Malrick stood up, intrigued. "How do I experience it?"
"Like this," the Ancient One replied, suddenly striking a palm toward his chest.
Malrick instinctively dodged.
She struck again, and once more, he avoided it.
With a slight sigh, the Ancient One pulled her hand back. "Don't move. With your reaction speed, I'll be trying until nightfall."
"Sorry—reflexes. Are you about to perform an Astral Projection? I'm ready!"
Malrick puffed out his chest, clearly eager. He'd wanted to try magic for a long time.
The Ancient One struck again. This time, her palm connected with Malrick's chest.
A strange sensation surged through him, as if something within him was being unshackled.
Seconds passed.
He blinked. "Did it not work yet?"
"It's already done," the Ancient One replied. "Your physical resilience and some... unique internal defense are shielding your consciousness. Your soul is unusually stable. It takes more effort."
Malrick frowned. Unique internal defense? Did she mean his ability to travel between worlds, or perhaps his self-regulating genetic structure—or maybe the hidden power linked to the Resident Evil system?
He didn't dwell on it.
The Ancient One was already channeling energy again, her hands pressed together, her focus intensifying.
Mordo, who had been silently observing nearby, could barely hide his surprise. He'd never seen anyone resist the Sorcerer Supreme's magic like this.
Mystical energy swirled between the Ancient One's palms. A moment later, she released another strike.
This time, Malrick's upper body jolted—and his astral form was pulled from his physical body.
Well, partly.
His translucent upper body floated mid-air, but his legs remained grounded, still connected to his physical self.
"I can see the back of my own head! So this is Astral Projection? Sorcerer Ancient One, I want to learn this!"
Malrick's soul waved his arms gleefully—then paused.
"Wait… where are my feet? Why are they still stuck?"
He tried to float fully free, but his body tugged at him like an anchor. All he could manage was a strange, worm-like wiggle in mid-air.
"Why do I feel like a ghost tied to the floor?" His face twisted into a bewildered expression, watching himself try to shuffle forward.
The Ancient One exhaled gently. "That's enough for now. You can practice later once you've studied the technique."
To fully separate Malrick's soul from his body would require stronger magic. But that kind of spellwork risked drawing energy from the Dark Dimension—and she wasn't willing to expose that right now.
She had already lost Kaecilius. If the other disciples suspected she was embracing forbidden sources of power, the morale in Kamar-Taj would collapse.
With a subtle wave of her hand, she dispelled the spell and guided Malrick's soul back into his body.
"Even half of that was amazing," Malrick said, flexing his fingers. "So, when does the real training start?"
"After Mordo arranges your room and helps you settle in," the Ancient One replied, her expression calm but warm.
She had seen something rare in this young man—hope.
Mordo stepped forward, more respectful now. "Malrick, please follow me."
After witnessing Malrick's affinity for magic, Mordo now addressed him as an equal—one of the sorcerers.
"Thank you, Mordo." Malrick nodded, following him through the temple.
As they walked, Mordo guided him through the training grounds, ancient structures, and the grand library, before finally stopping at the residential wing.
"This is your room. That's the restroom over there. You can meditate here by the window. Also, this is the Wi-Fi password."
He handed Malrick a folded slip of paper.
Then, with a slight bow, he left. "When you're ready, the Sorcerer Supreme will begin your formal instruction."
Left alone, Malrick opened the slip of paper. "'Shamballa'... same as in the movie. Has this password really not changed in a decade?"
He chuckled.
The name "Shamballa," or Shambala, was rooted in Buddhist lore—a mythical paradise. It made sense for a mystical place like Kamar-Taj to adopt the name.
He tidied his room briefly, took a few photos, sent them to Sherry and Tony, then returned to the inner hall to begin his first lesson.
---
The Ancient One sat across from Malrick, her demeanor as composed as ever.
"Before learning magic," she began, "you must understand what magic is—and why you seek it."
"That intention matters more than you may realize."
"You've crossed between worlds. One day, you may come across forces stronger than anything we know here."
"But in Kamar-Taj, magic is built on a simple principle: borrowing energy from other dimensions, at a cost."
She continued, "The simplest way to judge a sorcerer's strength is by how much power they can draw... while paying as little as possible in return."
Malrick raised an eyebrow. "So the best sorcerer is someone like you—borrowing but never repaying?"
The Ancient One's smile deepened. "That's one perspective. But the most powerful sorcerers... they don't just borrow. They consume the source of their magic entirely, turning it into their own."
Malrick whistled. "You might not want the other sorcerers to hear you say that. They'll lose their minds."
"This is why your purpose matters," she said. "Only unwavering conviction can keep a sorcerer grounded. But conviction and obsession often walk a thin line."
"Malrick, I see your desire for strength—and that's your reason for seeking magic."
"Never forget it. Never settle. Keep pushing toward something greater."
"One day, you may reach Agamotto's level."
Malrick blinked. "You really think that highly of me?"
"Of course. Your potential is no less than Strange's. Maybe even greater."
She waved a hand and drew glowing symbols in the air, pulling out several thick, ancient tomes.
"Your physical body is already powerful. That alone will attract the attention of higher-dimensional entities. And that makes you… desirable. They'll want to lend you power."
"In other words," she added, "you're uniquely qualified to study magic."
She placed the books on the table.
"The magic of the Vishanti is where I recommend you begin. As protectors of our realm, their spells are stable and require minimal cost."
Titles gleamed in arcane script:
The Key of Solomon, Codex of Control, Heart of Hoggoth...
All foundational texts.
Malrick accepted the books. "So, this is self-study then? You're not going to lecture?"
The Ancient One smiled. "You'll learn faster reading than listening to me talk."
"Fair enough."
Malrick flipped through the first volume in seconds, then closed his eyes to absorb the knowledge.
A few minutes passed.
He opened his eyes, expecting a quiz.
Instead, the Ancient One handed him another stack of books.
Then another.
As the sky dimmed, a small tower of tomes formed beside him.
When he looked up again and reached for another, he found nothing left to take.
"Huh? That's it?" He glanced around, still eager for more.
Immersing himself in this sea of magical knowledge had ignited something deep in him. He didn't want to stop.
"These were just my recommended readings," the Ancient One said, pointing to a corner of the hall.
Malrick turned—and saw hundreds of books filling the shelves. At least seven hundred volumes, maybe more.
"All of this… is for you to explore on your own."
"Are you saying I've graduated already?" he asked with a grin.
The book in his hand closed gently. The title read: The Castle of Cagliostro.
The Ancient One shook her head. "I haven't taught you anything. Your best teacher is still yourself."
Malrick nodded slowly. "Right. I still have a long way to go."
She stood, walked to the door, and opened it.
"It's getting late. Rest well. Though in your case, it might be a good time to enjoy the sunlight."
---