Marvel: My Eyes Defies Fate.

Kaecilius was livid.

He had come to Kamar-Taj seeking power—real power. He had poured endless effort into studying magic, mastering every spell he could get his hands on. And now, the Sorcerer Supreme had pulled him from his training for this?

To duel Kurogai—the so-called "Magic Theory Expert"?

The nickname was a joke. Kurogai was known for doing nothing but reading—never practicing, never sparring. Just buried in books. And now, the Ancient One was treating him like an equal? Like they were on the same level?

No. Kaecilius wouldn't accept that. He would make an example of Kurogai—crush him right here in front of everyone and prove that action always outweighed theory.

Magic surged through Kaecilius's hand as he traced a sharp rune into the air. Sparks danced as the energy solidified into a whip of golden light.

"Magic Whip!"

With a cold smirk, Kaecilius lashed it straight toward Kurogai.

But just as the whip closed the distance, Kurogai raised his hand. In a flash of motion and glowing energy, he conjured the exact same whip, the rune forming faster than should have been humanly possible. Their two magic whips collided in a brilliant burst of sparks—

Boom!

Both whips vanished in a blinding clash of energy, dissipating into the air.

Kaecilius staggered slightly, stunned.

"What…? That's impossible."

His eyes narrowed in disbelief. He had started forming his rune before Kurogai had even moved—he was certain of it. And yet, Kurogai's spell had been not just completed, but cast, before his own.

Doesn't that mean… he's faster than me?

Kaecilius clenched his fists. The more adept a sorcerer was at a spell, the quicker they could cast it. Kurogai's precision and speed… it surpassed his own.

How?!

He'd trained relentlessly. Kurogai was just a scholar. A reader. He had never once even seen him practice.

"Again!"

Fueled by rage, Kaecilius activated his Sling Ring, beginning a new incantation. This time, a glowing construct of a longsword began to take shape in the air.

But before he could finish—snap!

Another whip of light flew from Kurogai's hand and struck his half-formed spell, shattering the construct mid-cast.

"You're wasting time. Sit down," Kurogai muttered coldly.

With a flick of his wrist, he lashed out again. The whip wrapped around Kaecilius's torso, and with a burst of force—

CRASH!

Kaecilius's body was flung like a ragdoll into a stone pillar at the edge of the training ring. The impact was brutal. He gasped, coughing up blood as his body slumped to the floor.

"You're done," Kurogai said flatly.

There was no hint of arrogance—only truth. He hadn't lifted a finger in combat for over a year, but his instincts were honed sharper than ever. He had once walked battlefields, ended lives. A duel like this was barely a warm-up.

He turned his gaze back to the remaining sorcerers.

"Who's next?"

Silence.

Not a single one stepped forward. Eyes that once mocked him were now filled with disbelief—and fear.

This wasn't the quiet scholar from the library. This wasn't the "theory expert" they'd dismissed. The way Kurogai moved, the confidence in his execution… he wasn't just a magician.

He was a weapon.

Even those who had once whispered behind his back could see the difference. Kaecilius hadn't even finished casting a second spell before being overwhelmed.

This wasn't luck. It was mastery.

"Your understanding of magic is… impressive," the Ancient One finally said, her expression unreadable.

She had suspected Kurogai possessed talent, but this exceeded expectations.

"You've proven yourself. That will be enough for today."

The other sorcerers exhaled in relief, some visibly stepping back. They had no desire to become the next to crash against a stone wall.

But Kurogai didn't move.

His eyes—crimson and glowing with the Replication Eye—scanned the group again.

"With respect, Ancient One… I'm not done."

His tone was calm, almost too calm.

"I want to keep going."

He raised his hand and pointed at the rest of the group.

"All of you. Come at once."

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