"So, what's the plan?" The Ancient One asked.
"I have some ideas, but I need a few days to plan everything," Ian rubbed his temples and said in a deep voice. "Before that, you must be prepared to hand over Sorcerer Supreme's position in about three months."
"That seems a little quick, but okay. Is there anything specific you want me to do?"
"First, show others that you are mentoring me personally. Second, after one month, let out the rumor that I am the next Sorcerer Supreme. In the second month, let out the rumor that you are retiring; by the third month, we hold a public inauguration ceremony for my new position."
Ian noticed that many mages have great admiration for the Ancient One, so no one will question her decision. However, they may not want to see her retire, and if these people do not respect or accept his authority, it may cause trouble for the implementation of his plan.
"Very good," The Ancient One nodded, and Ian then returned to his room. Morgana appeared and asked, "What is the plan? Do you want to start training these people in arcane magic?"
"Yes, but we can't go the same way as back home."
"I was just about to suggest an alternative because we are running out of time." Empire's magic system requires too much time, energy, and resources; since they only have less than thirty years left, that system is not applicable.
"What's your plan?" she asked.
"I have already designed it. Look." Ian waved his hand in the air. Morgana looked at the diagram in front of him and fell into deep thought. "This plan is very good, especially because this world prefers the magic of mages."
"That's what I thought too."
"In that case, let's get to work. We still have a lot to do," said the purple-haired House-elf, who was dressed like a mage.
Ian started his work, and from the next day, he will receive instruction from Mordo in the morning, read at the Library in the afternoon, and study with the Ancient One at night. Then, as he said, in just two weeks, he will master all the knowledge of Kamar-Taj.
Mirror Space:
Ian bends the entire New York city, turning skyscrapers into the sky. "This world's understanding and application of Mirror Space is indeed very advanced."
"Indeed," Morgana nodded, and she also started stacking skyscrapers to create a building that goes from the ground to the moon; she was having so much fun. "I think if we can survive this turmoil, we can gain huge benefits in this world."
Ian agreed. After applying what he had learned for a few hours, he left Mirror Space to continue his work. However, as soon as he appeared, Mordo rushed into his room.
"Emergency: We are under attack."
"By whom? Or by something?"
"Beast Dimension," Mordo replied, he seemed to be hesitating.
"What's wrong?"
"The Ancient One hopes you will join the war."
"What's wrong with this?"
Mordo sighed, "You may be Kamar-Taj the most talented mage in history. But that doesn't change the fact that you are still young and inexperienced. I'm worried that she may have sent you to the battlefield too early."
Ian looked at him with a strange expression. You must know that he is centuries older than Mordo - no, thousands of years. However, he still accepted the latter's concern. In the past, he may have thought that it was right to let Mordo follow his original path, but he will not do so now, for many reasons.
First of all, he saw that Mordo is a kind and reasonable person, but he is a bit stubborn in his behavior. His behavior of pushing the Ancient One to Divine Altar was one of the reasons that led to his future fall. Secondly, if he wanted to have a chance of survival in the Multiverse war, he could not give up such a talented mage.
Ian patted his shoulder, "I've seen horrors you can't imagine. And, I'm centuries older than you."
Mordo looked at him, "Are you serious?"
"I don't have to lie," Ian replied. "Talent alone is not enough to explain why I can learn and adapt so quickly."
"Have you dabbled in the occult before?"
"Yes, and have been involved for centuries. However, my ways are different from yours, so I need to adapt," he explained.
"But..."
"I know you have many questions, but you will have answers soon. Now, let's go."
Ian went to a place in the temple. He was first teleported to New York Sanctum, and then teleported to an unknown location with purple sky, purple earth and purple grass. In the distance stood a black portal, surrounded by countless mages.
"This is Dimension Eraser," Ian commented.
"That's right," said the Ancient One, who opened the portal next to him. "I think you should see how we face these threats, and maybe see if you can make some improvements."
Ian nodded and watched the battle. Those ferocious beasts that looked like mutated creatures on the earth would become extremely weak once they passed through the portal, which gave the mages a considerable chance of winning in the battle.
Mages are very organized. Weaker and less experienced mages work together to shield others, or use attacks like arcane whips to restrain enemies. More powerful mages engage the creatures head-on.
The two creatures saw Ian and the Ancient One in the distance, leaped tens of meters into the air and rushed toward them. Ian waved his hand to open a portal and then closed it instantly, cutting the creature in half. The Ancient One remained quiet, without even blinking.
Ian leaned down and looked at the creature, "How do you deal with these corpses?"
"We used some of them to make magic weapons, but most of them were sent to Hell Dimension for recycling," The Ancient One explained.
"I might have a better use for them," he murmured to himself. The two watched the battle, taking action only when necessary to ensure there were no casualties. After the battle, the Dimensional Teleportation Gate was closed, leaving Earth safely protected.
"What do you think?"
"Other than the lack of healing and buff spells, I have nothing to comment on given the small number of personnel and the way the combat is fought."
"This Parademons method is indeed not our strong point," The Ancient One nodded.
Three months passed, and it was time for the coronation ceremony of Ian as Sorcerer Supreme. The mages were not surprised because these rumors had been circulating for several months, but some still felt that the Ancient One retired too early.
The ceremony went smoothly, and the Ancient One handed Eye of Agamotto to him. Ian then looked at the crowd and started his speech.
"I know many of you have questions and feel that this situation is a bit rushed," he said in a voice that everyone could hear. "And I can tell you, everything happens for a reason." The mages concentrated and listened carefully.
"The Ancient One saw a horrific future in which we failed in our mission to protect the Earth and our reality. Our universe was erased from existence."
These mages looked at him as if they were looking at a madman. However, after seeing the seriousness of his expression and the Ancient One's nod of confirmation, they began to whisper.
"How could this happen?" someone asked.
"If you want to see it, I can show it to you," Ian said, typing the Snap, showing them a fragment of the terrible future he saw. Many people immediately started shouting:
"Impossible."
"That's not real; that's an illusion."
"So many people died."
"My family -- how could they possibly survive Cataclysm like this?"
Ian frowned, realizing that these people had a mental breakdown and might go crazy. So, he hit the Snap, erasing that memory from their minds, but retaining the shock and impression that that memory left on them.
"Is this... really the future?" Wang asked.
Ian did not answer, but gestured to the Ancient One to say a few words: "Yes. I saw this future a few years ago, and I have been preparing to change it. I have seen countless futures and possibilities, and the best answer I came up with is him." She pointed at Ian.
"He possesses arcane knowledge from an extremely advanced magical civilization," The Ancient One explained. "With this knowledge, coupled with his decisive and unconventional methods, we have a glimmer of hope."
The mages fell silent briefly, and then said in unison, "Salute to Sorcerer Supreme." This chant resounded throughout the mountain range. Ian nodded calmly.
"The Ancient One may put it mildly for you, but I don't. My unconventional methods are cruel, inhumane, despicable, and have no moral bottom line. In other words, I will stop at nothing to protect the planet and our reality.
"I don't expect you to accept some of my ways, but you must obey. If not, please be prepared to leave, because I will never accept disobedience. I am responsible for the lives of too many people, and I will not take your feelings or moral standards into account when protecting them.
"Do you understand?"