Chapter 436: Ghostly

In the end, both Lor'themar and Khadgar had come to believe that Medivh was, in fact, a woman.

There was no choice, for Medivh had known everything about their past, even speaking of Lor'themar's childhood embarrassing moments in front of others, causing the nearly fifty-year-old warrior to blush with shame.

However, although the revelation of his old friend's true gender left Lor'themar uncertain on how to interact with her, the bond of their forty-year-long friendship could not be denied. He was genuinely happy that his friend's spirit could appear once again.

"So… do you have any unfulfilled wishes?" Lor'themar asked sincerely. "No matter what they are, as long as they bring you peace, I will do my best to fulfill them."

"Peace?" Before Medivh could answer, Alaric let out a hearty laugh. "Hahaha... you actually said peace... hahaha..."

Aegwynn, meanwhile, pursed her lips and glared at Lor'themar.

"You… you all… Did I say anything about what to eat?" Lor'themar asked, feeling somewhat confused.

After a long pause, Alaric finally stopped laughing and said, "Do you really think Medivh's soul remains here because she died with unfinished business?"

"Isn't it?" Lor'themar scratched his head. "Aren't ghosts only supposed to exist when someone has unfinished business?"

"No, you've got it wrong," Khadgar corrected from the side. "Actually, most of the time, the dead do not become ghosts. 

According to Dalaran's statistics, around half of the reported ghost or ghost-like phenomena are rumors or impostors. 

Of the remaining genuine spirits, over ninety percent are directly or indirectly related to magic—either caused by necromancy, the side effects of certain magic, or a naturally powerful soul, as powerful souls are often linked to strong spellcasters. 

In fact, less than five percent of real ghosts are born from unfinished business."

"Is that so?" Lor'themar felt embarrassed by his ignorance. "So, in Medivh's case…"

"We preserved her soul," Alaric explained. 

"Through magic, as long as a suitable body is created, she can be resurrected and return to this world, becoming a protector of Azeroth once again."

Both Lor'themar and Khadgar felt joy at this prospect, for they both knew the true nature of Medivh. 

The kind and wise Guardian of the Stars, if she could return as a protector, would be a great blessing to all of Azeroth.

However, Medivh refused the offer.

"I would gladly return to this world to protect it and be with those who love me," she said, looking at Aegwynn and then at Alaric. 

"But… perhaps there should be no more guardians. Before the guardians were born, the Council already existed. 

And since the Council's inception, all of this was destined to happen… The decision made thousands of years ago locked our fates.

It is a part of a larger cycle of fate that binds us all. Maybe… there should never have been guardians in the first place… If we were always destined to pay such a high price for it…"

Her words fell heavy upon the group, especially Aegwynn, the previous Guardian, whose daughter's words caused her to fall deep in thought.

Yet, Alaric immediately disagreed.

"The cycle of fate… what a ridiculous excuse. If everything is determined by fate, then why do we seek power, chase wisdom, and uphold virtue? 

Fate is an excuse for the weak, and destiny is a humble phrase for the strong. If we cannot break this cycle of fate, it only proves our weakness. 

I've always believed that magic is a miracle, the miraculous ability of beings to transform the material world through their will. As practitioners of miracles, mages should never bow to fate."

Alaric's words struck a deep chord within Medivh.

"Magic is… a miracle?" she murmured, almost to herself.

"I know, you're already the most powerful mage, even surpassing me in some aspects," Alaric said to her. 

"But do you remember why you first decided to learn magic, apart from your innate talent and your mother's expectations? Do you remember the first time you were moved by magic?"

"The first time I was moved?"

Medivh fell into a memory, recalling the first time she realized her magical abilities as a child. 

The objects that danced with her will, the first magical light orb she ever created—though it only lasted a second.

Yes, magic itself is a miracle. Each spell, each extraordinary transformation, is the mage's way of remaking the material world through the miracle of will. 

As a practitioner of such miracles, why would she believe in fate, in destiny?

Wasn't it her original belief, when she first wanted to learn magic, that only her own will mattered, and that miracles existed?

Indeed, as she grew, she had gradually lost the essence of her beginnings, becoming the very person she had once despised.

At this thought, she looked at Alaric with newfound clarity and energy, finally grateful to have such a "father."

Yes, although she had suspected it for a long time, at this moment, Medivh finally began to accept Alaric's identity as such.

Before Alaric could become uncomfortable under her gaze, Medivh nodded decisively.

"I understand," she said seriously. "I will not abandon my duty. I will continue to protect Azeroth as a Guardian..."

Not just Aegwynn, but even Tyrande Whisperwind, Alexstrasza, and Ysera all nodded in agreement, pleased with her decision.

Even the Guardian Dragons acknowledged the importance of the Tirisfal Guardians' contributions to Azeroth. 

Their role in defending the world from demons had been invaluable, and the Guardians were a reliable ally.

"However, I will abandon Karazhan and find a new location to build a new tower of magic…" Medivh continued. "Of course, this will all take place after my rebirth."

"Before that, Mother, please temporarily look after everything here," she asked.

"Leave it to me, my child," Aegwynn agreed.

Alaric had no objections either. Given how things had developed, he was now closer to the Tirisfal Guardians than to the Kirin Tor Council. 

He had completely given up on moving the wealth and knowledge of Karazhan to Dalaran. 

After all, with the current relationship between him and the two generations of Guardians, the wealth here felt as though it was his own. Who would willingly give up their wealth to others?

Indeed, the benefits of early preparation were countless.

With that thought, Alaric glanced at the three humanoid Guardian Dragons, earning puzzled looks from the three female dragons.

.

.

.

Guys, do leave some power stones and reviews.

✌patreon.com/bobthewriter✌

If you guys enjoy this story, you can support me on Patreon and get access to 30 Advance Chapters, it really helps me to work on new chapters.