Although it was well into Autumn, the afternoon in New York was still somewhat sweltering. The ring-pull of a can sounded delicately, followed by a soft "hiss". Peter raised his head, took a cool gulp of cola, and let out a refreshing "ah..."
"Finished drinking? When you are, improve this bit."
"Oh, coming."
Peter put his cola on the table in the preparatory room, then redressed in his lab coat and stepped in front of the experiment table. He glanced left and right, then whispered to Dr. Connors, "Is this really gonna work? I feel like we won't be able to keep this hidden from Mr. Stark. This is a lab in the Stark Building."
Sitting in the preparatory room, Shiller said to Peter, "It seems you didn't pay attention to the psychological theories I taught you."
Peter scratched his head, asking, "I might not remember them all…but how are they related to us doing this experiment behind Mr. Stark's back?"
"I'm certain that Stark wouldn't use surveillance equipment to check the state of this lab. He's a very proud man, so knowing that Dr. Connors has several patents on biotech technology, he wouldn't stoop to spying."
"His pride means he won't engage in any behavior that comes even close to 'knowledge theft', so even if there's the slightest risk, he'll avoid it."
"Stark is like a proud bird, his intelligence his most precious plumage. Any action that might tarnish it, even if it could bring him more resources, he would avoid."
Connors added, "That's why he's more like a scientist, not a businessman."
Peter nodded in understanding, then looked at the clock on the wall and said, "Sorry, Doctor, but I have to go in an hour. My friend's waiting for me."
Connors looked up and asked Shiller, "When is Strange coming?"
Shiller was just about to pick up his cell phone to give Strange a call when suddenly a red crack appeared in the middle of the lab, which quickly expanded into a red circle. Strange walked out of it, just as if he was holding a crystal ball.
"Phew..." He exhaled, "You've no idea what I've just been through. Good lord, I never thought a magician would have to do such work!"
"Tell us more about your magical experience." Looking up at the still early sky outside the window, Shiller joked.
Peter was watching Strange with curiosity. Strange carefully placed the crystal ball on the table, took a deep breath, and began his tale.
Again, it started with Kamar-Taj.
After he became an apprentice mage at Kamar-Taj, Strange began his long journey of learning magic.
Strange was quite talented and had a fast learning pace, and he soon got the hang of it. He was even well versed in some minor spells.
In the meantime, frequently traveling between Kamar-Taj, he also deepened his understanding of personal relationships. Besides the Supreme Sorcerer, the Ancient One, and Chief Steward of Kamar-Taj Wong, he met one person in particular: the Ancient One's chief disciple, Baron Mode.
Strange believed that the person he had the most trouble dealing with in Kamar-Taj was this so-called elder brother of his. Mode's behavior and actions constantly reminded him that he was an outsider, a rookie mage.
Because Baron Mode was simply too mage-like, even more so than the Ancient One.
He was silent, solemn, and mysterious, and every word he uttered carried an esoteric meaning beyond ordinary comprehension, and not only was his magical ability strong, the style with which he used magic was exactly like that of a traditional mage.
Every time Mode used magic, he would float in the air, gently flapping his robe, mysterious light points swirling around him, muttering a series of mysterious incantations, then moved freely and effortlessly.
In comparison, Strange's magic casting seemed a bit messy. The Deep Red Ribbon would wrap him up like a dumpling, the Magic Portal would disappear half-way through, and the Seven Rings of Raggadorr would go out of control and fly all over the place. These were common occurrences.
More importantly, Strange didn't know much about mystic studies and philosophy, so he was not capable of delivering eloquent speeches like Mode, who could spout grand phrases like 'the true essence of life', 'seeking serenity', and 'the source of power' with ease.
Every time he heard the Ancient One and Baron Mode conversing, Strange would feel that the Ancient One must have been quite fed up with him because he had neither a rich knowledge of magic theory nor any understanding of obscure mystical stories.
The keywords in the conversations between Baron Mode and the Ancient One were always 'cosmos', 'absolute truth', and 'the source', but the themes of Strange's conversations with the Ancient One were mostly 'loaning', 'interest rates', and 'differentials'.
The former sounded like divine preaching in a magic temple, while the latter sounded like a telemarketing call from a bank.
If all that had happened was an inability to agree, it wouldn't have been such a big deal, but because of financial fraud plan that Strange had proposed to the Ancient One, he and Mode often traveled between Asgard and other dimensions to prepare for the whole scheme.
During this period, the Ancient One took Strange all around the world, leaving her primary disciple, Mode, in Kamar-Taj.