Chthon's Apostle Joins Vishanti

As the self-proclaimed best teacher, Russell quietly glanced at the two disciples beside him who had yet to take a master.

Seeing that they had been completely stunned, a trace of pride flashed through his eyes.

Very good. It seemed he was not only the best teacher, but also the best director.

From Pietro discovering the trail and Wanda escaping the town, only to be surrounded by Hydra soldiers.

To that ill-timed shout of "Fire," everything had been under Russell's control.

Though he was not particularly fond of the Hero Saves Beauty routine.

There was no doubt that, under the circumstances, it was the fastest way to establish the image of a mysterious and powerful mage.

Emerging from the Hyperswirl between universes, this journey of exploring the Multiverse came to a temporary end.

The twins' screams finally caught up with their bodies.

"Ahhh—"

Whether they had been frightened by their own voices or overwhelmed by the Wonders and Strange Sights of the Multiverse.

Before they could even steady themselves, the siblings collapsed onto the ground and remained unable to rise for a long time.

After a while.

A moment later.

After quite some time.

Wanda and Pietro finally came back to their senses. Looking at Russell, they said in unison, "Mage, teach us!"

"Follow me."

With his hands behind his back, Russell turned and led the way, taking a step forward.

A spinning ring of fire appeared out of thin air before him. The ring expanded, forming a Portal.

Wanda and Pietro got to their feet and followed closely behind him.

Beyond the Portal was Kamar-Taj.

Walking ahead, Russell led Wanda and Pietro while introducing the place.

This was Kamar-Taj, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Passing through the courtyard and corridors, Russell brought the siblings to an antique-looking hall.

Inside, several mages sat or stood, reading books or sipping tea.

A male and female mage stepped forward and draped coats over the two siblings, who were shivering slightly from the cold.

Kamar-Taj was located at the foot of Mount Everest in the Himalayan Mountains, where the temperature was rather low.

"Thank you,"

the siblings said quietly.

After putting on the coats, they no longer felt quite so cold, yet they still could not help curling up.

They had probably just arrived at Kamar-Taj and were still somewhat wary of strangers.

Seeing this, Russell reassured them, "Don't be afraid. Every mage here is a good person, and they all speak pleasantly. You'll come to like this place."

"Mm."

The siblings responded softly, but still did not raise their heads.

Russell assumed they were simply too cold and handed them two teacups.

The two accepted them woodenly.

Master Ancient One followed close behind and poured each of them a cup of tea.

"Have some tea and warm yourselves up."

While pouring, Master Ancient One carefully examined the siblings when they were not paying attention.

When he saw Wanda, Master Ancient One's expression changed slightly.

Yet he remained composed and merely gave Russell a look, as though asking,

Why did you bring her back?

Wanda had been born with Chaos Magic, and the source of Chaos Magic was the ancient god Chthon.

Chthon, also known as the God of the Underworld, the God of Chaos, and the God of Darkness, was the source of Dark Magic.

Vishanti, meanwhile, was the source of White Magic.

As their names implied, Chthon and Vishanti stood on opposing sides.

By all rights, Wanda and Kamar-Taj could never have ended up together.

Russell gave Master Ancient One a reassuring look.

I know what I'm doing.

If Chthon's Apostle joined Kamar-Taj, the one who would lose face was Chthon.

And since Russell was bringing honor to Vishanti, his ancestral master, when Chthon came knocking, those old folks had to show some appreciation, right?

Even if they did not, Russell was not afraid. At worst, he simply would not be able to defeat Chthon.

Losing was impossible.

The Indestructible Body, as its name suggested, meant he could not lose.

At worst, after a fight, he would be depressed for a few months and wait until the Panel Upgrade was complete.

Perhaps they truly were cold, or perhaps they had finally found something to do and no longer felt so awkward.

Wanda and Pietro kept drinking tea, cup after cup.

"Master Ancient One, I would like to recommend Pietro Maximoff and Wanda Maximoff for admission into Kamar-Taj.

"They lost both parents at a young age and were left alone and helpless, suffering greatly as they grew up.

"Yet the two siblings supported each other and never lost their kind hearts."

When the siblings heard Russell speak of their past and remembered all the hardships they had endured over the years, their eyes reddened.

But when they heard Russell lavishly praise them afterward, their faces gradually heated up, and they felt somewhat embarrassed.

Sigh...

Master Ancient One let out a long sigh as well.

I truly am a kind person. I can't bear to witness the suffering of this world.

"In that case, Pietro, Wanda, are you willing to remain at Kamar-Taj?"

Wanda and Pietro exchanged a glance and said together, "Master Ancient One, we are willing."

Master Ancient One nodded. "From now on, I will be your teacher. I will teach you the practice of magic, as well as how to cultivate yourselves and your temperaments."

Huh?!

Russell abruptly looked at Master Ancient One and sent a telepathic message. Master, why are you stealing my disciples?

Master Ancient One glanced at Russell. His silence said more than words. Do you know how to teach them?

Helpless, Russell left dejectedly.

Disciples and junior brothers were all the same. They could all be exploited.

And junior brothers did not require him to spend time and effort making arrangements for them.

"Teacher."

The siblings did not know how mages paid their respects, so they could only bow to Master Ancient One as their ceremony of apprenticeship.

Master Ancient One did not correct them and calmly accepted the bow.

After they straightened up, the siblings looked at Russell's departing back. Their expressions were conflicted, but in the end, they still asked loudly.

"Mage, who are you? Why did you save us? And how did you know our story?"

Hearing the voices behind him, Russell did not turn around.

He had not yet figured out how to answer those questions.

"His name is Russell," Master Ancient One answered for him. "He is the next Sorcerer Supreme."

"He probably wants to retire early. Seeing that you have talent and a chance of becoming the Sorcerer Supreme after the next one, he saved you and brought you to Kamar-Taj to study."

The siblings asked, "Sorcerer Supreme... can we become one too?"

Master Ancient One nodded.

Wanda could. Pietro had a chance, though it was not a great one.

"Then... can we become as strong as Master Russell someday?"

The siblings asked again, their voices filled with disbelief and anticipation.

Master Ancient One fell silent.

Why did every new disciple have to compare themselves to Russell?

Thinking of ways to comfort people was exhausting!

Wanda and Pietro had not yet become mages or begun formal training.

When they looked at Russell, they were like frogs at the bottom of a well gazing at the moon in the sky.

Once they began formal training and reached roughly his level, they would understand.

It would be like a mayfly beholding the vast blue heavens!

After a moment of silence, Master Ancient One still gave the two new disciples a hearty bowl of encouragement:

"Russell is older than you and has practiced for longer, so naturally he is somewhat stronger.

"But he was not powerful from the start. There are not many people who are born powerful.

"As long as you persevere and study diligently year after year.

"One day, you too will become powerful mages like him, far surpassing what you once imagined yourselves capable of."

Yes, like Russell in becoming powerful mages, not as powerful as Russell.

Master Ancient One figured that if they misunderstood, it did not count as lying.