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The Ancient One smiled faintly.
"Originally, I had chosen Stephen Strange," she said. "His arrival alone drew the gaze of Agamotto."
"But when you appeared," she continued, locking eyes with Nolan, "even the Vishanti took notice."
Nolan raised a brow. "Because of that 'uniqueness' you mentioned?"
She nodded. "Uniqueness is the first step toward multiversal deviation. For beings like the Vishanti or the Spider-Totems, gods who span infinite realities, most people are just variants. Tony Stark, Steve Rogers… even their fates are predictable. Easily replicated."
She chuckled. "Somewhere out there, there's probably a version of Stark selling soap instead of tech."
But the humor faded quickly.
"You're different," she said. "Your destiny isn't written. Not even the multiverse can replicate you. You exist above it from birth."
Nolan frowned. "That sounds… exaggerated."
"You'll see for yourself," she replied. "Right now, you're still on the planetary level. But when your power reaches mine, you'll understand what sets you apart."
She waved the topic away. "My role now is to make you the next Sorcerer Supreme."
Nolan leaned forward slightly. "I can't promise I'll always stay on Earth. The universe is vast. I want to explore it too."
"Then train Strange," she said simply, like she'd already arranged the handoff. "If you're leaving, he'll carry the torch."
Nolan knew there was no changing her mind.
"Can I at least return to my lab occasionally?" he asked. "There are some experiments I can't put on hold."
The Ancient One nodded. "Yes."
Nolan exhaled in relief—
"But," she added, "you'll have to open the portals yourself."
"…Right. Sling ring training it is."
He knew it; unless he could teleport across continents, he'd be spending hours in the air.
---
Back outside, Wong was waiting for him.
Without a word, he handed Nolan a sling ring.
It gleamed faintly, imbued with the mystic energy of Kamar-Taj.
"You've been given private quarters," Wong said. "Tomorrow morning, you'll join the portal training session. Even Sorcerer Supreme candidates aren't exempt."
"Understood," Nolan said, examining the ring in his hand before slipping it on.
As Wong led him through the monastery, he began explaining the daily routine.
Mornings were spent on foundational techniques, most importantly, portal creation.
It wasn't just about convenience. Portals connected Earth not just across physical space, but through dimensions. Kamar-Taj's sorcerers were guardians, ensuring other-dimensional beings didn't trespass, or helping lost ones return home.
Afternoons were for personal study, sparring, or meditation. While others were restricted to designated areas, Nolan had free rein… and full access to the library minus the dark tomes, of course.
They stopped outside a small structure built in traditional Eastern style. Wong handed Nolan a key.
"This one's yours. See you tomorrow morning."
With that, the librarian of Kamar-Taj vanished into the shadows.
---
Three days later.
Nolan sat cross-legged in the library, flipping through a thick tome penned by none other than the Ancient One herself.
He had strength, systems, and science. But magic… magic required something different.
He wanted to understand its source.
> "Magic is the process through which a mortal channels primal energies from a higher force, typically a godlike being, through knowledge, resonance, and spiritual attunement…"
So that was it. Magic was power borrowed, not earned, channeled through understanding.
The more you knew, the deeper your grasp of the universe's truth… the greater the power you could wield.
He kept reading.
Kamar-Taj drew its magic primarily from the Vishanti, a trinity of godlike entities: Agamotto, Oshtur, and Hoggoth. Their power was pure white magic, channeled freely to those who followed their teachings.
And because of Agamotto's personal connection to Earth, that power required no cost.
It was, essentially… free credit.
"Magic in the Marvel Universe really is just supernatural lending," Nolan muttered to himself. "The gods are the banks. The spells are the withdrawals."
No wonder Kamar-Taj was so revered, it had the magical equivalent of a limitless corporate sponsorship.
And anyone talented enough? They got full access.
He glanced around the library, absorbing the aura of ancient knowledge.
"Alright then," Nolan whispered. "Let's see how far this magic credit can take me."
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