Henry was stunned.
The story had just reached the part where the Ancient One spoke of retiring—and now she was seriously planning to disappear? He couldn't help but feel a little speechless.
It was just… too fast.
But when he thought about it more carefully, it made sense.
Ever since he arrived in the Marvel world, the tempo of events had accelerated. He had been so focused on mastering soul magic and refining his abilities that he hadn't even realized how much time had passed in the real world.
Now that he considered it, the Ancient One was right—his presence had already disrupted the timeline. His very existence as a time traveler was an anomaly, and to expect the original course of events to continue uninterrupted was naïve.
Still, even understanding that didn't make the Ancient One's retirement feel any less abrupt.
With a frown, Henry asked bluntly, "Supreme Mage… you're really at your limit?"
The Ancient One didn't answer immediately.
But the silence said it all.
Her calm expression was unshaken, but there was a subtle weariness in her eyes—a soft acceptance that could not be faked. She wasn't just stepping down. She was dying.
Physically, at least.
Henry knew better than to mourn in a traditional sense. All mages had souls, and the Ancient One was no different. Her soul, like many powerful mystics before her, had long been aligned with higher dimensional forces—namely, the Eternal Emperor. Her physical death didn't mean annihilation. It just meant she would move on to another plane.
Still, it stung.
Because despite their limited time together, Henry had immense respect for her. Without her guidance, without her trust and teachings, his progress wouldn't have been nearly this fast. He owed a great deal to her.
But she was choosing to go.
And from the look in her eyes, it was a choice she had accepted with peace.
Just as he was caught in reflection, the Ancient One spoke again.
"Death gives life meaning," she said softly. "It reminds us how brief every moment is. But I believe in you, Henry. I truly do. You'll surpass me—far sooner than you realize."
Henry blinked and sighed. "...Supreme Mage, how long do you have left? I need to be mentally prepared."
Maybe a few days? Enough time to absorb more multiversal energy?
Ancient One's reply was simple.
"Now."
Henry froze.
"…What?"
"I mean now," she said calmly.
Henry nearly staggered backward. "Wait, what? Just like that?! You drop this on me and then immediately go?"
Ancient One smiled faintly, as though amused by his incredulity. "It's not sudden. Everything has a cause. The reason I appeared here tonight… is because this was always meant to happen."
She explained further.
Earlier that evening, she had sensed something—a call from the Eternal Emperor. It was rare. Since she aligned her soul with his realm, he had only summoned her once before. That had been a century ago.
This sudden second summons was both confusing and powerful. She hadn't understood its meaning—until she saw Henry appear in the multiversal stream.
In that moment, she understood.
Her time was up.
The next generation had arrived.
"I've stayed on Earth for a long time," she said. "Longer than I should have. It's difficult to leave. But the Eternal Emperor is calling… and it's time."
She turned to him one last time, her gaze full of warmth. "Congratulations, Master Henry. You are now the Supreme Mage."
He lowered his head respectfully. "Thank you… former Supreme Mage. It was an honor to learn from you."
She smiled gently.
And then… she vanished.
Her soul faded into a shimmer of golden light, dispersing like stardust in the endless multiversal current.
Henry stood there in silence.
It was strange—he didn't feel despair. But he did feel… hollow. The kind of hollow one feels when a mentor, a guide, or a friend quietly steps off the stage, leaving you to carry the torch forward.
Ancient One had been the one who stood by him when he was weakest. The one who saw potential in him when no one else even knew he existed.
Now, she was gone.
Henry took a deep breath.
Then he sat down again, closing his eyes and focusing on refining his soul.
But he couldn't concentrate.
Something pulled at his thoughts.
I should go to Kamar-Taj.
Even if her soul was at peace, the world would soon realize her absence. And as the newly acknowledged Supreme Mage, Henry needed to step forward.
He pulled his soul back into his body.
The moment his consciousness returned, he noticed a disturbance downstairs. Raised voices. A disagreement.
"I must speak with Master Henry—this is urgent!"
"You can't go upstairs!"
"I'm sorry, but I have no choice!"
There was a sudden stop. Then silence.
Henry frowned and stood up, opening his door to check what was going on.
At the bottom of the staircase stood a man he didn't recognize—middle-aged, solidly built, dressed in the traditional robes of Kamar-Taj. The air around him radiated discipline and restraint.
Before Henry could ask, the man introduced himself. "Master Henry. My name is Wong. You must return with me. The Ancient One… is no longer with us."
Wong. A senior mage of Kamar-Taj. He wasn't just any sorcerer—he was the steward of the Supreme Mage, the faithful guardian of the Sanctum and a keeper of magical knowledge.
That he was here… meant the Ancient One had already told him everything.
"I figured," Henry said calmly. "I was about to head back."
Then his eyes narrowed. "But… where's Polaris?"
He had heard two voices earlier. One of them was definitely hers.
Wong looked mildly embarrassed. "Apologies, Supreme Mage. She refused to let me through. So I had to take… special measures."
Before Henry could even reply, Wong opened a portal with a circular gesture.
Whsshh!
A green rift appeared in the air—and Polaris fell right out of it.
Henry caught her instantly, his reflexes sharp.
She looked dizzy, her hair messy, and her expression one of shock. "I was free-falling just now… for two minutes!!"
"I understand," Henry said flatly.
She looked up and recognized him. "Master Henry?! I tried to stop him from going upstairs! But he just… portal-ed me! He made me fall through dimensions! That's against the rules!!"
Her fury was genuine.
Henry sighed and turned to Wong. "I told her not to let anyone disturb me. I think she deserves an apology."
Wong bowed slightly. "My apologies. The situation was urgent."
Polaris huffed but didn't argue. She clearly couldn't take on Wong in a magical duel, and she wasn't about to pick a fight with someone who could drop her through the planet.
"…Fine," she muttered. Then turned to Henry, trying to compose herself. "Is there anything else I can do for you, Master?"
Henry shook his head. "Not right now. But I'll be gone for a while."
Polaris raised an eyebrow but didn't pry. "I'll take care of the house while you're away."
Henry nodded, appreciating her reliability.
Then he raised his hand and traced a circle in the air.
A golden portal blossomed to life.
Wong stared.
"Did you just… open that with your mind?" he asked, stunned.
Henry blinked. "Yes? You did the same thing, didn't you?"
Wong's eyes widened. "Yes, but I've studied magic my entire life. You've only been practicing for what—a few months?!"
Henry shrugged. "What can I say? I'm gifted."
Wong stared in speechless admiration.
"…You're terrifying."
Henry smiled.
Then, without another word, he stepped through the portal—heading toward his new destiny as the next Supreme Mage.
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