You Have Too Much Influence on This World

Manhattan, Bleecker Street 177A.

In front of a three-story building, Feeney looked at the iconic symbol on its rooftop and let out a long breath. After more than an hour of searching, he had finally found the place.

Standing before the entrance and looking at the building, Feeney felt a strange sensation. To put it simply, it seemed like the kind of place you could easily overlook if you weren't paying attention.

Feeney didn't know whether it was magic, but he was now hesitating over whether to go inside. Though he had been preparing for nearly a month, he still felt uncertain now that he was actually facing it.

"Come to think of it, with Master Ancient One's abilities, she must be able to see the possibility of me coming here. Maybe she hasn't appeared because she thinks I shouldn't come?"

"No, maybe she's already inside waiting for me and just doesn't want to come out and greet me herself. After all, she's the Sorcerer Supreme. She has to maintain some dignity in front of her disciples."

After a bout of wild speculation, Feeney finally took a step forward and headed into the New York Sanctum.

The front door opened as soon as he pushed it. Once inside, Feeney looked around. The spacious lobby was quiet, and everything had a classical feel to it. A staircase led straight to the second floor.

"Looks like someone's rich."

Looking at the luxurious, aristocratic surroundings, Feeney muttered quietly to himself. After his previous experience, he didn't dare speak recklessly anymore, even when there didn't seem to be anyone around.

"Is anyone here?"

Feeney didn't act rashly. Instead, he stood in the lobby and called out. This was one of the Three Sanctums, after all. Who knew if there were any magical traps set nearby?

Soon, someone came down from upstairs... a Bald Man!?

Seeing the man's completely bald head, Feeney suddenly started worrying about his own hair. Was losing it really going to be the price of learning magic from Master Ancient One?

Thinking of the future Doctor Strange, Feeney put the thought aside for the moment and said to the Sorcerer coming downstairs, "Hello. I'm a disciple Master Ancient One took on recently. My name is Feeney Hails, but you can just call me Feeney."

"A disciple of Master Ancient One?"

The man paused and gave Feeney a puzzled look before replying, "Hello, I'm Daniel Drumm. I'm sorry, Master Hailsaiz, but I haven't heard that Master Ancient One has taken on a disciple recently."

"Uh..."

Feeney gave an awkward cough, then did his best to keep from looking guilty as he replied, "Maybe Master Ancient One thinks I'm not good enough yet, and finds it hard to talk about. Actually, I came to ask Master Daniel to take me to see her. I have some questions I'd like to ask her."

Daniel scrutinized Feeney for a long while. Then, seeming to decide that Feeney wasn't a threat, he nodded and said, "Please, follow me."

Daniel led Feeney to a corner on the left side of the lobby, where there was a closed door.

Feeney watched as Daniel opened the door, only to reveal a stone wall behind it.

Then Daniel made a few strange gestures. Orange-red energy filled the space between his hands, and when he pressed them against the wall, the stone quickly began to change. It slowly turned transparent, until it resembled a curtain of water.

When it came to transportation, Earth really wasn't lacking!

Feeney silently marveled at this. Though Earth seemed rather weak overall at present, if its hidden strength was taken into account, it was enough to surpass many civilizations in the universe.

Stepping through the watery curtain, the two arrived in a place that looked like a library. A huge Earth Model floated motionless in the air above them.

Feeney curiously examined everything around him, especially the many locked Magic Books.

As they passed the Earth Model, Feeney took a closer look at the platform. He didn't see the Eye of Agamotto, made from the Time Stone. It was probably with Master Ancient One.

Daniel led Feeney onward without talking to him along the way.

The time zone changed. By now, it was already evening in Kamar-Taj. The change in the sky made Feeney feel disoriented. The other people they passed on the way only gave his clothes a curious glance; no one paid him much attention.

"Wait here for a moment. I'll go inform Master Ancient One."

When they reached what appeared to be a Reception Room, Daniel asked Feeney to sit and wait for a while, then disappeared.

Feeney sat tensely in his chair. For the past month, he had kept thinking about what to say when he met Master Ancient One and how he could answer if she asked him questions. Now, at last, it was time to face her.

"Welcome to Kamar-Taj, Mr. Hailsaiz."

Soon, a familiar voice sounded beside him. Master Ancient One appeared in the room—brighter, shinier, and more radiant than Daniel—and asked, "Would you like some tea?"

"Thank you. Just call me Feeney, Master."

Feeney hurriedly stood up and replied, looking at her with slight nervousness. Daniel, who had led him here earlier, was beside her.

"Thanks for your effort, Master Daniel. I'd like to speak with Master Feeney now."

After sending Daniel away, only Feeney and Master Ancient One remained in the room. She expertly brewed two cups of tea, then sat down with a smile. "Give it a try. Chinese Longjing. I wonder if it's to your taste."

Feeney didn't refuse. He picked up the teacup and took a sip. His tongue felt slightly dry, but the tea wasn't too bitter, and it left a hint of sweetness in his mouth, accompanied by a fresh fragrance. His head, which had felt a little foggy after making the Compass, cleared up at once.

"Delicious!"

Feeney couldn't help praising it. His knowledge was limited, so he couldn't say much about the tea. It tasted good, and that was all that mattered.

"Thank you!" Master Ancient One smiled and took a sip from her own teacup, her movements graceful and natural.

Feeney hadn't come here to drink tea. Though it was good, he didn't drink much. Seeing Master Ancient One savoring hers, he took the initiative and said, "Master Ancient One, I'd like to learn magic from you. May I?"

"But don't you already know how?"

Master Ancient One looked at him calmly.

"No one minds having more knowledge," Feeney replied seriously. "I still haven't managed to bring out much of that power. I'd like to ask you to teach me."

"What if I told you that I'm the one preventing you from using that power?"

Master Ancient One suddenly said something shocking.

"What!?"

Feeney was stunned. He had expected Master Ancient One might refuse or agree, or perhaps set conditions or restrictions, but he had never expected an answer like that.

Was Master Ancient One connected to the slow progress of the Golden Great Deduction Technique!?

"No one can truly control the future, Mr. Hailsaiz," Master Ancient One said slowly. "I've seen too many possible futures, yet I still feel that the future is unknowable—especially yours."

"Sometimes there are more possibilities in your future than I can imagine. Other times, I can see nothing at all. I'm even unsure whether it was right to choose to meet you then, or now!"

Master Ancient One stepped in front of Feeney and looked straight at him with a deep gaze. "The power you possess is frightening, Feeney. You might make this world a better place, but you might also bring about its destruction sooner."

"Feeney Hails, you have too much influence on this world!"