[A/N]: Went on a bit of a comics deep dive with this one! What did you guys think? Drop your thoughts below and toss some power stones our way to push the story up the ranks!
Jay sat there in stunned silence. The casual revelation of his transmigrator nature had hit him like a physical blow.
Finally, he lifted the teacup to his lips and drained it in one gulp. When he set the cup down, his hands were steadier than he felt.
"How?" The word came out rough. He cleared his throat. "How did you come to know about my... nature?"
The Ancient One's hands stilled completely. When she spoke again, her voice carried weight.
"There are forces that exist beyond the comprehension of mortals, Jay. Entities whose very existence shapes the fundamental nature of reality itself." She set the teapot down. "The Vishanti. Omnipotent Oshtur, All-Seeing Agamotto, and Hoary Hoggoth are beings of such immense power that entire civilizations worship them as supreme gods."
Jay's mind reeled. He knew these names from comics, but hearing them spoken by someone who actually served them was different.
"But they are merely servants. Above the Vishanti, above even the goddess Witchcraft herself, stands The-Powers-That-Be, the abstract entity that governs all magic and strangeness in existence. She is one of only eight fundamental abstract entities that divide the axis of universal power, standing alongside Eternity, Infinity, Oblivion, and the Living Tribunal itself."
Jay's cup shook. This was beyond anything that should be in the MCU.
"And there are others. The Queen of Nevers, the embodiment of possibility itself, what might be, forever outside what is. She was once the Pilgrim, the sentience of the Fourth Cosmos, who journeyed into the Mystery beyond space and time when her universe died. She exists in the Land of Couldn't-Be-Shouldn't-Be, and nexus beings throughout the multiverse serve as her agents."
"Wait," Jay managed. "You even know all of this?"
The Ancient One nodded. "Indeed. There exists an ancient concord between The-Powers-That-Be and the Queen of Nevers regarding those who slip between realities. Those who demonstrate magical aptitude may choose to serve under the Vishanti, enhanced by The-Powers-That-Be's authority. Those who refuse or lack the talent remain under the Queen's protection, free to explore infinite possibilities."
Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to focus. "I came here seeking your guidance. I need help mastering my powers."
The Ancient One nodded slowly. "If you wish to become a sorcerer, you must understand what that entails. To draw upon the energies of the Vishanti's dimension requires a life oath, a binding commitment to serve and protect Earth from all mystical threats for as long as you draw breath."
Jay smiled then, remembering the careful choices he'd made back when this was all just theoretical. The reason he'd taken 'No Arcane' drawbacks. He'd known he didn't want to be bound by lifetime promises to serve anyone else.
"I'm unable to use magic," he said simply.
The Ancient One's composure slipped. "That's... impossible. Everyone possesses at least a spark for sorcery. Magic is simply the art of borrowing energy from other dimensions through focused will and proper technique."
"You can check if you want," Jay offered.
Now genuinely intrigued, the Ancient One rose and moved to stand before him. Her hands began to weave complex patterns in the air. A golden circle of light formed around his seated figure, intricate symbols rotating slowly.
Then it shattered like glass.
The Ancient One's eyebrows rose slightly, and she tried again. This time, the circle lasted perhaps three seconds before fragmenting into sparkling motes of light.
Again. The same result.
Again. Not even a flicker this time.
Finally, after the fifth attempt, the Ancient One exhaled slowly and sank back into her chair. "In all my centuries, across all the students who have sought the mystic arts, I have never encountered someone with such a complete lack of mystical talent that it could itself be considered a form of talent."
Jay couldn't tell if she was praising him or insulting him.
"Why come here if you cannot perform even the most basic spells?" she asked.
Jay met her gaze directly. "Shouldn't you know what I want? With your Time Stone and all?"
The Ancient One's eyes widened slightly. After a moment, remembering his outsider nature, she nodded slowly. "Since you entered our reality, the timelines are no longer fixed. They have branched into infinite possibilities where each action you take shapes the world in ways I cannot predict. I cannot check every timeline to find the answer to this question."
That made sense. His very presence had introduced chaos into what had once been a predetermined narrative.
"If you know my name, then you should know about the nature of my powers," he said.
The Ancient One nodded slowly.
"Even though my friend Bobby has trained me in military combat, that's not something that can bring out the complete potential of my abilities. So, I came to the one place where people are taught to bring out the best in themselves, to push beyond normal limits."
He brought his palms together, closed his eyes, and bowed his head. When he spoke, his voice carried genuine respect.
"Please teach me."
The silence stretched between them, filled only by distant chanting. Jay kept his head bowed, waiting.
"You cannot learn magic," the Ancient One said finally. "But perhaps... that is not what you truly need to learn."
Jay looked up.
The Ancient One stopped in front of him again. "I cannot teach you magic, but I can teach you something far more valuable. How to master yourself."
Jay felt something shift inside him.
"The mystic arts are not about power. They are about understanding. About seeing the connections between all things, about finding harmony within chaos." Her eyes seemed to look through him. "Your powers are not separate from you. They are you, expressed through different facets. Start listening to them."
"How do I do that?"
"The same way one learns anything of true value. Through patience, practice, and the willingness to fail many times before succeeding even once."
She gestured toward the deeper recesses of the sanctuary. "We have training spaces where you can explore your abilities safely. We have masters who can teach you meditation techniques to quiet your mind and hear what your powers are truly telling you. And we have centuries of accumulated wisdom about the nature of power itself, not mystical power specifically, but the fundamental principles that govern all forms of extraordinary ability."
Jay felt a surge of genuine excitement. This wasn't what he'd expected, but it felt right.
"When do we start?"
"Now. But first, you must understand the rules of this place. We are not a school for soldiers or heroes. We are guardians of knowledge, protectors of wisdom." Her voice carried gentle but unmistakable authority. "While you are here, you will show respect to all who dwell within these walls. You will harm none without direct threat to yourself or others. And you will remember that true strength comes not from what you can destroy, but from what you choose to preserve."
Jay nodded solemnly. After what had happened in Korea, those words hit deeper than she might have realized.
"I understand."
As Jay rose to go outside, the Ancient One spoke once more.
"Jay." Something in her tone made him turn back. "Before we begin, you need to promise me something after all, each teacher demands a price worth their teaching."
Jay looked at her with anticipation.
"First, you will not heal Stephen Strange, no matter what circumstances you may face."
Jay frowned. "Why?"
"Because it is his destiny to become the best of us. His journey through pain and loss is what will forge him into the protector this world needs. To rob him of that path would be to rob the world of its future guardian."
Jay nodded slowly. He understood the concept of necessary suffering, even if he didn't like it.
"And secondly." The Ancient One's eyes grew more intense. "If you are not willing to serve under the Vishanti, you are also never to serve under any dark lord or entity that would corrupt your purpose."
"I agree," he said without hesitation.
The Ancient One's smile was both sad and knowing. "Then let us begin your true education."
The Ancient One clapped her hands once, and immediately a figure appeared in the doorway. Mordo. "Master Mordo will show you to your quarters and explain our daily routines. Tomorrow, we begin your real education."
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