Marvel Cybernetic Girl
Chapter 341 You Want a Beating Too?

Chapter 341: 341 You Want a Beating Too?

Before they knew it, the sun had set.

Another day of "training" (aka getting beaten up) had finally come to an end.

"Haaah... My God..."

Stephen Strange collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily and too tired to even think about standing up.

"Why does it feel like I got it worse today than yesterday?! What kind of life am I even living right now?!"

"This is the life where you become stronger—where you start an entirely new Chapter," Kagura said, standing beside him and leaning forward slightly. "You really have improved. If I fought you the same way I did yesterday, I’m not so sure I’d win."

"Ugh, don’t even say that..."

Stephen waved her off.

"I’m just a guy who got interested in dimensional mysticism, was told I had talent, and decided not to give up."

"So now I’m putting in the work, that’s all! Honestly, I still don’t understand why I have to go through such hellish training."

As he grumbled to himself, Kagura could only sigh softly.

The truth was, the reason the Ancient One wanted Stephen Strange to improve quickly was because the Earth faced a looming threat from the Dark Dimension.

But that kind of heavy truth couldn’t be told to him just yet.

As the Ancient One had warned, if they revealed everything—Dormammu, the Dark Dimension, and the impending crisis threatening Earth—Stephen would probably run away in fear.

After all, who could accept being suddenly thrust into a life-or-death battle?

Just a few days ago, he was still an ordinary neurosurgeon. And now he’s supposed to carry the weight of the entire world?

No one could handle that without hesitation. Stephen would definitely reject it outright.

Kagura looked up at the breathtaking sunset, her silver hair shimmering in the light.

A quiet sigh lingered in her heart.

’Master Ancient One... I wonder what method you’ll use to make Stephen Strange truly accept the burden and responsibility of becoming the Sorcerer Supreme—even to the point of dedicating the rest of his life to it.’

"Well, regardless, you did well today, Dr. Strange."

Kagura smiled gently. "I’m sure the Ancient One would be proud of you too."

"Of course. This is something I chose to do, after all."

Stephen grinned, glancing over at the Ancient One observing from afar.

"She should be proud of a genius like me. Otherwise, all the beatings I’ve taken these past few days would feel completely pointless."

Not a bad attitude, really.

Kagura crouched down and offered him her hand. "In any case, we’ve got one more day. Let’s see if you truly are the prodigy the Ancient One said you were—someone who can master dimensional magic in just three days."

"Hmph! Just you wait, Kagura!"

Stephen took her hand, drawing on all his strength to lift his exhausted body back to his feet. "A man doesn’t go back on his word. Tomorrow, I’ll defeat you!"

"Haha, then you’d better give it your all!"

Kagura laughed. "But just so you know—I’m not standing still either. I might be improving faster than you."

The two shared a smile.

That determined man, ready to move forward just to prove himself.

And the silver-haired girl, guiding him toward the harsh path of the Sorcerer Supreme—for the future of the world, and the life of a revered master.

————————————————————————

"Miss Kagura, may I have a word?"

Just as Kagura had seen Stephen Strange off, planning to return to her quarters to "haul more books," a voice called out. It was Master Mordo.

"Hmm? Sure, Master Mordo. What is it?"

Kagura turned around and bowed slightly, her tone polite. "It’s rare for you to come to me personally."

Mordo was a seasoned and powerful mystic.

After Kaecilius betrayed the Ancient One, Mordo was arguably the most skilled among her remaining disciples.

With his dark complexion and formidable presence, Mordo specialized in combat-based magic, wielding both dimensional spells and magical relics with expertise.

He was the quintessential battle sorcerer—disciplined, strong, and loyal to the Ancient One above all.

"I heard... you finished reading half the library this morning?"

Mordo stepped forward with a smile. "Wong mentioned it during lunch. Said he’s never met anyone like you before."

Unlike the stern and stoic Wong, Mordo had a more open and upbeat personality.

He was confident and sunny in conversation, and revered the Ancient One above all others.

In fact, Mordo was probably the most rule-abiding and self-disciplined person in all of Kamar-Taj.

"Aha... well, sort of," Kagura scratched her head sheepishly.

"So it’s true! Unbelievable."

Mordo looked genuinely impressed. "So that means your understanding of dimensional mysticism must be quite advanced by now, right?"

Kagura grew slightly embarrassed at his praise. "Umm... theoretically, yes, I’ve grasped some of the core principles."

"But when it comes to real combat experience, I still have a long way to go. I’m nowhere near your level or the other senior sorcerers."

"Hahaha! You’re surprisingly humble, Miss Kagura," Mordo said with a grin.

"I saw you smoothly conjure a Mystic Fan and even use it in combat—that’s something only a handful of veteran sorcerers can pull off!"

"Ahem..." Kagura sighed and shifted the topic back to the present. "So, Master Mordo, what brings you to me?"

Mordo pulled a staff from behind his back. "Simple, Miss Kagura. I was wondering... would you be willing to spar with me?"

"...Huh?" Kagura blinked in surprise. "S-Spar?"

"Yeah," he said casually. "After hearing Wong’s rant during lunch and seeing your fight with Doctor Strange just now, I got even more curious."

"I’d love to test myself against you! Of course, no pressure—if you’re not up for it, that’s fine too."

"Hm, I don’t mind. The more real combat experience, the better, right?" Kagura smiled. "Let’s do it. I’ll give it everything I’ve got."

"Excellent!" Mordo waved his hand and cast a spell, tearing open what looked like a crack in the air—like a fracture in glass.

"Master Ancient One will be watching this duel as well!"

What appeared before them was the Mirror Dimension.

A unique space created by sorcerers, the Mirror Dimension was designed for precisely these situations.

Many dimensional spells could cause severe damage to reality, so high-level duels and training sessions were often conducted in this isolated space.

The Mirror Dimension didn’t affect the real world.

Only those wearing a Sling Ring could enter or exit at will.

Because of that, it also served as a way to imprison enemies or divert battles away from the real world, keeping civilians and infrastructure safe.

Kagura stepped forward into the space Mordo had conjured.

Standing in the distance, dressed in a yellow robe, was the Ancient One herself.

So it was true—she had given Mordo permission to challenge Kagura, and had been waiting inside the Mirror Dimension all along to observe the match.

Still, she wouldn’t interfere. She was here purely as a spectator.

Crossing into the Mirror Dimension felt like stepping through a veil of glass, separating reality from illusion.

Everything around them shimmered with warped refractions, giving the world a surreal, kaleidoscopic quality.

"Is this your first time in the Mirror Dimension, Miss Kagura?" Mordo tightened his grip on his staff.

"I’m sorry but no matter how intense things get in here, the outside world remains untouched. I’d rather not get scolded by the Ancient One just because I accidentally broke something important."

"Mm, I understand," Kagura replied. "But just so we’re clear—this is a sparring match, so let’s keep it friendly, okay?"

"Hahaha! Of course! I like girls who speak their mind!" Mordo laughed heartily, then unfurled his staff, transforming it into a segmented weapon linked together with dimensional magic.

It was his weapon of choice: the Staff of the Living Tribunal.

Seeing this, Kagura thought to herself, Looks like you really do want a beating, huh...

She flicked her wrist and summoned her radiant Mystic Fan, resembling the signature move of the Ancient One herself.

"Well then," she said with a smirk, "let’s begin."