"This is your room."
"Clothes are here. If you want, you can take a shower first."
After bringing Aron to the room, Mordo took a robe and placed it on the table.
"As for learning magic, I suggest you start with theory."
He said that and handed him an old book.
Aron looked at the title.
"General Introduction to the Basics of Magic"
"Of course, if you're bored of reading those dry texts, you can come to the training square, I'll show you a few basic spells."
When Mordo said that, he turned and headed for the exit.
Suddenly, he stopped at the door as if he remembered something and pulled a small piece of paper from his pocket.
"Here you go."
Aron took the note.
On it was written 'shamballa'.
He reacted immediately: Wi-Fi password!
But when he touched his pants pocket…
No phone.
…
When Mordo left, Aron put the password aside, took the "General Introduction to the Basics of Magic" and lay down on the bed.
He opened a few pages.
His eyelids immediately started twitching.
Instinctively, he closed the book, preventing a catastrophe just in time.
"Good thing I reacted quickly, otherwise I would've fallen asleep."
He set the book aside and began thinking about everything he had learned.
Although he had read only a few pages, at least he picked up the basic idea.
Magic, spells, are essentially something like the source code of reality.
Once upon a time, someone wrote them down and systematized them.
To use them, you have to draw energy from the multiverse.
That's the first step…
The practice of magic is essentially an act of "borrowing."
Most mages draw energy from higher-dimensional beings, so-called 'dimensional lords' or 'demonic entities', and store it in their bodies.
The most well-known source of such magic is the Vishanti.
They are the main source of power for most students of Kamar-Taj, because their magic has a low cost and belongs to the so-called white magic.
On the contrary…
Those who draw power from malevolent entities, often at the cost of their souls, are called black magicians.
…
"Emmm..."
"So… White magic is like a loan with low interest and a limited amount."
"And black magic? That's loan sharking, fast to get, but you pay back with your soul."
Aron laughed at his own comparison.
But then an idea struck him.
What if…
There's a way that this "borrowed magic" doesn't have to be returned at all?
"System?"
"Are you sure your tutorials from the Exorcism Encyclopedia are reliable?"
[As long as you follow the steps in the tutorial, you can exorcise any demonic being, regardless of its power.]
"How do you define 'demon'?"
[All beings from higher dimensions that pose a significant threat to the user or his species.]
Aron nodded.
In other words, he decides what a demon is.
"Okay… so, I have free rein."
He finished the conversation with the system, got up, changed into the apprentice robe, and left the room.
Reading?
Come on…
…
At the training square.
Mordo wasn't surprised to see Aron arriving.
"Very few people manage to finish reading that book."
"The author is horribly boring."
He took a portal ring from the shelf.
"What do you say? Shall we begin with practice?"
"Of course."
Aron took the ring and put it on.
"We're starting with teleportation, the most commonly used magic. It's not difficult, perfect for beginners, and visually looks impressive."
Mordo put on his ring and drew a circle in the air.
Zzzzz~
With a buzz and a flash, a human-sized portal opened in front of him.
He walked through it and appeared behind Aron.
"The key to learning, besides mastering spells and runes, the most important thing is belief."
"Learn how to use borrowed energy."
"The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be to learn."
Mordo spoke slowly, with patience.
Aron tried to copy the movements, silently repeating the mantra and drawing circles.
First time.
Second.
Third.
...
Tenth.
Eleventh.
...
The more he tried, the more Mordo began to doubt.
From "using energy" to "mastering movements," everything was correct.
He achieved a calm state of mind, without distraction.
"Relax. Try to feel the pure light within you."
"Mantra… connect with the Vishanti."
In Mordo's mouth, the instructions became so simplified it now resembled "1 + 1 = 2."
But Aron still couldn't establish a connection with the gods.
Vishanti – silence.
Oshtur – nothing.
Hoggoth – ignoring.
Agamotto – not a trace.
The three deities didn't even register his existence.
"Hey… can anyone hear me?"
He chanted the mantras… but nothing.
Teleportation to him was like a never-ending game.
When Strange tried it for the first time, at least he managed to spark something.
Aron? Not even that.
"…"
After a few more failed attempts, Mordo fell silent.
He realized that maybe Aron wasn't brought here for some exceptional magical talent after all.
"Then why did the Ancient One bring you here at all?"
Mordo commented in a half-voice.
"Well… that's a story of its own."
Aron wasn't indifferent.
Maybe he simply wasn't meant to use white magic.
If the 'official bank' doesn't approve the loan… it's time to knock on the loan shark's door.
"Or… would you like to go back to theory?"
"To build a foundation?"
Mordo now very tactfully rephrased the situation.
"I'll notify the librarian, Master Wong, whom you've already met."
"He'll have books more suitable for you."
"Great!"
Hearing that he could go to the library, Aron immediately agreed.
Mordo's gaze revealed slight gratitude.
God exists!
A step closer to the goal.
If you want to 'borrow' from demonic entities, you must first be able to summon them.
And the only place for that is the Kamar-Taj library.
"Thank you, Master Mordo."
"Just call me Mordo."
Watching Aron walk off in a hurry, Mordo remained thoughtful.
Is there really someone in this world whom even the Vishanti refuse to accept?