Why?
The magnificent dream world, Lockhart's most powerful ability and his foundation for godhood—why would he abandon it so easily?
After hearing the System's question, a calm smile spread across Lockhart's face. "I want to find another way forward," he whispered.
Remember when Lockhart took Thor to meet the Ancient One? As Lockhart was leading him away, the Ancient One had passed him a message:
What you give up now is the cornerstone of your strength in the future.
At the time, Lockhart hadn't fully understood. But a special reminder from the Supreme Sorcerer surely held significance.
He began reflecting on all his interactions with the Ancient One since joining Kamar-Taj. The Ancient One had helped him sign a contract with Vishanti, suggesting contract provisions that contained subtle loopholes for Lockhart's benefit. The Ancient One had agreed to this arrangement.
Later, the Ancient One had given him a personal book on chaos magic and shared handwritten insights on the relationship between gods and believers. Each time Lockhart sought guidance afterward, the Ancient One had provided direction for his practice.
Then there was the Ancient One's final mention of a last chance, delivered with unwavering conviction.
Lockhart now understood. The final choice presented by the Ancient One stood directly before him:
Either become a god in the Marvel world, continuing the age-old relationship between gods and believers...
Or relinquish that path and forge a new one.
Between these options, the choice seemed obvious. Becoming a god offered well-known advantages—eternal life, authority over reality's rules, command over countless devotees. Lockhart stood merely one step away from divinity.
The dream that fallen sorcerers like David had invested countless efforts to achieve, Lockhart already possessed. He needed only to nurture his dream world methodically, and an unobstructed path to godhood would unfold before him.
But what about the alternative?
Discovering an entirely new path for sorcerers—one the Marvel world hadn't uncovered in billions of years of existence. Moreover, pursuing such a path would likely earn the hostility of the multiverse's pantheon.
Most gods probably wouldn't care about a single mortal's ambitions. But even if just one percent—or even one ten-thousandth—of them took notice, Lockhart couldn't withstand such opposition at his current level.
This was Lockhart's choice to make.
Put simply, the Ancient One had asked Lockhart to decide: Should he integrate into the existing divine hierarchy of the Marvel world, or create a new path that would break the gods' control over sorcerers?
And Lockhart chose...
"Host, I understand your meaning," the System's mechanical voice declared. "Congratulations on finding your calling!"
A faint smile touched Lockhart's face, perhaps in response to the System's congratulations. Or perhaps because the System hadn't stopped him or mocked him for overreaching.
Yes, Lockhart had chosen the second option. He would abandon the readily accessible path to godhood and instead venture down an uncharted, winding road with no clear destination.
Mephisto and Dormammu looked utterly bewildered. They had heard nothing of the exchange, shielded by the System's power.
"System, thank you for your assistance," Lockhart said.
"You know my character."
"I've just told you what I want."
"So, what do you want in return?"
With that, Lockhart gestured toward the captive Mephisto and Dormammu.
"If you seek more primal power, I believe we could cooperate quite effectively in the future."
Who were friends, and who were enemies?
An excellent question.
If the System helped you, did that necessarily make it a friend?
Uncertain.
But did that make it an enemy?
Not necessarily.
The concepts of "friend" and "enemy" were themselves ambiguous.
Yet one criterion remained clear: When interests conflicted, even the closest friend would eventually become an enemy. When interests aligned, even a former enemy might become a friend.
The so-called "friend and enemy strategy" proposed by great thinkers centered on this principle—make more friends and fewer enemies by identifying common interests. The more shared interests you discovered, the more friends you gained.
This was precisely what Lockhart now attempted—establishing mutual benefit between himself and the System. Because his next steps, if the System proved willing to help...
"What do you think, Host?" The familiar mechanical voice of the System resonated with barely concealed curiosity. "I wonder what purpose you believe I might serve in your plans."
Though mechanical in tone, the voice couldn't hide the System's amusement and interest.
Lockhart didn't answer directly. Instead, he glanced at Mephisto and Dormammu.
Pointing at them, he finally responded, "These two are rather unsightly if left alive."
"You might as well consume them."
This time, Lockhart's words reached Mephisto and Dormammu's ears.
Naturally, they protested.
While sacrificing an avatar represented an acceptable cost, needless sacrifice remained distasteful.
"My friend, don't act hastily," Mephisto quickly interjected. "I roughly understand your relationship with Lockhart."
"Whatever Lockhart can offer you, we can match."
"I may have had special resources when researching Lockhart, but that doesn't preclude potential cooperation between us."
"I understand your concerns about betrayal and deception."
"But you must believe in our sincerity. We possess many methods to ensure fairness for all parties."
Dormammu added urgently, "Don't rush to act—we're all restrained now anyway."
"Why not hear our proposal?"
"Our accumulation over hundreds of thousands of years is no trifling matter."
"The primal power of our two incarnations is merely our introductory offering..."
They desperately attempted to persuade the System to reconsider.
Though these were mere incarnations, their sacrifice still carried value.
After hearing their pleas, the System looked specifically at Lockhart's expression.
Seeing only indifference there, the System seemed to grow bored.
The next moment...
Whoosh!
The purple-gold sphere that embodied the System suddenly expanded.
In less than a second, it passed through the bodies of Mephisto and Dormammu.
In that instant, their forms vanished completely.
Immediately afterward, the System returned to its original size.
Floating before Lockhart, it continued as if nothing had happened.
"Now, you may speak."
Lockhart gazed thoughtfully at the space where Mephisto and Dormammu had disappeared.
Had the attempt to gauge himself through the eyes of these two entities yielded any insight?
When the System prompted him, however, Lockhart didn't hesitate.
"Of course," he replied directly. "System, as I've said before, I'm grateful."
"Your abilities are truly remarkable."
"Especially during the early stages of my journey through time—without your help, ensuring my safety would have been extremely difficult."