Sanctuary.
Third floor.
Since Clea had only arrived today, Alaric planned to start teaching her magic tomorrow, and for today he gave her a magic book to read so she could first understand the orthodox knowledge of magic.
Originally, Alaric considered whether to teach Clea meditation, but then suddenly remembered that Clea now had his magical seal and could draw energy from his Eternal Night World, so it seemed there was no need for meditation.
Moreover, Alaric couldn't exactly let Clea meditate on the Vishanti, could he?
Even though Clea was merely a native of the Dark Dimension and not a demon, the Vishanti probably wouldn't reject her.
But Clea's body might not be able to withstand white magic energy.
She might be more suited to black magic energy.
As for a deity to meditate upon in black magic, it seemed only Dormammu existed, but the price of asking Dormammu to lend power was a bit too high.
That's why Alaric planned to directly teach Clea some basic spells and first improve her combat ability.
"Speaking of which, Clea, Dormammu really isn't in the Dark Dimension?"
Alaric asked, holding a cup of coffee, while Clea, sitting across from him on the sofa, held a magic book.
"Uh-huh!" Clea nodded.
"Then do you know when he'll return?"
"I don't know that, but it should take a while."
Clea looked up, her face pensive.
"I see."
Alaric started thinking about whether to take this opportunity to loot him a bit.
In the sense that, if Dormammu wasn't there, had all that mysterious energy already accumulated?
Alaric really wanted to go check; if he could extract some benefits, his Eternal Night World could be upgraded faster.
"Why do you ask?"
"No reason, just curious."
Alaric made a decision: better to choose today than wait — he'd go tonight!
Leave early and come back early!!
Even if he didn't get the mysterious energy, Alaric wouldn't lose anything!!
"Clea, I have to go somewhere, after reading you can rest early."
Alaric stood up.
"Where?! Can I come with you?!"
Clea's eyes sparkled, and she also jumped to her feet.
"I'm going to Kamar-Taj, you want to come too?"
Alaric looked at Clea helplessly; why was Clea like a puppy?
She'd get along well with Gwen.
"Kamar-Taj? Nah, no need."
As soon as she heard where he was going, Clea lost interest.
Her identity wasn't suited to go there.
Besides, that was a white magic sanctuary, and if she went, she'd only be further weakened.
"Alright, take care of the house… ahem, I mean, go to bed early."
Alaric vanished right after saying that.
"Housekeeper? Alaric trusts me this much? How sweet!!"
Clea, who had misunderstood Alaric's words, was overjoyed.
She had worried Alaric would be hard to deal with, but thankfully he wasn't!
...
Kamar-Taj.
Alaric appeared directly in the hall where the Ancient One usually resided.
But this time, there was no one inside, only candles burning quietly.
Alaric exited the hall, calmly waited outside, activated spiritual waves and informed the Ancient One that he had arrived.
After a while, the Ancient One, fanning a folded fan, arrived wearing a black cloak.
"This late, what are you doing here?"
The Ancient One asked curiously.
After all, it seemed she hadn't seen Alaric for some time.
But when she looked at his current state — good, he wasn't causing trouble everywhere.
The Ancient One was satisfied with that.
"I came to borrow the Time Stone," Alaric said directly.
"Hm? Where do you want to go?" The Ancient One furrowed her brow.
"To the Dark Dimension."
"To look for Dormammu? Right now? What are you planning?"
As soon as she heard Alaric wanted to go to Dormammu, the Ancient One raised her right hand, magical light flashed, and the Eye of Agamotto with the Time Stone appeared in her palm, then floated toward Alaric.
If Alaric had wanted to go to any other dimension, the Ancient One might have stopped him.
But the Dark Dimension?
Then the Ancient One said: go freely, Dormammu can't take you anyway, especially now that Alaric's strength had increased greatly; the Ancient One was completely at ease.
Dormammu: Do you underestimate me this much!?
"Dormammu isn't currently in the Dark Dimension, I'm going to see if I can find something good."
Alaric took the Eye of Agamotto and placed it on his chest.
Now he had two Eyes of Agamotto on his chest.
"Dormammu isn't there? Where did he go?" The Ancient One asked in surprise.
"Seems he's attacking another dimension."
"Invasion..." The Ancient One frowned sharply.
This time, who knew which dimension would be devoured by Dormammu and how many lives would be lost.
"How do you know this?"
"A native came to Earth and asked me to take her in."
"What's her name? She's not a demon, is she?" The Ancient One warned.
"Umm… she's not a demon, she's Strange's future wife."
Alaric said awkwardly.
He didn't know if he was practically "stealing" Strange's woman now.
Wait a minute!
What am I even thinking!!
"Alright, I'm going, bye!!"
Alaric quickly left after saying that.
"Strange's wife?"
The Ancient One raised an eyebrow, wondering what that kid was up to now.
How come when he was in Kamar-Taj he didn't have this much luck, and as soon as he left, not much time passed and he already had a girlfriend!
"Whatever, Alaric's future can't be clearly seen anyway, let him be. I'm nearly retired anyway."
The Ancient One shook her head.
She said that after her death, she wouldn't be able to control what happens in the future anyway.
As long as Earth isn't destroyed and the universe doesn't collapse.
...
Here, Alaric appeared in the Dark Dimension.
As always, he first placed a time buff on himself, just in case.
After all, even if Dormammu suddenly returned, Alaric would have a way to retreat.
Maybe the battle couldn't be avoided, but Alaric wasn't some weakling now!
In the worst-case scenario, they'd fight to the death again, and see who gave out first!
Once he was ready, Alaric activated his perception.
Now, Alaric's spiritual power was enough to cover the entire Earth, so even though the Dark Dimension was also very large, it was strong enough for Alaric to sense where the dark power was most concentrated.
After all, the mysterious energy of the Eternal Night World came from the same source as the Dark Dimension, and Alaric was already very familiar with it.
After several teleports, Alaric finally arrived at the central location of the Dark Dimension.
This was also the place where Dormammu often resided.
The dark power here was extremely strong, and any white mage who came here would be easily corrupted by this force.
But luckily, Alaric wasn't afraid of it, he even enjoyed it!
As he approached, Alaric saw an indescribably pure, powerful, and mysterious energy floating in the air, even glowing faintly with a ghostly light.
That energy was about the size of a small car!
Compared to the egg-sized portion Dormammu had given him earlier, this sphere in front of him was simply a massive quantity!
It also proved that Dormammu truly hadn't been home for a long time.
Moreover, perhaps because the Dark Dimension was larger than the Eternal Night World, there was more mysterious energy here.
"Hehehe~ Dormammu, then I'll help myself without hesitation!"
Alaric stretched out his hand toward the mysterious energy, then began to absorb it.
Dormammu could never have imagined that someone, as soon as he left, would come to rob his very home!!
And that it would be the one he hated most!!