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When Fini had been wandering around Kamar-Taj with the Ancient One earlier, he had wondered if he could bring Skye along to study if he moved here, and he had asked the Ancient One about it.
At the time, the Ancient One had countered by asking him what he thought magic was.
Fini didn't know.
The Ancient One told him that almost everyone who came to Kamar-Taj had a story. They had experienced much, passed through layers of screening, and their will had been tempered a thousand times over.
Magic requires more than just talent; it requires the power of the spirit. Communicating with and guiding the energy between heaven and earth is no easy task.
Furthermore, learning magic even requires breaking one's own perception of common sense. This is a difficult thing to achieve; to persuade energy to help you, you must first persuade yourself.
After hearing the Ancient One's words, Fini felt that it seemed quite difficult for Skye to learn magic.
Skye's childhood had been tragic, but after being adopted by his parents, she had lived a very happy life. Moreover, she was a hacking genius—simply put, a person of the "science side." If she wanted to learn magic, she would need to abandon certain perceptions of science, which would go against her core beliefs.
Magic is a power of "miracles," and the word "miracle" is often unscientific. Although it is possible that their ultimate results reach the same destination through different paths, the philosophies generated during the process may be contradictory.
Even Doctor Strange, who would have his magic talent maxed out in the future, had to be pushed to the brink of despair regarding almost all scientific medical technology before he could break through his perceptions, believe in the mystic arts, and finally learn magic.
Thus, experience and perception might not be absolute factors, but they carry great influence.
Because of this, Fini felt that the success rate of bringing Skye to Kamar-Taj to learn magic right now wasn't high. At the very least, the time was probably not yet right. Perhaps later, when the world changed and aliens and mutant creatures emerged one after another, her outlook would be more mature, and the results of her study would be better.
But regardless of what he felt, the Ancient One hadn't objected to him bringing Skye to learn, so he would know for sure once he took her there for a trial.
Coming to Skye's room, he found her sitting cross-legged on the bed waiting. Her small face was a mask of seriousness and worry. As the only person in the family who knew Fini's secret, the more she knew, the more she worried.
"Don't be so nervous. Didn't I tell you before that I was going to learn magic? I found the place today," Fini said, sitting down on the edge of the bed to explain directly.
Skye recalled that Fini had indeed said this a month ago, and at the time, he even seemed to mention he'd ask if she could learn too.
"Is there really magic in this world?"
Skye couldn't help but ask. Although she had seen superpowers with her own eyes, it was still difficult to suddenly change her perception of the world. This was exactly why Fini felt Skye would find it hard to learn magic right now.
"Of course there is, though what I'm learning is technically called the Mystic Arts," Fini corrected her after a thought.
"Is there a difference?" Skye was impressed but confused.
"Probably just what they call it on Earth!?" Fini wasn't too clear on the reasoning either.
"If you're curious, I'll take you there tomorrow to see. If you want to learn, you can try starting out together."
Although the probability was basically approaching impossible, it would be interesting if, like Doctor Strange, Skye turned out to be the kind of genius with a maxed-out magic talent.
"Really?"
Skye looked delighted. What normal person could refuse the temptation of magic?
"So get some rest early. We set off tomorrow!"
Fini didn't chat for too long. It was best to leave the curiosity about magic for Skye to discover herself; this would also help change her outlook as much as possible.
However, when breakfast came the next morning, he found Skye appearing with dark circles under her eyes, which made Fini unable to stifle a laugh.
"I told you to get some rest early, why do you look like this?"
"It's all your fault!"
Skye let out a yawn and gave him a resentful glare. Because she was too excited at the thought of learning magic, she had searched for a mountain of related information online and unknowingly stayed up until morning.
Fortunately, due to the time difference, Fini had originally planned to set off in the evening anyway. He had also informed his parents in advance that they would be staying at the shop today so they wouldn't worry.
The two of them went to the shop together. After telling Skye to hurry up and catch some sleep, Fini opened for business alone for a while, diligently practicing his skills.
At 7:00 PM New York time, the two of them drove to the Sanctum.
"Is this the place?"
In front of the New York Sanctum, Skye asked nervously. She took a compact mirror out of her bag to touch up her makeup, then checked once more: "Does everything look okay!?"
"Alright, alright, you look fine. Let's go, get inside!"
Fini rolled his eyes helplessly, pulled Skye along, opened the door, and walked in. This time the hall was not empty; two young sorcerers were sitting in a corner drinking tea and reading.
These two apparently hadn't been at Kamar-Taj yesterday and didn't recognize Fini. They were currently eyeing the pair with wary gazes.
"Hello, I'm looking for Master Daniel."
"Wait a moment."
Seeing that Fini didn't look like an enemy coming for trouble, one of them nodded in reply and went upstairs to find him.
Soon, Daniel came downstairs. After introducing Skye and exchanging greetings, he went to the same spot as yesterday and opened the teleportation gate.
Seeing this magical scene, Skye's eyes widened. She swallowed hard and gripped Fini's hand nervously, unable to remain calm deep inside.
"I won't be accompanying you across."
Daniel had led the way once yesterday, so he didn't join them this time. After speaking, he waited for the two of them to pass through.
Fini didn't mind. After thanking him sincerely once more, he pulled the apprehensive Skye through the portal and arrived at Kamar-Taj.
"Was that magic just now?"
As the scene shifted, Skye looked around blankly. Moving from the library to the courtyard and seeing the pale morning sky outside, she couldn't help but reveal a shocked expression.
She had originally thought Fini came in the evening to accommodate her lack of rest, but seeing this, she finally understood part of the reason.
"Where are we right now?"
Skye couldn't help but ask. In the early morning of Kamar-Taj, many people had already begun to rise and practice. Due to the Ancient One's introduction yesterday, many people recognized Fini and nodded in greeting when they saw him.
Fini returned the gestures along the way, answering in the tone of a local: "Kamar-Taj, located in Kathmandu. A sacred land for the cultivation of sorcerers."
"The Himalayas?" Skye didn't know where Kathmandu was, but she recalled what Fini had said yesterday.
Seeing Fini nod, Skye couldn't help but be shocked once again: "But we were just in New York a second ago."
"Well, that's magic for you!"
Fini spread his hands as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Seeing Skye's mouth agape in disbelief, he couldn't help but smile. "Alright, don't worry too much about it. I'll take you to pay respects to my master, the Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One."
(End of Chapter)