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"Thank you!"
Fini thanked Mordo with sincere gratitude.
Toward Mordo, his senior, he felt truly thankful in his heart—thankful for the vast amount of experience he provided, and thankful for his guidance in cultivation.
Seeing Fini offer such a formal thanks, Mordo felt a bit embarrassed. He waved his hand coolly to indicate it was nothing and then said, "Hurry along to your training."
Watching Mordo's receding back, Fini smiled silently. If he ever had the chance to repay Mordo in the future, he would definitely do so without hesitation—well, provided it was for the right reasons.
Just as Mordo had said, everyone in Kamar-Taj now knew Fini's nickname, which only increased his frustration. He already had nicknames like "Armored Sorcerer" and "Mad Knight."
Now that the media had broadcasted it, it felt as though it had received official validation; many sorcerers actually began calling him "Silver Knight" directly.
"Maybe I should have Tony mention it in passing!?"
Fini thought to himself. He was a sorcerer certified by a professional organization, and the disciple of the Sorcerer Supreme at that. How could he be called a knight? Wasn't that a slap in the face to the Ancient One?
"Morning! Silver Knight!"
Fini, who was currently contemplating a counter-strategy, heard someone call out again. He couldn't help but feel a surge of irritation and immediately turned around, intending to have a fellow-disciple sparring match, only to find the person had no hair. His small face instantly became as well-behaved as a kitten's.
"Morning, Master!"
Fini put on a helpless expression and said aggrievedly to the Ancient One, "Master, please don't tease me. In life, I am a man of the sorcerers; in death, I am a ghost of the sorcerers."
"No one said you weren't!"
The Ancient One replied with a smile, though her teasing expression suggested she found the situation quite amusing.
Fini stared at the Ancient One with resentful little eyes, but she didn't mind, staring right back. The Sorcerer Supreme had seen all kinds of storms; for a moment, they simply stared each other down.
Ultimately, it was the young Fini who admitted defeat first. He stopped discussing the issue of the title with her and changed the subject: "Master, is there any magical artifact that can knock a spirit body out of a person?"
"No!"
The Ancient One held a small fan, fanning herself as she walked forward. Fini hurried to keep up.
"Then is there a powerful artifact specifically designed for enemies who are huge, high in defense, strong in power, and fast in speed?"
The Ancient One stopped her pace and looked at Fini with a look of utter speechlessness, as if wondering if this was truly the disciple she had taught.
"Fini, if the day ever comes when you obtain such an artifact, feel free to let me see it."
Looking at the encouraging face of the Ancient One, Fini was sheepishly at a loss for words. He knew his question was a bit idiotic, but he just thought there might be a chance—after all, she was the Sorcerer Supreme and had lived for so long.
"What are you planning to do now? Is being called the Silver Knight not enough?"
The Ancient One asked casually, nodding and smiling in return to the other sorcerers greeting her nearby.
"There might be a battle between a green monster and a yellow monster soon. I want to try and stop it."
Fini hesitated for a moment but answered anyway. Perhaps the Ancient One wasn't completely omniscient; after all, she couldn't be interested in every single event in the world.
However, it was true that the Ancient One had the ability to solve most things. With her strength, there weren't many things she found troublesome.
"Then be careful, and don't get hurt."
The Ancient One turned back and offered a caring piece of advice.
That's it!?
Fini stared blankly at her. She had just given a simple instruction like that, not even asking which two monsters they were or why he wanted to stop them—as if she were just saying "stay safe" and nothing more.
"But I can't beat them yet. Does the organization have any assistance to offer!?"
Fini looked at her pitifully, hinting that she should lend him some good equipment to use, promising to return it once he was done.
"Is the Sling Ring not enough!?" The Ancient One looked at Fini's finger and said with exasperation, "You are the only person in all of Kamar-Taj who possesses one individually."
"Cough, that's just for the needs of daily life."
Fini hid his hand behind his back, fearing she might take the Sling Ring back. He had grown quite accustomed to a life of opening portals.
"Fini, I don't mind what you choose to do, but you must remember: do not bring trouble to Kamar-Taj, and do not put other sorcerers in danger."
Looking at the Ancient One as she spoke with such gravity, Fini nodded to show he understood. Kamar-Taj had given him so much help; he had long since considered himself a part of it and certainly wouldn't bring it trouble.
"Also, your future should be chosen by you. I believe you will always find a way."
Then, the Ancient One patted Fini on the shoulder and walked toward the training ground to check the progress of the sorcerers practicing early.
Since he couldn't get much help from the Ancient One, Fini thought of other ways. He had considered finding an advantageous battlefield, similar to how he handled Iron Monger.
But unfortunately, Abomination was different from Iron Monger. That guy's vitality was terrifyingly strong; for him, low temperatures would probably just make him feel a bit chilly at most.
Furthermore, with Abomination's speed, Fini's portals wouldn't be able to catch him unless by accident, and the Green Fatty wouldn't be as obedient or cooperative as Tony.
After letting out a worried sigh, Fini temporarily set the idea aside. Things would work themselves out when the time came. Although the exact timing wasn't clear, there should still be some time left—perhaps by then, he would have drawn his fifth skill.
Besides, at worst, he could just stay out of it entirely and let the plot proceed according to its original trajectory. If the sky falls, the tall people will hold it up.
His parents weren't in New York, and Skye was a shut-in; no matter how much noise those two made, it wouldn't interfere with his loved ones.
Fini never felt like he would be a hero. He was the type of person who would lend a hand when there was an opportunity to help others, but wouldn't feel guilty if he couldn't.
He certainly wasn't like Tony, who believed he had a responsibility to protect world peace.
He was a person who took things as they came and was even a bit lazy. If it weren't for New York itself being too dangerous and the threat of Thanos's snap in the future, he might not be farming experience with such urgency.
Ultimately, Fini decided to temporarily study spells regarding the spirit body and continue improving himself step-by-step. Perhaps before the battle between Hulk and Abomination, he could look forward to what his fifth skill might be.
Time always flows by unnoticed, and in the blink of an eye, it was the end of the year.
Over these two months, Tony hadn't contacted him many times. Every time he did, he called under Pepper's name and then took over the phone; he never called Fini proactively.
The main reason Tony contacted him was because S.H.I.E.L.D. had been investigating his identity. Since Tony and Pepper were the only two people in the know, they had been pestered relentlessly over these two months, so the calls were mostly to complain.
Of course, asking for some Violet Sauce Fried Chicken Rolls as compensation was also very important!
Regarding the matter of Abomination, Fini had considered discussing it with Tony, but given that Tony was currently suffering the fallout of announcing his identity, dealing with pressure from the military, and being troubled by palladium poisoning—as well as the situation during their last cooperation—he eventually dropped the idea.
And so, the year 2010, the year of Iron Man's successful debut, passed, and the world welcomed a brand new year.
(End of Chapter)