At the level of a single universe, Alaric's understanding was that, within one universe, it meant becoming the strongest in that universe and reaching the upper limit of one's own power.
The next breakthrough beyond that is the so-called multiversal level.
The multiverse, on the other hand, contains countless individual universes, among which is the one where Alaric currently resides.
A normal single-universe cosmic level is roughly equal to the Heavenly Father level, similar to an existence like Odin.
And one of the reasons why Alaric had always been vague about his power level was because he had no reference; even Odin couldn't serve as a standard, since they hadn't fought each other, so Alaric didn't know where the limit of their strength lay.
That's why he always thought he was probably close to the Heavenly Father level, or near the level of a single universe.
Until now, when Alaric connected his Eternal Night World with the Dark Dimension, Alaric's consciousness also fused with the Dark Dimension.
At that moment, Alaric, with the help of the Dark Dimension, gained cosmic awareness and saw the endless universe.
It was precisely at that moment that Alaric suddenly realized that his previous power, although infinitely close to the level of a single universe, had still not fully reached it.
But now, because he had suddenly received an immense amount of dark power, his Eternal Night World began to expand, and Alaric broke through the final layer of the barrier, and his power ascended.
Alaric only thought, and his consciousness rose again, left the Dark Dimension, and arrived in deep space.
Here, Alaric could see countless shining planets, see meteors, meteorites, nebulae, black holes rushing at great speed… and various cosmic wonders, all sorts of magical sights!!
Alaric closed his eyes, and his consciousness flooded the entire universe.
He encountered Thanos, his legion, the Guardians of the Galaxy, the Nine Realms, Odin, Earth, the Ancient One, and so on.
At this moment, Alaric felt he could do anything!!
It was an experience he had never felt before!
As if suddenly the clouds had parted, the fog dispersed, Alaric was instantly enlightened!
Now Alaric was the universe itself!
Cosmic awareness, that was Alaric's consciousness!
Before, Alaric had been satisfied with becoming a god, but compared to his current state, it was truly like sitting at the bottom of a well and looking at a small piece of sky.
This inevitably made him start wondering what it would feel like to be at the multiversal level, above the single-universe level.
It must surely give the illusion of being a Supreme Creator God!!
After all, at the multiversal level, even a single sneeze could destroy an individual universe at will.
From that, one can see how powerful that level is.
As for an even higher level, the all-powerful universe level, Alaric couldn't even imagine what that power would be like.
For now, he could only look up to it.
But Alaric had hope regarding it, what if one day he too could become one of the all-powerful beings?
...
Deep in space, just as Alaric's consciousness appeared and encompassed the entire universe, a gaze crossed through space and time and fell on Alaric in the Dark Dimension.
"Alaric… Student of Kamar-Taj, student of the Ancient One? Not bad."
Eternity cast a glance at Alaric and withdrew it.
Alaric's emergence stirred a trace of interest in Eternity, especially when he sensed that Alaric was a disciple of the Ancient One.
...
"Who was that?"
A massive figure walking through deep space suddenly raised its head; just now it had felt a consciousness that passed over its body and quickly disappeared.
Arishem, one of the Celestials, was also responsible for overseeing the birth of Earth's Celestial, creator of the Eternals and the Mutants.
"Hm? Someone has actually raised their power to this level?"
Arishem was surprised, but soon returned to his duties.
After all, that matter didn't have much to do with him.
Had he known that the newly born consciousness came from Earth, who knows if he would've rushed there immediately.
...
Asgard.
Odin's eyes suddenly froze and became serious.
"This surveillance…"
Likewise, Odin had sensed Alaric.
For someone to so openly observe Asgard, in Odin's opinion, that was something only a handful of beings could do.
And those beings probably wouldn't investigate Asgard without a reason.
And…
"Why does this feel familiar?"
"Wait! That's Alaric!?"
Odin frowned and thought, trying to recall where he had felt this presence before, then suddenly exclaimed!
He remembered, wasn't this familiar feeling Alaric!?
"But how did he… grow so strong so quickly!?"
Odin was shaken inside.
How much time had passed since he first met that mage?
For Odin, who had lived nearly 5,000 years, this short time was merely a blink for a god!
That's why Odin was shocked by Alaric's progress; he could say that the last time he saw something like this was a very, very long time ago, when he first met Agamotto.
And speaking of Agamotto…
"Isn't this all the same family!? How are those old gods so insanely strong!?"
Damn it!
Odin then recalled that Alaric seemed to be Oshtur's descendant, Agamotto's brother!
Such talent made Odin want to cry with envy!
Unlike Asgard, where power is accumulated over time, the older you are, the stronger you are.
But the existence of Agamotto is a completely different story; after they had driven the Celestials away from Earth together, not long after, Agamotto left Earth to find Oshtur.
Then Odin heard that Agamotto, Oshtur, and Hoggoth formed the Trinity of Vishanti, incarnating as an eternal being.
And look at him!
He was just the newly appointed god-king of Asgard!!
Odin never expected that, after countless years, he would again witness a miracle.
And then again be brutally beaten by Agamotto's family.
Odin thought that, all things considered, it wouldn't be long before Alaric would likely catch up to Agamotto.
...
Kamar-Taj.
When Alaric's consciousness passed through the magical barriers and touched the Ancient One, the Ancient One suddenly felt intense unease, as if she had been marked at that moment by some terrifyingly powerful being!
That made the Ancient One tense; had some powerful being arrived on Earth?
Or had some enemy from space begun approaching Earth!?
But the Ancient One observed all timelines, and in none of them did she see such a being appearing in this situation!!
And in the timelines she couldn't see, there seemed to be only one, Alaric.
But hadn't Alaric gone to the Dark Dimension!?
The Ancient One stood up, her heart full of anxiety.
"Don't worry."
Suddenly, a voice appeared directly in her mind.
"Lord Eternity?"
"That's your student Alaric; his power has reached the limit of this universe."
"Alaric!? How is that possible!?"
The Ancient One's scream echoed in her consciousness!
Hadn't Alaric gone to the Dark Dimension?
How did Alaric's power reach the limit of this universe in the blink of an eye!?
What does that mean!!