Kara (POV)
The library, cloaked in the calm stillness of early morning, felt like a sanctum of hidden knowledge. I showed up right at nine, ten massive books in hand—books I'd borrowed just yesterday, now ready to be returned.
Walking in, my mind buzzed with thoughts. Ten duplicates each finished a huge book in one night, I marveled, wondering about what I could accomplish with more space. If only my room was bigger, I could even create more duplicates and tackle twice the reading.
Wong, our ever-vigilant guardian of all things mystical, greeted me.
"Morning, Wong," I said with a smile. "Where's the Librarian?"
Wong, always tuned into the library's pulse, explained that the Librarian was resting after a long night shift.
"He was here all night," Wong replied. "Finally turned in just now."
I raised an eyebrow. "All night? At his age?" I muttered, a little concerned. "Can he even handle that?"
Wong gave a knowing nod. "He's determined to see his last shift through. He says he'll finally relax once I step in to take over."
With that settled, I turned my attention to my books, stacking them on the nearest table.
"Could you swap these out for ten new ones?" I asked, already mentally diving into my next reading list.
Wong blinked, a bit thrown. "Did… did you really finish all of these?" He pointed at the stack, disbelief plain on his face.
"Yep," I replied as if it were no big deal.
Wong looked between me and the books, baffled, and grabbed one to flip through the pages, trying to see if I'd really read it. I could see the gears turning in his head as he remembered something the Librarian had asked him the night before.
"Wait," he muttered, eyes widening as he pieced it together. "The Librarian was asking me about reading speed yesterday. This… this must be why."
His voice shook slightly as he asked, "How long did it take you to finish these?"
"One night," I said casually.
Wong stared at me, speechless. So that's why the Librarian was so shaken, he thought. No wonder he didn't tell me! This is… almost too much to believe.
Standing there, I could feel Wong's awe, and honestly? I was a little embarrassed. Wasn't I technically cheating by using duplicates to read for me? But I shook off that thought pretty fast. I mean, I could just as easily use my superspeed and read everything myself if I really wanted to. The only difference now is that I can keep my days free to actually practice magic. During the day, my duplicates handle the reading, and every night, I absorb everything they've learned.
...
I noticed Wong's gaze drifting far away, his eyes fixed on the stack of books in front of us. I waved my hand in front of him, calling out to snap him out of it.
"Wong! Are you okay?" I asked, unable to hide the concern in my voice.
He blinked, still looking a little stunned, and shook his head to clear his mind.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm okay, Kara; but how did you do it? How did you do that?" His excitement and curiosity were barely contained.
"Reading! How did you finish reading ten books in one night? Do you have some kind of photographic memory?" His questions tumbled out, one after another, and I could tell he was dying to figure it out.
I smiled, happy to explain. "Yes, I do, but there is actually more to it. Basically, I used a spell to create ten duplicates and let them read the books for me. The effect is the same as reading them myself."
He frowned, squinting like he was wrestling with the concept. "Duplicates? Doppelgängers?" He was mentally flipping through everything he knew about magic, but I could see he hadn't encountered this technique. His confusion was almost endearing.
I caught snippets of his muttering: "Duplication magic, projection magic, right, we've got that at Kamar-Taj... but using it for reading? I need to try it sometime… oh, wait, I don't even know that spell."
Seeing his shoulders sag, he replaced a book on the shelf, like he needed the comfort of the library. I picked up on his mood and added, "Wong, remember, take care of yourself. If you're not feeling well, don't ignore it, alright?"
He gave me a thoughtful look, and I could almost see him wrestling with the idea that maybe this was part of the path the Ancient One had set for me. "Ah, forget it," I heard him mutter. "She's the Ancient One's apprentice, maybe even the next in line. Makes sense if she's a little… exceptional."
A moment later, Wong returned with ten more books, his expression lit with encouragement.
"Here," he said, offering the books. "These are even deeper reads. No rush."
"Thanks!" I said, grateful for his trust. I opened a portal and stepped through, catching him sighing as I left—probably shelving his questions for now.
"Ah, never mind," I heard him mumble as the portal closed behind me. "Better to just keep moving forward."
And with that, I left Wong in the quiet sanctuary of the library, surrounded by mystical volumes, each one brimming with secrets waiting to be uncovered.
....
I decided to separate ten of my duplicates to help me tackle the books I had borrowed. Their translucent, dark forms gathered around the table, each focused intently on a different tome. With my clones fully engrossed in their studies, I took a moment to reflect on my approach to learning—one that was both efficient and uniquely mine.
As I made my way through the small square in Kamar-Taj, I couldn't help but notice the apprentices around me. Some offered nods or smiles as they passed. I had become a familiar face within Kamar-Taj, known for my talent and dedication.
My destination was the Ancient One's tea house—a peaceful oasis in the bustling heart of Kamar-Taj. I intended to spend some time there, sipping tea, reflecting on my magical journey, and engaging in a little self-cultivation. The tea house had always been a special place for me, a sanctuary where I could ground myself and connect with the mystical energies around me.
As I stepped out of the small square, ready to leave, a voice sliced through the calm, halting me in my tracks. It was Kaecilius, the guy I had recently beaten. He was lurking in the shadows, his sharp, dark eyes gleaming with curiosity—as if he were trying to solve some puzzle. Kaecilius had a reputation, one that mixed an obsession with knowledge and a thirst for power. His fascination with the mystic arts was nearly as notorious as his desire to control them.
"Junior Apprentice Kara," he began, his voice smooth but laced with intrigue. "I've heard you're some sort of magical prodigy. Word is you've been touched by the Vishanti, and that's why you don't need to attend classes anymore." His words seemed casual, but the hunger in his gaze betrayed a deeper, more calculating desire to test the rumors he'd heard about me.
I smiled, keeping my composure—calm as ever. "Well, the mentor suggested I focus on reading for now," I replied lightly, though I could feel the shift in the air, the tension building between us.
Kaecilius leaned in a little closer, his gaze intense and searching like he was trying to find the truth behind my words. "But… aren't you supposed to be learning spells? You don't learn anything at all, or do you already know it all?"
Surprise colored my voice as I responded, clarifying my path. "Didn't you hear me clearly yesterday? I'm a cognitive mystic. Did you find the magic I demonstrated yesterday in any of the books in the library? I have my own magic system and spells. I haven't learned anything from Kamar-Taj."
I confidently reiterated that my magic was entirely self-taught, and that Kamar-Taj hadn't played a role in shaping my abilities, but I couldn't hide the slight edge of frustration in my voice. His skeptical stare only made it worse, like he was trying to provoke me.
"I'm not sure what the Ancient One has planned for me," I continued my voice now a little quieter. "I wasn't taught any magic. Everything I know, I discovered on my own. Whether you believe that or not, is up to you."
Despite my attempts to explain, the power-hungry idiot wasn't backing off. It felt like Kaecilius was deliberately pushing me, almost as if he were testing me, and I couldn't understand why.
I don't think I've done anything to offend him, I thought to myself, my gaze steady as I met his. So why is he staring at me like this, picking on me? The more I thought about it, the more questions it left me with.
Kaecilius wasn't deterred, though. He stared at me with a skeptical gaze, and leaned in closer, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Really?" he said, his voice sharp enough for others nearby to hear. "I don't buy for a second that you have any real power, Kara."
His words were a direct challenge—not just to my abilities but to my very place in Kamar-Taj. His eyes scanned me in disbelief, and I noticed his followers behind him, nodding in agreement with his doubts.
Kaecilius, not one to back down, decided to press further, his tone mocking as he goaded me. "Then show us how powerful you are—show us, genius."
I met his challenge head-on, irritation flickering in my gaze. "Is this guy an idiot?" I thought to myself before I spoke up. "Didn't I already beat you up yesterday?"
But Kaecilius, hell-bent on discrediting me, wasn't going to let it go. He raised the stakes, his tone growing louder and more derisive. "Ah, but that was with the artifact the Ancient One gave you during our sparring session. What will you do now without it?"
I shook my head firmly. "So that's what his mind made up—the loops he has to create in his line of thought. It must be tiresome to be him," I thought, not giving in to his accusations. "I don't need any artifacts to prove myself. My power is my own. Either step aside or get yourself humiliated.
I could feel everyone's eyes on me, shifting with uneasy glances as Kaecilius laid it on thick. The rumors he'd been spreading were starting to sink in, and I could see doubt flickering in the way they murmured to each other. The courtyard was buzzing with uncertainty, and I picked up bits of their conversations—every word adding weight to the situation, not that I particularly care about the opinion of others, but...
"Did you hear what Kaecilius said about that artifact?" one apprentice muttered to another, their voice laced with doubt.
"Yeah," the second one replied, eyebrows raised. "I mean, it makes sense, right? Why else would she be the Ancient One's protégée?"
That's when Mordo stepped up, trying to diffuse things, his tone steady and firm. "Kaecilius, enough with the rumors. Kara's been here, what, two days? You think someone can master magic that fast?"
Kaecilius didn't flinch, just raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with skepticism. "How do you know she hasn't learned? The Ancient One trained her personally, you know?"
If this idiot wants to play games, let's play along, I said to myself. I wasn't about to let him get the last word. Standing my ground, I cut through the murmurs with a steady voice. "How about I prove it to you?"
Kaecilius, with that infuriating smirk, took a step closer, eyes glinting with a challenge. "I hear Hamir is teaching the 'Shield of the Seraphim'—the most powerful defensive spell at Kamar-Taj. Why don't you show us how quickly you can master that?"
I almost laughed. Did he seriously think magic could be boiled down to some kind of game? My disbelief was obvious as I shot back, "You're kidding, right? Magic isn't a party trick, Kaecilius. You reduce it to…this?"
Before I could finish, Hamir himself stepped in. His voice was cautious, with a note of warning. "Kaecilius, that's enough. We're all curious about the new apprentice, but don't push it."
Then he turned to me, his gaze softening, almost fatherly. "Kara, if you have other commitments, feel free to step back."
This was clearly a trap, failing or succeeding would either way proof his point, crossed my mind. But there was no way I was backing down now. This wasn't just about Kaecilius or the rumors swirling around. I needed to stand up for myself. "No need, Mentor Hamir. If this is what the senior apprentice wants, then let's do it. Please, demonstrate the spell."
Hamir gave me a reluctant nod, recognizing I wasn't backing down. He began to demonstrate the 'Shield of the Seraphim,' his hands tracing intricate orange lines in the air, forming a massive, shimmering shield. I watched, unimpressed, arms crossed. Seriously? That's it? A magic shield?
The courtyard was thick with tension, pressing down on everyone. Hamir looked at me with a courteous offer, gesturing to the shield as if to say, Want me to explain, Kara? But when I met his gaze and replied with a quick, "No need," I saw a flicker of surprise cross his face. Just for a moment, he seemed to be second-guessing himself, like maybe he'd underestimated me.
Kaecilius, though, was unfazed. That smug little smirk stayed plastered on his face, his eyes practically soaking up the doubt he'd managed to plant in the apprentices around us. He was relishing every bit of it, the resentment simmering just below the surface. I could practically feel him thinking, Perfect. Just as planned.
Mordo finally had enough. He stepped forward, voice calm but carrying a sharp edge as he addressed Kaecilius. "You've taken this too far, Kaecilius."
Kaecilius didn't even blink. His eyes stayed locked on me, dripping with disdain and resentment. To him, I was the embodiment of everything he hated about Kamar-Taj. He wanted everyone here to see me through his lens, as just another tool for the Ancient One's "agenda."
In his mind, he'd already won. Dormammu's power—that's the real truth, I could almost hear him thinking, loud and clear. I was nothing more than a pawn in his eyes, and he was determined to expose me as such.
The anger, that inferno of resentment toward the Ancient One and me was practically radiating off him. His hand twitched, and I felt a shift in the air like he was just a step away from tearing this uneasy peace to shreds.
But I wasn't about to let him have that satisfaction. I could see through his twisted little game, and a surge of frustration rose in me. Is this guy for real? Should I deal with him right here right now? I would be saving lives, down the road. I thought, the words sharp in my mind.
With a swift, fluid motion, I mirrored the Seraphim Shield perfectly. The shimmering energy rippled out from my hands, forming an identical, solid defense. I held it there, looking straight at Kaecilius.
"So, what now?" I said, my voice echoing through the courtyard. "Let me guess. Your next big reveal is that the Ancient One's been secretly training me all along. And if I hadn't pulled it off, you'd be going on about how I must be using some 'mystical artifact,' right?"
The disdain was obvious in my voice, and I didn't even try to hide it. For a split second, Kaecilius's smug expression wavered. A sharp blue ring lit up around my pupils, edged with a faint, menacing crimson glow as I locked eyes with him.
Kaecilius visibly tensed, a flicker of apprehension crossing his face as I muttered, "I've been meaning to test something out on a willing participant, and lucky you—you fit the bill."
In an instant, Kaecilius was pulled into an illusion. He blinked, suddenly finding himself face-to-face with me—or rather, an illusion of me that stepped forward with a smirk.
Kaecilius sneered. "You can cut the act. I know what you're after, and frankly, I don't give a damn."
He tried to move, but the scene around him shifted to an ominous sky swirling with black and red, while he found himself bound to a wooden X. He struggled, but the bindings only tightened. I watched him from just out of reach, an amused look on my face.
"Think you can break out of my illusion with your little Kamar-Taj tricks?" I taunted, folding my arms.
Kaecilius growled, "What are you doing, Kara?"
"Oh, nothing much," I replied with a wicked smile. "Just weighing my options—wondering exactly how far I can go without killing you. Spoiler alert: I could get rid of you anytime, and I wouldn't lose a wink of sleep over it. So unless you're eager to find out what happens next, I'd suggest you stop pushing your luck."
Kaecilius tried to scoff, but he was sweating now. "This is just an illusion. It doesn't affect reality."
"Then sit back and enjoy it," I replied, voice low and dangerous. "Good luck, Kaecilius."
And with that, the illusion took over—a relentless 72-hour barrage, each blow and strike perfectly calibrated to keep him conscious and suffering without a single break.
Back in the courtyard, Kaecilius's body collapsed to the ground, his face contorted in silent agony, blood trickling from his nose and ears. He was in a deep, unresponsive state. The courtyard went dead silent, every apprentice and mentor frozen, wide-eyed as they took in the scene, hardly daring to breathe, not understanding what just happened to Kaecilius.
I glanced down at Kaecilius's unconscious form, smirking. "Guess he couldn't handle a little overstimulation. Either that or he just couldn't take watching me master a technique on the spot—something he probably struggled with for years." I shrugged with exaggerated indifference. "Maybe age and lack of talent had something to do with his surprise?"
I wasn't about to let Kaecilius—or anyone else—think they could push me around.
A murmur swept through the crowd, the apprentices and mentors whispering, some in awe, others with a hint of fear. Just the reaction I liked. I gave Hamir and the others a respectful nod, keeping my voice polite. "Thank you, Mentor Hamir, and everyone. If that's all, I'll take my leave."
Hamir nodded back, his confusion softening into an understanding smile. "Of course, Kara. Take all the time you need."
I returned his smile with a grateful nod, but as I turned and left, frustration simmered under the surface. Can I get a moment to just breathe? I thought, exhaling slowly as I felt the weight of everyone's stares tracking my every step like I was still under scrutiny.
I wound my way through Kamar-Taj's corridors, their familiar bustle swirling around me, the tension clinging like a shadow. My feet led me to the tea house—a place where I could finally steal a few moments of peace.