On one side of the crowd, the cries of Haruto's name began to fade.
The mages gathered there slowly parted like a receding tide, their expressions solemn.
Senju Haruto's gaze was soon drawn in that direction.
The newcomer was none other than the one who lived in Kamar-Taj—the legendary Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One.
Their eyes met, and instead of hostility, the Ancient One smiled.
As soon as she appeared, the waves of cheering began to subside.
Countless eyes shifted, focusing on the space between Haruto and the Ancient One.
Everyone was waiting—hoping—for a conversation, an exchange between these two towering figures.
For the mages present, the Ancient One was a being of nearly divine reverence.
She had lived for centuries, her wisdom and strength unmatched.
Haruto, however, only offered her a smile as she approached, saying nothing.
"We meet again, Haruto."
The Ancient One stopped less than two meters from him, her voice calm, almost gentle.
"Without a doubt, you are the most powerful mage I have ever encountered."
She was, by nature, a humble person.
Jealousy had no place in her heart, even in the face of Haruto's overwhelming power.
For so long, she had believed without question that Strange was destined to be the greatest among all Sorcerer Supremes.
But now—
The Ancient One had to accept the truth: Senju Haruto outshone even Strange, especially in the mastery of magic.
Against an enemy like Chthon, if she herself hadn't relied on the Time Stone, she wouldn't have had much confidence in prevailing.
To fell such a being in a single strike—
If she and Chthon had battled head-on, the destruction across Earth would have been unimaginable.
"May we speak in private?"
With a graceful wave of her hand, she opened a portal to Kamar-Taj.
"Mm."
Haruto nodded slightly, accepting her invitation.
He wasn't sure what the Ancient One intended to say, but he certainly had no reason to fear her.
Receiving his answer, she didn't hesitate further. She stepped into the portal, and under the eyes of the watching crowd, Haruto followed.
They emerged directly into the library of Kamar-Taj.
Haruto remained silent.
This place was familiar to him. When he had first arrived in this Marvel world, it was here that he used shadow clones to grind experience, reading and absorbing every magical text available.
Spells, incantations, theories—much of his knowledge of magic had been forged in this very room.
But since the Ancient One had sought him out, she clearly had something specific to say. There was no need for him to ask; she would speak when ready.
"I have reconsidered many things," she said at last, gesturing for him to walk beside her.
"Though you are not this universe's Sorcerer Supreme, you are powerful enough. Except for your… rather direct methods, most of the choices you've made have been the right ones."
Haruto gave a small nod, nothing more than a quiet "Mm."
He assumed she was referring to the time he had clashed with the military.
But truthfully, he didn't much care how she judged his actions.
"What are you trying to say?" Haruto finally asked after a pause.
"There are no outsiders here, Ancient One. Speak freely."
To the others, Haruto might have been only the guardian of New York's Sanctum Sanctorum.
But before the Ancient One, he stood as an equal—as a Sorcerer Supreme from another universe.
There was no need for honorifics between them.
"I want to speak of Strange," the Ancient One said, taking a deep breath.
"Mm. I know of him."
Haruto nodded again. He saw no reason to pretend otherwise.
He knew full well that the Ancient One had great faith in Strange—so much so that she had willingly allowed herself to fall at Kaecilius's hands in order to guide him.
To some, her death had seemed foolish—plot-driven even. But in truth, for someone of her power, death was hardly the end.
Even if her body perished, her soul would remain immortal, returning not to heaven or hell, but to the embrace of the Vishanti.
In the comics, her spirit often reappeared before Strange, guiding him, aiding him in his path as Sorcerer Supreme against the countless threats he would face.
"I hope… you can guide him onto the right path."
Her words hung heavy in the air.
Haruto's expression flickered briefly.
The implication behind her request was unmistakable—she intended to relinquish her title as Sorcerer Supreme.
"You've already made your decision, then?"
Though slightly surprised inwardly, his face betrayed nothing.
"Yes."
Her answer was resolute.
In her heart, she already believed Haruto to be a Sorcerer Supreme—one simply born of another universe.
Sorcerer Supremes did not die in the ordinary sense.
When their mortal bodies fell, their souls journeyed to the Vishanti's dimension, beginning anew.
The Ancient One, however, had remained here, waiting. Waiting for Strange.
She had even bargained with Dormammu for borrowed time, tethering her life unnaturally.
But as the bearer of the Time Stone, she had seen countless futures. She knew the weight of her secret dealings.
Yet without them, she would never have been able to guide Strange.
It was a paradox she carried with her always.
Until she met Haruto.
She had seen what he had done.
How he had aided Dr. Banner—roughly, perhaps, but effectively.
How he had fought, how he had chosen.
To her, entrusting Strange's future to Haruto no longer seemed a risk.
"Before you return to your own universe, I want you to train Strange. Shape him into the greatest of us all."
Her voice was steady, her steps stopping as she brought him to their destination.
Haruto looked around, instantly recognizing where they stood.
Here lay one of the six Infinity Stones of the Marvel Cinematic Universe—
The Time Stone.
The Ancient One inhaled deeply, her wrist twitching slightly as her fingers pinched the air.
A brilliant green light flared, and in her hand appeared a gem that pulsed with cosmic radiance.
"Haruto," she said, her voice solemn.
"When I finally return to the Vishanti… I want you to be the next Sorcerer Supreme."