Liadrin stared wide-eyed, looking back and forth between Arthas and Sylvanas, as if deciding where to begin.
Arthas noticed Liadrin's hesitation and said, "It's alright, don't be nervous. Just follow the order in your heart."
Liadrin calmed her somewhat jumbled thoughts before apologizing to Arthas, "I'm sorry, Prince Arthas, I didn't expect His Majesty to have you be my teacher."
Arthas waved his hand, "I can't really be called a teacher. I'm just here to guide and supplement your study of the paladin path during this time. When it comes to the use of the Holy Light, I might not be as excellent as you, Liadrin."
For other humans, what Arthas said was indeed true. Although Liadrin was very young compared to High Elves, the time she had served the Holy Light had already exceeded the imagination of most humans.
Such a High Priest naturally didn't need much instruction from Arthas regarding her understanding of the Holy Light. All she needed was the refinement of her martial skills and her mind and body.
Arthas then pointed to Sylvanas beside him, "I know you still have a lot to ask this person beside me, so I'll excuse myself for a moment. I need to go to the Silver Hand headquarters to make some preparations."
"Thank you very much." After Liadrin bowed to Arthas and watched him leave, she shifted her gaze to Sylvanas, "Ranger-General, why are you here?"
"You can just call me by my name. I am no longer the Ranger-General of Quel'Thalas. Now I am just an ordinary Quel'dorei who has been exiled." Sylvanas shook her head.
Liadrin didn't think so, "In my heart, you are still the Ranger-General."
Sylvanas looked at the young High Priest and couldn't help but chuckle, "There's no need to be so... Never mind, suit yourself. But I think Kael'thas sending you away probably has another hidden reason, not just for you to learn paladin knowledge."
Liadrin was startled; she hadn't expected Sylvanas to call the current Sun King by his name without any honorific. But then she remembered that this person had been personally ordered into exile by Kael'thas, so it was normal for her to harbor some resentment.
To avoid provoking Sylvanas, Liadrin decided not to bring up the matter again, but her change in expression had already been observed by Sylvanas. The "former" Ranger-General said nonchalantly, "I haven't lost respect for the Sun King; it's just that, well, special times call for special measures."
"But you are still somewhat dissatisfied with His Majesty the Sun King"—as a woman, Liadrin clearly perceived the subtle emotions hidden within Sylvanas's casualness. But fortunately, as Sylvanas said, she was only a little displeased with Kael'thas's actions and didn't resent him because of it.
However, Liadrin also noticed that Sylvanas, having left Quel'Thalas and lost her position as Ranger-General, had instead displayed a casualness and freedom she had never shown before.
Liadrin, not yet caught in the whirlpool, was still wondering: Is the upper circle of Quel'Thalas truly so suffocating?
Sylvanas patted the dazed Liadrin, not giving much thought to what the priest was pondering. "However, this 'mentor' Kael'thas recommended for you is indeed probably the best choice. Believe me, you absolutely couldn't stand those few old-fashioned knights."
Arthas would occasionally talk about his paladin seniors, who were both teachers and friends. Even he felt that the style of those old Paladins was too archaic—and it would certainly be unbearable for a priest from High Elf society to study with them.
As the two High Elves conversed, Arthas emerged from inside the cathedral, carrying a wooden rectangular box. He handed the box to Liadrin, "This is for you. Be careful, it might be a bit heavy."
Liadrin nodded. However, seeing Arthas carrying the box with one hand, seemingly effortlessly, she thought its weight shouldn't be too exaggerated. But being cautious enough, she still extended both hands to take the seemingly not-so-heavy wooden box.
But the moment Arthas let go, Liadrin realized she was wrong, and terribly so. Her body suddenly sank, and she was pulled forward by the box, almost tumbling over.
—This must be half my own weight, right?!
Fortunately, before Liadrin lost her balance, Arthas reached out and supported the wooden box. His strong arm didn't even waver, as if he were holding a delicate glass.
"What's inside? It doesn't look light at all." Sylvanas spoke up to ease Liadrin's embarrassment.
"It's standard Silver Hand armor and insignia, and a training sword," Arthas replied. "These were all crafted in advance by the artisans before Liadrin arrived, since the Silver Hand didn't have a High Elf lady before."
Upon hearing this, Liadrin felt a bit embarrassed. The items inside were just ordinary armor, yet she was struggling even to lift them. If she wore them, she definitely wouldn't be able to move normally.
"Including this box, it is a bit too heavy. My apologies, I was a bit inconsiderate." Arthas glanced at Liadrin's slender figure. He almost forgot that she wasn't the Countess Blood Knight yet, but merely a priest who was out of shape. He subconsciously compared her to the Ranger-General beside him.
The strength required for Sylvanas to draw her longbow was no less than that needed to wield a warhammer, not to mention that she could draw and shoot almost continuously for several hours. It was clear how formidable Sylvanas's physical conditioning was.
Sure enough, when Sylvanas helped Liadrin take the wooden box, her arm only sank slightly, completely lacking the loss of balance Liadrin had experienced.
But Sylvanas still said, "This box is indeed very heavy, not everyone is like you."
Arthas remained noncommittal. He said to Liadrin, "Then let's go to the training ground first. You are certainly qualified in terms of understanding and assessment of the Holy Light for a paladin.
So, before swearing to become a paladin, the main focus will be on martial arts training.
Do you have any related knowledge? Such as wearing armor, or using weapons?"
Liadrin answered truthfully, "When participating in wars, I had a rough idea of how to use weapons, but I basically never truly practiced. As for armor, I have never worn it at all."
Arthas nodded; he roughly understood the situation.