Aldrich had never, in his wildest dreams, imagined that two purely supportive spells could be pushed to such terrifying power.
The Mirror Dimension was supposed to be nothing but an auxiliary spell—used for observation and for testing magic.
But in Karl's hands, it had become a top-tier offensive technique, capable of cleaving through mountains.
As for the Eldritch Whip—there was no need to even mention it.
It was originally a spell meant to restrain enemies.
In battle, plenty of opponents could even catch it with their bare hands.
Yet now, once Karl infused it with that outrageous destructive force…
Aldrich couldn't help but picture that high-temperature chain striking someone.
That would be instant vaporization.
This kind of talent!
Is he even human?!
What was left for Aldrich to teach?
Aldrich was starting to suspect that Karl could beat him to death with nothing but a Portal—even though it had no direct offensive capability.
How was he supposed to teach a freak like this?!
Taking a deep breath, he forcibly calmed the storm in his chest.
Then Aldrich said, "Karl, your combat power is already extremely formidable. I'm afraid even veteran sorcerers wouldn't be your match."
"What I can still teach you is basically just the fundamentals."
"Fine, then. I'll teach you one of Kamar-Taj's remaining three foundational spells—Tao Mandalas."
Aldrich spoke calmly.
Kamar-Taj had countless spells—too many to count.
A sorcerer could study for a lifetime and still never learn them all.
But—
Most sorcerers mastered three spells.
Tao Mandalas, Eldritch Whip, and Portal.
These three were known as the foundation of all Kamar-Taj magic.
The simplest, yet with the highest ceiling.
For example, the Tao Mandalas used by the Sorcerer Supreme could block Kaecilius's spatial blades.
And the magic used by Master Sorcerers could withstand the bombardment from Thanos's interstellar warship main cannon.
That alone showed how important this spell was.
"Watch carefully. Tao Mandalas isn't simple."
"But I think for you, it won't be that difficult either."
Aldrich glanced at Karl.
Without saying another word, he began to move his hands.
He wanted to see just how much of a genius this kid really was.
If he didn't explain anything—could Karl still learn it?
Aldrich stayed silent.
His hands moved again.
Golden light emerged. With a turn of both hands—
Golden rays formed in midair, assembling into a complex golden formation etched with intricate patterns that appeared out of nowhere.
With a flick of his right hand—
The golden formation slowly shrank, becoming a Tao Mandalas about half a meter wide, hovering on Aldrich's hand.
"Did you see clearly? Have you learned it?" Aldrich asked.
Inside, he was smug.
Surely not—even Karl couldn't learn it like this, right?
Before, when teaching magic, he always had to explain things.
Maybe not in painstaking detail, but he still had to go over runes, energy structures, and how they fit together.
Karl was a genius—learning in one pass was normal.
But now?
A single demonstration—could Karl really memorize it at a glance and use it immediately?
Karl stared without blinking.
[Ding!]
[Detected the host observing someone using basic magic—Tao Mandalas. Divine-grade talent triggers a 100x critical strike.]
[You have mastered Tao Mandalas.]
The system notification sounded.
Karl felt something profound bloom in his mind.
The rune composition of Tao Mandalas, its energy structure, how to control it with mental force, how magical power should circulate—everything surfaced in his thoughts.
Crystal clear.
Aldrich saw Karl spacing out and assumed he hadn't learned it.
His fragile pride finally recovered a little.
"Karl, it's fine if you didn't get it. Sensei will demonstrate one more time—"
"Aldrich-sensei, no need. I've already learned it," Karl said.
"Don't rush. It's not shameful if you can't learn it!"
"What?"
"You said you learned it?"
Aldrich froze.
"You're right. I've already learned it," Karl answered honestly.
"Show me," Aldrich said.
He refused to believe it—was this kid really that monstrous?
Before Aldrich's thoughts could even finish shifting—
Whoosh!
A Tao Mandalas appeared on Karl's hand.
Aldrich: ????
That's it? He learned it? He used it?
Then what was the point of having him as a teacher?
One look and he can cast it?
Why not just stroll around Kamar-Taj every day?
In three days, master every spell in Kamar-Taj!
Aldrich's expression twisted like someone had shoved a splinter straight under his toenail.
"Don't move," Aldrich said.
The next moment—
He swung his own Tao Mandalas hard, smashing it into the Tao Mandalas in front of Karl.
Crack!
A sound like glass shattering rang out.
Aldrich's Tao Mandalas—
Shattered.
Just like that.
It shattered into pieces.
Golden fragments of magical power scattered across the ground.
And as his Tao Mandalas shattered, Aldrich's heart shattered with it.
What's the most heartbreaking thing in the world?
It's this:
Someone else glances at your spell, learns it instantly—and makes it stronger than yours.
It made Aldrich feel like he was simply less intelligent.
He was practically about to cry.
He almost squatted down on the spot and started drawing circles on the ground.
"Sensei, are you alright?" Even Karl could tell something was off now, so he asked with concern.
"I'm fine." Aldrich inhaled deeply.
"If I'm not mistaken… your Tao Mandalas probably isn't a normal Tao Mandalas either, is it?" Aldrich asked.
Karl nodded awkwardly.
He grabbed the Tao Mandalas and hurled it with brute force.
The shield on his hand flew out like a throwing dart.
Nearby buildings collapsed instantly—like paper sliced open by a blade.
Aldrich: ????
So it really isn't a normal defensive spell!
It can be thrown?!
What are you—Captain America?!
Aldrich desperately wanted to complain.
But Karl still wasn't done.
Karl lifted a hand.
The Tao Mandalas flew back from the wreckage, returning to his palm.
Karl swung again.
The golden Tao Mandalas flew out once more, embedding itself into a small hill in the distance.
Aldrich was still wondering what Karl was planning to do when—
Boom!
An explosion thundered.
That Tao Mandalas—
Exploded.
Half the hilltop was shaved clean off!
Your Tao Mandalas can explode?!
Aldrich was completely speechless.
He'd now seen exactly how much of a freak this disciple was.
Learning magic fast—fine.
But the way you modify it is just absurd!
Even Tao Mandalas can be turned into an offensive spell?
You're that insane—
Does your mom know?!
(End of Chapter)
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