Support me and be 30 chapters ahead of webnovel:
patreon.com/Draco_
For every 5 Patreon memberships I receive, I'll release 15 chapters all at once. Your support means a lot to me.
*****
177A Bleecker Street, Manhattan.
Standing before a three-story small building, Fini looked at the iconic pattern on the roof and let out a long sigh of relief. After more than an hour of searching, he had finally found the place.
Standing in front of the main entrance, Fini felt a strange sensation from the building. To put it simply, if one wasn't paying close attention, it felt as though they might overlook it entirely.
Fini didn't know if this was magic, but at this moment, he was somewhat hesitant about whether to enter. Although he had spent nearly a month preparing, he still felt a bit of trepidation now that he was actually facing it.
"Then again, with the Ancient One's abilities, she can surely see the possibility of me coming here right now. Does her not showing up mean she thinks I shouldn't be here?"
"No, it's also possible she's already inside waiting for me and just doesn't want to personally come out to receive me. After all, she is the Sorcerer Supreme; she needs to maintain her dignity in front of a disciple."
After his mind wandered through some wild thoughts, Fini finally took a step forward toward the New York Sanctum.
The door pushed open easily. Upon entering, Fini looked around. The spacious hall was very quiet; all the items carried an air of classical elegance, and a staircase led directly to the second floor.
"Looks like they're quite rich."
Looking at this luxurious, aristocratic environment, Fini muttered softly to himself. Having learned from his previous experience, he didn't dare speak carelessly again, even when no one seemed to be around.
"Is anyone there, please?"
Fini didn't make any sudden moves but called out while standing in the hall. After all, this was one of the three great Sanctums; who knew if there were magical traps set up nearby?
Very soon, someone walked down from upstairs... a bald head!?
Seeing the person's smooth, hairless head, Fini suddenly felt a surge of worry for his own hair. The price for learning magic from the Ancient One wouldn't be losing one's hair, would it!?
Thinking of the future Doctor Strange, Fini temporarily set those thoughts aside and said to the sorcerer coming downstairs: "Hello, I am the disciple Master Ancient One took in a while ago. My name is Fini Halsey, but you can just call me Fini."
"A disciple of the Sorcerer Supreme?"
The man froze, looking at Fini with some doubt, then replied: "Hello, I am Daniel Drumm. I apologize, Sorcerer Halsey, but I haven't heard recently of the Sorcerer Supreme taking on a disciple?"
"Ahem..."
Fini let out an awkward dry cough, then did his best to keep from appearing guilty as he replied: "It's likely Master feels my level isn't sufficient yet and finds it difficult to mention. My reason for coming today is actually to ask Master Daniel to take me to see Master. I have some questions I'd like to ask her."
Daniel stared at Fini with an interrogating gaze for a long time. Then, seemingly deciding that Fini posed no threat, he nodded and said: "Please follow me."
Daniel led Fini to a corner on the left side of the hall, where there was a closed door.
Fini watched as Daniel opened the door, but behind it was a stone wall.
Then Daniel performed several strange gestures. Orange-red energy filled the space between his hands, and when he pressed them against the wall, the stone began to change rapidly, slowly becoming transparent until it was finally like a curtain of water.
In terms of teleportation, Earth really isn't lacking at all!
Fini marveled silently in his heart. Although Earth appeared weak overall right now, if you factored in its hidden strength, it was sufficient to surpass many civilizations in the universe.
Stepping through the water curtain, the two arrived in a place that looked like a library. Above it sat a massive model of the Earth, currently floating motionless in the air.
Fini looked around at everything with novelty, especially those magical books that were kept under lock and key.
As they passed the Earth model, Fini specifically looked at the platform but didn't see the Eye of Agamotto made from the Time Stone. It was likely on the Ancient One's person.
Daniel led Fini forward without speaking.
As the time zones shifted, Kamar-Taj was now at dusk. The change in the sky left Fini feeling momentarily disoriented. Other people they passed on the way gave Fini's attire a couple of curious glances, but no one paid him much mind.
"Wait here a moment; I will go and inform the Sorcerer Supreme."
Upon reaching a drawing room, Daniel told Fini to sit and wait for a while, then vanished.
Fini sat nervously in the chair. For this past month, he had constantly pondered what to say when he met the Ancient One and what he could answer if she asked questions. Now, the moment to face her had finally arrived.
"Welcome to Kamar-Taj, Mr. Halsey."
Very quickly, the familiar voice rang out in his ears. The Ancient One—balder, brighter, and stronger than Daniel—appeared in the room and asked: "Would you like some tea?"
"Thank you. Please just call me Fini, Master."
Fini stood up hurriedly, looking at the Ancient One with a bit of nervousness as he replied. Beside her was Daniel, who had led the way.
"Thank you for your hard work, Master Daniel. I would like to speak with Sorcerer Fini now."
After Daniel was sent away, only Fini and the Ancient One remained in the room. After skillfully brewing two cups of tea, the Ancient One sat down and said with a smile: "Try this. It's Longjing from China; I'm not sure if it's to your liking."
Fini didn't refuse and picked up the teacup, taking a small sip. There was a slight tightening sensation on his tongue; it wasn't bitter, and the aftertaste was somewhat sweet, accompanied by a fresh fragrance that instantly cleared his head, which had been a bit dizzy since he created the compass.
"It's delicious!"
Fini couldn't help but praise it. Lacking knowledge, he couldn't speak much about its finer points—it was just delicious.
"Thank you!" The Ancient One also picked up her teacup and took a sip with a smile, her movements elegant and natural.
Fini hadn't come here just to drink tea. Although the tea was good, he didn't drink much. Looking at the Ancient One as she refined her palate, he took the initiative to speak: "Sorcerer Supreme, I would like to study magic with you. Is that possible?"
"But don't you already know it?"
The Ancient One looked over calmly.
"No one ever complains about having too much knowledge," Fini answered seriously. "I haven't been able to bring out much of that power yet. I would like Master to teach me."
"Then what if I said it is actually I who am hindering your use of that power?"
Suddenly, the Ancient One spoke these startling words.
"What!?"
Fini was stunned. He had thought the Ancient One might refuse, or agree, or perhaps propose conditions or restrictions, but he had never expected an answer like this.
Was the slow progress of *Ars Magna* actually related to the Ancient One!?
"No one can truly control the future, Mr. Halsey," the Ancient One said slowly. "I have seen many future possibilities, yet I still feel the future is unknowable—especially you."
"Sometimes your future is so vast it's beyond imagination, yet other times I can see nothing at all. I'm not even certain if choosing to see you then and now was the right decision!"
The Ancient One walked up to Fini, her deep gaze staring directly at him as she said: "The power you possess is terrifying, Fini. You might make this world better, but you might also bring about its destruction more quickly."
"Fini Halsey, you influence this world too much!"
(End of Chapter)