Chapter 118: Commencing the Study of Magic

"I leave it to you all." The Ancient One rotated the mechanism on the central table in the library, gazing at the projected magical globe above, and spoke to the three Sanctum guardians.

The three individuals departed through three different gateways, each leading to one of the world's three great Sanctums.

"Do you think it was unwise of me to turn him away?" the Ancient One asked Mordo, who was walking toward her.

"It has been five hours, and he is still waiting at the door. There is some kind of power within him," Mordo remarked.

"Stubbornness, arrogance, and ambition—I have seen all of these before," the Ancient One replied.

"He reminds you of Kaecilius, doesn't he?" Mordo asked.

"I have no desire to take on another brilliant student, only to lead them toward power and watch them fall into darkness." In truth, the Ancient One knew Stephen Strange would eventually surpass her in the magical arts, but she lied to Mordo nonetheless.

"Can his aptitude truly compare to Arthur and Wanda? Didn't you take them both as your students?" Mordo inquired.

"They are different from ordinary people. They already possessed immense power; I merely taught them how to harness it," the Ancient One explained.

"But they are Avengers; they will not stay here forever to help us guard the Sanctums. They will leave sooner or later, but Stephen Strange is different. He has the potential to become a true sorcerer," Mordo insisted.

"He can indeed become an excellent sorcerer," the Ancient One nodded and said.

"The pages stolen from the grimoire are still in Kaecilius's hands. If he deciphers them, we face total catastrophe. Perhaps Kamar-Taj can weather this storm with Strange's help," Mordo said.

The Ancient One nodded, finally agreeing to allow Stephen Strange to study magic.

Stephen Strange had been knocking on the gates of Kamar-Taj for five hours. With no path left to turn to, he had finally found a glimmer of hope; he would not give up this opportunity for anything.

Yet, no one opened the door. Exhausted in body and spirit, Strange sat leaning against the gate, deeply regretting how he had offended the Ancient One.

Just then, the door opened, and Strange, leaning against it, tumbled inside.

"Great! You finally opened the door. Thank you!" Strange struggled to climb to his feet.

"Follow me!" Mordo stared at him for a moment before speaking.

Mordo led Strange to a room, telling him it was his quarters, and instructed him to bathe and rest, adding that the Ancient One would send for him later. He handed Strange a slip of paper.

"What is this? A spell?" Strange asked, looking at the English words on the note.

"It is the Wi-Fi password. We aren't primitives!" Mordo said, then closed the door and left.

Strange let out a self-deprecating laugh. He glanced out the window and took out his watch, the face of which had been shattered during his previous struggles. It was a birthday gift from Christine Palmer, with the inscription on the back: "Time will tell you how much I love you."

Strange had sold everything else—his house, his car, his furniture—but he could not bear to part with this watch. It was his only remaining connection to her, and he felt an overwhelming regret for the harsh words he had once spoken to Christine.

Strange placed the watch on the windowsill, washed up, and enjoyed a restful night.

The next day, the Ancient One summoned him to the hall from the previous day. Strange sat cross-legged before her. The Ancient One began to explain the origins of magic, and Strange listened intently to the knowledge she imparted. She also demonstrated how to harness magical energy, explaining that magic involves drawing power from other dimensions of the multiverse, and that by casting spells, one could conjure shields and weapons to perform sorcery.

"Even if my fingers could manage these movements, my hands would only be flailing in the air. How could I ever reach your level?" Strange asked, raising his trembling hands toward the Ancient One.

"And how did you reconnect severed nerves or piece a spine back together, one vertebra at a time?" the Ancient One countered.

"Study and practice, day after day, year after year," Strange replied.

The Ancient One nodded, telling him to simply learn in his own way. Strange understood. He went to the library to borrow a few books and began to teach himself.

In just two days, Strange finished the three books recommended by the librarian, and he prepared to borrow more. It was then that he encountered an unexpected person in the library: Arthur.

Arthur had just returned from practicing portal magic in another multiverse and was chatting with Wong. Arthur had not expected to find Stephen Strange already at Kamar-Taj.

"Mr. Arthur? What are you doing here?" Strange asked, looking at him.

"I have been here studying magic for over a year. It's good to see you, Stephen," Arthur replied.

"I tried to find you before, but no one knew where you had gone. I never expected you to be here," Strange said.

"By the way, let me introduce you. This is Wong, the librarian. I assume you are here to borrow books?" Arthur said, gesturing toward Wong.

"Wong, it's a pleasure to meet you. You can just call me Stephen," Strange said, placing his books on the table.

"Are you looking for me to help heal your hands?" Arthur asked.

"You know about my situation? I was actually looking for you to borrow some money..." Strange said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Your destiny has brought you to Kamar-Taj. This is the place that can save you; here, you can find the meaning of your life," Arthur said.

"Right. Thanks for the reminder," Strange muttered, surprised that Arthur, too, had become so cryptic, constantly speaking in riddles just like everyone else at Kamar-Taj.

"The Book of the Invisible Sun, The New Compendium of the Universe, The Codex of the Supreme, The Key of Solomon—you've read them all?" Wong asked, looking at the books Strange had brought.

"Yes!" Strange nodded.

"Your capacity for learning is as impressive as ever," Arthur complimented him.

"Thank you," Strange replied.

"Follow me," Wong said, leading Strange to a restricted section of the library, with Arthur following behind.

"This area is only open to sorcerers. With my permission, you may borrow from it. You can start with the General Principles of Aphorisms. How is your Sanskrit?" Wong asked, pulling down a book.

"If Google Translate counts, I'd say I'm fluent," Strange replied.

"I use Google Translate too. It's quite useful," Arthur said, sitting in a chair and leafing through a grimoire.

Strange felt a sudden sense of relief; with Arthur here, he finally had someone to study and exchange ideas with during his magical journey.