Although it was a bit rushed, Ethan couldn't just stand there awkwardly and watch Odin's soul core slowly collapse.
Odin had done it on purpose. If you have a way, then act. If not, it's not that I deliberately left things behind.
This was a test for Ethan, but not one that could truly trouble him.
Ethan extended both hands. His left hand formed a loose fist toward the soul before him, while his right hand quickly drew a series of mysterious symbols. As his right hand moved, one rune and magic circle after another gradually formed. Then, bands of blue light gathered from the surroundings and converged around the outer layer of Odin's soul core, slowly enveloping it.
The blue energy gradually formed an outer shell, and Ethan's actions had only just begun. The gesture of his right hand suddenly changed, and the magic on his left arm, along with the magic circles floating nearby, turned green.
"Oh? This is..."
The Ancient One, who had been calmly watching, finally showed a change in expression. She recognized the nature of the energy Ethan had just unleashed.
The green energy began to envelop the outer blue layer, slowly forming a coating. The two energies intertwined yet remained layered, with gentle ripples of light flowing across the surface. As Ethan's movements slowed, everything seemed to lock in place, and the strange phenomena ceased.
Ethan let out a quiet breath. At this point, his actions became much more relaxed. His earlier posture had clearly shown that he was casting spells with full effort. Now, he had returned to his normal state. One hand tucked into his pocket, the other lazily waving a few times. Sometimes, he didn't even move at all, only lifting his chin slightly.
Another layer of blue energy wrapped over the green layer. This final shell was much thicker and completely concealed the golden light radiating from the soul core.
On the very outside, a layer of ice crystals formed. As they gradually thickened, the soul core, originally the size of a football, was encased in an ice coffin about the size of a person.
Only then did Ethan finally lower his right hand. The floating ice coffin shifted into a horizontal position, hovering about a meter above the ground.
"This should be enough."
After completing all the steps, Ethan carefully examined it again. Once he confirmed there were no omissions, he nodded in satisfaction.
Both people present were top-tier spellcasters and naturally understood what Ethan had done. Frigga was also impressed by his current level of strength.
"This is perfectly fine."
Frigga gently brushed her fingers over the surface of the ice coffin. Ethan's control over magic was truly powerful. Though it only felt slightly cool to the touch, that didn't mean it was as harmless as it seemed. All the energy was tightly sealed and controlled, with not a trace leaking out.
She was certain that in all of Asgard, only a handful of people could shatter this ice coffin. Moreover, the frost power sealed within was terrifying. If it were to be detonated directly, it could alter Asgard's environment.
"Shall I go back to Asgard directly?"
"I'll have to trouble you."
Ethan gently raised his hand, and a portal of blue light appeared in front of Frigga. Through it, she could clearly see the familiar sight of Asgard.
"I had wanted to host you properly, but it seems the Ancient One has other matters to attend to. I'll have to wait for your next visit."
Frigga raised her hand slightly, and the floating ice coffin adjusted its orientation. Following her movement, it slowly passed through the portal.
Then she turned to Ethan and the Ancient One, gave her farewells, and stepped through the portal herself.
Once both had crossed, the blue portal automatically closed. However, the residual magical energy did not disperse. Instead, it gathered once more and flew back toward Ethan, then reabsorbed into his body.
Only then did the Ancient One speak.
"Your rate of growth has far exceeded my expectations."
"After all, I have advantages others don't."
Being able to travel freely between multiple universes was a huge advantage. Ethan had encountered almost no bottlenecks in his training, and his strength had steadily improved.
"Even so, without hard work, you wouldn't have made it this far."
The Ancient One paused before mentioning the power Ethan had just used.
"And manipulating time with your own power... that isn't something you achieve with effort and luck alone."
Ethan smiled. Although he wanted to claim the title of genius, his manipulation of time was actually something of a cheat.
"It's not true control over time yet."
"Time isn't a power that can be easily mastered."
At certain levels, time doesn't even exist. Such a force, difficult to define and often considered nonexistent, is far harder to grasp than tangible powers.
For example, the Eye of Agamotto embedded with the Time Stone allows sorcerers to manipulate time without comprehending it directly. They only need to understand how to use the stone's power. Even that isn't easy—when Stephen Strange used the Time Stone to restore two torn pages in a magical tome, both Wong and Mordo were shocked.
"Even just borrowing it is already an impressive feat."
Ethan's use of the power of time was indeed borrowed. He had deliberately studied the Eye of Agamotto for a time, and with the help of his own Space-time Orb, he gained some insights.
After years of training and enlightenment, combined with entering a new realm, his understanding of such power improved. Now, he could barely "borrow" some of it.
If the Time Stone was the universal switch for the power of time in this world, then a powerful being with the Stone could channel that power directly.
Ethan's case was more like he had built a sub-switch, allowing him to draw a small portion of time's power.
He could only use a limited amount of time power in this universe. It wouldn't work outside of the Marvel Universe.
However, he was gradually figuring out the nature of the time force itself. That was also why he was interested in getting the Time-Turner for further study.
While the two spoke, they had already left the coastal cliff and arrived at Kamar-Taj.
This wasn't Ethan's first time here, but his current appearance made it impossible for the sorcerers to recognize him. Most simply watched with curiosity, seeing the Ancient One bring back a child.
Most assumed this boy had been rescued or picked up outside and that the Ancient One planned to raise and teach him in Kamar-Taj.
It wasn't until Ethan greeted Mordo that he was finally recognized.
"You're..."
Ethan had been to Kamar-Taj several times before and had met Mordo during those visits. Though they weren't close, they weren't strangers either.
But Ethan's current appearance was just too different.
Wong, who happened to be pouring tea nearby, was just as curious. At this time, he had not yet been stationed at other Sanctums or placed in charge of the library. He mostly focused on quiet study in Kamar-Taj and helped out occasionally.
"Don't worry, it's a good thing. I just need to grow up again."
Hearing this, Mordo and Wong didn't ask further questions. The two quietly left. While Mordo left directly, Wong remained outside to ensure no one disturbed Ethan and the Ancient One.
"Is it about time?"
The Ancient One sipped her tea and gave Ethan a slight nod. She understood what he meant.
"What should happen... is about to begin."
Ethan tapped his fingers on the table, and an image appeared in front of them, showing a doctor with a long face working in a hospital.
"Do you need my help?"
"Once everything is in place, it will all proceed naturally."
The arrangements Ethan had made for the Ancient One's retreat—preserving her soul and reconstructing her body—had been completed long ago. Now, things would unfold as they were meant to. The Ancient One would sacrifice herself in battle against a dark force, step down as Sorcerer Supreme, and pass her title to Stephen Strange, who would later receive her guidance.
"Even though events are about to start, it doesn't mean I'll 'die' immediately."
From the time Doctor Strange suffered his injuries, underwent surgeries, spent his savings, and finally sought out Kamar-Taj, to his training and eventual rise, the timeline was long. At least a year, maybe two. So there was no need to rush.
The Ancient One had sought out Ethan now because she wanted to ask whether he was interested in helping guide her successor.
"Huh?"
"I think the situations he'll face in the future will be more complicated than what I've dealt with. Maybe you can teach him some special knowledge, so he can better protect this world."
Ethan scratched his cheek. Guiding Doctor Strange wasn't a hard request, but he wasn't sure when he'd have time to return.
"I actually came this time to let you know that I've already connected my universe to this world. It'll be much easier for you to find me in the future."
He explained everything to the Ancient One in detail, including how to get to his side.
With her power, she could locate the passage left behind by Ethan through magic and travel between the worlds freely, without needing a specific teleportation device.
"That's very convenient. Perhaps I'll be visiting you often in the future."
(To be continued.)