Marvel: Little Genius - Chapter: 373 (Patreon)

In the following days, Doctor Strange embarked on a frenzied life of reading.

Having mastered the technique of astral projection, he utilized the difference in time flow between the astral and material worlds to enhance his reading efficiency. Doctor Strange was able to understand and memorize over a thousand magical books each day.

Among these were some books with intricate and obscure language, but Doctor Strange, relying on his extraordinary understanding and logical thinking, managed to overcome these challenges through self-study.

This astonishing reading speed made even Wong, who was a librarian himself, a bit overwhelmed. Stimulated by Doctor Strange's efforts, Wong also began reading and studying tirelessly day and night.

However, without having mastered the astral projection shortcut and due to inherent differences in intelligence, Wong, despite expending significant time and energy, was less effective and efficient.

Additionally, since Doctor Strange returned a large number of books to the library daily and borrowed new ones, Wong not only had to increase his workload in terms of organizing and re-shelving books, but also spent a lot of time preparing lists of books for Doctor Strange's next day's reading.

Throughout this, Wong quietly devoted himself to the tasks without any complaints or impatience. Although he had a robust build and sometimes put on an expressionless cold face, deep down he was a kind-hearted and sincere person, warm-hearted despite his outward demeanor.

Thus, even during this period when Mark became more hands-off, leaving his student Doctor Strange behind to develop countermeasures against Thanos, Doctor Strange's reading progress faced no delays or setbacks, thanks to Wong's unwavering support.

In the midst of this reading and learning process, Doctor Strange accumulated more and more magical knowledge. His understanding of the content of new books became increasingly relaxed and rapid, and the number of books he could comprehend and memorize each day grew as well.

In this situation, Wong, as a librarian, naturally found his workload becoming even more demanding.

However, Doctor Strange wasn't ungrateful or lacking in gratitude. Witnessing Wong suffering every day due to his massive reading volume, Doctor Strange began contemplating how to reciprocate.

Material wealth and riches were certainly unappealing to Wong; Doctor Strange himself was currently unable to offer anything of value. However, he remembered that while Wong's understanding might not match his own, Wong's diligent efforts in reading were equally impressive.

"Given this, I can certainly teach Wong some of my analysis and interpretations of book content while he organizes books for me. By helping Wong understand the knowledge in the books more easily, I can also reinforce my own understanding."

With this thought in mind, Doctor Strange decided to put his plan into action. He immediately initiated a conversation with Wong and shared his idea. Wong still maintained his expressionless demeanor, but upon hearing Doctor Strange's proposal, a warm current seemed to flow through his heart. In the end, he nodded in agreement with the suggestion.

With Doctor Strange, the academic prodigy, helping to analyze the knowledge within the books, Wong's learning progress and efficiency skyrocketed as if he had activated cheat codes. Of course, he was still far behind the true prodigies like Doctor Strange and Mark, but compared to his past self, his efficiency had more than doubled.

It's worth noting that this progress was achieved even with Wong allocating a significant portion of his time to organizing and managing the borrowed and returned books for Doctor Strange. If he were to dedicate all his time to studying, coupled with Doctor Strange's guidance, the improvement might have been even five or six times greater.

However, just two months later, Wong's subscription to this cheat code expired. It wasn't that Wong was unwilling to continue using it; it was just that Doctor Strange had already read almost all the books in the library, except for the private collection of the Ancient One.

"Wong, I've completed the initial goal Mark set for me – I've read nearly all the books in the library. Thank you very much for your assistance during this time. In the future, if you encounter any challenging questions while reading, you can still ask me for help, just like now."

"Strange, I've lived in Kamar-Taj for many years. Apart from the initial zealot, Kaecilius, and the guardian of the sanctum, Mark, I've never come across a prodigy like you. You were born to be a mystic sorcerer.

You haven't been in Kamar-Taj for long, perhaps you're unaware. Regular sorcerer apprentices don't receive treatment like you. But now I understand the reason.

I hope you don't disappoint the expectations of both the Sorcerer Supreme and the guardian. Don't stray like Kaecilius did. Otherwise, I won't hesitate to kill you, regardless of our relationship. Wherever you flee, I'll hunt you down.

You can leave now. I still have to organize the books in the library. It's truly troublesome that you manage to read, understand, and memorize everything every day. You're quite the troublemaker."

"Alright, Wong. Thanks for the reminder and another threat. The commitment I made still stands – you can always come to me to clarify doubts from the books."

With that, Doctor Strange waved his hand without turning back and walked straight out of the library's doors.

...

Inside a quiet chamber in Kamar-Taj, for over two months, Mark hadn't been paying any attention to Doctor Strange's situation. He remained in this room, focusing all his attention on researching the "ace up his sleeve."

And not long ago, Mark finally achieved a breakthrough in constructing the entire spatial theoretical model.

If this idea could ultimately be successfully validated, Mark was confident he would be able to counter the threat Thanos posed to Earth.

Now, the feasibility validation of the model has reached a critical stage. To expedite the verification process, Mark divided the model into parts and assigned them to himself and Baymax for calculation, and later they would integrate the results.

If both parties' calculations yielded accurate results, confirming the viability of the model, Mark could proceed to turn his envisioned "ace up his sleeve" into reality.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sudden knocking interrupted Mark's ongoing calculations. He frowned, feeling a bit annoyed, but quickly adjusted his mindset, stood up, and went to open the door.

Just as Mark arrived at the door and was about to open it slightly, a voice he was very familiar with reached his ears from outside.

"Mark, I've successfully read all the open books in the library according to the goals you set for me earlier. I'm now ready to receive the content of the fourth lesson!"

Mark looked at Doctor Strange standing before him, looking visibly excited, and a hint of hesitation appeared on his face.

...

"Oh, by the way, I've been busy with my research these days and almost forgot about this!"

Mark's mind shifted, and he suddenly remembered the task left to him by the Ancient One – to teach Doctor Strange.

"It seems you've been learning rapidly in terms of theoretical knowledge. Now, you need a safer place to practice the knowledge you've acquired in your mind."

Whoosh!

Mark extended his hand and pointed into the void. The space in front of him shattered like glass.

In the astonished gaze of Doctor Strange, Mark directly moved through the shattered space, disappearing into it.

"This...!" Seeing Mark's figure completely vanish into the broken space, Doctor Strange, who had witnessed magical wonders before, wasn't shocked for too long.

Though he didn't know what unknown circumstances lay behind this shattered space, he still followed behind Mark, penetrating through.

Seeing Doctor Strange also come through, Mark began the explanation of the fourth lesson that he had been longing for.

"This is the Mirror Dimension, inextricably linked to the real world yet mutually separate; it exists but remains imperceptible.

Anything that happens here has no connection to the real world and won't have any impact.

We mystic sorcerers train and monitor within the Mirror Dimension, and sometimes use it to isolate danger. Without wearing the Sling Ring, you could be trapped here, unable to escape.

So, when you engage with enemies in the Mirror Dimension, you must be cautious and not let the Sling Ring be taken away."

"Wait! What do you mean by danger and enemies?"

"To understand the multiverse, you must also understand the endless dangers. You don't think that Kamar-Taj, secluded from the mundane world, exists merely as a magic enthusiasts' club, do you?

Kamar-Taj carries its mission and bears its responsibility. If I were to tell you things you've never encountered or understood, you would undoubtedly be frightened away by the astonishing truths.

Alright, let's not dwell on this. You can now try to exit the Mirror Dimension and practice on your own following my guidance.

Tomorrow, I will arrange a sparring partner who will practice and spar with you. Once you've gained basic combat abilities, it will be time to start the fifth lesson."

Doctor Strange nodded in agreement on the surface, but his heart was still filled with curiosity and questions.

Since he came to Kamar-Taj to learn magic, it had always been filled with mystery and the unknown for him. Countless times he had heard peculiar titles like "Fanatic Kaecilius," "Sorcerer Supreme Ancient One," and "Sanctum Guardian Mark," but until now, he hadn't understood their true meanings or the secrets they held.

No matter how many times he asked the same question, the answers he received were always "not the right time" or vague attempts to change the subject, never revealing the truth behind these matters. This avoidance only made him more curious about the answers behind these questions and the truths that had been concealed from him.

...

"So, you're the sparring partner Mark brought me today!?" Doctor Strange looked at the person before him with a surprised expression.

Waiting on the training grounds, the sparring partner Mark had arranged wasn't anyone else but Doctor Strange's old acquaintance and the guide who brought him to Kamar-Taj – Master Mordo.

"What's the matter? Do I not qualify to be your sparring partner? I've heard about your achievements from Wong. You managed to read through all the open books in the library in just two months, understanding and memorizing their contents – truly impressive!

However, to become a true adept mystic sorcerer, having a wealth of knowledge is not enough. Today, I'll show you how, as a sorcerer, you usually engage in combat with opponents!

Come! Use all your strength to launch an attack at me and let me see what abilities you truly possess!"

With these words, Mordo raised his palm and gestured upward, wiggling four fingers at Doctor Strange provocatively.

Seeing this, Doctor Strange didn't back down. He charged straight towards Mordo's position, launching a punch as he closed in.

Over the past two months, apart from the continuous reading of the books in the library, he hadn't forgotten Mark's earlier advice and dedicated a portion of his time each day to physical training and combat practice.

Therefore, in their first clash, Mordo, underestimating Doctor Strange's combat prowess, found himself at a slight disadvantage.

Doctor Strange seized the opportunity and pressed on, not giving Mordo a chance to turn the situation around.

Bang! Another proactive attack from Doctor Strange was blocked by Mordo. Doctor Strange couldn't help but speak amidst the combat, "Do you know what truths Ancient One and Mark are hiding?"

"I don't know!" While responding, Mordo took advantage of Doctor Strange's distraction to launch a counterattack.

"Since you know nothing about all of this, why do you keep following them?"

"Because I know they are resolute, kind, and just individuals. Even though at times they appear enigmatic on certain matters, they safeguard everything we rely on for our existence.

So, what you need to do is trust your teachers and avoid straying onto the wrong path."

Bang! Just as the words fell, Mordo used an over-the-shoulder throw to slam Doctor Strange forcefully to the ground, then proceeded to restrain him, pinning him down.

Slap, slap, slap! Doctor Strange tapped the ground to indicate surrender. Only then did Mordo release him and stand up.

"Phew! That was quite a match! Did you mention Kaecilius just now? I've heard you all mention him so often, but I never really knew the backstory."

"When Kaecilius first came to Kamar-Taj, he was already in a desperate state, having lost everything and seeing no purpose in life. He had lost all his family, and he alone remained in the world.

Upon discovering magic, he yearned to uncover a way within these mysteries to resurrect his deceased loved ones."

"He was as talented and gifted as you are. But at the same time, he was equally proud and stubborn, resistant to discipline. He questioned the Ancient One, even refusing to be taught by her.

Ultimately, his isolation and stubbornness led him to be swayed by the forces of darkness, eventually leading him and his followers to leave Kamar-Taj."

"He also stole several pages from the 'Book of Cagliostro,' didn't he? What exactly does it contain that makes you all keep it secret and taboo?"

"Don't ask about that anymore. If it's something you should know, the Sorcerer Supreme and the Guardian will naturally tell you the truth. Otherwise, it means you don't yet possess the necessary strength and qualification.

Next, let me introduce you to some magical tools that sorcerers often use in combat. Some magic is too difficult to control directly, so we infuse it into objects..."

In the time that followed, Doctor Strange couldn't absorb any of the explanations Mordo was giving him. Human curiosity is just that hard to manage. The more you withhold answers, the stronger the desire to uncover the truth becomes.

Since he couldn't get the answers he wanted from anyone's lips, Doctor Strange made a decision in his heart. He would find the hidden truth from the forbidden books sealed by Wong in the library.

...

At night, the sudden heavy rain became Doctor Strange's best cover. Two months of spending days and nights with Wong had made him well aware that Wong would briefly leave the library at this time, providing him with a perfect opportunity.

Entering the familiar library, Doctor Strange made a beeline for his target this time: the "Book of Cagliostro."

Taking the book off the iron chain on the shelf, he once again demonstrated his exceptional aptitude for learning, swiftly reading through its contents.

"The Eye of Agamotto? Magic that manipulates time..."

As his reading delved deeper, Doctor Strange gradually understood what exactly was recorded in this magical book. Interestingly, the Eye of Agamotto mentioned in the book was stored in the forbidden chamber within the library.

...

After a brief hesitation, Doctor Strange was conquered by his curiosity. He retrieved the Eye of Agamotto from the forbidden chamber. This was the artifact necessary to wield the time magic described in the book.

"If it's really possible, as written in the book, to freely manipulate and rewrite time, then the content that was taken away by Cagliostro could..."

With this thought in mind, his eyes filled with anticipation. He began following the instructions in the book, opening the Eye of Agamotto and tracing the runes of the Mystic Arts.

In the moment the magical runes were completed, Doctor Strange felt only one sensation in his mind: time was like a plaything in his hands, and changing it required only a gentle ripple in the constructed pattern.

"It really worked!" Guided by the methods recorded in the book, he attempted to follow his inner sense. Suddenly, the two missing pages that were absent in the book appeared out of thin air, seamlessly connecting to the fragments that remained in the book.

"Dormammu, Dark Dimension, the Eternal Life. Is this the truth you've been keeping from me all this time... What is this!"

Just as he was shocked by the truth he had finally managed to uncover after tremendous effort, a sudden change occurred in the previously calm library. The space in front of him began to crystallize and solidify without warning.

From within this crystallized space, all he could sense was boundless emptiness and stillness, filling him with an unprecedented sense of fear.

"Stop! Quickly, stop!"