Only Magic Can Defeat Magic

Feeney had once imagined the scene of meeting Ancient One. Back when he first drew the 'Sumire's Fried Chicken Roll,' he'd worriedly considered going to her to learn magic.

But he was too young at the time, and Skye had just arrived at home, so he never followed through. Later, when he discovered that the 'Golden Great Deduction Technique' could be trained and improved, he temporarily shelved the idea.

As Iron Man's C-position debut drew closer and his own strength grew slowly, Feeney had actually been thinking about seeking her out again. He'd planned that if his third draw turned out badly, he'd go to Kamar-Taj to find Ancient One, ideally figuring out a way to settle there.

In Feeney's impression, there was no safer place on Earth than by Ancient One's side.

Aliens, Hulk—she could crush them all with one hand and keep them down. That was the power of Ceiling Power. The entire planet was protected by Master Ancient One alone.

So in Feeney's imagination, he would approach her with a devout heart, walking a pilgrim's path, wearing a respectful expression. It would be a beautiful scene.

But now...

He lay on the ground, filthy and undignified, having just been caught badmouthing someone behind their back. The most awkward part was being overheard on the spot.

His dream was shattered!

Feeney felt that if he could use the Time Stone, he'd rewind time to before Ancient One arrived and tape his own mouth shut.

"You... you..."

Ancient One's sudden appearance left Feeney speechless. He couldn't figure out why she was here!

"Hello, First Meeting, Mr. Helsay!"

Ancient One smiled as she Looked Down at Feeney on the ground. Her expression was kind and warm, but Feeney felt nothing but Trembling with Fear.

Feeney struggled to sit up, forcing himself to Calm Down. Then he pretended not to recognize her and asked with Trembling with Fear, "Who are you?"

"Oh? Aren't I the Bald Man you were talking about?"

Ancient One put on a puzzled look, still watching Feeney with a smiling gaze. The amusement in her eyes made Feeney More and More nervous.

"..."

Feeney didn't know how to answer. From what he knew, Ancient One was definitely part of the Good Faction. With the Time Stone, she wasn't just top-tier in power—her control over the future and the past was second to none.

The future!?

Suddenly, Feeney felt he understood something. He looked at Ancient One before him, thought deeply for a moment, and finally sighed. "First Meeting, Master Ancient One!"

From her attitude, Feeney figured that if she knew his future, their relationship must be pretty close. And since he'd planned to latch onto her anyway, it made sense they'd have a good relationship in the future.

Ancient One nodded with a smile, staying silent. She didn't seem surprised at all that Feeney recognized her.

"So... Master Ancient One..."

Ancient One didn't speak, but Feeney couldn't hold it in. He didn't have the Time Stone to spoil future plotlines, so he desperately wanted to know why she'd suddenly shown up.

"Is there something you need from me?"

Hearing his question, Ancient One immediately shook her head, looking unconcerned. "Nothing much. Just a bit bored, so I thought I'd come see you."

You're the Sorcerer Supreme. You're supposed to protect Earth. If Dormammu knew you were this idle, he'd be heartbroken.

Feeney silently complained. Even though this was their true First Meeting, there was no awkwardness between them.

Since things had reached this point, Feeney figured there was no point worrying. After a moment's thought, he asked directly, "Master Ancient One, how do you know about me?"

"Just what you're thinking!"

Ancient One sat down beside him without caring about the dirt, completely ignoring Feeney's constipated expression at her answer.

Just what I'm thinking, my foot...

Feeney didn't even know what he was thinking. There were too many ways Ancient One could know about him, and he couldn't guess. So he asked again, "Is it because we know each other in the future?"

Ancient One's deep eyes studied him for a moment. She neither nodded nor shook her head, just replied, "Maybe!"

Feeney felt exhausted. This feeling—that she might know everything about him while he only knew a little—was unbearable. So he decided to set aside the question of how she knew him for now.

Ancient One was Earth's top Strongman and a Super Big Shot on the Magic Side. If he ran into her and didn't try to latch onto her and get some benefits, he'd be letting himself down.

Thinking it, he acted. Feeney put on a sincere expression and said, "Master Ancient One, I've admired you for a long time. I've always wanted to learn magic from you. Could you check my aptitude?"

Ancient One thought for a moment before nodding. "It's just average."

Feeney's heart sank. It was like wanting to compliment someone, but finding they weren't handsome or smart, so you could only say they were tall.

Though he refused to accept her judgment, Feeney didn't argue. Instead, he seized the opportunity. "So I do have talent for magic? Can I learn from you?"

Ancient One didn't refuse. Instead, she looked at him curiously and asked, "Why do you want to learn magic?"

"To protect The Entire Universe!"

Feeney declared with righteous fervor. It wasn't a lie. He wanted to get stronger to stop Thanos's 'Family Planning'—half the life in the universe. If he could prevent the Snap Fingers, he'd definitely be a Cosmic Level protector.

A flicker of surprise seemed to pass through Ancient One's eyes. She gave a silent smile, then changed the subject. "How has your Sister been These Years?"

Hearing her ask about Skye, Feeney felt a bit strange but answered honestly, "She's doing well."

Then he voiced his doubt. "Master Ancient One, is there something wrong with my Sister?"

"Nothing." Ancient One shook her head, seeming a little wistful. "I was just remembering how someone once altered the rules of the world just to have a Sister."

"..."

In that instant, Feeney suddenly understood a lot. He seemed to know why his first use of the 'Golden Great Deduction Technique' had succeeded and why he'd gained so much experience.

Perhaps—no, it must have been that Ancient One did something behind the scenes to finally succeed in unleashing such a powerful 'Golden Great Deduction Technique.'

Just how strong Ancient One was, Feeney didn't know, but he only knew she was incredibly strong, so it was far from impossible for her to have found a way to detect his use of the 'Golden Great Deduction Technique.'

A novel magic he had never seen before, combined with the fact that what he wanted to do wasn't harmful—out of curiosity, secretly giving a push to analyze it—that was entirely something Ancient One could do.

However, since Ancient One could secretly help, she could just as easily sabotage. The invincible effect of the 'Golden Great Deduction Technique' in Feeney's mind was gone.

At that moment, Feeney suddenly recalled a saying from some old man:

Only magic can defeat magic!

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