MTLNOVEL Chapter 80: Chapter 80
"I didn't expect to see you again so soon, Ethan," the Ancient One greeted with her usual calm demeanor.
"Me neither, Master Ancient One," Ethan replied, a trace of respect in his tone.
After a brief exchange, they entered the New York Sanctum. Sitting in a specially prepared reception room, the Ancient One spoke again.
"I didn't expect such a significant change in you in such a short time," she said, her sharp eyes effortlessly reading Ethan's current state. "And this time, I didn't even notice how you arrived."
Ethan touched his nose, suppressing the satisfaction he felt. Compared to his last visit when he had been confused and unskilled, only to be intercepted by the Ancient One and dragged to Kamar-Taj—this time, he had chosen the landing point himself. His presence had been concealed well enough to avoid immediate detection as an interdimensional traveler.
"Well, quite some time has passed, and I've made some progress," Ethan replied modestly.
At that moment, Daniel, the mage stationed at the New York Sanctum, entered with tea. It was the familiar tea from Kamar-Taj, known for its calming properties. Perhaps some additional techniques had been applied to enhance its effects.
In the past, Ethan had simply thought the tea tasted good, but now, with his improved abilities, he could sense the subtle magic imbued within it.
The Ancient One picked up on Ethan's words and inferred something. While only a short time had passed for her, it might have been much longer for Ethan, suggesting a discrepancy in the flow of time between dimensions.
"I see," the Ancient One said with a knowing smile, as though a piece of her puzzle had just fallen into place.
What followed was a casual conversation. Ethan introduced Arthur to the Ancient One.
"Arthur? As in King Arthur of Britain?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Yes, but he's Arthur from another plane," Ethan explained.
The Ancient One, despite her vast lifespan and experience, regarded King Arthur as a legendary figure. She hadn't expected to meet a living version of him, even if he was from another world and much younger than the tales suggested.
Ethan briefly explained why he was traveling with Arthur. When the Ancient One heard that it was at Merlin's request, her curiosity deepened.
"What is the legendary magician Merlin like?" she asked, clearly intrigued.
Her question wasn't idle. She began to wonder if Ethan's ability to cross worlds might hold the key to her own unanswered questions. Perhaps the solution to her struggles didn't lie in Ethan's strength but in his ability to travel between dimensions. Could he bring someone who could help her?
As the Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One could traverse multiple planes, but even she felt her travels were confined within certain boundaries. The world Ethan described, where a powerful Merlin existed was a place she had never encountered, suggesting she couldn't access it at all.
But Ethan could.
"Honestly, he just looks like an ordinary old man," Ethan said, shrugging. "As for his strength... in my current state, I have no way of measuring it."
The Ancient One nodded, her curiosity satisfied for now. The conversation moved on, and she arranged dinner and accommodations for Ethan and Arthur. She didn't insist they travel to Kamar-Taj, allowing them to stay at the New York Sanctum instead.
"I'll also have someone help with your identity issues," she added.
This had been one of Ethan's main reasons for coming to the Sanctum.
In a world like the Marvel Universe, with a fully developed society and a relatively stable global order, lacking a legal identity was a major hindrance. It wasn't like the chaotic, apocalyptic world of bioweapons, where such things didn't matter. Here, being without identification could be troublesome.
As the leader of the Sorcerers, the Ancient One inevitably had some influence over worldly affairs. After all, sorcerer needed to function in the real world to some extent, they required food, supplies, and the ability to interact with society. It was impossible for such a large group to rely solely on magic for everything. Proper use of worldly power was essential for covering their tracks and operating in the shadows.
In other words, the sorcerer were a significant hidden force, and solving identity issues for two individuals was a trivial matter for them.
The next morning, after breakfast, Master Daniel handed Ethan and Arthur a series of documents. Their identities were simple: they were new immigrants who had just arrived in North America. Of course, everything was "authentic," complete with corresponding data records in the system.
"A driver's license?" Ethan raised an eyebrow as he looked at Arthur.
In North America, a driver's license was practically a universal form of identification. But Ethan couldn't help but wonder, did the great King of Knights even know how to drive? He glanced at Daniel with a hint of exasperation. "Looks like we'll need to sign up the legendary Arthur Pendragon for some driving lessons."
Arthur's physical control was excellent, so driving itself shouldn't be too difficult. However, the myriad traffic rules might prove to be a headache for him.
Later that day, the Ancient One finally asked Ethan a question she had been holding back: would he like to study magic under her?
With Ethan's growing spiritual power, he had now reached the threshold needed to study the type of magic practiced by the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj. The Ancient One had refrained from offering before, waiting for an opportune moment when they could speak privately.
"I think it would be helpful to learn some theoretical knowledge to broaden my understanding," Ethan admitted. "But I'm not sure if I can perform specific spellcasting."
Ethan had always been candid with the Ancient One, trusting her character and moral standing. He briefly explained his situation, describing how the path he had chosen differed from traditional mages.
"I see," the Ancient One said thoughtfully. "In that case, much of the magic here may not be suitable for you."
The magic practiced by the Ancient One and her disciples was primarily a system that drew heavily on external energy for spellcasting. This frequent and intimate connection with external sources could lead to unpredictable influences and even backlash.
However, it wasn't entirely useless for Ethan. Techniques for channeling and extracting energy from other planes could serve as valuable references. While Ethan couldn't use these methods directly, he could adapt them to create enchanted items, channeling magic through tools instead of casting it himself. Though the process would be more cumbersome, it was the most viable approach for him at the moment.
When Ethan shared this idea, the Ancient One approved and even offered to help him find suitable materials for his experiments.
"Your energy has grown much more stable compared to the last time we met," she observed. "I assume you'll be staying longer this time?"
"Yes," Ethan replied. "I should be able to stay for at least six months, maybe longer if my control over space-time energy improves."
"So, besides practicing and experimenting with magical tools, what do you plan to do?" the Ancient One asked.
Ethan rubbed his chin in thought. Staying cooped up in the Sanctum for months wasn't appealing. He had already grown restless after spending so much time confined to the ship. And considering this was the Marvel Universe, a world he had always been fascinated by, he couldn't pass up the opportunity to explore.
"Maybe... pay a visit to the famous Tony Stark?" Ethan said casually.
"Oh? Are you interested in him?"
"More like interested in his money," Ethan admitted with a faint smile.
The Ancient One blinked in surprise before chuckling knowingly.
"You don't need to concern yourself with that. You can use the Sanctum's resources if you need funding," she offered.
"No, no, it's better to earn and spend my own money," Ethan said, shaking his head.
While he could rely on the Sanctum's generosity, Ethan wasn't comfortable with the idea of being entirely dependent on them. Using materials provided by the Ancient One for his experiments was different, those results could be shared and benefit both parties. But pocket money was another matter entirely. He much preferred to find his own means of income.
Naturally, this led Ethan to consider one of Marvel's wealthiest individuals: Tony Stark. The billionaire superhero, who had publicly revealed his identity as Iron Man, was currently facing a significant challenge, one that Ethan believed he could help solve.
"If you're planning to address his issue, you'll need a unique approach," the Ancient One warned. "But doing so may expose the existence of mystical forces."
The sorcerers of the Marvel Universe had always been cautious about revealing their powers, preferring to remain hidden from the public eye. If Ethan intended to get involved with Tony Stark, he might have to use his mystical abilities, which seemed to go against the mages' principles.
"Mystical forces have always existed in every corner of this world," Ethan replied. "And... this world is on the verge of entering a new era."
He didn't believe for a moment that the Ancient One was unaware of this. As someone who could see glimpses of the future, she must have known that Earth's future would be anything but ordinary.
With Iron Man now a prominent figure, the Marvel Universe was about to be swept up in a series of extraordinary events. Cosmic forces, the gods of Asgard, and even threats from other dimensions were inevitable. Compared to these, the mages' secrecy seemed trivial.
"The sorcerers will need to adapt to this new era," Ethan continued. "Rather than passively adjusting when the time comes, it's better to integrate sooner."
In truth, Ethan believed that even Doctor Strange's eventual rise was part of a plan to bridge the mystical and ordinary worlds. As a brilliant surgeon with a prestigious reputation, Strange was someone who could navigate both spheres, serving as a bridge between them. His experiences as both a man of science and a master of the arcane made him uniquely suited for this role.
Now, with Ethan's intervention, perhaps the mages would begin evolving even earlier.
But Ethan wasn't overly concerned about their decisions. He wasn't one of them, after all, and the Ancient One had made no move to stop him. His focus now was on how to address the issue of the arc reactor in Tony Stark's chest.
"Well, there's no point in overthinking it," Ethan concluded. "I'll just take it one step at a time and give him a complete cure."
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