The Successor in the Original Fate Was Always You

"What's that kid in the red-and-blue tights doing?" "Partner, come quick! There are so many beau... cough, so many ants to count."

"Good heavens, that's too stupid. Spider-Man, surely you wouldn't..." "Hey! I'm New York's friendly neighborhood hero, how could I... Wait for me, I'm coming!"

Watching Spider-Man dive into the pile of cash, the veins on Mumen Rider's forehead throbbed. Had all these superheroes' dignity been eaten by dogs?

Spider-Man had wanted to maintain his composure too, but faced with the "astronomical sum" scattered across the ground, the last shred of restraint left in a 996 office worker finally collapsed. The two money-loving fools completely cast aside the luxury known as dignity.

"One, two, three... I counted a total of 108 ants."

"I've got fewer here, only seventy-eight."

Spider-Man and Deadpool exchanged glances, immediately understanding one another.

Then, the two continued lowering their heads to pick up money—a task everyone else avoided like the plague was a dream job to them. Every bill could cover a week's expenses.

Thanks to those two wealthy people trying to outdo each other, they were able to pick up money to their hearts' content.

This absurd cash-throwing battle continued for a full hour. Only when the livid Li Chen rushed over after hearing the news did the farce finally end. If no one had stopped them, those two could probably have kept throwing money around for an entire year.

At daybreak, before the morning light had appeared.

S-Class Hero [Sword Saint] Reinhard lifted Kizaru's blanket, dragged the bleary-eyed man along, and used spatial travel to head straight for the African war zone.

Although the alliance between Noxus and the Monster Association posed a threat, defeat was only a matter of time before the S-Class duo of the Sword Saint and Kizaru—especially since the enemy lacked Super-Dragon-Level combatants.

At the same time, a hero squad led by Iron Man was secretly heading for Raccoon City. Its members included Spider-Man, Batman, Deadpool, Catwoman, and Mumen Rider, and their objective was to destroy the bioweapon virus research data.

Li Chen walked alone through the empty streets.

"Hidden rats, it's time to show yourselves."

"Not bad perception."

A cloaked man stepped out of the shadows—Kaecilius, once The Ancient One's disciple. Black light flickered in his eyes, and dark energy coiled around his body. He had clearly thrown himself completely into Dormammu's camp.

"I spared you last time for The Ancient One's sake," Li Chen said coldly. "Why insist on seeking your own death?"

"Despicable outsider, how dare you steal Zero."

Hatred burned in Kaecilius's eyes. "That biased old fool, The Ancient One—I was obviously her true disciple!"

"Oh? Did you find a way to deal with me?"

"How could you possibly imagine the greatness of my lord Dormammu? With the power of the Dark Dimension, crushing an ant like you would be effortless."

"Dormammu? Let him come try it himself." Li Chen looked at him as if he were an idiot.

The ruler of the Dark Dimension had originally been a sorcerer. After discovering the dark space, he abandoned everything to obtain eternity. Now, he could not only manipulate elements and teleport, but even create life. But in the end, he was merely a high-tier Super-Dragon-Level (S), on the same level as Ozma of Chaos.

Even an entry-level Super-Dragon-Level was enough to destroy civilization. At present, aside from Li Chen, the president of the League of Heroes, and Zero, who had been nurtured by Marvel magic, even Vice President Doraemon was not a combatant.

"Arrogant!" Kaecilius waved his hand in fury, and dozens of black-robed mages emerged from the shadows. His original mission had been to destroy the three Sanctums, but jealousy had now driven him completely mad.

"We must get rid of this guy!"

That rash decision completely shattered all of Dormammu's plans.

Dark energy surged in Kaecilius's palm, condensing into invisible blades.

"Let me show you the power I gained from my lord's blessing!"

A cold glint flashed in his eyes—so long as he dealt with the person before him, Zero would surely understand who truly loved her.

Originally only a D-Class Hero, Kaecilius had risen to C-Class with Dormammu's power empowering him.

But even Kakashi Hatake with insufficient chakra could have easily crushed him.

"Like this?"

With a light flick of Li Chen's fingertip, an invisible blade formed from telekinesis instantly severed Kaecilius's head.

With an expression of utter disbelief, the dark mage crashed to the ground. The gap between their strength was as vast as a heavenly chasm.

"Charge! Avenge our lord!"

Rather than retreating at the sight, the remaining mages all activated their dark energy and charged forward.

If their opponent had been an ordinary C-Class Hero, they might truly have succeeded.

Unfortunately, they were facing the president of the League of Heroes—Li Chen, whose strength stood above the entire League.

Crack—

With a crisp sound, every attacker was beheaded.

After clearing out these minor enemies, Li Chen turned his gaze toward a corner. The Ancient One had somehow appeared there, standing silently with complex emotions filling her eyes.

After all, those who had died had once been her disciples...

"They attacked first this time, Master Ancient One."

"The future... is repeating itself again? Kaecilius still fell into darkness in the end."

"But you are still alive. The future has not repeated itself, has it?"

"If you have time, please come with me to the New York Sanctum."

"Gladly."

"Please, sit."

"All right."

Li Chen sat down casually. The Ancient One personally poured tea. Only one tea leaf stood upright in each flat tea bowl, and a faint, elegant fragrance immediately filled the room.

Though it was not fantasy cuisine, these tea leaves, harvested from the peak of the Himalayas and refined through magic, were unquestionably exquisite. Ever since taking charge of the League of Heroes, Li Chen had found himself growing increasingly fond of coffee and tea.

Even though this body no longer needed food, the desire to simply savor flavors had never faded.

"Why did you ask for me, Master Ancient One?"

"Wait a moment. Two others have not arrived yet."

After waiting briefly, the future Doctor Strange, Stephen Strange, and Annie, whom The Ancient One favored, pushed open the door and entered. Having received the summons, they had rushed over at once and casually took their seats. Stephen Strange sat upright and still, while Annie lifted the teacup before her and took a sip.

Pfft—!

She frowned and stuck out her tongue, clearly having no interest in tea. The Ancient One did not get angry over the precious tea leaves being wasted. Instead, her eyes curved with a smile.

"I almost forgot that you don't like tea."

Before she had even finished speaking, the teacup in Annie's palm transformed into a chilled can of Coca-Cola, bubbles churning within. This method, bordering on material transmutation, was nothing short of miraculous.

As the strongest being beneath Dormammu, the lord of darkness, The Ancient One possessed peak mid-tier Super-Dragon-Level (S) strength. She was only one step away from the high tier, and her control over power had reached perfection.

"A characteristic of the Vishanti system, I suppose." Li Chen smiled. "To resist multidimensional dark invaders, your research in spatial fields truly stands alone." The Ancient One's power came from the ancient trinity known as the Vishanti, centered on spatial and mental magic.

She was not surprised by Li Chen's insight. Within the body of this black-haired, red-eyed president of the League of Heroes lay an energy even she could not peer into.

"I did not invite you all here today to show off."

"Go ahead. As long as it is within my capabilities, I will not refuse."

"...I want to step down."

The Ancient One lowered her eyes for a moment before speaking. She had contemplated this decision for a long time. As the Sorcerer Supreme who guarded the Eye of Agamotto, she had watched alone for thousands of years. In the original timeline, she was destined to meet her appointed death at this very moment.

However, the sudden emergence of the League of Heroes had brought The Ancient One a spark of hope. The once-clear trajectory of fate had become blurred—Kaecilius had failed to conquer the three Sanctums, and Stephen Strange had yet to complete his transformation.

Perhaps the threads of fate had already been completely rewritten, and she could finally break free from the eternal shackles of the Sorcerer Supreme.

"..."

The Ancient One's words were like thunder exploding in a tranquil deep sea, catching the three of them completely off guard.

Who would have thought that the Sorcerer Supreme, who had protected Earth for thousands of years, would suddenly wish to retreat today?

Stephen Strange was the first to break the silence. After all his recent training, he understood deeply the heavy responsibility carried by the Sorcerer Supreme.

"Wait, Master! If you step down, who will take your place?"

"You."

"Me?"

"The successor in the original fate was always you."

Stephen Strange hurriedly waved his hands, the sling ring on his fingers reflecting his panic. "Absolutely not!"

Having not yet endured his darkest trial, and with The Ancient One still alive, he had yet to become the Doctor Strange capable of standing on his own. Thinking that even the slightest mistake might invite Dormammu's invasion, this usually proud neurosurgeon actually revealed fear.

"But that was only the original script." A cryptic smile appeared on The Ancient One's lips as she turned toward the petite figure. "Annie, are you willing to shoulder this responsibility?"

"Of course!"

There was not the slightest hesitation in that childish voice. Although she was only just tall enough to reach an adult's waist, the red-haired girl understood better than anyone present what this decision meant—endless training, unceasing guardianship, and the ultimate darkness that could descend at any moment.

During her time training at Kamar-Taj, Annie's magical talent had eclipsed every other apprentice. The fire spirits dancing at her fingertips had long revealed strength approaching that of a legendary hero.

"From this moment onward, you are the new Sorcerer Supreme."

The Ancient One removed the Eye of Agamotto, which glimmered faintly around her neck, and placed the treasured artifact on the girl. Since fate had opened a new branch, why cling to the predetermined path?

The instant the artifact changed hands, the candles in the Eternal Palace flared up simultaneously.

The title of the new Sorcerer Supreme was engraved into time and space alongside the dancing flames—Annie Hastur.

After explaining the necessary matters, The Ancient One waved her sleeve, signaling Stephen Strange to leave. Even after stepping out of the hall, the doctor could not help turning back. "You decided the world's guardian so casually?"

An aged voice carrying a smile drifted out from the hall. "If anything goes wrong, isn't there still the League of Heroes?"

"What a shrewd calculation."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"What are you planning to do next?"

The Ancient One did not decline. She accepted the League of Heroes emblem and officially became an S-Class Hero. "I want to travel around and see the world I have guarded for so long as an ordinary traveler." "That sounds like a good idea." Li Chen smiled. "Would you consider officially joining the League of Heroes?" "That is for the Sorcerer Supreme to decide." "But I want to hear Master Ancient One's personal thoughts." "Gladly."

The immense magical power of a vice president instantly flowed into Li Chen's body, adding another astonishing source of energy within him.

Like Tatsumaki, The Ancient One did not remain in any fixed location. She preferred wandering the world.

Before departing, The Ancient One left Annie a special mark. If she encountered an unsolvable problem, activating it would summon The Ancient One to help—

Vanaheim of the Nine Realms, the elven kingdom.

This land had already been completely consumed by war. Hundreds of millions of dark elves launched frenzied assaults like bloodthirsty warriors.

The steadily retreating elven queen, Tina, had no choice but to seek aid from Asgard.

Having just put down his brother's rebellion and exiled him to an unknown corner, Thor set out for Vanaheim under Odin's orders to quell the chaos. In Odin's eyes, Thor, who had fully awakened his power as the God of Thunder, was already qualified to inherit the throne. This campaign was merely meant to add another achievement before his coronation.

Whoosh—

A pillar of light from the Bifrost streaked across the sky, transporting Thor to the elven kingdom several light-years away.

Before his eyes were the blinding light of atomic weapons, the thunderous roar of colliding magical energies, and densely packed warriors covering the earth like swarms of ants. Giant monstrous birds circled overhead, carrying elves and dark elf warriors.

The once-lush forests had become scorched earth. Elegant elven girls had all changed into vine armor, leaving little trace of their former softness.

"I am Thor, the God of Thunder! Stop fighting immediately!"

Thor raised Mjolnir high and let out a thunderous roar. Yet no one paid any attention to this visitor from beyond the sky. Instead, even more attacks came flying toward him.

"Then so be it..."

Lightning surged in Thor's eyes, while the Divine Hammer in his hand unleashed towering bolts of thunder. In an instant, he transformed into the true form of the God of Thunder, dazzling electric light flashing madly around his body.