Marvel: Little Genius - Chapter: 378 (Patreon)

Swoosh—! A teleportation gate suddenly appeared.

Just as Baymax finished reporting, Master Ancient One, along with Mordo and Wong, arrived in the New York Sanctum.

"Mark, the New York Sanctum is the only one remaining among the three great Sanctums. Once the New York Sanctum falls, the true form of Dormammu will descend upon Earth and devour everything on it."

Ancient One quickly approached Mark with her serious expression.

"I know. Kaecilius launched an assault earlier, but Terminator, who was left behind by me, and Strange delayed him, allowing me to arrive in time."

Now, several of them have already been trapped in the Mirror Dimension by me. The only ones we need to be cautious of are the remaining fanatics who went to attack the Hong Kong Sanctum."

"Understood." Master Ancient One nodded slightly, having a deep understanding of Mark's abilities, she had complete trust in him. Hearing that Kaecilius had been apprehended, a sense of relief washed over her. She then noticed the Cape of Levitation draped over Doctor Strange's shoulders.

"This is truly peculiar. I never thought you would gain the recognition of this Cape of Levitation. Its taste is quite discerning."

"Is that so? Maybe I just got lucky…" Doctor Strange felt quite awkward conversing with Master Ancient One. He had come to know a secret about her that was hidden from others, a secret of great significance that altered his perception of her.

Previously, he had always considered Master Ancient One as an otherworldly sage, mysterious and powerful. But now he discovered that the seemingly great and selfless saint was also fearful of the coming of death.

He even suspected that the reason Dormammu noticed Earth's existence might have been due to Master Ancient One's absorption of energy from the Dark Dimension, which caught Dormammu's attention.

These suspicions made it difficult for Doctor Strange to maintain his reverence for Master Ancient One. He even began to question his trust in her. He wasn't sure if her will was truly as resolute as it seemed, capable of resisting Dormammu's temptations.

What if her current demeanor was just a facade, and her inner self was akin to the fanatical beliefs of Kaecilius? In that case, wouldn't staying here be walking into a trap?

As this thought took root in his mind, Doctor Strange could no longer suppress his doubts and suspicions about Master Ancient One. "I'm sorry, but I'm withdrawing. I don't want to be involved in your mysterious war. I'm just a doctor seeking the knowledge of the healing arts with my hands. I don't want to risk my life for this."

"We need you, Master Strange." Master Ancient One looked sincerely at Doctor Strange, hoping he would stay and offer his assistance.

"I'm Doctor Strange, not Master Strange, let alone Sorcerer Strange! You say you need my help, but look at all of you. Isn't that person there more experienced and powerful than me?"

"And I can't trust you at all. I can't trust someone who draws power from Dormammu and I can't fight alongside someone like that."

"What nonsense are you spouting, Strange! This is absurd. You have no right to accuse her like this. You have no idea how heavy the responsibilities she carries!"

As a devoted follower of the Ancient One, Mordo was the first to step forward and defend her.

"I've seen it!" Confronting Mordo's strong stance, Doctor Strange met his gaze without flinching. "The mysterious ritual recorded in the Book of Cagliostro, obtaining energy from the Dark Dimension to sustain one's own longevity, even achieve immortality. I understood it when I saw the ritual. I know how you've done it. That's why I can't trust your leadership and dedicate myself to you."

"That can't be true, Teacher, you must refute him!" Mordo looked urgently at the Ancient One, hoping his most trusted and revered teacher could personally disprove Doctor Strange's accusations.

However, in the face of Mordo's urgency, the Ancient One's response was surprisingly calm. "I'm sorry, Mordo. Your teacher may have disappointed you."

Hearing the Ancient One's reply, Mordo felt as if a thunderbolt had struck his mind, filled with shock and disbelief.

"Mordo, calm down! You know that Master Ancient One is not the kind of person to betray her beliefs out of fear of death!" Seeing Mordo spiraling into despondency and confusion, Wong stepped forward in an attempt to soothe his emotions.

Among those present, only Mark remained silent, observing the unfolding situation. With his emotional intelligence, he couldn't even prevent the internal conflict among the Avengers back then, and now, he couldn't figure out a solution to resolve Doctor Strange's doubts.

However, in the next moment, the Ancient One made a decision that shocked everyone. She used magic to outline a complex pattern in the void, a pattern even Mark had never seen before, and judging by the expressions on the faces of the other three, it's the same for them as well.

When the magic was completed, there was no earth-shattering spectacle, no cataclysmic release of energy. However, visibly, the life force within Master Ancient One began to rapidly deteriorate in that instant. Her already pale face turned ashen.

"Master..." Although the imposing image of Master Ancient One had crumbled in Mordo's mind after she admitted to drawing power from the Dark Dimension to sustain her life, at this moment of crisis for her, it was Mordo who reached her side first.

Taking a step forward, Mordo supported the weakened Ancient One in his arms. Meanwhile, Mark, Doctor Strange, and Wong also converged around them, anxiously watching the situation unfold for the Ancient One.

Seeing everyone gathered around her, the Ancient One began to explain, "The magic I just performed is the Supreme White Magic recorded in the Book of Vishanti. It can dispel the dark energy within me and sever the connection established with the Dark Dimension."

"You're insane, Ancient One! You've extended your life for hundreds of years by forcibly using dark energy. Once you cut off the supply of dark energy, your body will quickly wither and perish due to the exhaustion of life force!" Mark exclaimed. He couldn't believe that the Ancient One would make such a decision at this crucial moment.

On the other hand, upon hearing Mark's words, Doctor Strange felt overwhelming guilt and remorse. In his eyes, his sharp words had pierced the Ancient One's defenses, taking away her life.

For a doctor dedicated to saving lives, this was perhaps the greatest shock—having taken someone's life with his cutting words, contradicting the very essence of being a healer.

"I... I didn't expect things to turn out like this..."

As for Mordo and Wong, upon learning that the Ancient One was about to die because she was giving up dark energy, their hearts were overshadowed by profound sadness. While the saintly image the Ancient One had maintained in their minds had collapsed, how could the emotional bond between individuals be so easily severed?

When they initially came to Kamar-Taj, it was for physical or spiritual healing. At their most vulnerable, it was the Ancient One who gave them hope for the future, nurturing them into the mature and powerful sorcerers they were today.

For Wong and Mordo, their feelings towards the Ancient One had evolved far beyond mere fan and idol, student and teacher relationships. In their hearts, the Ancient One was both a respected elder and the most important family member. Now that they knew their most cherished family member was about to depart, how could they not feel sorrow, regardless of any mistakes she might have made?

But compared to the emotionally charged reactions of those around her, the Ancient One, on the brink of death, displayed an expression of relief and tranquility.

"You don't need to feel so sad for me; you should feel happy instead. I've spent many years maintaining Earth's peace, thwarting countless dreadful events. Yet, misfortune always follows. Through long battles against forces from other dimensions, my body has been unknowingly corroded by dark energy. Even if I didn't choose to sever the connection with dark energy, I would still face death sooner or later.

Moreover, this moment could be considered the one where I have the most confidence in Earth's future. With someone like you, Mark, who can rival the Sorcerer Supreme; and with Wong and Mordo, as mature and wise pillars of strength; and beyond that, with someone like Doctor Strange, a promising genius.

If my death can truly unite you all as a cohesive entity, I believe that compared to lingering on, an earlier departure might be a better choice."

"Master!" At this moment, Mordo looked down at the weakened form of the Ancient One lying in his arms, feeling as if his heart was being twisted by a blade. His thoughts were overwhelmed by grief.

Ever since he had entered Kamar-Taj, the Ancient One he had seen was always the Supreme Sorcerer, radiating strength and confidence. Her towering presence seemed to bear the weight of the entire cosmos, instilling an unparalleled sense of security.

Comparing the Ancient One, who was now on the brink of death with a relieved look, Mordo who had never seen his teacher looked like this, and couldn't accept this reality in his heart

"Mordo…" The Ancient One's eyes were already blurred, and she could only make out Mordo's general outline. However, everyone present could see the caring gaze in her eyes.

"Your stubbornness, your lack of adaptability—these are products of your upbringing. During peaceful times in Kamar-Taj, you excel at safeguarding its operation. However, when faced with major crises and challenges, these traits become your greatest obstacles to overcome.

And you, Strange. You haven't fully adjusted to your new identity as a sorcerer.

You are inherently good, and you always manage to excel not because you desire success, but because you fear failure. And this is what makes you not truly great—arrogance is born from the fear of failure.

The meaning of life lies not in the self, but in service. You can certainly give up facing the danger brought by Dormammu and return to your tranquil life of the past. But your world will always have regrets and it will never be perfect..

You are adaptable, even in adversity you can rise above. If you and Mordo can complement each other's strengths, cooperating with Mark, you can surely overcome Dormammu."

"But... I'm not ready yet. I've only known about this for less than twenty-four hours."

"No one is ever fully prepared. We cannot control the world.

Death gives meaning to life and makes one realize the brevity of time. I'm prepared to face death now, but you, Strange, are you ready to embrace your mission?"

"Master!"

"Master Ancient One!" x2

At this moment, the Supreme Sorcerer, the Ancient One, who had guarded Earth for centuries, yet had never been enshrined in history, forever departed from the world she cherished and protected.

Doctor Strange, Wong, and Mordo all cried out the Ancient One's name, their hearts being torn apart, unwilling to accept the fact that she was gone. Only Mark remained calm, refraining from an emotional reaction.

Mark really couldn't have anticipated that the Ancient One would use her own death to prompt Doctor Strange to accept his destiny. Moreover, it was evident that it wasn't only Doctor Strange who was affected by this stimulation; Wong and Mordo, who shared deep bonds with the Ancient One, also seemed to be influenced.

Yet, Mark couldn't help but admire the Ancient One's choice. As she had stated, even though the situation appeared grim with two sanctums destroyed by Dormammu's zealots, the current lineup of Doctor Strange, Wong, Mordo, and even Mark himself, comprised an elite and exceptionally powerful combination that would be complete and formidable in any moment or circumstance.

Compared to a team divided by her presence, sacrificing herself to bring about a powerful and united alliance was indeed the right choice.

Furthermore, the Ancient One's body had been corroded by the forces of the Dark Dimension over a prolonged period, reaching a point of exhaustion. If she didn't want to be consumed by this power, ultimately falling into the Dark Dimension, abandoning her frail body was undoubtedly the only way out.

Don't assume that the Ancient One's final words just now meant she was departing from the world. For a sorcerer of her level, her spiritual strength was so formidable that even detached from her physical form, her soul could persist for a long time.

For the Ancient One, it was simply a matter of abandoning her ailing body at the most opportune moment. By doing so, she could direct her soul into other dimensions within the multiverse, continuing to exist in a different form.

Because Mark understood this, he didn't let any emotional fluctuations arise from the events unfolding before him. "They say old habits die hard. This millennia-old fox, the Ancient One, when it comes to playing tricks, not many can handle her."

After silently muttering this in his mind, Mark refocused his attention on Doctor Strange, who was still immersed in sorrow, and asked, "Strange, what's your decision now? Are you going to continue being Doctor Stephen Strange, or are you going to embrace your mission and become Sorcerer? Have you made up your mind?"

"I had a friend who once told me, [Losing your hands is not the end of the world. It may also be a new beginning. There are many other ways to save lives.]

I think I've found my answer now, even though it's a more challenging and peculiar way."

Doctor Strange looked at Mark, his eyes revealing an unprecedented resolve.

"If I understand correctly, your answer implies that you're going to stand against Dormammu with us, is that right?"

Doctor Strange nodded, responding to Mark's inquiry.

"Alright then, I suppose I can entrust this to you now." As he spoke, Mark retrieved a capsule and placed it into Doctor Strange's hand.

"What... what is this?"

Doctor Strange, who had never seen a capsule before, looked puzzled at the object Mark handed him.

After all, it was a piece of advanced technology from within the Avengers that had never been publicly disclosed to the world, so Doctor Strange was understandably unfamiliar with the capabilities of the capsule.

"I call this thing a Hoi-Poi capsule. It's a device I invented that uses spatial folding technology to store items. The Ancient One instructed me that she wanted me to give what is inside this capsule to you. All you have to do is gently press the button on the top to retrieve the contents."

With Mark's explanation in mind, Doctor Strange half-skeptically pressed the button on the top of the capsule. Then, a burst of white smoke rose, and two items appeared in his hand.

One was the Eye of Agamotto, which he had once secretly used, and the other was a venerable and sacred magical book. The cover of the book was engraved with the name "The Book of Vishanti" in the oldest of magical script.

"This!" Seeing these two items appear in Doctor Strange's hand, the first to react weren't Doctor Strange himself, but rather Wong and Mordo who stood beside him.

As the elder figures of Kamar-Taj, they understood very well what it meant for the Ancient One to entrust Mark with delivering these two items to Doctor Strange.

"Sorcerer Supreme, we pay our respects!"

Without hesitation, after exchanging a glance, Wong and Mordo both bowed deeply to Doctor Strange in a show of respect.

"Wait a minute! What's going on here? When did I become a Supreme Sorcerer!? This isn't what we agreed on! Why is this different from what we discussed?"

Doctor Strange looked at Mark with a face full of confusion, hoping he could provide an answer.