Chapter 83: That Stunning Scarlet
Kamar-Taj, within the mirror dimension.
"Teach me?" Xi Nian blinked.
"Yes." The Ancient One nodded slightly, her tone calm and resolute. "If you want to learn, you can join Kamar-Taj. I will personally teach you magic."
Xi Nian didn't look excited. Instead, his brows furrowed.
He didn't believe it was because he was some once-in-a-century prodigy who caught the eye of an exalted order. Years ago, he had fantasized about an owl arriving with a letter, or a professor from Chicago telling him he carried the bloodline of dragons.
But that was years ago.
Sixteen years had passed. He had long stopped clinging to such delusions.
"If I join Kamar-Taj, what restrictions will I have?" Xi Nian asked cautiously. Clearly, the fact that the world had no open magicians meant membership came with heavy rules.
Ancient One spoke softly. "Once you join Kamar-Taj and become a sorcerer, you are destined to remain hidden from the world. You cannot freely use your magic in reality. You must also take on the duty of defending this world, to keep Earth safe from invasions of terrifying higher-dimensional beings."
Defending the world. Fighting higher dimensions…
Xi Nian shook his head firmly. "Forget it. I'm not the type to save the world."
Ancient One remained calm. "If it's you, then just lending your name to Kamar-Taj will be enough. Once you've learned how to open portals, you may come and go freely to study. The rules of Kamar-Taj will not bind you."
"…There's really a deal like that?"
Xi Nian grew more suspicious. Even without knowing much, he could tell this was a massive exception.
"Master." Xi Nian took a deep breath, steadying himself.
"Speak." Ancient One inclined her head.
Looking at her intently, Xi Nian asked, his voice trembling with eagerness, "Could it be… you saw my extraordinary potential, that I'm a once-in-a-generation genius at magic?"
Ancient One was silent for a long time before she finally said, "I can indeed 'see' whether someone has the potential to resonate with nature and learn the mystic arts…"
Xi Nian clenched his fist and quickly asked, "Then tell me—if I start learning portals now, how long would it take? A year? Half a year?"
Ancient One hesitated briefly, then raised one finger. "One… hundred years and one day."
Xi Nian froze.
Was this sorcerer mocking him?
And was she sure he'd even live that long?
Ancient One added, "Actually, that's already not bad. Most humans, due to their physical limitations, cannot even sense the natural energies outside, let alone study magic."
"Forget it then." Xi Nian looked utterly defeated. He was the type who loved shortcuts.
Forget a hundred years—if someone promised him mastery in ten, he still wouldn't waste his time on it.
With that kind of time and effort, there were better things to do.
Suddenly, an idea flashed in his mind. "Master, can I give my spot to someone else?"
Ancient One gave him a deep look, then said evenly, "You wish to give it to that red-haired girl in your home, don't you?"
"You even know that?" Xi Nian admitted honestly. He had indeed thought about letting Wanda study at Kamar-Taj.
After all, he himself was at least half-superhuman. Wanda, on the other hand, was still just a normal girl. If she learned magic, she could at least protect herself from danger.
And besides, what his maid learned was still his maid's to use for him. Why waste the chance?
Xi Nian raised his eyes curiously. "Then, Master, can you tell me—does Wanda have the potential to learn magic?"
Ancient One went silent again.
At last, she raised a single finger.
"Ten thousand times faster than you."
"…What did you just say?" Xi Nian thought he must have misheard.
…
Washington District, street corner.
The red light flashed, cars stopped, pedestrians crossed.
In the crowd, a black-haired boy holding a little orange cat appeared suddenly, as though he had always been there. No one noticed anything strange about his sudden appearance.
"Kamar-Taj…" Xi Nian murmured softly. Then he followed the flow of people, holding Xiao Huang as he continued toward the pedestrian street.
Not far from Barry Allen's home.
Xi Nian soon spotted Barry walking on the street in his usual jacket and casual pants.
Just as Xi Nian was about to wave and greet him, he caught sight of something—and immediately turned back, holding Xiao Huang in his arms.
"Meow?" Xiao Huang tilted her head in confusion.
"Let's go buy some fish snacks instead. No need to disturb him." Xi Nian smiled knowingly.
He had just seen it.
Barry wasn't alone. Walking beside him was a pretty girl. The two were chatting and laughing, lost in their own little world.
…
That evening.
Xi Nian returned home carrying several bags, mostly filled with cat food. The house was dark and quiet—neither of the two women who lived with him had come home yet.
He showered, fed Xiao Huang, then sprawled comfortably on the sofa, turning on the TV. Just then, the door unlocked.
"Master, I'm home." A soft, sweet voice sounded from the entryway.
Xi Nian instinctively looked up—and was struck.
It was Wanda, back from her training in Gotham.
But she wasn't in her maid uniform. Instead, she wore a bright red dress. The rich crimson matched her long scarlet hair perfectly, making the pale skin of her neck, wrists, and ankles look as flawless as falling snow.
With her doll-like delicate face, Wanda looked good in anything.
But tonight, the elegant dress seemed tailor-made for her, as if she had stepped out of a modern oil painting, a noble princess brought to life.
The semi-transparent white scarf around her neck softened that noble air, making it gentler.
Princess, maid—both identities overlapped in one girl.
Xi Nian's heart skipped a beat.
Adorable.
"It's good you're back." Xi Nian forced himself to look away, focusing on the TV.
"It's already almost seven. I'll make dinner!" Wanda said quickly, hurrying to remove her boots.
"No need tonight." Xi Nian waved a hand. "I ate outside already. I bought a cheesecake—let's share that."
Wanda nodded lightly. She looked at him on the sofa, hesitated, then gathered her courage and walked closer.
"The cake is on the—"
Xi Nian stopped mid-sentence when Wanda sat down right beside him.
She leaned in, her small hands, filled with crunched resolve, resting on the sofa as her face drew closer.
Looking tired but hopeful, Wanda whispered, "Today I worked very hard. I listened carefully to Alfred's lessons and followed the head maid, learning many things, even etiquette. It was exhausting, but I endured it. They praised me… but…"
Her voice trailed off, hesitant, her cheeks flushed with shyness.
Looking at her, Xi Nian suddenly understood.
He reached out, placed a hand gently on her head, and stroked her soft scarlet hair with a smile.
"You've worked hard, Wanda. You did very well."
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