle of death and steel, sitting upon its throne was a being clad in ice cold armor, his body burning with the very fires of hell. An ephemeral emerald light shone from the gaps of his crown-helmet. The cacophony of countless souls sang a dirge to glorify the God of War and Death.

Upon the battlements made of unbreakable steel, a legion assembled. Above the fortress, a maelstrom of spirits circled to create a stormy cloud of death. The army had no equal. They fear neither death nor destruction. Because they know they will not be dead for long.

Upon the throne room colored in the darkness of death and housed in steel stood Death's greatest creations, undead Heroes who stood like pillars unmoving looking down on all who dared enter.

In life they were unequaled Champions of their people. They shone brightly as the a sun upon their own worlds as they carved out their legends. However In death, they served as the strongest Blades. They were Reapers who wreaked havoc upon all who opposed their endless march. Once again they would be unleashed to see Death's will done.

From the throne, the Undead Ruler stirred as he sensed the battle down below. There was a loud thud as the floating city crashed into land. The Undead Ruler stared down at his greatest creation, the Strongest Sword. For buried beneath this Death Knight known as War was the soul of an ageless warrior.

The Lich King hardened his grasp upon his scepter.

The greatest weapons were the hardest to control. He weakened the struggling soul and imposed his will. To further shackle down this rabid dog, he gathered the negativity produced from the suffering of souls floating above the city and flooded it into this being.

A manic grin appeared on the warrior's lips, the glint in its eyes burned with bloodlust.

The warrior left the throne to join his army. With a wave of a hand, the undying horde marched from the gaping gates.

Undead abominations and walking corpses shambled forward lead by the Reapers who sat astride great undead beasts. The Strongest Sword, Asura, appeared at the forefront of the army. He went atop his mount, a massive undead Dragon. His mere presence twisted reality. As the great Dragon made of bones flew through the sky, the man muttered words that were foreign to the ear but filled with a vast power.

"Εντοπισμός."

Thousands upon thousands of blades appeared in the sky. They varied from mundane spears to sharp blades of magical cutting steel. The myriad of blades rained down upon the ruined city and towards the demon army.

They died by the thousands. Raaknar and Demons, there was no distinction as all fell to this monster. It was Death they faced, a true manifestation of death that embraced all who lived and breathed.

The undead being riding upon the Dragon leapt off his mount as a mad cackle resounded from his lips. Massive demons, Pit Lords lumbered towards the undead warrior. Fel magic fell on him like a tidal wave but a shield of blades blocked such a futile attempt. Asura let out a Warcry, sound waves manifesting into physical form imbued with twisted magic that pushed back the massive demons and killed the useless rabble.

The army followed his example and let out unholy roars and screeches.

The sword of Death leapt onwards striking down foes while cackling with glee.

He was an army unto himself. No armor could withstand his blades. No spell or demon could outrun his speed. He was too fast and too strong. Even the massive demons they had relied upon to defend them died at his feet. He was unstoppable juggernaut who none could stand against, even more so because the soul who normally struggled was shackled unable to resist his undead master's orders no matter how much he screamed within.

He sliced through armor, flesh, and bone while wielding massive swords with ease.

The warlocks screamed out in surprise when the mad being tossed himself right into the portal towards another world.

Upon crossing the portal, Asura did not stop as he waded his way across the sea of demons that inhabited the burning plane. The tireless monstrous undead warrior never stopped swinging his blades. Thousands would die at his hands, ripped into pieces by the winds of his strikes. Thousands would die as he let loose the traced blades that appeared from the skies, skewering and pinning those who stood before him to the ground. The slaughter did not stop until all that moved had died.

The tides of demons that were once like the seas became mountains as corpses were piled high as if reaching the very skies. A green mist was arose from the demons' disintegrating bodies. Atop the highest mountain of corpses stood the Undead Ruler, cloudy mist was gathering in his palms. A hideous maw filled with sharp teeth opened. As if inhaling them, the green mist like fire in hands entered his orifices.

Screams of despair and horror echoed from nowhere and everywhere.

As if sensing something the warrior stared at him. He laughed and said-

The vision was broken as Medivh retracted his hand.

Kael was on his knees gasping for breath from the heavy aura that monster had emitted. He had fought monsters that could shatter mountains with a flick of their fingers but this was the first time he ever felt true fear. A fear so numbing that he could not speak or move. Even his very breath had stopped in front of that monstrosity.

But what was worse was that he knew that monster had been holding back and who that monster once was.

"You do not have the power yet. You hold great potential for good or evil. You possess mysterious knowledge and a strange soul. Furthermore, your progenitor's blood runs strongly within you. You are susceptible to corruption. You cannot deny all of this." Medivh said from above him.

He couldn't deny it. However, what scared him more was finding out there was a fate worse than being a Counter Guardian. To save everyone… the beautiful ideal he once held. If being a Counter Guardian trampled it, then that undead monstrosity utterly perverted and defiled it into an abomination so far from its original goal it made him internally wretch. Even the so called Reapers he saw were nothing but the cruel sick parodies of Heroic Spirits from his original world.

Brave Heroes who had once achieved unimaginable feats over the course of their lives. Slain and then added upon the ranks of undead former Champions of their worlds reborn as Reapers. An unequaled army indeed, but worst of all, the one who defeated them all was the Lich King's Strongest Sword.

Kael felt cold drowning fear deep in the pit of his stomach.

"What can I do?!" Kael screamed in frustration as he felt himself gripped with dread for the future. He did not fear for himself but for those around him. His face was twisted with grief at his powerless hands. Never before did he curse being cut off from his former power as he did now.

The bright sunny day seemed like a lie, as soon dark clouds would appear from the horizon in the near future.

"You must do what you can to grow stronger. It is impossible for you to stop the onslaught of the Burning Legion by yourself. I fear that some things must come to pass for the sake of greater good. Some must be sacrificed to find the path that we need. In time you will have to lead people." Medivh calmly advised.

He knew it was impossible to save everyone but hearing it from someone who had seen the future made him bitter. He had to grow stronger. He had far greater potential. He had to learn to accept this.

"Very well. I will do what I must. I will do what has to be done. These hands of mine are already stained with blood. What are a few more drops to be added to an ocean? I will forge a path to protect what is mine and stop this threat." He stated with self-depreciation but with a resolute will.

"Thank you, Kael'drin. The future has already strayed too far from what I saw. This is the gamble I chose to make. My hopes have been placed upon you. Please help me save this doomed world." Medivh pleaded.

Kael understood the weight of the choice Medivh had taken. Had Medivh chosen not to save him, the future would have been still bleak but visible. He threw away a path where he knew what would happen by changing it too drastically. Medivh could have chosen to do something less risky than changing what he saw entirely. There may have been other plans or choices he could have made less risky to change the future. He felt the burden on him grow heavier.

"You left me no choice old man. How foolish of you to place your hopes on someone like me. Your idiotic choice may have completely doomed this world. But I'm a hypocrite after all. If you are a fool for believing in me, then more so am I for heeding your words. "He chuckled mirthlessly.

"How ironic that when I finally chose to stray away from the battlefield this world is forcing me back into it. What a cursed existence I lead." Kael said aloud allowing his bitterness to show.

"Most people are not born with the choice." Medivh said as he placed his hands on Kael's shoulders. "Remember this Kael'drin, there is always hope as long as we live." The old man smiled slightly at his choice of words.

The man transformed into a raven and flew into the sky. He hated how the old man spoke so cryptically but at least he was able to get a straight answer on his question.

"We will meet again one day when the time is right..." Medivh's last words echoed as he disappeared from sight.

"At least my current situation is the least of my worries right now." Kael said glumly as he occupied the stump that Medivh had vacated. He waited for Sylvanas to catch up to him. It would take some time for her to find him. He sat there with the resignation of a man who had accepted his death and was on his way to the gallows.

"I curse my luck..." He muttered. A blue box appeared in front of him. It was the same blue box that he had seen when he first woke up. He thought it was his imagination, but sadly it wasn't. He could almost imagine Xera's voice in his head as he read the messages.

[Xera has completed the full process of connecting Kael to System Azeroth]

[As part of the agreement, Kael has given full permission to Xera and System Azeroth to manage Essence Absorption and body Visual Metrics. You can now manage your growth. To improve the quality of Visual Metrics, Kael's memory has been scanned to search for most familiar and compatible graphical interface.]

He could get the gist of what she was saying. But what did she mean by Visual Metrics.

[To show visual metric please use command "Show Status" or "Status"]

"Show [Status]?" He asked. Another blue box appeared in front of him over the previous ones.

[Name: Kael'drin Hopebringer

Condition: Healthy

Race: Mixed Blood Elf

Title: [Mutated Soul] [Amber Eyed Hunter] [Harem Protagonist] [Champion of Azeroth]

Basic Attributes:

Agility: 50

Intellect: 44

Strength: 28

Stamina: 43

Class: None

Level 0

Active Skills:

Reinforcement - Lvl Max

Structural Grasp - Lvl Max

Passive Skills:

Heroic Archery - Lvl 1

Advanced Dual Wielding - Lvl 8

Runes - Lvl 5

Magecraft - Lvl 4

Poison Mastery - Lvl 4

Eye of the Mind - Lvl 7

Hawk Eye - Lvl Max

Unique Skills:

Weaponry Creation(?)

S.A.I.S./ Appraisal

Efficient Essence Absorption

Racial Trait:

Blessed of Elune

Quickness

Elusiveness

Arcane Affinity ]

He recognized what it was from partial memories he could gather from his reiterations that reached the Throne of Heroes. It was similar to a game character page. He read through the box reading the contents.

"Xera?" He asked, irritation in his voice. "What's the use of the titles?" It was the first thing he noted.

[System Azeroth and Xera which will now be called System Xera has looked through records of Kael's past actions and have agreed to provide bonuses to certain actions thus the titles were given. Through the analysis of Database System Azeroth, certain events and phenomenon occurring are based on predetermined patterns-]

"Please give me the short version." Kael asked as he cut off Xera, his patience running thin.

[Titles are the blessings of the world on every action you take. An example is title "Guardian of Azeroth", System Xera will be assisting you in your endeavor to protect Azeroth. As such we will provide you with the means to gather information on any relevant to target.

Thus the skill Appraisal has been added. Furthermore, any actions you take towards protecting the planet will have things slightly influenced to provide better results.]

"Okay, I'm not sure if I'm right but what you're saying is if I have the title like 'Ice Mage', I first need to be able to use ice element magic and have enough skill with it for the system or the world to recognize my ability and provide me the title." He stated slowly trying get a firm grasp on the workings of what he knew and while compare it to his current situation.

[Affirmative]

"And if I have the title 'Ice Mage', the planet or the world will slightly influence it to make my ice spells stronger. Is that correct?" He continued.

[Affirmative]

"So when I was given the title Harem Protagonist… does that mean that there is a larger chance of me encountering multiple women and having a relationship with them?" His voice was almost pleading to be wrong.

[Affirmative. Would you like me to provide you more information about said title?]

He dreaded the answer he would find but Kael was not a coward. He would charge onwards. There had to be a way to remove that title if only he had more information on it.

[Harem Protagonist – Kael'drin Hopebringer has greater chances of encounters with compatible members of preferred gender. Also title bestows higher chance of multiple mates to tolerate each other allowing polygamy.]

Kael sat there in a daze for what seemed to feel like hours. He didn't know how to feel about this but he was sure it was going to be very troublesome to say the least.

"But what's with the level? Why am I level 0?"

[System Xera has found that you did not previously have a proper connection to the world. Thus your growth has been exceedingly slow because of it. Thus it is abnormal for Kael to have grown so much despite possessing such a condition. Levels are a normal indication of strength. Rarely are there anomalies like you whose basic attributes do not match their level.]

"So you mean that I was previously an alien of this world? And how does level normally indicate strength?" He asked confused.

[To begin with, all the beings in the world have what we call Essence or Records. Even the aliens that you call are normally assessed by level. If a being kills another, some of the dead beings Essence are absorbed by their killer. This makes the killer stronger and improves their powers and physical abilities. The stronger the enemy you defeat the greater the essence you can absorb from them.

Kael is an anomaly because he was somehow able to improve his attributes and abilities without taking another being's Essence. As Xera has stated earlier we have taken over your Essence absorption. From now on you should be able to absorb Essences normally. But as part of our assistance, we will improve your absorption efficiency to Essences. To make it simpler, Kael will have an easier time increasing his level.]

'So it was something similar to... what did they call it… a permanent exp boost.

That also helped explained some things, like why he would become so powerful as an Undead. When he died, this essence absorption may have been fixed on his unholy resurrection along with his connection to his Reality Marble. He looked through the blue window once more; he understood what the attributes meant more or less. However he looked at his skills curiously, he needed to understand all of it to make the most out of what he had.

[Unique Skills:

Weaponry Creation(?) - Unable to quantify the abilities full effects.

S.A.I.S./Appraisal - SAIS is an acronym for System Azeroth Information Search or skill name Appraisal. This ability is provided along with the title 'Guardian of Azeroth'. Through the System, you are able to gather information about a target from System records. Some information may be restricted due to the target's larger Essence quantity or lack of it.

Efficient Essence Absorption - Increases the efficiency of essence absorption.

Racial Traits:

Blessed of Elune - You are favored by the Goddess Elune. The blessing Increases your haste during the night. It also increases your ability to pinpoint your enemy's weakness during the day.

Quickness - Increases your natural speed and reflexes.

Elusiveness - Reduces your presence while you are hidden.

Arcane Affinity - Increases your affinity for arcane manipulation and magic. This ability also provides you with affinity to do Enchanting.]

He read box with the basic description of the abilities he currently possessed. It was quite handy and grateful that he didn't need to ask Xera about it. Going back to his 'Titles' he looked over them again trying to pull out all the details of the benefits they bestowed. It might provide insight on what he could further do or method to train himself in.

[Titles:

Mutated Soul - Your soul has a strange quality to it. From previous data, your soul was interpreted to be distorted before it was attempted to be fixed during your birth. Some qualities from the distortion are still retained. It also increases your affinity for creation and destruction. Your soul can further evolve with further stimulation.

Amber Eyed Hunter - A title given by other people as recognition of Kael'drin Hopebringer's ability, it provides increased gain in fame while adventuring. Has a high chance of changing as your fame increases.

Harem Protagonist – Kael'drin Hopebringer has greater chances of encounters with compatible members of preferred gender. Also title bestows higher chance of multiple mates to tolerate each other allowing polygamy.

Champion of Azeroth - A title given by the System to Kael'drin Hopebringer that provides the two skills Observation and Efficient Essence Absorption. Any action towards protecting the world is slightly influenced to have an increase in chance of success.

But what did they mean by a class? Soon after he thought it, small internal ding popped in his head notifying him. It really was convenient to have a sentient something living in your mind apparently. He clicked on the notification and another interface opened up to provide the information.

[A class is equal to magical beast's ranks. It is the path of strength for all sentient beings, though there are some exceptions. An example would be recorded being Sylvanas Windrunner having a special class and title of Ranger General. Sylvanas has taken the specialist path of a ranger. She has gained all abilities pertaining to the standard ranger class along with commanding abilities of a commander class.

A class is the reflection of path you will follow. Please choose your class wisely as you cannot turn back to time to follow another path. Available classes will be shown once you've reached Level 10.]

He began to mull over what he just learned. A plan began to form as he proceeded to ask for more information from Xera. However, he was so lost in thought from his musings that he had failed to notice when someone had approached him from behind.

-II-

Sylvanas stared at the form of his friend sitting in the middle of a clearing. He should have noticed her by now. He was usually able to notice most of everything in his surroundings due to Kael's sharp senses. But maybe he was still affected by the magic he had used a few days ago.

Her light footsteps made no traces as she approached her prey. Just as she was right behind him, she had the sudden urge to embrace him. She gave in… her arms wrapping around his body to engulf him in her embrace.

"Huh?"

She could hear Kael's confused cry but ignored it. She did not want to let him go. Kael was going to be exiled. She wanted to shout out in frustration and anger at the whole situation. She had the power to keep him safe but it was not enough. She could not overturn the King's decision.

The King's judgment was too heavy, some people would have preferred death over exile. A thousand years of exile was already a excessively long time even by a high elf's standard. A fair amount even died before then due to accident, murder, or disease.

If only she didn't have to carry the burden of being the Head of House Windrunner, she would have gladly followed him into exile to be with him.

She was sorely tempted, but she knew Kael would not be happy if she did that. She also had her younger brother to look after as well.

She had her duty both to her family and to her nation. It drove her mad, she wanted to curse the Gods for the circumstances of her birth. Was it not enough that her parents were taken from her? Was it not enough that she lost her older sister?

Tears ran down her cheeks. She did not want to let him go.

"Syl?..." She heard Kael mutter his nickname for her. She secretly loved it when he called her that. It sent pleasurable shivers running down her spine.

He tried to look at her but she strengthened her hold on him.

She did not want him to see her tears, her weakness.

"Are you alright?" She lost the strength in her arms when Kael touched her hand. He turned around to face Sylvanas.

He was taller by a thumb than her now, she idly noted. Her hands roamed Kael's body. He was well built and lean, the results of his training clearly showing. His gentle eyes and delicate facial features belied his impressive combat potential.

Without even thinking about it she caught Kael's lips in a kiss. Her tongue invaded his mouth. There was a brief resistance but moments later, she could feel Kael reciprocating back. His hands went around her slender waist to hold her closer. She could feel her arousal growing with each passing second. She moved her hands wrapping them around his neck as she hungrily savored his taste.

Though she overheard some rangers calling her a prude behind her back, she was not without knowledge when it came to sex.

She finally broke the kiss when she felt like she could no longer hold her breath. A trail of saliva was linked between their lips.

"Syl... what are you doing?" Kael asked hesitantly.

She ignored his inquiry instead opting to remove her cloak and unclasp her armor. Her chest was released from their confines. Though not as big as Anadriel's she was still sufficiently large.

"What does it seem like?" She asked as she slowly stripped off her lower armor while making a show off it.

The passionate kiss and currently stripping Sylvanas was an incredibly distracting sight to say the least. High Elves in general were a beautiful race, possessing a physically appealing appearance, but even by High Elven standards Sylvanas Windrunner was a rare beauty. Female models from his previous world would have bitten their nails in envy to have her looks and figure. Rumors had said that even Lords from countless noble houses had attempted to seek her hand yet all were turned away for some reason. In all honesty the only other woman he saw in his current life so far that could rival Sylvanas in looks was Anadriel. A woman like that was currently seducing him and driving his raging hormones crazy, but still he had to know.

"Syl, I'm serious. Tell me what's bothering you. "Kael struggled to keep his mind focused.

She paused then dragged him to where she had spread her cloak. "You are going to be exiled Kael. In a week's time, you will be forced to leave Quel'thalas. I don't want to regret having the chance but not doing something before you leave."

With those words, she continued kissing him. Her hands roaming over his body while stripping him of his clothes. She could see uncertainty on Kael's face his expression a mixture of desire and hesitation. She ignored it in favor of claiming her man while she had the time and opportunity. She did not want to lose to that woman Anadriel and those massive cow-tits.

Her hands hastily took off Kael's shirt. She could feel his hardened member at her belly pressing against her. Kael did not resist when she took off his pants. His erect dick hit her in the face as she did so. It stood tall and proud as it pointed towards the sky.

Her soft hands gently wrapped around his thick shaft. She heard Kael let out a small adorable cry from the contact.

For Sylvanas It was not her first time seeing one. However, it was her first time seeing one that was fully erect and this big. Taking in the sight she didn't even know if it would fit in her, yet her legs quivered in anticipation at the thought of it. She gave the tip of its head an experimental kiss while looking up at Kael's face.

She felt immediate satisfaction as she saw his face twisted in pleasure. The musk of a man invaded her nostrils as she drew near his dick and put the tip into her mouth.

"Slurp." She heard her mouth making the sound as she worked around his length and thickness inside her oral cavity. She twirled her tongue around his shaft, gently licking it, while savoring the taste of it. Slowly she brought it out and dragged her tongue along the head. She tried to do the same to the root, as her lips left his balls covered in her saliva. Finally she worked herself up for it and in one stride forced herself to take him all in with one movement. Slow at first she repeated this action until she picked up the pace and began earnestly deep throating him.

She let her arms wrap around Kael's waist not letting go as he bucked and jerked around from the pleasure.

Every now and then she would look up to his face with upturned eyes to see how he was doing taking personal delight in his reactions.

"Oh gods..." Kael muttered, his hands grabbed her head to hold her still. She broke off from working on his member releasing it with a loud 'pop' as her tongue focused on the tip of his shaft making Kael buckle where he stood. The cold air he felt and lull in Sylvannas actions hit Kael full force as his member twitched violently bringing him ever closer to the edge. Once again she slowly took him deeper into her throat. She pulled the forehead back with her tongue and sucked on the tip.

Her inexperience showed however when she accidentally felt her teeth touch Kael' hardened dick and he let out a low cry of pain. She experimented with what she knew and heard in passing from others.

She took her time with it, her hand reaching down between her legs and started playing with herself. A digit was slowly entering her wet snatch as her hands sped up to a furious pace to quench the burning desire she was feeling.

"Syl... were outside...!" She heard him shout but ignored him due to her lack of concern and lust.

The knowledge that there was a chance someone could turn up any second now and stumble into scene having sex only made her wetter.

"You don't have to hold back. I know you have the ability to set up a mysterious magic field somehow. Something like that will keep people away. Or... maybe you want someone to watch?" She said seductively, or what she thought was enough to excite him.

She heard Kael groan once more. The desire in his eyes told it all and she grinned. She pushed him down onto the ground and mounted him. Her voluptuous body and round firm ass prominently displayed. A faint scent was already wafting around them and into their noses.

"What... are you..."

She disregarded Kael's words. He saw his eyes drop down to her flooded nether regions. With slow movements, she placed her lower lips upon his rod. With a gasp, her most intimate place was pierced. She had long since lost her hymen due to her training as a ranger so there was no blood.

The earlier stimulation added with the sweet tightness he felt as Kael's penis was guided deep into her vagina. He couldn't help but blow his load bursting out semen in large quantities, the excess flowing outside.

At the same time earlier ministrations when she had played with herself and the feeling of hot a flood of semen into her made her temporarily unconscious with pleasure. She was taken back to reality when the softening rod suddenly regained its hardness. As Kael grabbed her hips and began to start thrusting upward surprising Sylvanas who couldn't help but gasp from the shock and making her bounce.

While Sylvanas was still in a stupor a steady rhythm soon developed as she bucked and shook her hips along Kael's long thick member. Sylvanna's large breasts hypnotically moving with every bounce she did upon her lover. The actions that took place were an incredibly erotic sight that near all the men of Quel'Thalas would pay dearly to see and even more to experience. The beautiful female High Elf worked herself into fervor as she repeatedly impaled herself upon his huge dick till her senses became overwhelmed with pleasure releasing a mighty climax and collapsing a top of him. However Kael'drin Hopebringer wasn't done with this lovely creature just yet.

Kael lifted her off himself and glared down at her.

"Lie down, now it's my turn to be on top." She heard him say with a commanding voice. A shiver of pleasure ran down her spine as she complied and laid herself on their makeshift bed. It wasn't too hard on the ground with grass covering most of the clearing.

"Kael?" She looked down at him breathlessly in confusion as he bent down and spread her legs. She was already wet down there where there juices mixed. Kael's face grimaced a little, but the light of determination didn't die. She realized what he was about to do when she saw the evil grin on his face. "Wait. That place is-" She bit down on her teeth to stop the scream that threatened to came out as she arched her back.

Her pussy lips were spread open by Kael's fingers and his tongue began skillfully playing with her clit. Her body gave another thrash when two fingers went inside and played with her insides. For the second time climaxed in barely any time at all with Kael's ministration. A cry loud escaped from her lips as she came the pleasure washing over her body yet again.

"Now were even... I will ravish you so and make sure you'll regret it." She heard Kael tenderly whisper into her ear as he drew close to kiss her on the lips. His words sending a torrent pleasurable shivers down her spine. As their lips and tongues exchanged she could taste herself from Kael's tongue.

"Yes... please... I need it inside." She whispered with needy desire.

Kael got off her and held her hips with one hand while the other directed his dick towards her entrance. The tip smoothly entered followed by his whole dick.

Her face was twisted in shock.

"Just relax... I'll take care of it."

Kael waited for her to adjust to his girth. His hands went up to her breasts to play with her erect nipples. Her sizable bust easily fit into his palms and then some. Kael bent down to lick her teats. She felt another orgasm come with Kael expertly playing with her nipples.

"Fuuucckk..."

How was he so good at this? The question was pushed to the back of her mind when Kael started moving his hips in earnest.

Kael flicked and rolled his tongue on her nipples and alternated in raining kisses on her lips and neck. After she adjusted to his rhythm he pushed her legs up to her shoulders as he proceeded to deeply pummeled her in a downward angle increasing the depth of the penetration.

"More… ohh!….Do me more...ah!... I'm yours ...Kael..." She said breathlessly amidst moans of pleasure.

Their grunts and groans of passion were made aloud in the open wilderness of the woods. Sylvanas could feel another eruption of pleasure reach her yet again.

"Aaaaaahhh!" She tried not to scream but the pleasure was too much for her and her cries became even louder. Her legs clamped onto his hips making him unable to escape as he continued to speed up his movement. Her luscious body shaking back and forth from the strength of his thrusts as waves of pleasure continued to flood her. Kael could feel Sylvanas tighten around him as her breathing quickened and back began to arch.

"Don't- I'm nearly there." She ignored his protests and refused to let him go. Shortly after she clamped down on him hard, she felt hot cum flowing into her filling her womb with a searing pleasant heat. After roughly a minute the sensation of being filled passed. Basking in the afterglow her mind was brought out from her orgasm when she felt Kael move to pull his dick out and couldn't help but pout.

"No... Please let me stay... like this for a while." She saw Kael hesitate before nodding. They both lay down next to each other, their faces touching as Kael's hand reached behind him to take his own cloak and drape it over their naked forms. His hand moved under her head to make a pillow for her to rest on. For a few minutes they cuddled mere enjoying the others presence and warmth. However it couldn't last as much as both of them may have wanted it to. The tender silence was eventually broken.

"Syl..." Kael whispered. "Tell me what happened. Why am I being exiled?"

She stared at his amber colored eyes, her hand gently caressing his cheek. The sound of nature filled their ears as a gentle breeze blew across the area. The warm sun in the sky shone down on them through the gaps in the leaves as Sylvanas began to speak.

"When we found you, we felt something unnatural around the area. Magical energy mixed with arcane and fel magic. There was even an unknown energy also mixed with it. You were lying on the ground with various blades sticking out of your body.

"The mage who was with us assumed the worst and nearly killed you, he said the area was saturated by magic. But what he found most abundant was the mixed magical energy. He thought you had performed a dark ritual using the bodies that we found with you and failed. For the crimes of using fel magic, the King has sentenced you to exile. You know that fel magic is forbidden but why did you use it?" She asked. She could feel the tears gathering in her eyes as she spoke.

Kael was silent for a few seconds taking what she said in and gathering his thoughts before explaining what had happened.

"I found Ana lying in a pool of blood with a dagger on her chest." He said as she glared at him when he mentioned that woman's name. But Sylvanas said nothing else allowing him to continue on with his story.

"She nearly died, her breath had already stopped so I wasn't sure if using a potion could have healed her. She had also lost too much blood at that point as well. I was desperate… I used a magic that I shouldn't have but… I couldn't think of anything else." Hearing him finish she could discern the truth in his words. It also matched what they had found out. Yet she couldn't help but feel like he was still holding back some information.

In the first place where had he gotten such a spell? A person who had completely stopped breathing was considered dead and unsavable but Kael was still able to heal that woman. However Sylvanas didn't care, she was neither a mage nor did she have the inclination to inquire any further. Even if she was unhappy with the ruling over Kael's case and assumptions on his character, at the very least she was glad she wasn't wrong about the man she fell in love with.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt Kael harden once more within her. She stared at Kael unabashedly. Her lust was ignited once more. She wanted more. She wanted to make love to him so much that when he left, he would never forget her. That she would always be in his heart like he was in hers.

She clenched on Kael's hardened rod, a smile on her face. She nimbly mounted Kael again after getting her second wind. Noting for the first time how strangely beautiful he looked. Had he always looked this androgynous?

"I want more... more of you..." She whispered as she began to move, her large twin hills jutting out and jiggling with every thrust.

They would continue on until Sylvanas felt bloated with his semen. She could not count how many times she came. She became ever bolder and more passionate as the love making continued with semen dripping between her legs into the ground. Kael was an incredibly gifted lover and she enjoyed herself immensely as she kept going determined to milk him dry only stopping when she expended all her energy. Afterwards Sylvanas lay in Kael's embrace, the smell of sex thick in the air.

She enjoyed the silence between them as she slept in his arms. She burrowed herself further into his embrace. Just this time, and only in front of him she wanted to be a woman. She wanted to be weak and protected. Sleep finally claimed her as the sleepless nights she had spent worrying had finally caught up with her.

Her last vision was of Kael's contemplating face. A small smile graced her lips and a warm darkness took her.

-III-

Kael had quietly cleaned them both up while waiting for Sylvanas to wake up. He looked down on her face. He traced a hand through her tender cheeks across to her delicate jaw. How many men could claim they had slept with women as beautiful as the one in his arms?

Sylvanas truly reminded her of Rider in a way. She had a different beauty to that of Ana. If Anadriel was like a delicate seductive beauty that exuded a gentle charm, Sylvanas was a beauty whose charm lay in her cold outward exterior but warm and soft interior.

He was lucky no people were nearby and he had been able to set an isolation rune unnoticed before he took action earlier. Last thing he needed was an audience to their zealous passionate embrace in the woods. He found his discarded clothes from earlier and had already put them on. He took a seat beside the sleeping Sylvanas as he gently stared at her sleeping form.

The warm rays of a setting sun was on the horizon. The forest looked like a sea of gold with the sunset's light shining on the decaying leaves of autumn. The smell of spring still pervaded the air but signs of fall were visible.

He was deep in thought when a blue box appeared.

[Xera congratulates Kael on losing his virginity. I have recorded a copy of your activities for future use.]

He swatted at the blue box annoyed but it didn't disappear.

He was sentenced to exile. The thought still hadn't fully sunk in with him yet. He was going to be sent away from those he wanted to protect. He gripped his head and groaned. The sentence was from the King. There would likely be consequences if he broke it. But why give him a week and not kick him out immediately? Kael's thoughts turned towards a more pressing matter.

'What am I going to do?'

He had to think positively on what can be done.

He could still grow stronger, considering what the future held he had to get stronger. Yes, technically speaking it would be better if he was outside of Quel'thalas. If he could defeat stronger enemies, he could become stronger and further refine his skills. That line of thought would normally have never entered his mind as he was before. The question was where he was going to go?

He did not know when the Burning Legion would strike. He did not even know where. With the size of the continent, it would probably take him months or years to go around the entire land of Lordaeron. According to his dwarf friend, Ragnarn, it took him about two years to reach Silvermoon. But it had only taken him that long because he stayed a while at every village he passed by.

He mulled on his options. But the only thoughts that surfaced were about the people he would leave behind. Coria would probably be worried, so would Ana. He also had a few friends around the area like Ragnarn. He knew his negativity and pessimism was coming out. It was not like something bad would happen to them just because he wasn't there.

He tried to think back on what he had been doing before Sylvanas found him. Right… analyzing his skills.

'But how does it work?' He thought.

"Appraisal?" He said. Nothing happened. A prompt appeared most likely courtesy of Xera.

[Please use the skill on a target object.]

The blue box stated, he stared at his hand and tried again to focus his attention on his own body.

"Appraise."

Soon after he spoke he saw a copy of his status appear. He tried the appraisal again on a nearby rock.

[Rock - a normal rock]

The result was unexpectedly dull and he deadpanned at the answer. He tried it again this time focusing on Sylvanas who was still asleep.

"Appraise"

[Sylvanas Windrunner

Class: Ranger General

Level 49

Titles: Ice-cold General, Little Lady, Head of House Windrunner

Race: High Elf

Description:

Daughter of Melindil and Lireesa Windrunner, she was raised as a warrior according to the standards of their House. She took over as Head of House Windrunner when both of her parents died and her older sister went missing. Her only surviving close relatives are her younger Sister Vereesa...]

Kael stopped reading any further. He didn't want to know about things Sylvanas didn't tell him about. If she told him about these before, then he could accept it. Without it, it felt like he was violating her being when he was looking at her history like this.

The blue box faded away.

"Xera. Why was there fel and arcane energy during that time I nearly died?" He asked suspiciously.

[Xera has detected a mixture of multiple magic energies within your body. This was most likely a result of your soul being exposed to massive amounts of Light and Void. Xera has no clue how such a thing came to be. But Xera is sure that your soul was able to adapt to these forces of nature enabling you to use most of the known forms of energy or magic.

The energy known as fel is a result of destruction, a primal force of chaos. Lesser minds have perceived fel as evil but it is not so. It is merely another form of arcane energy.]

He heard Sylvanas stir next to him thus interrupting his discussion with Xera. Her eyes were open and her cheeks were glowing red.

"Are you alright?" He asked worriedly. Honestly regretting how little control of himself he had over what had happened earlier. Raging hormones and Sylvana's aggressive seduction had snapped at what little remained of his sane mind. He gave in to his lust and needs accepting her open invitation.

"I'm fine." She said with a small smile. "How long was I asleep?" She asked.

"You've been out of it since this morning. It's nearly noon now. We better get you home. Lirath will no doubt be worried about you." Kael answered.

He looked away from her beautiful naked form as he waited for Sylvanas to get dressed. He felt a twitch in his pants but quickly quashed it while soon turning red from embarrassment. Sylvanas was momentarily shocked seeing such a reaction in Kael but was pleased by it giving a sultry smile in response as she got dressed. He felt a hand on his shoulders as Sylvanas leaned on him for support.

"Are you alright?" He asked again.

"Mmmhh, I'm fine." She insisted. However she let out a yelp of surprise when Kael brought his hand to her legs, lifting her up in a princess carry. "Put me down Kael!" She demanded with a beet red face as her heart wildly beat in her chest.

"Let me carry you home. I don't think you're able to walk properly at the moment." He said in an apologetic tone.

"Whose fault was it? You thick dumb idiot." She glared at him.

Kael regretted nothing. It was not his fault, he thought in excuse for he knew better than to say that out loud.

They made their way back as he carried her to a section of the walls of Silvermoon that was least guarded. He observed the perimeter and made a dash for it when he was sure it was clear. There were still people out at this time of day after all. To make sure they didn't get notice, he decided to stay on the rooftops. No one usually looks up unless they have a reason to do so and besides he wanted to protect Sylvanas reputation.

They made it to the Windrunner Spire in record time. He slowly let her down to the ground when they reached the gates. For a moment Sylvanas did hesitate a little before reluctantly letting go of his neck and standing up on her own. She walked towards the gates, before noticing he wasn't following after her. She looked back and stared at him for not reading the mood.

"What?" He asked.

"You're still a criminal under the law. It would be better if you sleep here tonight. I can make a report to the garrison that I was taking care of you. They won't have any qualms about it." She said darkly.

The realization hit him. He was a fugitive. He wasn't supposed to have any sort of freedom right now. It was even a wonder that they had not locked him up yet. Most likely this was probably due to Sylvanas. Besides he was pretty sure she didn't have any ulterior motives and was just doing her best to look out for him.

The next day, Kael woke up with a sore body and bloodshot eyes. A part of Kael regretted stepping inside that gate, while another part of him was overjoyed.

He was currently in Sylvanas' room at the moment, clothes were strewn about on the carpeted floor. He weakly tried to crawl himself out of the bed but an iron grip soon stopped him. He looked towards the other side of the bed to see Sylvanas asleep with her hand on his arm.

The room was dark with thick curtains drawn over the windows.

He carefully pried her fingers off him making sure she was still asleep. He didn't have any energy left after what they'd done all night.

He looked throughout the room only to find his clothes were missing. He could not just leave going out naked, times like this really made him miss projection ability. He scanned through the room to find any alternative source of clothing he could wear. It was a good thing he'd done that, because not a second later, the door opened. He was able to grab a spare blanket on the bed and drape it over his lower body.

One of the servants in the house entered. She was holding a basket of clothes, some of which he recognized as his own. So this person was the culprit.

"Eeeek!" The maid let out a surprised shout when she saw him. He was quick to approach her and cover her mouth. He spoke in a low voice careful not to wake the voracious tigress on the bed. Sweat flowed down his neck as he looked back to check if she stirred. He let out a sigh of relief when he found she didn't wake.

"Please keep your voice down. Now, I'm going to take my hand so don't make any sound." The maid nodded vigorously while looking up and down at his body.

"How long were we asleep?" He asked.

"It's nearly lunch Sir." She answered, her eyes shamelessly roaming over his body. Kael felt incredibly conscious from the woman's stares.

"Can you please leave the room? I need to get changed." He whispered.

The maid nodded again, her eyes never leaving his form a dusting of red visible on her cheeks. He waited until the maid went out of the room, and a few seconds more on the off chance she forgot something. He quickly put on his clothes before any other interruption arrived.

He was tired. His mind was clear but his body felt like it needed a rest. He was proud of his stamina but damn. Sylvanas nearly outlasted him proving to be nearly insatiable. He still had his pride as a man and was able to come out on top in the end though.

If he was to be exiled and his sentence was too carried out in less than a week from now, he needed to prepare his equipment. He needed gather information and supplies. More than that however, he also had to convince Sylvanas to let him talk with Anadriel.

Ana was probably worried sick when he had run off like that. He hardened his resolve as he approached Sylvanas. He just hoped she was not in the mood yet, he still had yet to recover from last night.

Unfortunately it seemed his luck failed him, he didn't manage to leave that room until five hours later.

-IV-

The week had passed by too quickly. Making the best use of his time outside of Sylvanas bedroom, he had been busy asking for advice from Ragnarn. The Dwarf was the only other person he knew who had traveled far from Quel'thalas with experience of other lands.

Ragnarn had provided him with advice such as what to bring on a journey south, what he needed to beware of and lastly, his friend gave him a medallion with a hammer engraved on it. He told him to use it if he ever ended up in Ironforge.

He was also surprised when he found the Wandering Inn present. The disappearing inn rarely appeared and it was not like it to appear so soon again. For once his luck was good, he had been able to converse with Erin and told her about his plight. The woman gave him a strange piece of rock with a spiral engraved on it. When he asked her about it, she just smiled mischievously and told him it was a gift.

He was also able to get a scroll as proof of achievement from the Adventurer Guild in case he ended up somewhere and he needed something to confirm his identity. Some places didn't let strangers into their town, even having guards stationed to keep unidentified strangers out. Which he thought really wasn't all that surprising to be honest.

He had also bid farewell to his little student, Lirath. The boy had gifted him with a book called Tales of Dungeons and Monsters. His former student had shyly told him that he would grow as strong and skilled as him someday. He had approved of the boy's ambition if only he found someone else to idolize. The boy admired him but he did not want the boy picking up any of his habits or characteristics.

Then he had met with Coria. She had bawled her eyes out as soon as she saw him. She had already known about his situation so he didn't have much to explain. Coria had also told him that she would probably leave the orphanage in a few more months to go back to Dalaran. Finally she made him promise to go visit her if he somehow ended up that area.

During his searching he had not been able to find Anadriel though. He had visited the guild multiple times but she had not been there. He inquired about her with the other guild receptionists but he was only given a sad smile and was told to take care of her. That had sent warning bells ringing out in his head. He couldn't help but have a very bad feeling about it and sought her out immediately. He had tried visiting her at home but she was not there on the times he visited. To make things worse most of her things were missing.

Lastly, there was his self-appointed guard, Sylvanas Windrunner. At every opportunity that they were alone, the woman had made love to him. She said it was too make sure he didn't forget her, but a part of him felt she may have enjoyed things just a bit too much. Sylvanas also told him she would be willing to 'tolerate' other women as long as he remembered she was the first. That had both greatly shocked and alarmed him. He had been expecting Sylvanas to tell him he trusted him not to cheat, not this blessing to sleep with others. Maybe it was some kind of reverse psychology tactic?

He tried to ask further about it but she slapped him hard in the face and called him an idiot. After that, they had sex that whole night that left him both drained and dead tired on the day he was to made to depart his exile coming into effect.

Sylvanas and a few members of her Rangers were waiting at the gates as he made his last goodbye to his friends.

Kael wore a new dark red cloak that could cover most of his body. He was wearing black leather armor beneath it along with brown trousers. He wore a scarf around his neck out of habit from his previous life.

A new bow was slung on his shoulder coated in a black almost metallic sheen.

A pair of blades was hanging at his waist. Just the visible hilt was enough to show how exquisitely made they were. He had imbued it with the results of his research on runes to make it similar to Kanshou and Byakuya, the Twin Married Blades.

On his back was a bulging pack full of camping equipment, spare clothes , a few books, and an assortment other things he thought he may need. He wore his black leather armor which had to be resized due to his sudden growth spurt. The armor was designed in mind to be usable for a few years and to be easily repairable.

"You need to take care of yourself, okay? Remember; don't eat things that you find on the ground." Coria admonished the youth as she talked but her concern was evident by the tone of her voice.

Kael had to keep himself from rolling his eyes lest he suffer another lecture.

"I know." He waited for Coria to finish before he spoke up. "Goodbye Coria, and please take care of yourself." He said as he resisted the urge to pat her head. A crowd of children were lined up behind her. They had said their goodbyes at the orphanage but some of them still woke up early this morning to see him off.

"Goodbye Kael!" A child shouted.

"Just you wait! I'll be like you someday!" Another child declared in confidence. He remembered this kid being one of those who liked to play with wooden swords.

"Please take care." Said another.

"Uwaahh! We won't get to taste your cooking anymore!" A fourth child said as he cried.

From there on, the other children seemed to realize the same thing and they immediately leapt forth clinging to him like leeches while crying. He had to ask a far too amused Coria for assistance to get them all off of him.

However Anadriel was still not around, he had hoped she would show up or find her before he left. He was about to turn around when he caught a glimpse of honey colored hair shining under the light of the sun. He smiled and walked over to a figure in the distance. They met halfway on the road.

"Are you alright Ana? I've been asking around for you but everyone at the guild didn't seem to know where you'd gone to. I went to visit you at home but it looked like you had moved out. What happened?" He asked with concern.

Anadriel hesitantly approached and reached out to hug him. He stiffened a little when he felt her abundantly large soft breasts press into his chest.

"I don't want you to go..." She said in a small voice.

Kael could not take the gazes being directed at them and moved Ana to the side of the road. He ignored the looks of envy that some men were sending their way.

"I'm sorry Ana, I don't really have a choice." He said bitterly.

"W-why do you have to go away." Her voice hitched as she spoke and her eyes were on the verge of tears.

"It's not like I'd be gone forever-" He lamely tried to sooth her but was cut short with Ana's sharp glare.

"Kael, a thousand years is not forever but it is a long time, you will be potentially away for the rest of your life." Anadriel replied with tears flowing down her eyes. "Please take me with you..." Anadriel pleaded.

Kael could do nothing but stay silent, he couldn't say it. He could not allow Anadriel to go with him because it meant putting her in danger. He was not sure what kind of encounters he was going to be put through on his journey but he was sure that it would be safer for Anadriel to stay in Silvermoon than with him. His throat croaked as he tried to find the right words to say no. She could see the sadness on Anadriel's face as she quickly understood his expression.

He could not take it anymore and he buried her face in his chest. He didn't want to see his friend cry like this because of him. His desire to keep her safe was greater than his urge to wipe away her sadness.

"I can't Ana, I'm not sure I'll be able to keep you safe." He said while feeling Anadriel's tears flowing down his neck. He stood there and comforted her but he knew he had to go. Anadriel's grip on his clothes tightened when he tried to separate from her. "Ana?..." He asked.

The elven beauty finally let go and looked at him in the eyes. He could see her gaze hardening as if she had come to a resolution at what she had to do.

"If I become strong enough, will you allow me to stay with you?" She asked.

Kael tilted his head in confusion but could not bring himself to say no. He merely nodded unable to form any coherent words.

Ana hastily wipe her tears away and smiled at him.

"That's a promise Kael." She said and kissed him quickly on the lips.

He was too stunned to react. The only thing he saw was Anadriel's retreating form when he came back to his senses. He sighed; another reason why he had to become stronger had just appeared.

He turned back and made his way to the gates.

The rangers, in particular the males, were getting impatient.

He said one last farewell to everyone before walking towards the open gates of Silvermoon. He did not turn back this time, instead he strengthened his determination. He hoped he could return here someday. But first, he had to acquire enough power to do so and avert that terrible future.

"Are you ready?" Sylvanas asked him.

"Yes." He answered. There was no turning back.

-V-

"Are you sure about your decision, Ana?" Nesarion asked with concern.

"Yes, I'm sure about this uncle Nesa. I want to become stronger, as I am now I would only be a hindrance to him." Anadriel replied.

Nesarion stared at Anadriel for a moment. She was still young by High Elven standards, but he could not deny her resolve. If that was her decision then he could do everything he could to support it. At least she didn't do something stupid like following that boy. Despite being grateful to the lad for what he did, even personally liking him, this and that were two different things.

"You were not able to say goodbye to your friend?" Nesarion asked.

"It doesn't matter does it? I'm sure we'll meet again someday. If that day comes, I'll be able to stay by his side." Anadriel said with a smile.

"Very well, I'll prepare what you need. I still have the letter from Dalaran, I'm sure they'd be happy to accept you. I never thought you would take back the heritage you willingly threw away..." Nesarion said.

"I'm sorry, uncle." Anadriel tried to apologize.

"No, I'm happy you've decided on your own path. But I'm not happy you're doing for some stupid reason such as love." Nesarion replied genuinely annoyed as he sighed.

"It's not stupid! Stupid uncle. You never got to ask Mel'narea out after all these years. You don't know anything! That's why shut up stupid uncle!" She said as she hurled a tirade of insults at him, her hands balled into fists.

He laughed good naturedly feeling happy for the girl as she looked more lively.

"I'm going to my room to prepare my luggage." The girl said as she ran out of the room.

She had motivation, and she was his only remaining relative left. The Tidebreaker House lineage would probably end with him. He had thoughts whether he would let Ana take over as his heir but the thought were quashed as soon as it appeared.

Anadriel's father had been a distant relative of the current ruler. That was what her father had, lineage and ambition. Fortunately, that ambition ended prematurely with his death. He didn't even know why his sister had married that man or saw in him. Ana had talent with magic, but that had been wasted by her father greedy father. The man had wanted connections with other noble lineages and groomed Ana to be nothing but a bride, a piece to be traded for power. Ana had lost the motivation since then to practice magic despite her considerable potential.

Nesarion watched the annoyed young woman leave the room. The smile on his turned into a frown tinged with concern. Anadriel had not visibly shown it but she was afraid, hurt, and desperate. From what he had gathered, the men that had attacked her not had the intent to hurt her but to rape her as well. Anadriel nearly took her own life rather than suffer such a fate, if not for Kael'drin Hopebringers lucky appearance and desperate actions she would have succeeded. Honestly if those cretins weren't already dead by the lad's hands he'd gladly do the deed himself.

He had been far from angry when he found out about what had nearly happened, he was absolutely unequivocally enraged. Even now, Anadriel had been showing signs of trauma from the event. Ever since then she had avoided people, mostly males. She had not even been able to work anymore because of it.

He had immediately arranged to have her moved to his own home not only for her protection but for a chance to recover from the ordeal. He had asked a few healers on what could be done to heal her but they had told him they didn't have the expertise to heal afflictions of the mind. Some of them had told him that only time could truly heal such wounds.

Nesarion had surrendered in defeat and was forced to temporarily part with most of the male helpers in his household. But today, Anadriel had returned with a burning resolve in her eyes. She had gone out earlier today to see her friend and say goodbye. He may not be happy with Anadriel's reasoning but he was nonetheless satisfied with the result. Besides, he supposed she could do worse than a man willing to die for you.

He sighed and leaned on his chair. A few moments later he heard a knock on the door.

"Come in." He bellowed out.

A figure garbed in dark clothing entered together with one of his trusted retainers. The figured pulled back her hood to show her face. It was Coria Dawndreamer, the manager of one of the orphanages in the city.

"Lord Tidebreaker, greetings." Coria said with none of the cheerfulness or playful gestures she usually showed to people.

"Please have a seat." Nesarion said.

"I'm afraid I can't stay for long. I have a message from Prince Kael'thas." Coria took out a scrolled parchment sealed with an emblem. "Please take it and excuse me. I must be on my way." Coria politely bowed and left the room while putting her hood back up.

He waved a hand at his retainer to show her out.

After he was sure that she had left. He took out a hidden knife from his coat and opened the letter. He unrolled it and began reading the contents.

My studies are over. I will be ending my current research to get home as soon as possible. I fear that father may be losing his sanity. Or someone is influencing him and clouding his judgment...

He had never shown his hatred for the boy that visibly as he did recently. I fear that he might be influenced by fel magic which is bringing out his negativity or it could be worse...

Please keep watching Nesarion. I don't trust the other members of the High Council. You've told me about the new Head of House Windrunner, I do not think she is a threat. The Windrunner house has always distanced itself from dabbling in politics.

I trust whatever decision you decide to make.

P.S.

I have spoken with Archmage Antonidas and he has agreed to assess your niece's potential. If he finds her talented enough, he might consider taking her in as another apprentice. I hope you will be able to send her soon.

He smiled at a little at the thoughtful note at the end. But more importantly Prince Kael'thas suspicions had merit. He was sure it was that rat Lord Drathir who was behind this somehow. He had always hated the man's guts. That rat had ambition that did not equal his courage.

He suspected that the situation that had happened to Anadriel had been the result of that rat's machinations. He was still looking through what had happened with the help of his own people but they had found no results so far. Very few people were capable of influencing the city guards and the rangers.

He knew that foul play was involved when he had looked through the planned patrol route of the rangers' that day. Those men who had attacked Anadriel should never have made it to her home without being stopped and thoroughly questioned. Those cretins didn't arrive there from the city's location but rather through the wilds. He could only grit his teeth in anger. There was nothing he could do without solid evidence, and that was almost impossible to find with how slippery his enemies were and now that men involved in the crime were dead. Well better them than his Ana, her life far outweighed any potential lead he may have gotten from her would be rapists.

He still needed to watch the situation though. It would not do to act hastily in such circumstances. He didn't know who was watching him and who his enemies were. It was fortunate that Anadriel had decided to continue her study to be a mage. That would at least keep her away from what was to come.

He went to his office to prepare a new message as he wrote on the parchment with ink. The letter would be sent through magic in order to make sure it reached its destination in time, though it may be costly it was efficient. It would also make sure it would not get intercepted.

Outside the window, he could see a raven circling over the cloudy sky. According to human superstition, those black birds of ill omen were often sighted before a disaster, he was not quite sure if the belief was about a crow or a raven but they stood for the same symbol nonetheless. He chuckled grimly without humor.

The future ahead was dark indeed.

-V-

Kael watched as the trained gryphons that had brought them here departed with Sylvanas and her rangers. The whole trip had taken no less than month. Sylvanas had never said anything to him in the end; instead she simply gave him a gift.

He stared at the enchanted quiver.

"Appraisal." He muttered.

[Ancient Sinew Wrapped Lamina - Unique - A magically enchanted quiver that can store up to a thousand arrows."]

His jaw nearly dropped at what he read. He had heard about magically enchanted bags and pouches that could contain far more than what they appeared but this was his first time seeing one, and it was made special for arrows as well.

With a thousand arrows... his imagination ran wild as he thought of ways to abuse the equipment. It had probably cost Sylvanas a lot to procure this. He was incredibly thankful to her, it was even fully stocked to.

'Well, I still have a day to get to the nearest village.'

He was glad that they had dropped him off somewhere close. Prior to this, he did not have a chance to test out what Xera had meant by leveling. This would be a opportunity to experiment.

He brought out one of his custom made lures from his pack. He put it on a stick and started his walk. Sooner than he had expected, wolves that had been tempted by the smell of meat quickly arrived. It was a small pack of eight forest wolves.

"Appraisal."

[Forest Wolf Alpha- Level 23 - Normal]

[Forest Wolf - Level 13 - Normal]

[Forest Wolf - Level 15 - Normal]

[Forest Wolf - Level 16 - Normal]

...

Most of them were in the 13 to 16 level ranges, aside from the level 23 Alpha. In one smooth motion he threw the lure high in the air and grabbed his bow. Before they could even react, he had already let loose three arrows. Bear instantly after shooting he lowered his pack while bringing out his blades. This entire situation he was in was almost too easy. It wasn't his first time hunting creatures of this kind. They weren't even true monsters or magical creatures but just predatory beasts.

He easily dispatched the pack. He read through the messages he received. It was a good thing Xera was smart enough to show them after the battle, it would have been distracting otherwise.

[Level Up]

[Gained Skill "Beginner Marksmanship Mastery"]

[Gained Skill "Beginner Rogue Mastery"]

[Level Up]

[Gained Skill "Sinister Strike"]

[Gained Skill "Arcane Shot"]

"Status."

The status window opened. There were a few changes like the window showing his current appearance. He found that mildly interesting as it didn't have that last time.

[Xera will continue to improve the visual interface. If you have something you want to change please just inform Xera]

"Thanks." He said as he looked through the new window.

[Name: Kael'drin Hopebringer

Basic Attributes:

Agility: 53 (3)

Intellect: 45 (1)

Strength: 30 (2)

Stamina: 44 (1)

Class: None

Level 2

Active Skills:

Reinforcement - Lvl Max

Structural Grasp - Lvl Max

Sinister Strike - Lvl 1

Arcane Shot - Lvl 1

Passive Skills:

Heroic Archery - Lvl 1

Advanced Dual Wielding - Lvl 8

Runes - Lvl 5

Magecraft - Lvl 4

Poison Mastery - Lvl 4

Eye of the Mind - Lvl 7

Hawk Eye - Lvl Max

Beginner Rogue Mastery - Lvl 1]

He looked at the skill that he gained.

"Sinister Strike." He said with uncertainty. The knowledge on how to perform it came to him naturally. But with no target, the energy that gathered in his blades soon faded.

"Xera? How did you do that?"

[If Kael is referring to how we have provided you with the information, then the answer is through Xera. Xera has gathered the extensive experiences and records witnessed by Azeroth to develop into what Xera will call 'Talents'.]

"Wait. How did you end up inside me again?"

[Xera's liquefied essence was used as a catalyst to connect with Kael]

"So where are you right now?"

[As Xera has stated, Xera has to become a proxy for Kael. Xera is currently located within the Core of Azeroth to act as sub-administrator. Azeroth has multiple working sub-administrators but Xera is the first of Xera's existence to be given such privilege. Due to subject Illidan, Xera's physical form is no longer currently functional.]

He conversed with Xera while retrieving any reusable arrows. Once he was done, he picked up the same stick and continued his trek towards the nearby village.

He was attacked once more as he made his way. It was easy taking care of them. He was almost disappointed when there weren't any more monster attacks even with the lure after that. It was late noon when he arrived at the village. The village was surrounded by a low stone wall in all directions from what he could see, with two gates on the north and south sides.

Now that he had a closer look at it, the village was also fairly large. It was thrice the size of a normal village but not quite the size of a small city yet. He assumed it was probably because it was a trading outpost between Quel'thalas and the kingdoms to the south.

He jogged his way towards the pathway to the entrance of the village while lowering the cloth that covered his lower face.

The two human guards stared at him approaching and let him pass inside without issue. Another pair of guards was waiting on the opposite side of the wall. One of the men politely waved him over.

"Proof of identity, please?" The man spoke in awkward Thalassian.

"Is the adventurer certificate enough?" He replied back in Common.

"Ah, should have said you could speak Common earlier. But yeah, we can accept that. Can you show it to me?" The man asked.

He handed him his guild certificate which he had prepared in advance. The man placed the ring of his finger near the seal, the gem lit in blue.

"Hmm, yeah this is legit. Here." The certificate was handed back to him. "If you're looking for a place to lodge in for the night we only have one inn here and it's located on the center of town. Just follow the main road." The man explained.

"Thanks. I'll do that then." He nodded gratefully at the guard. He rolled up the parchment in his hands and made sure to place it carefully inside its leather holder. He didn't want it getting ruined. This had been Ragnarn's advice that unfortunately had to learn the hard way.

He had been surprised at the guard's normal reaction to him however. He was so used to getting sneered at and looked down on that it unbalanced him when instead of looks of disdain he was met with looks of envy and admiration. It was probably because of the culture, he shrugged.

He followed the road and was able to spot the inn that the guard referred to. It's name was High Bill Inn. He didn't know if the name was a pun or some kind of wordplay in Common. He shrugged it off and pushed the inn's door open. From the entrance, he could see a receptionist reading a book under the light of a candle.

The receptionist looked up at him when she heard his footsteps.

"Hi, what can I do for you handsome?" The girl asked. She looked young, about sixteen years old with common looks for a human neither being beautiful or ugly but had a pleasant smile.

He raised an eyebrow at that and replied.

"I'm looking for a place to stay the night. Do you have any rooms available?" He asked.

"We do have one. It's five silvers per night and another silver with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included." She said.

"Okay, make that three nights. I'll probably be out at lunch so make it sixteen." He said while looking through his pouch and paying the appropriate sum

"Done." The receptionist said. "Here's your key and the room is at the end of the second floor. We'll have dinner prepared in a while. Would you like me to deliver it to your room?" The girl asked suggestively trying her best to be charming.

"I don't mind eating with other people." He replied, the girl wilted visibly at his response. He brought out another silver coin. "If you can get me a tub and some water it's yours." He said carefully.

"Deal." The girl said perking up with a grin while accepting the coin.

He followed the girl's instructions and went up the stairs. He found the room assigned to him easily and opened the door. It was clean and well maintained. The price was well worth it. Just in case he still checked the sheets and the pillow. He carefully set his bag down in a corner of the room then sat down on the bed.

He looked at the blue box that appeared earlier that he ignored reading what it said.

[Would you like to integrate Skill "Advance Archery Lvl 1" into "Beginner Marksmanship Mastery"?]

"Xera, what will happen if I integrate a skill?"

[Kael's experience in archery will merely be absorbed into Marksmanship. Xera advises Kael to integrate his skills. The experiences Kael has developed on his own will then be added to the Marksmanship skill improving both your ability to learn and execute all range attacks]

He thought about it, there weren't any downsides to it as far as he could see. He would still retain all his skills and memories; it's not like he would lose anything from it if he agreed.

"Okay, I'll allow it." He said, another notification soon popped up afterward.

[Would you like to integrate Skill "Advance Dual Wielding Lvl 8" into "Beginner Rogue Mastery" and "Heroic Archery Lvl 1" into "Beginner Marksmanship Lvl1"?]

He hesitated a little before nodding.

[Beginner Marksmanship Mastery Level Up]

[Beginner Marksmanship Mastery Level Up]

...

[Beginner Marksmanship Mastery Upgraded to Intermediate Marksmanship Mastery]

[Intermediate Marksmanship Mastery Level Up]

[Intermediate Marksmanship Mastery Level Up]

...

[Intermediate Marksmanship Mastery Lvl 7]

[Beginner Rogue Mastery Level Up]

[Beginner Rogue Mastery Level Up]

...

[Beginner Rogue Mastery Upgraded to Intermediate Rogue Mastery]

[Intermediate Rogue Mastery Level Up]

[Intermediate Rogue Mastery Level Up]

...

[Intermediate Rogue Mastery Lvl 8]

He stared at the torrent of blue boxes. At least that was taken care of.

[Xera advices Kael to sleep in order to fully integrate knowledge and allow body to adjust from absorbed essence. Only then will Kael feel the full effects of improvement.]

"I'll do that later." He said as he unequipped most of his armaments to go down and eat dinner.

He got down to the first floor to find the dining room. When he arrived there were already a few people eating quietly. He sat on a table and was soon approached by the girl he saw earlier working as a receptionist.

"Hey! So can I ask your name? It's pretty awkward just calling you, 'you'." The girl asked.

"You can call me Kael." He replied.

"Okay, so you want anything extra? How about a drink before eating?" She asked enthusiastically.

"I'm fine. I don't usually drink but if you have any kind of fruit juice I'd be happy with that." He answered.

She looked at him oddly before replying.

"We do have Garakini juice freshly squeezed. It's sour and usually added to our drinks. It's actually good if you add just a bit of honey or sugar. Would you like some?" She explained before asking.

Garakini sounded like lemons. He nodded.

"I'll take one." He said.

"Okay~. Don't worry, this one's on the house for you." She said with a wink before leaving for another table.

He ate his dinner in peace, his evening was fortunately uneventful. The girl whose name he still didn't know brought him a tub and water, he washed his body as he cleaned himself and went to sleep after that.

He woke up the next morning feeling extremely refreshed as he moved his arms. He could feel that somehow, his body had gotten a bit lighter. He punched the air, a bit stronger as well.

'Yeah, I am faster.' He thought. 'So this is the effect of absorbing essence.' He could feel every bit of improvement on his body. The fighting style that he had previously developed needed him to have total control of his body, which was why he was easily able to tell if something changed with it.

Getting stronger felt addicting. He did his daily physical exercises, wiped his sweat and went down for breakfast.

The waitress was different from the person yesterday. There was a resemblance; they were probably sisters or relatives. He ordered a cup of milk since it was available. After eating breakfast, he approached the waitress to ask some questions.

"Hello? Are you busy right now?" He asked.

"I-I, no, what is it?" She said while blushing.

"Do you know if the Adventurer's Guild has a branch office in this village?" He asked the girl.

"Yeash, I mean yes. It's on the entrance of the village to the south. It's a big building, you can't miss it." She answered.

"Is it possible to borrow the inn's kitchen later this evening? I'd like to cook dinner for myself." He stopped the girl before she could say anything. "It's not that I'm unsatisfied with the food. I just want to cook." He said honestly.

"It's fine. I'll ask my dad about it. U-uhm, is there anything else," the girl asked while fidgeting.

"Ah, that's all thanks for your time." He answered and went back to his room. He needed to get out and try to get as much as he could from the essence absorption. He was pretty sure there would be hunting quests in the guild that he could do while killing monsters to gains their essence. He might as well make some extra money in the process while leveling up.

He carefully went through his equipment to check for any problems. Finding none he donned his leather armor. He then gathered his blades, bow, and the new quiver that Sylvanas had given him. He checked his gear to make sure he was not lacking in anything for his hunt.

To an outsider they might have considered him excessively equipped and extremely dangerous with his bow at his back and the blades at his waist. His black leather armor with its nearly visible runic inscriptions further made him look more intimidating. Finally he checked through his pack and made sure nothing was missing. With that done, he carefully placed a rune formation that would place a temporary bounded field on where the pack was located to make it invisible.

He smiled in satisfaction at his work. Some may call him paranoid but it was never wrong to be cautious.

He went downstairs quickly exiting the inn and headed to the guild while the sun was still up. He met the receptionist girl on the way out and nodded with a smile. The girl smiled back and waved at him as he left.

It was early in the morning, yet the village seemed to be already awake. He had to hold back the urge to sigh in irritation when people seemed to be purposely avoiding him on his way to his destination. He carefully made his way to the village's south gate towards the building the girl told him about.

Surely enough, the adventurer's guild building was the largest building in the area with its five story structure. Compared to the one to two story houses and establishments it towered over other buildings

He entered the guild with a bit of curiosity.

Inside the building, a few adventurers were already lining up with quest vouchers in their hands. He made his way to the guild's second floor. He was stopped at the top of the stairs by a pair of adventurer's who seemed to be arguing about something. He looked curiously at the odd pair.

The first figure was what looked like to be a male Gnome with a sword as big as himself and as thick as half his size on his back and a tall humanoid hyena wearing a robe and holding a staff.

"Huh!? Say that to my face again dog-face! I dare you!" The Gnome shouted at the Gnoll.

"Your diminutive brain has obviously not processed what I have said yet. It was your fault that we have failed that last mission. I, as the glorious leader of our party, am asking you," the Gnoll pointed down at the gnome who seemed about to explode any minute, " you dimwit to follow my orders to increase our chances of success."

"You wanna go at it!? Who you calling a dimwit!? I know what that means dog-head! Your insulting me because I'm small aren't you!?" The gnome accused his companion as he snarled at the Gnoll.

"It is 'you're' and not 'your'. Surely even your small brain can comprehend the difference?" The dog headed humanoid sneered.

"All right! I've had it with you!" The gnome said and held the handle of his strange sword.

"Oho? You want to match your muscle headed strength to my intellect? How droll indeed... but I'm afraid it won't be not much of match." The Gnoll elegantly held his staff with his right hand.

Before they could come to blows, he cleared his throat and spoke up.

"Can I walk through?" He said to get the pairs attention and move out of the way before the fight started. "You're blocking the way."

The two looked at him with a glare before turning to look at each other and nodded in unison.

"Let us take this outside, shall we? It would not do for us to damage the guild's facilities. Unless you want to pay another fine that is..." The Gnoll told his companion.

"Heh! Your on doggy!" The gnome replied as he cracked his knuckles.

Kael watched as the two made their way down the stairs. He had been confused at first at the disparity between the information he had and what he just witnessed.

Weren't Gnomes supposed to be more level headed than that? Gnolls from what he gathered were not that intellectually gifted. He was surprised to see both races but more so at their sheer oddity. He shrugged and made his way to the nearly vacant floor towards the quest board, a silver and gold plate above indicated for what rank this quests were for.

He looked through the available hunting quests.

[Greenhill's Bandit Extermination - Gold Rank and above only - Four teams of Silver ranks would be considered

Request Details -Removal of bandit groups: Sunset Raiders, Bloodhill Bandits, and Wolves of Ardebil

These groups of bandits have been known to be cooperating within the last few months to rob unsuspecting victims passing through the Greenhill region. They are guilty of rape, kidnapping, and murder. (For more information please inquire at the guild desk.)

Commissioner - Far and Wide Trading Company

Reward - 30 Gold Coins

Request Completion Requirements - Heads of the leader of the bandit groups - Reward is given whether the bandits are delivered dead or alive.

Area detail - The area is composed of heavy forested hills. Beware of dangers from local monster population.]

One request in particular had caught his attention. It was a request to put down criminals. He took the request paper and went towards the only manned receptionist desk.

"What can I do for you?" A tall bald muscled human was sitting on a chair obviously too small for him and writing on a record book. His tanned skin and beard that could match a dwarf's were his most eye catching features. He was wearing a shirt that was a size too small for his body but possessed the sharp gaze of a warrior. Probably a retired veteran adventurer Kael surmised.

"I want to take this request." He pushed the paper to the man's side.

"That's... the Greenhill bandit extermination request." The man raised an eyebrow. "I don't think you're qualified..."

Kael brought out his Guild certificate.

"I also want to designate this guild as my post for the next few days." He said while showing his papers.

The man took out a small pair of reading glasses and squinted at the writings. He scanned through it one more time and brought out a ring similar to they used at the gates. Except this ring had five gems on it, he passed the ring over the brand on the certificate and the ring's blue gem lit up.

"Hoh? A Mithril Rank? Impressive… there hasn't been one in this area for years now." The huge man's smile which he assumed was an attempt to be friendly made him look even more menacing. Kael was not one to judge by appearances but the guy looked more like a thug than a guild receptionist.

"Now let me welcome to Windvale Village, Kael'drin Hopebringer, are you planning to stay in the area for a while?" The receptionist asked.

"I'm planning on looking at the requests if there's a requirement for someone like me here..."Kael stated. It was not out of arrogance but rather necessity. If they didn't require a Mithril Ranked adventurer's aide, then that meant the area had fewer number of powerful opponents. It was also to make sure he was where he was needed.

"Hehe, to be honest with you there's always a demand for high ranked adventurer's in areas like this. The village is growing enough that it might become a city in time. In general, that's something good for the village. But with its growth comes some bad points. Bandit groups are growing larger and larger in the area.

"They're all gathering to have a piece of the pie so to speak. A village like this can't afford a knight outpost yet. What we have is the local militia. They're strong enough combined with the adventurer's guild to defend the village but they're not enough to send out to patrol the trade routes." The man explained.

"So the bandits are gathering and setting up their own little bases. They'll probably set it up so to collect toll from the merchants and people passing through their territory. Is that right?" Kael deducted.

"You're a smart one. Yes, the situation we'd like to avoid is that kind of scenario. If the bandit groups grow large enough, they might even become the local warlords. That would kill this village's growth. The sea trade route is costly that's why most merchants still prefer to travel through the land routes to avoid the higher costs. Costs mean a loss in profits.

"A few small merchants have banded together to form the Far and Wide Trading Company, that's the company that's planning to permanently improve the trade route going through this village. They're ambitious but fair. They've been planning it for years but with not enough manpower, the progress has been slow." The receptionist explained.

Kael thought about it. It would be good to settle here for a few months so that he could get used to the culture of other races before moving on. It would also help the people of this village.

"Okay, you've got me there. You can register me here as an adventurer for the next three months, after that... let's see if there would be anyone else to take on these jobs." Kael accepted. "Can you also list that request for me, I want to take it and start surveying the area so I can be back by noon."

"No problem, but are you sure you don't want to consider camping out? Greenhill is pretty far. It would take you half a day to make there by horse. Then you'd have to survey the area. I don't think that's enough time." The muscled man asked.

"It's no problem for me. I can probably scout out the whole area in two days then if it's only that far." Kael explained.

The man took out another record book and began to write down on it. He looked like a giant Santa Clause bending and squinting at his record lists of naughty children as he worked and checked his list twice.

"Okay, I've listed your request. Do you want to party with anyone on this?" The receptionist asked.

Kael considered it for the moment. He could probably finish the quest alone but he had never been in a party before. After all, he had never considered going with other people since he knew that he could achieve almost any request alone. But now, his thoughts also went on to helping the current adventurers in the area gain experience so that they could take over when he left. Also it wouldn't hurt if he gained experience in working with a party. He might be required to lead a Quest if he ever reached the Adamantium rank.

"Is there anyone available who I can take with me? They should at least be able to keep up." Kael said honestly, he didn't want to prolong this quest more than he needed to. The longer he spent idling, the more innocents died to those bandits.

The receptionist was deep in thought when a loud boom was heard from the outside.

"Hmm, yeah. You can take those two with you to also keep them out of trouble." The receptionist grinned; it made him look like a villain about to steal a candy from a baby. Or in this case dump someone's problem children on someone else who could handle them.

Kael tried not to back off from his seat. He was tempted to just grab the request voucher and run outside to avoid being saddled with this new hassle but the receptionists massive hands landed on his shoulders.

"I think I have the best candidates for you." The receptionist laughed evilly.

Kael did his best not regret the decision he had put himself through. He suspected that he already knew who the receptionist was talking about.

If they were competent enough, they couldn't be that bad right?

Note:

Sorry for being unable to reply to review guys. I had one written out that I was suppose to add here but can't find the file anymore. I'll try adding replies to reviews on the next chap tho.

Kael/Shirou's age increase was caused by his life-force being severely depleted. Not because I wanted to try writing a lemon. Certainly not. Lol.

Also, I'll be increasing Azeroth's canon size to be nearly similar to Earth-size to make it easier to judge distances.

So in this chapter I'd introduced his would be party members. I hope you people were not expecting him to have a harem party? Because you'd be heavily disappointed if that's the case. I refuse to do such a thing. Though I enjoyed the LN Slave Harem in a Labyrinth... and some other variations of such a scenario. Because as some of you may have noticed, I'm sticking with a bit of realistic approach on writing this story. There will still be moments of Deus ex Machina though, but there'd always be some explanation along the way.

I wasn't satisfied with the chapter though. Felt like too much of a filler. Hopefully, ya'll find the next one more satifying.

A shout out to 'Bloody Hero' for helping me out with this and pointing out mistakes I've made. He's been a great help, he's also the one who edited this. As an apology for the late chap… I'll upload the next one earlier.