The Rolling Ball is picking up Speed

Kara (POV)

As I stepped into the tea house, I felt the Ancient One's gaze on me, calm but curious. She didn't miss a thing. Our eyes met, and there was this faint, questioning look.

"Kara," she began, with a gentle smile. "You're not studying. What brings you here?"

I couldn't help grinning. "I am studying, actually," I replied with a respectful smirk. "Just… here for some tea."

I settled into the seat across from her, trying to look all composed and respectful, though I couldn't quite keep a mischievous thought to myself. "My duplicates are studying for me," I said, casually. "So, I thought, why not enjoy some tea while they handle it?"

The Ancient One's eyes sparkled a bit, clearly entertained. She knew me too well—my creative magic and constant tinkering with spells always kept her on her toes.

Figuring it was a good time to bring up my latest work, I leaned in a little, excited. "I've been working on something new," I said, almost too eagerly. "I took the Shadow Duplicate Spell and mixed in a little Soul Magic. The result? I'm calling it the 'Multiple Shadow Clones Spell.'" 

She raised an eyebrow, visibly intrigued. Just that little reaction had me thrilled to keep going.

But just when I wanted to explain the difference, the tea arrived. As I lifted my cup, she tilted her head, hinting at the earlier ruckus in the courtyard. "What happened out there just now?" she asked, with an amused tone.

I smirked, a little proud. "Oh, that? Just a small demo of my progress, mentor. Figured it was time to show everyone what I've been putting all that effort into."

The Ancient One nodded approvingly, her eyes warm with wisdom and encouragement. "Keep exploring, Kara," she said, her words filled with that quiet power of hers. "Your path is your own, and your potential? Boundless."

The tea house seemed to fall into an even deeper calm, and I savored the peaceful moment. I took a sip, feeling the warmth seep through me, and let her words echo in my mind. That has always been on my agenda! I thought, amused at myself.

After a pause, I couldn't resist sharing a recent run-in with Kaecilius, "Oh, Kaecilius," I said, shaking my head a bit. "He couldn't wait to 'test' me—called me a 'prodigy' and suggested I learn magic on the spot from Hamir."

The Ancient One kept her steady gaze on me, a trace of appreciation in her eyes. She caught the sarcasm, and I knew she enjoyed my wit as much as my story.

I added a little more. "Honestly, I was tempted to say no, but then I thought 'Why not? Maybe I can learn and sell magic on the spot!'" 

The Ancient One's lips curled into a subtle smile, apreciatively, it seemed.

Then, I switched gears, "So, mentor, what do you really think of Kaecilius? You don't… dislike Kaecilius?"

The Ancient One's expression deepened, voice gentle but steady. "Dislike him? Why would I dislike him?"

I blinked, surprised. "Uh… well, he did stab you."

The Ancient One raised an eyebrow, a flicker of interest in her gaze. "You seem well-informed on the details," she replied, her voice curious. "Were you there when that happened?"

I felt myself redden but answered honestly. "Yeah… I was."

She remained calm, almost serene, as if sharing a lesson meant for only a few. "Why would I hate him?" she asked softly. "Everything in life has a cause and an effect."

Her answer surprised me, but I managed to add a playful touch. "So… am I your retribution?" I asked, half-joking.

The Ancient One chuckled, tapping me on the head with her fan. "Nonsense," she teased, clearly amused.

Realizing I might've pushed it, I lowered my head a bit, genuinely apologetic. "Sorry if I was too forward. That was my fault."

Her smile was warm, almost maternal. "You have spirit, Kara," she said, her voice full of encouragement. "That's why I chose you."

...

Some days later

General (POV)

In the small courtyard, Hamir spoke to the students with energy and encouragement, urging them to keep up their studies with determination, regardless of their natural abilities. He stressed the importance of putting in the effort, even when innate talent seemed to fall short, and reminded them of their shared purpose.

"Alright, everyone—stay committed! Even if our talents don't measure up to someone else's, that just means we've got to work twice as hard. Remember, it's not about being gifted; it's about pushing ourselves to surpass our own limits. Keep our mission in mind!"

Hamir's words were meant to inspire and uplift the students, and to ensure that Kara's exceptional talent wouldn't dampen their motivation or shake her own confidence.

"Yes!" the students responded in unison. Most of them, still innocent and free from jealousy, were unbothered by Kara's remarkable skill. It seemed Kamar-Taj favored students who lacked complex motivations or an unhealthy thirst for power.

Yet, there were exceptions—a few students who weren't entirely at ease.

"Hey, Mike, do you really think the new apprentice is all that talented?" Cassidy, a tall young man, whispered to his friend.

"How should I know? It's not like I'm a prodigy," Mike replied with a hint of frustration.

"Yeah… we're not prodigies. Guess we'll never understand their world, huh?" Cassidy sighed.

"Come on, Cassidy, don't overthink it. Just focus on your own training. Look at how far we've come since we started!" Mike said, trying to reassure him. Though he admired Kara's natural ability with magic, he understood that some people were just in a league of their own.

While they exchanged quiet words, they didn't notice that Kaecilius had been watching them, a glint of interest in his eye.

"Why should I be the only one who sees things clearly? These two could be useful allies," Kaecilius thought, a trace of satisfaction crossing his face.

...

Kara (POV)

I was fast asleep, oblivious to the diligent work my clones were doing. They sat cross-legged on the floor, on tables, or even floated in mid-air, flipping through books and scanning the information directly into their minds. They didn't bother trying to understand the material—that part was left for me to handle when I woke up. Their only task was to read, like an army of scanners.

Knock, knock, knock.

Every clone's head turned toward the door.

"Kara? Are you in there?" Wong's voice called out, sounding unusually urgent.

The clone closest to the door exchanged a look with another sitting on the bed, and with a silent signal, one nudged me awake while the other opened the door.

As the door swung open, Wong started to speak, "The Sorcerer Supreme has something to discuss…" but his words trailed off as he took in the sight before him.

A room filled with identical versions of me, all turning to look at him at once, must have been a shock. Wong knew about my cloning spell, but seeing it in action was something else. I could see the amazement—and maybe even a little excitement—cross his face as he took in the sight of all my clones.

"My word! So many Karas, and all of them so… charming," he muttered under his breath, clearly taken aback.

I yawned, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "Huh? Wong? What's going on?" I asked, my voice still groggy as I got up.

Wong quickly composed himself, recognizing me as the original. I wasn't holding any books and had that telltale just-woken-up look. He studied me for a second, clearly impressed with the setup of my clones. It was like having a built-in study hack—one that kept learning while I rested.

"The Sorcerer Supreme asked me to find you," he explained.

"Oh… I see." I stifled another yawn, wondering why I was needed. If it was urgent, I figured they would've called on me earlier in the day.

"We have someone who wants to learn magic," Wong continued. "The Sorcerer Supreme would like you to accompany us."

"Ah, got it." I nodded, curious as to why I was being included. Was I expected to help teach this person?

Wong hesitated, rubbing his hands a little awkwardly, and then looked at me with a bit of nervousness in his expression. "Um, Kara, I… I actually have a favor to ask."

"Yes?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He cleared his throat, looking a bit sheepish. "Could you teach me the cloning spell? I know each spell is precious, and I shouldn't be asking, but… my talent with magic is rather, well, average, and I don't pick up spells very quickly. I thought maybe this could help me catch up…"

He trailed off, studying my face for a reaction as I stood there, silent for a moment, surprised by his request.

"And if you're willing to teach me, I'd gladly trade anything I can offer," Wong added, his excitement dimming as he assumed I might decline. Perhaps he thought this spell was a guarded secret, one that only the Sorcerer Supreme could bestow. He had even searched for it in the library that morning, but naturally, he'd found nothing.

In truth, I wasn't refusing or silent to be difficult; it was just that the spell was a unique creation—an advanced combination of dark magic and soul magic—and I wasn't sure if Wong could handle it.

"Um, Wong, do you know any soul magic?" I asked.

"No, I don't," he admitted, looking a bit deflated.

"It's not that I don't want to teach you," I said gently, "it's just that this spell is something I created myself, merging the Duplication Spell with soul magic. I'm honestly not sure if anyone else would be able to learn it."

Wong's eyes widened in awe. "Self-created?! You can create your own magic? How… how did you even manage that?"

"Well, yes," I nodded, a little amused. "But tell you what—why don't you check the library for Duplication and Soul Magic spells used here at Kamar-Taj? I might be able to modify them into something that'll work for you."

A plan was forming in my mind. While my spell relied on dark magic, there might be a way to make a "white magic" version using the power of Vishanti, as long as the fundamental structure was right. Technically, the difference between dark and white magic was a matter of magical source, so I could potentially reframe my version in a way that'd work with Kamar-Taj's teachings.

"Can magic even be altered like that?" Wong asked, brows raised. "Didn't the Ancient One teach you this Cloning Spell?"

"No, not exactly," I replied, and then he looked even more intrigued.

"You studied magic somewhere else?" he pressed.

"Kind of," I said, managing a small, amused smile. The truth was complicated, I studied magic in different lives and universes. Not that I could mention any of that to Wong. Calling me a prodigy is complete nonsense. It is thanks to my previous hard work that in this life everything seems to be paying off when it comes to magic

When he realized I had prior magic experience, he seemed visibly relieved. The idea of me being an absolute prodigy might've been harder for him to accept, but knowing I'd studied before coming to Kamar-Taj made me a bit more relatable. Wong gave an enthusiastic nod. "I'll find those incantations right away!"

As we walked through the quiet corridors of Kamar-Taj, Wong glanced over at me with a curious expression. "Kara, you have remarkable talent," he said, his voice carrying a note of admiration. "If you don't mind me asking, how long have you been studying magic? You don't seem very old."

I smiled, but it was a bitter one. "Not very old, true," I replied, my tone a little distant. "But I've been studying magic much longer than you might think. One day, I'll tell you the whole story."

I watched him closely, trying to gauge his reaction, but his face remained neutral. His thoughts seemed to settle into something deeper, like a quiet acceptance. Forget it, he mused silently. I shouldn't compare myself to others.

I shifted my stance, deciding to offer a bit of advice. "Look, Wong, I'm not exactly the best person to give advice, but if you want my opinion, there are a few things that really matter in life. Two of them come to mind for you right now—your heart and your determination. Even if your talent fails you, you can still get far if your heart's in the right place and you've got the will to push through."

As I said it, I found myself wondering—Wait, doesn't Wong eventually become the Sorcerer Supreme after Doctor Strange was blipped out during the Snap? Funny how I was standing here, offering him advice, he was already going to make it on his own.

As I entered the main hall, I immediately felt that something was different. Wong and I were now in the presence of the Ancient One, Hamir, and an unfamiliar figure seated in a wheelchair.

I greeted her with a respectful tone, "Mentor."

The Ancient One nodded in acknowledgment as we entered. Her attention shifted to the person in the wheelchair.

"This is Jonathan Pangborn," she said, her voice carrying an air of importance. "And these two are my apprentices."

Jonathan greeted us with a friendly and polite tone. "Hello," he said, his eyes reflecting a glimmer of hope.

Wong and I returned the greeting, offering warm smiles. "Hello," I said, my voice matching the sincerity I felt at that moment.

The Ancient One explained Jonathan's situation, her words weighted with responsibility. "Mr. Pangborn suffered spinal cord damage and can only move with the help of a wheelchair. He wishes to learn magic to heal himself."

My mind quickly made the connection. The name Pangborn rang a bell. He was the person who had guided Doctor Strange to Kamar-Taj after his hand injury. But why had I been called here? I couldn't quite place the significance of this encounter.

"Pangborn?" I thought, furrowing my brows in confusion. "Wasn't he the one who led Strange here after his injury, starting him on this path? So, why am I here?"

I glanced at the Ancient One, waiting for some explanation, but all I got in return was silence.

Eventually, the Ancient One turned her focus back to Jonathan. "Very well," she said decisively. "Mr. Pangborn, we shall keep you here at Kamar-Taj. Wong, prepare a room for him. He can begin his magical studies tomorrow."

Wong nodded, acknowledging the command. "Of course, Ancient One. Mr. Pangborn, please follow me," he said, guiding Pangborn toward the exit.

I couldn't help but voice my thoughts as they left the hall. "Is it because of Strange?" I asked aloud. "Then we should keep him. Doctor Strange will be a reliable colleague—someone Kamar-Taj can count on. If I'm to take on the position, I need a team of reliable people."

The Ancient One seemed surprised by my perspective, though she held back her smile for the moment.