Chapter 289: Chapter 289: The Ancient One's Dark Magic
In the secret Seal Chamber located deep within the Kamar-Taj library, the Ancient One held the Darkhold enveloped in a spell barrier and walked solemnly towards a stone platform.
"Hum—"
A magical light radiated from the ancient carvings on the stone platform. Although Oaks couldn't understand it, he could sense that it was a powerful sealing array.
"Ordinary spells cannot completely seal this book, so I must rely on the power of the Temple to suppress it."
The Ancient One fell silent for a moment, then placed the Darkhold on the black pedestal and cast the spell with both hands. Oaks could sense the terrifying waves of magic emanating from the seal stone platform in front of him.
Under the Ancient One's incantation, the immense magical power from the Temple formed a thick column of seal, submerging the Darkhold beneath the brilliance of magic.
"It is done."
The Ancient One breathed a sigh of relief, while Oaks scratched his head.
"Sorcerer Supreme, can't we just destroy this thing directly?"
Why do the big shots always like to seal such dangerous things and pass them on to some enemy or traitor, creating a major villain?
"This book... cannot be destroyed."
The Ancient One shook her head, looking somewhat regretful as she gazed at the seal before her.
"The creator of this book is Chthon, the God of Darkness. He is the founder of black magic, and his boundless dark magic resides within this book. It not only influences those who study its knowledge but also protects the book itself.
Conventional magic is helpless against the essence of this book—
Even if it was possible, the price would be too high for us to bear. So sealing it is the best choice."
"The price is too high..."
Oaks rubbed his chin, suspecting that the price mentioned by the Ancient One was probably related to the counterpart of the Darkhold, 'Book of Vishanti', which recorded the most powerful known white magic and defensive magic in the world.
Price is too high?
Does that mean that if they destroy the Darkhold, 'Book of Vishanti' will also be destroyed or weakened?
That would indeed be a loss not worth bearing.
However, as he thought about it, Oaks suddenly widened his eyes as if he saw something incredible!
"What's wrong?"
The Ancient One turned her gaze to Oaks and frowned. She had never seen him wear such an expression before.
"Sorcerer Supreme..."
Oaks' voice was somewhat dry as he slowly raised his hand and pointed behind the Ancient One.
"That book... it's still there!"
"What!"
The Ancient One turned sharply, and her expression froze.
The Darkhold, which she had just sealed with her own hands, was floating right behind her!
And she hadn't even noticed!
She is the Sorcerer Supreme!
How could this be!
The Ancient One's expression turned extremely serious. She adjusted her posture, crossed her hands in front of her chest, and the Eye of Agamotto emitted a radiance—
But the next moment, she took a deep breath and stopped activating the Time Stone.
Who knows what would happen when the Infinity Stone faced the Darkhold.
"Oaks, step back."
Oaks was staring intently at the eerie Darkhold but immediately took a few steps back upon hearing the Ancient One's words—
In Kamar-Taj, the base camp of the Sorcerer Supreme, the Sorcerer Supreme herself utilizing powerful sealing artifacts couldn't seal this book?!
No, wait, maybe...
As Oaks's gaze was filled with doubt, the Ancient One turned her eyes towards him. Her expression was grave, and an unmatched profound magic power surged within her.
However, unlike before, a red mark appeared on her forehead.
As a result, her magic power became immeasurable.
Restrictive spells for suppression, sealing, limitation, and protection were layered upon the Darkhold. But to her shock, the Darkhold seemed to be mocking her, escaping her restrictions even faster than before!
"Crack!"
Oaks saw that the space around the Darkhold, that had once again broken free, shattered like a broken mirror—
The Sorcerer Supreme had actually employed the Mirror Dimension!
But even the Mirror Dimension couldn't restrain the Darkhold!
It didn't escape; it calmly broke free from all restrictions, as if slapping the face of this Earth's protector, the Sorcerer Supreme of white magic!
"..."
Oaks rubbed his temples weakly. He saw that the Ancient One had stopped casting spells, and the Darkhold was floating calmly in the air. He understood what was going on.
"Sorcerer Supreme..."
He sighed deeply and smiled bitterly:
"The dark magic of the Dark Dimension seems to be ineffective against the Darkhold."
"..."
The Ancient One remained motionless. After a long while, she clasped her hands behind her back and slowly turned around.
The crimson mark on her forehead was exceptionally striking.
"It seems that I should have left after giving you the book earlier. That way, we wouldn't be in this awkward situation."
Oaks felt even more headache and pinched his brow.
"Sorcerer Supreme, you're not... going to kill me to silence me, are you?"
"...It seems that you've already noticed," the Ancient One replied in silence, sighing softly.
"When did you realize?"
"After returning from Asgard."
Oaks glanced at the Darkhold still floating in the air and shook his head helplessly.
"After that incident, my soul made great progress... and I truly obtained the inheritance of Avalon, which allowed me to perceive the power of darkness more keenly than anyone else."
Ultimately, Oaks believed that it was because he inherited the soul and the magic of death, gaining a deeper understanding of the entire cycle of nature, especially after learning about the magic of the Drusts.
Since then, Oaks had become highly sensitive to alien energies other than the Nature energy and the Astral energy.
Especially since the Drusts were once masters of dark magic.
Therefore, Oaks was also highly sensitive to the power of the Dark Dimension.
Furthermore, as the Ancient One was a sorcerer of the mystic arts, she couldn't rely on her own magic to prolong her life and maintain her youth like wizards and witches could.
So when Oaks saw the Ancient One again, he, who was already extremely familiar with the power of life and death, immediately perceived the fundamental problem with her lifespan.
The Ancient One's dark magic, which she usually didn't display or use, had already been noticed by Oaks at that time.
Of course, he had known about it for a long time, so he didn't show any surprise. The Ancient One also didn't notice anything unusual.
But this time, when the Ancient One repeatedly attempted to seal the Darkhold but failed, Oaks became aware of the possibility.
Not to mention the Ancient One's current state, with her overwhelming dark magic power clearly visible in Oaks's magical vision, like the sun in the sky.
The mark on her forehead was evidence of the dark magic. Therefore, when the Ancient One unleashed her full power, she habitually wore a hood to cover half of her face.
"If you had already noticed back then, why did you give me the Darkhold?" the Ancient One asked expressionlessly, looking at Oaks who wore a wry smile but didn't move.
A glimmer of interest flashed in her green pupils.
"Don't you worry that I would secretly practice the dark magic recorded in it, and become an evil villain, destroying the entire world?"
A hint of amusement appeared on her face.
"You should know that this book has that ability."
"If even a Sorcerer Supreme who can peer into time can't resist the temptation of the Darkhold, I think you wouldn't be able to persist in protecting the Earth for these hundreds of years with the lifespan you gained through dark magic"
Oaks chuckled and spread his hands.
"Sorcerer Supreme, you have prevented countless terrifying futures. At least, I can't imagine what the Earth would be like without you, without the lifespan you have extended through dark magic."
He paused and pointed to the Darkhold still floating in the air.
"At least, our attitudes towards the Darkhold are the same. So, Sorcerer Supreme, use my magic power to activate the sealing spell."
The magic power of the astral plane and nature enveloped Oaks's left and right hands.
"My power is incompatible with it, just like with white magic.
But my power comes from the cosmos and nature, and they are distinctly different from the power of dark magic. As for what happens next, I think we can have an open and honest conversation."
He rubbed his chin and revealed a peculiar smile.
"You know, my personality is not as rigid as that of Doctor Strange. Perhaps we can find a suitable solution."
The Ancient One pursed her lips slightly but ultimately chuckled helplessly.
"Alright."
As a result, the powerful sealing array, which looked completely different from the sealing magic of the Kamar-Taj mystic arts, finally completely blocked all traces of the Darkhold.
The hazy and brilliant power of the astral energy intertwined with the emerald green power of nature energy, forming a dynamically balanced energy system.
With the strongest sealing spell activated by Oaks's magic power, which drew upon the power of the cosmos and nature, the seal was constantly reinforced.
The longer the sealing time, the stronger the seal.
This time, the Darkhold couldn't jump out to challenge them again.
The Ancient One breathed a sigh of relief and called Oaks over, unaware of the consequences it would bring.
Strictly speaking, since the Battle of New York and their agreement, the Ancient One could no longer see Oaks's destiny.
"I have prevented countless terrifying futures, again and again, endlessly."
The Mirror Dimension, under the control of the Ancient One, was perfect for discreet conversations.
Now, Oaks and the Ancient One sat on either side of the coffee table, just as they had done before when they first met.
But to everyone else in the real world, they didn't exist.
"But each time, I see a moment when my destiny comes to an end, but I can't see the future," the Ancient One continued as usual. She filled the tea cups, placed down the teapot, and lifted her own cup, inhaling the fragrance of the tea.
"In these different processes with identical outcomes, for hundreds of years, there hasn't been another Sorcerer Supreme who could replace me in protecting the Earth..."
She drank the tea in her cup in one gulp. The Sorcerer Supreme, who had protected the Earth for seven hundred years, seemed to reveal a trace of weariness on her face.
"For hundreds of years, the Earth has been unable to give birth to even a single Sorcerer Supreme who truly understands this fact. This has put me in a difficult dilemma."
She looked at Oaks, who was holding the teacup silently.
"Should I adhere to the rules and allow the Earth to suffer invasion after my death? Or should I break the rules and continue to fulfill the duties of a Sorcerer Supreme until someone can assume this responsibility?"
--------------------------------
🙏🙏Please consider supporting this translation project by becoming a P@treon member!!!
Your support is greatly appreciated!
Available on my P@treon page for just $4!!
Early access to the following translations:-
⭐MCU: Druid's Adventures (MCUDA) - +133 advance chapters
⭐Famous Police Detective in Detective World (FPDDW)- +165 advance chapters
⭐Marvel: Little Genius (MLG) (⭐COMPLETE⭐) - Total Chapter 450
p@treon.com/Lightreaper457
--------------------------------
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone