In Kamar-Taj's great hall, Sean sat cross-legged with the Ancient One, asking the Sorcerer Supreme about doubts he had encountered in his recent training. Most concerned obscure knowledge hidden within ancient texts; he rarely raised questions about magic itself or matters of the soul.
Those lengthy, obscure magical incantations and countless complicated arrays seemed to pose no difficulty at all to the young man. He understood them after a single glance and could immediately put them into practice. This astounding, terrifying talent left Mordo, who had been watching from the shadows, questioning his entire life.
Even Kaecilius, Kamar-Taj's most outstanding student in the past century—the fallen man who had betrayed the Sorcerer Supreme—might not have been capable of such a thing. It could be said that no such person existed in this world: someone who could learn a spell after seeing it once?
How could that be possible!
"Mordo doubts the speed of your progress. He even believes you might be some Evil God or demon, or perhaps the vessel of a mysterious sorcerer." The Ancient One smiled faintly. She understood that feeling quite well; people always found it difficult to accept things and beings beyond their comprehension.
"Actually, he guessed right. My true name is Gandalf. I come from Middle-earth, and I love beating people with a staff," Sean said teasingly.
The Sorcerer Supreme smiled slightly. Naturally, she knew it was merely the young man's joke. There had to be some other reason behind his frightening learning ability and immense talent for magic.
"I am curious as well. How exactly do you do it? I know your soul is powerful, with talents like photographic memory and rapid learning, but magic differs from other disciplines. It was called 'occultism' long ago."
A probing light appeared in the Ancient One's eyes