"So that's why you don't want to take the role of the Sorcerer Supreme?"
"You know I'm going to die, right?"
The Ancient One looked him straight in the eyes and asked quietly.
"No, it's because that title means nothing to me. Besides, Strange will do just fine."
Alaric said his power would soon surpass that of the so-called Sorcerer Supreme, and even without the title, he could still support the protection of Earth.
As for Strange, as he said, he was a reliable and conscientious guardian.
He had exceptional magical ability and was able to solve many problems on his own.
Alaric, on the other hand, was different, more prone to causing trouble than solving it, fond of wandering, and who knows, maybe one day he'd simply leave this dimension.
Therefore, having a Sorcerer Supreme in Kamar-Taj, someone who would stay present, could prevent potential crises.
Alaric didn't want to be permanently tied to Earth.
"As for you, your choice is your own. If you want to stay, I can help you with the Dormammu problem. If you want to leave… I can't stop you."
Alaric could feel the dark energy in the Ancient One, the remnant of Dormammu's power.
If she still wanted to live eternally, Alaric said he could lend her his strength. After all, the Ancient One already bore his magical mark.
And if she decided to retire, he wouldn't stop her. He would respect her decision.
"How far into the future can you see?"
The Ancient One didn't answer immediately, but instead asked a new question.
"How far? Well… maybe four phases ahead," Alaric thought and replied.
"Four phases? Are you saying the universe has already been born and destroyed four times?" The Ancient One frowned, confused.
"Hm? Not quite as extreme as it sounds. In short, just know that I know a lot."
Hearing how she said it, even Alaric was taken aback. If he had really experienced four restarts of the universe, he'd probably be an omnipotent being by now.
"All right, I won't ask further. As long as you're not messing with the timeline."
The Ancient One sighed, leaned back on the sofa, and gave her instructions.
In any case, she couldn't see his timeline, nor his future, so she treated him as a parallel line beyond her perception.
If this were DC, it would be like opening a new parallel universe and rebooting. But luckily, we're still in the Marvel world.
"Don't worry, I won't mess anything up." Alaric nodded, trying to reassure her.
"All right, I'll go first," said the Ancient One and stood up, subconsciously trying to open a portal.
…
And again, failure.
The Ancient One: …
Alaric: …
Alaric awkwardly looked at the scene, as if to say: now you understand why I've been casting forbidden teleportation spells here?
Just to stop her from constantly showing up in his house unannounced.
"You've got time. Go to the other two sanctums and fix the magical barriers."
The Ancient One took a deep breath. She felt like her blood pressure might spike soon.
"Hm? That's not really good." Alaric hesitated.
"What's not good?"
"Well… if I set up new barriers, won't everyone else also have to go through magic doors? Isn't that a bit inconvenient?"
Alaric feared it might become a hassle for the other mages from the sanctums.
"I mean barriers that don't block teleportation!!"
"And if you, kid, try placing your kind of barriers in another sanctum, just try it and see what happens to you!!"
The Ancient One shouted at Alaric.
You know it's troublesome!
You know you did this on purpose to block me!
And you have the nerve to say it's not aimed at me!?
If it weren't for her need to maintain dignity, she might've cursed out loud by now.
"All right, all right! I know!"
Alaric leaned back and averted his gaze from the furious Ancient One like he was afraid, quickly giving in.
Of course, the Ancient One wasn't an ordinary person. With all those years and experience, Alaric knew it wouldn't be wise to go against her. If she left him, it would be a serious burden for him.
After finally calming her emotions and escorting her home, Alaric returned to his meditation room and sat down.
He planned to thoroughly reshape his magical energy.
Otherwise, considering his current state, the dark magic within his body could cause serious consequences if he went out among people.
He could be misunderstood and branded an evil sorcerer, maybe even killed.
That would seriously damage his image.
His consciousness then descended into the Eternal Night World.
Compared to previous visits, the space was now significantly larger, and the dark energy even denser. To someone unfamiliar with the true nature of this place, it might easily seem like the Dark Dimension.
Indeed, the two dimensions were nearly identical at first glance.
At the center of the Eternal Night World, the immense God of Black Magic sat in silence, radiating a powerful aura of dark energy.
It continuously absorbed mysterious forces arriving from unknown sources, growing ever stronger.
Alaric didn't know whether Dormammu was unaware that part of that energy was being redirected toward him, or if, as Dormammu had once said, the power was so vast and infinite that the loss didn't affect him.
Seeing the current situation, Alaric had two options: either attempt to transform a portion of the black magic into white and merge them again to become the God of Black and White Magic, or directly request pure white magic from the Vishanti and generate a God of White Magic, then fuse the two.
The second option was simpler, more efficient, and without losses.
Without further thought, Alaric chose that method and began quiet communication with the Vishanti, attempting to receive their pure magical energy from the Supreme Dimension.
"By the body of Hoggoth… in the name of Oshtur…"
"Agamotto… hear me now… Vishanti… grant me the flame!"
Using the incantation he learned from the Ancient One, Alaric established contact with the Vishanti for the second time.
Yes, this was his second time asking for their help, ever since he had created the Deity of White Magic, he no longer relied on dimensional forces like before.
In his spiritual state, Alaric for the first time saw a golden light in the darkness, and then a majestic figure radiating an incredible glow.
Its presence was vast, immeasurable. As if it were the embodiment of light itself, the living incarnation of pure magical force.
It was the great and eternal god of white magic, the Vishanti.
"Hm? What's happening?"
As Alaric adjusted to the intensity of the light, he realized he was in a golden world, enveloped by white magic.
The feeling was like floating in a warm, soothing sea. Every breath brought strength, every movement filled him with boundless powers.
It was the complete opposite of the experience in the Dark Dimension. As if these two worlds were the North and South Poles, total opposites.
When he first stepped into the Dark Dimension, Alaric had been cautious, afraid of being contaminated by dark energy. He kept his guard up constantly.
But now, here, he was relaxed, almost helpless before the sensation of pure magical ecstasy. He nearly forgot why he came.
Watching him breathe heavily and unwilling to move, the Vishanti wondered if perhaps they had chosen the wrong person.