A... Sorcerer?!!

Earth, Kamar-Taj.

On a platform built of stone slabs, a group of brown-robed monks practiced spells. Ancient One walked around the steps with her hands behind her back, occasionally offering reminders and guidance.

Only the final step remained in her transaction with Black Count. Having laid down her burden, Ancient One felt calmer than she had ever been.

Within her personal realm of consciousness, everything happening now had already happened once before. She was merely following the timeline she had last observed and walking the path of fate once more.

"Stephen, keep your right hand steady." Ancient One stopped before a long-faced white man and turned around with her hands still behind her back.

"Any spell involving spatial effects requires a stable spatial structure. The sling ring is merely an auxiliary tool. The spatial framework drawn by the sorcerer is what truly matters."

"I'll... try." Stephen, who had yet to become Doctor Strange, nodded. His eyes were dry and lifeless beneath deeply sunken dark circles.

He continued practicing the spell, drawing a shaggy egg-shaped circle in the air with orange-yellow streaks of fire.

The opened portal flickered for a second before exploding with a pop.

Thud!

"S-Sorcerer Supreme." Steve dropped to one knee, panting heavily.

"I... think I need to rest for a while."

Ancient One: "..."

She looked at the other apprentices, who were also staring at her expectantly, and silently sighed.

"All right, that's enough for today."

"Yes!" *N

The apprentices then left excitedly.

The plump Wang came over, checked Stephen, who was lying on the ground dry-heaving, and shrugged at Ancient One. "He's fine. He's just exhausted. He'll be all right after some sleep."

"Mm. Then I'll leave him to you, Wang."

"Don't mention it!" Wang smiled, bowed to Ancient One, then hoisted Stephen onto his shoulder