Chapter 122: A Magic Prodigy

After Arthur left, Stephen Strange went alone to the library. He came up with an excellent idea: to use astral projection to read books while sleeping, thereby saving a great deal of study time.

“Stephen, what do you need?” Wong asked, looking at him.

“I want a book on astral projection,” Stephen replied.

“You’re not ready yet,” Wong said flatly.

“Come on, give it a try, Beyoncé,” Stephen joked.

Wong didn’t understand and looked at Stephen seriously.

“You don’t know Beyoncé? Don’t you ever laugh?” Stephen asked.

“Okay, I think I’m ready now. Give me the book,” Stephen said helplessly, seeing Wong’s expressionless face.

“No!” Wong responded firmly.

After Stephen left, Wong took out his phone to look up Beyoncé’s songs. He opened a book and started listening.

Behind Wong, a teleportation circle formed. Stephen’s hand reached out from it and grabbed a book on soul magic from the shelf.

Wong seemed to sense something and turned around but saw nothing.

Suddenly, another teleportation circle appeared behind and to the left of Wong. Stephen’s hand reached out again and took another book from that side.

Wong turned quickly but found nothing. When he turned back, the book he was reading was gone, taken by Stephen.

Wong thought about it and realized it had to be Stephen’s doing; only he or Arthur would dare such a thing—and Arthur had left that morning.

Wong told the Ancient One about what happened in the library. She simply acknowledged it and told Wong to leave. She did not pay much attention to Stephen’s behavior.

Stephen began his magical studies. Besides reading during the day, at night he used astral projection to let his body rest while his soul studied.

His magical progress was remarkably rapid; he was a true prodigy in magic.

One day, the Ancient One called out to Stephen and asked why he didn’t attend classes but preferred to study on his own.

Stephen said he disliked meaningless rules and had his own study plan.

“Your spellcasting has improved greatly. You need a safe space to practice your incantations,” the Ancient One said, waving her hand. Suddenly, the space in the middle of the hall seemed to fracture like shattered glass, forming many cracks.

The Ancient One stepped toward the cracks, and Stephen followed.

“You are now in the Mirror Dimension, a realm that always exists but cannot be perceived. What happens here does not affect the real world,” she explained.

Stephen looked around inside the Mirror Dimension. They were still in the hall, but it was as if they were looking through a mirror at the outside world.

“We use the Mirror Dimension to train, observe, and sometimes to control threats. If you enter without the mystical ring, you will be trapped here forever,” the Ancient One said.

“Wait, sorry, what kind of threats are you talking about?” Stephen asked.

The Ancient One tapped the ground, and the entire space expanded outward in complex layers. Surrounding furniture vanished, and the buildings stretched like a kaleidoscope.

“Contact with infinite multiverses, which also means infinite dangers. If I told you everything you don’t know, you’d be scared away,” she said.

“That’s already shocking enough,” Stephen said, gazing at the space.

Stephen and the Ancient One practiced the use of the Mirror Dimension. Stephen learned it effortlessly after just two attempts.

The Ancient One nodded. Stephen was the most talented magic student she had seen aside from Cassilius—not like Arthur, who took days to master a single spell. (Arthur: So should I leave?)

The more Stephen conversed with the Ancient One, the more he was amazed by her vast knowledge, as if she were omniscient. No wonder she was the Supreme Sorcerer.

Training outdoors, Stephen asked Mordo, “By the way, how old is the Ancient One?”

“No one knows the age of the Supreme Sorcerer. We only know she’s Celtic and never speaks of her past,” Mordo replied.

“Even if you don’t know, you still follow her?” Stephen asked.

“I know she is resolute but unpredictable, ruthless yet merciful. She made me who I am today,” Mordo said as he prepared to spar with Stephen.

“Trust your teacher. Don’t go astray!” Mordo warned.

“Like Cassilius?” Stephen countered.

“Yes,” Mordo said and kicked toward Stephen. Stephen dodged, then punched Mordo’s abdomen, but Mordo grabbed both his hands.

“You know him?” Stephen struggled and asked.

“When he first came to us, he had lost everyone he loved. He was heartbroken—a shattered man seeking answers in magic,” Mordo said as he locked Stephen in a chokehold.

“He was an excellent student, but proud and willful! He questioned the Ancient One and refused her teachings,” Mordo continued but was suddenly struck in the abdomen by Stephen’s elbow. Stephen broke free.

“He left Kamar-Taj, and his disciples followed him blindly, led astray by false doctrines,” Mordo said, rubbing his side.

“And then he stole the forbidden ritual, right?” Stephen asked.

“Yes,” Mordo answered.

“What’s the purpose of that ritual?” Stephen inquired.

“Don’t ask,” Mordo said, clearly reluctant to reveal such secrets so soon. He picked up a staff—his magical weapon that channels powerful spells.

Stephen looked enviously at it and asked, “When will I have my own staff?”

“When you are ready,” Mordo answered.

“I think I’m ready now,” Stephen replied.

“Whether you’re ready is decided by the staff. For now, use magic to summon weapons,” Mordo said.

Stephen had no choice but to recite the incantation. A golden energy whip appeared in his hands.

Mordo suddenly attacked. Stephen used the whip to block; Mordo’s strikes grew faster, but Stephen’s reflexes were sharp, and he blocked them all.

Mordo then ran into the air. His boots were also magical artifacts that allowed him to walk on air. He ran upward, turned, and punched Stephen’s face, knocking him to the ground.

“You must keep practicing combat. One day, you will need it,” Mordo said.

Stephen got up, having lost the sparring match that day.

“Have you ever sparred with Arthur?” Stephen asked.

Mordo didn’t answer but nodded with a helpless expression. Stephen understood—he had been bested by Arthur.

...

If you enjoy "My Life as Aquaman in the Marvel Universe," please bookmark: () My Life as Aquaman in the Marvel Universe.