"Steel was scarce in the ancient world. They could only make stone golems—iron golems were already rare. What the text calls 'steel' looks more like legendary adamantine to me..."
The Ancient One added with some interest, "It is adamantine, actually. Though it can't be found in the material plane anymore."
Bella nodded eagerly. "So I think tungsten steel would be a suitable substitute."
The Ancient One flipped through the pages, then shook her head to indicate Bella's reasoning was flawed. "Tungsten steel's heat resistance also inhibits magical conductivity. Look at this blueprint—here, here, and here—there are major design flaws. Even adamantine might not meet the specifications, let alone your tungsten steel."
Bella punched her left palm with her right fist. "Then what about cermet hard alloy—"
Seeing them deep in animated discussion, Wong could only stand off to the side and wait. He noticed the Ancient One's manner was still calm, but she hadn't shut the conversation down. She interjected now and then, clearly engaged.
After more than an hour, their enthusiasm finally ebbed. Only then did Wong offer a quiet cough.
"Hmm? Oh my, it's this late already? I should rest—this old woman can't keep up with you youngsters. Wong, please arrange a room for Bella."
"Yes, Master."
Wong hadn't gotten angry about Bella making him wait most of the day. His composure was admirable, and being a direct disciple certainly helped. But deep reverence? That would be a stretch.
The Ancient One didn't have many disciples, but they weren't exactly few either. Counting the extended lineage of students-of-students, the numbers grew considerably.
Wong was quiet as he led Bella to her room.
The chamber was spacious, every corner suffused with an antique elegance.
The lattice-work on the doors and windows was arranged in precise, staggered patterns—slightly weathered, but as fragmented moonlight filtered through, the room exuded a gentle refinement and stillness.
Simply being here seemed to quiet the mind. From requesting discipleship to playing up her charm, from flattery to shared intellectual interests, Bella's inner state was far less tranquil than she appeared. Her psionic discipline was simply deeper, her masks better hidden.
When Wong told her to rest well and closed the door, she exhaled slowly and let those masks slip away, allowing herself to genuinely settle.
She glanced around. Wooden window frames, a wooden bed, wooden tables and chairs—the furnishings were simple.
Bella took things as they came. Luxury didn't bother her; austerity was fine too.
Faint incense crept into her nostrils. Wind chimes on the eaves swayed gently. The Divine Dragon was already sprawled on the bed, snoring away. Bella began her own unique meditation technique to restore inner calm.
The next morning, she changed into a dark, belted tunic and thin-soled cloth boots, then stepped outside.
The compound was laid out like an old-fashioned three-courtyard estate. Bella's room was in the western wing. After a brief look around, she made her way to the front courtyard, where she found dozens of sorcerers grunting and sparring through their morning drills.
Sorcerers spent long periods exposed to all manner of energies—positive, negative, nature-aligned, elemental. They genuinely needed a strong physical foundation. For lower-level sorcerers, physical strength often outperformed their spells.
Bella didn't look down on any of it. Whether it was fencing, Eastern or Western martial arts, or Ashina-style swordsmanship, she'd put in grueling hours practicing every one of them. She fully understood the necessity. It was an indispensable step.
In a fight, spending all that effort casting a single Frost Arrow was genuinely less effective than just rushing in and landing a side kick. A gun, of course, would be even better.
A tall, lean, middle-aged man with a ponytail and graying temples noticed her lingering nearby and said in a flat tone, "If you'd like, you're welcome to join our training."
Bella had no interest in training with the beginners, but outright refusing would seem cold, so she hesitated briefly.
"Kaecilius, this kind of basic training is meaningless for her." The Ancient One's distinctive voice drifted over from nearby.
The graying-templed Kaecilius showed no sign of offense. He'd only spoken up because Bella standing there looked awkward—it was an offhand remark, nothing more. He was busy enough.
He turned to resume instructing his students, but the Ancient One's next words stopped him cold.
"Bella has just arrived at Kamar-Taj. I've already taken her as my disciple. She's very studious and holds Kamar-Taj in great admiration. Kaecilius, why don't you give her a few pointers?"
The words were phrased as a question but left Kaecilius precious little room to decline.
The Ancient One had long since stopped teaching students personally. The men and women drilling on the grounds were almost all Kaecilius's own disciples.
With all eyes on him, there was absolutely no way he could back down.
Is the Ancient One trying to paint a target on my back? Bella didn't understand why she'd do this, but when Kaecilius fixed her with a predatory stare, she didn't flinch in the slightest.
She even wore a poised, faintly confident smile.
The man in front of her looked fierce, but by her standards he was barely past beginner level—First or Second Circle at best. Not particularly formidable.
Kaecilius asked in an uncertain tone, "Master, you mean you'd like me to spar with her? She's a brand-new disciple?"
The Ancient One seemed to be addressing him and the entire crowd at once. "Bella's magical system is entirely different from Kamar-Taj's. All of you could benefit from seeing it—a truly interesting path. This is a rare opportunity, and I believe it will broaden your horizons considerably."
The courtyard was too cramped for two sorcerers to fight properly, so they moved to the open square nearby.
Word spread like wildfire. Sorcerers from across Kamar-Taj who fancied themselves somebody came filing in to watch.
Bella knew she was here to absorb Kamar-Taj's expertise and strengthen her own foundation. The other side wasn't stupid either—the Ancient One had said it plainly, and plenty of sorcerers wanted to see whether her system held anything worth borrowing.
Both combatants took their positions. Kaecilius's expression was grim. He considered himself an important figure and despised being a spectacle.
Bella didn't love it either, but she understood this fight was necessary. Establishing her reputation and earning respect were secondary—clearing away hassles so she could focus on her studies was what mattered.
Kaecilius shifted into a stance with his left foot forward, right foot back, center of gravity low—something resembling Taizu Long Fist.
Bella nearly laughed out loud. Who do you think you are, Xiao Feng?
Watching her fingers, Kaecilius couldn't help asking, "Aren't you going to use a Sling Ring?"