Chapter 253: The Awkward Beginner
As someone who had always believed in science, Stephen Strange witnessed something beyond his comprehension for the first time. He had experienced firsthand the mystical arts and phenomena like out-of-body experiences and the existence of the soul, things that medical science had never confirmed.
Despite the shocking nature of these experiences, Stephen felt little fear. Instead, he was overwhelmingly curious about the mysterious world he had just glimpsed. From that moment on, Stephen developed a keen interest in magic. Initially, he had planned to cure his strange ailment and then return to the hospital to continue his medical career, becoming a highly valued top-tier doctor.
However, once the door to this new world opened, it was almost impossible for anyone to resist its allure. At least, Stephen couldn't.
At this point, Stephen had worked hard to become one of the world's leading neurosurgeons. Few people knew about the pain he endured when he lost his sister at a young age. Since then, he has vowed to master medicine to save disease sufferers. However, despite his efforts in medical studies, his parents were not saved by medical science and passed away.
After achieving success in medicine, Stephen's passion and respect for the field waned. To him, his superior medical skills were just a means to accumulate wealth.
So, he only accepted patients he was confident he could treat and who could afford his exorbitant fees.
At this moment, having witnessed the mystical wonders of magic, his desire to become a top doctor began to fade.
Being a doctor was nothing compared to the power of a sorcerer who could change the world with a wave of his hand.
In Stephen's heart, the answer was clear: being a sorcerer was far superior.
Having lost his passion for being a doctor, he abandoned medicine for magic. Of course, standing before Stephen, Li Yue was unaware of this transformation. Otherwise, he might have lamented, "Studying medicine really can't save the world!"
...
"Please teach me magic!"
Having decided, Stephen suppressed the excitement from his firsthand experiences and respectfully pleaded with Li Yue.
"Are you sure about this?"
Seeing the stubborn look on Stephen's face, Li Yue still asked.
"Yes! I have made up my mind! From now on, I will follow you to learn magic!"
Stephen responded with unwavering certainty, his eyes filled with expectation.
"In that case, let's proceed."
After some thought, Li Yue looked at Stephen and agreed to his request.
In the movie, the Ancient One saw that although Stephen was amazed by magic, he still harbored some arrogance. To learn magic, one must abandon all outdated notions to achieve success. That's why the Ancient One initially refused, letting Stephen's arrogance dissipate before agreeing to teach him.
However, perhaps because Stephen had come five years earlier and hadn't yet developed excessive arrogance, he was highly respectful to Li Yue and held magic in high regard. So, Li Yue didn't see the need to humble him like the Ancient One did.
Even directly agreeing to teach him was fine.
...
"Seems like your time in my care will be shorter than expected."
After instructing Mordo to arrange everything for Stephen's stay at Kamar-Taj, Li Yue glanced at the Eye of Agamotto on his chest and murmured. Stephen's arrival at Kamar-Taj, ready to learn magic, meant the Time Stone would soon be his.
Though the Ancient One had told Li Yue that the Time Stone's ownership was up to him and that giving it to Doctor Strange was his decision, Li Yue had no intention of keeping such a powerful artifact that he couldn't fully utilize it.
As long as he had the Space Stone, it was enough.
Originally planning to leave the Marvel Universe in a few days for his next journey, Li Yue postponed his departure due to Stephen's sudden arrival. Although Mordo would teach Stephen most of the magic, some required Li Yue's attention.
...
Thus, Stephen settled into Kamar-Taj, learning magic alongside other apprentices under Mordo's guidance. Though Stephen had a photographic memory, he was only starting to learn magic and inevitably faced difficulties. The magic practice couldn't be rushed; it required aptitude, and some less talented individuals could spend decades just to become full-fledged sorcerers.
Besides his photographic memory, Stephen's advantage was his unconventional and innovative thinking.
The Ancient One once said Doctor Strange was the most exceptional Sorcerer Supreme, not because of his raw power but because of his effective problem-solving in dire situations. For instance, Doctor Strange convinced Tony Stark to make the ultimate sacrifice in Avengers: Infinity War.
...
A few days later!
In the training area for magic apprentices, nearly every apprentice produced sparks of orange light resembling welding sparks as they moved. The yellow sparks rearranged with hand gestures, forming elemental spells like magic whips and shields.
Only one of the apprentices produced faint sparks that disappeared with a sizzle, as if the special effects artist had forgotten to add effects, making the scene awkward.
"Xiaodai, record this scene for me!"
Li Yue found the scene amusing and couldn't help but instruct Xiaodai to record it.
"If this awkward moment were shown to the future Doctor Strange, I wonder what his reaction would be."
Thinking this, Li Yue couldn't help but smile mischievously. Despite Stephen's hands being intact, he still faced this awkward situation.