Ancient One Is Unworthy

"So, we're descendants of Merlin?"

Yuri was a little overwhelmed. In the Marvel universe, Merlin was at the top of the food chain, controlling time and space, known as the "Omnipotent Cosmic Guardian."

Did it have to be this big?

I just picked someone good-looking at random, how did I get involved with someone who can beat up the Gods Group!

In a moment, Yuri had the urge to flee. If Merlin discovered that his descendant's identity had been usurped by a non-human entity, even if he had long transcended reality and detached himself from worldly affairs, even the slightest accident could lead to his annihilation.

"Yes, the noblest blood flows through us, blessed and protected from birth."

Rob pointed to several portraits on the study wall. "This blessing protects us, allowing us to find a sliver of hope for survival no matter how dire the circumstances. This is why your grandfather returned unscathed from war, and why I'm so fond of extreme challenges."

Rob carefully took out a book from the bookshelf, then took down a second, a third... in a specific order. Books of varying thickness formed a mystical formation on the table. As Rob placed the last book in its special position, intense energy fluctuations emanated from the books. Under Yuri's gaze, threads of cosmic energy solidified from nothingness, eventually coalescing into an exquisite pendant suspended in mid-air.

"This is the Holy Sword and the Holy Shield."

Rob's eyes, fixed on the pendant, were filled with fervor. He recalled, "Every direct descendant of the family, after completing the trials passed down through generations, has one chance to undergo the baptism of the sacred objects. This baptism can make you immune to all illnesses, granting health and longevity. It can also detect if you possess magical talent and are capable of receiving the inheritance from our great ancestors."

"Yuri Ambrosius, my son, please wear the sacred object on your chest now."

Yuri pondered for a moment, then cautiously reached out with both hands towards the pendant floating in mid-air. An ancient chain slowly appeared, and the pendant, as if possessing a will of its own, landed in his hand. A soul-stirring warmth swept through his entire body. In an instant, Yuri lost all control over his body as countless golden patterns, representing the abilities of various Eternals, emerged one by one.

Under the influence of some mysterious power, they slowly converged and merged. Some of the profound and complex lines thickened, others thinned, and some disappeared entirely.

The chain slowly placed the pendant around Yuri's neck. Immediately, the Holy Sword and Holy Shield, which had seemed welded together, separated. The chain split into two, connecting to the end of the Holy Sword's hilt and the grip of the Holy Shield, respectively.

The two sacred objects fell into Yuri's unconsciously raised palms, then materialized from solid to void, drilling into Yuri's skin and leaving behind markings that resembled tattoos.

Yuri's slightly eerie golden double pupils slowly converged, merging to form new dark golden pupils in a concentric circle pattern. The unknown modification then entered its final stage. Mysterious forces, invisible to the naked eye, slowly relinquished control of his body and, having accomplished their task, retreated into the two imprints on his palms, disappearing without a trace.

"Hah... hah... hah..."

As if he were about to suffocate but suddenly found fresh air, Yuri, regaining control of his body, gasped for breath. He raised his hand, looking at the lifelike tattoos on his palms with a sense of apprehension. These two entities had orchestrated his recent evolution. Their unmatched, formidable power had effortlessly seized control of his body. Even their residual might had forced his soul, which was already superior to most Earthlings, to the furthest corner of his consciousness.

But fortunately, they bore no ill will towards him, even though Yuri's soul was that of a terrifying Mutant.

"How are you, my son?"

Rob could vaguely sense Yuri's changes, and coupled with what he had just witnessed, he had reason to suspect that his son had regained the ancestral inheritance that had been lost for three generations!

"Not bad."

Yuri attempted to mobilize Jinger's energy gathering superpower but found that all his superpowers had merged within him, combining into a "seed" radiating a strong primal aura. There were no longer "Jinger's energy gathering superpower" or "Ajak's healing superpower" and so on. All the superpowers Yuri had absorbed had been completely transformed into "Yuri's superpowers" under the influence of the "seed."

Seeing that he seemed to be sensing himself, Rob cautiously asked, "So, have you learned any magic?"

"NO."

A spark of golden fire appeared out of thin air, then countless sparks spun and expanded. Then, under Yuri's watchful gaze, a bald woman in a yellow robe, holding a folding fan, emerged. She scrutinized Yuri from head to toe, her deep eyes seeming to see right through him. No one spoke. In the increasingly tense atmosphere, the Ancient One smiled slightly and actually bowed to Yuri.

"It is an honor to meet you, successor of Merlin the Holy Mage, great leader of the Mutants, Mr. Yuri Ambrosius. I am the current Sorcerer Supreme of Earth—the Ancient One."

Yuri could feel that she was bowing to Merlin, whom he represented, not to him, the solitary leader of the Mutants. He intended to return the courtesy with a polite bow, but the two tattoos on his palms suddenly erupted with a bone-chilling heat, clearly telling Yuri that the Ancient One was not worthy of a reciprocal bow.

"Uh..."

Yuri gave an awkward smile and was about to explain when the Ancient One spoke first, "It's alright. Merlin the Holy Mage's inheritance is kept in Kamar-Taj's astral dimension. If you have time, you can visit 177A Bleecker Street, Manhattan, New York. Show them the imprints on your palms, and someone will guide you to Kamar-Taj."

With that, the Ancient One stepped back into the portal. Yuri could see what appeared to be the endless void, but there were no stars in sight, only an infinite darkness that seemed capable of swallowing everything.

"Swish!"

The portal closed instantly. Apart from the faint spatial fluctuations Yuri could sense, everything else in the study seemed the same as it had a few minutes earlier.

"So, have you learned any magic?"

The exact same voice, the exact same tone, the exact same expression, and the exact same action. Yuri narrowed his eyes. Was Merlin's inheritance that important? Important enough for the Ancient One to use the Time Stone?

Some thoughts flashed through his mind. Yuri's face regained its smile. He gathered a pea-sized energy ball at his fingertips, blasting a shallow but distinct crater into the study's sturdy door.

He was truly happy. Today, he had finally resolved the only existence on Earth that could pose a fatal threat to him at this stage. Of course, it couldn't be called a resolution. Judging by the Ancient One's attitude today, it was more like turning a potential future enemy into an ally. Moreover, from now on, any unusual behavior he displayed could be attributed to Kamar-Taj, hidden deep in the mountains.

Fast runner, can hypnotize, can build mechs, can heal...

It's all because I learned magic.

Don't believe me?

Then go ask Master Ancient One yourself!