Kaecilius was dumbfounded.
Only now did he truly understand the saying about "losing both the lady and the soldiers." He hadn't managed to teach Dark Magic at all—yet he'd somehow ended up teaching away two of his own signature spells.
The loss was enormous!
After all, Kaecilius wasn't generous like the Sorcerer Supreme. He valued his personal signature magic greatly. Up to this point, no one had ever received his inheritance.
And now, for Dormammu's order, he had no choice but to pass down his own magic.
In the end, the spells were taught… but his objective hadn't been achieved in the slightest.
Kaecilius was about ready to curse someone out.
Why was this kid such a monster?!
But if he just left it at that, wouldn't that mean he taught those spells for nothing?
No.
Absolutely not!
Kaecilius grit his teeth and made a decision.
This time, he would directly teach Karl Dark Magic!
With this kid's talent, he could learn everything in no time.
And then…
Kaecilius couldn't help licking his lips.
Dark Magic wasn't really some absolute taboo. Any Master Sorcerer and above could selectively learn a few spells. As long as you had sufficient willpower, Dark Magic wouldn't interfere with your mind.
The Ancient One had mastered a great deal of Dark Magic.
Unfortunately…
Karl was only a minor apprentice sorcerer.
With the Ancient One not in Kamar-Taj, the promotion ceremony couldn't be held, so he could only remain an apprentice sorcerer.
And with that…
Learning Dark Magic became a major problem. This was Kamar-Taj's system—and also where Kaecilius's scheme lay.
In Kamar-Taj, for a probationary sorcerer to learn Dark Magic was a very serious offense.
Kaecilius's thoughts churned. After a long while, he finally spoke.
"To be honest, Karl-kun, your talent is truly one of a kind."
"I've been at Kamar-Taj for so many years—you may be the most talented sorcerer I've ever seen."
"To learn a spell infused with divine power just by looking at it… heh. Even Baron Mordo back then didn't have talent this absurd."
"Master Sorcerer-sama flatters me. I'm merely ordinary."
"When it comes to learning, I only focus my attention a bit more, that's all."
Karl spoke very modestly.
"Heh. No need to be modest."
"Excessive modesty is arrogance."
"In Kamar-Taj, there's no need to be that humble. Show your talent as much as you like."
Kaecilius said.
Karl neither agreed nor disagreed.
There were far too many freaks in the Marvel world.
Not to mention the gods—those were existences whose very talent defied reason.
Even the simple-minded Thor possessed astonishing talent.
Karl still didn't count for much yet.
A person should stay low-key.
Karl thought to himself.
He might think that in his heart, but on the surface, he behaved obediently.
"Master Sorcerer-sama is right. I'll pay attention in the future."
Karl said.
"Mm, good."
"However, if you want to surpass Mordo in sheer magical power, I still have three spells to teach you."
"You should have noticed already—the two spells I taught you consume a lot of energy, yes?"
Kaecilius said.
"I've already realized it."
Karl nodded.
"The energy consumption is six times that of spells of the same tier."
"If it were any ordinary sorcerer, they'd have been drained dry by now."
Karl couldn't help shaking his head inwardly.
This kind of energy drain—even a veteran sorcerer might cast it once and end up with their internal energy completely depleted.
Fortunately, he had god-tier talent and an extremely deep foundation.
The energy inside him was like a vast ocean. Otherwise, he really wouldn't be able to use this kind of spell.
He was very curious how Kaecilius would solve this issue.
Karl immediately turned his gaze toward Kaecilius.
"Master Sorcerer Kaecilius-sama, do you have a way to solve this problem?"
Karl asked directly.
"I'll teach you one more spell."
"It can solve this problem perfectly."
Kaecilius said with a smile.
"Then I'll trouble you, Master Sorcerer-sama."
Hearing Karl say that, Kaecilius's smile grew even wider—though on his gloomy face, it looked extremely eerie.
"The spell I'm going to teach you is called Mana Siphon."
"Through this spell, you can draw energy from cosmic space, without spending your own reserves."
Kaecilius said.
He wore a smile on his face, but a dark excitement flashed through his heart.
This spell looked like ordinary magic—something that replenished consumption.
But in reality…
It was an extremely evil Dark Magic.
Its main purpose wasn't to siphon natural cosmic energy.
Rather—
It was for dealing with people!
Against enemies, this Dark Magic could drain all the energy from a person's body, and even siphon away vitality.
Dark Magic in the truest sense!
And an especially vicious kind at that!
If Karl learned it, then he'd have no way to explain himself!
"I'll cast it once so you can see."
"With your talent, learning this spell won't be difficult."
Kaecilius said.
As he spoke, Kaecilius swept his hand.
A streak of white light appeared instantly.
It looked like a beam, plunging directly into the void.
Then, energy continuously flowed in from an unknown space, being absorbed into his body.
Karl stared at it with complete concentration.
Ding!
Detected host is learning Dark Magic—Lethal Siphon. God-tier talent triggers a hundredfold critical strike.
You have mastered Dark Magic: Lethal Siphon.
Dark Magic??
Karl froze.
Was Kaecilius playing dirty because he couldn't afford to lose?
Karl had been in Kamar-Taj for three years. Even if he hadn't learned much magic, he still knew the rules and regulations.
Kaecilius was actually teaching him Dark Magic?
Could it be that, by this point, Kaecilius had already pledged himself to Dormammu—and was acting with malicious intent?
If it were an ordinary sorcerer, they would never suspect a Master Sorcerer of Kamar-Taj.
But Karl was different.
He had long known Kaecilius was a traitor.
So wasn't it obvious what it meant to teach him Dark Magic?
Karl's mind moved in secret.
Teaching me Dark Magic and trying to set me up, huh?
Then don't blame me for exposing your true face!
His mental power slowly spread outward, and the surrounding Mirror Dimension began to undergo subtle changes.
Then, Karl's face broke into a bright smile.
"Master Sorcerer Kaecilius-sama, could you demonstrate it one more time?"
"There are a few parts I don't quite understand."
Karl said.
"No problem."
Kaecilius had no objection. Maybe Karl hadn't learned it in one go.
As he spoke, he raised his hand.
A white beam of light appeared, stabbing straight into the void.
Anyone with eyes could tell what kind of spell this was.
Karl's face also showed a brilliant smile as he spoke.
"Master Sorcerer Kaecilius-sama, I've learned it."
"Good. Very good."
Kaecilius smiled.
Both of them were smiling—brightly.
(End of Chapter)
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