Nepal, Kamar-Taj.
As the sun rose, the sorcerers woke up early to practice magic.
For sorcerers, to advance their level, from apprentice to master, diligent study and training day after day, year after year, are indispensable.
But recently, they have been somewhat distracted during their magic practice.
Lucas has been studying magic at Kamar-Taj for two consecutive days. In the past, he would only stay for a short while before leaving.
But how can he know all kinds of magic, and be so skilled at it?!
In the small courtyard where the sorcerers practiced magic, Lucas walked back and forth.
He wasn't causing trouble, he wasn't that bored.
He was now—Archmage Lucas, Chief Instructor of the Kamar-Taj Sorcerers.
"When casting a portal, relax your hand. The hand movements are just for show, focus your attention on the place you want to go."
As he walked, Lucas occasionally gave pointers, sometimes demonstrating himself.
"The same goes for casting Rings of Raggadorr. Pay attention to the flow of energy, don't focus too much on whether the movements are standard. Just do whatever feels comfortable."
Inside the hall, Mordo, watching Lucas instruct the other Sorcerers, couldn't help but complain to the Ancient One, "Ancient One, are you just going to let Lucas do whatever he wants?"
Yes, in Mordo's opinion, Lucas's teaching was just messing around.
"What Lucas said is indeed correct, but it's not suitable for apprentice sorcerers. For apprentice sorcerers, the coordination of spells and movements is very important. Standard movements help them concentrate, guide energy, and cast magic."
The Ancient One didn't refute Mordo's words, nor did she stop Lucas.
She just smiled and nodded gently. "Mordo, you are right. Lucas's method is indeed not suitable for most people. Don't worry, he will soon realize this. By then, he will change his teaching method himself."
In the courtyard, Lucas had stopped walking and was deep in thought.
Why couldn't they learn it?
"Lucas."
Gwen, who was beside him, called out to Lucas.
"Can I learn magic?"
She had skipped work these two days, staying at Kamar-Taj to watch the sorcerers practice magic. All sorts of wondrous magic had opened her eyes and piqued her curiosity.
Gwen often interacted with Lucas and the male Ancient One, so her horizons were quite broad.
The magic of the Kamar-Taj Sorcerers could only be considered minor.
"Gwen, you want to learn? I'll teach you." Lucas's eyes lit up.
Gwen is a hero unit, while the other sorcerers, who don't even deserve names, are minion units.
Hero units usually have better attributes in all aspects than minion units.
He believed that Gwen would definitely prove that it's not that he teaches poorly, but rather, they who are incompetent.
Lucas casually took a Sling Ring from the shelf, handed it to Gwen, and explained, "Proficient use of the Sling Ring is very important in magic. Through it, one can open portals and travel freely to various places, even different Universes."
After Gwen put on the Sling Ring, Lucas began to demonstrate and reminded her, "Concentrate, draw a circle while visualizing the destination in your mind."
Gwen watched the entire process of Lucas casting the portal, nodding thoughtfully.
Soon, she began to practice using the Sling Ring, trying to draw a portal.
Her finger traced a circle.
Another circle.
And another.
Just as Lucas was feeling disappointed and wondering if his teaching ability was truly problematic—
A spark appeared, then connected into a circle.
The ring of light expanded.
It worked! The portal was created!
Lucas almost jumped up with joy, his smile uncontainable.
Meanwhile, Gwen was deep in thought, not appearing overly excited.
"Strange." Gwen mumbled.
"Why is there no reaction when I want to return to dad's home (Earth-65), but it works instantly when I want to return to the bookstore?"
"Teleporting within a Universe is different from teleporting between Universes."
At this moment, the Ancient One walked over and offered a brief explanation.
As for the differences, she did not elaborate further.
Many people were around, so it was best not to reveal the method of traversing the Multiverse.
If Gwen wanted to know, Lucas could tell her privately.
Then, The Ancient One praised Gwen, "Gwen, it seems you have a great talent for learning magic."
Lucas raised an eyebrow slightly.
What did she mean by that? Couldn't it be that I taught well?
Gwen smiled and replied, "Thank you for the compliment, Ancient One. By the way, Ancient One, will Lucas teaching me magic have any consequences?"
The Ancient One shook her head. "It's fine, Gwen. Lucas is the future Sorcerer Supreme, he has that right. However, if you are interested in magic, you can consult the other me after returning to Earth-65."
Lucas's face stiffened.
Although the Ancient One's words were subtle, he understood the implied meaning.
"Sorcerer, you said I am the future Sorcerer Supreme and have the right to teach magic, which I like. But you told Gwen not to learn from me and to find the other you, which I am very unhappy about."
"Gwen, I'll take you to learn the language and script of magic."
Ignoring Lucas's protest, the Ancient One led Gwen away.
As she walked, she explained. Her voice carried from afar, as if also speaking to Lucas.
"This language of mysterious magic has existed ever since civilization began. A long time ago, the Sorcerer Supremes called this language spells."
"Sorcerers draw energy from other dimensions of the Multiverse and collect it. By reciting spells and expending energy, they can cast magic."
"Except for certain individuals, others who don't learn the script or read books cannot learn magic. They also cannot recite spells and thus cannot cast magic."
Lucas's forehead darkened.
Books? What books to read?
Spells? What spells to recite?
Isn't the essence of magic just the application of energy?
Couldn't he just observe the energy flow and then replicate it?
Lucas stood in place, deep in thought.
Could it be that his way of casting magic is different from others?
If the male Ancient One were here, he could answer Lucas.
Yes, Lucas's method of casting spells was different from other sorcerers.
Other sorcerers pay a price, usually energy, in exchange for the right to use magic, which is equivalent to renting it.
The owner of the magic can choose whether or not to lend it, and at what rental price.
Lucas, on the other hand, plagiarizes, using his own energy to imitate and replicate, thereby casting magic.
He himself owns the magic.
Anyway, in the magic world, no one would accuse him of plagiarism.
Lucas thought, 'If that's the case, then it's going to be troublesome.'
He had originally wanted to teach properly and see if he could train a few Sorcerer Supremes.
That way, when the Ancient One leaves, and he takes over, he can outsource the tasks.
But if the casting methods are different, how can he teach?
No! He chose the wrong students.
Lucas suddenly understood.
To form a Sorcerer Supreme Team, choosing the right people is more important.
The sequence of his Sorcerer Supreme Team's prospective candidates was about to change a bit.