Elune spread her hands outward. Following her movement, countless phantoms appeared on the lush green prairie like a time-lapse recording. These phantoms formed two towns of vastly different scales on her left and right.
"These are projections replayed through the Emerald Dream, acting as the mirror world of Azeroth."
"Tyrande and Andreas, for the next 1,000 years, you will swap identities."
Elune gestured toward the cities on either side. "Andreas, you will enter the projection of Astranaar. Tyrande, you will head to the projection of Moonshadow's Rest. We will use 1,000 years as the benchmark, equivalent to the time in the material world."
"I wish to see how you perform after swapping roles. The final result will determine your status when you return to the material world."
Andreas and Tyrande both became alert. Tyrande was the first to ask anxiously, "But Elune, the situation in the material world is very dangerous right now. What if..."
Elune waved her hand. "Do not worry. I assure you that for these 1,000 years you spend in the dream world, no major upheaval will occur in either Astranaar or Moonshadow's Rest."
Turning to look at Ysera, Elune explained with a smile, "The Green Dragonflight under Ysera will dispatch special envoys to reside in both Moonshadow's Rest and Astranaar."
"They will oversee the cities according to my will, doing their utmost to prevent large-scale conflicts and disputes from occurring."
Compared to Tyrande's reluctance, Andreas appeared much more composed.
He didn't know how much preparation Tyrande had made for Astranaar's future development, but he was confident that Moonshadow's Rest wouldn't fall into chaos after losing his leadership. Andreas had long ago meticulously planned the future route for Moonshadow's Rest; Maclay and the others simply needed to continue following that path.
Although the loss of Andreas's occasional sparks of inspiration might slow Moonshadow's Rest's growth to a steady pace lacking explosive power, seeing Tyrande's panicked expression—as if the sky were falling—Andreas felt that such minor issues were irrelevant.
Ignoring Tyrande's objections, Elune showed a rare display of her forceful side.
"Say no more. I have been too lenient with you in the past, which has led to the Sisterhood gradually losing its way."
Elune looked sternly at the flustered Tyrande and warned, "This trial is a crucial test for you. If you fall significantly behind Andreas in this 1,000-year simulated development, I will hand down a punishment."
Giving them one last meaningful look, Elune's projection dissolved into a shimmer of silver light.
"Good luck to both of you. I will return in 1,000 years to judge your results. Depart."
Whoosh~
...
Looking at the crowds flowing around him like real people, Andreas stood by a familiar street in Astranaar, lost in thought.
Was sealing the powers given to us simply to test our management skills? I feel like it's not that simple...
"Lord Andreas!"
A man dressed in official robes came running breathlessly from down the street. Under Andreas's curious gaze, this subordinate official acted like a "New Player Guide NPC," explaining the general operation of this projected city.
The Astranaar projected by Elune was set at the point in time right after its establishment following the disaster. Various districts within the city were still under intense construction, a scene of a hundred things waiting to be done. Andreas estimated that Tyrande's side was likely similar—the pioneering period of Moonshadow's Rest.
"Interesting."
As Andreas followed the official back to the temporarily built town hall, a smile of genuine interest appeared on his face.
"I don't know what surprises will happen in the second half, but management simulation games... happen to be exactly what I'm good at and interested in."
As a veteran player of "Civilization VI" (the "bladder-testing" game), Andreas felt ready to roll up his sleeves once he straightened out his thoughts. He was eager to see just how much difference there would be between Astranaar governed by Tyrande and himself over the same 1,000-year span.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Gazing at the desolate beach, the crude village built upon ruins, and a subordinate force of only a thousand people, Tyrande felt like she was on the verge of tears.
"A village... where am I even supposed to start building?"
...
While Andreas and Tyrande were struggling in their respective projected cities within the Emerald Dream, several Green Dragons followed their Queen's orders, awakening from the dream world to rush to Astranaar and Moonshadow's Rest to maintain order.
In the rooftop garden of the Lord's Manor in Moonshadow's Rest, Onyxia, who was enjoying midnight tea, looked speechless as she watched a Green Dragon descend from the sky outside the city.
"...Leticia, they aren't here to catch me after Andreas tipped them off, are they?"
Leticia waved her hand in denial. "Impossible. Andreas has never revealed any information about you to the other dragonflights. I'll go ask about their intentions first; make sure you don't expose your identity."
Because Onyxia still held a grudge against Andreas for his past "teasing," she never visited the Lord's Manor voluntarily unless there was official business. However, Onyxia was, after all, an adolescent dragon; keeping her cooped up in the outskirts all year round was somewhat inhumane.
Andreas would often deliberately leave the manor under the pretext of inspecting the territory, and at those times, Leticia would invite Onyxia over as a guest.
As a member of the dragonflight who couldn't live without meat, even though there was always a barrier between her and Andreas, the Black Dragon Princess was very interested in the culinary culture he had developed in Moonshadow's Rest. Every time Leticia invited Onyxia, she would have the chefs prepare a grand feast. Over time, the Black Dragon Princess, who was still in her growing phase, became friends with Leticia, who frequently fed her.
After Celeste joined, their small group expanded to three. As long as Andreas was away, they would come to the rooftop garden, overlooking the city's beautiful scenery while enjoying gourmet food. The three immortals would exchange stories of what they had seen and heard over the years.
After settling Andreas, Shandris hurried back to Astranaar; she still needed to inform Archdruid Malfurion about Tyrande's slumber. Without Tyrande, the usual leader, the political situation in Astranaar could only be stabilized by the prestigious Malfurion.
In the absence of outsiders, the three young women talked about almost everything. At this moment, Onyxia was curiously asking about Celeste's criteria for a partner.
"A future husband?"
Celeste pressed her index finger to her chin and tilted her head, thinking for a moment. "I suppose... I'll look for a handsome 'uncle' type with mature masculine charm and a broad-minded nature?"
Onyxia's lip twitched. As expected...
"Are there more specific requirements? For example, looks, temperament, status, or personal strength?"
Although Night Elves were generally handsome and beautiful, there were still distinctions within the race, though the "bottom line" was much higher than other races. Someone like Andreas could only be considered average; if not for the outstanding temperament developed from years in a high position, he might not even be noticed in a crowd.
"Hmm..."
Celeste had never seriously considered this question before. "Looks don't really matter as long as they're passable. Temperament should be mature and steady. Status and strength... considering family alliances, it's probably better if they are as high as possible?"
Why is that a question...
Onyxia rolled her eyes helplessly and asked with a bit of mischievous playfulness, "In that case, isn't your Uncle Andreas one of the most suitable candidates?"