The possibility of convincing the Eternals—who already knew the Dragon Balls could restore Earth—to once again strike against the unborn Celestial was slim. Knowing the Celestial's emergence was still over a decade away, Smith Dole shelved the thought for later.
But just as he let go of that matter, a portal opened directly in front of him.
Smith frowned. From the other side stepped Karl Mordo.
In the same instant, Smith appeared before him, grabbed his robes, and flung him back through the still-open gateway.
"Didn't your parents ever teach you? You enter through the front door when visiting someone."
"Bang!"
Mordo hit the floor hard, skidding to a stop before the portal snapped shut behind him. Groaning as he climbed back to his feet, his face flushed with embarrassment.
"So… barging in like that was… rude," he muttered. Thank goodness he had opened the gate from his quarters. If he had done this from Kamar-Taj's courtyard, where his fellow sorcerers might have witnessed his humiliation, he would never hear the end of it.
Still, being tossed aside like that left him sour. But he had business here. Whether he liked it or not, he had to speak with Smith.
This time, Mordo opened a portal not into Smith's office but outside the Brotherhood's main gates.
The guards immediately raised their weapons, wary of the sudden appearance of a robed sorcerer. Mordo raised his hands calmly.
"I am Karl Mordo, a sorcerer of Kamar-Taj. I have come to visit Mr. Smith Dole. Please, announce my arrival."
One guard hurried inside to deliver the message. Moments later he returned.
"Mr. Mordo, this way."
······
Smith was still simmering with irritation.
"An ill-mannered fool," he spat. "And this is the man who dreams of becoming Sorcerer Supreme?"
Compared to Ajak of the Eternals, who had arrived with perfect courtesy through the main gate, Mordo's arrogance rankled deeply. If not for the respect he still held for the Ancient One, Smith would have done far worse than throw him back through a portal.
Moments later, Mordo entered his office, the attendants departing to leave the two men alone.
"Mr. Smith, I sincerely apologize for my earlier behavior. I hope you can forgive me," Mordo said, bowing his head. He had seen Smith's speed firsthand—enough to kill him before he could react. Apologies, he decided, were wise.
Smith's face remained impassive.
"State your business."
Straightening, Mordo declared his intent.
"I came to discuss the Dragon Balls and dimensional incursions. At Kamar-Taj, under the Ancient One, we safeguard Earth from beings of other dimensions. I hope you might consider using a Dragon Ball wish to strengthen the Sanctums, reinforce Earth's barriers, or otherwise ensure the planet is forever safe from dimensional invaders. I believe this is why the Ancient One sent me to participate in the last Dragon Ball Tournament."
Smith's expression darkened. He knew this wasn't the Ancient One's design—only Mordo's presumption.
"You're telling me how to use the Dragon Balls?"
Mordo countered, "Mr. Smith, you're a hero known across the world. Surely such a wish is not beyond you. It would be a noble use of power."
That moral high ground struck a nerve. Smith's voice cut like steel.
"Your stupidity proves one thing: there's no gold to be found digging in filth. Your kind… truly hopeless."
"Leave. I don't want to see you again."
Mordo's face twisted in anger.
"So that's it? I didn't expect you to be a racist, Mr. Smith. At Kamar-Taj, the Ancient One welcomes all races and peoples without discrimination. My brothers and sisters come from every corner of the world."
"And these wishes would not be for selfish gain, but to protect Earth itself! How can you deny that?"
Smith let out a cold laugh.
"If you want a wish, then win the Dragon Ball Tournament. Fail, and don't waste my time. Granting mortals the right to wish at all is already the height of my mercy."
His eyes narrowed, his tone like a blade.
"I advise you not to push your luck."
······
(End of Chapter)
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