John watched as the Sanctum Guardian's demeanor shifted from wary, to calm, and finally, to deeply respectful. The man was now bringing him a pot of tea, brewed with fine leaves from the East.
Even mages understand the importance of human relations, John thought with a private smile.
The Ancient One appeared in the London Sanctum, a silent shimmer of displaced air.
"Supreme Sorcerer," the Guardian bowed.
"I hope you are comfortable here, Wizard King," the Ancient One said, her own smile enigmatic as ever.
"There's nothing uncomfortable," John chuckled softly. "It's quite an eye-opener."
"The role of the Sanctum is not only to protect this world but also to store inherited artifacts."
The two sat opposite each other, a silent power filling the space between them. Witnessing this, the Guardian became even more reverent.
"If artifacts are not used, they lose their purpose," John remarked, picking up a small teacup and taking a sip.
"You are right," the Ancient One did not refute him. "But not everyone can wield this power."
The Guardian retreated to stand behind her, a silent sentinel.
"These artifacts also provide us with a barrier to protect the world," the Ancient One continued, raising a hand. A small, ornate fan flew into her palm, and she opened it with a delicate flick of her wrist.
John stroked the ring on his finger, a contemplative smile playing on his lips. "I am very curious. External dimensions covet this world, so why haven't you thought of destroying those dimensions?" His gaze was deep. "That would be more permanent, wouldn't it?"
The Guardian's expression shifted slightly, a scoff of disbelief at John's audacity held back only by the presence of his master.
The Ancient One paused, her fan still. "They are very powerful," she said. "The existence of dimensions is part of the operation of this world." She met his gaze directly. "I want to know what you experienced in Hell, Wizard King. I can feel that you want to destroy it."
She truly wanted to know what John had done. The arrival of a Hell Lord was not something so easily reversed. For John to have gone to Hell and returned meant he must have done something to ensure the entity would not dare to come back anytime soon.
"Just destroyed some things," John chuckled, his tone indifferent. "Invasion has never been their privilege. Since they can come over, it means we have the ability to go over."
His understated words made the Ancient One fall into deep thought. This Wizard King was different from her. The duty of the Supreme Sorcerer was always to protect—protect the Time Stone, protect the Sanctums, protect this world. They faced threats with passive counterattacks. But John was different. He chose to retaliate.
The Hell Lord had made a move on Ariana, and now John would look for an opportunity to return to that dimension. Compared to being the invaded, he was far more willing to be the invader.
The Ancient One looked at John, a profound understanding passing between them. Fortunately, they were on the same side. She was decisive, but as she had said, permanently eliminating such threats was a difficult, near-impossible task. That didn't mean she was ever soft-hearted towards the followers of those dimensional lords.
The Guardian listened to their conversation, his face a mask of contemplation.
Sitting on a classical sofa, with a rich, floral carpet underfoot, the wisps of steam from their tea rose into the quiet air.
"I think we can move past this topic, Wizard King," the Ancient One finally said. The Guardian was still present; continuing a conversation about destroying dimensions was clearly not a good idea. Discussions at their level could easily sway those who were not firm in their beliefs.
She stood, closing the fan in her hand. "Here, I sincerely invite you to be a guest at Kamar-Taj."
Facing the Ancient One's invitation, John naturally would not refuse. This was his purpose in coming here. "It is my honor."
He stood, placing his right hand on his chest and bowing slightly, a smile on his face.
...
Every Sanctum had a portal to Kamar-Taj, the mystical training ground nestled high in the Himalayas. Stepping through the shimmering gateway, John found himself in a place of serene power. A new mage appeared before him, staring fiercely at John until his gaze fell upon the Ancient One, at which point it softened to deep respect.
"Supreme Sorcerer."
"Wong," the Ancient One acknowledged with a smile, then introduced John. "This is Wong, the administrator of this library."
Wong's gaze fell on John.
"And this," the Ancient One continued, "is the Wizard King, the leader of all wizards."
Hearing the title, Wong was startled. He took two steps back. "I was rude."
"It's fine," John said, already looking around the vast library with keen interest. The magic of Kamar-Taj was slightly different from that of wizards, but the two could interact.
He raised a hand, and a heavy tome titled The Book of Cagliostro flew into his grasp. Wong's lips moved, about to protest, but the Ancient One stopped him. "It's alright. The Wizard King will be here for a while."
"Yes," Wong said respectfully.
John flipped through the book, which contained detailed descriptions of time magic and other esoteric arts. A few pages in the middle had been torn out. He looked at the Ancient One, who had a complex expression on her face.
"A former mage tore them out," Wong explained. "After killing the previous librarian, he left Kamar-Taj and embraced Dormammu. We call people like him zealots."
"Every family has its troubles," John raised an eyebrow. "When I was in school, someone also tried to poison me every day to embrace someone else."
Wong looked confused, unsure what this had to do with their situation.
From the book's contents and the mention of Dormammu, John could guess what the torn pages were for. He held up the book. "Do you mind if I stay in the library for a while?"
"All areas of Kamar-Taj will be open to you," the Ancient One nodded slightly. For the future of the world, she was willing to go all out.
John gave Wong a friendly smile. "We'll be spending a few days together, Wong."
Wong, slightly overwhelmed, replied, "I will arrange accommodation for you."
John turned and walked into the gap between the towering bookshelves, his voice drifting back. "No need. I don't need to sleep."
Wong looked at the Ancient One, his eyes full of questions. Are there people in this world who don't need to sleep?
The Ancient One simply took off the Eye of Agamotto. She kept her promise. John could study the treasure of Kamar-Taj at any time.
For the next several days, John immersed himself in the library, a dry sponge greedily absorbing an ocean of knowledge. He focused on the nature of dimensions, learning that the Hell where the Lord resided was not one, but a composite of multiple realms. The more he understood his enemy, the more confident he would be when they next met. He also read about Dormammu, the dark lord who transcended time, the world's greatest current threat. As he read the records, he felt a strange sense of familiarity.
He felt a pang of regret that he couldn't stay here for a long time; the knowledge accumulated by mages over thousands of years was vast. After finishing the important texts on time magic and dimensions, he decided to deal with the Time Stone before anything changed.
As he passed The Book of Cagliostro, he paused, opening it to the missing pages. He raised his left hand, and a golden magic circle appeared on it. He twisted it gently, but the circle only stayed for a moment before dissipating. He could reverse time on an item, but he couldn't return a part of it to a specific point out of thin air.
The Time Stone could do this. John could not.
But he had other methods.
Putting the book back, he went to where the Eye of Agamotto was stored. Wong was surprised to see him emerge from the reading area.
John walked up to the artifact and picked up the eye-like object. He put on the Eye of Agamotto, raised his left hand, and the golden magic circle gradually turned a brilliant, shimmering green.
"Is this the power of the Time Stone?" he murmured, feeling the ancient energy course through him.
He raised his hand.
The missing pages appeared, whole and intact. He read the contents, and his mind filled with new, dangerous thoughts about dimensions.
"Lord Wizard King, did you take a book?"
Wong, having noticed a book missing, walked over and saw John wearing the Eye of Agamotto. He stood there, stunned.
John, calm and composed, held up the restored book. "Do you want to take it back?"
Wong's mouth hung open.
"Why are you wearing the Supreme Sorcerer's Eye of Agamotto?"
[Chapter Complete]
***
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