CHAPTER 67: CHAPTER 067: STEPHEN ARRIVES AT KAMAR-TAJ! STEAK AND EGG FRIED RICE, COMING RIGHT UP!

Lorien quickly realized something.

Wait a second—both his nine-to-five job system and his therapy practice were on break. He was a nine-to-five, five-days-a-week guy, not a nine-to-five, seven-days-a-week sucker!

Besides, with his five days on, two days off clock-in rule, he could still check in even with two days of rest. Which meant today and tomorrow were both days off for him as well.

All he could say was—two-day weekends are amazing.

Knowing he had both today and tomorrow free, Lorien didn’t waste another thought on it. He decided to curl up with Gwen for another nap.

After all, Hela had already gone off to Germany with the others. She was gone—what was he supposed to do, chase her down and drag her back?

Before drifting off again, Lorien pulled out his phone and sent Wanda a quick message:

[Don’t bother with that Hela.]

[Whatever she’s up to, you can pay attention to her or ignore her—it’s up to you.]

[But she’s definitely not up to anything good.]

With that, he tossed the phone aside, pulled Gwen into his arms, and went back to sleep.

As for clothes... what clothes? Lorien never wore anything to bed. Gwen, of course, had been influenced by him. The first few times she’d still worn a bra, but Lorien had taken care of that. Eventually, she stopped wearing anything at all—just like him.

Ahem.

...

Meanwhile, high in the Himalayas, a figure wrapped in a windproof scarf, backpack slung over his shoulders, hands gloved but still trembling from the cold, made his way forward.

In the distance, he caught sight of a courtyard-like town. Pulling down his face covering, Stephen checked the address Lorien had given him and exhaled in relief.

"Finally... I made it."

It had been days since he first reached the outskirts of the mountains, hundreds of kilometers away. From there, he’d traveled entirely on foot—because Lorien had told him he needed a sincere heart to find this sacred place.

This was Stephen’s only hope. How could he not be sincere?

Even before seeking treatment, he had known—without a doubt—that no one could heal his hands. He was a surgeon; no one understood his condition better than he did.

And this place... this was his last chance.

He also remembered Lorien’s parting words—meant to ensure Stephen faced the opportunity with genuine resolve, and to push him to achieve something even greater than the path he would have taken otherwise.

...

Hours later, Stephen stepped into the town.

The streets were sparsely populated—some people selling vegetables, others selling farming tools. He stared for a moment, bewildered.

Was... this really the holy place?

His hands trembled as he pulled out the slip of paper with the address. It was right around here. Could this really be it?

"No... it has to be real!"

Smack!

He slapped himself lightly. Lorien wouldn’t lie to him. The holy place had to be close. As long as he searched with all his heart, he’d find it. He had to be able to enter.

Determined, he began showing the address to people.

He had prepared for this—translating the address into over a hundred common languages. There was no way no one would recognize it.

"Hi, can you speak English?"

"Okay, do you know where this is?"

"Excuse me, do you know where this place is?"

Hours passed again.

Stephen stood there, frowning at the address. Why hadn’t he found it yet? He’d asked at least one or two hundred people, but not a single one knew.

Why?

Had he been searching in the wrong place? Was he asking the wrong people?

With that thought, he took off again, heading somewhere else to continue asking.

...

At the same time, in the Ancient One’s temple at Kamar-Taj, Wong knocked on the door of an attic room and stepped inside.

"Ancient One, there’s an ordinary man in town asking about the temple’s location."

The Ancient One opened her eyes and nodded.

"Bring him in."

Wong nodded, then left to find Stephen.

Meanwhile, Stephen was still wandering around town asking for directions. In the middle of questioning a passerby, he spotted a chubby man dressed in strange clothes.

The stranger’s odd appearance only made Stephen more eager to ask him. He hurried over.

"Excuse me, could you—"

"Follow me."

Wong didn’t waste words.

"Huh?" Stephen froze, but Wong had already turned and walked off.

Could he be a bad guy? That was Stephen’s first thought.

But this was his only chance! So he followed.

Wong led him through winding streets until they stopped before a green stone wall.

"Go in," Wong said, continuing forward.

"What?" Stephen blinked, about to speak again—when he saw Wong pass straight through the wall.

"Damn..."

At first, Stephen was stunned. Then excitement hit him.

"The address Lorien gave me was right! Lorien didn’t lie! Lorien, you’re my god!"

He rushed toward the wall, certain he could slip through like Wong.

Instead—

Bang!

Stephen smacked into the stone, clutching his nose as he stumbled back.

Wong reappeared from inside the wall.

"Oh, I forgot—you can’t use magic yet. Come with me."

He suppressed a laugh, then guided Stephen through.

Once inside, the space opened up dramatically.

Attics, courtyards, training grounds, staircases... layered together in a way that radiated history. Stephen immediately felt he had found the right place.

They crossed the central courtyard. Stephen glanced at the people coming and going and asked,

"Are all of these sorcerers?"

Wong gave him a strange look.

"You know about sorcerers?"

"Of course." Stephen turned to him. "A very secretive friend of mine once showed me. He’s the one who sent me here."

Wong’s brows furrowed. It was a serious offense for a sorcerer to reveal the location of the Sanctum. Anyone who did so had to return to face punishment. If they refused, senior sorcerers would go out, find them, and bring them back.

He asked gravely, "Who told you about this place?"

Seeing Wong’s expression, Stephen realized this wasn’t something to speak of lightly. He definitely wouldn’t sell out Lorien.

So he played dumb.

"Uh, just a friend. I only know his name is Lorien. I don’t know anything else. Really, I don’t."

Even he felt his words sounded unbelievable.

But to his surprise, Wong’s frown eased, his face returned to normal, and he simply said,

"Let’s go."

Stephen blinked. He bought that? Why?

He didn’t get it, but hurried to catch up.

As they walked again, Wong kept his eyes forward and asked quietly,

"The Lorien you mentioned— he has two names, right?"

He knew that? Stephen was stunned, but he gritted his teeth and shook his head.

"I don’t know."

Wong glanced at Stephen, already guessing most of the situation.

"He’s more handsome than you, a little taller, black hair, and carries himself well, right?"

Stephen’s eyes widened in shock.

"You know him?"

Wong didn’t answer. He didn’t dare.

Fortunately, they had already arrived at the door to the Ancient One’s attic. Wong pushed it open and gestured for Stephen to enter.

"Go in, the Ancient One is waiting for you."

Stephen gave Wong one last look before stepping inside.

A figure in a yellow robe stood with her back to him. Only when Stephen approached did the Ancient One turn around.

Stephen looked at her, then down at his own hands.

"Can my hands be healed?"

The Ancient One was momentarily taken aback. She regarded Stephen and asked,

"When Lorien sent you here, did he not tell you why?"

Why?

And wait—both of them knew Lorien?

Stephen shook his head.

"Lorien told me my future is here."

"That’s right." The Ancient One nodded and waved a hand.

"Wong will show you around. Follow him, get your things, and begin practicing here."

Stephen froze. He was going to live here?

"But my hands—"

"That depends on you," the Ancient One interrupted.

"Alright." Stephen lowered his hands.

This time, his soul wasn’t knocked out of his body. He already knew about sorcerers. And it wasn’t as if he could be unaware of the Scarlet Witch.

Knowing magic existed changed everything. Stephen was no longer as impatient or arrogant as before. Instead, he calmed himself and was willing to learn.

His current mindset came from two things: first, the trust and sense of security Lorien gave him; second, the realization—through sorcerers and superheroes—that the world was far more complex than he had believed.

Stephen went in quickly and came out just as fast.

Wong, who had been waiting, waved him over.

"Let’s go. I’ll take you to your room and get you some clothes."

Stephen glanced at the robes the sorcerers outside were wearing.

"Do I have to wear these school-uniform-looking clothes too?"

"You don’t have to," Wong replied, "but they’ll help you learn magic faster."

"Fine, I’ll wear them—just make sure no one tries to take mine."

Halfway there, Stephen suddenly asked,

"If I wear two at once, will I learn twice as fast?"

Wong: ...

"Can I keep my phone?"

"No. It’ll distract you. You can have it back once you become a sorcerer—or if you leave."

"When can I move around freely?"

"After you become a sorcerer."

"But—"

"After you become a sorcerer."

And that was that. Stephen stayed in Kamar-Taj, beginning a new life of learning magic and becoming a sorcerer.

...

Meanwhile, in New York.

On the rooftop of a northern high-rise, Lorien and Gwen lounged in pajamas—nothing underneath—continuing the game they’d left unfinished yesterday: It Takes Two.

By now, they had reached the final stage. On a grand stage with a live band, their characters had cleared tunnels, played instruments, fought duels... until at last, Gwen and Lorien’s avatars held a concert.

Before an in-game crowd, they performed a dazzling musical number.

Finally, they ran through a tunnel of swirling colors, ending with the male and female avatars sharing a kiss. The screen faded to white, and the characters returned to the real world.

"We beat it! Woohoo!"

Gwen leapt out of Lorien’s arms, beaming. It was the first time they’d ever beaten a game together—definitely worth celebrating.

She hopped around in excitement, then pulled out her phone to snap a photo of them holding PS5 controllers, the victory screen in the background.

"I’m posting this on Facebook and TikTok!"

"I want my classmates to be jealous!"

"Lorien, is that okay?"

Since Lorien was in the picture, Gwen wanted his approval.

But Lorien asked curiously,

"Have you thought about what happens if your dad sees it?"

"It’s fine," Gwen said with hands on her hips. "I blocked my parents ages ago!"

Ah, the peak of filial piety. Truly heartwarming.

Lorien couldn’t help but laugh.

"Go ahead. I don’t care. Nobody in the public knows me."

That was the perk of being a part-time superhero—you could still have a public life with little risk.

Could Black Widow, Iron Man, Thor, or Captain America do the same?

Of course not. If Cap accidentally posted a revealing photo, the internet would melt down and his spotless image would crumble.

But Lorien? Even if he got famous and was exposed, it wouldn’t matter—he wasn’t exactly a saint to begin with. You can’t ruin a reputation that’s already rubble.

Gwen happily uploaded the photo.

By then, it was already afternoon.

Gurgle~

Her stomach growled loudly.

They had only eaten breakfast. Lunch? They’d completely forgotten.

Too busy gaming. Now the hunger was hitting them full force.

"I’ll cook, you get the dessert and drinks ready, Gwen."

Lorien set down the controller and headed for the kitchen.

From his past check-ins, he had learned master-level recipes for all kinds of dishes—braised pork, Italian pasta with steak, instant noodles, and more.

But... none of those were possible right now.

He hadn’t bought any fresh groceries.

Fortunately, there was still steak in the house. So he decided to sear it, dice it, and mix it into egg fried rice.

Yes, that would do.

"Lorien, let me help~!"

Gwen grabbed two cups of milk tea, then hopped after him into the kitchen.

When she saw him finish pan-searing the steak, cut it into pieces, and mix it into the fried rice, she tilted her head in confusion.

"What is this?"

"Steak fried rice, Ms. Spider."

After a moment’s thought, Lorien added with mock grandeur,

"Super-plus-pro-max luxury steak fried rice."

Still curious, Gwen watched him bring two steaming plates to the table. They sat down and began eating together.

The result was immediate.

"Mmm~~~!"

Gwen nearly inhaled the entire plate.

"Om! Om! Om~!"

Lorien’s mouth twitched. She was shoveling food into her mouth, making noises like an overexcited pet. If he hadn’t known it was Gwen, he might have thought it was.

"Don’t choke."

With that, Lorien started eating his own.

Gwen instantly grabbed her milk tea.

Gulp! Gulp! Gulp~!

"Ahhh~~~!"

Lorien kept eating, but when Gwen finished, she got up and washed her own plate—something he was quite pleased to see.

A few moments later, just as he was finishing his meal, Gwen spoke up.

"Let’s go outside and play?"

Before he could reply, his phone buzzed with a message.

It was from Wanda.

[Wanda: Lorien, we’re at an airport in Germany. Cap and Iron Man are about to fight. Should I help one of them, or stay out of it? I’m really hesitating right now...]

Lorien passed the phone for Gwen to see.

"How about we head to that airport in Germany this afternoon?"

"Yay~!"