Hearing the Ancient One's explanation, Alaric increasingly felt that something was wrong.
He tried to open a portal, but every attempt was stopped by the very magic of Kamar-Taj.
But why? Why right now?
"So, allow me to ask, on what basis does this magic of Kamar-Taj determine what is an invasion of other dimensions?"
"All external dimensions that attempt to enter Earth and disrupt reality are treated as a dimensional invasion."
The Ancient One raised her gaze to the sky.
There was no worry on her face, she spoke almost indifferently, as if this was an everyday matter for her.
"Then tell me, why was it not considered an invasion when we returned from the Dark Dimension? The portal we opened back then was identical to this one."
That was what bothered Alaric the most.
The magic he used now was completely the same as the one before, when he returned from the Dark Dimension.
Back then it passed without any issues.
Why now couldn't he leave the Eternal Night World?
Was there something wrong in the judgment system itself?
"Are you the lord of the Dark Dimension?"
The Ancient One suddenly raised her voice.
"If a dimensional lord tried to come to Earth from his own world, wouldn't the magic immediately mark it as an invasion? As the arrival of a demonic god?"
"Yes."
"And what if Dormammu tried to use another dimension as a transit station and thus transfer himself to Earth? Would he also pass unnoticed?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because his power is too great. Even if he used other dimensions and opened a portal, his energy would be so destructive that reality itself would resist and stop him."
"Oh, yes!"
Alaric nodded. But he did not give up. He immediately asked a new question.
"And what if there was a dimensional lord whose power was weak? Could such a one use other dimensions as a passage and thus come to Earth?"
The Ancient One fell silent for a moment. She was thinking.
"Theoretically... yes, it's possible. But why are you asking me that?!"
Suddenly she sharply turned and looked him straight in the eyes.
"Shouldn't you be the one who knows the answer to that question?!"
Suddenly everything connected for her.
Specially!
So, you have become a dimensional lord?!
Maybe your power is still not great, but you are skilled enough to use other dimensions as a hidden passage and thereby smuggle yourself into Kamar-Taj?!
So, the one who just tried to forcibly open a rift in Kamar-Taj... was you, brat?!
The Ancient One glared furiously at Alaric, anger gathering in her chest.
Our sorcerers of Kamar-Taj are ready to sacrifice their lives to defend Earth.
Everyone waits against the enemy, preparing to give everything they have, and the result of all that is you.
You, who are among us.
You, who act as if you are a traitor to Kamar-Taj!
At first, she thought Alaric's questions were pure curiosity.
But no!
She never even suspected that he was actually asking because of himself.
He deserves to be locked inside his own dimension, with no possibility of leaving.
Because if he ever sets foot on Earth again, they will all greet him together, not as an ally, but as a threat they must kill.
"Hm, that... if I'm not mistaken, that was actually me."
Alaric admitted in a quiet voice.
"You better give me a good explanation!"
The Ancient One raised an eyebrow, feeling her pressure rise.
Sometimes she wondered, is it really that hard to have students these days?
"All right, the crisis is over! Everyone can withdraw!"
She took a few steps forward and raised her voice.
"Oh!!"
"Earth is safe again!!"
"Vishanti protect us!!"
Shouts echoed through the square. The mages of Kamar-Taj celebrated, relieved from the tension.
Kamar-Taj had once again defended Earth.
Although there had been no real battle, for them this was the best possible news. None of them wanted to lose a companion in conflict.
Alaric stood aside, watching their happy expressions. A feeling of guilt mixed within him.
He knew well why.
Because the first lesson every student of Kamar-Taj learns is the mission of the mage, to use the power he gains to protect Earth, this only home they have.
Knowledge comes gradually, and with time comes the understanding of the threats lurking in the shadows. Some choose to abandon that burden once they grasp it, but there are always those who choose to stay and carry the weight.
Those people become elite sorcerers, ready to sacrifice their lives to defend the world. Each of them deserves respect.
"You, come with me."
The Ancient One looked sharply at Alaric.
He immediately obeyed, aware that there was no point in arguing. First he must survive her anger, and then think about respect.
As someone who had never gone through the proper system of learning, Alaric felt as if all this belonged more to the future Sorcerer Supreme like Stephen Strange than to him.
But now he was the one in the center of attention.
"Come on, tell me... what kind of 'good thing' have you done again, our dimensional lord Alaric?"
The Ancient One sat across from him, her voice filled with irony.
"Nothing special... except that I created my own dimension."
Alaric smiled sheepishly. Even to him, the very title sounded strange.
"Unfortunately."
The Ancient One sighed, but there was no surprise in her eyes.
After so many shocks she had experienced thanks to him, it seemed that indifference had now taken over her. It would almost surprise her more if he hadn't succeeded in what he intended.
"Hm? What does that mean?"
"I mean... I have nothing more to teach you."
There was sadness in her voice.
"Your power is now almost equal to mine. And in addition, you have become the lord of a dimension. Your level of existence has changed, if you continue on this path, one day you can reach eternity and become a power like Dormammu."
"Even now I am not sure I would be your opponent."
Alaric felt his heart skip a beat. "So... you plan to throw me out?!"
–––
Support me on Patreon:
patreon.com/_BlackRose
Enjoy 20+ advanced chapters for just $3.
Your support would mean a lot to me. ❤️