Lockhart stood before the Bifrost, the Ancient One quietly positioned at his side. Even now, each time he glanced down at the Cosmic Cube in his palm, a sense of disbelief clouded his eyes.
The Supreme Sorcerer was truly formidable. First conquering multiple Dimensional Demon Gods, and now even securing cooperation from Asgard itself. Odin had actually entrusted him with the Cosmic Cube.
And what exactly was the Cosmic Cube? Nothing less than the Space Stone itself—one of the six Infinity Stones that governed the fundamental aspects of existence.
To be honest, when Thor had returned the Cosmic Cube to Asgard after the New York incident, Lockhart hadn't dwelled much on it. He had assumed he might only have a chance to acquire it upon attaining godhood himself, or perhaps after Odin's eventual passing. After all, Odin's title—God King of Asgard and Lord of the Nine Realms—was not merely empty grandiloquence.
Like the Supreme Sorcerer, Odin's reputation was built on demonstrated power. Countless Demon Gods had fallen to Odin's Eternal Spear, Gungnir.
And yet...
Looking at the Cosmic Cube now resting in his hands, Lockhart still struggled to accept this reality.
"Supreme Sorcerer, are you truly just... lending this to me?" Lockhart asked, concern evident in his voice. "With no additional conditions?"
In truth, Lockhart had already been elated by the dozens of dimensional fragments and various sources of power he'd acquired. But this—this was beyond his wildest expectations.
This was the Space Stone. Combined with his access to the Time Stone through his apprenticeship to the Ancient One, he now held unfathomable potential in his grasp. Space in one hand, time in the other—it was almost too much to comprehend.
Though excitement surged through him, threatening to manifest as visible jubilation, Lockhart maintained his composure and awaited the Supreme Sorcerer's response.
"Don't worry, there are no conditions attached," the Ancient One replied, her tone carrying deeper meaning. "Besides, I've discussed everything with Odin. Asgard and Kamar-Taj will now stand as formal allies."
Lockhart nodded in understanding. To be honest, an alliance between Asgard and Kamar-Taj had been within the realm of his expectations. Even if the Ancient One hadn't initiated it, he would have pursued such an arrangement after assuming leadership of Kamar-Taj.
Of course, by the time Odin eventually passed on, Thor would most likely ascend to rule Asgard. But establishing this foundation now, while both the Ancient One and Odin—two of the most powerful beings in existence—still lived and could cement the alliance, was invaluable.
The unified front of these two cosmic powers would shock the Dimensional Demon Gods, creating an effect far greater than the sum of its parts. It would buy him precious time.
Lockhart glanced down at the Cosmic Cube once more, unable to fully suppress the joy in his eyes. With the Space Stone, his plans could become vastly more comprehensive.
And he couldn't forget that clues to a third Infinity Stone's presence on Earth were beginning to emerge...
Meanwhile, at Kamar-Taj's Central Square—also known as the Training Square—an extraordinary gathering was taking place.
Typically, this was where sorcerer apprentices trained daily, and where key festivals or celebrations were held. The space was vast enough to accommodate almost every sorcerer of Kamar-Taj, making it the perfect venue for large-scale events.
This morning, an enormous crowd of sorcerers had assembled in the central square. From a distance, they resembled a colony of ants—innumerable and densely packed across the expanse.
It seemed as though every sorcerer of Kamar-Taj had arrived, though this wasn't strictly true. The three major sanctums still required protection, necessitating some to remain at their posts. But aside from those essential guardians, virtually every sorcerer had converged upon the central square.
They had gathered because today, momentous news would be announced—news that would mark a turning point in the history of Kamar-Taj.
In the spacious square, the sorcerers engaged in heated discussions. Some argued passionately, their faces flushed with emotion. Others furrowed their brows in confusion, while many more wore expressions of deep concern, as if anticipating troubling consequences.
The square buzzed with life, each sorcerer displaying different reactions to the impending succession ceremony of the Supreme Sorcerer. For almost all present, this was unprecedented—neither they nor their predecessors had ever witnessed a change in leadership. For millennia, it seemed the title of Supreme Sorcerer had been less a position and more simply another name for the Ancient One.
At the front of the square, several key figures—among them Elder Byron, the law enforcer, and Master Kaecilius—conversed in hushed tones.
"I still can't comprehend this decision," Byron whispered, barely containing his frustration. "I acknowledge Lockhart's considerable power and contributions to Kamar-Taj. However, he's been with us for less than three years—barely over two. In such a brief span..."
Though he left the thought unfinished, the resentment in his tone was unmistakable to those around him. As a law enforcement elder, Byron stood at the pinnacle of Kamar-Taj's hierarchy. If the Ancient One truly intended to step down, Byron had naturally assumed he would be among the primary candidates for succession.
Yet he had received no indication, not even the slightest hint of what was to come. Without consultation, the Supreme Sorcerer had summoned them to simply announce her decision. How could Byron possibly accept such a development?
The surrounding sorcerers largely shared Byron's sentiments. While few harbored illusions of becoming the next Supreme Sorcerer themselves, none had anticipated that someone who had joined Kamar-Taj so recently would suddenly ascend to leadership over them all.
But what recourse did they have? Throughout history, no one had ever successfully challenged the Ancient One's decisions. Her authority had been cemented over thousands of years of leadership. They could only voice their discontent among themselves in whispers, not daring to express such thoughts in the Ancient One's presence.
Not everyone shared this disappointment, however. Kaecilius and Mordo, close allies of Lockhart, could barely contain their excitement. Though they had never aspired to the position of Supreme Sorcerer themselves, seeing their friend elevated to such heights filled them with joy and anticipation. Their futures now seemed exceptionally promising.
As the sun continued its ascent, the discussions intensified—until suddenly, the air itself seemed to shift.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
A massive ring of flame-colored energy materialized high above the square, accompanied by an overwhelming aura that seemed to press down upon everyone present. The once-noisy gathering fell silent as every face turned skyward to witness the spectacle unfolding above them.
The halo hovered high overhead, its interior rippling like water with gentle waves. Within this mystical frame, images began to form.
The first scene depicted a dilapidated hall where two sorcerers battled against a half-destroyed corpse enshrouded in dark energy. The combat appeared fierce—beams of magic crisscrossed the space, green and red lights flashing continuously. Flame-colored runes transformed into various spells, all directed at the animated corpse. The situation seemed dire, with the sorcerers at a clear disadvantage, though they held their ground with determination.
As the gathered crowd watched with growing concern, Kaecilius's eyes widened in recognition, his expression a mixture of awe and disbelief. The other sorcerers glanced at him, then back at the vision, as understanding dawned—the two battling sorcerers were none other than Kaecilius himself and Lockhart, facing Dormammu, the Dark Dimension's ruler.
The scene continued to unfold, showing the escalating conflict and its eventual resolution with the Ancient One's arrival. Throughout the vision, Lockhart featured prominently, his contributions clearly central to their victory.
The images shifted again, revealing the familiar halls of the New York Sanctum under attack. Every sorcerer recognized this moment—the dimensional invasion by the Twilight Demon God. They witnessed Lockhart wielding the Eye of Agamotto, constructing a time-space cage that trapped the Demon God in an endless loop, rendering it powerless to resist.
Many sorcerers watched in astonishment, marveling both at Lockhart's skill and at the seemingly insurmountable power of the Time Stone.
The visions continued changing, next showing the confrontation with Mephisto. In a shattered mirror dimension, Thor and Iron Man battled Loki while Lockhart faced the cunning Demon God of Hell. Seeing Mephisto's humiliating retreat brought secret satisfaction to many sorcerers who had suffered at his hands in the past. The sight was as refreshing as ice water on a sweltering day.
Further scenes displayed Lockhart leading incursions into hostile dimensions, each victory more impressive than the last.
By now, virtually everyone had realized who would be the next Supreme Sorcerer. The protagonist of every vision, Gilderoy Lockhart, was clearly the chosen successor.
Before these revelations, many had felt indignant at the thought of someone so recently arrived standing above them and leading the Kamar-Taj they had served for decades. But after witnessing these displays of Lockhart's prowess—his repeated triumphs against Demon Gods with increasing ease—they found their objections difficult to maintain.
Few among them could truthfully claim to have even fought a Demon God's avatar, let alone emerged victorious multiple times. The implications were clear.
Even Byron and his supporters fell silent as the visions faded. They had heard of these accomplishments, of course, but seeing them directly was an entirely different experience.
As the final vision dissipated and the sun shone unobstructed once more, the Ancient One appeared silently on the elevated platform at the square's edge. She gazed down at the assembled sorcerers, a gentle smile upon her face.
"Fellow sorcerers," she began, her voice carrying effortlessly across the hushed square. "I have watched each of you progress to reach this point. Every sorcerer here has made an indelible contribution to Earth's protection."
The crowd listened in absolute silence, no one daring to interrupt.
"For thousands of years, I have witnessed generations of sorcerers continue to make sacrifices. Only through their dedication do we enjoy the relative peace we now experience."
Though her voice remained serene, it carried unmistakable nostalgia, as if each face from those countless generations remained etched in her memory.
"Through millennia, I have remembered the faces of countless sorcerers, only to watch them fade away, one after another." Her tone softened. "In truth, I have grown weary. I, too, desire rest."
The admission seemed to resonate through the gathering, her unexpected vulnerability catching many off guard.
"But I understand the responsibilities that come with the title you have bestowed upon me. I could not consider rest until a worthy successor was prepared to assume the mantle of leadership."
She paused, allowing her words to sink in.
"So, throughout these long centuries, I have observed countless sorcerers, waiting for one who might be suitable." Her expression brightened. "Finally, I encountered a sorcerer capable of leading Kamar-Taj toward an even brighter future—my successor, Gilderoy Lockhart."
As she finished speaking, Lockhart materialized beside her, appearing as if from nowhere. For a moment, the square remained silent, the weight of the Ancient One's words hanging in the air.
Then, gradually, scattered applause emerged, beginning with Kaecilius and his allies. Soon, other sorcerers joined in, until the entire square resounded with unified approval—though Lockhart's expression remained impassive as he observed the scene.
He understood the doubts many still harbored. It was only natural, given the brevity of his time at Kamar-Taj. But such concerns were ultimately minor obstacles. From the position of Supreme Sorcerer, he had numerous methods at his disposal to earn their genuine loyalty.
The Ancient One's voice rose once more above the applause: "I hereby declare that Lockhart shall assume the position of Supreme Sorcerer of Kamar-Taj!"