You Can Still Instantly Defeat Me!

Wake up, open your eyes, and there was an unfamiliar ceiling.

But the faintly medicinal smell immediately told Feeney he was in a hospital. He turned his head and spotted Skye dozing beside his bed.

"Skye!"

Feeney gently shook her. She hadn't been sleeping deeply, and woke at once. The moment she saw him, delight flashed across her face, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

"What happened to you?"

But the next second, Skye's expression turned stern. She stood up and demanded, sounding both angry and worried, "The doctor said you were severely exhausted, and had even pushed your body close to the point of collapse. What have you been doing lately?"

Feeney had been vanishing without warning over the past week because of his intense training. Skye had been busy with Stark Stocks and hadn't paid it much attention. She hadn't expected things to get this bad.

"I was doing some special training. I went a little overboard."

Feeney coughed awkwardly, keeping quiet about the fact that he'd deliberately pushed himself so hard.

"Special training!?" Skye was startled at first, then frowned angrily. "Feeney, don't do anything reckless. I can't imagine any training that would push you to the point of collapse. If you keep this up, I'm going to Master Ancient One."

Skye had spent some time at Kamar-Taj, so she knew the Ancient One. Her threat carried real weight.

"It's over now. I promise I won't do it again."

Feeney raised a hand slightly in surrender as he promised. Just before he'd passed out, he'd realized that he'd successfully broken through and unlocked the invisibility ability of Possessed by Evil Spirit. That meant he'd achieved his goal.

And that wasn't the only surprise. Under those circumstances, it wasn't only his physical stamina that had improved—his willpower had broken through as well. Or perhaps his willpower had been the first to break through, allowing his physical stamina to improve along with it.

The result was that Possessed by Evil Spirit had evolved slightly. It hadn't gained many new abilities, but it had gained exactly what Feeney needed most right now.

Ice and Snow Resistance.

After breaking through on the verge of death in the snow, Feeney had put Possessed by Evil Spirit back on and watched the armor evolve on its own, granting him resistance to ice and snow.

If he went to Mount Everest again, the howling, biting blizzard wouldn't feel warm, but at least it wouldn't be quite so cold.

The only real disappointment was that, although Possessed by Evil Spirit had gained two new abilities, he still couldn't trigger the Fourth Draw. He was just a tiny bit short. Maybe a single battle would be enough.

After checking himself over and making sure nothing was wrong, and that the Eye of Agamotto was still safely on his hand, Feeney completed the hospital discharge process. He hadn't been unconscious for long—only five or six hours or so.

Outside the hospital, Feeney basked in the beautiful sunlight and stretched comfortably. This was the first time he'd come so close to death, and now he truly understood how wonderful it was to be alive.

"Are you sure you don't want the doctor to examine you again?"

Skye still looked worried. When he'd completed the discharge process, the doctor had urged him to stay under observation a little longer, but Feeney had firmly refused.

"I'm really fine. I'm just a little worn out. It's nothing serious." Feeney tried to reassure her again.

"All right."

Seeing that Feeney really didn't look sick, Skye stopped insisting. She knew about his unusual circumstances. He wouldn't have gone to the hospital if he hadn't been out of options, and she was worried that an examination might reveal something.

Back home, Feeney reflected on his breakthrough. He'd meant to push himself, but in the end, he really had let his frustration take over.

He still remembered the feeling of slowly slipping toward death. He'd successfully broken through this time, but what about next time? There was no guarantee he'd make it through every time.

Feeney knew he needed to build up his strength steadily. A near-suicidal breakthrough like this was enough to try once in a while, and no more.

He glanced at the Experience Bar, now only a hair's breadth from full, and felt his anticipation rise. He'd soon obtain the Fourth Skill.

Looking at his first three skills, including Sumire's Fried Chicken Roll, he knew they were all powerful. That only made him more eager to find out what his fourth skill would be.

Unfortunately, he was still dealing with the aftereffects of his physical breakthrough. He needed to rest properly before he could fill in that last sliver of experience. Since Mordo seemed to be at Kamar-Taj these days, Feeney decided he'd leave that final bit of experience to the most familiar and reliable Mordo experience baby.

Far away, Mordo suddenly sneezed!

"But should I ask Teacher Ancient One to help me try it...?"

There was one other thing Feeney was unsure about. He had an idea: if he used the Eye of Agamotto to look into the future before drawing a skill, could he use it to obtain the skill he wanted?

The future was always changing. Perhaps the skill he drew would be different every second.

But two things gave him pause. First, would this method even work on the system? Second, how was he supposed to explain to the Ancient One why he wanted her help?

The system was Feeney's biggest secret besides his reincarnation. He didn't want to tell anyone about it.

Besides, those who toyed with time would eventually be toyed with by time. Even Big Shot Ancient One only watched the future like a movie when she had nothing better to do. She never spoiled anything.

Most importantly, Feeney couldn't think of a reason to ask the Ancient One for help.

Should he just honestly tell her, "I might awaken a new ability in a little while. Could you use the Eye of Agamotto to see what it is? If it's no good, could you help me awaken it a little later?"

He was sure the Ancient One wouldn't give him the time of day if he said that!

As for secretly borrowing the Eye of Agamotto and looking into the future himself, he might as well pry out the Time Stone and try using that.

The Ancient One was the only person at Kamar-Taj who could use the Eye of Agamotto. Seeing into the future was one of the most secret Mystic Arts of all.

Which made Doctor Strange's magical talent...

Feeney decided not to think about it. It only made him feel bitter.

After scratching his head in frustration, Feeney still couldn't think of a good solution. In the end, he could only give up for now. He'd just have to leave it to luck—and besides, the method might not even work.

Once he'd rested enough, Feeney immediately returned to Kamar-Taj and found Mordo. He walked over with a cheerful grin.

"Come on, come on, let's spar! I'll give you all the fried chicken rolls you can eat. No sparring, no food!"

Right away, Feeney showed what it meant to be the Sorcerer Breeder of Kamar-Taj. The temptation of delicious food left Mordo torn, even though he wanted to refuse.

"Fine, let's do it!"

In the end, Mordo gritted his teeth. Unable to resist the temptation, he went with Feeney to the Training Ground.

"I might have some things to take care of soon, so I won't be coming here as often."

As they walked, Feeney chatted with Mordo. He was probably the freest sorcerer at Kamar-Taj. The Ancient One had never assigned him any tasks, and he wasn't required to stick to a strict training schedule. He could come and go as he pleased.

So there was truth in the saying that a name couldn't be wrong if it had been given for a reason. The title of the Ancient One's Most Favored Disciple wasn't just for show.

"Is it something to do with school?"

Mordo asked casually. Everyone who knew Feeney well knew he went to school in New York.

Feeney smiled but didn't answer, changing the subject instead. "By the way, I should give you a heads-up. I've just learned a really powerful move. Don't get instantly defeated in one hit."

"Hmph, I have seventeen different spells that can beat you!"

Mordo replied with disdain, silently wondering which of those seventeen ways he'd use to make Feeney lose.

Seventeen ways to lose, and you still think you can instantly defeat me!?

All right, time to recommend a book: My Girlfriend is the Crown Prince, a new novel by a big shot. Anyway, go check it out—and don't forget to come back and vote for me afterward, hehe! (_)! Also, happy Children's Day! We're all someone's baby, aren't we? Maybe toss me a tip or two!