Are there any other reasons?
Of course there were.
Lockhart kept these thoughts to himself. The reasons he had mentioned earlier were all respectable ones, though they genuinely reflected his thinking. But in reality, darker considerations also influenced his decision.
Chief among them was the role of the Ancient One.
The Supreme Sorcerer had offered guidance many times, and now the purpose seemed clear—to present Lockhart with a binary choice. But what would the Ancient One do if Lockhart chose to pursue godhood in the Marvel world?
Lockhart preferred not to dwell on this, yet his mind couldn't help generating possibilities.
Kamar-Taj had existed for thousands of years, with the Ancient One standing guard for much of that time. Throughout those millennia, no dimensional gods had emerged from their ranks.
Was this merely because achieving godhood was difficult?
Perhaps that played a role, but it couldn't be the entire explanation.
The most likely possibility was that the Ancient One had subtly guided—no, that term was too gentle. More accurately, Kamar-Taj actively prevented the emergence of dimensional gods.
Therefore, if Lockhart chose the path to godhood, despite being just one step away from success, taking that final step might plunge him into a bottomless abyss.
Even if he somehow survived such a catastrophe, Kamar-Taj and Earth itself would likely become forbidden territory to him.
One needed only to consider Dormammu's status to understand this reality.
Of course, this remained speculation. Lockhart's choice incorporated this factor, but also aligned closely with his personal inclinations.
He harbored deep curiosity about the future of magic and sorcery.
"Host, are there any other reasons?" the System asked again.
It seemed quite curious, eager to confirm Lockhart's true intentions.
"There may be many reasons, and I've contemplated this extensively," Lockhart replied calmly, his tone resolute.
"However, now that I've made my decision, I won't waver. No matter how many obstacles stand before me, I'll face them one by one."
"Even if I perish, I'll harbor no regrets."
Lockhart's determination was absolute.
This exemplified his character. Before making a decision, he might hesitate and consider all angles. But once resolved, he accepted any outcome.
It was a choice he had made independently.
He would bear full responsibility for the consequences.
Though Lockhart hadn't directly answered its question, the System grasped his meaning.
"Very well, Host, I understand."
"What would you like to know?"
"Given our previous partnership, I can grant you three questions to ask freely."
This time, the System didn't press further but offered Lockhart three opportunities.
The System's attitude greatly encouraged Lockhart.
Through various probing interactions, he had tentatively determined that the System harbored no significant malice, or at least no obvious ill intent. It seemed amenable to reasonable communication.
Yet suspicions remained just that—Lockhart couldn't be completely certain.
Now, faced with this offer, the System had granted him three opportunities for questions.
Countless possibilities raced through Lockhart's mind.
Why had he traveled through time?
What was the System's origin?
What was its purpose?
A multitude of questions ignited his curiosity.
Yet he remained silent, restraining himself and thinking carefully.
Three free questions implied future opportunities might require payment.
What mattered most to him at this stage?
"System, I want to know—in your opinion, what direction leads forward for people like us?"
"Beyond the established hierarchy of gods and sorcerers!"
Remarkably, his first question didn't directly concern the System itself.
Most would be astonished by this choice, given all the foreshadowing. Yet his first inquiry had nothing to do with the System's nature.
And the System...
"Host, I must say you truly deserve admiration."
"Most would use their first question to ask about my origins or my desires."
The System seemed to sigh, though without elaborating further. The purple-gold sphere pulsed slightly as its mechanized voice continued.
"Host, regarding your quest to forge a new path as a sorcerer—I believe you already harbor certain ideas."
"Otherwise, you wouldn't have chosen to sacrifice your dream world."
The System's light sphere rotated slightly before continuing with certainty: "Host, your intuition is correct."
"Your path forward lies at your feet."
"Upon this immense god."
Lockhart had won his gamble!
His guess proved accurate—the sorcerer's path forward existed within the god itself.
The Ancient One's mention of a "last chance" wasn't merely a warning.
It was to be taken literally.
Had the god fully formed, Lockhart would have missed his only opportunity.
The god contained the way forward.
He had encountered references in ancient texts emphasizing that Celestial Beings and Dimensional Spirits didn't follow identical systems.
Connecting these pieces, he had taken his calculated risk.
"Host, present your second question."
The System didn't provide detailed instructions, merely confirming Lockhart's supposition before prompting his next inquiry.
It clearly wished to explore the depths of Lockhart's thoughts.
This host intrigued it.
"For my second question, I wish to know whether our future relationship will be as partners, friends, or strangers."
Lockhart posed his second question without directly addressing what the System desired.
He sought to determine their future dynamics through these three relationship models.
Partners implied mutual interests.
Friends suggested the System didn't have significant need of him—otherwise, how could they be merely friends?
As for strangers—this would reveal whether the System intended to stay or depart after their honest meeting.
After all, if given the choice, the System might prefer to leave and find a new host. Though this would incur initial costs, it might represent a favorable option.
Lockhart deliberately omitted a fourth possibility—enemies.
The System seemed to grasp the subtext of Lockhart's question.
After a pause, it rotated slightly before responding.
"Though the Host is consistently generous, with many seeking friendship with you..."
"I believe a partnership better suits us."
"Of course, should the Host desire it, the System would gladly befriend individuals with potential."
Though delivered in mechanical tones, the final words carried a playful quality.
Lockhart understood.
Apparently, something within him attracted the System.
Though he couldn't identify this quality, it must exist.
He knew his time travel and the System's attachment weren't random occurrences.
The System would not choose to leave him.
"Host, what is your final question?"
"What would you like to know?"
"System, I want to know—can you still take me to other worlds?"