Chapter 3: The Ancient One's Visit
After the fight with Flash, Leo became the focus of the class.
After being defeated in a fight, Flash didn't dare show aggressiveness anymore. Now he was about to graduate, and he could only rely on his basketball skills to enter college.
When Mary Jane came to class the next morning, she announced her relationship with Leo—with a good morning kiss right in front of everyone.
Flash knew what it meant. He wasn't stupid. He clenched his fists but said nothing.
Finally, school was over. Tomorrow was the weekend.
Over the past two days, Mary Jane had been quite proactive and bold. If Leo hadn't kept his distance, she would have given up pretending already.
"Hey Leo, what are you thinking?" Mary Jane came in front of Leo with a bright smile.
Leo looked up from his thoughts. "Well, I was thinking about something important. How to spend this weekend."
"Do you have me in weekend?" Marry Jane said with little expectation.
"Definitely, yes!" Leo replied with a smile.
"Don't you have a band with Gwen and Betty? Will I have a chance to see you perform?"
Mary Jane felt a little disappointed. She actually thought it would be a date between just the two of them. But Leo's goal was still Gwen.
However, she wasn't discouraged. She wasn't willing to give up.
"It's true that we haven't been to a show for a long time. I have time this weekend. But I don't know if Gwen and Betty are free," Mary Jane said.
"Let's go and ask them," Leo suggested.
Together, they found Gwen, who was packing her school bag and was about to go to the library.
"Gwen, want to come to a bar this weekend to watch us perform?" Mary Jane asked.
"Sorry, I have other things to do," Gwen replied apologetically.
"I also know we haven't performed together for a long time. Maybe after graduation during the holiday," Gwen added.
Gwen declined. Betty was also busy over the weekend.
Only Mary Jane had time. It would be a good choice to meet Mary Jane alone.
According to Mary Jane's hopeful expression, if the date was successful, some romantic things would definitely happen.
"So it's just the two of us. Do you want to see my cooking skills?" Leo asked.
"If you want, I can cook for you and show off some skills," he added with a grin.
Mary Jane didn't hesitate and quickly agreed.
"I'm looking forward to my first date with you," she said excitedly.
Leo and Mary Jane wandered around the campus for a while before they separated and went back to their own homes.
---
After returning home, Leo made dinner. After that, he took a bath and sat on his sofa, deep in thought about Tony Stark's situation.
"Should I try to go to Afghanistan? But how would I even find him? And would my interference change things for the worse?" Leo wondered aloud.
Suddenly, in front of his eyes, golden sparks appeared and then formed a circle.
The moment Leo saw the portal, he knew it must be the Ancient One. The magician had noticed him.
Sure enough, a bald magician with an extraordinary bearing came out from the portal.
"Leo, I need you to come with me," the Ancient One said calmly.
"Definitely, Ancient One," Leo replied.
Leo called her by name directly, and the Ancient One didn't find it strange at all. She just gestured for Leo to step through the portal.
Leo stepped through and looked at everything in front of him curiously.
"This should be the holy place, Kamar-Taj," he thought.
It looked quite ordinary. Nothing special.
The Ancient One seemed to see through Leo's mind. "This place has nothing special on the surface," she said with a small smile.
"Would you like some tea?" she offered.
"Alright. I don't have the habit of drinking tea, but I can't miss tea from the Ancient One," Leo said politely.
Leo sat down and took the cup of tea. "Thanks."
"You're welcome."
The Ancient One also sat down and cut straight to the topic without talking nonsense.
"I have been guarding and observing the future. A few days ago, I felt the timeline had changed, and the future became unobservable and no longer certain."
"I realized that something strange had happened."
"It wasn't until I saw you involved in important people's futures in blurry pictures of the timeline. After further investigation, I found you."
She paused and looked directly at Leo. "You shouldn't exist in this universe, right?"
"That's right. But I don't know why I appeared here. However, I have no ill will toward this world," Leo replied honestly.
"This will also be the place where I live in the future. When the world is in danger, I will also take action to protect it."
The Ancient One could tell he wasn't lying.
"Your physical fitness is far beyond ordinary humans," she observed.
"With your joining, this world has another protector."
On the surface, Leo was calm, drinking tea quietly. But he was excited inside because he was seeing the Ancient One's character panel.
---
Name: Ancient One (Saritta)
Age: 695
Race: Human
Strength: 167 kg
Speed: 5 m/s
Abilities: Magic Genius (Can learn magical arts quickly), Astral Projection (Ability to separate one's soul from body and gain access to the astral plane. Exist as a soul in the astral plane, can communicate with spirits and souls), Mind Manipulation (telepathy, transfer memories and enter the sea of consciousness of others to see their memories)
Skills: Weapon Mastery (High), Martial Arts (High)
Magical Arts: Portal Creation (Mastered), Dimensional Travel (Mastered), Illusion Magic (Mastered), Mirror Dimension (Mastered - can access and control reality in the Mirror Dimension, parallel to the real world), Soul Separating Palm (Can push others' souls out of their bodies - Mastered), Energy Barrier (Mastered), Wind Control (Mastered), Energy Weapons Formation (Mastered), Time Stone Magic (Mastered), Time Slow (Mastered), Transmutation Magic (Mastered)
Power Sources: Dark Dimension (for longevity), White Dimension (for magical power)
Eye of Agamotto (Time Stone - singularity of time in the universe): Abilities: Time Manipulation (Low Universal Scale - can affect time across an entire universe, power output limited by user capability), Timeline Sight (Can see past, present, and future of anyone and any timeline), Time Loop
---
"System, copy all abilities, skills, and magical arts. Copy Time Stone abilities also," Leo commanded mentally.
Copying...
Abilities Copied Successfully.
Skills Copied Successfully.
Magical Arts Copied Successfully.
Time Stone Abilities Copied Successfully.
Note: Abilities stored. Integration pending user command.
Leo didn't integrate them immediately. He wanted to wait until he was home.
---
"Ancient One, you've seen much of the world. A person who dares to borrow power from the dark dimension just to extend her life—she's not afraid of such small things as an uncertain future," Leo said with a knowing smile.
The Ancient One raised an eyebrow slightly. "You know about that?"
"I know you borrow power from the dark dimension for longevity," Leo said honestly.
The Ancient One was silent for a moment, then nodded. "You are perceptive."
"No matter what the future is, there is always a way to deal with it," Leo continued.
"Within a few years, I will be able to deal with Thanos and Dormammu with my own hands."
The Ancient One didn't know why Leo was so confident, but she said nothing.
Because she couldn't see through Leo's mysterious abilities.
She didn't plan to continue asking.
Anyway, Leo's presence increased the guarding power of Earth.
Whether it was Thanos or Dormammu, she believed in the Avengers and Doctor Strange. "Even if the future changes, you can definitely handle it," she said.
Leo sighed with relief.
"Ancient One, do you know Kang the Conqueror? The Time Variance Authority?" Leo asked suddenly.
"Kang?"
The Ancient One waved her hand, and a long time stream appeared. She began to explain.
"Kang the Conqueror—I know something about him. He is from the future."
"After developing a time machine, Kang was keen on traveling the timeline, creating variants and chaos."
"The Time Variance Authority... they claim to protect the sacred timeline, but their true nature is more complicated than that."
"Because of your appearance, the future has become unpredictable."
"Even I can't understand the whole picture anymore."
Leo nodded thoughtfully.
"If the Ancient One has nothing else to say, can I go? I have something important," Leo said.
"Do you want to learn magic formally?" the Ancient One offered.
"I don't need it. Strange is better suited, and he's your successor," Leo replied.
Just as he was about to leave, he turned back. "If you need help, just ask me."
The Ancient One smiled and opened a portal for him.
"One more thing, Leo," the Ancient One said. "Be careful."
Leo nodded seriously. "I understand. Thank you, Ancient One."
After Leo stepped through, the portal closed behind him.
---
He sat down on the sofa in his living room, taking a deep breath.
"System, begin integration of all copied abilities, skills, and magical arts," Leo commanded.
Integration Beginning...
Integrating Abilities...
Magic Genius Integrated.
Astral Projection Integrated.
Mind Manipulation Integrated.
Leo felt his mental power improved by few dozen times and he gained spiritual scene, vast knowledge flood into his mind—ancient techniques, mystical understanding, the ability to separate his soul from his body.
Integrating Skills...
Weapon Mastery (High) Integrated.
Martial Arts (High) Integrated.
His muscle memory expanded. Fighting techniques from centuries of combat experience became instinctive.
Integrating Magical Arts...
Portal Creation Integrated.
Dimensional Travel Integrated.
Illusion Magic Integrated.
Mirror Dimension Integrated.
Soul Separating Palm Integrated.
Energy Barrier Integrated.
Wind Control Integrated.
Energy Weapons Formation Integrated.
Time Stone Magic Integrated.
Time Slow Integrated.
Transmutation Magic Integrated.
Note: Magical Arts require power from White Dimension to perform. User must establish connection and borrow power when using magic.
Each magical art settled into place. Leo immediately felt the connection to the White Dimension form—a thread of golden energy he could draw upon when needed.
Integrating Time Stone Abilities...
Timeline Sight Integrated.
Time Loop Integrated.
Integrating Time Manipulation (Low Universal Scale)...
The moment the Time Manipulation power began integrating, Leo felt an immense presence flood into his being.
It was like trying to contain an ocean. The power was vast, limitless, cosmic in nature—the ability to manipulate time across an entire universe.
But his body...
Leo's muscles tensed. His bones groaned under the strain. Every cell in his body protested as the Time Stone's power integrated into him.
"Argh!" Leo gasped, his hands gripping the sofa tightly.
It wasn't unbearable, but he could feel it—the crushing weight of cosmic power pressing against the limits of his merely superhuman physique.
Warning: Time Manipulation (Low Universal Scale) fully integrated.
However, current physical fitness severely limits practical usage.
Maximum safe operational scale: Large Planetary Level.
Attempting to use Time Manipulation beyond Large Planetary Level will cause severe physical and mental strain.
Recommendation: Significantly improve physical fitness to utilize full Low Universal Scale capability.
Integration Complete.
Leo took several deep breaths as the integration settled. The crushing pressure remained—a constant reminder that his body was holding far more power than it was built to contain.
"So I have the full power," Leo thought, "but my body can't handle using it at its true scale."
---
After a few moments of adjustment, Leo looked around his living room and decided to test his new abilities carefully.
First, the magical arts.
Leo raised his hand and concentrated. He reached out to the White Dimension, drawing upon its power.
Immediately, he felt the connection—a flow of energy from that distant realm, responding to his will.
Golden sparks appeared in the air, forming a small portal. Through it, he could see his bedroom.
"It works, but I'm borrowing power from the White Dimension," Leo noted.
He closed the portal and tried other spells.
He created an energy barrier around his body.
He manipulated the air, creating a small gust of wind around himself.
He formed an energy weapon—a glowing golden blade materialized in his hand before he dismissed it.
"The magical arts work perfectly, but they require me to borrow power from external sources. I'm not independent like I hope to," Leo realized.
Then came the real test.
Time Manipulation.
Leo looked at the coffee table in front of him. On it sat a glass of water, a book, and a pen.
He pickup glass of water and throw water out, and used time stop.
Time around the falling water began to slow.
The small ripples on the surface of water froze completely, water hung suspended, completely still.
Leo felt the power activate smoothly, held it for ten seconds, then reversed the water in glass. Water reversed its motion, came back in glass.
"On small objects like this, there's no difficulty whatsoever," Leo observed.
He tried again, this time on the entire room.
He slowed time throughout his entire living room.
Everything froze—the curtains stopped mid-flutter, dust hung motionless in the air, even the light seemed to pause.
Still no strain. His body felt completely normal.
"Room-sized areas are effortless," he noted.
He decided to push further.
He focused his power outward, visualizing the entire house. He slowed time for the whole building.
The power surged outward. Time throughout the entire house slowed to a crawl to neighbours then entire town.
"Still manageable," he thought.
He expanded further. He tried to affect the entire new York city.
Time began to slow across the area. Cars on distant streets crawled to near-stops. People became frozen statues.
Leo felt little pressure—like holding some toy weight. Nothing his body couldn't handle easily.
"This is still not my limits," Leo realized.
He released the power, breathing heavily.
Then he decided to test the absolute maximum.
He focused his will outward as far as he could, visualizing the entire Continent. He tried to manipulate time across the whole Continent.
The power exploded outward.
For a brief moment, he felt time across all of Western Continent respond to his will—dozen of millions of people, ten of thousands of buildings, the rivers, the sky, everything beginning to slow—
Now he felt more strain. His muscles tensed slightly. But he could hold many time more.
This is still far from reaching to his limit, at least he can cover more then entire Earth with his Time power, but not did because he doesn't want to attract unwanted attention.
Leo immediately released the power, took a deep breath.
"That's not my limit," he said. "Planet wide... maybe more."
Current maximum safe operational scale: Large Planetary Level - can affect entire planets for few minutes durations, or almost half portions of Jupiter extended periods.
Leo sat back on the sofa, understanding his situation clearly now.
"I have the full Low Universal Scale Time Manipulation power integrated. The power to control time across an entire universe is inside me," he thought.
"But my body... my body can only safely use it at Large Planetary Level. I can affect entire planets, or large portions of Jupiter without issue. But trying to go beyond that—to manipulate time across solar systems or galaxies—would be dangerous."
He opened his character panel.
---
Name: Leo Azmith
Age: 18
Race: Human
Strength: 7.5 tons
Speed: 37 m/s
Abilities: Super Strength (×100 times own weight), Super Speed (×20 of own height), Super Defense, Night Vision, Wall Crawling, Magic Genius, Astral Projection, Mind Manipulation
Skills: Driving (Mid), Boxing (High), Cooking (Mid), Swimming (Mid), Weapon Mastery (High), Martial Arts (High)
Magical Arts (Require White Dimension Power): Portal Creation (Mastered), Dimensional Travel (Mastered), Illusion Magic (Mastered), Mirror Dimension (Mastered), Soul Separating Palm (Mastered), Energy Barrier (Mastered), Wind Control (Mastered), Energy Weapons Formation (Mastered), Time Stone Magic (Mastered), Time Slow (Mastered), Transmutation Magic (Mastered)
Time Manipulation (Low Universal Scale)
- Power Level: Can affect time across entire universe (theoretical maximum)
- Current Physical Limitation: Can only safely use at Large Planetary Level
Timeline Sight: Can see past, present, and future of anyone and any timeline
Time Loop: Can create time loops
Note: Magical Arts require borrowing power from White Dimension. Time Manipulation is fully integrated but physical fitness severely limits operational scale.
---
Leo stared at the screen, a mixture of excitement and frustration washing over him.
"I have godlike power," he whispered. "The ability to control time across the entire universe is literally inside me right now. But I'm trapped in a body that can only handle a fraction of it."
He looked at his hands.
"Large Planetary Level is still incredible. I can freeze time across all of Earth. I can reverse catastrophes affecting entire continents. I can age or de-age anything on a planetary scale. For most threats, that's more than enough."
He clenched his fists.
"But I know what's possible. I know that if my body was strong enough, I could do so much more. I could manipulate time across solar systems, across galaxies, across the entire universe itself."
He stood up, testing his body.
"I need to improve my physical fitness drastically," Leo concluded. "I need to find beings with cosmic-level physiques to copy from. Asgardians would be a start, but I need to think bigger. Thanos or Superman type entities..."
His thoughts drifted to Tony Stark in Afghanistan.
"With my current abilities, saving Tony would be trivial.
Leo smiled, but it was tinged with ambition.
He sat back down, closing his eyes and reaching out with his Timeline Sight ability.
Immediately, visions flooded his mind—branching possibilities, potential futures, the web of time itself spreading out before him.
He saw Tony Stark building the Iron Man armor in a cave.
He saw Thor arriving on Earth.
He saw the Battle of New York.
He saw Thanos...
Leo opened his eyes, breathing heavily.
"This is a posability might happen but
future is still uncertain because of my presence, but I can glimpse some possibilities. And with my power, I can shape which posability becomes reality."
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