Chapter 48 Skye's Thoughts
Kaecilius's arrival didn't cause any ripples in Kamar-Taj for the time being. Apart from Finney, no one else showed him any prejudice. After all, most people here had their own stories, and it was extremely rare for someone like Finney to have gotten in through connections.
In the library.
Finney closed the ancient, heavy spellbook in frustration. He had almost worn it out from use, and he recognized most of the words, but he just couldn't cast spells related to spirits.
Forget about casting someone else's soul; he couldn't even make his own soul leave his body. He even doubted whether the author's methods were genuine—of course, this was just a frustrated doubt.
But continuing like this couldn't go on, so he decided to seek help from the Ancient One.
After informing the librarian, Finney took the spellbook and went to find the Ancient One.
"Teacher, please help me!"
Finney approached the Ancient One, holding the book and explaining with a troubled expression, "I really can't understand what's written here. Why don't you just let me experience what it feels like to have my soul leave my body?"
"Perhaps you're being too hasty,"
the Ancient One said slowly, brewing tea, seemingly too lazy to do anything.
"I can't help it," Finney said, looking at the Ancient One with a resentful expression. "January is almost over, and I still don't have a clue."
"That's why I told you before, Kamar-Taj magic might not be suitable for you,"
the Ancient One said, still nonchalant.
"Teacher, I'll embarrass you if I go out like this. Please help me!" Finney looked at the Ancient One pitifully. "It's just a wave of my hand."
"You!"
The Ancient One stood up from her chair helplessly, walked to Finney, placed her left hand on her hip, and with her right hand in a palm-like shape, swung her palm towards Finney's chest.
In an instant, Finney felt the world change.
He himself felt lightheaded, and looking down, he found his body in a semi-transparent state, though his clothes remained unchanged. Even the spellbook he was holding had been knocked out of his body.
His own body was in front of him, being pushed back at an extremely slow pace by the Ancient One's blow.
Before Finney could experience this for long, he suddenly felt a tremendous suction force coming from his body.
The next second, he returned to normal, taking a slight step back.
Finney savored the feeling; it was his first time experiencing an out-of-body experience, and the novelty made him want to try it again, but the Ancient One refused.
"Haste makes waste, and nothing can be forced!"
The Ancient One sat back down, took a sip of tea, and dismissed Finney: "Go back. I believe you'll master it sooner or later."
"How late is 'sooner'?"
Finney muttered helplessly, but he knew the Ancient One's nature; once she made a decision, it was hard to change it. So he left with his book.
On his way back, Finney saw Kaecilius again. He was diligently cultivating alone, his appearance slightly altered, no longer as sorrowful as before. It seemed the Ancient One had spoken to him about something.
Finney watched him from afar. Tony's experience had taught him that the future could be shaped by him, so he didn't want to contact Kaecilius for the time being, fearing it might influence his premature allegiance to Dormammu.
Afterwards, Finney tried some more spiritual cultivation. With the Ancient One's help, he was finally less clueless, but he was still a long way from achieving a soul leaving his body.
After returning the book to the library, Finney opened a portal and returned home. What was morning in Kamar-Taj was already night in New York. His frequent jet lag didn't bother him.
In his room, just as Finney was about to rest, there was a knock on the door.
"Finney, are you in?"
"Yes, come in!"
Finney responded, looking at Skye who opened the door and walked in, and asked with a puzzled look, "What's wrong?"
"Finney, there's something I want to talk to you about."
"Hmm!"
Skye's expression seemed hesitant, as if she didn't know how to start, but the persistence deep in her eyes made her hesitate and say,
"Finney, I don't mean anything by it. You know, I've been very happy these past few years. My parents are like my own parents… but…"
As soon as Skye opened her mouth, Finney knew what she wanted to say. The abandonment of her biological parents was a demon in her heart. Although she had a real home here, she still couldn't let go of this matter.
"You said back then that Master Ancient One could know the past and the future, so could you help me ask about them…"
Finney sighed silently. More than a year ago, Skye had been investigating this matter, but at the time, he was worried that investigating S.H.I.E.L.D. would cause conflict, so he tried his best to stop her.
Now another year has passed, and Skye still can't forget about this matter.
"Skye, I understand what you mean."
Finney beckoned Skye to sit down on the bedside, looking at her earnestly. "Actually, I do know some things about your parents, but I have to warn you, their situation might not be good."
"You really know!?" Skye excitedly grabbed Finney's hands, asking nervously and with mixed feelings, "Who are they? Where are they now?"
"I've forgotten their names."
Finney scratched his head awkwardly, coughed slightly, and quickly continued, "I don't really know their location either. Anyway, I know part of the reason why you were abandoned."
For his family, Finney was willing to abandon some principles, such as giving away spoilers.
He hadn't told Skye the reason directly at first because he didn't have the power to protect her, and he was also worried that Skye might do something irrational in the heat of the moment.
But in the past few days, Skye had witnessed the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj, seen Iron Man's high-profile debut, and even personally experienced being 'possessed by a demon,' which had changed her understanding of the world.
He also possessed some power, so he didn't have to be so cautious anymore. Of course, most importantly, he didn't trust Skye to investigate alone.
Realizing she might uncover the truth she'd cared about for years, Skye's feelings were more complex than she'd imagined. She took a deep breath, as if fully prepared, before earnestly asking,
"What's the reason?"
"Your hometown was attacked. They kidnapped your mother, and then another organization, to protect you, took you away and sent you to an orphanage."
"So, they didn't abandon me willingly, right?"
Skye seemed unaware that she was secretly relieved. Seeing Finney nod, she pressed for more details: "Who attacked my mother, and what about my father? Who took me away? Why did they send me to an orphanage?"
Read 20+ advanced chapters at p4treon...
[email protected]/Horizons685
(End of Chapter)