"You know Hydra is basically trying to take over the world, right?"
"I am aware." The Ancient One inclined her head.
"So you'll do nothing?"
"We are the protectors of Earth," she said. "Kamar-Taj stands as a bastion against the dark, a shield against threats from beyond our world. But we are not kings. We are not gods who lord over mankind."
"That's not an answer," I said. "You could solve this conspiracy with a snap."
"All the more reason I must not." Her tone stayed level. "You are right. I could remove many threats with a wave of my hand. A portal here and there, and I could likely decapitate nearly any human organization in the span of an evening. Then what? Rule and decide all things because my fist is mightier?" The Ancient One shook her head. "Magic does not grant us the right or the wisdom to decide humanity's future."
"You have the Time Stone," I said, frustration creeping in. "You could foresee and skip a lot of these issues. Hell, you've probably already foreseen things like… Kaecilius."
The Ancient One tried to hide the small flinch that followed. "You are well informed. And yes. I have seen that possibility. Still, my answer remains the same. Should I convict a man and enforce punishment for crimes he has yet to commit? No. I will not." She leaned forward slightly. "And this conversation is proof enough. I am blind to your future. Magic is not omniscient, and we do not have the right to control everything simply because we wield it."
"That doesn't make it right."
"I agree." Her voice softened. "Kamar-Taj is not above aiding humanity when its might is needed. Dealing with mad sorcerers or kings and queens who consort with powers from beyond has always been our duty. But we will not become the executioners or the rulers of mankind. Our numbers are already stretched thin as it is while we contend with threats that come from beyond this world."
My lips thinned. "Is there nothing I can say to convince you?"
"I am open to hearing your options," she said, one eyebrow quirking up at me.
Ugh. This was going to be a long talk.
An hour slipped by in a blur of arguments that went nowhere. I tried every which way I could to persuade her to simply destroy Hydra. But befitting a sorcerer who had probably watched empires rise and fall, she shot down every offer and talked circles around me.
I understood her logic. Still, I was annoyed by it all the same.
More than once, the thought crossed my mind to threaten her into action. I knew my existence unsettled her. But the idea of strong-arming her left a sour taste. I wasn't a tantruming child lashing out because I didn't get what I wanted. And she had already promised to help Anna. Spitting on that goodwill would be stupid.
At the very least, I had bartered for one promise.
"If Hydra ever captures either of you, a sorcerer will be sent to help you flee," she told me.
I was pretty sure she would have offered that anyway, but it was something. Not the magical-monks-versus-Hydra solution I wanted, but better than nothing.
I pushed down the disappointment and followed her into an open courtyard. Anna was still at it, waving her borrowed wand around with a blissed-out smile. Two others watched from the side.
I recognized Wong immediately. The other made me pause. Broad shoulders, disciplined posture, the calm expression of someone who inhaled rules for breakfast. Karl Mordo.
He turned when he noticed the Ancient One. "Ancient One."
"Master Mordo," she replied, her expression warming a degree.
They exchanged a few words. I hovered nearby, briefly considering whether I should warn her about Mordo's future heel-turn. Then I tossed the thought aside. That was a distant problem. I would pencil it in for later.
I drifted toward Anna. She looked genuinely content. Even after an hour, she was still happily playing fetch with my familiars like someone discovering joy for the first time.
"Have fun, princess?"
She ignored the tease and gave me a brilliant smile. "It was decent, my prince. But I require a thousand more of these wondrous items. You will buy them for me, yes. My prince charming."
"Of course, my lady." I offered an exaggerated bow. "I have already arranged lessons with the most renowned toymaker in this entire mystical city."
A dry voice cut in behind me. "Relegated to a mere toymaker, am I?"
"Wait, really? Lessons?" Anna turned toward the Ancient One so quickly her wand nearly smacked Erwin.
The Ancient One inclined her head. "If you wish it. I've heard about your plight. Kamar-Taj welcomes those who seek understanding. I can hopefully teach you to shape your gift so it's no longer a danger." Her tone softened a little. "And perhaps even help you discover what form your magic wishes to take."
Anna froze for a heartbeat, then lit up as someone plugged her into a generator. "You would teach me? Can I learn how to make something like this?"
The Ancient One did not seem bothered by the enthusiasm. "Yes. Under supervision, of course. But the door is open if you choose to walk through it."
Anna bounced on her heels, wand clutched tight. "Yes. I choose. Absolutely. Completely. When can we start?"
I could not stop the small smile creeping in. Seeing Anna buzzing with joy was always a happy sight.
The Ancient One glanced between us. "Not tonight. Magic must not be rushed, and you are both fatigued. Rest first. Learn with a clear mind."
"Right. Yes. Rest. I can do that," Anna said, nodding so quickly I thought it might detach from her neck.
"If you wish," the Ancient One continued, "Kamar-Taj can offer accommodations. A guest room for each of you. Food as well. It is nothing extravagant, but comfortable enough for travelers."
Anna turned to me with the expression of someone who had just watched heaven open. "We're staying, right?"
"Yeah," I said. "We are."
The Ancient One smiled at that, faint but real. "Then follow Wong. He will show you where to settle. Tomorrow, we can speak of training."
Anna practically floated after him, her grin so wide it looked painful.
At least I'd gotten one win, so this wasn't too bad. I smiled and followed along
—
Staying at Kamar-Taj was nice. Quiet halls, good food, and overall genuinely nice people. A couple of days passed while we settled in, and most things went smoothly.
There were still a few hiccups.
The Ancient One had already run Anna through a suite of basic spells and exercises. Nothing dramatic yet, but each day she came back saying she could feel something stirring under her skin. That alone made everything worth it.
I even got an offer of my own. The Ancient One had asked if I wanted to learn sorcery, which was sick as hell. Who wouldn't want to learn magic?
But then we hit the problem.
"So, am I supposed to be feeling anything?" I asked, standing in a training room with a glowing lantern that was supposedly meant to help me sense my own energy.
The Ancient One looked at me with a baffled expression.
Several lessons later, the conclusion was obvious. I had the most abysmal talent for sorcery the Ancient One had ever seen. If Stephen Strange was a one-in-a-million genius, then I was the matching statistical anomaly on the opposite end. A one-in-a-million idiot.
She still offered to teach me. But I passed. Spending decades to learn the faintest spark of magic was not in the cards. Not when I likely had a much simpler and faster method of gaining magic. Which led to the final issue with staying here.
I had not earned a single feat.
Days of peace meant no danger, no breakthroughs, no dramatic experiences to feed the gacha.
So now I had a dilemma. A big one. We were safe for the moment, but I did not trust the Marvel Universe to stop throwing bullshit at me.
Which meant I needed more tickets and more feats until I could beat down anything this world decided to toss my way.
Karl Mordo and Wong stepped into the training room. They spoke in low, clipped tones to the Ancient One. I only caught half of it, but one phrase cut through the haze immediately.
"Dark wizards spotted near Westchester," Wong said.
My attention snapped up. If the problems were not coming to me, then I might as well go to them.
I drifted closer while they discussed logistics. Mordo was already preparing a sling ring. Wong looked like he was mentally reviewing a checklist. The Ancient One listened with her usual calmness.
"Can I go with?" I asked.
Three sets of eyes turned toward me.
The Ancient One considered me for a moment. Not dismissive. Simply evaluating. "You wish to accompany them?"
"Yeah. I want to help. And it sounds like a good learning experience." I tried to keep my tone respectful, though I probably sounded too eager.
Something flickered across her face. Not quite approval and not quite concern. "I see," she murmured.
Mordo's expression soured instantly. "With respect, Master, this is unwise. He is no sorcerer. He has no training. Allowing a civilian to join a mission against dark practitioners is irresponsible."
Wong stepped in gently. "Mordo, the Ancient One has not yet given an answer."
"She should not need to." Mordo's voice sharpened. "We do not throw untrained outsiders into lethal engagements. It undermines everything we stand for."
I lifted my hands. "Hey, if you're worried about danger, I've got a couple tricks."
Mordo stared at me like I was an idiot. "Tricks?" He scoffed. "Tricks will not let you beat a sorcerer child. For your own good, do not speak out of turn."
"You dare underestimate me, sorcerer?" I flicked my wrist the way I had practiced in private. A small pulse of wind rippled through the fabric at just the right moment, lifting it enough to billow dramatically like a cultivator. Perfect.
Wong blinked. Mordo's eyes narrowed.
The Ancient One's gaze lingered on the impossible breeze that appeared from nowhere. "Perhaps," she said, "a test is in order."
Mordo clearly disagreed, but he said nothing. He stepped onto one of the sparring rings etched into the courtyard stone.
"If you insist on this foolishness," he said, "then we will do it properly. A point-based bout. First to three. Strikes count. Takedowns count. Grievous harm is not allowed, but anything else is fair."
He looked directly at me on that last line, as if to scare me.
I walked toward the ring, rolling my shoulders. "Three points. Got it."
Mordo did not reply. He moved to the weapons rack, selected a simple wooden staff, then slapped it against the ground. Light crawled along the length of the wood like liquid gold. The staff bent, flexed, and unfurled into a shimmering whip before returning to its staff form.
I let out a low whistle.
Judging by the tightening of Mordo's jaw, he did not appreciate the compliment.
The Ancient One stepped between us before he could respond. "Rules are clear. No grievous injury. Five-point limit. Control yourselves." She sent me a pointed look, then raised one hand, palm open. "On my count."
Wong and Anna stood at the edge of the ring, already settling into their roles as spectators.
I took my place opposite Mordo. My familiars perched on a stone railing nearby, watching like they had found the day's entertainment.
The Ancient One's voice carried through the courtyard.
"Three."
Mordo shifted his stance.
"Two."
The staff began to shimmer with magic.
"One."
Her hand dropped.
"Begin."
Mordo moved first.
He walked in a slow circle around the courtyard and began talking.
"Magic is not a toy," he said, pacing a half-step to the side. "It is dangerous. Unforgiving. So do not take this personally. Those who approach the dark with arrogance tend to meet early graves. You lack discipline. You lack training. You lack the humility required to—"
Talking is not a free action, asshole.
I moved.
The courtyard air cracked as my fist slammed into his chest. The impact sent him skidding backward across the ring, his boots scraping against stone. I heard the air punch out of his lungs in a harsh wheeze, and that was with me holding back.
A stunned silence fell over the courtyard.
I glanced over my shoulder. The Ancient One's eyebrows were raised a fraction, which for her might as well have been shouting. Wong, far less reserved, looked genuinely flabbergasted.
"One point for me," I said, grinning.
A rough cough answered me. Mordo pushed himself upright, eyes burning a furious shade of red.
So much for this not being personal.
***
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