The answer was naturally the latter. Although Master Hamir did not answer directly, Victoria Hand understood at once.
"The City of Immortals?" she asked. "Or Latveria?"
"The defenses of the City of Immortals were made by our own hands, meant to prevent anyone from summoning beings that should not exist into reality and damaging vital facilities. Latveria's defenses were designed by him personally, but rather than guarding against entities from the Outer Dimensions, they focused more on threats from the Material Universe. The Sacred Guard is one part of those defenses," Master Hamir said. "He was the most powerful and wisest human in history, but he was unwilling to take the final step, because that would mean reality itself becoming illusion. The path to perfection is endless, but the answer waiting at its end is not the one we seek."
"So this is my lesson?" Victoria Hand asked. "To teach me some of the secrets of sorcery?"
"You have already studied for four days. The first four days were meant to let you understand the truth of this world. The fifth was meant to let you comprehend it, and the final two are for you to rest. Seven days, neither more nor less. In essence, your course of study is also a ritual. A ritual does not necessarily require endless texts or fervent prayers. Action itself carries metaphor. That is the essence of sorcery." Master Hamir seemed to see her unease, so he reassured her. "This is a safe ritual, meant to protect your soul and body from corruption. From now on, power, money, honor, and all the things that trouble mortals will no longer leave you confused, because you have seen the scenery from on high and will naturally no longer care about the mud beneath your feet. Now