Chapter 13: Learning mirror space.
Li Yue returned to his room, retrieved the book he had borrowed from the library, and casually flipped through its pages.
However, the books stored in the outer chambers contained little in the way of advanced magical knowledge. Most of the content was rudimentary — the history of Kamar-Taj, biographies of notable figures, and perspectives on the world as seen through the eyes of Kamar-Taj scholars. Predominantly theoretical, these works offered readers a comprehensive understanding of the mystical realm, explaining the fundamental concepts of magic and its mechanisms.
Contrary to Li Yue's initial assumptions, the spell system of Kamar-Taj was not solely built upon accumulated experience. It also involved meticulous calculations, with past magicians often deconstructing spells to analyze and interpret their underlying structures.
In essence, mastering magic was a laborious endeavor. It demanded not only proficiency in manipulating magical energy but also a thorough understanding of magical theory, rune comprehension, and the ability to link magical energies into a cohesive whole.
However, Li Yue has now come to appreciate the benefits of the spatial origin within his body. While he cannot rely on external forces and must cultivate his abilities through personal effort, the power he gains is entirely his own, giving him complete control over it.
After finishing the foundational texts, Li Yue leveraged his considerable spiritual strength. While he could not achieve the flawless memory and proficiency of Dr. Strange, he managed to gain a solid understanding of magic and its application.
By the time evening arrived, Li Yue decided to practice astral projection. His transparent soul body separated from his physical form, floating freely in the room. Unlike his usual routine of spiritual practice, he drifted toward the table and reached for the borrowed books.
To his surprise, he was able to grasp the book and even feel its texture without sensing its weight. Li Yue couldn't help but recall how Dr. Strange, in the movie, read books with his soul while his body rested. Curious, he attempted the same — and it worked. The books seemed to possess a unique magical property, allowing the soul to read them while in its astral form.
The books in question were dedicated to space magic, a subject Li Yue had long anticipated exploring.
As he read further, he realized why Kamar-Taj mages practiced melee combat and trained as battle mages. Due to the widespread use of space magic, almost every mage first learned the teleportation portal. The simplicity of using the teleportation portal — requiring only basic energy manipulation — created a unique problem. In a long-range magical duel, a mage could simply escape through a portal, making it difficult for opponents to counter them.
Similarly, it became common for enemies to teleport behind mages to launch melee attacks. This shift gradually diminished the dominance of long-range magic. Consequently, Kamar-Taj began emphasizing melee combat, teaching mages how to create magical shields, summon energy whips, and wield mystical artifacts. (This humorous commentary about battle mages was likely an exaggerated remark from the author, meant to amuse readers.)
Once Li Yue completed the foundational concepts of space magic, he eagerly picked up the book on mirror space magic. His fascination with this magic, ever since watching the movie, intensified. The memory of the Ancient One effortlessly distorting and folding reality left a lasting impression.
Mirror space, also referred to as the mirror dimension, exists as a separate, manipulated reality. Within it, the rules of the world are dictated entirely by the mage controlling it, independent of the natural laws of the real world. Since Kamar-Taj masters govern this dimension, it behaves like a surreal reflection of reality.
In the mirrored space, the concepts of real and unreal become blurred. The environment is as bizarre as a dream, constantly shifting and morphing. A powerful mage can reshape the landscape at will, bending buildings, roads, and rivers. They can even reverse gravity, create infinite reflections, and fragment space into countless mirror shards.
The mage who holds greater magical strength and comprehension can override their opponent's manipulations, completely altering the mirror space in their favor. It is a domain of limitless potential, ideal for combat, surveillance, and training. However, it has no effect on the real world, making it a safe yet dangerous battleground.
Although Li Yue thoroughly absorbed the book's contents, he remained incapable of creating and controlling the mirror space. Acknowledging his limitations, he decided it was time to seek guidance from the Ancient One, trusting that she would provide him with the clarity he sought.
After placing the book aside, Li Yue entered a meditative state once more. Blue specks of light gently gathered around his ethereal form, eventually converging at the center of his brow.
To his astonishment, after a week of meditation, he found himself once again in the vast, mysterious starry expanse. The absorbed blue light particles gravitated toward the glowing sphere in the center, slowly merging into it and rotating erratically. Although his perception was still somewhat limited, Li Yue sensed a significant breakthrough — a rewarding accomplishment given his short training period.
As days passed, his daily routine continued. Between studying and practicing with fellow mages, Li Yue noticed remarkable progress in his melee combat abilities. Under Master Mordo's relentless training, he was now able to last several minutes in combat without relying on his teleportation powers. For someone without previous fighting experience, this improvement was no small feat, earning him well-deserved praise from Mordo.
Despite not using his teleportation abilities, Li Yue could now withstand Master Mordo's attacks for several minutes. This achievement was no small feat, considering he had never learned combat before. Achieving this level of proficiency in less than two weeks earned him Master Mordo's sincere praise.
Master Gu Yi had returned two days prior, but instead of immediately approaching her, Li Yue decided to wait. Today, he finally resolved to seek her guidance regarding the mirror space.
"Venerable Ancient One, I apologize for the intrusion. I've come to seek your guidance in mastering the use of mirror space magic."
In the hall, Master Gu Yi and Li Yue sat across from each other. The familiar tea was served, reminiscent of Li Yue's first visit. However, the tone of this conversation was vastly different.
"Master Li Yue, follow me," Gu Yi said without further words.
She rose gracefully and made a simple hand gesture. In an instant, the space ahead shattered like fragile glass. However, instead of collapsing, the fragments remained suspended. Without hesitation, Gu Yi stepped through, and a curious Li Yue followed.
Passing through felt like moving through a thin, intangible film. There was no resistance, and although the surroundings appeared unchanged, everything now mirrored the real world in reverse.
"The mirror space is where mages engage in combat. Here, the real world remains unaffected, making it a suitable battleground. However, it can be dangerous. Without a sling ring, opening a portal back to the real world is impossible. One could be trapped here indefinitely."
"Venerable Ancient One," Li Yue responded hesitantly, "I can open portals without a sling ring."
Gu Yi's expression remained calm. "Indeed, you don't require one."
She acknowledged his words with a slight nod, offering no further comment.
Master Gu Yi proceeded to demonstrate various applications of mirror space magic. She showed Li Yue how to manipulate the environment and explained the intricacies of controlling this dimension. Through her patient guidance, Li Yue gradually grasped the fundamentals. Though far from her level, he could now open a mirror space and make minor alterations, like rotating rooftops. Master Gu Yi, on the other hand, could effortlessly invert entire buildings and alter gravitational forces.
"Thank you, Venerable Ancient One. My doubts have been resolved. I won't disturb you further," Li Yue said respectfully.
With that, he vanished from the mirror space, testing whether his superpower could bypass its confines. As anticipated, his teleportation ability allowed him to escape with ease.
"This power of his is truly remarkable," Gu Yi murmured, gazing at the spot where Li Yue had disappeared. "But with his presence, the threads of fate have shifted. The one destined to answer the call may no longer be the same."
She traced a circle mid-air, forming a glowing portal, and stepped out of the mirror space.
...….
In Kamar-Taj's practice square, Li Yue stood facing an opponent clad in a dark green robe. The man held a short staff, its length just a few feet, and maintained a combat stance, prepared for Li Yue's assault.
Without wasting any time, Li Yue extended his hands, forming semi-fists. A radiant blue light emerged, stretching into a solid energy beam. He swung it experimentally — it shifted seamlessly between the rigidity of a staff and the fluidity of a whip.
Simultaneously, a shimmering energy shield materialized around his left hand. Without hesitation, Li Yue charged forward, using the shield for protection while wielding the energy beam with his right hand. His speed was astonishing, closing the distance in an instant.
With a powerful swing, Li Yue aimed at his opponent. The robed figure reacted swiftly, raising the staff to block the strike. Sparks of magical energy scattered upon impact. They engaged in a rapid exchange of blows, their weapons clashing in bursts of blue light.
Li Yue applied every melee combat technique he had learned, but the man –countered each move with –ease. Even so, Li Yue refused to be discouraged. Abandoning the predictability of conventional forms, he adopted an unpredictable, fluid style. His attacks became erratic, striking at unexpected angles and altering mid-motion.
Caught off guard, his opponent struggled to adapt, narrowly deflecting Li Yue's sudden strikes. Though not overwhelmed, the once-confident stance of the robed figure wavered. Despite the occasional stumble, the man remained resilient, refusing to concede defeat.
The spar continued, both combatants pushing their limits, with Li Yue determined to prove his growth.
Sensing the possibility of defeat, the figure quickly retreated. Before Li Yue could respond, the opponent's feet glowed with a sudden burst of yellow light, forming a circular disc beneath him. Using this light as a foothold, the man seemingly defied gravity, leaping effortlessly into the air. He passed over Li Yue's head, and with a swift motion, the yellow light coiled around his short staff. He swung it down forcefully, aiming for Li Yue's back.
Reacting swiftly, Li Yue spun around mid-air, narrowly evading the full force of the blow. Raising the blue energy shield on his left hand, he braced for impact.
Boom!
A thunderous noise echoed as the yellow staff struck the shield. The shield shattered into glowing fragments that dissolved into the air. Despite successfully blocking the attack, the sheer force propelled Li Yue backward. He stumbled several steps before regaining his stance.
"Master Mordo–, you've won again," Li Yue conceded, his voice steady.
The man in the dark green robe lowered his staff, offering a slight nod. It was indeed Master Mordo who had been training Li Yue in combat. Though it had seemed like a close match, Li Yue knew the truth. Master Mordo had held much back, focusing solely on defense to help Li Yue improve. Had Master Mordo fought seriously, Li Yue wouldn't have lasted nearly as long.
However, Li Yue also understood that he had refrained from using his full strength. His body's power continued to grow exponentially. Even with Mordo using magic to enhance his physical strength, it was incomparable to Li Yue's raw physical prowess. A single punch from him now carried the force of more than five tons — far beyond human capability. In these sparring sessions, he deliberately suppressed his strength to avoid harming his opponent.
"Master Li Yue, your humility is unwarranted," Mordo responded with a smile. "Your progress is evident to all. Without the aid of magical artifacts, I wouldn't have stood a chance."
A month had passed since Li Yue's arrival at Kamar-Taj. His growth had accelerated rapidly. He had not only mastered mirror dimension spells but also learned to manipulate space itself in the real world, folding it at will. His abilities resembled the feats Kaecilius had displayed after drawing power from Dormammu's Dark Dimension, but unlike Kaecilius, Li Yue's appearance remained unchanged — no darkened eyes, no signs of corruption.
He refrained from displaying these powers openly, choosing instead to practice in solitude. While his manipulations were not yet strong enough to significantly alter the real world, they proved advantageous in personal combat. During his bouts with Mordo, Li Yue often shifted space subtly, causing his opponent to misjudge distances. The effect was invisible to all but him, making it a secret advantage.
Yet amidst his progress, Li Yue often contemplated how to alter the tragic fates of Kaecilius and Mordo. Kaecilius was consumed by his obsession to resurrect his wife and children, willing to sacrifice everything for that purpose. Mordo, on the other hand, adhered rigidly to the natural order. The revelation of Gu Yi's use of dark dimension power would shatter his beliefs, leading him down a dark path.
Li Yue tried to subtly influence Mordo's mindset, reminding him that morality was determined not by power, but by intent. Yet, his efforts seemed to have little effect. Mordo's stoic demeanor remained unchanged.
As Li Yue mulled over these thoughts, his phone rang. Startled, he instinctively felt a sense of dread. After all, no one had contacted him in a month.
"Tony, what happened?" he asked, voice tense.
"Why so anxious? Relax!" Tony's familiar, sarcastic tone echoed through the line. "You've vanished for a whole month. How's the monk life treating you? I've upgraded my suits several –times. When are you coming back? I need someone to admire my genius."
Relieved that nothing was wrong, Li Yue's frustration flared. "Don't scare me like that! I thought something serious happened."
"Well, if you're not worried about your girlfriend running off with some guy named Xiaobai, I suppose everything's fine," Tony teased mischievously.
"Tony, do you actually have something important to say, or should I hang up now?" Li Yue growled.
"Alright, alright. The Stark Expo opens tonight. Want to attend the ceremony? Lots of brilliant tech — and beautiful women too," Tony offered.
The mention of the Stark Expo stirred Li Yue's memories. Time had flown by, and now the events of Iron Man 2 were upon them. But with Tony's palladium poisoning already resolved, there was no reason for the reckless behavior that had initially led to his disastrous clash with Ivan Vanko.
"Nah, you go ahead and show off without me. I'm not in the mood for any of your theatrics."
Without waiting for further banter, Li Yue ended the call.
Despite Tony's antics, the conversation had left him thoughtful. His time at Kamar-Taj was nearing its end. He had achieved what he came for, and it was time to move on. Resolving to bid farewell to the Ancient One, Li Yue sat cross-legged and entered a meditative state. His soul separated from his body, glowing faintly as he embarked on his nightly practice.
.....
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