Chapter 314

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Strange believed his inability to use magic stemmed from his injured hands, but the Ancient One dismissed this notion.

To prove her point, she introduced Hamir, a one-handed sorcerer, who effortlessly cast a spell.

This scene left Stephen stunned.

Under Syd's watchful gaze, the Ancient One created a portal and transported Strange to the snow-covered Mount Everest.

In such extreme conditions, a normal person could endure no more than thirty minutes before facing life-threatening danger. Without warm clothing, Stephen might not even last two minutes.

After explaining briefly, the Ancient One left Stephen on Everest and returned alone to Kamar-Taj's courtyard.

Kamar-Taj Courtyard

"How is he doing?" Mordo asked.

The Ancient One replied calmly, "You'll know in a few seconds."

As expected, in the face of a life-and-death crisis, an unstable yellow portal appeared, and a frostbitten Stephen Strange stumbled through it.

Time passed quickly.

Once Stephen overcame his doubts, his photographic memory and natural talent for the mystical arts allowed him to progress rapidly in magic.

One day, in the courtyard, Stephen and Mordo discussed the Ancient One.

"How old is she, exactly?" Stephen asked curiously.

"No one knows the Sorcerer Supreme's age. All we know is that she is Celtic, but she has never spoken of her past," Mordo explained.

"Why would you follow someone so mysterious?" Stephen asked, astonished.

Mordo smiled and replied, "I know she is resolute, steadfast, and kind…"

"Trust your master, and don't stray from the path."

Stephen, having learned more about Kamar-Taj's secrets during his time there, asked cautiously, "You mean Kaecilius, don't you?"

Mordo's expression darkened as he answered, "Yes."

"When he first arrived here, he was broken, lost, and desperate, seeking answers in the mystic arts."

"He was gifted, but arrogant and stubborn, even rejecting the Ancient One's teachings."

"Eventually, some sorcerers followed him, seduced by his false doctrines."

Stephen frowned and asked, "So he's the one who stole the forbidden pages, right? What was on them?"

"You're wrong. He didn't steal the forbidden pages. I thought so too at first," Mordo said solemnly, before adding, "But that's not something you should concern yourself with."

Later that night, as Stephen was reading in his room, a knock interrupted him.

"Come in," he called.

The door opened, revealing Kaecilius, the braided, yellow-robed sorcerer.

Kaecilius glanced at him and asked, "Have you made up your mind?"

Stephen frowned and replied, "Kaecilius, I've heard about you. I need more time to think."

Kaecilius detected a note of pride in Stephen's tone.

It was clear that Stephen didn't believe in his so-called Heavenly Father and Savior and had confidence in his own magical talent. He seemed to think he could achieve his goals without Kaecilius's help.

"Very well. I hope you'll always feel that way," Kaecilius said before turning and leaving the room.

To him, Stephen's lack of faith was his own loss, not Kaecilius's.

Watching Kaecilius leave, Stephen's expression remained unchanged.

After weeks of studying magic and reading numerous texts, Stephen had come to understand what dimensional entities were.

But he didn't care.

What difference did it make if he joined their group and worshiped their so-called dimensional god?

Would a dimensional entity even notice a mere believer?

And even if it did, how much power could it bestow?

Stephen concluded that relying on himself was far more reliable.

Besides, magic inherently involved borrowing power from dimensional entities. If that was the case, what was the point of pledging faith? It wasn't worth the cost.

Kaecilius, who had devoted himself to such a being, didn't even seem particularly powerful to him.

Meanwhile, Syd, watching Kaecilius leave Stephen's room through his faith threads, was both surprised and unsurprised.

Doctor Strange's arrogance and pride were traits he had long possessed, even as a neurosurgeon. Though tempered somewhat during his time at Kamar-Taj, they hadn't vanished entirely.

Syd had no particular feelings about this.

While he found Stephen Strange intriguing, he wasn't inclined to go out of his way to help him.

"It seems there's no need to wait for Strange. I can activate the new mode right now."

"Besides…"

Syd frowned slightly.

Through the faith threads, he had noticed troubling signs within Kamar-Taj.

To prevent Kaecilius—a loyal follower—from being eliminated due to his current weakness, Syd decided to activate the new mode early.

Back in his room, Kaecilius was met with a question.

"Master Kaecilius, how did it go?"

A thirty-something female sorcerer named Tiana asked curiously.

The others in the room, about a dozen sorcerers, turned their expectant gazes toward Kaecilius.

Kaecilius shook his head.

Seeing this, Perry and the others quickly deduced the outcome.

"What an ungrateful fool!"

"Does he look down on us?"

The sorcerers began murmuring in discontent.

"Enough," Kaecilius said, silencing them.

His expression turned serious as he added, "Stay vigilant in the coming days. I sense a dark force stirring."

Having planted numerous spies within Kamar-Taj, Kaecilius had noticed suspicious activities and sensed something amiss.

Hearing this, Perry and the others grew tense, their worry evident.

If even Kaecilius thought the situation was dangerous, how could they hope to handle it?

Would there be casualties?

As they fretted over the unknown threat, a sudden change occurred!

(End of Chapter)

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