Marvel: Ned the Master of Mystic Arts

"Mr. Mysterious Sorcerer."

"Ned," Ned interrupted before Mia Huang could finish.

"Alright, Ned."

Though Mia Huang looked angry, for some reason, Ned found her somewhat adorable.

"You can call me Huang, Mia, or Xiwen. But one thing is certain—I never want to hear the words 'Ah Huang' from your mouth again."

Mia Huang spoke to Ned with a serious expression.

"Alright, Ah Huang."

Ned replied with a mischievous smile.

"Ned!"

Mia Huang's voice instantly rose two levels.

"Okay, okay," Ned conceded with a chuckle. "So... Xiwen?"

"That's better."

Satisfied, Mia Huang nodded. Then she asked, "Ned, do you need to eat?"

"I've heard that Eastern immortals, after reaching a certain level of cultivation, can achieve the state of 'Bigu'—surviving without food. Is that true for you?"

Mia Huang's curiosity was evident as she leaned toward Ned.

"Uh... you might want to read fewer novels about cultivation and immortals. Though, who knows? Maybe it's true."

Ned shrugged. "But among us sorcerers, I've never met anyone who can skip meals—not even the Sorcerer Supreme."

Ned couldn't help but fantasize about such legendary immortals but dismissed it as unlikely. "Mystic sorcerers is the general term for all mages like me."

"Then let me help you sit up and eat."

Mia Huang, upon hearing that Ned couldn't practice Bigu, looked a bit disappointed. She had thought meeting Ned meant that those fantastical stories might hold some truth.

"Uh..."

Ned awkwardly explained that he couldn't move at the moment, rejecting Mia Huang's offer to help him sit up.

"Alright, poor Ned."

Mia Huang nodded, then walked out. A moment later, she returned, carrying a bunch of bottles and jars.

"This is glucose, this is chlorophyll, and this is... huh? How did a bottle of Coke get in here?"

Mia Huang, looking flustered, quickly hid the Coke behind her back. "Ned, don't look! This definitely isn't for you. You're a patient, and patients can't drink Coke."

"Uh..."

Ned was speechless. "I'm not after the Coke. Glucose is fine, but chlorophyll? Are you kidding? I have a friend who almost died drinking that. He ended up with a chunk of iron in his chest just to survive."

Ned spouted nonsense, trying to scare Mia Huang. After all, chlorophyll tasted awful.

"Huh?"

Mia Huang was clearly stunned by Ned's words, looking incredulous. "Why would that be? My mom always said chlorophyll is good for the body."

"Maybe there's some magical factor in it that's beneficial to ordinary people but reacts badly with a sorcerer's powers?"

Ned, despite never having taken acting lessons, delivered his performance flawlessly.

"Well... okay."

Mia Huang reluctantly put the chlorophyll aside, then opened the glucose bottle. "Alright, Ned, let me feed you some glucose. Also, tell me your favorite fruit, and I'll prepare some juice for you."

"Uh..."

Ned watched as Mia Huang carefully poured the glucose into a small spoon and brought it to his mouth. He opened his mouth obediently, letting the liquid flow in, all while his eyes remained fixed on Mia Huang's face.

"Ned!"

Despite living in America, Mia Huang's demeanor was no different from that of a typical Chinese girl. When she noticed Ned's gaze, her cheeks turned slightly red, and she scolded him softly, "Eat properly!"

"Okay, okay!"

Ned quickly nodded and obediently accepted her feeding.

Occasionally, their gazes would meet, and both would quickly look away, faces tinged with a hint of red. In this subtly awkward yet warm atmosphere, the feeding session came to an end.

"You... you rest for now. I need to head to school."

Mia Huang's face was flushed as she spoke softly. After tidying up, she hurriedly left the room.

Watching her departing figure, Ned felt a strange itch in his heart—an inexplicable sweetness, perhaps from the glucose he'd just consumed.

"Hey, buddy, you... huh? Buddy?"

Ned was about to ask his Cloak of Levitation to accompany Mia Huang to school when he saw it floating erratically in the air, swaying left and right. For some reason, it almost seemed... jealous.

"Uh... buddy, you need to go with her to school. It's dangerous out there."

Ned shook his head but spoke earnestly.

The cloak scrunched up angrily but reluctantly folded itself and slipped into Mia Huang's backpack.

"Good cloak."

Ned encouraged it with a smile. "Don't worry. When we return, I'll ask the Ancient One to find you a few handsome cloaks to hang out with."

Thump, thump!

Mia Huang's backpack suddenly started jumping and making noise, showing no signs of stopping.

"Alright, alright. You're being too playful. Congrats, you've lost your chance at a handsome cloak partner."

At Ned's words, the cloak immediately quieted down.

"Ned, what was that noise just now?"

A puzzled Mia Huang ran back to the room.

"Uh... the cloak probably isn't used to the cramped space of your backpack. Don't worry, I've calmed it down."

Mia Huang believed him and apologized to the cloak, saying, "Mr. Cloak, I'm sorry."

"I'll zip up the bag now. If you feel uncomfortable, just let me know."

Seeing no response from the cloak, Mia Huang carefully zipped the bag and turned to Ned. "Ned, I'm heading to school now. Be good at home, okay?"

"Uh..."

Hearing her motherly tone, Ned was left speechless. He was a powerful sorcerer, second only to the Sorcerer Supreme—did he really need such childish coaxing?

With a playful wink, Mia Huang slung the backpack over her shoulder and left the room. Before leaving, she thoughtfully left the bedroom door wide open, reasoning that being able to see the living room would be better for Ned's mood than staring at the same four walls.

"Uh... maybe? I guess."

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