Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1178 Universal Laws (First Update)

This was a violent man; his physique and scars spoke of fierce battles and unimaginable victories. He was a warrior, even his breath reeked of blood. Stephen Strange had been dragged early from his cramped apprentice's room by Mordo. After washing up, he sleepily toured Kamar-Taj before his morning lessons, where he saw the man standing in the center of the square—he had assumed that after yesterday's experience, nothing here would surprise him anymore. However, when he discovered that the wooden door he had entered Kamar-Taj led not to the streets of Kathmandu, but to a steep, snow-covered cliff on the slopes of the Himalayas, he felt disbelief once more.

He even spotted snow leopards hidden among the black rocks and snow. These ferocious predators, instead of harming him, walked towards him and lazily rolled around in front of him. It wasn't until another robed sorcerer emerged carrying a bucket of fresh meat and methodically fed the snow leopards that Stephen Strange realized those wild animals were actually farmed animals kept at Kamar-Taj. Besides these, numerous other wild animals that would excite any wildlife expert were also readily available; Stephen Strange had never seen so many wild animals in his entire life.

Now he witnessed another astonishing sight: the mages, now dressed in smart attire, attacked the tall man with a combination of fists, feet, and spells. Facing sparks of intense heat capable of scorching rocks, the man, relying solely on his agility and strength, swiftly and decisively defeated the mages with almost imperceptible movements, leaving them unscathed. This greatly surprised Stephen Strange, who had witnessed the collapsing magical sparks ignite fallen leaves, causing a minor disturbance. He didn't believe that such speed and power were within human capabilities; there must be some secret he didn't know, and that secret was the key to healing him.

Mordo noticed his gaze, for the man's vitality and health filled Stephen Strange with envy. "That's still too early for you. You can only learn how to use the physical body after you've learned how to use the power of the mind," he explained. "Normally, a wizard's apprentice learns the latter first, but your situation is a little different, so the Sorcerer Supreme has agreed to let you study the theory first."

"I studied karate in college and went to the gym regularly before the injury," Stephen Strange said. "I was healthy before the car accident. I had regular checkups and never smoked, drank, or used drugs, so I didn't need to waste time learning... martial arts."

"Once you understand a little bit of the theory, you'll understand why Kamar-Taj needs to learn martial arts." Mordo ignored Stephen Strange's boasting; in his eyes, the guy was just reverting to his old ways. Clearly, the Sorcerer Supreme was right. Stephen Strange was always so arrogant; even glimpsing a tiny fraction of the outer dimensions couldn't diminish his arrogance. "Don't question the Sorcerer Supreme's teachings. For over a thousand years, we've followed these doctrines to protect humanity and the Earth."

"I don't want to practice with that big guy."

"Even if you wanted to, you couldn't. You rarely see him; he's very busy. He's only back today to help with teaching and fill the vacancy left by the transfer of another sorcerer," Mordo said. "You shouldn't be focusing your attention elsewhere... Watch your step; this staircase hasn't been changed in over a thousand years, and many people have tripped and fallen here."

At this moment, Stephen Strange seemed to finally remember the purpose of his trip. "What are we supposed to do? Should I start learning? How are you going to heal me?" he asked hastily. "Should I start meditating or chanting some incantation now, like Jonathan Penburn did?"

"Don't rush, you still have a lot to learn."

"Wait, wait!" Stephen Strange shakily extended a finger. "I just want my hand healed, I don't want anything else, do you understand?"

"This matter is not up to you. Don't question His Excellency's decision." Mordo opened the door and forcefully pushed him inside.

Stephen Strange met the Sorcerer Supreme again a day later, but the room was completely different from what he had imagined. There was no fireplace like in magical movies, no flying cutlery, and no flickering lights to make it seem more "magical." Instead, he saw the golden-armored giant standing behind the Sorcerer Supreme. The magnificent armor was breathtaking and strangely familiar to Stephen Strange. Just as he managed to pull his attention away from the giant's presence, he saw an even taller, iron-gray robot standing in the corner of the room. The robot's massive cannons on its shoulders and the dark gold ammunition belts hanging from the multi-barreled cannons on its arms gleamed with a cold light from an unknown source.

"I thought this place would..."

“More magic, I know what you mean.” The Sorcerer Supreme sighed, then turned to the Royal Guard standing beside him. “Relax, Hammurabi, don’t think about killing everyone you see.”

"My lord's command to me is to protect your safety in Mordo's absence and to resolve some minor troubles you'd rather avoid," Hammurabi replied curtly. Stephen Strange couldn't help but take two steps back in fear when he saw the golden giant point his blood-red visor at him. "That's a fool. He has no idea who he's facing."

"So...you actually conduct scientific research too?"

"My disciple is very interested in this; he believes it is the only path to human ascension." The Sorcerer Supreme kindly invited Stephen Strange to sit on the cushion before him. "Yesterday was merely to let you experience with your shallow human mind what we must face; today is your initiation lesson."

"I remember now!" Stephen Strange suddenly pointed at the Royal Guard and exclaimed, "I've seen you on television, the Royal Guard of Emperor Latvinia! I don't usually watch international news, but I'm sure I'll remember something so conspicuous! You have very advanced technology; you can heal my hand!" Hammurabi remained unmoved by Stephen Strange's sudden outburst, and the Sorcerer Supreme showed no anger at his rudeness. The Royal Guard lowered their heads, awaiting the Sorcerer Supreme's orders. Whether to kill this rude fellow or throw him off a cliff, Hammurabi would obey the monarch's will and the Sorcerer Supreme's instructions. While awaiting orders, he switched on the power switch on his halberd, and the explosive gun, upon receiving the command, was loaded.

If any chemical could frighten Stephen Strange, it certainly wouldn't be in his brain.

"Relax, Hammurabi," the Sorcerer Supreme sighed. "If you wish, then your initiation should be postponed. Since you are unwilling to learn magic, then ask my disciple if he would be willing to use scientific methods to heal your hands."

“Perhaps we should abandon him, Master. Stephen Strange lacks any sense of responsibility. He's a pure neoliberal supporter and beneficiary—at least he was in the past, and now he's a victim of neoliberalism—but that doesn't change his stupidity.” The tall man Stephen Strange had seen in the square walked in, staring intently at him with a gaze similar to the Sorcerer Supreme's, a calmness that was unsettling. “Making such a fool understand our responsibility would cost us too much; we don't have the time. Besides, we have alternatives; eliminating him isn't a problem.”

"What does this mean?"

"It means you should leave," Emperor Latvinia said calmly. "I will send you back to the garbage dump of New York, where you can live however you want. Considering the possibility that you might reveal the existence of Kamar-Taj, I will first perform memory erasure on you rather than sealing it. Only in this way can we ensure that no one else will learn of our secrets."

"Wait, wait! I'm willing to learn!"

"It's too late." Emperor Latvian made a gesture as if to grab Stephen Strange's collar.

"I don't know what you want from me!" The former doctor was now enraged, yelling, "What do you want from me?! I'm penniless! I just want my hands healed!"

"There are no gifts in this world, Stephen Strange." The Latvian Emperor ignored his feeble resistance and dragged Stephen Strange to his feet, his toes barely touching the floor. "You must pay a price. Equivalent exchange, that's the rule of the magical world. You must give something of equal value to heal your hands. First, you must learn manners, or I'll give you another place to heal."

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(End of this chapter)