第22章 神灵也有强弱

Kamar-Taj, training courtyard.

A violent energy fluctuation erupted above the courtyard, throwing the sparring wizard apprentices into a panic.

What is happening?

An enemy invasion!

Quick, go fetch the Sorcerer Supreme!

Mordo arrived at the scene first, looking solemnly at the swirling mass of energy twisting in mid-air, and reached out to grab a Wand of Watoomb from the weapon rack.

It activated with a hum!

Everyone, gather on me! Mordo shouted.

Seeing Morton, the panicked apprentices immediately found their backbone and rushed to his side.

Form up and be on guard! Prepare for defense!

The apprentices quickly split into three rows, raised their fists, and condensed golden-red Rings of Raggadorr across their knuckles.

Swish, swish.

Wizard Hamir and Wizard Daniel arrived back-to-back through portals.

Wizard Daniel looked up at the expanding energy vortex in mid-air, asking Mordo who had arrived a step earlier, Wizard Mordo, what is that?

Mordo shook his head, I don't know, but it looks dangerous!

Wizard Hamir squinted, catching several unique runes of the Kamar-Taj magical system within the chaotic energy vortex.

He examined them closely, recognized them as positioning-function rune ciphers, and then hesitated in his guess, It seems to be positioning magic, but it doesn't look like any recorded in the Kamar-Taj library.

Zzz.

A portal quickly opened at the front of the ranks, and The Ancient One walked out with her hands behind her back.

She turned her back to the crowd and said calmly, Do not worry, it is merely a cross-dimensional portal.

A cross-dimensional portal?

The three official wizards, Mordo, Hamir, and Daniel, repeated in unison.

A portal that can span the Multiverse. The Ancient One looked up at the stabilizing energy vortex, an expression of admiration on her face.

This spell is still immature, so it has not been cataloged in the library.

Moreover...

The Ancient One hesitated slightly, The casting requirements for the Cross-Dimensional Spell are too harsh; I fear most wizards could not learn it in a lifetime.

Do you know which wizard is casting the Cross-Dimensional Spell, Venerable? Wizard Daniel asked curiously.

Richard. The Ancient One chose not to hide it; she had already decided to officially add Richard to the list of successors for Sorcerer Supreme.

Richard?! x 3

The three official wizards exclaimed simultaneously.

It is simply incredible! Wizard Hamir shook his head in amazement. Clearly, just a few days ago, he was still an ordinary person!

Mordo: ...

A trace of jealousy couldn't help but leak onto his face; come to think of it, Richard was even brought into Kamar-Taj by his own hand.

I never would have guessed! Wizard Daniel smiled bitterly. I was just saying before that Wizard Richard's talent might be even greater than Kaecilius's, but looking at it now, it's far beyond just greater!

The wizard apprentices in the back were instantly set off by the conversation among the official wizards.

Who are Wizard Mordo and Wizard Daniel talking about?

Richard? That name sounds a bit familiar... Oh god! I remember now!

Talent greater than Wizard Kaecilius? Impossible, I don't believe it!

The facts are right before our eyes, Lore, stop blindly worshiping that gloomy fellow Kaecilius.

I've bloody been here for half a year and I'm still not even proficient at portals! Am I really trash?!

Trust yourself, brother, as long as we work in secret, we'll definitely amaze everyone in the future!

Wizard The Ancient One snapped open the folding fan in her hand.

It is coming!

Hearing this, the others hurriedly looked up into mid-air.

They watched as the stabilizing energy vortex abruptly changed, stretching at high speed into a diamond-shaped portal.

Peering through the diamond-shaped portal, Mordo saw the colorful spatial passage behind the door and cried out involuntarily.

Behind the portal is a dimensional passage!

Daniel marveled, No wonder this spell is called a cross-dimensional portal!

Even Wizard Hamir, who had always been known for his taciturn nature, couldn't help but complain: Most wizards could not learn it in a lifetime? It should be that hardly any wizards can learn it at all!

Just then, the diamond-shaped portal changed once more.

A column of white light suddenly burst out from the portal, spat out a figure, and then directly dissipated.

The figure stood up, muttering curses.

Damn it, the final ejection force was too strong! The rune structure still needs more modifications...

Turning his head and seeing the large crowd in the square, Richard immediately stood at attention, casually patting the dust off his clothes as if nothing had happened.

Morning, everyone. Have you eaten yet?

Everyone present turned a strange expression upon seeing a certain someone's face.

Look at his face!

Those are kiss marks, aren't they?!

Pfft... this fellow is somewhat comical!

Gently waving her folding fan, The Ancient One smiled with a hint of humor, Welcome back, Wizard Richard, though it seems you currently have a greater need for a mirror.

A mirror?

Richard was stunned, waving his hand to construct a simple mirror-dimension node to use as a temporary mirror.

Gazing at the seven or eight kiss marks distributed across his face, Richard didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

You've really done me in this time, Lin~

That evening, amidst Christine's complaints, Richard ended the video call and got up to enter the parlor.

Venerable. Richard bowed respectfully.

Sit. The Ancient One picked up the teapot and poured a full cup of tea for Richard.

Without standing on ceremony, Richard sat down flat on his backside, picked up the cup of tea, and took a small sip. Tieguanyin!

The Ancient One nodded, smiling as she asked, It seems your cross-dimensional journey yielded quite a bounty.

Ah, thanks to the Venerable's guidance, my problem is finally resolved! Richard looked gratefully at The Ancient One.

My guidance was negligible. The Ancient One shook her head. You are the one who worked hard enough.

Right, Venerable! Remembering the purpose of his visit, Richard hurriedly set down his tea cup and said, I came today because I have a question I'd like to consult you on...

He let his divine power project outward, pointing to the flush mixed into the glowing white, and asked, For some reason, my divine power has undergone certain changes.

My understanding of divine power is far too limited, so I can only ask for your instruction.

It has actually advanced! The Ancient One said in some surprise, I'm almost starting to suspect you have Asgardian blood, Richard.

Asgardian? Richard was slightly startled. Thor the God of Thunder's lot?

Correct. The Ancient One nodded. The Asgardians of Asgard.

Richard shook his head hurriedly, saying firmly, I am a native Earthling, from the soul to the flesh, a pure Earthling!

Seeing this, The Ancient One laughed heartily. Just a small joke, Richard, do not take it too-seriously.

Speechless, Richard shot The Ancient One a sidelong glance, then pointed once more to his projected divine power. Venerable, you might as well explain what is going on with this.

The Ancient One snapped open her folding fan, entering teaching mode.

Gods exist within this universe, yet gods also possess varying strengths.

Powerful gods, such as Odin the Allfather, blaze with divine light so fierce that mortals cannot look upon them directly.

Weak gods, such as yourself, Wizard Richard, shine with a glowing white light that is gentle and harmless.

Richard said thoughtfully, So the strength of a deity can be judged by the external manifestation of their divine power?

To say so is not incorrect. The Ancient One nodded. To put it more straightforwardly, deities can be divided into three tiers: weak, medium, and strong.

For instance, Thor the God of Thunder of Asgard can barely be classified as medium...

For instance, Dormammu...