The young sorceress standing before me, though not much older than the apprentices, had managed to impress every sorcerer in Kamar-Taj in just a few short months. It wasn't just because the current Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One herself, had named this girl as her successor—it was also because her magical talent was undeniable.
Just how talented was she?
In the few months since she'd begun studying magic, she had already surpassed everyone else in both her knowledge and her intuitive understanding of the mystical arts. Even seasoned masters like Mordo and the elder sorcerers had openly acknowledged her exceptional skill. A month ago, when other-dimensional creatures attempted to invade Earth, she personally stepped forward and vanquished a terrifying entity on her own.
Despite her gentle manner, there was a regal strength about her. She exuded a warm presence that made people feel at ease, yet she approached everything with a quiet courage and determination.
Because of this, the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj unanimously saw her as the rightful successor to the Ancient One, someone who would one day lead them in the battle against the darkness and protect Earth.
Today, the girl was officially taking over Mordo's duties, teaching the young apprentices. Her mastery of magic was second only to the Ancient One, and her teaching methods were uniquely captivating.
With a snap of her fingers—Bang!—the entire world seemed to shatter around them. Instantly, everyone was transported into the Mirror Dimension, a feat that left the young sorcerers in awe.
Then, she stretched out her hand and pressed it toward the ground. Boom! The mirror world flipped upside down. The ground quaked, mountains crumbled, and buildings fractured, sending rocks and wooden planks flying through the air. The earth beneath their feet surged as if pressing down, while a powerful wind whipped through, blowing her hair in every direction.
In the stunned eyes of her young students, the landscape of the Mirror Dimension transformed entirely. Suddenly, they found themselves standing on the shore of a vast, endless ocean. Waves lapped gently at the sand beneath their feet, while behind her rose the mountains of a secluded island, and above, seabirds wheeled in the sky.
With bright, starry eyes, she stood at the center of this world, like a goddess in command of the elements, radiating a presence that captivated everyone around her.
The dozens of young sorcerers present were visibly thrilled. Wanda glanced at them and nodded to herself—they were her future team, her support. How much free time she'd have in the future depended on how well she trained them now.
Determined to set a solid foundation, Wanda invested heavily in their early training, hoping that, in the long run, her presence at Kamar-Taj would be a rare sight. After all, she was all too familiar with Leon's method of working just enough to get by.
"You all have a solid foundation in magic, with unique perspectives and combat styles," Wanda said. "After all, human energy is limited."
She allowed herself a slight smirk. Human energy was limited, yes, but some were exceptions to that rule. In two or three months, she had already read the entire Kamar-Taj library and mastered its spells. Who else could do that? But the young sorcerers didn't notice the hint of pride in her tone; her words seemed practical enough to them.
Wanda's message resonated. Every sorcerer has their strengths and weaknesses, and while power levels vary, other factors—proficiency, the structure of one's combat system, and adaptability—are crucial to a sorcerer's effectiveness in battle. Sometimes, a sorcerer with less raw power but a refined style and strategic mind could even defeat a stronger opponent. Wanda understood this well.
Unless you had her level of talent or had reached the strength of the Sorcerer Supreme, you'd be affected by these factors. So rather than lecturing on magical theory, which Mordo could handle, Wanda focused on combat. To her, magical knowledge and battle readiness went hand in hand.
"From now on, you will fight," she announced, her voice turning from gentle to icy as a winter storm. "And I don't mean ordinary training exercises—I mean real, life-and-death battles."
Her words stunned the young sorcerers, who exchanged uneasy glances. Sensing their apprehension, she gave a soft smile, but her eyes held a dangerous gleam.
Boom, boom!
A powerful, domineering force erupted from her, sweeping outward like a tidal wave. The intense energy brought a suffocating pressure, leaving the young sorcerers wide-eyed with shock.
The impact was like a force pressing on the very spirits of the young sorcerers, causing them all to stagger under its weight. They looked at Wanda in astonishment, eyes wide with disbelief.
"But before we go any further," she said, "your first step is to strengthen your mental resilience. Let's see how long you can withstand this."
If Wanda had seemed like a sweet sorceress before, now, with her strong and commanding voice and the immense pressure of her spirit, she resembled a powerful queen from ancient times, wielding absolute authority.
Rumble! Her intense, domineering aura crashed down on the sorcerers' minds, wave after wave, like a small boat struggling in a violent storm. At any moment, it felt as if they might be overwhelmed.
Outside the Mirror Dimension, the Ancient One and Leon observed this scene. The Ancient One's expression held a hint of intrigue.
"She's... far more formidable, even domineering, compared to the Wandas I've encountered in other universes," she remarked with a smile.
"The environment she grew up in shaped her," Leon replied calmly, watching Wanda with a gentle gaze. "She's strong, and I've only given her the confidence to unleash that strength."
Wanda was at her most captivating in this moment, and Leon felt certain that this version of her would become more powerful than any other Scarlet Witch across the multiverse.
"Indeed," the Ancient One agreed. "I may have once approached things more gently, but I believe, as Sorcerer Supreme, she'll bring a new era to Kamar-Taj."
...
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