Yi Hye-Rin looks at me with an evaluating gaze, making sure I'm paying attention, before she opens her mouth and starts to explain, "Usually, a novice of the Master of the Mystic Arts is trained in martial arts, to mold their physical bodies in preparation for the learning of the first path of magic, but..." She looks at my exposed, toned arms, visible on account of my robes short sleeves, and the small callouses on my hands, then continues, "I can see that you have already been trained."
"The level of your skill shall be tested later, but for now, you can start learning of the first of the three forms of sorcery; Egocentric Magic." She lifts a hand to me, causing a feeling of weightlessness to overcome me. Yi Hye-Rin starts to lower in my vision as I quickly look down, finding myself floating. A sense of childlike glee fills my heart as I become the first person from my world to achieve unassisted flight. She slowly lowers me until I return to the ground, the sensation leaving me as she does.
"Telekinesis." She informs me, "A manifestation of Egocentric magic; power derived from a sorcerers mastery of their own spiritual energy. Through this form of magic, a sorcerer can cast spells centred on the self, without needing to manipulate the mystical energies of the world, or draw upon the energy of other dimensions and those that inhabit them."
She gestures towards me, causing her voice to sound in my mind, 'With the power of Egocentric magic, a sorcerer can use abilities such as Astral Projection, Hypnosis, Mind Control, and...' Her voice stops, as she finishes the explanation with her words, "Telepathy." I look at her with shining eyes, the magic displayed to me leaving me with a hunger to learn. Yi Hye-Rin smiles at me as she sees my intense focus, "Of course, those are not the only abilities a sorcerer can use with this magic, but that's for you to explore yourself, outside of these lessons."
Her eyes take on a serious look as she continues, "In an emergency, such as if you find yourself somewhere devoid of mystical energy, or for some reason you have no choice but to avoid manipulation of external energies, you can use your own spiritual power to cast sorcery. Should this ever happen to you, utilise caution; excessive drawing of your own energy can reduce your lifespan, and damage your mind and soul." I nod at her deeply, taking her words to heart. If there's one thing I have absolutely no wish to do, it's lessen how long I'll live.
She carries on once she sees that I understand, "Any being with a sufficiently developed mind, from a human to a dog, has spiritual energy. Some are born able to use it from birth, while others take years of training until they can efficiently detect and guide it." As she explains, I being to see some parallels between the spiritual energy of the sorcerers, and the internal methods of the priests of the Grand Temple. There, the priests teach the paths of Jing, Qi, and Shen, with Shen focusing on the mind and higher consciousness.
While I haven't reached the Shen stage yet, Master Hong explained it as the spirit, the refined form of consciousness and ones connection to the Tao. So, it should relate somewhat to the a sorcerers spiritual energy, maybe? I wait for a break in her explanation, then hold my hands out, palms up, "Master Yi," I start, getting her attention, then nod at my hands, continuing once she's looking. Cycling my seedbed-aligned Chi, it starts to emit, "As you discovered yesterday, I've awakened my Chi." I state, causing her to look back to my face.
"The priests of my temple taught me their internal art, allowing me control over my Chi. The third stage of their art, the Shen stage, focuses on the development of the spirit. When I reach that stage, do you think it will aid me in learning Egocentric magic?" I question. I hope it will; the fictional cultivation of my homeworld is all about spiritual energy and using inner power to enhance yourself and understand the Tao. The internal arts of the temple, and the Chi of this reality, are similar enough that it could work.
Yi Hye-Rin stares at my Chi, lost in thought, then, "... I'm not entirely sure. I will have to consult the library and observe a demonstration from someone who has reached this Shen stage you speak of." Her eyes narrow as she speaks. "Though, that's not something that you have to particularly worry about. You are already capable of using this form of magic, you've just yet to learn how to tap into it." My eyes widen slightly in surprise, before I frown, and start to think on her words.
Chi in the marvel universe has manifested differently than I thought it would. By now, I've come to believe that this world is a mixture of cinematic marvel, and comic marvel, so I know to expect some variations on what I know. Still, the Chi of this mixed world seems more varied and powerful than what I've seen back home. I first noticed this when my Master displayed her Qi to me, causing her hand to glow, a power unique to the Iron Fist of K'un Lun.
If it was only my own Chi that was capable of these effects, I would lay the blame on that fact that it was changed by the Seedbed. But for a simple Taoist temple to be capable of mimicking the power granted by the immortal dragon of K'un Lun, Shou-Lao? That's reason enough for me to suspect that something's been adjusted.
I've two thoughts on the source of the difference; one, there is something special about the temple that I didn't discover, perhaps a connection to the Xian, the gods of China? Two, this reality has been influenced and changed by the Heavenly Dao. If it was anything other than the Heavenly Dao, I would almost dismiss that thought, what with the almighty powers of this totality, such as the One Above All and the unknown entities of the Mystery beyond the multiverse.
But from my understanding, the Heavenly Dao is effectively both the manifestation of the natural world, and of omnipotent power. If it wanted to make a change to a reality outside of its own domain, I wouldn't be surprised if it could. Twos itself, a subrule of the Heavenly Dao that was seemingly created to serve a single purpose, is powerful enough to outright ignore the might of an Infinity Stone. Who's to say what the Heavenly Dao is capable of?
This all has lead me to suspect that it altered the Chi here to make sure I stay tethered to it, even if only slightly. If I'm right, that's not something that I'm particularly happy about. I understand, truly, that I'll probably always be connected to the Heavenly Dao, and that it isn't an inherently malicious force, but I also know that I'm too young and inexperienced to even try and start plotting against a nigh-infallible force such as it.
Still, this is all conjecture. I feel that, as a human, it's part of our base nature to be suspicious of a helping hand, cautious of its intentions and wary of any evil plans it has in store for us. It's the height of arrogance to believe that the limited human mind could stand equal to, and intuit, the magnitude and complexity of an infinite being. It could've simply been trying to help me, granting me a smooth path to power.
But, if it comes to it...
Cultivation is about defying the heavens, so I'll wait and see what the future holds.
My mouths curls up into a smirk as these thoughts come to me, anticipation shooting along my nerves, before the voice of Yi Hye-Rin gets my attention, "Sarah?" She asks, her expression curious as I bring my eyes back to her from where they've wandered. When she sees that she's got my focus, she continues, "Are you alright?" Her eyes flicker with worry as she questions me, her earlier dislike seeming to fade somewhat, the reason unknown to me.
"Ah, I'm sorry." I apologise, bowing to her, "I started to think on the capabilities of Chi and its relation with magic, and got lost in thought." A smile slowly appears on Yi Hye-Rin's face, her eyes glinting, as she listens to my words.
"A fellow thinker then, Sarah? I've only just begun to teach you magic, but you're already pondering its application with Chi?" She asks rhetorically, her voice tinged with laughter, "That can wait for now; you can't rush magic. It's one foot in front of the other, requiring complete understanding." She warns, but not harshly.
"I have experience with the meditation of the Taoist, of how they perceive 'Qi'. From their descriptions, its similar enough to what I'm to teach you that you should grasp it quite easily. As a Taoist disciple, you can correctly meditate, yes?" After I nod in confirmation, she motions for me to start. I close my eyes to begin, an unneeded action with my current mastery, but one that feels comfortable.
As I do, Yi Hye-Rin explains, "Spiritual energy has no internal source, nor does it well up from a specific place; instead, it's generated by simply existing. Every single moment of a being has an impact on the world, their spirit rubbing against the skin of the world, influencing and being influenced by their surroundings. Spiritual energy is the outcome of this interaction; the record of these experiences."
My eyes open without any prompt from me, where I see Yi Hye-Rin sitting cross-legged, her hands raised palms up at her sides, a vibrant blue colour outlining them, "This," She starts, shaking one hand at me, "is spiritual energy. Or, I should say, its a manifestation of my spirit touching the world, that I've made visible." She lowers her hands, causing the energy to vanish, then shuffles over to me and places a thumb on my forehead, between my brows.
As she does, I reclose my eyes, and focus on where she's touching me, as she speaks, "This isn't the usual way we would go about this, but seeing as you're already halfway there, I'm going with the quick method." When she finishes, I feel a spike of energy rush into me through my glabella, settling in my Upper Dantian, and travelling down to my Middle Dantian. As the energy then touches this Dantian, my Chi responds, circling the foreign energy.
Under the control of Yi Hye-Rin, her spirit touches my Chi, causing it divide and change, one half becoming the blue of spirit. The new, blue Chi, or is it spirit now? Separates from my Chi and move along my meridians, reaching back into my Upper Dantian, an area of my cultivation that I haven't touched yet. When it enters, a rush of sensory clarity breaks me from my meditation, causing my eyes to snap open, finding the light of the day fading and the Sorceress Supreme missing.
A feeling of dissonance makes me look around, my eyes going wide and a smile breaking out on my face as I catch sight of the cause of the feeling, my gaze stopping on the centre of my own back. Bringing my hands in front of me, I find their form translucent and fuzzy around the edges, confirming my suspicion. As I stare at the various parts of my see-through body, a couple notifications appear to me, their runic makeup unaffected by being in the Astral Dimension,
[Power Gained – Magic: The power of imagination giving form through the utilisation of mystical energy, be it your own innate power, or external, supernatural power. The magic you have chosen to learn is that of the Masters of the Mystic Arts; Eldritch Magic, the practice of harnessing external energy to manipulate reality.
In the Marvel Multiverse, magic is one side of a spectrum, a fundamental aspect of reality passed down through the Multiversal Cycle by its creator, the Fifth Cosmos. Since the passing of that cosmos, magic has been overseen by the Abstract Entity, The-Powers-That-Be, while the magic of the Earthly Dimension is watched over by the Vishanti, a trio of Mystic Principalities.
When the future Mystic Principality and member of the Vishanti, Agamotto, was searching for his mother, another of the Vishanti and Elder Goddess of Earth, Oshtur, he discovered and documented three paths of magic; Egocentric, magic of the self, Ecocentric, magic of the world, and Exocentric, magic of the outside. These paths do not encompass all forms of magic, but they teach enough that one can use them for their entire life without needing touch any other.
Here, magic is cast using mystical techniques, spells and phrases, or through magical items imbued with power. With a combination of the right words and rituals, along with enough mystical power, almost anything can be accomplished. But, this power, as with all thing, comes with a price. There are dark forces out in the recesses of space, and malevolent creatures in their hellish dimensions, waiting for an opportunity to corrupt a would-be magician.
Learn, and understand.]
[Power Learned – Egocentric Magic: Does this need repeating? Fine. Under the tutelage of a Sorceress Supreme, you have begun to learn how to harness your inner power, your spiritual energy. This energy can be manipulated to enhance your tempered body, your learned mind, and your foreign soul. Listen to the warnings of your teacher, Sarah. Overdrawing on this energy can have dangerous consequences.
Overtime, mastery of this magic will allow and aid you in the casting of Ecocentric Magic; so get to it.]
[Spell Learned – Astral Projection: A manifestation of Egocentric magic. With this ability, you can separate your Astral Form from your physical body, existing in a state of pure energy. When in your astral form, you have limited interaction with the physical dimension, and are able to pass through objects and float through the air under your own power.
This state leaves your body unconscious, without any form of reactionary defence, so try to be somewhere safe, or make the appropriate preparations, before astral projecting.]
That's what I'm fucking talking about.
I move around above the floor of the room, circling my body as I enjoy this newfound sense of freedom. I don't let the experience cloud my mind to the dangers in the description of my new powers, nor do I lose focus and drift far from my body. This may be the centre of magic on earth, with vast defences and powerful sorcerers, but they are not infallible. In the future, should a tricky enough being manage to occupy my body whilest I'm away from it, they could do untold levels of damage with my power.
Floating back to my body, I try and feel for any connection between us, finding some form of sense in the back of my mind, informing me of the position and state of my body. I let out a small sigh of relief as I find it, then try and reoccupy my body, overlapping myself with it. As I do, I feel a snapping sensation through my spirit, and open my physical eyes, blinking. The aches in my legs cause by prolonged inaction make me stand and start to stretch, just as the Sorceress Supreme walks into the room.
Our eyes lock as I break out into a wide smile, causing her to smile back, the expression sincere, "Did you enjoy yourself?" She ask, causing me to nod quickly, "I left you a couple of hours ago." She laughs, "I wasn't expecting you to succeed so quickly, but I see that you continue to surprise." Yi Hye-Rin walks over to me as I finish stretching, stopping before me and giving me serious look, causing me to focus, "...I've treated you harshly, I apologise." She bows deeply.
My eyes go wide as she does. I may not know much about asian culture, by I do know that someone of her standing should not be bowing to someone of my status, a simple novice of her organisation. I hurriedly call out for to stop, "Master Yi, there is no need!" I don't want to unnecessarily grab at her to stop the bow, so I stand before her awkwardly, waiting for her straighten. When she does, she stares at me, her expression apologetic.
"You origins, your patron, the knowledge you have, they all made me worried, and caused me to be wary of you. But in the short time we've interacted, your pure enthusiasm for magic has shown me that you mean no harm. Instead, it's convinced me of something I suspected..." She trails off, not finishing her sentence. She sees my curiosity and chuckles, then winks, "The time will come for to know my thoughts, but for now, you still have much to learn."
"When you become a master sorceress, however long that takes, I shall bring into my confidence." She finishes, then gestures, creating a portal, through which I can see my room, "It's getting late, and you've had a long day. Go get some sleep; tomorrow... the struggle begins." With those words, she sends the portal towards me, where it captures and deposits me in my room, leaving me standing before my bed. Managing not to stumble, I look back, catching the smile of Yi Hye-Rin as the portal closes.
Sighing, I go and grab my night clothes, changing into them and removing the sleeping mouse from the pocket of my robes, then move over to my desk and place it down. As the wrapped up mouse touches the wood of the desk, it stirs, and slowly opens its eyes. It raises its head out from its covering and searches around, locking on to me.
I smile down at the unique animal, its dark eyes staring up at me, and open my mouth, speaking softly, "...Hello there." Its ears twitch at the sound of my voice, then a small squeak leaves it, making me laugh and lightly tap in on its head,
"...I look forward to working with you."