Aiden Cross had, at the very least, dispelled the Ancient One's quiet acceptance of death. That alone resolved a long-held regret of his.
For someone of her caliber to die in such a senseless way had always felt like a waste.
And if, someday, he could pull her out of that doomed cycle and bring her into the Hero Association… well, that might earn him abilities on the level of a vice-president.
Yes—at the end of the day, Aiden Cross absolutely had his eye on her power.
For now, the possibility of the Ancient One joining the Association was zero. As Sorcerer Supreme, she was bound to guard the Eye of Agamotto across generations.
But once Doctor Strange arrived and she laid down that mantle, things might be different.
Compared to a half-trained Strange, the Ancient One's value was immeasurably greater.
That was precisely why Aiden Cross hadn't simply seized the Time Stone by force.
"Alright. Everything here is settled. Come with me, Elysia."
"Mm."
Without the slightest resistance, Elysia—confused about the world yet instinctively drawn to Aiden Cross—allowed herself to be led away.
Hand in hand, they stepped out of the Sanctum like an intimate couple.
"Wait! Hold on!"
A man in sorcerer's robes rushed out after them, his expression edged with something dark.
He was a disciple of the Ancient One—
Kaecilius.
At this point in time, he had not yet come into contact with Dormammu. He was still a diligent student, faithfully learning magic under his master.
But as a man, spending over a month in the presence of a dreamlike girl like Elysia had inevitably stirred certain thoughts.
He had used his position as the Ancient One's disciple to approach her before.
But Elysia, possessing near-precognitive intuition, had sensed the malice in him and kept him at least ten meters away at all times, showing unmistakable disgust.
"Do you need something?" Aiden Cross asked, stepping slightly in front of Elysia.
He remembered this man clearly—the future traitor who would stab the Ancient One.
But what Aiden Cross remembered most was the name.
Kaecilius.
Across infinite dimensions, Aiden Cross knew of another with a similar name—Conqueror Kaecilius, the Fourth Apostle, a battle maniac who had slain countless beings, including demon kings.
Compared to that legendary figure, this Kaecilius was laughably weak.
Even borrowing Dormammu's power later, he would amount to little more than a nuisance.
"I came to see Miss Elysia."
"Elysia, do you know him?"
"No."
One flat word.
From Aiden Cross, Elysia felt warmth close to her origin. From Kaecilius, she felt only instinctive revulsion.
"Wait—Miss Elysia, you don't recognize me? I'm the Ancient One's most outstanding disciple, Kaecilius!"
"He says that."
"I don't know him."
Kaecilius froze.
He had believed they shared some kind of connection. In reality, it had all been one-sided fantasy.
If not for the Ancient One's hospitality, Elysia might have swatted him away long ago.
"But I—"
"I don't know him."
"We've met 182 times—"
"I don't know him."
"I helped you carry books twelve times—"
"I don't know him."
No matter what he said, Elysia's answer never changed.
After more than a dozen attempts, Kaecilius was forced to accept the humiliating truth—
She had never remembered him at all.
Jealousy burned openly in his eyes as he stared at Aiden Cross holding Elysia's hand.
He had tried for over a month, only to earn a single phrase: I don't know him.
Why did this stranger gain her trust instantly?
"Keep looking at me like that," Aiden Cross said coolly, "and I'll pluck your eyes out."
"You—!"
"Enough, Kaecilius."
The Ancient One stepped out of the Sanctum, her golden robes swaying.
She knew her disciple's petty thoughts all too well. Normally, she turned a blind eye to such matters.
"Do you want me to deal with him for you?" Aiden Cross asked.
"That won't be necessary."
"You've seen at least one future where he betrays you, haven't you?"
He was referring to the stabbing.
Eliminating a hidden threat early would be the simplest solution.
"Yes," she admitted. "But he is still my student. Let it be."
"Mercy can be dangerous."
Aiden Cross withdrew his killing intent.
As long as the Ancient One did not wish to die, even with Dormammu's aid, Kaecilius would never threaten her.
Since she chose to protect him, Aiden Cross was willing to grant her that favor.
"Sorcerer, this man—"
"Silence. Go copy the Mage's Code one thousand times."
Kaecilius fell quiet, seething.
He could not believe his master—who had taught him for years—would side so quickly with an outsider.
Resentment festered in his heart.
And as he turned away, he remembered a forbidden spellbook he had once seen… detailing a ritual to summon Dormammu.
A rebellious thought quietly took root.
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