"Cough, cough..." Stephen cleared his throat, placing a fist before his mouth as he stepped down onto the ground. "You're quite talented, but magic isn't as easy as you think."
Wong quickly saw through Stephen's intention to show off and silently stepped aside.
"Is it hard?" Hode smirked, looking at the distant Stephen.
Facing Hode's sarcasm, Stephen Strangege calmly replied, "Yes, in order to become an exceptional mage, you must have an outstanding mentor!"
With that, he waved his right hand casually, summoning a gentle breeze that swirled the snow in the library upward. For a moment, it looked like a silver veil was dancing around the library. As the snow rose, it gradually disappeared with the breeze. In the blink of an eye, the snow that once filled the library had vanished.
After completing this, Stephen slowly placed his hand behind his back, slightly lifting his chin. This display undeniably elevated his charisma. However, Hode merely nodded slowly and said, "Oh."
Yet he had to admit that Stephen, as an heir to the Supreme Mage, wasn't without skills.
"Are you hoping I'll become your apprentice?"
Hearing this understated response nearly pushed Stephen over the edge.
"No!" Hode shook his head, recalling the Darkhold he had just obtained. He really wanted to go back and study it; it was on par with the Book of the Vashanti, the legendary text of the Supreme Mage.
"Ah?!" Stephen was taken aback. This was completely different from what he had envisioned; at a moment like this, wasn't Hode supposed to be begging for guidance? Plus, Hode was now really turning to leave.
"Don't go!" Stephen exclaimed in haste. "You really don't want to become my apprentice?"
This was a once-in-a-lifetime genius! If he left now, it would be a tremendous loss!
"Not interested!" Hode shook his head without a second thought. "Don't worry; I won't tell anyone about what happened today."
He'd be crazy to follow these people to suffer in the snowy mountains. Better to look for his treasure Wanda and share a few deep exchanges of love instead.
Seeing Hode about to leave, Stephen was just about to step forward when Wong grabbed him.
"Mr. Hode, if you ever want to learn magic, you can come to me anytime!"
Hsode paused for a moment after hearing those words, nodded seriously, and then left.
After Hode departed, Stephen Strange remained lost in thought for quite some time.
"Stephen, it seems your charm isn't quite enough!" Wong teased, suppressing a laugh.
"What does my charm have to do with this? He just doesn't want to learn magic!" Stephen Strange retorted, refusing to admit it. He was a top-notch genius; how could he possibly turn down such an opportunity if he were interested?
"He stumbled upon it by chance and learned it with just a glance." Wong looked out the window at the scenery, feeling the lingering chill in the air, and sighed, "We might have encountered a prodigy; we need to inform the Supreme Mage right away!"
"No one can keep anything from Master Ancient One," Stephen said with a smile, shaking his head. "She probably already knows…"
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