Possessed by Evil Spirit could also be lent to other people, which was undoubtedly good news. That way, if he ever didn't feel like fighting, he could just lend it to someone else without worrying that they wouldn't give it back.
Take Hulk, for example. With his strength, adding the boost from Possessed by Evil Spirit would make him terrifying.
"Remember what I told you. Never let your power control you."
Watching the Ancient One return Possessed by Evil Spirit and turn to leave, Feeney opened his mouth, but still didn't ask why she'd refused to form the armor earlier.
"Brother Mordo, come out and fight me one-on-one!"
Early that morning, Feeney eagerly rushed to Mordo's door, his face full of impatience as he urged him to hurry up.
The experience he gained from fighting far exceeded Feeney's expectations. For the past week, he'd used Possessed by Evil Spirit to fight Mordo almost every day.
Mordo had been startled when he first saw Possessed by Evil Spirit. After pestering Feeney with questions, he finally got an answer from Feeney, who'd grown tired of explaining: it was a Magic Tool specially given to him by the Ancient One. That was enough to fob him off.
The result was that Mordo often muttered to himself in some hidden corner, saying things like, "It's not fair. I was here first!"
Back to the point: after a week of testing, Feeney realized he'd vastly underestimated the experience gained through combat—or, more accurately, the experience gained by fighting powerful opponents.
The experience he'd gained from fighting Mordo over the past week was equal to the growth he'd had in the previous three months. That was an incredible rate. One month at this pace would equal a whole year before.
Feeney also discovered that winning a fight granted much more experience than losing. He'd figured that out when he once knocked Mordo down after catching him off guard.
At the time, Feeney regretted not realizing it sooner. If he'd known earlier, he could've kept challenging people to fights, even at the risk of exposing himself. He'd have more than three skills by now.
But that thought didn't last long. He remembered the Ancient One's warning, then thought it over carefully and decided that even if he'd realized it sooner, he wouldn't have progressed much faster.
The key to gaining experience from combat was the opponent's strength and using Possessed by Evil Spirit. With Golden Great Deduction Technique and Sumire's Fried Chicken Roll, he definitely couldn't beat anyone too powerful.
So the main reason was that Possessed by Evil Spirit greatly enhanced his strength, while Mordo was already strong to begin with.
Once he'd figured that out, Feeney stopped regretting what he couldn't change and focused on making the most of the present. That meant challenging Mordo for experience every single day, without fail.
"Are you possessed or something lately?"
Mordo opened the door with a pained expression and complained. He'd once been worried enough to ask the Ancient One about Possessed by Evil Spirit. Although she denied giving it to Feeney, she told him not to worry about it and to help out as much as he could.
"All right, all right, enough talk. Come on!"
Feeney dragged Mordo toward the Training Ground. Along the way, plenty of Sorcerers spotted them and immediately gathered around, intrigued.
Kamar-Taj wasn't very big. Almost everyone knew by now that Feeney and Mordo fought every day. This sort of thing wasn't all that unusual in a Sorcerer's training.
But Mordo and Feeney were both disciples of the Ancient One. Never mind Feeney; Mordo was one of the strongest Sorcerers in all of Kamar-Taj.
Being a Sorcerer wasn't a safe occupation. Their duty was to protect the world, and what would there be to protect it from if there were no threats? They studied magic so they could fight.
So whenever the two fought, plenty of Sorcerers came to watch.
"Master Feeney, good luck! Take down Master Mordo today!"
"Master Mordo, don't let your guard down and lose like last time!"
The two of them each had their own fans in the Training Ground. Feeney had only been there for a little over a month, but his Sumire's Fried Chicken Roll and his young age had won him plenty of Sorcerers' favor.
Ignoring the noise from the sidelines, Feeney stood in the middle of the Training Ground, shot Mordo a provocative look, then held out his hand and summoned his sword.
"Possessed by Evil Spirit!"
In the blink of an eye, gleaming silver armor enveloped him. He had no weapon in his hand, but even so, just judging by appearances, he outshone the shabby-looking Mordo by a mile.
The other Sorcerers had grown used to seeing Feeney's Possessed by Evil Spirit. Most of them had been just as startled as Mordo the first time they saw it.
And after learning where it supposedly came from, many had privately grumbled things like, "Master Ancient One plays favorites," and, "I want armor too!" The Ancient One had scolded Feeney over it more than once.
Once Feeney was ready, Mordo didn't dare let his guard down. He quickly activated the Walter's Swift Boots on his feet, then empowered both hands with Raggadorr's Ring—his Magic Shield—and warily prepared himself.
Most Sorcerers at Kamar-Taj were Melee Sorcerers. There were Ranged Spells, of course, but their power was considerable and most Sorcerers couldn't control them. Besides, they were difficult to learn, and many people couldn't manage them.
Feeney wasn't sure whether Mordo knew any Ranged Spells, but this was only a friendly spar, so neither of them would go for the kill. Besides, the Ancient One was there. Even if one of them accidentally went too far, the Time Stone could still save the day.
With few restraints, Feeney fought especially decisively. Since he also had the advantage of his armor's protection, he charged forward at once.
Mordo didn't panic. He waited for Feeney to rush him, then activated the magic effect of Walter's Swift Boots, leaped into the air, accelerated, and stepped on empty air to jump behind Feeney and attack.
But Feeney reacted as soon as Mordo jumped. He slowed down, spun around, and quickly blocked Mordo's attack with his arm.
"Feeney, you're a Sorcerer. Don't rely on your armor all the time."
Mordo didn't pursue him. As he retreated, he called out to Feeney. He wasn't jealous or annoyed; he was trying to give Feeney some advice. He didn't want him to rely on his armor so much that he neglected his magical studies.
Feeney accepted the advice humbly. Under the effects of Possessed by Evil Spirit, every aspect of him was enhanced. Even his magic—which could barely produce sparks before—could now manage a few little flames.
Though they flickered on and off.
After conjuring a faint Raggadorr's Ring on his right hand as well, Feeney charged at Mordo again.
The two fought back and forth, while the Sorcerers around them cried out in surprise from time to time. After about half an hour, the fight ended with Feeney losing because he ran out of stamina.
After dismissing Possessed by Evil Spirit, Feeney sprawled on the ground without a shred of dignity. Mordo was panting too, but looked much better than Feeney.
"Couldn't you go easy on me and let me win a few times, Brother Mordo?"
Though he said that, Feeney knew perfectly well that Mordo had been holding back. Otherwise, the fight wouldn't have lasted this long. Mordo had also spent the whole time pointing out Feeney's flaws in combat.
That was why, even though Sorcerers at Kamar-Taj usually addressed each other as Master So-and-So, Feeney still called him Brother Mordo with such familiarity.
"Your real enemies won't go easy on you!"
Mordo first gave him a serious lecture, then asked with concern, "Are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere?"
"Get a grip, Brother Mordo. Sure, I lost, but it'd still take a lot to break through my defenses."
Mordo couldn't help feeling jealous again. He couldn't stop muttering to himself: I was here first! Why does the Ancient One dote on you so much?
You couldn't keep shearing wool from the same sheep forever. In the days that followed, Feeney fought other Sorcerers as well. But by comparison, he gained the most experience from Mordo, so he secretly gave him a nickname.
Experience Baby Mordo!
Just like that, another month passed before a phone call disrupted Feeney's experience-farming routine.
Well, there was a tip today! It was the very first one. Huge thanks to Star Shattering Emperor for the tip! Everyone else, take notes! ()
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