The appearance of Domain Magic completely overturned the mages' understanding.
Especially after learning of the Ancient One's current condition, none of them could suppress the fire in their hearts.
So what if their strength was insufficient now?
Not one of them believed they couldn't reach that step in the future.
It was difficult.
Extremely difficult.
But mages had time.
They could grind.
More importantly, the current Sorcerer Supreme-Noah Finnel-had reached the demigod level at an unbelievable speed.
Who could say this magic wasn't related?
A Domain.
Mysterious.
Tempting.
A power that truly reshaped the future of mages.
These high-level Grandmasters had almost no resistance.
They were completely captivated.
"I assume you all understand this magic now."
Noah smiled as he looked at their expressions.
"Then let's talk about something else."
He snapped his fingers.
Space inverted.
The strange rhythm vanished instantly.
The elements retreated, collapsing back into nothing.
In a blink, everything returned to normal.
The Grandmasters realized they were still seated in the same room.
They hadn't moved at all.
It felt like an illusion.
If not for the feedback from their bodies and minds, they would have doubted reality itself.
"Sorcerer Supreme."
Hamir spoke immediately.
"Such powerful magic must have restrictions, correct?"
"Of course."
Noah sat down and cast a deliberately provocative glance at Wong.
"This magic is only suitable for mages who have reached the Eighth Tier."
"That doesn't mean those below Eighth Tier aren't qualified to study it."
"But without Eighth Tier mana reserves, you won't be able to unfold a Domain of your own."
The Grandmasters nodded in unison.
If magic of this level had no restrictions, that would be abnormal.
In fact, some of them even felt Eighth Tier was a little low.
But that was easy for them to say.
They were confident in themselves.
If ordinary mages heard this, most would give up immediately.
"Eighth Tier. Understood."
Hamir nodded.
"Then what does the Sorcerer Supreme require in exchange for making this public?"
Noah's smile widened.
This former disciple of the Ancient One knew exactly how things worked.
Mages didn't do charity.
For Noah to make Domain Magic public was to grant unimaginable benefits.
Whether others could learn it was their own problem.
But the opportunity alone was priceless.
And Noah himself lost nothing.
In truth, he had planned to reveal it anyway.
He even intended to promote it across the magical world.
Any mage who reached Eighth Tier would be allowed to try.
Naturally, they had to pass the Grandmaster assessment.
And the method could not be spread freely.
Even if only two or three out of the fourteen Grandmasters succeeded, that would already be a victory.
But posture still mattered.
He couldn't make it look like he didn't care.
Nor could he reveal just how brutal the learning curve truly was.
"It's simple," Noah said calmly.
"Let's talk about the system first."
"Don't you all think the current system has serious problems?"
Silence.
Wong and Mordo looked especially awful.
They had expected Noah to push this issue.
They hadn't expected him to use Domain Magic as leverage.
Was his desire to run around really more important than a cultivation method that could change the future of mages?
Noah didn't know what they were thinking.
If he had, once the meeting ended, he might have said:
Yes. Exactly.
The other Grandmasters were also stunned, though not as conflicted as Wong and Mordo.
After exchanging a few glances and whispers, they decided to hear him out.
Domain Magic was too tempting.
Even if it meant relaxing some bottom lines, that could be discussed.
But if Noah crossed certain boundaries, they would refuse without hesitation.
These people had passed the Grandmaster assessment.
The Phantasm Realm had tested their will.
They wouldn't abandon their principles for a spell, no matter how alluring.
That was why they were sitting here.
Well-
Relaxing the bottom line was still negotiable.
As long as Earth and the Sanctums weren't endangered.
"Could you explain your plan, Sorcerer Supreme?"
Victor glanced at Wong and Mordo, then spoke.
"I intend to form a Council," Noah said plainly.
"A Council composed entirely of Grandmasters."
"A Council?"
Mordo frowned.
"Like the mundane councils?"
"You intend to share your authority?"
Noah looked at him with mild surprise.
Mordo had grasped the core issue immediately.
A council, by nature, restricted a leader's power.
Major matters required collective judgment.
In the Sanctum, the Sorcerer Supreme's authority had always been absolute.
The Ancient One decided.
Others followed.
Introducing a Council was, invisibly, a weakening of the Sorcerer Supreme's status.
The Sanctuary had never allowed such a thing.
The Sorcerer Supreme was Earth's defender.
This position required supreme judicial authority.
Especially with the Time Stone, disastrous decisions were almost impossible.
If the Sorcerer Supreme's voice were diluted, it would be self-sabotage.
And Noah himself was no passive figure.
As a Guardian, he often acted independently.
Sometimes without discussion at all.
He was not someone lacking judgment.
The opposition to his proposal wasn't because he was weak.
It was because it seemed irresponsible.
Contradictory.
But understandable.
Now, he had to convince them.
"That's right."
Noah nodded.
"I intend to share the responsibilities I bear."
"The Sanctums remain under my command."
"I understand your concerns, but I don't agree with them."
"Because our greatest threat, for the foreseeable future, is not Dormammu."
"For the foreseeable future?"
Hamir's eyes widened.
"Sorcerer Supreme, that wording-"
"Dormammu was defeated by me," Noah said calmly, cutting him off.
"As for whether he is dead, I don't know."
"My teacher handled the aftermath."
"But I can state this clearly."
"Dormammu will not trouble us for hundreds-if not thousands-of years."
His fingers tapped lightly on the table.
"Our real dangers come from elsewhere."
"Perhaps the Milky Way."
"Perhaps the Outer Realms."
"Perhaps parallel universes."
"That is why I want a Council."
"To guard the Sanctums."
"And give me time to deal with matters that cannot be handled here."
Very few people knew the truth of the Dormammu incident.
They had sensed something.
They hadn't dared ask.
Now that Noah had said it outright, everything clicked.
That abnormal day in New York.
The repeated mana eruptions.
Yet only minutes seemed to pass.
The room fell silent again.
Soon, the Grandmasters began whispering among themselves.
After a while, Wong spoke.
"Tell us more about this Council."
This time, Noah laughed.
The Council had one absolute requirement.
Every member had to be a High Grandmaster of the Sanctuary.
Only those whose character had been tested were trustworthy.
Defending the Sanctums would be their core responsibility.
Dormammu might return someday.
No one could say when.
But these Grandmasters also needed time to cultivate and study.
So each Council member would be allowed to form their own staff.
To handle mundane affairs.
The Sanctums generated endless administrative work.
Personal staff were necessary.
To prevent abuse of power, Council members would be held fully accountable.
The system would monitor and eliminate any misconduct.
Beyond that, Noah made one thing clear.
He was not relinquishing final authority.
All major decisions would still rest with him.
He retained absolute veto power.
As Sorcerer Supreme, he still carried unique responsibilities.
"These are my preliminary ideas."
Noah concluded.
"Everything except the final rule is open for discussion."
"This is only a draft."
"If you're still uneasy, I can consult my teacher."
"It's already very reasonable," Hamir said.
"Then one question."
"With four Sanctums including the High Sanctuary, how will we be stationed?"
"Four Grandmasters at the High Sanctuary."
"Three at each of the others."
"The portals remain open at all times."
"And you?"
"I will stay at the London Sanctum."
"If needed, I can appear anywhere immediately."
Hamir nodded.
"Understood."
"One final question."
"What do you intend to name this Council?"