"Ancient Mage, why did you do that?"
Alaric wiped his cheeks and looked suspiciously at the Ancient One.
Just when he thought he understood, she sprayed him directly with tea.
Did something strange just happen?
He hadn't done anything.
It was just meditation.
Creating a small universe could be shocking, but for ordinary meditation to make the Ancient One change her expression?
Why did this great and calm teacher suddenly seem uneasy?
Was this still the same Ancient One he knew, the one he could accept even when faced with death?
"Ahem, sorry."
The Ancient One put down the teacup and tried to compose herself.
"Did you just feel something?" she asked.
"Feel? Well... it seemed like I saw Vishantie, and my whole body felt wrapped in warmth and power."
At that moment, in the spiritual realm, Alaric truly had the feeling that he had stepped into a world full of magical elements. Before him appeared the Trinity Vishantia, bathed in golden light.
"That's right. You are blessed and acknowledged by Vishanti. From this moment on, you can officially become a student of Kamar-Taj and learn occult magic." The Ancient One nodded and explained.
"So fast!?" Alaric was genuinely surprised.
Was this already recognition?
"Yes. From this it is clear that your magical talent is exceptionally high. The Vishanti value you greatly." The Ancient One lowered her gaze, and in her voice there was a trace of envy.
Even compared to Strange... Wait.
If she thought about it carefully, wouldn't Alaric be an even more suitable candidate for the position of Sorcerer Supreme than Stephen Strange?
Could she choose him as her successor?
Moreover, if Alaric truly had such a high level of talent, his study of magic would surely progress at a dizzying pace. His future achievements could even surpass her own.
Wouldn't that mean she could retire earlier?
"Ahem, Alaric, how much do you know about the Sorcerer Supreme?" the Ancient One asked hesitantly.
"Powerful, mysterious... guardian of Earth." Alaric answered seriously.
"And what do you think... if one day you were to become that Sorcerer Supreme?" The Ancient One carefully sized him up. Her words were short, but accurate—that was precisely the essence.
"Honestly? Not much." Alaric frowned and shrugged.
He didn't know how the Ancient One became Sorcerer Supreme, but just looking at Strange was enough to understand how difficult and demanding that position was.
Without true love for magic, without a strong belief in protecting Earth, an average person could not endure it.
But Strange could.
If it were himself, Alaric thought that responsibility was too great and too restrictive.
Of course, now that he was gradually gaining powers and slowly growing stronger, he knew he would oppose any threat if Earth were in crisis.
But... the life of the Sorcerer Supreme? That was not the path he wanted to take.
"So, you don't want to?" The Ancient One frowned.
Retirement obviously had to wait.
"More or less..."
"Then forget it. Let's finish with this for now." She didn't ask him why he didn't want to.
At this moment, when neither side knew enough about the other, the Ancient One could not judge Alaric's character through timelines and possible parallel universes.
Just thinking about his unique qualities gave her a headache.
You couldn't underestimate him, and that was what made her feel uneasy.
Even the Time Stone now seemed uncertain in his presence.
Perhaps Strange would be peace and tranquility, but Alaric brought unrest.
"You're not leaving yet?" she suddenly asked.
"Hm? Is the lesson over? I wanted to return to meditation." Alaric was confused by her sudden coldness, almost like a command.
"You already have the qualifications to learn magic. As for further progress, let Mordo teach you. He will guide you through the basics."
"As for meditation, return to your room." She waved her hand, indicating it would be better if he withdrew.
Even his presence made her uncomfortable.
"Alright then." Alaric shrugged, a bit helpless.
"This isn't the same Ancient One I know... is it a mood swing?" he muttered to himself as he left.
Had she heard him, the Ancient One would have preferred to immediately lower the sword of Vishantie upon him.
She wasn't in a bad mood because of him, it was simply that the burden and worries were immense.
…
Alaric returned to his room, sat cross-legged on the bed, and re-entered meditation.
Before the Ancient One interrupted him, he had already begun to touch upon something new and had to continue it.
[Through deep meditation you feel your own spirit, enter a state of epiphany and comprehend telepathic abilities!]
[By visualizing the Vishanti, you were constantly meticulous and deeply observant, and you understood the idea of a divine-level perspective!]
[Through deep visualization of Vishantia, you created a god of white magic with your own image from surface, depth, profound, mysterious, subtle, engraved, manifested, soul-directed, divine revelation, spirit, and law!]
…
In his own micro-universe, deep on the edge of infinite space, a humanoid silhouette bathed in golden light began to form.
His body was enormous, and the world before him, though small like a basketball, vibrated under his presence.
His light was dazzling, like a burning sun radiating infinite brilliance.
In the end, the humanoid form was complete.
The god of magic, identical to Alaric in appearance, sat cross-legged in the void, eyes closed, radiating the majesty of a divine being.
His body was enveloped by dense and powerful magical elements that continuously altered the space around him, gradually enveloping the entire small universe.
From that moment on, Alaric no longer had to pay a price to use magic.
Because he was not just a sorcerer.
He is magic, and magic is him.
The Vishanti were silent, as if asking: "And what about us, then?"