Sorcerer Potential

With Zhang Ming's entrance into Kamar-Taj, the barrier shattered like glass. This barrier was strong enough to keep even the most powerful sorcerers out of Kamar-Taj's sacred grounds, but for Zhang Ming, it was like a walk in the park. The ripple from the barrier breaking was so strong that even the novice sorcerers could feel it. Their home was now under siege. Each instructor knew they had to evacuate the students immediately to protect them. They used their sling rings to create portals to a secret location known only to the instructors, a safeguard in case Kamar-Taj's defenses were ever compromised. Any instructor who attempted to reveal this location would experience a severe headache, and if they persisted, their mind would go blank, and their brain would die. To Kamar-Taj, its students were as sacred as its treasury of knowledge. The loss of even a single sorcerer was intolerable; there were instances when Kamar-Taj declared war over the death of just one student.

As soon as William felt the ripple of the barrier breaking, he recalled the instructions given by his mentor for such a scenario. He knew he had to run to the meeting point for evacuation, as it was clearly stated that students were not to engage in battle. Little did William know that the danger from which he should be fleeing was standing right in front of him. To him, these three sorcerers were just ordinary visitors who needed to be evacuated before the situation worsened.

William said urgently, "I don't have time to explain, but we need to evacuate Kamar-Taj right now! Please, no questions—just follow me!"

Zhang Ming played along, amused by what he saw as a child trying to protect not only himself but others as well. Zhang Ming thought to himself, "Why is he trying to protect someone he doesn't even know? Would he have tried to protect me if he knew who I really was?" Then something unexpected happened: Zhang Ming, who had always been in control of his body and movements, tripped and twisted his toe. It wasn't even an injury worth mentioning for Zhang Ming, but what happened next surprised him even more.

Hearing the sound of the fall, William glanced back to see Zhang Ming on the ground. Without asking silly questions about whether he was hurt, William simply said with a concerned yet innocent face, "If you're hurt, just jump on my back. We don't have time! Be quick."

Zhang Ming, still playing along, followed William's instruction, even though he had already healed his twisted toe subconsciously. This is why Zhang Ming was a terror in the world of sorcery—his mind and body were so in sync that they reacted to magic as if it were an ordinary reflex.

His subordinates hid their surprise, questioning why the great Zhang Ming would follow an ordinary boy. William ran as fast as he could to reach the meeting point and escape through the portal. But when Instructor Rajesh Chauhan saw William with three unknown individuals, he stopped him.

Instructor Rajesh Chauhan asked with sincere concern, "Who are these people, William?"

William replied without hesitation, "Master, these are fellow sorcerers who came to meet our headmaster. But when I felt the barrier break, I brought them with me to keep them safe. I even had to carry this one because he twisted his toe in a panic while we were running."

Zhang Ming chuckled inwardly, "Panicked? What a joke. I didn't panic even when all these fools tried to battle me."

A roar in a commanding voice echoed through the air just as William finished his sentence.

The Ancient One demanded, "William, are you foolish, or did that man on your back deceive you with magic? Once I deal with this situation, you will reflect on your actions. You have no idea how much danger you've put your fellow students in with your recklessness."

William was startled by the Ancient One's tone and replied, "Master, I don't understand. I brought them with me because I thought they'd be safer since Kamar-Taj's defenses are compromised."

The Ancient One, her voice stern, responded, "There's no time to explain, William. Put that man down and run to safety."

William, showing genuine concern, said, "Master, his foot is injured. He can't even stand right now. Please, let him reach safety too."

he Ancient One's patience was wearing thin, her anger rising. . She was used to students defying her out of immaturity, but William had chosen the worst possible time to do so.

This entire exchange was so entertaining for Zhang Ming that he didn't want to stand up; he kept hanging on William's back. But the moment he saw the Ancient One's furious expression when William defended him, he knew the fun was over. He whispered into William's ear.

"William, you should listen to your master. Don't worry, I'm not that hurt." Just after saying this, Zhang Ming jumped off William's back and stood before him.

Breaking the fourth wall:

William: "I told you I wasn't feeling good about my actions. I knew something was off, but what's done is done. I acted because, if I was wrong, it could've meant the death of three innocent people. But I think I've used up all my good luck with this stunt. I honestly don't know what to do now."

Fourth wall disappears.

William was baffled by Zhang Ming's actions but quickly recollected himself, ready to run to the portal. However, the portal to the safe location had closed, as Instructor Rajesh Chauhan sensed the danger. Leaving it open would have put the students at risk. At this moment, William felt like he was standing among giants, his presence so insignificant that it was entirely ignored. Every sorcerer of Kamar-Taj had their eyes fixed solely on Zhang Ming.

Zhang Ming looked at William and asked, "So, you're not going?"

William stood there in awkward silence, unsure of what to do. Seeing him in this state made Zhang Ming want to laugh. Zhang Ming then cast a spell, and William was teleported to an unknown place.

Suddenly finding himself elsewhere, William was flabbergasted and yelled in frustration, "Why do I keep getting teleported all over the place? Am I some random object to be tossed around?"

Scene at Kamar-Taj:

The Ancient One, with anger, demanded, "Where is he? Where did you send him?"

Zhang Ming, glaring into the Ancient One's eyes, replied, "Don't concern yourself with him. Worry about yourself, Soraya."

Zhang Ming continued, "That's your name, right? Soraya? The name your master screamed when you were on the brink of death at my hands. He had to use every artifact he had to shield you from me. And even with those artifacts, he couldn't make me worry. I only retreated because I was bored, not because your reinforcements overwhelmed me. Even after fifty years, I still remember the look on your face—cowering at my mere glance."

The Ancient One, her face set in determination, said, "I am not the person I was back then. From the moment I almost died, I vowed never to taste defeat again. I've trained every day since to prepare for your return."

Zhang Ming smirked, "So, you've gotten better at talking, huh? Not bad, but not impressive either. Last time, I recall you started casting spells the moment you saw me."

The Ancient One, assuming a battle stance, retorted, "You remember a lot for someone your age. Let's hope those memories keep you company in death."

As Chen An descended into the underground chamber, the narrow path closed in around him, the walls almost seeming to breathe with the weight of the stone pressing in. The faint light from upstairs barely illuminated the dark passage, casting long, creeping shadows that danced with each flicker of the torchlight. It was a place designed to unsettle, to trap.

When he finally reached the bottom, his eyes locked onto the lifeless form of their captured comrade. A quick examination confirmed his fears—the man's mind had been assaulted repeatedly, the psychic wounds leading to a fatal cerebral hemorrhage. The death was gruesome, the result of a brutal mental onslaught that had pushed his brain to the breaking point.

Chen An's heart raced. He had to get out. But as he turned to leave, a sudden, sharp click echoed through the darkness, and the ground beneath him shifted. A series of traps—hidden and deadly—sprang to life, blocking his path.

He tried to summon his magic, to manipulate the space around him, but the air felt thick, almost as if it was pressing against him. This was no ordinary chamber; it was a cage for sorcerers like him, a place where the rules of magic bent to the will of its creator.

Kaecilius's voice drifted from the shadows, cold and calculating. "Feel that, Chen An? That's the sensation of power slipping away, of being truly trapped. This place was crafted for those who rely on the dark dimension, those who defy the natural laws. You won't be leaving here unless I allow it."

Chen An's mind raced, but he forced himself to stay calm. He wasn't about to show fear. "You think a few tricks in the dark will stop me? You underestimate the power I wield. I'll break your little cage and make you regret ever crossing paths with Zhang Ming."