Chapter 135: The Ancient One's Warning

"Truth and illusion hold no importance to me." The Ancient One smiled at the young man, "The mysteries of the soul, the true face of the world... who can truly see clearly? For mystics, what we believe must be real; what we doubt must be false..."

Sean quietly increased the distance between them, ignoring the strange looks from passing drivers. His current state was indeed pitiful, his expensive suit torn to shreds, shoes ruined from the explosive force, making him resemble a homeless vagrant.

Yet despite this, the young man's eyes remained vigilant, "No more fighting?"

The greatest sorcerer on Earth chuckled lightly, "Continuing would only be a meaningless battle. Unlike others of your kind who were found in their weak stages and easily dealt with, you're different..."

Walking along the highway's edge, the Ancient One strode forward with Sean following closely behind, still unsure of her intentions. This Sorcerer Supreme was by far the most unpredictable figure he had encountered.

"...Detaining or eliminating you would require tremendous effort. I dislike trouble."

The two strolled under the night sky where the sunset had long vanished beyond the horizon, replaced by a tapestry of glittering stars.

Playing with her folding fan, the Ancient One spoke softly, "I've prevented countless catastrophic events, yet disasters always come one after another. We maintain the order of time while simultaneously trying to alter its final outcome... a contradiction, yet also perfectly logical..."

"...Occasionally, I'm like Charles... he wanders through the oceans of human consciousness, while I traverse the river of time, past and future. Ironically, though I can glimpse the birth and death of all things, my own end remains unclear... I will meet death soon, but when, where, and by whose hand... these details are as blurred as flowers seen through mist."

Noticing Sean's silence, the Ancient One scoffed, "Drop your unnecessary wariness. Though mystics despise stowaways like you, I'm an exception. Had it been my predecessor Agamotto, you'd have been exiled to the Dark Dimension without hesitation."

Sean looked up, recalling details about this Sorcerer Supreme. In the original timeline, the Ancient One had never been one to rigidly follow rules... to prepare for future crises, she had drawn power from the Dark Dimension to sustain her life. This proved that even the revered Sorcerer Supreme was no infallible saint...

"The future isn't a straight path, it's the extension of infinite possibilities. Allowing you to remain on Earth will lead to countless outcomes, both good and bad. No one can predict them."

Speaking like a teacher to her student, the Ancient One continued, "Sean Cyphers, your arrival has introduced endless variables to this world... some beneficial, others disastrous. I tolerate your existence because I hope you'll bring more possibilities, at least granting this world, perhaps even this universe, more chances when that terrible catastrophe arrives..."

A shadow flickered in Sean's eyes as he studied the Sorcerer Supreme walking ahead, "Can the future be changed? If I told you exactly when, where, and how you would die, would your future shift from this moment onward?"

The Ancient One halted, turning to face the young man as cars streamed past them. After a pause, understanding dawned in her eyes.

The bald mystic flicked open her fan with a carefree smile, "Past and future, time and space, they're always filled with cycles and paradoxes. That's why I refrain from using the Eye of Agamotto. Delving too deep or interfering too much invites unimaginable disasters. Every new timeline branch adds another variable until the river of time consumes you entirely..."

"...Sean," she said gently, "knowing everything isn't always a blessing."

Finally piecing together his understanding of the Sorcerer Supreme, Sean couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy, "You don't resist death..."

"I've lived fifteen hundred years, sustaining this form by drawing energy from the Dark Dimension... My soul is constantly bombarded by whispering temptations, those evil spirits trying to drag me into the abyss. I don't know how much longer I can endure. Even the strongest will eventually corrupt over time, we've seen it happen repeatedly among practitioners of the Mystic Arts."

A red mark faintly glowed on the Ancient One's forehead... the sigil of the Dark Dimension, similar to those borne by Dormammu's fanatical followers. It symbolized foolish souls who sacrificed themselves to the dimensional entity in exchange for power and immortality.

Yet the Sorcerer Supreme had found loopholes in this unequal bargain, drawing dark energy while retaining her free will.

"I've found a worthy successor. He'll surpass me." A satisfied smile appeared as her eyes swept over Sean before shaking her head, "Were you not an outsider brimming with troublesome ambitions and desires, I might have considered you... I want my successor to be someone who breaks conventions."

Walking beside this fascinating bald sorcerer (sorceress), Sean shook his head to indicate his lack of interest in becoming Sorcerer Supreme.

He'd expected Earth's mightiest Mystic to be a formidable enemy, yet surprisingly, even after learning his secrets, the Ancient One showed no hostility.

Partly because she wished to avoid unnecessary conflict, but more importantly, it reflected her nature. Having glimpsed future crises in the timestream yet unable to directly intervene, she sought to introduce variables... the key reason for her leniency...

"Your arrival has subtly altered this world. I'm curious to see what follows... though I won't live to witness it." The Ancient One's face lit up with a childlike grin.

Though a mystic's duty was to safeguard the order of time and stability of space, the Ancient One had always questioned... if the future's outcome was truly immutable, what meaning did their efforts hold?

Rather than letting the world stagnate along its predetermined path, why not toss in a stray pebble like Sean and observe the ripples?

"Are there any enrollment restrictions at Kamar-Taj?" Sean's eyes gleamed as he thought of Doctor Doom imprisoned in his lab.

"You truly are an unrepentant opportunist. That the Sanctum sorceres don't consider you an enemy is mercy enough, yet you still wish to study at Kamar-Taj?" The Ancient One couldn't help but laugh, though she didn't disapprove of his blunt attitude.

Everyone chased their desires, the difference lay in whether one became blinded by short-term gains or resisted temptation to remain true.

Mystics weren't desireless saints either... they pursued truth and knowledge, using mystic arts to unveil the universe's secrets like devotees worshiping the trinitarian supreme being.

"Sean Cyphers, I'll be watching you. Remember my warning... you may create ripples in the river of time, but never tidal waves. All changes must remain within boundaries the Sanctum permits. Overstep, and consequences will follow."

With a casual circle drawn by her sling ring, intricate geometric patterns coalesced in the air as spatial fluctuations shimmered faintly. The yellow-robed figure stepped through the portal and vanished.

"So I'm on the Sanctum's blacklist now?" Sean muttered, glancing down at his disheveled appearance before his expression soured.

"Couldn't you have left me cab fare before disappearing...?"