Reborn: An Apprentice at Kamar-Taj

"No interest, not interested, goodbye!"

Alvin rejected the offer Third Company, then without hesitation, got up, turned around, and was about to leave.

Are you kidding me?

Becoming the Sorcerer Supreme is impossible for him in this lifetime unless he's insane!

What is the Sorcerer Supreme? It sounds wonderful—a supreme White Magic master who protects all humanity and upholds justice.

Backed by the powerful "Vishanti," he is almost always at their beck and call, capable of Thanos and taking down Dimensional Demon God.

Even the Celestials didn't dare to show themselves easily while the Ancient One was alive. Why?

Because of "Vishanti," a multiverse-level, triune deity, he is practically the pinnacle of Marvel!

But is it really that good?

Many people probably understand the principle that there is no such thing as a free lunch, and there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Alvin didn't know much about the comics, but he knew very well that the representatives of the "Vishanti" also had to pay a price, just like the God King of Asgard.

However, he had only taken a couple of steps when he found himself still stuck in the same spot, as if the space and time around him were caught in a multi-layered spiral loop.

Ancient One touched the ground with his index finger, and an invisible magical power spread out.

Like the ancient Indian Buddha, who could subdue demons with a mere flick of his finger, Alvin was like the mischievous Monkey King in front of her, forever unable to escape the Buddha's grasp.

"Is the Sorcerer Supreme planning to forcibly detain me?" Alvin's eyes narrowed, and he was already preparing to call the Navigator.

It has forcibly escaped this universe.

"There's no need to be so nervous."

Ancient One's face showed a hint of helplessness, and she sighed, "I was just asking. Since you're unwilling, I won't force this responsibility on you."

Upon hearing this, Alvin lowered his guard slightly, but he was still prepared to make a run for it at any moment.

"Come here, sit down—I mean no harm."

Ancient One seemed curious as to why he refused so decisively. "Can you tell me why you're unwilling to become the Sorcerer Supreme?"

"Because I don't believe that such a cheap and good thing could fall into my lap." Alvin couldn't understand what she was thinking, so he could only obediently sit down and patiently explain.

I want to hear the truth.

Ancient One smiled knowingly and said, "Don't worry, I haven't lived this long for nothing. As long as we don't mention specific names, our conversation here today will go unnoticed."

Specific name?

Alvin seemed to have guessed something; this must refer to "Vishanti," so he said directly, "I don't want to be a manipulated puppet. Is that a valid reason?"

"As expected, you found out too—"

Ancient One's face showed an expression of "I knew it," and she slowly said, "Actually, it's not as bad as you think."

"It's just a job, and the pay is much better than you imagine. Aren't you going to consider it?"

"For example?"

"Alvin asked."

"From the moment you stepped in here, I could sense that within your soul—there are several conflicting wills." Ancient One's expression turned solemn as he said in a deep voice, "War? Slaughter? Courage? Wisdom? Hope? Life? Disease? Pain? Desire? It's all very chaotic—even I rarely see so many traces of 'authority' in one person at the same time."

Alvin's lips twitched.

Destroying him is understandable; it should be the authority of that Yellow Skin, the force of war, slaughter, courage, and wisdom.

He could understand things like hope—perhaps it was Khorne's blessing, and the birdman Tzeentch.

But the question is—what the hell are life, disease, suffering, and desire?!

When did those two start targeting him?

"Could you help me get rid of all these things?" Alvin asked nervously.

He was truly panicked. He could barely handle one or two, but the combined selection of the Four Gods was out of the question. The last one had already had his soul reduced to ashes!

Yes, he's talking about Horus!

His eldest son was brutally murdered by his own father, his soul vanishing into nothingness. He didn't want to end up like that.

Upon hearing this, Ancient One did not answer directly, but instead asked him indirectly from another angle, "If a person loses courage, hope, life, and desire, what do you think he will become?"

"... Even you can't?" Alvin understood the meaning behind the Ancient One's words, and his expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

"I don't know who planted those traces of 'authority' in your soul, but I can tell you this—" Ancient One sighed and said, "What makes a person human is that they possess these things, and unless they are a stone, they simply cannot be driven away."

Looking at Alvin's pained expression, the Ancient One explained, "Those things in your soul have two sides; they are both your 'evil' and your 'good.' As long as you are a sentient being with thoughts and emotions, you cannot escape these things. Don't worry too much; as long as you stay true to yourself, you can avoid being influenced by them."

"Master, I have a question for you." Alvin's expression suddenly turned serious as he stared at the Ancient One and asked, "If there were a place that could reflect the emotions and souls of life, and ultimately, from the echoes of all living beings' souls, a materialized Evil God was born, embodying war and courage, destruction and creation, life and disease, pain and desire, hope and conspiracy, how could we completely eliminate them?"

For the first time ever, the Ancient One fell silent.

After all, the Dimensional Demon God she faced possessed all sorts of world-destroying powers, yet they had never encountered such a bizarre being.

They are said to be Evil God, but as Alvin described, they are products of the emotions and souls of all living beings. How can they be destroyed?

Can you truly destroy such ethereal concepts as "hope," "life," "desire," and "courage"?

I'm afraid very few people could do it. Perhaps Vishanti could, but—what would the price be?

From the perspective of the essence of life, erasing these external emotions and turning life into a product like rock might completely solve the problem, but this method is merely a side path and a heretical approach!

"I'm sorry, I can't do it." Ancient One shook her head and said helplessly, "As far as I know, existences that are so close to 'concepts' are very difficult to eradicate completely. Even if their physical forms are destroyed, they will be reborn over a long period of time."

Even the Sorcerer Supreme was helpless against the Chaos Gods —although he had long suspected it, Alvin was still somewhat disappointed when the real answer was presented to him.

It's not that the Chaos Gods can't be dealt with, but rather that the influence of the Warp cannot be fundamentally and completely eradicated.

"I was overthinking it—they are the Chaos Gods, after all. How could they be dealt with so easily?" Alvin sighed inwardly, then turned to the Ancient One: "Thank you for clearing my mind, Sorcerer. Besides this matter, do you have any other requests?"

"It's very simple."

The Ancient One smiled and pointed here, "I want you to stay in Kamar-Taj, by my side, and learn magic for three months. That's my first 'requirement'."

"That simple?"

Alvin's eyelids twitched; he suspected something was amiss!

"It's that simple." Ancient One took a sip of tea and said calmly, "After three months, no matter what level you've reached, you must leave Kamar-Taj. But during your studies, there's a rule you must abide by."

"What rules?" Alvin breathed a sigh of relief; he knew it wouldn't be that simple.

"You are not allowed to see anyone during your studies."

Ancient One set down her teacup, her gaze slightly narrowed. "Even the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj are forbidden from communicating with anyone or telling anyone. You studied here; can you abide by this?"

"What a strange rule," Alvin thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement, "It doesn't seem to have any downsides. So I'll let you in on this: if you don't release them later, don't blame me."

"Rest assured."

Ancient One smiled and said, "I will not force you to stay. After three months, even if you want to stay here, I will send you away."