章 140: Chapter 136
[From next week, uploads will be one chapter a day. Bonus chapter will be given for every 500 powerstones. I'm doing this to prioritize stories that people actually want to read.]
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Zhi! Zhi!
A portal made of fiery sparks appeared in Kamar-Taj, and Leon and Wong stepped through it. Leon had changed into a shirt, though he was still wearing beach shorts.
Kamar-Taj, located in Kathmandu, is an ancient sanctuary for sorcerers. Its architecture is classical, perched high among the mountains, with distant peaks visible on all sides. Sorcerers of various kinds and races could be seen practicing in their robes, while others hurried past, clutching what looked like magical tomes. The atmosphere was harmonious and serene.
Leon, in his white shirt, shorts, and sunglasses, stood out in this tranquil setting. His casual attire attracted the curious glances of many mages, but he appeared unbothered. Under Wong's guidance, he followed him to one of the main halls of Kamar-Taj.
At the entrance, twelve stone steps led up to the hall, designed in Kamar-Taj's traditional wooden architectural style, embodying a classical elegance. Inside, the hall was spacious, with cushioned mats set beneath wooden windows along each side. Two elderly sorcerer in white robes sat on these mats, engrossed in their books.
At the far end of the hall sat a bald woman in white robes at a low wooden table, brewing tea—none other than the Supreme Sorcerer, the Ancient One. As Leon and Wong approached, the Ancient One nodded and spoke gently, "Thank you for your hard work, Wong. You may rest."
"It is my duty, Sorcerer Supreme," Wong replied humbly, casting a glance at Leon before turning to leave.
The Ancient One gestured for Leon to sit, and he knelt on the mat before her. She placed a cup of freshly brewed tea on the table in front of him.
"Please, have some tea. Wong brought it from a distant place; it cost him quite an effort," she said warmly.
At her invitation, Leon picked up the cup and took a sip. He didn't know much about tea, but he could appreciate its rich flavor.
"Great tea," he remarked.
The Ancient One smiled gently. "Wong will be pleased to hear that."
"Or maybe he'd be more nervous," she joked.
Leon raised his eyebrows, but when he saw the weariness on the Ancient One's face and sensed the intense dark aura around her, he held back his reaction. He knew better than to challenge it openly.
Just play along, he thought. This was like someone faking fatigue to avoid paying debts—it had a familiar ring. Leon was certain that this shrewd sorceress before him was simply angling for retirement, putting on an act to deceive Kamar-Taj, the Sanctuary, Dormammu, even the future Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Strange.
She would stage her own "end," freeing herself to explore the multiverse for eternity. Leon was sure she didn't intend to repay any debts owed to the Vishanti. She was, in his mind, a masterful blend of trickster and elder. People might say John Constantine was a conniving disruptor of heaven and hell alike, but this woman was cut from the same cloth.
Naturally, the Ancient One was oblivious to the fact that Leon had already seen through her "true face." She continued with her performance, appearing every bit the wise yet weary mentor. Her tone was soft as she said, "Though I do believe anyone would feel a bit nervous when facing you."
"It's almost unimaginable—a human with the courage to shake the very fabric of the world."
The Ancient One's words carried weight. She still didn't fully grasp how Leon had managed that devastating flare attack some time ago; he was an enigma even to her. Yet, she could sense something formidable. Even as he knelt quietly, his presence was that of a storm waiting to unleash itself.
She had seen such boldness before, but mostly in kings who wielded authority over empires. They had taken years to cultivate it, but even they had limitations. In today's world, finding this kind of spirit in a mere mortal was nearly impossible.
Leon barely reacted to her praise. "Courage is useful, sure. But when dealing with so-called gods and demons, it's really just a small tool."
Ancient One regarded him with admiration. She saw that he wasn't just being humble—he genuinely believed it. She nodded approvingly, realizing that Leon was far more complex than she'd first thought. He seemed to know more than she'd anticipated.
Without further preamble, she spoke directly, "Leon, would you be willing to take on the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme?"
The question made Leon's eyes widen slightly.
"Me, Sorcerer Supreme? I thought that was something only you could be."
The Ancient One smiled gently. "You see the role of Sorcerer Supreme isn't fixed. I've traveled across the multiverse and witnessed many people assume that role—Wong, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Doctor Doom, Doctor Voodoo, among others. You could, too."
With this, she casually introduced the concept of the multiverse, enough to shake anyone's understanding of reality. Leon, however, didn't react; he already knew about it.
But he was curious about why she was suddenly considering him for the position.
Not one to shy away, he asked directly, "Why the sudden change of heart?"
"Because history has changed." The Ancient One paused thoughtfully, her gaze, capable of seeing through the fabric of the universe, fixed on Leon. "In this universe, time is meant to be fixed. Many who can manipulate time believe they are altering history, but they don't realize that everything they do is simply part of the sacred timeline."
"But you are different," she continued. "Your presence has entirely altered and shattered the established timeline. It's incredible—you're beyond anything I've ever known, Leon."
Under the Ancient One's intense stare, Leon frowned slightly. Sacred timeline?
He understood that his survival to this point must have broken the sacred timeline. As for why no force or entity had been able to eliminate him as a disruptive element, he was uncertain. He had even tried to find the answer through Sky Blade's calculations.
But it was no simple task. Sky Blade's computational power would need to simulate the entire universe or beyond—an impossible feat without the energy equivalent to that of Merlot Heaven and several other universes. Only then could the necessary cosmic calculations be achieved.
Could the Ancient One know the answer?
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