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Thinking of this, Wanda quickly lowered her head, pretending to drink tea to hide the smile she could barely suppress.
Ancient One put down her teacup. She glanced at Wanda, who was lost in thought, a flicker of amusement in her eyes, before turning to Homelander.
"I merely sensed the power of an Asgardian deity. Yet, the source of that power is a human, which is rare, especially here on Earth."
"While I can certainly glimpse the future, I rarely use that ability, Mr. Starr."
"Why?" Wanda couldn't help but interject. "If you have that ability... I mean, if you can see the future, couldn't you prevent many disasters?"
"Disasters?" Ancient One smiled, a hint of helplessness in her tone. "Child, the future is not a straight highway. It is a tree with countless branches."
"Every glimpse, every change made based on that foresight, can sprout new limbs—new timelines. Who can know if a new timeline will breed new disasters."
"Unless you live like an ascetic, strictly following a predetermined script step by step to maintain that so-called 'outcome.' But that is exhausting, and... quite boring."
"And right now..." Ancient One sighed, "...I have enough things to worry about."
"Therefore, I prefer living in the present."
"A wise choice." Homelander nodded. "Since you haven't read the script, I'll be blunt."
Homelander reached out and wrapped his arm around Wanda beside him, as if presenting a prized creation.
"I brought you a student."
"Wanda Maximoff. Exceptionally talented, limitless potential. I think the courses here would suit her well."
"I want her to study here with you and learn some proper magic."
Wanda immediately straightened up, looking nervously at Ancient One.
Ancient One's gaze slowly shifted toward Wanda.
"I apologize."
Her refusal was swift and decisive.
"Why?" Wanda asked urgently, instinctively.
Ancient One picked up her teacup and gently blew away the foam.
"In the future I have foreseen, there is no place for you, child."
"Taking you on would not only break the established trajectory but could also trigger a chain reaction I cannot predict."
"Change means risk."
"And right now, risk is the last thing I need."
Wanda's eyes instantly dimmed.
Homelander didn't get angry about the refusal; instead, he let out a soft chuckle.
"Established trajectory?"
"Sorcerer Ancient One, we are both intelligent people. Don't use rhetoric meant for fooling children to brush me off."
He extended a finger and pointed toward the sky.
"You should know better than anyone that the place we are in is no longer the so-called'Sacred Timeline.'"
"Many things have already changed."
"For example, me." Homelander pointed to himself. "Me sitting here drinking your milk tea—was that ever in your'script'?"
Ancient One's hand, holding the teacup, paused slightly, and a hint of shock flashed in her eyes.
"The original script has been torn to shreds," Homelander continued. "The established trajectory has changed. What's the point of clinging to an ending that no longer exists?"
Ancient One fell silent.
She looked at Homelander, and what surfaced in her eyes was a sense of relief?
"Yes..."
Ancient One let out a long sigh, a breath that seemed to release centuries of suppression.
"You are very right, Mr. Starr."
"In fact, starting two years ago... I realized I could no longer see the future."
"The previously clear River of Time has turned into a dense fog."
As she spoke, she suddenly revealed a genuine smile.
"While this perplexed me, it also gave me a sense of freedom I had never experienced before."
Wanda, standing nearby, was completely confused.
"Um..." She cautiously raised her hand. "What is the Sacred Timeline? And what's this about a script?"
She looked at Homelander, slightly panicked.
"Anthony... is it because of me? Did I mess something up again?"
"Shh—"
Homelander turned around and gently pressed his finger against Wanda's lips.
"The Sacred Timeline, well..."
"It's just a bunch of boring people who set up a script, dictating when you're born, when you suffer, and when you die."
"If you don't follow the script, they delete you."
Wanda shivered slightly upon hearing this. "That sounds terrifying."
"Yes, it is terrifying."
Homelander smiled, his grin unrestrained and confident.
"But now, I won't allow it."
"I've already torn up the script."
"In this World, no one can dictate your destiny."
"Nor is there any predetermined tragedy."
Homelander looked into Wanda's eyes and said earnestly.
"As long as I am here."
"Your future will only follow the path I want you to take."
"That is... doing what you want to do, and loving who you want to love."
"Oh... Starr." Wanda's heart completely melted.
She looked into Homelander's azure eyes, feeling as if she had fallen into the ocean, yet having no desire to struggle.
"Notification! Gained special popularity value +5,000! (From Wanda Maximoff)"
"I apologize for interrupting you two..."
Ancient One, oblivious to romance, interrupted this moment of public affection.
"But I must say, what flows within her is not ordinary magic. It is Chaos magic."
"Disorderly, warping, reality-altering."
Ancient One extended her hand, and a golden magical array lit up in her palm, filled with the orderly beauty of geometry.
"And what Kamar-Taj practices is White magic. Building rules, defending dimensions."
"These two are like Water and Fire, disorder and order."
"If she is forced to practice White magic, the two opposing forces clashing within her could very likely lead to disaster."
As she spoke, Ancient One's gaze suddenly turned toward Homelander.
That look was like a treasure appraiser discovering a rare, unpolished jade.
"However, Mr. Starr."
"You are different."
"Hmm?" Homelander was startled.
"I sensed it the moment you stepped onto this rooftop."
Ancient One stood up and walked over to Homelander.
"Within your body... hides an astonishing trait."
It has no attribute, no leaning. It is like a blank sheet of paper, capable of being written upon in any language; like a universal interface, compatible with any energy.
"Your affinity for magical elements is unlike anything I have ever witnessed."
Ancient One's eyes shone brightly, and she extended her hand toward Homelander, issuing a formal invitation.
"How about... you become my disciple?"
"If only you are willing, I can give the Sorcerer Supreme position..."
"Stop! Stop!"
Homelander quickly waved his hands, even scooting his chair back, as if avoiding a salesman.
"Sorcerer Ancient One, please wait. I appreciate your invitation, but I refuse."
He pointed to his iconic Stars and Stripes Suit, looking utterly bewildered.
"Just imagine the scene."
"Me, Homelander. Flying in the sky, not using Heat Vision, not using my fists."
"But instead, daintily pinching my fingers and drawing circles?"
"This completely doesn't fit my persona! I'll lose all my fans!"