As for the Mirror Dimension, that was a high-level threshold spell.
Beyond that were even more powerful spells involving the essence of dimensional entities, such as Hoggoth's magic and the Sword of Vishanti.
Anyone capable of mastering those would be a future Sorcerer Supreme.
Even the Mirror Dimension was something only one or two exceptionally talented individuals could grasp every few decades.
For example, Kaecilius had trained at Kamar-Taj for over fifteen years and still hadn't mastered it, despite being considered highly gifted.
Yet Dave had learned mid-to-high level magic in just a few weeks, spells others couldn't master even after decades.
This level of talent was no less than Stephen's.
Luke subconsciously glanced at the Merlin's Dragon Ring and immediately realized that the ring was likely the key factor behind it.
The ring contained all of Merlin's magic, along with part of his knowledge.
Dave's natural talent already far surpassed that of most sorcerers, and with the ring's enhancement, his magical aptitude could only be described as exceptional.
Previously, the Ancient One had known her time was limited, so she had rushed to train Dave intensively.
But now that her plans had changed, there was no longer any need to push him so hard.
Luke nodded. "That works. Compared to Kamar-Taj, someone with the Merlin's Dragon Ring is better suited to Merlin's style of magic."
"Take your time mastering both systems. There's no such thing as knowing too much. It'll only make you more useful in the future."
Everyone knew engineering students had strong mental resilience.
The greater Dave's talent, the more satisfied Luke felt. Reliable talent like this was rare.
Dave scratched his head awkwardly. "Um, Your Excellency Luke… could I ask you a few questions about magic?"
"Oh? You want to fight me?"
Luke's expression shifted, and in an instant, the two of them were pulled into the Mirror Dimension. "Come on, let me see what you've learned."
Wait, is that what I meant?
Dave froze. He just wanted to ask a few questions, not fight.
"Your Excellency Luke, you mean… me? Fight you? No, I mean.."
"Stop talking nonsense. The Ancient One specifically asked me to keep an eye on you. I'll test you first."
Without another word, Luke formed a hand seal and thrust it forward, releasing the mid-to-high level spell, Bolts of Balthakk.
Seeing the violent, pale-blue magical lightning, Dave's face went pale. Did it have to start this intense?
In a panic, he quickly conjured the Shield of the Seraphim. A massive shield nearly two meters wide barely managed to block the attack.
But when he looked up again, he saw Luke instantly form another seal—Images of Ikonn.
In the next moment, the entire street around him was filled with Lukes.
Then, a golden-yellow light sword appeared in the hand of every Luke—the Sacred Sword of Vishanti.
That was one of the extremely rare offensive white magic spells, said to be capable of severing all dark magic.
Dave had heard of Images of Ikonn being combined with a magic whip, but never with the Sacred Sword of Vishanti.
How much magical power would it take to cast something like that?
It looked like that sword formation alone could carve up an ordinary dimensional demon god.
Bang!
"I surrender!"
Dave immediately lowered his head and gave in without hesitation.
[Defeated anomalous target: Dave. The opponent has sincerely surrendered. Gained 1,000 Anomaly Points. Current Anomaly Points: 4,300 / 4,800]
"Dave, it seems you still need a lot more practice. Your reaction speed and hand seal speed are both far from what a qualified mage should have."
Luke spoke seriously.
Dave nodded repeatedly, not daring to argue.
He felt miserable inside, but didn't say a word.
The arrogance that had grown after learning magic, the feeling that others were beneath him, was completely crushed by Luke's few moves.
"Alright. Review this battle carefully. From now on, whenever you improve, come find me for another test."
Luke waved his hand, dispelling the magic as his energy fully returned.
"Okay, okay, next time for sure!"
Dave hurried off in embarrassment, his face full of defeat.
Luke sensed something and turned his head toward the end of the corridor, meeting the gazes of two figures—Peter Parker and Venom, both possessing keen senses.
"Sorry for the interruption. I was just passing by."
Peter Parker smiled awkwardly as he greeted Luke, then turned on his heel and hurried away.
"What a terrifying man…" Venom muttered, his mind still filled with the image of that hellish power.
Peter nodded in agreement.
He still remembered the look on Dave's face when he fled in panic.
Although he didn't know what had happened while the two of them were inside the Mirror Dimension, it definitely hadn't been anything pleasant.
Even though he hadn't done anything, Peter still felt a lingering fear.
It was the same fear that had been imprinted in his mind when Venom had once shared its memories with him.
Only by facing Luke directly could one truly understand just how terrifying he was.
"Am I really that scary?"
Luke shrugged and stopped paying attention to Peter and Dave.
Once Venom fully recovered, he planned to find an opportunity to spar with Peter and Venom and collect another wave of Anomaly Points.
It could be considered a senior guiding juniors through practical experience.
After school ended,
As soon as Luke stepped out, he saw someone he didn't expect.
"Alessa, what are you doing here?"
Adult Alessa stood there in a white dress, her delicate makeup making her look especially sweet and charming.
Though she was already over thirty, there was not a trace of age on her face. This wasn't the effect of any talisman, but her own magic maintaining her appearance at the peak of youth.
"Mom didn't have time to pick you up, and I really, really missed you, so I came to school to find you."
Alessa happily clung to Luke's arm, unwilling to let go.
She had always longed for someone to protect her, to help her, to save her.
But for over thirty years, no one had ever done so.
Just when she had been at her most helpless and despairing, Luke had appeared like a beam of light, shining into her world and driving away all her fear and resentment.
From that moment on, she developed a deep dependence on him.
Alessa didn't want to leave Luke for even a second, feeling as if danger would return the moment she was away from him.
"I don't want to leave you…"
Seeing this, Luke sighed and put an arm around her shoulders. "If that's the case, I'll arrange for you to transfer schools and attend classes with me."
"Really?"
Alessa's eyes lit up, but her expression soon turned uneasy. "But… I don't know anything."
She had only been around ten years old when everything happened and hadn't even finished elementary school. There was no way she could understand middle or high school material.
Aside from decades of accumulated resentment, her mindset was still that of a child.
Her body had grown, but her mind had not.
She was afraid that, knowing nothing, she would be mocked or targeted by others. More than that, she didn't want to embarrass Luke.
Luke waved it off. "It's fine. Even if you don't know anything, it doesn't matter. Isn't Madison the same?"
New York public high schools claimed to promote elite education, but in reality, if a student didn't want to study, teachers wouldn't force them.
You could choose an easygoing approach, and if things didn't work out later, that was your own responsibility.
But with Luke around, Alessa would be fine even if she never studied at all.
"How about this? I'll have Madison tell you about her 'happy learning' experience later. Studying might be hard, but you know how to have fun, right?"
"Don't put pressure on yourself. I've got everything handled."
Alessa nodded firmly.
It was different.
Luke was completely unlike her biological mother, Dahlia.
She treasured this moment deeply, even wishing time would stop here forever.
"I love you so much…"
She hugged him even tighter.
"Can I sleep with you tonight? Just like Rose, always staying by your side."
Although Rose and Alessa weren't related by blood, Alessa still accepted her as family. Compared to Dahlia, Rose was someone she trusted, second only to Luke.
Luke hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
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