Kamar-Taj.
Inside a strange, old-fashioned building.
Aron sat frozen, holding a cup of tea that seemed to never empty.
Because, sitting across from him, was none other than the Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One!
At the moment, her eyes were closed.
The Eye of Agamotto, hanging around her neck, opened, and the Time Stone within it glowed with green light.
"…"
Aron took a puff of tea.
A drop of sweat slid down his forehead.
What should he do?
As soon as he arrived, he was immediately caught by the most powerful sorcerer in this world.
Could someone help him get out of this?
Please!
It's urgent!
At the moment when Aron glanced toward the east, the Ancient One suddenly opened her eyes.
Whoosh!
Aron immediately straightened up.
His expression became serious.
Suddenly proper and stiff.
"You come from another universe."
Her voice was calm, but piercing.
Those words didn't shock Aron, he had already assumed that the Ancient One knew he didn't belong here.
After all, her job was to protect the multiverse and prevent interdimensional intrusions.
Of course she would know he came out of nowhere.
"I can't see you on the timeline."
Those words, however, made him flinch slightly.
"I… I'm not exactly sure what that means."
Aron truly had no idea.
It all happened suddenly, while he was in the middle of a game, a system window popped up saying:
"Congratulations! You have received a system! Reward: dimensional teleportation!" or something like that.
He clicked "OK" without thinking… and then found himself here.
When he thought about that system…
The image immediately appeared in his mind:
[System activating… 99%]
"I don't know how I got here."
"Can you maybe… send me back?"
He gave it a try.
The Ancient One took a sip of tea and slowly shook her head. "I can't."
"Or rather, it's not possible."
"I've seen many who came from other dimensions."
"Some had good intentions, some were full of darkness… But all had something special in them. And you…"
She paused.
"I'm… just an ordinary guy, honestly."
Aron had no illusions about himself.
"Yes, you truly are… very 'ordinary.'"
The Ancient One laughed, then continued: "Crossing between dimensions is no trivial task. You, as an ordinary person, not only managed to do it, but I can't see your past… or your future."
Aron's jaw dropped.
"What… does that mean?"
"It means you'll be staying here in Kamar-Taj for a while."
The Ancient One gave him a gentle smile for the first time.
At that moment, a strong dark-skinned man in sorcerer robes approached them.
"This is Master Mordo. He'll show you to your room."
"Change clothes and join the training."
She said that and left the room.
Aron remained confused, staring ahead of him.
Training?
So, I'm really becoming an apprentice in Kamar-Taj?
"Please, come with me."
Mordo said quietly, and Aron stood up, but didn't move immediately.
Because at that moment…
The long-awaited voice finally spoke up:
[Activation progress: 100% System initiated!]
Yes!
Finally!
Do you have any idea how nervous I was sitting in front of the Ancient One?!
Hearing the mechanical tone of the system, Aron finally felt relieved.
A dimensional traveler!
The system was activated!
Next step: marry a rich beauty and walk the path of the ultimate life!
But before he had time to celebrate…
[Hello, Host!]
[The strongest exorcism system is at your service!]
[Beginner bonus: Complete exorcism tutorial set (basic, advanced, comprehensive courses).]
With a sound effect, a full guide and exorcism encyclopedia appeared in his consciousness.
The content was massive!
From banishing ordinary ghosts to battling demonic entities from other dimensions.
The system was clear:
If something is classified as a "devil", the tutorial includes a 100% way to eliminate it.
And not just one.
But…
"I'm in the Marvel world."
"Why are you giving me an exorcism system?"
At that moment, Mordo quietly cleared his throat.
"Please, follow me."
Mordo looked at him suspiciously, but said nothing. He simply turned and led the way.
Aron sighed and followed him.
…
"It seems the Ancient One holds you in high regard."
Mordo said in passing as they walked through the corridor.
"Oh." Aron shrugged, still mentally immersed in the "Exorcism Encyclopedia."
"In all these years, you're the first apprentice the Ancient One has personally brought in."
"You must have an incredible natural affinity for magic."
Mordo recalled how the Ancient One had teleported out of her lecture and immediately returned with this young man.
"Maybe." Aron simply responded calmly, still flipping through the contents in his mind.
"Hm… '100 Ways to Exorcise Interdimensional Demons'…"
"How to banish a Lord of Hell in three seconds…"
"Three sentences that will make demons pay you rent…?"
The further he read, the more absurd the methods became.
His eyelids twitched as a few suspicions began forming in his head.
At that moment, they passed near the courtyard of Kamar-Taj.
The Ancient One was currently absent, so Wong was giving the lecture.
"Magic never comes from nowhere. Every use of it has a price."
"Especially ancient, forbidden Technique, their cost can be terrible."
Wong spoke seriously, surrounded by a circle of apprentices.
Everyone listened carefully, and some took notes.
"Especially dark magic that draws power from demonic dimensions…"
"It may appear powerful, but it always brings catastrophe, because the price must be paid."
Aron suddenly stopped.
Demon?
Dark magic?
His brain snapped awake.
He began connecting the dots.
"I think… I think I now know how my system works."