Chapter 27
Finding the Sanctum Sanctorum in New York was not particularly difficult with the knowledge I possessed. The real challenge was reaching the building without any incidents, which is why I used a disguise that created a false appearance for those around me.
On my way to the mystical building, I was fortunate enough to witness the heroic actions of Peter Parker, also known as Spider-Man. Watching his acrobatic leaps between skyscrapers, his ability to anticipate danger, and his undeniable agility, I couldn't help but admire his skill.
However, a glance at his current costume—a modest latex outfit that seemed more horrifying than pleasing to the eye—pulled me back to reality.
A sudden question from a hot dog vendor interrupted my thoughts.
"What kind of hot dog would you like?" he asked, drawing my attention to the stand filled with aromas that instantly whetted my appetite.
Thanks to the special lenses I wore as part of my disguise, I could closely examine the offered selection without approaching the counter. I saw that every ingredient was chosen with care and attention to quality: juicy sausages, fresh buns, a variety of sauces and toppings, each perfectly selected to create the ideal hot dog. It was clear that the vendor took great pride in his craft, aiming to satisfy the tastes of even the most demanding gourmets.
The choice was not easy, given the richness of flavors and combinations on offer. But this was one of those moments when even a simple hot dog purchase could become a small adventure amid my grand quest to the Sanctum Sanctorum.
"I'll trust your choice," I said with a slight smile.
The vendor began his culinary magic, and soon I had a succulent hot dog in hand, continuing my journey.
—= Some Time Later =—
177A Bleecker Street. The historic district of Greenwich Village. This was where the Sanctum Sanctorum was located.
The building, designed in Victorian Gothic style, looked both majestic and slightly ominous. The façade was adorned with numerous windows with arched tops, stained glass that added mystical charm, and decorative elements that seemed to be part of a protective magical barrier. The entrance was crowned with a massive door made of ancient dark wood, intricately carved with magical symbols and protective spells.
Above the door was a round window, resembling an eye eternally watching the world and safeguarding the building from external threats. The stone walls appeared impenetrable, capable of withstanding both physical and magical attacks.
I was well aware that the building was protected not only by its structure but also by numerous magical artifacts.
As soon as my hand touched the cold surface of the Sanctum's door, it softly opened, revealing a man of Asian descent in green robes. His penetrating gaze and calm expression spoke of deep inner strength and wisdom.
"Dr. Richards, the Ancient One is expecting you," he said quietly but confidently. His voice was calm and carried a respectful seriousness.
At that moment, I realized the absurdity of trying to hide my true identity under a disguise. I sighed and, removing the disguise, revealed my true form.
"I suppose this disguise was pointless. You must be Mr. Wong?" I asked.
Wong nodded in confirmation, acknowledging my guess. He was the first representative of Kamar-Taj I had met.
"Please follow me and do not touch anything," Wong instructed, his voice strict but not devoid of kindness. This reminder was quite justified, given the magical atmosphere and numerous powerful artifacts around me, each undoubtedly containing arcane forces beyond my understanding.
Following Wong through the corridors, I couldn't help but notice how effortlessly he navigated the halls and rooms, each seemingly a portal to another world or dimension. The walls were adorned with ancient runes and symbols, their flickering creating a sense of deep antiquity and power.
Passing through one of the spacious halls, I couldn't help but admire its architectural and aesthetic uniqueness. The ceilings soared high, creating the illusion that the building pierced the sky itself. A soft light emanated from unknown sources, illuminating ancient books, artifacts, and globes meticulously arranged throughout the hall.
After traversing a series of winding corridors, we stopped before a massive door, surprisingly unremarkable in appearance.
Wong halted and said, "This is your room."
I nodded and pushed open the heavy door, finding myself in a room reminiscent of traditional Japanese or Chinese interiors, judging by the arrangement of the furnishings.
However, what caught my attention was not the room but the elderly man patiently waiting for me at a small table, sipping tea.
"Hello, Dr. Richards," said Yao.
Yao's long white hair cascaded from his head, and his beard, just as white, spoke of an incredibly long life. His eyes, deep and perceptive like bottomless oceans, reflected a tranquility and understanding hidden from ordinary mortals.
His robes, imbued with Eastern spirit, vibrated with energy gathered over centuries of meditation and rituals.
"Hello, Ancient One," I greeted. "Or should I address you as the Sorcerer Supreme?"
Yao smiled and said, "Ancient One or Yao will suffice."
I nodded, taking a seat opposite him. A cup filled with a green liquid appeared before me. Judging by the aroma, it was tea made from herbs unknown to me, though I was no connoisseur of teas.
"To your health," I said, taking a sip of the tea.
Yao merely nodded in response and sipped from his cup. I wasn't afraid he would poison me; if he wanted to eliminate me, he would have done so more directly.
"Good tea," I remarked after tasting the drink. "Even to someone as ignorant about tea as me, it's clear you're a master."
"Thank you for the compliment," Yao replied.
Judging by the progress of our conversation, it was time for me to say the words.
"Teach me magic," I said, looking into Yao's eyes.
Yao looked directly into my eyes and said, "Why not give it a try."
—= Norway =—
Donald Blake, a promising surgeon from the United States, didn't know why he felt such a strong pull towards Norway, but something inside demanded that he go there... And so, taking a leave of absence, he set off for Norway.
As soon as he arrived in Norway, it felt as if his consciousness was pushed to the background... He saw himself walking until he reached the mountains, where he found a hammer.
"Whosoever holds this hammer, if they be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor."
—\\—
"Hmm, this is quite an interesting device," Yao remarked.
At that moment, we were inside a portable version of Chronos. Thanks to the subatomic particles recently discovered by Hank Pym, I had managed to complete this version of Chronos.
"There won't be any issues studying the mystical arts in such a place, will there?"
Yao closed his eyes and focused on something, then opened them and said, "There won't be any issues."
This was reassuring, as I had no idea how much time it would take to learn magic.
"In that case, shall we begin?" I asked Yao.
The old man smiled and said, "Yes."
—= Some Time Later =—
Magic is a force that varies from world to world, and even within the Marvel Multiverse, it manifests differently. Yet one thing remains constant: most sources of magical power are entities that may or may not share their power with you.
"Are there spells that don't require patronage from such entities?" I asked Yao.
He replied, "Of course, but such spells are very demanding. You can use your life energy, but it's extremely dangerous."
Yao's words aligned with what I already knew. I was about to ask another question when Yao said, "To understand if you can use a personal energy source, you'll need to learn the basics of interdimensional energy manipulation and practice requesting power from other beings."
The Sorcerer Supreme had once again used his ability to glimpse the future.
"Ah, it will indeed be challenging with you," I said.
Yao merely smirked. "Magic is never easy, Dr. Richards."
—= Ten Months Later =—
After many months of training, Yao made a statement that gave me pause: "Don't try to understand magic, Dr. Richards. You need to believe in it."
"I know," I hissed through my teeth, realizing that magic wasn't just a set of spells and theories. It was a belief in the impossible, in what lies beyond our understanding.
Training was arduous. As a person accustomed to grounding everything in science, it was incredibly difficult for me to accept what Yao had said... But if I wanted to learn magic, I had to follow Master Yao's instructions.
"I must say, Dr. Richards, you are one of my most challenging students," Yao said, his voice warm despite the hidden seriousness of his words. His eyes sparkled with a smile, but his gaze remained sharp and assessing. "But that also makes you one of the most interesting. Your ability to seek scientific explanations for what is essentially magic adds uniqueness to your training."
Yao's words were like balm to my wounded pride. At that moment, I realized the pride within me...
"You are learning not only magic but also how to expand your perception, Dr. Richards," Yao continued. "Magic requires faith in yourself, in the idea that the invisible can be as real as the visible. This is a lesson you must grasp to truly master magic."
I felt something shift inside me. Perhaps magic was more than just a series of spells. Maybe it was a path to understanding the very essence of reality, a way to see and interact with the world on a profound, intuitive level.
"I am ready to continue," I said, feeling confidence fill my voice.
My eyes were fixed on the rune circle on my hands. Yao watched my satisfied expression with a smirk.
"I believe you are."
—= Five Years Later =—
Despite mastering the basics of drawing power from external sources and memorizing countless spells, I was still far from Yao's level of magical prowess. His abilities remained an unattainable beacon, a goal I strived for but couldn't approach even by a fraction.
During this time, Yao wasn't always by my side. His duties as the Sorcerer Supreme required his constant attention and absence, but thanks to the extensive library at Kamar-Taj, which I had unlimited access to, my training continued without interruption. My body had long since adapted to going without food and water.
Over time, I began to realize the limitations of traditional methods of magic for me personally. Years of practice and study pushed me toward the idea of developing my unique approach to spellcasting. The entities I relied on in my quest for magical mastery often proved inaccessible, leaving me alone with my ambitions and frustrations.
My reflections and experiments led me through labyrinths of knowledge further than ever before. I began to explore ancient texts with fresh eyes, seeking mentions of forgotten techniques and alchemical processes that could form the foundation of my unique style of magic. It became clear that to achieve magical power comparable to Yao's, I needed not only to supplement but also to rethink the spells I knew, transforming them into something new, something entirely different.
One day, I decided to ask Yao a question that had been troubling me for a long time.
"Why did you decide to help me with this?" I asked the old mage.
The Sorcerer Supreme paused, his gaze becoming thoughtful, as if he were sifting through the pages of his long life before answering. When he finally spoke, his voice was calm yet piercing, like the wind in the mountains.
"Because it is the most advantageous alignment of circumstances," he said quietly, but every word carried weight. "If I hadn't helped you, you would have sought other paths to this power, and our Earth could not survive a second Victor von Doom."
Yao's words eased the thoughts that had been troubling my mind on a deep level.
"I see. How much time do I have left?"
We were referring to the confrontation Yao had warned me about.
"You still have two years in this dome."
"Not much..." I whispered, contemplating the amount of work I needed to complete.
"The universe never wants our plans to go as we desire or hope," Yao said with a slight smile.
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