Chapter 8: Becoming a Master of the Mystic Arts
"You did great," the Ancient One said with her usual warm smile. It had been three weeks since I began my journey into mastering the mystic arts. By now, I could easily perform many of the basic and intermediate spells, but some of the more advanced ones—especially those shown in the movies—were proving to be far more challenging. Honestly, it made me respect Doctor Strange even more. That man truly deserved the title of Sorcerer Supreme.
I turned to the Ancient One after successfully conjuring the Mirror Dimension spell. Her praise felt like a rare reward. "Well, of course, I did! After all, I am that great," I said with a playful smirk.
Her smile softened, and she reached out to ruffle my hair. "Confidence is good, but humility is just as important," she said gently. Her touch was warm, almost nostalgic.
She paused, her gaze fixed on the distant mountains. "I want to give you one piece of advice, Rin. Don't let revenge consume you, and don't lose yourself to darkness. There is more to life than power or vengeance."
Her words struck a chord in me. I could tell she wasn't just lecturing; these were heartfelt truths born of centuries of experience. A moment of silence passed between us as I mulled over her advice. Then, with conviction, I met her eyes and said, "I understand. Yes."
Her smile returned, gentle and approving. "Good," she said, stepping back. "Now then, shall we move on?"
"Wait!" I said, breaking the serene atmosphere. "Does this mean I'm officially a Magician now?"
Her hand came down in a sharp, playful chop against my head. "How many times do I have to tell you? It's Master of the Mystic Arts, not a 'magician'!' You're a bright student, Rin, but sometimes you test my patience."
"Alright, alright! Fine!" I said, rubbing the top of my head with a grin. Then, putting on my best puppy- eyes, I asked, "But seriously, am I a master now?"
The Ancient One sighed but nodded. "Yes, Rin. From today onward, you are recognized as a Master of the Mystic Arts."
"Yes! Let's gooo!" I shouted, punching the air triumphantly. "Youngest Master of the Mystic Arts, baby!"
Her expression darkened slightly, her warm smile giving way to a more pointed look. "Master Rin, please don't behave so undignified," she said in a tone so icy it made me stand up straight in an instant.
"Yes, ma'am," I muttered, bowing my head in apology.
She walked over to the table and poured herself a cup of tea, her movements as graceful as always. Taking a sip, she glanced at me with an almost mischievous glint in her eyes. "And for the record, you're not the youngest Master of the Mystic Arts."
Her words stopped me mid-celebration. "Wait, what? Who is, then?" I asked, my voice a mix of surprise and indignation.
The Ancient One simply sipped her tea, her expression serene.
"Come on, tell me!" I pressed, only to be met with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Sorry," I said quickly, clasping my hands together in mock penitence.
"You can guess if you like," she said cryptically, setting her cup down.
"Fine, keep your secrets," I muttered, reaching for my own cup of tea. But as I took a sip, I couldn't help but glare at her, the mystery gnawing at my curiosity.
I leaned back in my chair, swirling the tea in my cup absentmindedly. My mind raced with guesses. "Alright, fine. If you won't tell me, I'll figure it out myself. Let's see... Wong? No, he's way too serious. Mordo? Nah, he doesn't seem the 'youngest ever' type."
The Ancient One raised a brow, her expression both amused and patient.
"Dr. Strange?" I ventured cautiously, though I doubted it. "No, no... he was more of a late bloomer, wasn't he?"
She sipped her tea, giving me no indication whether I was close or far off the mark.
"Fine, you win," I huffed, throwing up my hands in surrender. "I'll let it go... for now."
"Wise choice," she replied with a knowing smile.
I slouched back in my chair, my tea warming my hands as I looked out at the mountain range beyond the window. Despite my frustration at not being the youngest, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. Three weeks of intense training had transformed me. I wasn't the same person who had stumbled into the Sanctum, unsure and overwhelmed.
breaking the silence, I said "thank you."
The Ancient One tilted her head slightly, her expression softening. "For what, Miss Rin?"
"For teaching me, for trusting me... and for not kicking me out."
She smiled warmly, the kind of smile that made you feel like you were exactly where you needed to be. "It is the responsibility of a teacher to guide and nurture, not judge. You have potential, Miss Rin, but the path ahead will not be easy. Remember, mastery is not the end—only another beginning."
Her words resonated deeply, and I nodded, feeling both humbled and inspired.
"Now," she continued, setting her cup aside, "you are a Master of the Mystic Arts. What will you do after this?"
I thought for a moment, the weight of her question settling over me. "I'll use it to find answers"
The Ancient One studied me carefully, as if weighing my words. Finally, she nodded. "Then, I wish you luck on your journey, Master Rin. May your choices be guided by wisdom and tempered with compassion."
I raised my tea cup in a mock toast. "Here's to wisdom and compassion. And maybe a little vengeance on the side."
Her piercing gaze silenced my humor, and I quickly added, "Kidding! Kidding!"
The Ancient One chuckled once more, shaking her head. "You have much to learn, Miss Rin."
"Yeah," I said, grinning. "But I'm getting there."
The Ancient One gave a slight nod, her serene expression unchanging. "Knowledge and allies, Miss Rin. They are as important as strength. Seek them out wisely."
"Got it," I replied, sitting up straighter. "Guess it's time to hit the road, then. Can't exactly find answers just meditating in Kamar-Taj all day."
Her lips curved into a knowing smile. "The world is vast, and so are its mysteries. take the Sling Ring with you it will serve you well,."
I couldn't help but grin. "Thanks for the pep talk and the gift, Ancient One. You're surprisingly good at those."
She chuckled softly, the sound light and fleeting like a breeze. "It comes with age, Miss Rin."
Standing up, I adjusted my robes—still not entirely used to them—and slipped on my Sling Ring. My mind was already buzzing with ideas. Shield? Stark? Maybe a few rogue connections in the underworld?
"Before you go," the Ancient One said, her tone shifting into something more serious, "remember this: your past does not define you, but it will shape you. Do not let vengeance eclipse your humanity. Stay vigilant, and stay kind."
I nodded, her words heavy yet strangely comforting.
As I walked toward the door, ready to step into the unknown, I glanced back at her one last time. She stood by the window, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, looking every bit as enigmatic and wise as a mystic guardian should.
"Don't worry, Ancient One," I said with a smirk, "I'll make sure my story isn't just about revenge. But I can't promise I won't cause a little chaos along the way."
Her soft laughter followed me out the door.
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The world was moving fast, in the direction of the movies and comics I remembered. Tony Stark had already debuted as Iron Man, making waves with his declaration and invention. The Hulk's rampage through Harlem and his battle with Abomination had left a city reeling and whispers of the gamma experiment gone horribly wrong.
Yet, some key players were still missing. Captain America remained a legend lost to history, still frozen in the Arctic ice if the timeline stayed true. Emma Frost, however, was already making her mark as the wealthiest woman in the world, "owning" countless companies through clever acquisitions and maneuvers.
As for the X-Men, there was no trace of them yet. But if the comics held any weight, their emergence wasn't far off. The mutant phenomenon was a powder keg, waiting for the right spark to set it off.
But all of that could wait. Right now, I had more pressing matters to attend to—like food.
Look, don't judge me. Kamar-Taj is great for mystic arts, but let's be real: their culinary skills leave a lot to be desired. A person can only survive on bland stews and basic rice dishes for so long before they start fantasizing about crispy fries and juicy burgers.
So, first stop: a fast-food restaurant. Something greasy and indulgent to remind myself that I was still human, even if I could now summon portals and bend reality in the Mirror Dimension.
After I'd satisfied my cravings, it would be time to tackle the real issue—creating an identity. A proper one. No more relying on just my first name .
With an identity, I could open bank accounts, access information, and move through this world freely. And from there? I'd figure out my next steps.
First things first: food. Then, the future.
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hope you enjoy this
writing ancient one is hard
until next time
bye