Univrsal Marchant :MCU /Arrowverse

Chapter 7: The Sorcerer Supreme's Apprentice and the Mystic Arts Primer

My next destination was Kamar-Taj. Not the easiest place to just waltz into, especially if you're not a broken neurosurgeon looking for a miracle cure. I aimed for a time during Doctor Strange's early training, after he'd accepted the path but before he was Sorcerer Supreme. This would give me a chance to learn the ropes without accidentally starting a cosmic war.

I focused on the serene, snow-capped mountains of Nepal, the ancient, mystical energy of Kamar-Taj. The familiar shimmer of reality bending, and then, a surprisingly gentle landing. I found myself in a quiet courtyard, the air filled with the scent of incense and the murmur of chanting. Monks in saffron robes moved with quiet purpose.

"Okay, Adam. No sarcasm here. This is sacred ground. And the Ancient One probably knows if I'm thinking about making a Pop-Tart portal. Be respectful. Be humble. Be the least annoying version of yourself."

I walked towards the main temple, my senses immediately picking up on the subtle magical energies swirling around the place, thanks to my nascent Lightning Control skill which seemed to have a general energy-sensing component. It was like the air itself was humming with power.

I found the Ancient One in a meditation chamber, surrounded by floating mandalas of light. She was utterly still, radiating an aura of profound wisdom and quiet power. Her eyes, when they opened, were ancient, deep, and saw right through my carefully constructed façade of casual confidence.

"You are not lost, Adam Stiels," her voice was calm, resonant, echoing in the quiet chamber. "You are merely… finding your way."

"Well, that's one way to put it. My way usually involves getting into trouble and then trying to talk my way out of it. With varying degrees of success."

"Ancient One," I said, bowing respectfully. "It's an honor. And a little intimidating. I assume you know why I'm here?"

"You seek knowledge," she stated, her gaze unwavering. "A deeper understanding of the fabric of reality. The mystic arts."

"Guilty as charged," I admitted. "I'm a… broker. Of concepts, of skills. And I've been collecting quite the arsenal. But I realize there's a whole dimension of power I'm barely scratching the surface of. Magic. The real kind. Not just parlor tricks."

She smiled, a faint, knowing curve of her lips. "Magic is not a parlor trick, young one. It is the channeling of universal energies. The manipulation of reality through will and understanding."

INITIATING BROKERAGE PROTOCOL. TARGET: THE ANCIENT ONE. RESOURCE: MYSTIC ARTS KNOWLEDGE. OFFERED: MYSTIC ARTS PRIMER. COST: UNDERSTANDING OF COSMIC RESPONSIBILITY.

"Cosmic Responsibility? Oh, great. So, I can't just go around turning people into newts for fun. This System is really big on the whole 'ethical power use' thing. Buzzkill."

"I understand the gravity of it," I said, trying to sound sincere. "I've already learned that power comes with… consequences. And I'm looking for a way to wield it responsibly. To protect, to build, to… not accidentally summon a demon while trying to make coffee."

The Ancient One's eyes twinkled with amusement. "A noble aspiration. But the path of the mystic arts is not one to be taken lightly. It demands discipline, sacrifice, and a profound understanding of the balance of the cosmos. Every spell cast, every dimension traversed, has a ripple effect."

She stood, gracefully, and walked towards a window overlooking the mountains. "Are you prepared to accept the true cost of such power? Not just in effort, but in understanding? The weight of knowing that your actions, however small, can echo across the universe?"

"I… I think so," I said, a genuine seriousness in my voice. "This isn't like trading for donuts. This is heavy. Like, 'save the universe or accidentally unleash Cthulhu' heavy."

She turned, her gaze piercing. "Then demonstrate. Show me that you grasp the interconnectedness. The responsibility."

I thought for a moment. My existing skills. Tactical Acumen. Lightning Control. Assassin's Stealth. How could I combine them to show a sense of responsibility?

I closed my eyes, focusing. I extended my hand, not to cast a spell, but to feel the ambient magic. I imagined gathering the scattered energy, not to use it aggressively, but to contain it, to balance it. My Lightning Control, usually for raw energy, now acted as a conduit for mystic energy. My Tactical Acumen helped me visualize the most efficient way to balance the flow. My Assassin's Stealth made the manipulation almost imperceptible.

A small, shimmering orb of pure, contained mystic energy coalesced in my palm. It pulsed gently, not with power, but with perfect equilibrium. It was a demonstration of control, of understanding, of responsibility.

The Ancient One watched, her expression unreadable. Then, a slow smile spread across her face. "Impressive, young Adam. You have an intuitive grasp of balance. A rare quality."

ACCEPTANCE OF BROKERAGE CONFIRMED. COST PAID: UNDERSTANDING OF COSMIC RESPONSIBILITY. MYSTIC ARTS PRIMER ACQUIRED. TP AWARDED: VERY HIGH.

A profound sense of connection washed over me. It wasn't a skill I could immediately do, but an innate understanding. I could suddenly perceive the intricate web of magical ley lines crisscrossing the Earth. I understood the conceptual components of a basic shielding spell, the subtle incantations, the hand movements. It was like I'd been given the instruction manual to the universe's operating system, but only for the magic section. I felt the weight of it, too – the immense power, and the terrifying consequences if misused.

"Whoa. I can feel the Force now. Or, you know, the cosmic equivalent. I'm basically a baby wizard. A very sarcastic, banana-loving baby wizard. I should probably avoid accidentally turning myself into a newt. Or a sentient teapot. That would be awkward."

Doctor Strange, who had been observing from a corner, walked forward, a skeptical frown on his face. "What exactly did you just do? I've been here for months, and I can barely conjure a spark."

"Just a little conceptual understanding, Doctor," I said, winking. "Think of it as the universe's cheat sheet for magic. You'll get there. Just keep practicing those hand gestures. And maybe try to be less… dramatic. The universe appreciates subtlety."

The Ancient One chuckled. "Indeed. Your journey has only just begun, Adam Stiels. The mystic arts are a vast ocean. But you now have a compass."

I bowed again. "Thank you, Ancient One. I promise to use this… responsibly. Mostly. No laser bunnies. Probably."

She just smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. She knew. She always knew.