Russell's Plan: The Supreme Mage Corps

Nepal, Kamar-Taj.

As the sun rose, the mages got up early to practice their arts.

For mages, diligent study and training day after day, year after year, were indispensable if they wished to improve from apprentice to master.

But recently, the mages had all been somewhat distracted during their practice.

Good heavens, Russell had spent two consecutive days at Kamar-Taj studying magic.

In the past, he would leave after staying only a short while.

But how did he know every spell, and why was he so proficient at all of them?!

In the small courtyard where the mages practiced, Russell walked back and forth.

He was not causing trouble. Russell was not that bored.

He was now—Archmage Russell, chief instructor of the Kamar-Taj mages.

"When casting a Portal, relax your hand. The hand movements only need to look the part. Focus your attention on where you want to go."

As he walked around, Russell gave pointers from time to time and occasionally demonstrated himself.

"The same goes for casting the Rings of Raggadorr—a small defensive barrier. Pay attention to the Energy Flow. Don't focus too much on whether your movements are standard. Just move in whatever way feels comfortable."

Inside the hall, Mordo watched Russell teaching the other mages and could not help complaining to The Ancient One.

"Master Ancient One, are you really going to let Master Russell mess around like this?"

Yes, in Mordo's eyes, Russell's teaching was simply a mess.

"Master Russell is not wrong, but his method is not suited to Apprentice Mages.

"For Apprentice Mages, the coordination of incantations and movements is extremely important.

"Standard movements help them focus their attention, guide their energy, and cast spells."

The Ancient One neither refuted Mordo nor stopped Russell.

She merely smiled and nodded gently.

"Master Mordo, you are right.

"Master Russell's method truly is unsuitable for most people.

"Don't worry. He will soon realize that himself.

"When that time comes, he will change his teaching method on his own."

In the courtyard, Russell had stopped walking and fallen into thought.

Why could they not learn it no matter how he taught them?

"Russell."

Gwen's voice woke him from his thoughts.

"Can I learn magic?"

For the past two days, she had skipped work and stayed at Kamar-Taj to watch the mages practice.

All sorts of miraculous Mystic Arts had broadened her horizons a little and piqued her curiosity.

Gwen often dealt with Russell and the White-Bearded Ancient One, so her horizons were already fairly broad.

The magic used by the Kamar-Taj mages could only be considered minor tricks.

"You want to learn, Gwen? I'll teach you."

Russell's eyes lit up.

Spider-Gwen was a hero unit, while these nameless mages who did not even deserve names were minion units.

Hero units were usually superior to minion units in every aspect.

Surely Gwen would prove that it was not because he was a bad teacher, but because—

Russell casually took a Sling Ring from a shelf, handed it to Gwen, and explained, "Being proficient with a Sling Ring is extremely important in magic.

"With it, you can open Portals and travel freely from place to place, even between different universes."

After Gwen put on the Sling Ring, Russell began demonstrating and reminded her, "Focus your attention. Draw a circle while picturing your destination in your mind."

Gwen watched Russell's entire process of casting a Portal and nodded thoughtfully.

Soon, she began practicing with the Sling Ring, attempting to draw a Portal.

Her fingers traced one circle.

Then another.

Then one more.

Just as Russell was becoming disappointed and wondering whether there was really something wrong with his teaching ability—

A spark appeared, then connected into a ring.

The ring of light expanded.

It worked! The Portal worked!

Russell nearly jumped for joy, unable to hide the smile on his face.

But Gwen lowered her eyes in thought and did not seem particularly excited.

"Strange," Gwen muttered.

"Why is there no response when I try to return to George's home, Earth-65, but I can return to the bookstore immediately?"

"Traveling within a universe and traveling between universes are different."

At that moment, Master Ancient One walked over and gave a brief explanation.

As for exactly what the difference was, she did not elaborate.

It was currently the mages' morning practice, with too many people around. It was better not to reveal the method of crossing the Multiverse.

If Gwen wanted to know, Russell could tell her in private.

Then, The Ancient One praised Gwen. "Gwen, it seems you have a talent for learning magic."

Russell raised an eyebrow slightly. What did that mean? Could it not be because he taught well?

Gwen smiled in response.

"Thank you for the praise, Master Ancient One.

"By the way, Master Ancient One, there will not be any issue with Russell teaching me magic, will there?"

The Ancient One shook her head. "It's fine, Gwen. Russell is the future Sorcerer Supreme, so he has that right.

"However, if you are interested in magic, you can seek guidance from another Ancient One after returning to Earth-65."

Russell's expression stiffened. Though The Ancient One's words were tactful, he still understood the implication.

"Master, I like it when you say I'm the future Sorcerer Supreme and have the right to teach magic.

"But I'm very unhappy that you're telling Gwen not to learn from me and to go find the White-Bearded Ancient One instead."

"Gwen, I'll take you to learn the writing and language of magic."

Ignoring Russell's protest, The Ancient One led Gwen away without hesitation.

As they walked, she continued explaining. Her voice carried from afar, as though she were also speaking to Russell.

"This language of the Mystic Arts has existed since the birth of civilization.

"Long ago, the Sorcerer Supremes called this language incantations.

"Mages obtain energy from other dimensions of the Multiverse and gather it.

"They recite incantations, pay energy, and thereby cast spells."

"Other than certain people, no one can learn magic without studying words and reading books; without knowing how to recite incantations, they cannot cast spells either."

Russell's face darkened.

Books? What books?

Incantations? What incantations?

Was not the essence of magic simply the use of energy?

Could he not just observe the Energy Flow, then imitate and reproduce it?

Russell stood where he was, deep in thought.

Could it be that my Casting Method is different from everyone else's?

If the White-Bearded Ancient One were here, he could answer Russell.

Yes, Russell's Casting Method was different from that of other mages.

Other mages paid a price, usually energy, in exchange for the right to use spells. It was essentially renting them.

The owner of a spell could decide whether to lend it out, as well as the rental price.

Russell, on the other hand, copied them. He used his own energy to imitate and reproduce spells.

He possessed the ownership rights to the spells himself.

In any case, no one in the magical world was going to sue him for plagiarism.

If that was the case, then this was troublesome.

I had originally wanted to teach them properly and see whether I could train a few Sorcerer Supremes.

That way, when Master Ancient One ran off and I took over, I could delegate the work.

But if our Casting Methods are different, how can I teach them?

No! I chose the wrong students.

Russell suddenly understood.

If he wanted to form the Supreme Mage Corps, choosing the right people was more important.

The list of candidates for his Supreme Mage Corps needed some changes.

Thanks to When Can I Post Comments for the Monthly Pass.