Chapter 3: Basic Training
William lay on his dorm bed, reflecting on the day's events. Compared to every day of his life, this one stood out as the happiest. He never expected it to be so easy to convince the Ancient One.
William, breaking the fourth wall ,"Here we are again. I somehow found myself at Kamar-Taj. If you ask me why I was chosen, I honestly don't know. If you say I got here by luck, I wouldn't argue. But now that I'm here, I intend to absorb everything this place has to offer. I want to make it clear—I'm not here for the title of Sorcerer Supreme, nor do I want to gain immense power just to look impressive. I'm here because I genuinely want to be. My knowledge about Kamar-Taj is limited and not particularly useful, so everything I experience here will be new to me, just as it is to you. Signing off for now. Peace!"
It was early morning, the clock reading 4 a.m., and the sun was still hidden behind the horizon. A knock at the door startled William. A student from Kamar-Taj stood there with traditional clothes in hand, instructing him on their use and how to live in the dorm. As he explained, William was barely awake. The final instruction was to get ready and come outside for training. Once dressed, William's fatigue vanished, replaced by a surge of excitement for his new journey in magic.
Outside, he saw everyone engaged in their training under the guidance of their instructors. William was assigned to the beginner group, where they focused on basic physical and mental training. Physical training was crucial for maintaining body fitness and blood circulation, while mental training involved meditation ranging from 6 to 24 hours.
As William prepared himself, a more experienced student named Mei Ling from Yunyang District, China, approached him.
Mei Ling ,"You must be new here. What's your name? I'm Mei Ling from Yunyang District of China."
William ,"I'm William Mendoza from Bozeman, Montana, USA. Nice to meet you. By the way, isn't it cold outside? I've felt cold before, but this wind in these clothes is quite uncomfortable."
Mei Ling, smiling "You'll get used to it. Since it's your first day, take it easy. And here's a tip: don't push yourself too hard. It can cause more harm than good. I've seen many friends overexert themselves and end up injured."
William "Got it. By the way, once we're done with training, how about hanging out this evening?"
Mei Ling nodded, and they went to their respective groups. Mei Ling had advanced beyond the basics and was now practicing astral magic, while William had yet to master the basics to stabilize his mind for communication with the universe.
Instructor Kavi Thapa led the physical exercises: 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, and a 10 km run. Students unable to complete any of these tasks were given rest and had to restart from zero push-ups. After the physical exercises, students were required to meditate for 6 hours, regardless of the weather—sunny, rainy, or cold. Instructor Kavi Thapa observed William and seemed impressed by his performance, even on his first day. It was clear he was giving his all.
In the evening, students learned about the fundamentals of magic: its history, how to resonate with the universe, and the basics of magic circles and complex geometry. Magic, while rooted in the three-dimensional physical world, allows access to multiple dimensions. This concept intrigued William.
William asked , "How much knowledge is needed to understand different dimensions of space and time?"
Instructor Kavi Thapa ,"First, ensure you have a solid grasp of the fundamentals of magic in your subconscious mind. Calculations and estimations should become automatic, like muscle memory. Trying to do it consciously will hinder you because the conscious mind is unstable. This is the toughest part of becoming a sorcerer, which is why so few succeed. Once you master the fundamentals, resonating with the universe will become much easier."
As Kavi Thapa demonstrated a magic circle, the students watched in awe. They knew that reaching this level of mastery required rigorous training, but William's question had sparked a new level of determination in everyone.
In the evening, as promised, Mei Ling and William ventured outside the monastery. Mei Ling guided William through the nearby neighborhood, and during their stroll, she shared something intriguing.
Mei Ling said, "My family has been serving Kamar-Taj for generations. I'm the 20th generation of sorcerers in my family." This revelation surprised William, making him realize that some families have devoted their lives to serving Kamar-Taj for centuries.
William asked, "So, there are families that have served Kamar-Taj for generations? I knew Kamar-Taj was ancient, but I didn't realize it had such deep roots that families would dedicate their lives to it."
Mei Ling replied, "It's not just my family. There are over a hundred families from different parts of the world who commit their lives to Kamar-Taj. Did you think all the monks came here voluntarily? There are so few of them that you could count them on your hands. You'll understand more as you spend more time here."
William, feeling grateful, said, "Since you've shared such valuable information with me, let me treat you to something. How about we try some local momos or thukpa? I'll buy you anything you want."
This routine continued for a month, and then William was summoned by the Ancient One. Students were either sent to her for causing trouble or for achieving extraordinary results. Everyone in his batch was certain William had achieved something remarkable.
William, seeking permission to enter, bowed respectfully.
William ,"Have I done something wrong, Master? If so, I apologize."
The Ancient One, sipping her tea, replied" ,You haven't done anything wrong. In fact, you've accomplished something notable. I've heard from your instructor that you can meditate for 24 hours continuously and that your physical condition is excellent. What you've achieved in one month might take others a year and a half. Have you been doing anything special to improve at such a rate? If so, share it so others might benefit."
William ,"Thank you for the praise, Master. My results come from long-term practice. I've been meditating and taking care of my body from a young age. I've also studied Sanskrit scriptures after meeting some Indian friends who introduced me to the language."
The Ancient One ,"So you've prepared yourself to be here. It's commendable that your efforts didn't go in vain. You are now promoted to the Astral Magic class. Here is your reward: an emblem that grants access to advanced-level books in the library. Use it wisely." William received the emblem, which would allow him access to the library.
Without delay, he bowed to the Ancient One and hurried to the library. The Kamar-Taj library was extraordinary, containing secrets, advanced books, and some that should never be opened. Consulting an instructor before choosing a book was essential.
William scanned the library and found a book on "Astral Projection." This would mark the beginning of his true journey into magic.