As soon as the Ancient One arrived, her face darkened, and she thought to herself, “Damn it, it’s already this serious…”
Lan suddenly cried out in pain, and the female sorcerers with medical skills quickly sent the other sorcerers out of the room. Those who remained felt their hearts tighten; after all, Lan had saved them. If Lan were to give birth in her current condition…
It might be that either the mother or the child, or even both, wouldn’t survive. But they couldn’t do anything now, except pray outside for their benefactor…
In the medical room, the Ancient One raised her hand, casting a spell to reduce Lan’s pain, but it didn’t help much. Even though she had remained composed during her battles with Dormammu, her heart now began to waver. After all, this disciple before her was someone she had watched grow up, and now she had to witness her making a difficult decision!
“Lan, if it comes to it… we might have to let the child go. If we don’t have the baby, I can still save your life, but if we…” The Ancient One didn’t finish her sentence, but everyone in the room knew what she meant…
“I will give birth to him!” Lan declared without a hint of hesitation. Though she was extremely weak, her words were filled with an unyielding determination that left no room for refusal.
“Teacher, do you know how scared I was when I found out I was pregnant? I don’t love that man; our union was an accident. If it weren’t for Mephisto’s schemes, I wouldn’t even know him. But when I held the doctor’s report, I was conflicted. I felt a suffocating despair. Yet, at that moment, I heard a voice, a sweet, endearing voice calling ‘Mom’. I knew it wasn’t an illusion. All my despair vanished, and for the first time, I felt truly alive. I was a mother, the mother of a child! Teacher, he is my child. Even if I die, I will not abandon him. Teacher, this is my last act of willfulness. Please, help me. I cannot let my child die.”
“But your strength is not enough to give birth to him safely. Your body can’t endure even a cesarean section,” the Ancient One said, heart aching.
“Teacher, use your magic to restore my strength. Please,” Lan pleaded.
“But your body can’t withstand any more energy infusion… cough… fine.” Seeing the determination in Lan’s eyes, the Ancient One found herself unable to refuse.
At that moment, a female medical sorcerer said, “It’s time. Sister Lan…”
Lan looked at the Ancient One. The Ancient One silently extended her hand, channeling magical energy into Lan. She knew the consequences of doing this. A tear rolled down the Ancient One’s cheek…
Cries of pain echoed from the medical room. No one knew how much time passed.
Finally, it was over. A baby’s cry pierced the air, signaling success.
The female sorcerer brought the baby to Lan. Though she was extremely weak, tears flowed freely as she looked at her child.
“Have you decided on a name, Sister Lan?” the sorcerer holding the baby asked.
“Yes, his name is Lan Xingyu. I don’t ask for him to achieve great things; I just want him to live a safe and peaceful life.”
“Say what you want to him now,” the Ancient One said, stroking Lan’s hair, just as she did when they first met—when she found the five-year-old Lan crying after getting lost.
“Xingyu, don’t be picky with your food. Eat well and grow strong. Remember to take hot baths daily. Don’t stay up late, and ensure you get enough sleep. Make friends, even if there aren’t many. A few true friends are enough. Even though I’m not good at it, you must study hard and master magic. Everyone has things they’re not good at; don’t be disheartened if you struggle. Respect your teachers and seniors in your studies.
Also, about the three taboos for sorcerers: First, don’t borrow money casually; save your earnings from missions and work. You must be twenty to drink alcohol; too much is bad for you. And about ‘women’ in the taboos, since I’m a woman, you don’t need to understand this one. Basically, there are only men and women in this world. You’ll eventually be interested in women, but be careful not to get involved with the wrong ones. Find someone outstanding like your mother. And regarding the three taboos, don’t worry about your chubby Senior Brother Wang. Xingyu, you’ll face many hardships and pains in life. Always be yourself and hold on to your dreams. Then make those dreams come true. Have confidence in yourself… I still have… so much to tell you. I wish I could live with you. I love you. Xingyu, thank you for letting me be your mother and for being my child… really… thank you.”
Lan turned to her teacher, the Ancient One: “Teacher, I’m entrusting Xingyu to you. Please.”
“Don’t worry, I will take Xingyu as my disciple. He will become an exceptional sorcerer, even more so than I am.”
“Yes, I believe in you.” Lan left with a final proud smile…
The Ancient One snapped out of her memories, looking at the baby before her. Despite having already seen him at birth, she was still amazed. Within that small body lay immense energy. Her statement, “even more so than I,” was not baseless.
(Let’s refer to the protagonist as Xingyu or Lan Xingyu from now on.) Xingyu watched as the Ancient One smiled and put the bottle to his mouth, feeling curious. Hadn’t she noticed him? Where was his mother? He distinctly remembered feeling a warm, familiar presence earlier. Was he adopted by the Ancient One? If so, what a powerful backer! Would he be able to do as he pleased? But wait, the Ancient One would eventually die. She had the Time Stone; she should know her future. Could it be she was just too tired and wanted to pass on her position?
But it feels like Doctor Strange isn’t nearly as good as the Ancient One… should I take that fifty percent survival rate? Wait, with the abilities of a pirate and magic, I could handle Thanos myself. Why be scared? Wow! Just thinking about it excites me. I’ll be so powerful that I can do anything! Hehehe. Xingyu couldn’t help but smile at the thought.
The Ancient One, looking at the smiling baby, felt a sense of being charmed. No exaggeration, this version of Lan Xingyu was truly adorable, not like other newborns with wrinkled skin. His eyes seemed to hold a galaxy, giving a sense of liveliness and mystery.
Watching Xingyu hold the bottle with both hands, his little feet raised high to support the bottle while sucking, the Ancient One couldn’t resist extending a finger and moving it in front of him.
To look like a baby, Xingyu let go of one hand, trying to grab the Ancient One’s finger.
The Ancient One, seeing this cute child, said, “Little one, from now on, I will be your teacher. Please take care of me.”
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