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*****
Columbia University.
Fini's enrollment didn't cause much of a stir; he was as ordinary as anyone else, even though the Ancient One had once told him that he could have a significant impact on this world.
Since he didn't plan to live on campus, he wasn't assigned a dormitory at the start. However, because the school wasn't close to home, he planned to rent a place.
"Are you sure you won't consider letting me drive you?"
In the new apartment, Skye surveyed the facilities and asked Fini.
"No, I'll likely still need to go to the Sanctum frequently. It's more convenient to live out here," Fini shook his head, declining Skye's suggestion.
Skye didn't insist. She nodded, then said unexpectedly, "Alright, then I'm moving in too."
Because he wasn't short on money, the apartment Fini rented wasn't small, and there was indeed a spare bedroom. But he hadn't expected Skye to say that and couldn't help but stare blankly. "What are you coming here for?"
"It's comfortable living here," Skye replied, giving Fini a strange look. "People always come by the shop to ask when you're coming back—it's too noisy. Being at home all the time feels a bit awkward. It just so happens you have school every day, so I can go online here without anyone interfering."
Hearing Skye's answer, Fini felt dejected. He scratched his head and offered a cautious suggestion: "By the way, you're an adult now, you're not exactly young. Have you considered being independent?"
The moment those words came out, Skye's face turned beet red. She said huffily, "I... I'll pay rent, okay? Just consider it as us renting together."
Then, as if she had thought of a better reason, she added self-righteously, "If it weren't for Mom and Dad worrying that you couldn't take care of yourself, I wouldn't even be here. Do you think I want to live with you!"
"Hmph!"
After letting out a heavy huff, Skye went straight upstairs to pack the room, leaving a dazed Fini standing there.
Regarding this sister he had spoiled since childhood, Fini didn't have much to say. Living together was probably for the best; New York was chaotic, and a beautiful girl like her really wasn't safe sometimes.
University life was easier than Fini had imagined. The major he had applied for was a very niche subject, so there weren't many classes, leaving him with plenty of free time every day.
At school, his main focus was currently studying Ancient Sanskrit. He actually hadn't read most of the books at Kamar-Taj yet because current translation software was still immature.
He had tried to have Skye help research and build one, but due to the lack of linguistic data, the translation results remained very poor.
Therefore, his previous reading and studying involved asking others for help with translations. He couldn't keep imposing on people forever, so his efficiency was quite low.
It was another bright afternoon.
With no classes, Fini was in the living room carefully studying a textbook borrowed from school. Beside him was Skye, looking bored and flipping through a fashion magazine.
But soon, she threw the magazine aside, sprawled out on the soft sofa, and nudged Fini with her foot, complaining: "Tony Stark again. This guy is literally everywhere."
"You've been looking at that book for almost a month. Aren't you bored? By the way, the weather is getting cold again. Let me take you to buy some clothes!"
Hearing Skye chirping in his ear like a sparrow, Fini helplessly closed his book and glared at her. "I really shouldn't have agreed to let you move in. Also, don't you have enough clothes already?"
"I'm buying clothes for you," Skye corrected him, trying to keep a straight face, before adding with a giggle: "At most, I'll just pick out a few pieces for myself along the way."
Fini sighed and looked at the sky outside. Since entering November, such good weather was indeed rare.
Withdrawing his gaze, he looked at the expectant Skye and nodded helplessly. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the fashion magazine that had been tossed aside—the cover featured a well-dressed Stark. He couldn't help but ask:
"I recall you used to like Tony Stark quite a bit?"
Following Fini's gaze to the magazine, Skye curled her lip in disdain. "I admired his technology and inventions, but I've realized this guy is actually just a playboy!"
"That's hard to say!"
Fini looked at the energetic Tony Stark on the magazine and said with some sentiment, "He should become a hero!"
"A hero!?"
Skye looked over with a strange expression. Tony Stark had many titles: billionaire, scientific genius, playboy—but almost no one ever associated him with being a hero.
"He's actually a lover of peace."
Fini shrugged. Following the tradition between master and disciple, he didn't have much of a hobby for spoilers.
"He runs an arms company!"
Skye replied, somewhat speechless. She didn't dwell on the issue, instead running back to her room with excitement to put on makeup and get ready.
After accompanying Skye shopping for an entire afternoon, Fini went to the New York Sanctum in the evening, opened a portal, and arrived at Kamar-Taj.
The cool early morning air refreshed his spirit. During these few months at Kamar-Taj, his experience growth was equivalent to several years of his previous accumulation.
The experience bar, which had been emptied after drawing Incursio, had now unknowingly filled up by more than half.
However, the speed had recently slowed down. First, his talent and time weren't sufficient—he had to put a lot of energy into translation and reading. Second, he couldn't find anyone to farm experience from.
There actually weren't many sorcerers who enjoyed fighting. Mordo had been busy with his own affairs lately and couldn't be pestered constantly, so Fini often found himself unable to find a sparring partner.
While Fini was thinking about how to solve this problem, he walked toward the training grounds. He ran into a slightly pudgy figure on the way and couldn't help but call out, "Good morning, Wong! You're here today too!"
At this time, Wong was not yet the librarian he would become when the future Doctor Strange arrived. He was currently a member of the Hong Kong Sanctum protectors and didn't appear in Kamar-Taj often.
"Good morning, Sorcerer Fini," Wong returned the greeting politely, then stepped closer to Fini and asked in a whisper: "Are there any fried chicken rolls?"
"Uh, isn't it a bit too greasy for breakfast?"
Despite saying that, Fini skillfully summoned a Sumire Karaage Roll and handed it over.
Wong took it and gave it a sniff, his face showing an intoxicated expression. He then said nonchalantly, "It doesn't matter. I've already had breakfast; it won't interfere."
"..."
Fini was speechless.
Running into Wong meant he knew where his experience for the day was coming from. Wong's strength was slightly inferior to Mordo's, but he was still one of the better opponents—especially since Wong's combat style wasn't as agile as Mordo's.
After these few months of cultivation, Fini's growth was actually quite substantial—not in terms of spells, of course.
Having enriched his combat experience while equipped with Incursio, he was now considered one of the experts of Kamar-Taj. Well, specifically in terms of combat capability.
(End of Chapter)