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"Should I go see the Ancient One?"
In the Marvel Universe, inside the school's basement, George stood in the combat simulation training room—a space he had expanded over a hundredfold using the Undetectable Extension Charm. A hint of hesitation lingered on his face.
The difficulty of learning the Fairy Sphere was extremely high. Based on the foundational skills he had mastered so far, even if he devoted all his energy to this one spell, it would likely take seven or eight years before he could fully grasp it.
To improve his efficiency, he needed to acquire new knowledge about time magic.
At present, aside from the Harry Potter world, only the Marvel Universe offered a potential breakthrough.
And that breakthrough, of course, was the Ancient One—the true Sorcerer Supreme and master of Doctor Strange, also known as the "Master of Time."
Marvel's magic system is fundamentally based on borrowing power from various dimensional gods. The spells they cast are derived from these entities. However, the Ancient One was an exception.
Although most of her spells also involved borrowing from dimensional gods, she would take without returning. In fact, when those gods came to collect, she would even beat them down.
Backing her were not only the three-in-one Vishanti but also Eternity, one of the five primordial cosmic beings.
With her own power, she could traverse the various dimensions to study magic. George believed that, in essence, the Ancient One was already approaching the level of a dimensional god. After her death, following Eternity, she likely became one herself.
Therefore, some of her spells probably didn't rely on borrowed power—particularly her time magic.
Of course, this was just his speculation. However, he was certain that the fundamental nature of magic was the same across all worlds. If he could consult the Ancient One about the theoretical foundation of time magic in this universe, it would undoubtedly be a significant aid in learning the Fairy Sphere.
His hesitation stemmed from uncertainty about the Ancient One's attitude toward him. As someone capable of using his own magic, he was essentially akin to a dimensional god within this world.
But after thinking it over, he realized it probably wouldn't be an issue.
The Ancient One could use the Time Stone to observe the past and the future. She may have already taken notice of him long ago.
Since she hadn't approached him all this time, it likely meant she held no hostility toward him.
The Sorcerer Supreme's duty is to protect Earth, mainly from dimensional gods seeking to invade. She wouldn't intervene in matters between ordinary humans—unless the entire world was at risk.
After all, he was still human, not a dimensional god.
Besides, even if a conflict did arise, while he might not be a match for the Ancient One, he certainly wouldn't be powerless.
The Ancient One's strength didn't come solely from her own power, but also from the Sanctums, which drastically weakened dimensional gods.
When a dimensional god left their realm, their strength was already significantly reduced. Upon arriving on Earth, the Sanctums would further halve their power, making them easy targets for the Ancient One.
That's why Kaecilius dismantled the Sanctums before summoning Dormammu.
Likewise, when Wanda attacked Kamar-Taj, the Sanctums were essentially useless.
George, however, was a human born on Earth. Though a test subject, he was not a dimensional god, so the Sanctums had no weakening effect on him.
Now that he could use Animagus magic to transform into a giant dragon, his strength had greatly increased. He had a solid level of self-defense.
"Well, I'll head to the New York Sanctum first."
In the end, George decided to meet the Ancient One. If it went well, it would relieve a heavy burden from his mind.
Otherwise, not knowing the Ancient One's stance toward him would leave him constantly on edge.
He pushed open the training room door and stepped up into the school proper.
It was now afternoon, and the students were all in class. In recent months, the number of students had increased, and so had the teaching staff.
After the Eye of Insight plan was destroyed in Washington and the school was revealed to the public through the media, superpowered individuals from around the world began to arrive at the school.
Some were children brought by their parents, while others were adults who had been ostracized due to their powers.
After undergoing screening through the Professor's psychic abilities, those deemed suitable became students, teachers, or staff. Those who failed the screening were turned away.
The Academy for Superpowered Individuals had now become a sanctuary for people with special abilities from all over the world.
At the very least, here they no longer had to worry about being captured by local governments or organizations for experimentation.
Spreading his wings, George was just about to take flight toward the New York Sanctum when a rainbow beam suddenly descended from the sky. Thor appeared on the lawn at the school's entrance.
"Good afternoon, George!"
"Everything settled now?" George asked with a smile.
Two months ago, Thor had finally, through his own efforts, lifted Mjolnir once again, restoring the divine powers that Odin had sealed away.
Since then, he had been going back and forth between Asgard, the Academy for Superpowered Individuals, and Jane's place. Occasionally, he also enthusiastically took down criminal gangs.
"All settled. There was a minor disturbance in Jotunheim after Laufey's death, but I've already gone over to calm things down."
As he spoke, he changed out of his Asgardian armor into a suit and transformed Mjolnir into an umbrella.
"Oh, it's already five o'clock. I need to hurry—Jane and I are going to see the new movie The Cabin in the Woods tonight."
The Cabin in the Woods, huh? George recalled the film and couldn't help twitching at the corner of his mouth.
"Enjoy the movie."
"Invisibility Cloak!"
Becoming invisible, he soared into the sky, heading toward the address of the New York Sanctum as shown in the movie.
He remembered that in the film, the Sanctum was located at 177A Bleecker Street, in Greenwich Village, the heart of New York City. He wondered whether the Sanctum in this universe would be in the same place.
Even if it wasn't, it didn't matter. He could always go straight to Kamar-Taj's headquarters in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Or he could use a Tracking Charm—but that felt a bit rude.
"This should be the place."
Soon enough, he located a three-story brownstone townhouse, built in the Victorian style, with French Baroque architectural elements and a mansard roof. The house matched the address, and its rooftop featured a circular window marked by four curved lines.
Though the entire building was enveloped in powerful magic, George could still sense the immense energy hidden within.
Ding dong!
Standing at the doorstep, George reached out and pressed the doorbell.
Moments later, the door opened to reveal a black man dressed in a sorcerer's robe.
He showed no surprise at George's arrival. Instead, he smiled and said:
"You must be Mr. George. The Sorcerer Supreme has been expecting you."
"The Sorcerer Supreme knew I was coming?"
George raised an eyebrow at that.
He knew the Ancient One possessed the Time Stone and was a master of time magic, capable of glimpsing various possible futures—but that didn't make her omniscient.
Just as Doctor Strange was able to see 14,000,605 potential outcomes of the battle against Thanos because he specifically used time magic to view that event, it wasn't as if he saw every future detail by default.
Otherwise, he should have foreseen Thanos's attack and Wanda's eventual descent into darkness long ago.
For the Ancient One to know in advance that he was coming—and to be waiting—meant she had indeed been observing him all along, just as he had suspected. She had simply chosen not to approach him directly.
(End of Chapter)