When people reach the depths of despair, they no longer have time to think about the future.
Strange was exactly like that.
His life was in ruins, his body was crippled, and he was already on the verge of despair.
At this point, what did he still have to fear?
He did not think for long.
Strange agreed immediately.
"Are you sure you want to stay here and learn magic?"
"You might spend the rest of your life fighting."
"Once you agree, there may be no turning back."
Karl looked at Strange as he spoke.
"I never had a way back to begin with," Strange said.
"Good."
"Keep that attitude."
"Master Mordo, please take Strange and find him a room."
"Starting tomorrow, have him train slowly alongside the probationary sorcerers."
Karl nodded at Mordo.
Mordo returned the gesture and led Strange away.
After making his decision, Strange settled down in Kamar-Taj just like that.
Under Karl's arrangements, Strange studied the most basic spell together with the probationary sorcerers: the Portal.
However, just like Karl back then, Strange's early training did not go smoothly.
Kamar-Taj's magic was hardest at the beginner stage.
When someone had lived too long in the ordinary world, casting aside every distracting thought was not an easy thing.
Even with Strange's outstanding talent, this move was still extremely difficult for him.
A full half month passed.
Strange made no progress at all in this area.
After the car accident, he had already fallen to the lowest point of his life.
His emotions were completely out of control.
After so much time without the slightest progress, how could he not be frustrated?
That day, Karl was teaching the probationary sorcerers when he ran into Strange.
"How is it, Strange? Any progress?" Karl asked with a smile.
"None at all! I'm starting to think I'm completely unsuited to this so-called magic!"
"There's been no progress whatsoever!"
Strange answered angrily.
"It's only been half a month. There's no need to rush," Karl said calmly.
"It has nothing to do with time!"
"My hands make it impossible for me to learn magic!"
Strange spoke in fury.
His hands still bore the marks where metal pins had been inserted, and whenever he practiced magic, they trembled slightly.
"Do you see this?"
"My hands can't cast magic at all!"
Strange was furious, and deep despair filled his eyes.
"Strange, get a hold of yourself."
"Most of a person's anger comes from their own helplessness."
"Don't be angry, and don't make excuses for yourself."
Karl's tone remained calm.
But Strange did not listen to a word Karl said.
The expression on his face was still ugly.
Karl glanced at him and said, "Come with me."
With his hands behind his back, Karl turned and left, and Strange followed him.
A moment later, they arrived in front of a spacious hall.
"You think you can't cast magic because of your hands?"
"Of course! I simply can't learn magic."
Strange answered without hesitation.
"I can tell you right now that you're just making excuses for yourself."
"Hands have never been the thing that limits spellcasting."
"They only help you focus better."
"Movements are ultimately just assistance. They are never the deciding factor."
Karl spoke coldly.
Seeing that Strange still wanted to argue, Karl spoke again.
"Watch carefully."
"Stop making excuses for yourself."
After saying that, Karl folded his arms without making a single movement.
Golden light appeared directly before him.
A Portal formed right in front of him.
Strange was dumbstruck.
He had already spent nearly half a month in Kamar-Taj.
During that time, he had come into contact with a great deal of magical theory and had grasped much of the basics.
He now understood very clearly that casting magic without using one's hands was incredibly difficult.
Otherwise, among all the Master Sorcerers in Kamar-Taj, who had mastered such an astonishing technique?
Not one of them.
Most sorcerers needed the aid of both hands in order to cast.
But Karl could cast magic without using his hands at all, and do it with such speed and skill.
So this was the Sorcerer Supreme?
Strange's mouth fell open, and his face filled with disbelief.
"Did you see that?"
"Don't use your hands as an excuse."
"In fact, even if your body were gone and only your soul remained, you should still be able to cast."
Karl said it matter-of-factly.
Strange's face turned pale.
He had been deeply shaken.
"How is that even possible?"
Strange could not understand it.
"Why wouldn't it be possible?"
"What matters most in magic is your mind and your will, not your body."
"When you can truly master your own will, even the power of magic can become yours."
Karl explained patiently.
Strange seemed thoughtful.
But in the end, he still failed to grasp it.
Karl shook his head.
"Do you want me to help you?"
"I can?" Strange said in surprise.
"Of course."
A smile appeared on Karl's face.
In the next instant, he flashed in front of Strange and kicked him straight out.
A Portal appeared in front of him.
Staggering, Strange fell directly through it.
"This is the summit of Mount Everest."
"In fifteen minutes, you'll freeze solid and die of exposure."
"Good luck."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Portal vanished.
Only Strange remained, staring blankly at the endless white snow around him.
Karl stayed where he was, amusement written all over his face.
There was no question that Strange was a genius.
He was only a hair's breadth away from comprehending magic.
Karl felt that with one sharp enough push, Strange would definitely learn.
If the Ancient One could use this trick to make Strange grasp magic, Karl figured he could do the same.
Besides, with Karl's strength, he could absolutely save Strange before he died, so there was nothing to worry about.
A few minutes passed.
No golden Portal appeared.
Karl frowned.
Surely the butterfly effect had not caused Strange to freeze to death...
Was he really going to have to step in and save him himself?
Just as he was wondering, a burst of golden light appeared before him.
With sparks flying everywhere, a Portal opened.
In a miserable state, Strange rolled out through it.
"Very good, Strange."
"You see? It definitely wasn't because of your hands."
Karl smiled as he spoke.
For a moment, Strange was left speechless.
Right now, he truly did not know whether to laugh or cry.
(End of Chapter)
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