The aftermath of the victory in the War of the Shifting Sands quickly spread throughout Azeroth.
The Drakkari trolls in Northrend had originally intended to take advantage of the situation, but under Navaraz's tenacious defense, they were unable to achieve a decisive victory.
Seeing the end of the massive war in southern Kalimdor, the Drakkari immediately retreated, wisely scurrying back behind their city walls.
Because these troublesome trolls had caused him to miss the great war in Kalimdor, Navaraz was once so angry that he considered marching east, but the Night Republic, having just ended a war, also needed time to recuperate.
Under the persuasion of the High Council, Navaraz could only abandon his plan to send troops, returning from Northrend to his home in Moonlight City to soothe his frustrated mood.
As the war on the continent of Kalimdor ended, the situation on the Eastern Kingdoms also returned to stability.
However, the previously dominant position of Lordaeron showed some subtle changes.
Having suffered two consecutive heavy blows at the hands of the Sild, Constantine's ambition was devastatingly shattered.
After returning with the army to Lordaeron City, he soon fell ill and, tormented by a heart ailment, the still-young Constantine passed away not long after.
While Lordaeron was undergoing a change of kingship, Alterac, after occupying Andorhal, seemed to have no intention of leaving.
Andorhal was the most important trade hub in the Western Plaguelands; without Andorhal, Lordaeron's influence over both the Eastern and Western Plaguelands would be greatly reduced, which was unacceptable to everyone in Lordaeron, from the new king to the noble ministers.
Alterac occupying such a large territory at once also did not align with the balance of power and interests of the other human kingdoms.
After more than a year of wrangling and exchanges of interest among the human kingdoms, including Sild, the human nations finally reached an agreement.
After enduring many trials and tribulations, Sild finally received a promise of independent statehood, and the territories near the western mountains of Lordaeron became theirs.
Under the combined pressure of Gilneas and Dalaran, Lordaeron reluctantly relinquished its claim to the Isle of Fenris, with Gilneas and Dalaran jointly governing this archipelago in the center of Lordamere Lake.
In exchange, however, Gilneas and Dalaran sided with Lordaeron, strongly pressuring Alterac to return the territory of Andorhal.
Facing pressure from multiple sides, Alterac could only reluctantly agree to relinquish this large piece of prime land, but they did not return entirely empty-handed.
The territory from Caer Darrow to Icewind Dale, east of Andorhal, was incorporated into Alterac's domain, and Lordaeron, temporarily unable to reclaim these lost border territories, could only grudgingly acknowledge the loss.
Occupying Lordamere Lake, Alterac directly bordered the fertile lands of the Eastern and Western Plaguelands, continuing to exert pressure on Lordaeron.
While Kul Tiras did not gain any direct territorial benefits, their decisive action in upholding their promises earned them the friendship of the Sild people.
As an island nation occupying a large island, Kul Tiras did not have a great need for land territory; they were more concerned with trade and commerce with coastal nations.
After Dalaran and Gilneas successively agreed to increase their trade exports with Kul Tiras, King Daelin Proudmoore also contentedly acknowledged the multinational agreement.
The exchanges of interest in the northern part of the continent were irrelevant to Stromgarde, which was busy in a tug-of-war with the Witherbark trolls.
With the decline of the Arathor Empire, Stromgarde's power also waned.
The Forest Trolls, who had kept a low profile after the Troll Wars, began to become active again, with the Witherbark trolls, who had relocated to the Arathi Highlands, having the most disputes with Stromgarde.
The Witherbark trolls originally lived in the northern Hinterlands plateau, but they lost in an internal struggle with the Revantusk trolls and were forced to migrate south into the Arathi Highlands.
Not to mention the lone human kingdom in the southern part of the continent, the Kingdom of Stormwind.
After occupying Elwynn Forest, the Kingdom of Stormwind gradually expanded its activities to the Westfall and the Redridge Mountains to the east.
However, when advancing into the Duskwood, south of Elwynn Forest, Stormwind's pioneering teams encountered attacks from jungle trolls from the south, and the struggle between the two sides in this forest had been going on for several years.
According to intelligence relayed by Prissim's scouts, while the human kingdoms maintained both competition and cooperation, the gnomes and dwarves occupying the snowy mountains of Dun Morogh were also quietly expanding their territorial reach.
The tracks of dwarves and gnomes could be found in Loch Modan to the east of Dun Morogh, Dustwallow Marsh to the south, and the Wetlands to the north, but due to the obstruction of the trolls, the dwarves had not yet connected with the humans of the Kingdom of Stromgarde... With the end of the War of the Shifting Sands as a dividing line, the previously turbulent situation in Azeroth returned to peace.
During the army's return voyage by ship, Andreas entrusted military affairs to Jarod, leading Shandris, Leticia, Onyxia, and others to return to Astranaar first.
Celeste and Aurora, who had long received news of the victory from the front lines, had been waiting at home for a long time. When Andreas returned home, the two immediately greeted them enthusiastically with their four fel saber cats.
"Dad, Mom, welcome home victorious!"
Facing her precious daughter who threw herself into her arms, Shandris this time did not mind Aurora calling her old, gently stroking her daughter's head and whispering sweet nothings.
Andreas also opened his arms to embrace Celeste. "Sorry to have kept you waiting, is everything alright at home?"
Celeste leaned into Andreas's embrace and smiled, shaking her head. "It's fine, Lyressa happened to come to visit from Quel'Thalas a while ago, so Aurora and I had a rather fulfilling time."
More than 1000 years had passed since the end of the Troll Wars, and Lyressa's mother, Veranika, was old and frail, no longer able to go to battle.
Lyressa's journey west to Kalimdor this time was likely her last long trip for a considerable period; upon her return, she would inherit the title of Ranger-General, permanently stationed in the Amani Forest to defend the borders of Quel'Thalas.
"Oh, that's right."
Celeste suddenly remembered something, looked up, and said with a smile, "Lyressa is already married, you know. I've met her husband; he's a very honest and dutiful man, also a ranger, who married into the Windrunner family."
For some reason, the recent generations of Windrunner descendants had been somewhat matriarchal, and they had no choice but to take in sons-in-law to continue the family's lineage.
"What about Anasterian?"
Celeste shook her head regretfully. "Although he is still ambitious and wants to change the high elves' habit of indulging in pleasure, the problems of the entire society cannot be changed by him alone."
"Without the support of the Silvermoon Council, even if decrees are issued, they will be met with superficial compliance at the lower levels, and supervision is difficult to enforce."
Andreas also sighed with some emotion. "Anasterian is not young anymore; his proactive drive should be difficult to maintain for much longer. By the way... does he have children?"
"Yes, Prince Kael'thas, whom Anasterian affectionately calls 'Little Sun'."
Celeste said with satisfaction, "He was just born last year, and it is said that he showed powerful arcane talent at just over a year old. Anasterian has great expectations for him, hoping that he will take over his unfinished work and continue the reforms in the future."
"Oh?"
Andreas stroked his chin with interest. 'Another famous person, but I wonder if little Kael will walk the so-called path of destiny again in the future.'
The end of the War of the Shifting Sands brought a period of peaceful development to Azeroth.
The development of deserts such as Silithius and Uldum was a long-term project. Malfurion handed the task of overseeing Cenarion Stronghold to Lursa Hoofbear, who had just returned from the Dream, while he himself returned to the Emerald Dream to stand guard.
Administrative work during peacetime was not too busy. In his spare time, at his daughter's request, Andreas went to the new Nalath Academy in Moonshadow's Rest to watch her teach.
The new Nalath Academy was built by the sea. The Forbidden Sea was calm and the scenery was beautiful. Under the energy of the Well of Eternity, particles of Arcane energy flickered throughout the entire Nalath Academy, making it look very dreamlike.
Although the new Nalath Academy was not entirely for training combatants, to prevent students from becoming mere bookworms, the academy still had some subjects related to magical combat. This was also a way to pay tribute to the former Nalath Academy.
When Andreas arrived at the academy, a mock battle quiz was taking place on the playground in front of the highly magical teaching building.
Under Aurora's guidance, the young apprentices were sparring in pairs. Brilliant lights and shadows of various spells were cast freely across the playground, which was protected by a defensive barrier.
Since he was visiting incognito today, Andreas intentionally chose a very common cotton robe. The tip of the Staff of Ganir was also wrapped in white cloth, making it look like a plain, ordinary staff.
Reminded by Leticia before he left, Andreas made an effort to restrain the majestic aura he had developed from long years in a high position. At this moment, he looked like an ordinary traveling caster.
From Andreas' perspective, the apprentices' battles were like child's play. These casters, who were learning various power systems, were still very immature. Their magical sparring followed certain patterns and lacked flexible application and adaptability.
Andreas stood by with his hands behind his back, shaking his head as he watched the battle. Many apprentices noticed him, and his obvious look of disdain made them feel very unhappy.
Nalath Academy's admission standards were very strict. While not every student who could enroll was arrogant, they at least possessed full confidence in their own strength and potential.
"Hey! You, old man over there, what do you mean by shaking your head all this time? Are you looking down on us?"
Finally, a hotheaded youngster couldn't help but speak up.
A young female student with her long blue hair tied in a refreshing ponytail stood out with her hands on her hips. She pointed her left hand at Andreas and questioned him displeasurably, "If you think our battles aren't exciting enough, come and try it yourself!"
Andreas was stunned for a good while. He pointed at himself in disbelief. "Old man? Are you talking to me?"
"If not you, then who else?"
The girl, who had a pure and beautiful face and was full of youthful vitality, held her head high proudly. "Don't try to say you're still young. Although your appearance doesn't show it, that old-fashioned aura of yours clearly marks you as an old fogey of several thousand years."
"Uh..."
Andreas really hadn't paid attention to that point.
Thinking carefully, it seemed that was indeed the case. Although nearly ten thousand years of time hadn't changed his appearance, the passage of time had inevitably changed his mindset.
'Am I... old?'
Gazing with somewhat vacant eyes at the horizon where the blue sea met the blue sky, Andreas felt a bit melancholy.
"Grandpa, I'm talking to you! Why are you spacing out?"
Seeing Andreas' attention suddenly drift away, the blue-haired girl puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction and waved her hand in front of his eyes.
The slight commotion caught the attention of Aurora, who was instructing two students. Seeing the most famous troublemaker in her class jumping up and down angrily in front of her father, Aurora was stunned for a moment, then a mischievous smile appeared on her face.
If Andreas saw her expression, he would surely be heartbroken and complain that his daughter had gone bad by following Celeste. This belly-black smile was almost identical to Celeste's.
However, Andreas' attention was now drawn by the persistent little girl in front of him. He spread his hands helplessly and said, "I'm just a Shadow Priest passing by out of interest. Why bother with me? Don't you still have class?"
"Shadow Priest?"
Upon hearing Andreas' self-introduction, the girl became even more interested. "Perfect! I also study Shadow Magic, and I'm scheduled to join the Church of the Dark Moon Shadow after graduation. Old man, how about you give me some pointers?"
"Huh?"
The surrounding students were surprised to see a so-called passing priest who could enter the academy at will. One had to know that the security at Nalath Academy was very strict.
Those who were more quick-witted guessed that Andreas' status was not low; at the very least, he was an acquaintance of some high-level official in the school.
This girl, who claimed to be a Shadow apprentice, had offended many people due to her blunt temper. Although everyone knew she meant no harm, they were now happy to see her receive a bit of a blow from a senior.
That's right, a senior.
Andreas was treated like a passing high-level rare elite mob. Amidst the students' cheering, he looked up helplessly at Aurora.
"Whew~ whew~"
Aurora pretended not to see and turned her head to start whistling, clearly also wanting to watch the show.
"Sigh~"
Following the gaze from afar, Andreas saw Celeste sitting sideways on the windowsill of the principal's office on the fifth floor of the administration building, her long legs crossed.
The familiar smile let Andreas know her thoughts. Finally, he could only say to the girl in front of him with a bitter smile, "Alright, but let's keep it brief. Nalath Academy isn't known for its combat..."
"Ha! Why talk so much? Let's begin!"
The spirited girl excitedly pointed her staff at Andreas. "My name is Niana Starscar. What's your name, 'Old Man'?"
Andreas smiled and shook his head. "It's just a chance encounter. Why bother knowing names? Let's begin."
"Tsk~ an old man who doesn't understand how to set the mood."
Seeing the old fogey's still calm and composed demeanor, Niana felt a bit annoyed.
"Then let's start. I'll go first! Mind Blast!"
An invisible mental shock hit Andreas. He didn't even take down his staff; with a light wave of his hand, he brushed away Niana's attack.
"Oh? You've got some skills."
Niana's expression became even more excited. "Then I won't hold back anymore! Shadow Word: Pain, Mind Flay!"
These Shadow Magic spells were all restored and improved by Andreas under Xal'atath's guidance. He knew all Shadow Magic like the back of his hand.
Shadow mental spells primarily attack a person's soul. Although they aren't as brilliant and colorful in appearance as Arcane or Fel Energy, their danger level is actually not low at all.
But that was under the condition that both sides had similar mental and willpower. Now, with Andreas facing Niana... it was purely an instructional battle.
Without making a counterattack, Andreas acted as if he were checking the child's learning progress, leisurely neutralizing all her attacks.
The spectating students gradually noticed something was wrong. Niana was a potential talent who had been personally praised by General Leticia, a friend of Teacher Aurora. Although she had some minor personality issues, her individual strength was indeed among the best in the academy.
At this moment, Niana had long lost her initial excitement. Her face was full of solemnity, and sweat began to seep from her forehead. She was clearly squeezing her mental power to the maximum extent.
Aurora looked speechlessly at her father's calm face as he showed off. 'He's still so blunt in his actions. It's really a wonder Mom and Stepmom Celeste could take a liking to you.'
"Ahem!"
Hearing Aurora's coughing reminder, Andreas, who had been spacing out thinking about what to eat for dinner tonight, finally noticed Niana's expression.
Although the stubborn Niana hadn't given up trying yet, a look of discouragement had begun to appear in her eyes. Too much of a blow might affect the child's future growth.
'Sigh~ so these kids in their adolescence, with their strong desire to perform and high self-esteem, are really...'