Chapter 300: New York Sanctum
"Should I go see the Ancient One?"
In the Marvel world, inside the school basement, George stood in the combat simulation training room, which he had expanded a hundredfold using the Extension Charm, a slight look of hesitation on his face.
Learning the Fairy Orb was extremely difficult. With the foundational knowledge he currently possessed, even if he dedicated all his energy to this magic, it would probably take seven or eight years to master it.
To improve efficiency, he had to acquire new knowledge about time magic.
At the moment, aside from the Harry Potter world, only the Marvel side offered a breakthrough.
And that breakthrough was, of course, the master of time management—Doctor Strange's teacher, the true Sorcerer Supreme: the Ancient One.
Marvel's magic generally involved borrowing power from various dimensional demonic gods. The magic they used originated from those entities. However, the Ancient One was a special case.
While much of her magic also relied on borrowing from dimensional gods, she borrowed without returning—those gods even got beaten when they tried to collect the debt.
Behind her stood not only the Trinity Vishanti but also one of the Five Great Cosmic Entities—Eternity.
With her own power alone, she could travel through multiple dimensions to study magic. George believed that, in essence, the Ancient One was already close to being a dimensional demonic god. After death, following Eternity, she probably became one.
Therefore, some of her magic likely didn't rely on borrowed power—like her time magic.
Of course, this was all just his speculation, but he was sure of one thing: the essence of magic across all worlds was the same. If he could learn the theory behind time magic from the Ancient One in this world…
It would undoubtedly help him greatly in mastering the Fairy Orb.
His hesitation stemmed from the fact that the Ancient One, as Sorcerer Supreme, might have an opinion about someone like him—who could use his own magical power and was already akin to a dimensional god in essence.
However, after thinking it over, it probably wouldn't be a big issue.
The Ancient One had the Time Stone and could see the past and future. She had likely noticed him already.
And since she hadn't made a move until now, it was likely she bore no hostility.
The Sorcerer Supreme's role was to protect Earth, mainly from dimensional beings that sought to invade. She wouldn't interfere in human affairs unless Earth itself was in peril.
After all, he was still human, not one of those dimensional entities.
And if conflict did arise, he might not be her match—but he certainly wouldn't be powerless.
What made the Ancient One truly formidable, aside from her own power, was the ability of the Three Sanctums to significantly weaken dimensional beings.
When these beings left their dimensions, their power was already reduced by half. Once on Earth, the Three Sanctums would suppress them even further, making it easy for the Ancient One to beat them.
That's why before summoning Dormammu, Kaecilius first destroyed the Three Sanctums.
And when Wanda attacked Kamar-Taj, the Three Sanctums were effectively useless.
He, on the other hand, was born on Earth—a human, albeit an experimental subject, but not a dimensional being. The Sanctums' suppression wouldn't affect him.
Now that he could use Animagus to transform into a dragon and had dramatically increased his strength, he had some ability to protect himself.
"Then let's go check out the New York Sanctum first!"
[Translator: sauron05]
In the end, George decided to meet the Ancient One. If it worked out, it would ease a burden on his mind.
Otherwise, not knowing the Ancient One's stance toward him would always leave him on edge.
He stepped out of the training room and headed upstairs.
It was afternoon, and the students were in class. Over the past few months, the number of students—and teachers—had increased.
Since the Insight Plan was wiped out in Washington and the school was revealed to the public via the media, superpowered individuals from all over the world had come to the school.
Some were children brought by their parents, others were adults ostracized for their powers.
After being screened by those with telepathic abilities, those who passed became students, teachers, or staff. Those who failed were turned away.
The Superpower Academy had now become a sanctuary for superpowered people from around the globe.
At least here, they didn't have to fear being captured and experimented on by governments or organizations.
Spreading his wings, George was just about to fly to the New York Sanctum when a rainbow beam descended from the sky, and Thor appeared on the school's front lawn.
"Good afternoon, George!"
"All settled?"
George smiled upon seeing him.
Two months ago, Thor had finally regained his godly power by lifting Mjolnir through his own efforts, breaking Odin's seal.
Now he often shuttled between Asgard, the Superpower Academy, and Jane's home. Sometimes he enthusiastically cracked down on criminal gangs.
"All settled. There was a minor disturbance in Jotunheim after Laufey's death. I've already calmed it down."
As he spoke, he changed from his Thunder God armor into a suit, turning Mjolnir into an umbrella.
"Oh, it's already five o'clock. I have to hurry—Jane and I are going to see the new movie The Cabin in the Woods."
"The Cabin in the Woods... Hmm, alright. Hope you enjoy it."
George recalled that movie and couldn't help but twitch his mouth.
"Invisibility!"
Turning invisible and flying into the sky, he headed toward the movie-version address of the New York Sanctum.
He remembered that the New York Sanctum was located at 177A Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. He wasn't sure if this universe's Sanctum would be in the same place.
If it wasn't, that was fine too. He could always go to the Kamar-Taj headquarters in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Or use a Tracking Charm—but that might be a bit rude.
"This should be it."
Soon, following the address, he found a three-story brownstone townhouse built in a Victorian style, designed in the French Baroque style with a mansard roof.
On its roof was a round skylight with four curved lines.
Though the entire building was cloaked in powerful magic, George could still sense the potent magical energy within.
Ding dong!
Arriving at the door, George reached out and pressed the doorbell.
A moment later, a Black man in a sorcerer's robe opened the door.
He wasn't surprised to see George. 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.
He knew the Ancient One had the Time Stone and was proficient in time magic, able to peer into multiple possible futures—but she wasn't omniscient.
Just like how Doctor Strange could view 14,000,605 possible futures involving the battle with Thanos only because he specifically used time magic to analyze that scenario.
Otherwise, he would've foreseen Thanos' attack or Wanda's descent into darkness long ago.
Now that the Ancient One knew in advance that he was coming and was already waiting for him, it confirmed George's suspicion—she had been watching him all along, just never chose to make contact.
(End of Chapter)