Chapter Notes

Is my chapter name a reference to Queen? Why yes, yes, it is.
Am I somewhat bullshitting the way magic and Kamar-Taj function? Why yes, yes, I am. But honestly, it isn´t much better in the movies (I liked them! They just don´t explain anything!) so you get what you get.
Also! My first fighting scene! Much wow!
For now I have some chapters prewritten, until chapter 8 or so they will be coming fast and then I will slow down with my posting speed.

Chapter 3 – It´s a kind of magic!

Learning magic was as awesome as I expected it to be. To be fair I had a lot of advantages, mainly in the form of Ree. I had no problem with language barriers, every book in the library they let me have, I could immediately devour. I know they had translation spells, I had already stumbled upon mentions of them, but the sorcerers seemed to be making a joke out of not telling the newbies about those. They were quite confused with my total lack of frustration, something that made me grin every time. My mood was obnoxiously good, which earned me more and more raised eyebrows from the other sorcerers and novices and bemused smiles from the Ancient One the longer it lasted.

I discovered another advantage on my second day in Kamar-Taj. I was reading in my room when a thought came to me. I looked from the book to Ree and back.

"Ree, scan the books here."

"Scanning complete. New simulations are available."

"Yass!", I hissed while scrolling furiously through my menu. Now I had personalized lessons in magic, explained in a way ideal for me. With so much support my learning speed would prove to be one of the fastest in the Order. My enthusiasm helped too.

I also discovered that any spell I learned and all essential information I read was collected under the archive function of my menu. I still had to read the books by myself, but I was delighted. I had always been a bookworm anyway.

My priority was to learn astral projection, I was totally going to copy Dr. Strange´s method of success. Directly after that would come anything I needed for the portals and bam- I could go home in time for Starks return to America. I still had roughly 7 weeks before the press conference, that would tank SI stock course, should take place.

I put my book aside and got ready for bed. Tomorrow would be my first fighting lesson with Master Mordo. I grimaced at the thought. This would be interesting.

"Uufh!", let my sparring partner out when I hit him in the stomach with my bo staff. He landed on his back and groaned. I grinned and held out my hand to help him up.

"Dude, this is so unfair! Newbies aren´t supposed to be any good at this!", Dominic complained lightheartedly with a slight smile.

We were put together by Master Mordo because we were the tallest people here and therefore had the largest reach. I´m not going to lie, when the pairs were sorted, I just about shat my pants (or robes). Dominic was a 6´2 giant of a man, dark skin, shaved head, serious expression and build like brick house. Luckily, he also had a great sense of humor and despite being not even 30 projected a fatherly aura (well, he is somewhat of a mother hen). He got his muscles through working out and construction work and still struggled to translate his strength into a fighting style, even though he had been training for 7 months already. (I swear, he´s just a giant teddy bear. He loooves hugs.)

I on the other hand had already undergone some weapon training in my simulations.

Whenever Domi (I asked and he consented to the nickname) questioned me how I got to be this good, I just deadpanned: "That´s just my super awesome alien space magic."

And cackled like a maniac when he got increasingly frustrated with my answer. We had been training together for just other a month now. I had figured out astral projection a while ago and my studies were going strong. Portals would be on the agenda next week. Most of my free time was spend with Domi, who loved to cook and enjoyed the opportunity to feed someone his iteration of the local cuisine of his hometown near Abidjan, the biggest city of the Ivory Coast.

Just because I had a surprisingly easy time winning against Domi, did not mean I was anywhere near Master Mordo´s level. He still wiped the floor with me regularly. But I think he liked me! Every now and then I managed to catch a smile on his face when confronted with my still unwavering enthusiasm. Pain won´t get me down!

I waved at our teacher when he ended the lesson and followed Domi towards the dorms. I imagined I would need that goodwill should Mordo still go rouge after the disaster with Dormammu. Not to mention I would be taking an unconventional route to my mastery, and he was not known for his flexibility.

I hummed distractedly while making plans to speaking to the Ancient One about some of my plans, when I nearly ran into someone.

"Oh, sorry, my head was elsewhere.", I apologized and looked at who I almost barreled into.

I froze.

Shit.

I knew that Wong not librarian yet, would mean he was still in the order, but I did not think I would meet him. Kacellius? Caecillius? (I mean, come on, what kind of name is that!)

"Don´t worry.", the Mads Mikkelsen lookalike said with a smirk. "I see that you just came from your training with Master Mordo. You must be tired."

He studied me calmly while I smiled to cover up my nervousness about being confronted with a situation I had not planned for. He hummed to himself in confirmation and continued: "I have heard of you, you seem to have a lot of talent, in the physical parts as well as the theoretical ones. Quite impressive to get all the Masters talking. My name is Kaecilius. When you search for a Master to study under, I will gladly put my name forward."

"That is very nice of you Master Kaecilius, but I have to decline. I already have an arrangement with the Ancient One about my future studies.", I said and chuckled in embarrassment when he looked stunned. I fought down the urge to rub my head and waited for his reaction.

I knew this would cause some raised eyebrows under the Masters, but it would have come out sooner or later. Most novices took at least some lessons with one or multiple Masters when they progressed in their studies, some even became apprentices and spend all their time with one Master to learn everything they could.

"Really? Well, then I wish you luck.", Kaecilius said, still surprised and a bit intrigued. He smiled and excused himself. For my taste he had way too much of a Hannibal the Cannibal vibe going on. Mads Mikkelsen might have been great to watch in that role but oh boy did I ever not want to meet him because of it.

I let out a breath and hurried to catch up with Domi, who had stopped a few meters in front of me.

"What was that about?", my friend asked curiously, looking down at me (damn you giant!) and raising an eyebrow. I made vague gestures with my hands.

"Aah, you know, the fable of my wonderous talents already spread and now all the Masters want a piece of me.", I explained smugly while puffing out my chest like a peacock. I didn´t really want him to catch onto how my silent screaming inside. I sacked back down and grinned at him, when he let out an amused huff.

"No, but seriously, he wanted to recruit me, but I already told you about my Ancient One sanctioned plan."

Domi hummed in thought and dropped a hand on my head while we started to walk again.

"I have heard he has a lot of apprentices and novices following him. While I think it is nice of him, it also cuts into the time he can spend with each one of them. I personally have spoken with Master Drumm, he will take me on. That means I will also spend a lot of time in New York."

He had a bright smile and I started to brim with excitement. My first friend here, together with me in NYC!

"That´s great! When did that get decided? We have to celebrate! Let´s make some cake!", I chattered on and got Domi also energized with the food talk, which is always noticeable because he falls into an Akyé accent.

I bounced up and down on my feet while staring at the sling ring on my right hand. I barely registered Master Mordos talk about the three most important points of portal creation. I had already learned all the theory on this.

Domi had been making jokes about my obsession with this for weeks now. He had finished his training with the sling ring after a month just before I arrived. He wouldn´t lend me his ring though. I tried not to pout too much. Didn´t stop Domi from laughing.

Mordo had just finished his explanation when I made my first try. I concentrated on my apartment in NYC, visualized it and started to do slight circles with my outstretched right hand. Orange sparks started to appear immediately, but I didn´t let myself get distracted with my success. Slowly a portal opened, and I saw the inside of my home for the first time in weeks. When the portal was stable, I slowly started to put my arm down and a grin snuck itself on my face, getting broader and broader.

I looked in Master Mordo´s direction, smiling so hard my face hurt and throwing up my arms in celebration. (No, I did not squeal, you have no proof.) Mordo had been a little bit cold with me ever since I had revealed my self-study plans to the rumor kitchen that was the Masters of Kamar-Taj. But now he was just shaking his head with exasperation.

"Yes, very impressive Mister Ravenstock. I´m glad you find so much joy in this discipline. It is a very good first try and I encourage you to spend the rest of time practicing to become faster and more sure.", Mordo instructed. He actually laughed when I send him an exited thumps-up. I knew it, he liked me!

I just grow on people. Like a fungus.

I had had some problems with people accusing me of not being respectful enough, I tried to explain that I was just more enthusiastic about it and would try to behave (more or less successful on that front). Not everyone accepted my apology though. In the end Domi lectured anyone still looking at me with contempt until those who legitimately didn´t like me just ignored me instead. (See? I told you, he is a mother hen!)

I did just as he told me and by the end of the day even Mordo couldn´t find anything to improve with my portals. He even let me keep the ring. Which I promptly rubbed in Domis face. Priorities. Domi just sighed, by now used to my shenanigans.

Of course, not all magic came to me that easily, but still I was proud of my achievements.

By now I had done everything I wanted before returning to New York. I packed my bags, said goodbye to a grumpy Master Mordo and a smiling Domi, who promised to join me in a few days, and sat down for another talk with the Ancient One.

We had spoken periodically. About Kaecilius, about Mordo, about Dormammu and my plans. She didn´t discourage me when it came to changing the future but insisted on her way of handling the problems in her order, disregarding my worries. At least Mordo´s desertion would be relatively easy to stop in my opinion.

But the Ancient One didn´t budge, citing nebulous reasons of futures she saw and things that needed to happen. She did give in on expressing the rules of the order as less strict, clearing up that not every rule break would have to be disastrous.

I could only hope that Mordo would get the message. I didn´t think he would pose a threat to me, especially in a few years when I would catch up with his knowledge in magic. Still, I came to like him and I wouldn´t want to fight him.

We made polite conversation until I decided to cut to the topic that had plagued me for a while. I shifted nervously and cleared my throat, view fixed on my tea.

"So, I wanted to ask, I know, the order has been operating in secret for a long time, but would you consider coming out in the public to sign a version of the Accords? One that would protect mutants and enhanced individuals? By presenting a uniting front we would have a lot of leeway and the structure of the order would really help to lend the whole thing some credibility."

I ended my plea and looked up at the Ancient One. In my knowledge she could see futures until her death in 2017 and Civil War takes place in 2016, so she should have seen the conception of the Sokovia Accords. The Ancient One had a very serious expression.

"You are right, secrecy was always integral to the Masters of the Mystical Arts. But I also know that this secrecy would not survive much longer anyway. In a few years, under the right terms, the Masters of the Mystical Arts will join you in your negotiations.", she answered, ending with a slight smirk. I pumped my fist, I was ecstatic. Things were going better than expected even if it was just a tentative agreement.

"Of course, I will still have to speak with the other Masters and I´m sure they will need a lot of convincing, but I will do my best."

"That´s all I can hope for." I smiled, thankful for her trust in my plan.

"Alas, before I can return you to your new home in NYC, the Masters have made a bigger deal out of your self-study than expected. Now, I could have just explained the situation to them, but I thought a demonstration would be in order." Now she smiled down right deviously. I felt a rising dread. I didn´t have anything against a demonstration but I would still be nervous in front of a crowd.

"I really thought Master Mordo had warmed up to me more than that. What did you have in mind?"

I refused to sulk because Mordo had expressed his doubts. The Ancient One smiled even brighter and stood up, leading me in the direction of the courtyard where the physical training took place.

"Actually, Master Mordo spoke up in your defense, he has seen you thrive on your own. He was quite upset that the other Masters insisted on this. I proposed a spar. With me."

She sent me a look at the end. I felt touched that Mordo was on my side. But the warm feeling disappeared immediately when she continued. Shit, a spar with the Ancient One? Well at least I won´t have to hold back.

We entered the courtyard and to my surprise not just the majority of the Masters were present but also the students. Domi waved at me from a corner. Seeing the Sorcerer Supreme the crowd became silent quickly. Master Mordo, still grumpy, stood in the middle of the field. Apparently, he would be the adjudicator.

Taking the opposite side to the Ancient One, I franticly checked which modes of my ring were active. I had deactivated a lot of battle modes to get more out of the training.

Calming myself I took a look at the danger assessments that filled my screen now. I was used to them and could filter them out easily. In the simulations I found out quick how Ree send a lot of information directly to my brain. The slightest movement would be scanned and interpreted. The longer I fought someone the better Ree could predict their movement. The months of training in space made that flow of information seamless.

Considering that the Sorcerer Supreme wanted to test my powers I was confident she would start slow, giving me an advantage.

Mordo cleared the way between us and announced: "Both participants of this mock-battle are on the field. Please no intervention from outside. Mr. Ravenstock, do you need a weapon?"

He looked at me in question. I just shook my head. I made a show of taking off my sling ring and putting it away. I could hear the murmering in the crowd start up. Domi gave me a worried look. He didn´t know about Ree or what I could do.

"Silence! You can both stop at any time. I will only interfere should someone be in serious danger. You may start."

With these words he activated the runic circle that severed us from the on-lookers.

As soon as he finished, I activated my suit and shot up in the air. I stretched out my hand, formed a teal-colored bo staff construct and propelled myself forward with short repulser like energy blasts (thank you, Tony Stark).

I wanted to close the distance quick. Giving her space would just result in me being confronted with all kinds of magic I had barely heard of.

I didn´t want to give her time to think of something. I may not have the usual Green Lanterns weakness of fear, but if she knocked me out that would not make a difference.

In close combat I had the advantage, I was faster, stronger, had a better reach and could attack without giving her time to analyze my constructs. In theory of course.

It spoke to her wealth of experience that she blocked my staff just in time with a simple whip out of eldritch magic stretched between her hands. The Sorcerer Supreme was thoroughly surprised at the assault.

I disengaged immediately, moved to the side and attacked again and again. Each time she just dodged or countered. She was completely focused on me, the surprise faded, and she seemed to have a good time. Good for her.

She switched to her signature eldritch mandala shields. I used her focus on me to build multiple constructs of staffs in the air and charged them up with electricity via a spell, a neat trick I had recently learned.

I swung my staff in a wide arc upwards, so she had to block with both hands on a low level. Letting the construct fade, I jumped backwards in the air, sending the first staff simultaneously in her direction. She was still trying to regain her balance and barely managed to dodge the staff but was still caught in the combined impact of the staff's kinetic energy and an explosion of electricity.

I send out a dozen more in quick succession, forming a new bo staff in my hand and watched her dodge some and divert others with hastily formed eldritch shields. After the last two electric explosions cleared right in front of her face, I was right there and landed a boosted hit right in her stomach, stunning here with a bolt of electricity.

The Ancient One was thrown backwards and landed hard. I used the few seconds it took her to regain clear-headedness and bound her limbs with my strongest constructs. Changing the staff in my hand to a spear I moved to stand above her, pointing the tip of my spear at her exposed throat.

I made eye contact and a bit of my nervousness returned.

"Um, so, is this enough?", I asked. I wasn´t sure what I was supposed to do now. The Sorcerer Supreme seemed astonished, but as my nerves returned so did her mirth. She made no move to free herself though. (Which I was sure she could have.) I looked up in Mordo´s direction in search for help. I almost laughed out loud, he was standing there with an open mouth staring at me. So did most of the audience, but he was just especially funny.

Naturally, if it came to a serious fight, I was sure she would still win. Her sheer experience in fighting dwarfed mine, and that is not even mentioning her magic knowledge.

Magic is all kind of bullshit in this universe after all. Still awesome though.

"I think you demonstrated enough.", the Ancient One said amused. I got rid of my constructs and helped her up. Now that the fight was over, I was very aware of all the people staring at me. Felt like I forgot to put my pants on. Very awkward.

"Dude!", I heard, "Dude! What the fuck?"

Seeing Domi´s gob smacked face coming towards me I laughed for real. I grinned like the cat that caught the canary.

"Told you, super awesome alien space magic, man."

Then I laughed even harder at his incredulous stare.

Chapter End Notes

I have no idea where Domi came from but he is my new favorit now and I wouldn´t have it any other way. :)