That night, Stephen Strange used meditation to replace deep sleep. When his soul returned to his body in the morning, he felt refreshed and full of energy, with no signs of fatigue.
Stephen could hardly remember the last time he felt so well-rested since those bizarre visions began plaguing his mind. Remarkably, those persistent images that constantly distracted him had significantly diminished.
"Indeed, with stronger mental power, those visions have less of an impact. If my mental strength is sufficient, I can even ignore them entirely," Stephen thought, confirming his previous hypothesis.
Eager to rid himself of those unsettling images, Stephen knew it wouldn't be an overnight process. But with a clear path to success, he felt closer to overcoming them.
...
Strengthening his mental power brought changes beyond just mitigating the visions. During the morning's usual magic training with Mordo and other apprentices, Stephen found that the magical energies he had struggled to control now responded to him effortlessly. He felt like a general commanding an army, with the mystical energies following his lead.
As he moved, orange sparks appeared as if the special effects artist had finally decided to give him some attention.
"I can finally use magic!"
Stephen was ecstatic as he successfully formed a magical shield, even though it seemed fragile and barely able to withstand a light touch. His excitement was palpable, a testament to his progress from a complete novice to a magic apprentice.
Despite his composure, the past month of training alongside others, watching them effortlessly manifest magical energies while he could barely produce sparks, had been disheartening. But now, he had crossed that crucial threshold.
Seeing Stephen's breakthrough, the other apprentices looked on in surprise and confusion, much like witnessing the class underachiever suddenly become a top student overnight.
Mordo also noticed Stephen's transformation but attributed it to Li Yue's influence, so he didn't dwell on it.
For Stephen, this was the most exhilarating day since arriving at Kamar-Taj. Not only had he found a cure for his mysterious ailment, but he had also made significant progress in his magical training. Everything was moving in a positive direction.
...
As days turned into weeks, Stephen's journey in magic steadily progressed. He began experimenting with his innate talent, trying to meditate while reading in his astral form at night. After several attempts, he successfully multitasked.
Stephen had not worked this hard to learn new knowledge since his medical school days, but he relished the experience.
His initial goal of curing his condition had evolved. Now free from the ailment's grip, his new objective was to delve deeper into the mysteries of magic.
"Perhaps becoming a powerful sorcerer wouldn't be so bad," he thought.
At this point, Stephen didn't yet aspire to be a superhero defending Earth from other-dimensional threats. His focus was on exploring the depths of magic.
...
Though secluded, Kamar-Taj wasn't cut off from the outside world. In his spare time, Stephen could access the Internet to keep up with external events, such as the aftermath of the Battle of New York and the emergence of superheroes like Iron Man and Thor.
These heroes had gained immense popularity, surpassing even global celebrities and amassing devoted fans worldwide. Stephen felt a surge of excitement recalling their bravery against the alien invasion. Regardless of their real identities or personalities, their heroic actions in defending New York earned them the superhero title.
...
Stephen also took time to email Christine Palmer, his secret love, assuring her of his well-being without revealing his magical training. He vaguely mentioned finding a cure for his condition, telling her not to worry.
While Kamar-Taj had no specific rules against revealing the existence of magic and sorcerers to the public, Stephen understood that magic was hard to believe without witnessing it firsthand.
Reflecting on his transformation over the past month from an ordinary person to a sorcerer's apprentice, Stephen marvelled at his extraordinary life changes.