SECOND LIFE, peter parker

05

END OF SEPTEMBER — MID OCTOBER 2016

"The language of the mystic arts... is as old as civilization." The Ancient One began her explanation, sitting across Stephen. "The sorcerers of antiquity... called the use of this language 'spells'. But if that word offends your modern sensibilities... you can call it a 'program'."

"The source code that shapes reality. We harness energy..." The Ancient One draws a string of orange magic with her fingers before shaping it into a circle. "...drawn from other dimensions of the Multiverse... to cast spells... to conjure shields... and weapons... to make magic."

The intricate magic spell that the Ancient One had just casted glows brightly in front of Stephen's face. Stephen watches in awe. Even though he is already well experienced in the field of magic, the whole concept of magic still makes Stephen intrigued and fascinated. After all, he used to be a firm believer of science until the Ancient One has proved him wrong in the past. There is still a lot to learn and a lot more to find out about magic and spells.

"But even if my fingers could do that..." Stephen raised his trembling hands up. "My hands would just be waving in the air. How do I get from here to there?" Stephen finally asks, putting up a facade of a helpless and lost man who has just lost his will to live. He can't let the Ancient One catch on and find out that he was from the future right now.

"How did you get to reattach severed nerves... and put a human spine back together bone by bone?" The Ancient One asks, a small amused smile settles on her face.

"Study and practice, years of it."

The Ancient One simply smiles at Stephen as her answer.

***

Ever since Stephen came to Kamar-Taj, all he does is to meditate and do some reading from the books in the library. He used this time to form a friendship with Wong once again. Wong was a fierce and loyal friend; he has stuck by Stephen's side through thick and thin. Even when Stephen was being difficult and acted like a spoiled brat, Wong was always there to scold him or to guide him to become a better sorcerer. He was like a mother hen in some ways. Sometimes it can be quite annoying to Stephen but he is grateful for Wong whenever he steps in to stop Stephen from doing a dangerous spell (not like that has ever stopped Stephen from doing it).

The sorcerers also made Stephen watch their training practice, explain the history of magic to him and showed him the basic forms he should master before he can proceed to the next step.

It is getting frustrating for Stephen as he already knew all of these things and he just wants to start participating in the training and earn his sling ring as soon as possible. His egotistical attitude and disrespect was frown upon amongst the sorcerers there. They proceed to 'punish' him by making him do cleaning duties to reflect on his actions and how he can improve his attitude. Well, that was fair and Stephen deserves it. But it's not his fault that that's how he normally acts and it's hard to break his habit overnight. It's already good enough that he took people's feelings into consideration.

Stephen does not have the time to do some light beginner training. He would rather go through rough and intense training to better prepare him in the future. He also noticed a couple of things over a span of a few days.

Stephen noticed that he could not conjure any magic or weapons when he began his own training in his room. He suspected that it's because his current body is too weak since he is still recovering from the recent surgeries that he had on his hands. The other possible reason could be the fact that the chakras in his body are blocked. Since the chakras are still sealed, it restricts energy flowing in his body properly.