Chapter 37: Sparring.

"You mean Kurogai hasn't practiced a single spell this entire time? He's just been reading books in the library?"

The Ancient One looked at Wong with genuine surprise. It sounded almost unbelievable. Most magical texts were dense and difficult—steeped in ancient theory and abstract principles. Nearly every apprentice, upon grasping the basics of a spell, would rush to practice it. After all, mastering magic was the goal. But Kurogai? He hadn't cast a single spell.

"Yes," Wong said with a sigh. "I didn't believe it at first either. I thought maybe the other students were exaggerating. But after watching him myself for several days... it's true."

Wong crossed his arms, clearly perplexed. "I even tried encouraging him to begin training, but he wasn't interested. He just kept reading. That's all he's done—for a year."

"Fascinating…" the Ancient One murmured. "I'll go see him myself."

Her arrangement with Kurogai had always been hands-off: no personal instruction, only access. Kamar-Taj would be open to him, and what he made of it was his own decision. But even so, this approach was... unexpected. She was curious now.

With a wave of her hand, a golden portal opened. She stepped through.

The swirling energy vanished as she appeared inside the library. The scent of ancient paper, incense, and candle wax filled the air. Across the quiet hall, she spotted Kurogai, hunched slightly over an open tome, eyes scanning line after line.

"Kurogai," she called gently as she approached, "how is your study progressing?"

He blinked, slowly looking up. "Ancient One. You're back."

There was genuine surprise in his tone. He hadn't sensed her approach—clearly, he'd been too focused.

"I heard from Wong that you've spent the past year doing nothing but reading. Why not train your casting? Theory is valuable, yes—but application is everything."

She got straight to the point. There was no judgment in her voice—only curiosity.

Kurogai smiled faintly. "Because I don't need to," he said calmly. "I already know how."

It wasn't arrogance. It was the truth.

Ever since unlocking the Replication Eye, spellcasting became unnecessary to learn through traditional means. As long as he saw a spell—even halfway through its casting—he could instantly analyze and comprehend it. Its structure, energy flow, elemental affinity, intention, and effect—all of it would become his.

In a sense, he didn't need to learn magic. He only needed to see it.

And that's why he remained here—absorbing as much magical theory as possible. Understanding the logic behind sorcery gave his Replication Eye broader scope. Power came not from casting recklessly, but from mastery.

Of course, he didn't expect others to understand. Nor did he care to explain himself. What others thought had never mattered to him.

"…I see," the Ancient One said slowly. She regarded him for a moment longer, then her lips curled into a small, amused smile. "In that case, would you be interested in a friendly duel against one of our Kamar-Taj mages?"

Kurogai's eyes lit up, the corner of his mouth rising in subtle amusement.

"Sounds fun," he replied. "I accept."

"Good. Tomorrow, same time. Training grounds," she said, already opening a portal behind her. "I'll be waiting."

With that, she stepped through and vanished.

She wouldn't be fighting him herself. That would be unfair—and both of them knew it. She would choose someone else, someone worthy. Someone who could truly test him.

As silence returned to the library, Kurogai leaned back in his seat, fingers lightly drumming the table.

"So… it's finally time to see what I can really do," he muttered to himself.

It had been a full year. A year of silent growth, of deep study, of power simmering beneath the surface. He didn't know how strong he'd become.

But he was eager to find out.

"I just hope she picks someone strong enough… or this won't be any fun at all."

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