In a training room in the New York Sanctum, a man in monk's robes was hard at work practicing magic. This was Mordo.
Ever since the Ancient One had sent him back to the New York Sanctum a year ago, Mordo had been nursing a grievance. He felt that she favored Xia Zuo far too much, and he could not understand it. But rather than making another scene, he had devoted himself to practicing magic, because he wanted to prove to the Ancient One that she was wrong.
"Mage, word has come from Kamar-Taj," a monk came to report just then.
"What news?" Mordo asked the monk.
"The Sorcerer Supreme has returned to Kamar-Taj, and after her return, she began gathering some of Kamar-Taj's mages. It seems she wants them to fight that Xia Zuo," the monk answered truthfully.
"Fight? What is this about? Has that little thief done something to betray Kamar-Taj?" Mordo's eyes lit up at these words. He immediately assumed that Xia Zuo had broken Kamar-Taj's rules and was about to be eliminated by the Sorcerer Supreme.
"No, apparently it's an arranged match..." The monk quickly explained what had happened. As he spoke, Mordo gradually calmed down and considered the reasons behind it.
"I understand. You may leave."
Only after a long while did Mordo wave the monk away. Once the monk had left, Mordo slowly set off as well, preparing to return to Kamar-Taj. Although a year had passed, he still had not forgotten what had happened before, and anger still burned in his heart. An idea therefore took shape in his mind.
Kamar-Taj
The Ancient One stood beside the circular training ground, with nearly ten mages behind her. These were all mages she had selected over the course of that day, but none of them looked particularly pleased.
When the Sorcerer Supreme had summoned them yesterday, they had thought she was going to bestow some favor upon them. They had never expected that she wanted them to fight Xia Zuo, and this immediately stirred discontent among the mages.
Who was Xia Zuo? They all knew the answer. After all, over the past year, his title of "magic theory expert" had become quite widespread in Kamar-Taj. Everyone knew of Xia Zuo, the oddball who did nothing but read in the library.
What did "magic theory expert" mean? Someone who knew nothing but theory. It was hardly a flattering title, and by choosing them, the Sorcerer Supreme was indicating that she considered their abilities roughly equal to Xia Zuo's. To them, this was an insult. After all, they had always worked hard at practicing magic, while Xia Zuo had never even set foot in the magic training ground.
They were therefore all eager to try their hand, ready to teach Xia Zuo a harsh lesson and show him what they could do. Perhaps the Sorcerer Supreme would value them more after witnessing their power, so every one of them was raring to go.
A little while later, under the expectant gazes of the mages, Xia Zuo finally made his way to the training ground.
"Sorry, I wasn't quite sure how to get here, so I took a few detours."
Xia Zuo spoke to the Ancient One. Over the past year, he had stayed in the magic library to make the most of his time absorbing magical knowledge. He had never even visited the magic training ground and was not particularly clear on its location, which was why he had arrived late.
His words immediately drew laughter from all the mages.
"You've never even been to the magic training ground, yet you dare challenge us?" A young mage looked at Xia Zuo with contempt. To him, magic was power, and someone who had never even practiced magic had no right to fight them.
The other mages also looked at Xia Zuo contemptuously. Someone who did not even know where the training ground was actually had the nerve to challenge them. They looked down on him even more, feeling that coming here at the Sorcerer Supreme's command had been a mistake. It was a complete waste of time. There was no need to fight Xia Zuo at all, because the outcome was already clear.
"Who can know without a fight?" Xia Zuo ignored the laughing mages, smiled calmly, and then looked at the Ancient One.
"Then let's begin."
The Ancient One nodded slightly and told Xia Zuo, "These are the ten mages I selected. You may choose one of them to fight."
Using the pace of an ordinary person's progress as her guide, the Ancient One had selected ten mages. Some had only just begun, while others were somewhat more accomplished, but they were all within roughly the same range. She had not deliberately made things difficult for Xia Zuo, instead allowing him to choose his own opponent. After all, her only purpose was to see how far he had progressed.
"Then I'll start with you."
At the Ancient One's words, Xia Zuo smiled faintly and pointed straight at the young mage who had mocked him earlier.
"You actually chose me? Then I'll show you what power really is. Theoretical knowledge is always useless. Kid, remember this: my name is Kaecilius!"
The young mage snorted and jumped straight into the circular training ground. He summoned his magical power, and a subtle gleam flashed across the Sling Ring on his hand. Sparks slowly formed before him, tracing out an intricate rune.
At the same time, Xia Zuo opened his eyes. This time, his mismatched eyes-purple on the left and gold on the right-had changed into a pair of vermilion eyes bearing five-pointed stars.
Second Eye Ring: Copying of the Magic Eye, activate!
In an instant, the structure, form, properties, and power of the magic in Kaecilius's hands were laid completely bare before Xia Zuo's eyes, with nothing hidden!
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