My name's Rimuru, and right now my life is in someone else's hands. Not just my life, either-I'm in someone else's hands too. What should I do? Waiting online, it's pretty urgent.
Tilda Swinton, am I glad to see you.
Rimuru decided to make the first move. Don't get the wrong idea, of course he wasn't going to attack. How would that be any different from throwing his life away?
Rimuru's sudden name and greeting left the Ancient One completely baffled. Who was he talking about?
Gabriel, I know you're in a hurry, but hold on a moment. I can explain everything.
The Ancient One: ???
"My name is the Ancient One, the current Sorcerer Supreme. Judging by your reaction, you seem to know who I am. You'd better be able to explain yourself, or else you know what I'm capable of."
OK, sure, ask me anything. I'll tell you everything I know and leave nothing out.
After learning the general details of Rimuru's origins, the Ancient One decided to keep him around for the time being and see what happened. Since he had already come here, that proved the timeline had changed, though she didn't know whether it was for better or worse.
Rimuru breathed a sigh of relief when he learned that the Ancient One wasn't going to kill him. As for staying here, he didn't mind. It wasn't as though he had anywhere else to go.
"Then, Ancient One, can I learn magic here?"
"Yes. Kamar-Taj's magical knowledge is open to any qualified apprentice."
"Oh, nice! I wonder if I'm qualified?"
The Ancient One didn't answer immediately. With her hands behind her back, she slowly paced a few steps, her simple robes swaying gently with her movements.
A moment later, she stopped and turned her gaze back to Rimuru-or rather, to the blue, jelly-like creature radiating nervousness and anticipation.
"Qualifications?" There was no discernible emotion in the Ancient One's voice, but the corners of her mouth seemed to curve ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly. "Generally speaking, magical aptitude is related to the power of the mind, the strength of one's will, and the ability to perceive higher dimensions. But your case is quite unusual."
She raised a hand gently, and tiny golden sparks flickered at her fingertips, the signature glow of Kamar-Taj's magic. "You aren't human, nor are you even a life-form native to this dimension. Your core seems to be a unique composite of information processing and energy conversion."
The Ancient One's insight was indeed sharp. With a single glance, she had seen through part of Rimuru's nature as a slime-or rather, the Great Sage's.
"So traditional methods may not apply." She lowered her hand, and the sparks went out. "However, magic ultimately involves borrowing energy from the multiverse and shaping it through force of will. I've already seen your will-or rather, your survival instinct and adaptability-in action."
Rimuru's heart skipped a beat as he remembered the embarrassing spectacle of himself scrambling to save his life by calling out "Tilda Swinton" and "Gabriel."
The Ancient One seemed to see through his thoughts, and her smile became more noticeable. "Quick thinking is also a sign of aptitude, although yours was a little misdirected."
She turned to face Rimuru, her tone growing more formal. "This means that learning Kamar-Taj's magic may be less a matter of building from scratch for you and more a matter of understanding the rules and incorporating them into your system. You may progress faster than an ordinary person, but controlling it, integrating it with your existing powers, and avoiding conflicts between different systems will be the greater challenges."
"So," The Ancient One concluded, her gaze calm but powerful, "you may study. The library's basic section will be open to you, and I'll also arrange for Mordo to guide you through your initial energy perception exercises. But remember, what you learn here is not merely technique, but also responsibility and reverence for the universe. Your aptitude is unusual, so you need to be even more careful."
She paused, then added, with an almost imperceptible trace of teasing in her voice, "Of course, if you casually address me by the name of an actor from another world again, your practical lessons may begin with learning how to clean every toilet in the sanctum using magic. Is that clear?"
Rimuru nodded frantically in his core, his body bobbing up and down. "Clear! Ancient One! Thank you very much! I'll study hard and follow the rules!" He was overjoyed. Not only had he survived, he could even learn magic from the Marvel Universe! Great Sage, I'm counting on you for our journey of magical learning.
Great Sage: ...
The Ancient One nodded. "Very good. Master Mordo," she called toward the door.
Soon, a stern-faced Black sorcerer with an unyielding bearing pushed the door open and entered, bowing respectfully to the Ancient One.
"Sorcerer Supreme."
"This is Rimuru, a special visitor and apprentice. Take him to the apprentice quarters and arrange a place for him to stay. Starting tomorrow, you'll guide him through his initial energy circulation and perception exercises," The Ancient One instructed.
Master Mordo glanced at the blue slime on the floor, which still seemed to be trembling slightly with excitement. A flash of utter astonishment and confusion crossed his face, but his training allowed him to quickly suppress his emotions. Only the corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
"Yes, Master."
Rimuru hurriedly slid over to Mordo's feet and tried to strike a friendly pose. This guy was a stubborn hardhead in the movies, so Rimuru wanted to raise his favorability a little, lest Mordo try to kill him too someday. "Hello, Master Mordo! I look forward to learning from you!"
Mordo: ...
He looked at the talking thing, which he suspected was a magical creation or an alien creature, and confirmed once again that he was still in Kamar-Taj, not some excessively bizarre dream.
Finally, he nodded stiffly and turned to lead the way.
"Follow me."
Rimuru bounced along happily after him. A new life seemed about to begin in this sanctum filled with mystery and magic. He just didn't notice the Ancient One watching him leave from behind, her gaze deep and distant, as though she had already seen countless intertwined possibilities and the ripples of the future.
Two or three months later.
With the Great Sage's absurd learning speed, Rimuru quickly finished learning Kamar-Taj's magical knowledge.
The Ancient One had also observed him for a while and finally determined that he wasn't a magical creature sent by another dimension. She decided to let him leave. In fact, it was because he was too much of a nuisance. Combining Kamar-Taj's magic with his own abilities, he would run a test every few days, and he had nearly torn the sanctum apart.
When Rimuru learned that he was going to be thrown out, he was somewhat speechless. All I did was tear down a few of your buildings. Is that really necessary?
The mighty Sorcerer Supreme is actually this stingy. I even wanted to borrow the Eye of Agamotto for a bit, but she wouldn't allow that either.
Hmph, good thing I managed to swipe a Sling Ring.