After successfully casting magic, Strange was in high spirits. He had finally taken his first step toward becoming a mage. He no longer rejected magic, and he had gradually come to terms with the condition of his hands.
Just as Palmer had once said, life had many meanings—and it seemed he had found a new one.
Back in his room, he stood before a mirror for the first time in a long while. Even he was startled—he had become utterly haggard. The once polished elite now looked like a street vagrant, unshaven and disheveled. With his newfound state of mind, even he frowned at his own appearance.
Knock, knock, knock.
A sudden knock sounded at the door.
When he opened it, Wanda stood outside, holding a bag.
"This is from Karl. He said you look like a junkie beggar and told you to clean yourself up."
She shoved the bag into his hands and left without another word.
Opening it, Strange found a full set of shaving and grooming tools. He couldn't help but smile.
After tidying himself up, Strange adopted the familiar look of Doctor Strange—his hair neatly styled, a signature goatee framing his face. The streaks of gray at his temples gave him an air of maturity and composure.
Dressed in a dark red sorcerer's robe, he finally felt like he truly belonged in Kamar-Taj.
—
In the library, Wong was still the librarian, sitting and reading as usual.
"Stephen~~"
Wong looked up to see Strange standing before him.
"I'd like to borrow some books on astral projection."
Strange looked refreshed, his entire demeanor calm and steady. Even Wong couldn't help but be impressed.
"Look at you now, Stephen—you're completely different from when you first arrived. But… you're not ready yet."
Wong abruptly refused him.
"Come on~~ I'm completely ready. Just let me read them—I promise I won't practice recklessly."
"No."
Still no room for negotiation.
With no other choice, Strange left dejectedly—but he already had a plan.
If he couldn't borrow them… he'd just sneak a look.
—
Late that night, Wong sat reading.
Suddenly, a glowing ring appeared behind him. A hand shot out, snatched a book—and the portal vanished instantly.
"…?"
Wong spun around but saw nothing. Still, he was certain he had sensed magical fluctuations.
He turned back to his book.
The portal appeared again—another book vanished.
Wong turned again. This time, he was sure of it. But still, nothing.
Just as he turned back—
The book he had been reading disappeared right out of his hands.
"—What the hell?!"
Wong shot to his feet and scanned the room. The library was empty.
Then, as if realizing something, he chuckled and casually picked up another book.
"Clever brat. Just like Karl predicted…"
he muttered.
—
In Strange's room, his physical body lay asleep on the bed.
But beside the desk stood a translucent figure—his astral form—completely focused on reading.
It seemed he had already mastered astral projection.
—
The next day, the Ancient One summoned Strange to the meditation room where they had first met. Karl was there as well.
"Once, in this very room, you begged me to teach you magic. And now you tell me you've been teaching yourself?"
The Ancient One poured him a cup of tea, her tone calm. She had been fully aware of everything he had done.
"My talent is exceptional. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call me a master."
Now that his mindset had shifted, Strange's personality had begun to resemble his old self again.
The Ancient One and Karl both smiled.
His talent was indeed remarkable—but calling himself a "master" was a stretch. Even Wong or Mordo could easily defeat him right now, let alone Karl or Wanda.
"You learn spells quickly—but Kamar-Taj's rules still apply."
The Ancient One set down the teapot and pushed a plate of pastries toward him.
"Wong snitched on me?"
Strange immediately caught on—his little "borrowing" habit had been exposed.
The Ancient One only smiled.
"What you need now is a safe place to practice magic."
With a wave of her hand, the space three meters ahead shattered like glass. The fragments folded and overlapped, forming a wall of fractured reflections.
She stood and stepped inside.
Strange glanced at Karl, who simply gestured for him to go ahead. Curious, he followed.
Inside, everything fell silent.
The surroundings looked like a patchwork of glass shards, the space clearly segmented.
"This is the Mirror Dimension. It exists alongside reality, but ordinary people cannot perceive it. It's an independent space—anything that happens here won't affect the real world."
Strange's curiosity surged. He looked around—outside, everything continued normally. Karl was still sitting, calmly eating and drinking tea.
Strange waved a hand in front of Karl's face. Outside, Karl frowned slightly—he couldn't see it, but he could sense the magic.
"The Mirror Dimension is often used for training and surveillance. Sometimes, it's used to contain danger. But remember—without a Sling Ring, you'll be trapped here."
Strange suddenly interrupted.
"Wait—what kind of danger are you talking about?"
The space seemed empty—what danger could there be?
The Ancient One smiled mysteriously.
Suddenly, she pressed her hands downward.
The ground beneath Strange began to fold and twist. The floor and ceiling shifted constantly, the space expanding rapidly—from a small room to the size of a basketball court.
"To understand the wonders of magic, you must also understand its dangers. Now do you see?"
She waved her hand, dissolving the Mirror Dimension.
Meanwhile, Karl continued eating as if nothing had happened. At this point, he was practically freeloading at Kamar-Taj—Wanda still helped out, but he did nothing but eat and lounge around.
—
Beyond magic, the mages of Kamar-Taj also trained in combat.
Karl didn't quite understand why mages insisted on fighting in close quarters—but then again, he wasn't exactly one to talk. He used a sword himself.
—
At that moment, Mordo and Strange faced each other in a sparring stance.
They slowly circled, closing the distance—ready to strike at any moment.
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