New York City was loud.

It was a roaring, chaotic beast of a city, teeming with life and movement, packed with more people than Louise had ever seen in her entire existence. The streets were lined with towering glass monoliths, stretching so far into the sky that it was impossible to see their tops without tilting her head back so far she nearly lost her balance.

The air was thick with scents she couldn't quite place—smoky exhaust from strange metal carriages, the crisp aroma of hot food cooking from unseen kitchens, and the overwhelming presence of something unnatural yet intoxicating.

And the sounds—

The clamor of countless voices speaking a language she barely understood, the relentless honking of carriages that weren't carriages, the bizarre, rhythmic hum of machines so alien she couldn't even begin to fathom their purpose.

And through it all, Louise walked in a daze, her eyes darting in every direction, her mouth slightly open in sheer, unfiltered disbelief.

By her side, Doctor Stephen Strange strolled along with absolute ease, hands tucked casually into his coat pockets, the Cloak of Levitation wisely choosing to stay wrapped around his shoulders in its least conspicuous form.

"Alright," Strange said, glancing at Louise as they walked past a hot dog stand. "First thing's first—we're going to need to establish a training routine for you. I don't know what kind of magic education you've had back in your world, but if we're going to make any progress, you'll need to—"

He stopped mid-sentence when he realized Louise wasn't listening.

She had stopped walking entirely.

She was frozen in place, staring in absolute horror at something across the street.

Strange followed her gaze, eyebrows raising as he saw what had captured her attention.

A massive, digital billboard, stretching across the side of a skyscraper, flashing an advertisement in high definition. The screen shifted seamlessly between images—one second a perfume commercial, the next an animated trailer for a summer blockbuster.

Louise made a strangled sound in the back of her throat.

"What... is... that?" she breathed.

Strange blinked. "A billboard?"

"It's moving!" Louise hissed. "Why is it moving?!"

Strange smirked. "It's called a digital screen."

Louise turned to him, eyes wide with suspicion and fear. "Did someone cast a spell on it?!"

Strange let out a short laugh. "Nope. Just electricity and technology."

Louise whipped back around, pointing at the screen accusingly. "That is NOT technology! That's witchcraft!"

Strange snorted. "You're not wrong."

Louise clutched her head, muttering frantically to herself. "This entire world is cursed… It has to be cursed… I was sent to a realm of dark magic…"

Strange grinned. "And you haven't even seen Times Square yet."

Louise snapped her gaze back to him. "There's more?!"

Strange gestured grandly down the street, where the skyline only grew taller, brighter, more overwhelming. "Oh yeah. Welcome to the modern world, kid."

Louise groaned loudly. "I hate this place already."

Strange laughed, then nudged her forward. "Come on, we've got places to be."

Louise begrudgingly followed, though her gaze kept darting to every new horrifyingly advanced piece of technology they passed.

At one point, a bus drove by, and Louise nearly jumped out of her skin.

"WHAT IN BRIMIR'S NAME IS THAT?!" she yelped, grabbing Strange's sleeve in panic.

Strange followed her gaze and chuckled. "That's a bus. You'll get used to them."

Louise stared in abject horror. "It's moving on its own! It doesn't even have a horse pulling it!"

"It has an engine."

"A WHAT?!"

"Relax. It's not alive."

Louise squinted suspiciously. "It looks alive."

"It's not."

Louise did not look convinced.

Strange shook his head. "You really are from a medieval world, huh?"

Louise gritted her teeth. "It is NOT medieval!"

Strange gave her a flat look. "You ride horses, don't have electricity, and live in castles."

Louise bristled. "That doesn't mean it's medieval!"

Strange raised an eyebrow. "What do you call it, then?"

Louise opened her mouth and then closed it, her face turning red.

"...Shut up," she muttered.

Strange grinned. "That's what I thought."

As they kept walking, Louise tried—and failed—to keep her composure.

Everything in this world was wrong.

People weren't just walking—they were talking into small glass slabs they held in their hands, as if they were conversing with spirits trapped inside them.

The streets were lined with endless glowing signs, but no torches, no enchanted crystals—just some kind of mystical energy that powered everything.

And the people—so many people. Rushing past each other, bumping shoulders, barely paying attention. It was as though she had been dropped into the center of a chaotic marketplace, except this one never stopped moving.

Strange glanced at her. "Overwhelmed yet?"

Louise glared at him. "NO!"

A taxi honked loudly nearby, and Louise yelped, jumping back and nearly knocking over a pedestrian.

Strange smirked. "Sure about that?"

Louise clenched her fists. "This is madness! How does anyone live like this?!"

Strange sighed dramatically. "You adapt."

Louise scowled. "I refuse to adapt to a world this… absurd!"

Strange patted her head, much to her utter indignation. "Give it a week. You'll be fine."

Louise batted his hand away, fuming.

Strange shook his head, still grinning. "Alright, come on. We'll start your training after lunch."

Louise huffed. "Fine. But don't expect me to trust anything in this city."

Strange smirked. "Wouldn't dream of it."

As they walked further into the bustling streets of New York, Louise scowled at every single technological wonder she saw, determined not to let this world break her.

Meanwhile, Strange just enjoyed the show.

Louise had seen enough.

Enough of the glowing signs, enough of the moving carriages, enough of the impossibly tall buildings that defied every natural law she knew. It was as though the entire city was held together by some strange, unholy sorcery, and everyone around her was just... fine with it.

And now, after suffering through an agonizing twenty minutes of this madness, Strange had decided it was time to start her training.

"Alright, kid," Strange said, stretching his arms behind his head as they walked down the sidewalk. "You ready for your first lesson?"

Louise scoffed, still grumbling under her breath about everything wrong with this world. "I suppose," she muttered. "Not like I have a choice in the matter."

Strange smirked. "That's the spirit."

Before Louise could snap at him for mocking her, Strange abruptly stopped walking and turned toward a nearby food cart stationed on the sidewalk.

Louise blinked. "What—?"

Strange casually pulled out his wallet and exchanged a few paper bills with the vendor, who swiftly handed him a wrapped hot dog in return.

Louise stared.

"Did we just stop training for food?"

Strange unwrapped the hot dog and took a casual bite, barely acknowledging her question. "Yep."

Louise's eye twitched.

"Are you SERIOUS?!"

Strange, chewing thoughtfully, held up a finger as if to say one moment.

Louise fumed as she watched him take his time, savoring whatever that... thing was. "I—I CANNOT believe this!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms in the air. "I am about to begin my training in the Mystic Arts, and you decide NOW is the time to stop for a—for a snack?!"

Strange swallowed, then looked at her, utterly unfazed. "You eaten today?"

Louise froze.

She opened her mouth to argue—only for her stomach to betray her with a loud, angry growl.

Strange grinned.

Louise's face turned red instantly. "Th-That doesn't mean anything!"

Strange turned back to the vendor. "Make that two."

Louise gawked. "I DID NOT SAY I WANTED ONE!"

Strange handed the second wrapped hot dog to her anyway.

Louise stared at it as if he had just handed her a live grenade. "...What is this?"

"A hot dog."

Louise eyed it suspiciously, holding it between her fingers like it was a strange, foreign object. "And what... exactly... is in it?"

Strange smirked. "You don't want to know."

Louise's stomach growled again.

With a grumble, she gingerly took a bite—

And immediately froze.

The burst of flavor hit her all at once—the juicy, seasoned meat, the soft yet warm bread, the tang of whatever sauce had been drizzled over it. Her entire body tensed, her eyes widening slightly.

Strange watched her reaction with an amused look.

After a moment, Louise forced herself to swallow, scowling as though the act of enjoying it personally offended her.

"...It's... acceptable," she muttered, refusing to meet his gaze.

Strange laughed. "Uh-huh."

Louise took another bite.

She still refused to acknowledge it tasted good.

They finished their food in relative silence, Louise scarfing hers down faster than she would ever admit, while Strange casually wiped his hands clean on a napkin.

Then, without warning—

Strange raised a single hand, and in an instant, a golden ring of swirling sparks ignited in midair before them.

Louise staggered back, eyes wide.

"W-What—?!"

Strange stepped forward through the portal.

He turned back to look at her expectantly. "You coming?"

Louise stared at him. "You—you just OPENED A DOOR OUT OF NOWHERE!"

Strange smirked. "Welcome to portals, kid. They're great for skipping traffic."

Louise hesitated, her brain still struggling to process the fact that he had just ripped a hole through space like it was the most casual thing in the world.

Strange raised an eyebrow. "If you're scared, I could leave it open for you to think about it while I go have some nice, fulfilling, life-changing magic lessons without you—"

Louise gritted her teeth and stormed forward, stepping through the portal before she could convince herself not to.

And the moment she crossed the threshold—

Everything changed.

The air was different.

Louise's boots hit solid stone, and in an instant, she was no longer in New York City.

The noise, the chaos, the blaring horns, the overwhelming wrongness of that world—it all vanished.

Instead, she found herself standing in a peaceful courtyard surrounded by ancient architecture. The warm scent of incense drifted through the air, blending with the faint scent of old parchment and burning candles.

The sun bathed the courtyard in soft, golden light, casting long shadows along the intricately carved stone walkways.

Louise spun around, taking in the sight of the tall temple-like structures, the monks moving with silent grace, and the distant sound of wooden doors creaking open and closed as students entered and exited various chambers.

"...What is this place?" she breathed.

Strange stepped past her, taking in the scene with an easy familiarity. "Welcome to Kamar-Taj," he said. "Home of the Mystic Arts, and now... your new training ground."

Louise swallowed, her hands tightening into fists at her sides.

This place was so different from the noisy, chaotic mess that was New York. It was... calm. But beneath that calm, she could feel something else, something... powerful.

The very air hummed with unseen energy.

Strange turned to her. "This is where you're going to learn how to control your magic. And if we're lucky, we'll finally figure out what exactly is going on with you."

Louise tore her gaze away from the surroundings and looked at him. "...And what if I fail?"

Strange smirked. "You're already asking the wrong question."

Louise frowned. "What?"

Strange gestured toward the temple entrance. "It's not about if you fail. It's about how you get back up when you do."

Louise stared at him.

For once, she didn't have a sharp retort.

After a long moment, she took a deep breath, steadied herself, and stepped forward.

If this was where she was meant to learn, then so be it.

No more excuses.

No more running.

It was time to prove everyone wrong.

Louise was not happy.

She glared down at the outfit she had been forced into—a set of simple, loose-fitting brown and gold robes, identical to the ones worn by the other students training in Kamar-Taj. The fabric was rougher than the noble dresses she was accustomed to, the sleeves far too wide, and worst of all—

"It's hideous," she muttered under her breath, tugging at the oversized sleeves with an unimpressed frown.

From where he stood nearby, Doctor Stephen Strange smirked. "Ah, good, I was worried you might love them."

Louise shot him a scathing glare. "Do I look like someone who would love this?"

Strange tilted his head, pretending to consider. "You look like someone who loves complaining."

Louise huffed, crossing her arms. "I don't see why I have to wear this peasant garb in the first place!"

"Because it's not peasant garb," Wong's voice cut in, his usual deadpan tone making it clear he had little patience for this particular argument. "It's a standard training robe worn by all students of Kamar-Taj."

Louise turned to find Wong approaching, carrying a handful of aged scrolls and books, his expression as unreadable as ever.

"Well, it feels like peasant garb," Louise grumbled.

Wong ignored her. "You're here to learn, not flaunt your status."

Louise crossed her arms tighter. "I still don't like it."

Strange sighed dramatically. "Tough break, princess. Now, are you done fussing, or should I grab a mirror so you can complain about your hair next?"

Louise gritted her teeth. "My hair is perfect, thank you very much!"

Strange turned to Wong. "Should we place bets on how long she lasts before throwing a tantrum?"

Wong shook his head. "No point. She's already having one."

Louise let out an irritated groan but stopped herself from escalating. Focus, Louise. You're here to learn, not bicker.

Instead, she turned to face the training courtyard, where several groups of students had gathered, their robes flowing lightly in the breeze as they listened attentively to their instructors.

They stood on a large, open stone platform carved with ancient runes that glowed faintly beneath their feet. The air was thick with arcane energy, and all around, students were practicing the Mystic Arts, their hands weaving through the air as glowing golden rings of magic formed in response.

Louise's eyes widened slightly as she watched.

The precision, the fluidity, the way their hands guided the very essence of magic itself—it was unlike anything she had ever seen.

No wands.
No staves.
Just hands and knowledge.

Wong stepped forward, clearing his throat. "Today's lesson will be simple. We will be guiding you in the formation of sling rings, your first step in learning to shape the energy of the multiverse. You will learn to focus, channel, and bend the energy through movement and intent."

Louise frowned. "That's... it? Just moving my hands?"

Strange smirked. "Oh, by all means, if you'd prefer, we can toss you into a pocket dimension and let you figure it out yourself."

Louise glared.

Wong ignored their exchange and continued. "A sling ring is a tool for focus, but it does not do the work for you. The magic comes from within—through will, control, and understanding of the forces that bind reality together."

Louise crossed her arms, unimpressed. "This is ridiculous. How am I supposed to use magic without a wand?"

Strange rolled his eyes. "Oh, here we go."

Louise turned to him, frustrated. "It's how magic works! Without a wand, I can't cast spells!"

Strange took a step closer, amusement flickering in his eyes. "No, that's how magic works in your world. Not here. Not in mine."

Louise hesitated. "But... but how am I supposed to channel it?"

Strange gestured to the students practicing. "You just do."

Louise looked back at them, watching how they flowed seamlessly, their hands shaping reality with deliberate movement and focus.

"...That's absurd," she muttered, shaking her head.

Strange grinned. "Is it? Or is it just different?"

Louise hated how he said that, like he was challenging her, and she was too stubborn to accept that maybe, just maybe, she had been looking at magic all wrong.

"Fine," she muttered. "I'll try it."

Wong stepped forward, holding out a small, golden ring—intricately designed, humming with latent energy.

"This is a sling ring," he explained. "It acts as a conduit, allowing you to shape the space between realities. Focus on a location, visualize it clearly, and use your hands to open the way."

Louise hesitated as she took the ring, feeling its weight in her palm.

It didn't feel particularly powerful. No enchanted core, no magical inscriptions—just cold metal.

"...And this will let me cast magic?" she asked.

Strange smirked. "No. You will."

Louise narrowed her eyes at him but didn't argue.

Instead, she slid the ring onto her fingers and held up her hands, mimicking the stance of the students around her.

Okay, focus.

She took a deep breath.

She visualized the courtyard in front of her.

She traced a circular motion with her hand—

Nothing.

She tried again.

Still nothing.

Louise's eyebrow twitched.

She tried again—more forcefully.

Nothing.

Strange and Wong stood to the side, watching this unfold.

Strange leaned in slightly. "So, what do you think?"

Wong exhaled through his nose. "It's like watching a cat try to figure out how to open a door."

Strange snorted. "She's trying way too hard."

Louise scowled. "I can hear you!"

Wong crossed his arms. "Then listen. Magic is about control, not force. You're not commanding a horse with reins—you're guiding a river. Flow, don't fight."

Louise gritted her teeth. "I am flowing!"

Strange smirked. "No, you're gritting your teeth and scowling."

Louise let out a growl of frustration. "How do you expect me to do magic without trying?!"

Strange shrugged. "I dunno, how do you expect to ride a dragon without getting burned?"

Louise froze. "...That's not a real question."

Strange grinned. "You're right. It's a metaphor. But hey, maybe one day you'll get to ride a dragon. First, though, let's get you through a basic portal without setting something on fire."

Louise groaned. "I hate this. I hate this so much."

Strange smirked. "Welcome to training, kid."

The sun had begun its descent, casting a golden glow over the courtyard of Kamar-Taj. The other students had finished their practice for the day, some retreating into the study halls, others gathering in small groups to discuss their progress.

Meanwhile, Louise remained exactly where she had started—standing in the middle of the training ground, arms flailing, frustration boiling over, and not a single functioning portal to show for it.

"I don't understand!" Louise shouted, throwing her arms up. "This is impossible!"

Doctor Strange, standing beside Wong, smirked. "It's not impossible. It's just impossible for you right now."

Louise rounded on him, her pink hair frizzed slightly from her growing frustration. "That doesn't help!"

Wong, ever the picture of patience, clasped his hands behind his back and observed her meltdown with mild amusement. "Your progress is... consistent."

Louise frowned. "That sounded like an insult!"

Strange shrugged. "Eh, more of an observation."

Louise stomped her foot. "It's been hours! I've followed every single instruction—I've done everything you said—and still, NOTHING happens!"

Strange gave Wong a knowing glance. "What do you think? Should we tell her?"

Wong sighed. "She's not ready for the truth."

Louise scowled harder. "WHAT TRUTH?!"

Strange smirked. "That you remind Wong of me when I first got here."

Louise froze.

Her eye twitched.

Then, in a slow, horrified voice, she muttered, "What did you just say?"

Wong nodded sagely. "It's true. The way you complain, the way you stubbornly refuse to accept guidance, the way you throw tantrums when you don't immediately succeed—it's all very... familiar."

Strange crossed his arms. "Honestly, if you just gave her a goatee and a terrible attitude, she is me."

Louise gasped as if she had just been personally insulted by a deity. "HOW DARE YOU?!"

Strange grinned. "That's exactly what I said when The Ancient One told me that."

Louise's jaw dropped. "I—I am NOTHING like you!"

Strange nodded mockingly. "Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that."

Louise pointed an accusatory finger at Wong. "And YOU! You're just going to stand there and agree with him?!"

Wong remained calm and unwavering as if he were discussing something as simple as the weather. "I don't argue with facts."

Louise looked betrayed beyond belief. "This—this is outrageous!"

Strange patted her on the shoulder, his voice dripping with amusement. "Hey, look on the bright side. At least you've got a role model now!"

Louise slapped his hand away. "I WOULD RATHER DIE!"

Strange chuckled. "Again—the same thing I said when I first got here."

Louise groaned loudly, dragging her hands down her face. "This is a nightmare."

Wong turned to Strange. "You really were this bad?"

Strange sighed. "Worse."

Louise snapped. "I CAN STILL HEAR YOU!"

Strange smirked. "That's the point."

Louise let out an inhuman noise, her frustration reaching new, unprecedented levels. She turned back to the training field, eyes burning with determination.

"I'll show you!" she growled. "I'll—I'll open a portal right now!"

Strange shrugged. "Go for it."

Louise took a deep breath.

She planted her feet.

She focused.

She visualized a destination, tracing a careful, circular motion with her hands—

A small spark of golden energy flickered at her fingertips.

Louise gasped, eyes wide. "I—I did it! I—!"

BOOM.

The spark detonated like a miniature firecracker, sending Louise flying backward into the grass with an undignified yelp.

Wong winced. "That looked painful."

Strange casually sipped from a teacup Wong had somehow produced without anyone noticing. "Yup."

Louise groaned from the ground, her entire face smudged with soot. "I hate this place..."

Strange strolled over, crouching beside her. "Alright, so the bad news: That was not a portal."

Louise glared at him through gritted teeth. "You. Think?"

Strange nodded. "Good news: You made something happen. That's an improvement."

Louise didn't look like she agreed.

Strange stood up, brushing his hands off. "Alright, kid. That's enough magic for today."

Louise snapped upright. "WHAT?! But I haven't gotten it right yet!"

Wong raised an eyebrow. "Neither did he for a long time."

Strange gestured vaguely. "And yet, here I am, Sorcerer Supreme."

Louise grumbled under her breath, dusting herself off. "Unbelievable."

Strange smirked. "Hey, you lasted longer than I expected."

Louise shot him a look. "That does not make me feel better."

Strange clapped his hands together. "Alright, since training is done, I vote we go eat."

Louise blinked. "Already?!"

Strange nodded. "Yeah, I don't know if you noticed, but you've been screaming and flailing for hours."

Wong turned to Strange. "She really is just like you."

Strange pointed at Wong. "See? Even he admits it."

Louise groaned in frustration.

"I HATE YOU BOTH."

Strange smirked. "You'll get over it. Now, come on, kid. Let's get you some food before you pass out."

Louise muttered curses under her breath but begrudgingly followed as Strange and Wong led the way back toward the temple entrance.

Her first lesson had been a complete disaster.

But for some reason, she wasn't giving up yet.

Welp, looks like Louise's training is gonna take a long, long while. At this rate, she might master portal magic sometime before the next ice age—maybe. Strange and Wong definitely enjoy the show, though.

But seriously, can you imagine how the people back in Tristain would react if she actually got good at this? Like, she shows up one day casually opening portals across dimensions, bending reality like it's nothing, and making Guiche's brain short-circuit just by existing. Kirche would be flabbergasted.

Anyway, thanks for reading! More magical chaos is coming soon!