Bringing the Sorcerer Supreme here wasn't part of Kurogai's original plan. He had intended to handle Mordo alone. However, after reading The Book of Cagliostro, Kurogai changed his mind.
He wanted to acquire more magical knowledge, but most of the books in the magic library had already been studied by Kurogai, so they no longer held much value. The only books in the entire Kamar-Taj that Kurogai hadn't accessed were from Ancient One's private collection.
If Kurogai had simply killed Mordo, Ancient One would never have allowed him to access her private collection. That was inevitable, as Mordo was her disciple; killing him outright would have been a waste.
Completely extracting every bit of value from an enemy was Kurogai's goal, which explained her arrival. It was a calculated move by Kurogai to benefit Ancient One as well.
"Mordo, you have deeply disappointed me."
Ancient One regarded Mordo with profound disappointment. From the first time she met him, She suspected Mordo's character was flawed, yet she still held onto hope, which was why she accepted him as a disciple. She never expected him to fall so far, leaving her exhausted and disheartened.
"No... no... no! Sorcerer Supreme, please listen, I never intended for this to happen. It's all because of that cursed Kaecilius and that damned child. If it weren't for them, I would never have gone this far. Please believe me, Sorcerer Supreme!"
Mordo pleaded desperately, panic clouding his words. He knew that the Sorcerer Supreme could see through lies and truth alike, so the more he spoke, the less convincing he sounded. His attempts to justify himself felt hollow even to his own ears.
"Enough. You need not say any more. You made mistakes, and you must accept the consequences."
Ancient One spoke calmly, then gestured at the empty space around them. The world seemed to twist and shift; the ground folded like a grid, gravity seemed to waver, and reality inverted. Above the original plane, a strange portal opened.
This was the gateway to the alternate dimension.
"Mordo, given the gravity of your transgressions, I hereby banish you to the alternate dimension."
Ancient One waved her hand again, and Mordo's body was forcibly drawn toward the portal.
"No, no, Sorcerer Supreme! Please, do not banish me. I truly never meant for this!"
Terror contorted Mordo's face as he screamed in desperation. He knew that exile to the alternate dimension meant almost certain death. He struggled violently, but it was futile. Violating Kamar-Taj's most sacred law left no room for mercy.
Mordo was banished, abandoned to the alternate dimension, his fate sealed by the Sorcerer Supreme.
Throughout this, Kurogai didn't glance at Mordo once. His full attention was fixed on the spatial magic Ancient One was wielding, his Eyes of Replication wide open.
This was a form of magic he had never encountered before. At first glance, Kurogai recognized its profound complexity. His Replication Eyes struggled to analyze the spell's structure, which was vast and intricate beyond anything he'd seen.
Normally, Kurogai could decode magic within seconds, but this time, progress was painfully slow.
"Very well, Kurogai. Kamar-Taj owes you for resolving this matter. Do you have any requests?" Ancient One's voice brought him back from his focus.
Previously, she had promised that anyone who solved this crisis could become her disciple, but that offer was only for Kamar-Taj residents. Since Kurogai wasn't part of their order, she wanted to compensate him in another way.
A smile crept across Kurogai's face. This was exactly what he had hoped for — extracting every last bit of value from Mordo in exchange for a reward from Ancient One.
"I want to see your private collection of books. You know I love to read," Kurogai said without hesitation.
Ancient One hesitated. This upheaval had been triggered by Kaecilius stealing from her private collection, leading to all these troubles. She worried that allowing Kurogai access to those forbidden tomes might lead him down a dangerous path.
"Oh, and Ancient One, here is the book Kaecilius stole earlier." Kurogai produced The Book of Cagliostro and handed it over. Having already recorded its contents, keeping the physical copy served no purpose. It was better to return it to Ancient One.
"Alright, your wish is granted."
Seeing Kurogai showed no greed for The Book of Cagliostro, Ancient One finally relented. Everything proceeded as Kurogai had expected.
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