Kaecilius showed no sign of anything unusual.
After returning from the Dark Dimension, he went back to normal again, as if nothing had happened at all.
With the Sorcerer Supreme not around, no one in Kamar-Taj knew about the changes in Kaecilius.
He cultivated as usual within Kamar-Taj.
And then…
He waited for an opening.
At last, a few days later, he found a perfect opportunity.
Kaecilius left his meditation room and headed straight into the library.
Then—
He saw his target: the genius Karl.
This was the most talented person he had ever seen.
If he could make Karl his subordinate, his plans would advance at a terrifying speed.
He was determined to get him.
Kaecilius walked straight up to Karl in the library.
Karl was reading through spellbooks. When he saw Kaecilius approach, he froze for a moment.
"Master Sorcerer."
"Is there something you need?"
Karl spoke respectfully.
He knew what would happen later.
A few years from now, this man would become Kamar-Taj's number-one traitor and defect to Dormammu.
Because Karl knew that, he was instinctively wary of Kaecilius.
However, he didn't show it. His expression remained perfectly respectful.
"Come with me," Kaecilius said blandly.
Karl hesitated, but still followed.
What Karl didn't expect was that Kaecilius would open the Mirror Dimension on the spot.
Karl frowned and took two steps back.
This wasn't because he was careless.
It was because he had confidence in his own strength.
By his own judgment, when it came to the Mirror Dimension spell, even a Master Sorcerer was only about on par with him. He wasn't worried about his safety.
So Karl stepped in without hesitation.
"Master Sorcerer Kaecilius, may I ask why you summoned me?"
Karl's face was full of respect; on the surface, there wasn't a single flaw.
Kaecilius didn't bother with small talk and spoke directly.
"I admire you. Become my subordinate."
Karl: ???
"Master Sorcerer, I've already taken Baron Mordo-sensei as my teacher."
Karl blurted it out, stunned.
"That means nothing," Kaecilius said.
"If you can take Mordo as your teacher, you can take me as your teacher as well."
"I can promise you this: whatever Mordo gives you, I can give you more."
Kaecilius spoke calmly.
"Uh…"
"Master Sorcerer, there are so many sorcerers in Kamar-Taj. Why are you looking for me?"
Karl asked.
"Because of your talent," Kaecilius replied.
"You're a rare genius. I, Kaecilius, will never accept mediocrities as disciples."
Kaecilius said it with blatant arrogance.
Hearing that, Karl was speechless.
Fine—if anyone knew how to posture, it was this guy.
"I'm honored by your favor, Master Sorcerer, but if Mordo-sensei doesn't agree, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to study under you."
Karl said.
Even if Kaecilius was still a Master Sorcerer of Kamar-Taj right now, Karl didn't want to get tangled up with him at all.
What if he got dragged down later?
But Karl didn't realize that Kaecilius had no intention of letting it go.
"That's simple. I'll talk to Mordo myself."
"He snatched you as a disciple, and I've been dissatisfied for a long time."
"I'm going to fight him for you."
Kaecilius said this, then flicked out a streak of light.
A communications interface opened in front of him, connecting to Baron Mordo.
A moment later, Mordo's face appeared on the virtual screen.
"Mordo, you took this disciple, and I don't accept it!"
"Do you dare make a bet with me?"
Kaecilius spoke without hesitation.
Mordo looked wary.
"And what exactly are we betting?"
"We'll compete at teaching disciples."
"Each of us teaches him a few spells. Then we see whose spells are stronger—this disciple goes to whoever wins. How about it?"
Kaecilius said directly.
Mordo sneered.
"Then say what you want."
Kaecilius spoke.
"If I win, you forge a dedicated spatial artifact for Karl."
"If you win, I'll teach him one of my personal secret spells. Deal?"
Mordo said.
"Deal!"
Kaecilius agreed immediately.
A bright smile spread across Mordo's face.
"Karl, you heard that. Learn from Master Sorcerer Kaecilius first."
"When the time comes, I'll have him forge you a dedicated spatial artifact. That's an exceptionally precious thing."
"Alright, Kaecilius. You teach first. I won't take advantage of you."
After giving Karl a look, Mordo cut the connection.
Kaecilius looked at Karl coldly.
"Now do you understand? You're not important. What matters is that I win against Mordo."
"Study properly under me. In four months, we'll see who wins."
"Do you agree to this arrangement?"
Kaecilius asked icily.
"I'll follow the Master Sorcerer's decision."
Karl replied.
Only an idiot would refuse.
No matter who won, he would profit massively.
Besides, Karl didn't believe Kaecilius could win.
If Kaecilius were truly better, Mordo wouldn't still be Kamar-Taj's foremost disciple.
"Good."
"Then I'll teach you my personal secret spell: Spatial Blades."
Kaecilius said.
As he spoke, a streak of black light flashed through his eyes.
Staring at Karl, he sneered inwardly.
He had already grasped dark power. He could convert spells into dark magic.
And in Kamar-Taj, dark magic was absolutely forbidden.
Only those above the level of Master Sorcerer were allowed to learn it.
Once Karl learned it, everything would be out of Karl's control.
If Karl refused to submit, Kaecilius had ways to force him to submit.
Thinking of that, Kaecilius sneered again and again—everything was under his control.
"Ahem."
"Watch closely. I'll demonstrate first, then I'll tell you the key techniques behind Spatial Blades."
"This is a spell derived from the Mirror Dimension. It lets you manipulate the power of space and turn it into your weapon."
"Unbreakable. Unstoppable!"
Kaecilius declared.
He pulled his hands apart.
A nearly transparent weapon instantly formed between his hands.
[Ding!]
[Detected: Host is observing advanced spatial magic—Spatial Blades. God-tier talent has triggered a critical strike!]
[You have mastered Spatial Blades!]
The system prompt sounded.
Karl clearly felt it—he had already mastered the spell.
If he wanted, he could use Spatial Blades at any time.
With a shift of his focus—
A transparent blade appeared in Karl's hand as well.
When Kaecilius saw that scene, it felt like someone had smashed his head with a sledgehammer three times.
His skull rang.
What the hell was going on?!
He hadn't even mixed in any dark-magic theory yet!
How did this kid learn it already?!
What the hell just happened??
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]