"Why are there two cloaks here?"
Lucas asked with genuine curiosity.
"Oh, those two? According to the records, the sorcerer who wove them originally intended to make only one.
For reasons no one understands, he ended up weaving a second one—the blue one."
The guardian explained after thinking for a moment. Fortunately, he had once read about this in the archives of Kamar-Taj, or he wouldn't have been able to answer.
Lucas nodded and walked back to the red cloak.
It looked exactly like the one from the movies—except its inner lining wasn't the movie's grid pattern, but a detailed magic-circle design, making it appear far more exquisite.
The red cloak seemed to be studying Lucas in return, turning wherever he moved.
Just as he was about to step back—
the red cloak extended the tip of its fabric to tap the glass.
And Lucas, as if compelled, raised his finger and tapped the same spot.
Instantly, a magic circle flared to life.
A burst of violent energy tore through Lucas's body—his azure and violet magical powers roared simultaneously.
Winds howled, lightning coiled around him, and the raw force made every sentient artifact in the Sanctum start to wail in distress.
Only the blue cloak remained unaffected—protected by some strange aura surrounding it.
But even that aura began to tremble violently.
The eruption came fast… and vanished just as quickly.
In a heartbeat, Lucas's energy calmed.
The magical artifacts quieted down.
And the blue cloak metaphorically wiped cold sweat off its nonexistent brow.
Under the stunned gaze of the guardian and Wanda—
CRASH!
The red cloak burst out of its display case and flew straight at Lucas, wrapping itself around him.
Its two metal clasps snapped tightly to his chest.
The cloak had chosen him.
Lucas froze.
He had only been curious—yet the artifact that should have belonged to Doctor Strange had just acknowledged him instead.
What was Strange going to wear now? Air?
"Wh—what just happened?!"
He looked at the guardian, baffled and delighted at the same time.
He tried to remove the cloak, but it stayed firmly attached, refusing to budge.
"T-this…"
Even the guardian was dumbfounded.
True, magical artifacts in the Sanctum chose their own masters—but normally, only Kamar-Taj sorcerers were eligible, and only with the Ancient One's approval.
But this wasn't just a selection—
the cloak had already formed a bond.
Even the Ancient One couldn't forcibly reclaim it now.
It belonged to Lucas and Lucas alone.
---
[Ding~ Congratulations, Host! You have acquired the Marvel-native artifact "Cloak of Levitation."
System modification complete:
– The cloak can now freely alter its size and form according to the host's will
– Completely resistant to fire, water, blades, and bullets
– Flight speed enhanced to match your Chocobo companion
– Indestructible]
The long-forgotten system voice echoed in Lucas's mind.
He had almost forgotten it existed—it hadn't issued a task in ages.
"Holy—where the hell have you been? I thought you unbound yourself.
You've been silent for so long!"
[Ding~ The Host is requested to stop overthinking.
The system is bound to your soul.
It will remain until your death.]
Lucas rolled his eyes.
This thing sure had a talent for ruining moods.
"You said you modified the cloak. Does it still have its own consciousness?"
[Ding~ Affirmative.
The cloak's sentience is fully intact.
Only its abilities were enhanced.
Also—new task issued:
Task: Repel the Chitauri army.
Objective: Defend Earth during the coming invasion and capture Loki alive.
Reward: A new summon fusion.]
"The Chitauri?
So the Avengers storyline is finally about to begin…"
This would be the first major event since Marvel's overarching plot kicked off.
He'd have to make serious preparations.
"What kind of summon will I get next?
If it's Bahamut, I'll be invincible outright…"
Wanda suddenly felt secondhand embarrassment.
Lucas's smirk made him look like a child trying to learn a dog's tricks.
She reached out and slapped his arm lightly, cheeks flushed.
Lucas snapped back to reality and looked at the guardian apologetically.
"Uh… maybe we should consult the Ancient One and see what she thinks?"
The guardian, equally helpless, nodded.
There was definitely no way to handle this without her.
He rapidly formed a set of hand seals, conjuring an orange-gold magic circle.
Everything restored itself—the shattered display case included.
"We'd better find the Sorcerer Supreme immediately."
He guided Lucas and Wanda toward the portal.
---
On the other side stood the Ancient One herself, as if she had been waiting.
"Is the cloak comfortable?"
She asked as though she had known all along that it would choose Lucas.
This must have been the "gift" she mentioned before.
Lucas paused, then understood.
"Uh… thank you, Master Ancient One.
It feels… pretty good."
With a thought, the magic circle inside the cloak lit up.
A full-length black robe materialized over Lucas's body, trimmed with golden runes—
a part of the cloak itself.
Finally, he had a proper battle outfit.
Before this, he had always fought in regular clothing—easy to tear, offering zero protection.
But this robe, as a part of the cloak, was naturally fireproof, waterproof, bladeproof, bulletproof—everything-proof.
He did have some doubts about that claim, though.
Would it actually block heavy weaponry?
Explosives?
A nuke?
He did not want to test it.
The Ancient One nodded approvingly.
"Surprisingly tasteful."
She smiled.
"Since you're here, why not take a tour?"
"Gladly. It's an honor."
Lucas dismissed the robe with a thought; the cloak shrank into a sleek red shoulder-cape.
The Ancient One nodded to the guardian, who then returned to the New York Sanctum.
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