Chapter 64: Strange Future

Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Strange Future

"No."

The Ancient One rejected him immediately.

"If you do that, you’ll alter Carol’s future and it will affect the course of her life."

Daniel waved a hand dismissively.

"That’s fine. I’ve got her covered. As long as I’m around, Carol will have a great life. Any impact will be minimal."

The Ancient One looked at him calmly.

"What if that change would make her future even better than the one she’d have with you?"

Daniel fell silent. After a long pause, he finally asked, "Better than staying with me?"

"Yes."

The Ancient One nodded with a gentle smile. For a long time, Daniel didn’t say anything, eventually, he forced out a bitter laugh.

"Then... alright. I won’t go find her."

A trace of disappointment flashed through his eyes. What kind of opportunity could possibly make Carol’s future better than living alongside him?

’I’m Superman!’

Daniel complained inwardly.

’What can’t I give Carol? If she wanted a star, I could fly into space and drag one back for her!’

After thinking about it for a while, he asked again.

"Are you absolutely sure she’ll come back in six years? Like... one hundred percent sure?"

"I guarantee it."

The Ancient One’s answer was immediate. Daniel stared at her for a few seconds before finally nodding.

"Fine, but if six years pass and Carol doesn’t come back..."

He pointed around Kamar-Taj.

"I’m tearing this place apart."

"I don’t know if I can beat you right now. But six years from now?" he grinned fiercely, "I definitely can."

The threat sounded less like a warning and more like a child venting his frustration. The Ancient One simply smiled.

"Don’t worry, I don’t lie."

"Also, when you and Carol meet again..." a hint of amusement appeared in her eyes, "you’ll be very surprised."

"I’m actually looking forward to seeing the two of you reunite and when that day comes, I’ll make sure to be there and offer my congratulations."

Daniel immediately felt something was off. Why did that sound suspicious?

Could it be... Had she seen something in the timeline? Maybe a future where he beat Carol up? And now she wanted front row seats?

Seriously, she was hundreds of years old and still this bored?

Besides, there was no way he’d actually hit Carol, she was way too weak. A single punch might accidentally turn a happy reunion into a funeral, and that would be awkward.

’At most,’ Daniel thought, ’I’ll trap her somewhere and eat her favorite food right in front of her.’

’She’s been away from Earth for six years, so she’s definitely going to miss Earth food.’

The more he imagined it, the more amusing it became. Soon, he started laughing to himself. Seeing Daniel laugh so happily, the Ancient One smiled as well.

"Hahaha... Why are you laughing?" Daniel asked.

"Nothing in particular."

The Ancient One’s smile remained gentle.

"It’s simply refreshing to see young people so full of energy, it improves my mood."

"Really?"

Daniel laughed even harder. The Ancient One smiled quietly, after a while, he finally calmed down.

"Sorcerer Supreme."

"Can I visit your library?"

Now that Carol’s situation was settled, the giant weight on his shoulders had vanished and with that, his true nature resurfaced.

He had no intention of making this trip for nothing, his eyes had already locked onto Kamar-Taj’s magic.

Come on, he’d flown all the way to Nepal. There was no way he was leaving empty handed. Just look at every trip he’d ever taken to Wakanda. Had he ever returned without taking something useful?

Not even once.

Daniel had already decided that learning magic was necessary. Punching things all day wasn’t enough. Sure, it worked, but it wasn’t stylish, but a wizard was cool.

Okay, he was a little worried that Kamar-Taj’s sorcerers seemed oddly obsessed with melee combat, but even learning how to create portals would be worth it.

There was no downside. Flying was awesome, especially with a cape. Nothing screamed superhero quite like a cape billowing behind you.

But opening portals? That was elegant, one smooth hand movement and a glowing circle with spark effects included.

The visual presentation was incredible, and Daniel remembered all the times he had to carry people while flying, it was inconvenient.

And honestly? A little stupid looking. How could that compare to casually drawing a portal with one hand?

"You may."

The Ancient One agreed immediately.

Daniel just blinked. That was it? No conditions, no tests, no mysterious wisdom?

"Straightforward! As expected of the Sorcerer Supreme."

Daniel gave her a thumbs-up.

"I like you."

He hadn’t expected things to go this smoothly. At that moment, Daniel felt the Ancient One was an incredibly good person, almost as good as the old king of Wakanda.

Thinking of the king reminded him of something, he should probably drag T’Challa back to Wakanda again soon. He’d grown taller recently, his current clothes were getting a little tight, and besides, the seasons were changing. So, it was time for a wardrobe update.

Today’s events had also thoroughly shocked Tony and Susan. A relaxing trip to Wakanda would do them good. Daniel was already imagining the scene, he’d casually wave a hand and a portal would appear.

And then...

Boom...

Instant arrival in Wakanda.

"Come with me."

The Ancient One stood up.

"I’ll take you to the library."

"Great."

Daniel immediately followed behind her. As they walked, the Ancient One casually added.

"By the way, it isn’t my library."

"It belongs to all of Kamar-Taj."

"It belongs to everyone, not any single individual."

"Mhm, mhm."

Daniel nodded absentmindedly, he hadn’t listened to a word. Soon, they arrived at the library, the librarian came forward to greet them.

"Sorcerer Supreme."

He bowed respectfully, this wasn’t the future Wong, but some other man. The Ancient One gestured towards Daniel.

"I’ve brought him here. He may read any book in this library."

"Understood, Sorcerer Supreme."

The librarian immediately nodded. The reverence in his eyes made it obvious he admired her deeply.

"I’ll leave you to it."

The Ancient One turned towards Daniel.

"You may read whatever you’d like, just don’t destroy anything."

Daniel immediately replied.

"Don’t worry, I have never damaged a book in my life."

"Well, I’m relieved to hear that."

The Ancient One gave him one final look before leaving. The moment she disappeared, Daniel rubbed his hands together excitedly.

Then he turned towards the librarian. The librarian looked confused.

"Can you help me find the book about drawing circles?"

"...Drawing circles?"

The poor man looked completely lost.

"You know."

Daniel started gesturing wildly.

"You draw a circle, then whoosh! You instantly appear somewhere else."

Some realization dawned upon him.

"Oh, the Portal Spell."

"Yes! Exactly!"

Daniel pointed excitedly.

"That’s the one. I want the book that teaches it."

A few minutes later, the librarian returned carrying a thick tome bound in aged parchment.

"Everything you need is in here."

"Thanks."

Daniel gratefully accepted it. Without another word, the librarian wandered off somewhere.

Daniel immediately opened the book. Reading was one of his strengths as his speed was ridiculous and thanks to his perfect memory, he never forgot what he read. Less than a minute later, he’d finished the entire book.

"...That’s it?"

Daniel blinked.

"This is easy."

He immediately went looking for the librarian again.

"Hey..."

"Do you have a Sling Ring?"

"I’m about to start drawing circles."

The librarian stared at him. Then silently went to fetch one. Soon, he returned with a Sling Ring and handed it over.

Daniel slipped it on, the instructions from the book replayed in his mind. Visualize a place you’ve been. The clearer the image, the better, it was simple.

Daniel could remember every place he’d ever visited. He could probably recall the position of individual blades of grass.

’Drawing circles...’

He muttered under his breath while moving his hand.

Round and round.

Again and again.

While minutes passed, but nothing happened. There was no portal, no sparks, not even a single tiny ember. Daniel stared blankly at his hand.

"What the hell?"

He tried again and again and again.

All he got was failure. Eventually, he started getting angry.

"What is going on?"

The librarian watched from nearby. After observing for a while, he immediately identified the problem.

"You can’t connect to magic."

Daniel froze.

"What?"

"You can’t connect to magical energy."

The librarian repeated patiently.

"Without magic, you cannot cast spells."

Daniel’s eyes widened.

"That’s impossible!"

"It is the truth."

The librarian shrugged.

"You could ask the Sorcerer Supreme. Perhaps she has a solution."

Daniel refused to believe it, he was a genius. How could he possibly fail at something this simple?

So, he kept trying and trying. Nobody knew how much time passed, the librarian had already started yawning from boredom.

Meanwhile, Daniel still hadn’t managed to produce even a single spark. At last, his patience ran out.

"What kind of garbage is this?"

With a frustrated sigh, he dropped the book onto the table. For a moment, he simply stared at it.

"I’m done."

"I’m not learning this anymore."

Then he turned around and stormed toward the exit.

"It’s getting late."

"I’ll come back another time."

He tossed out the words and vanished, just like always. The Sling Ring remained abandoned on the table.

Before leaving Kamar-Taj, however, Daniel made one final stop. He quietly visited the room where the Ancient One had received him.

Then he casually pocketed a vase. After all, Daniel never returned from anywhere empty handed. If he couldn’t learn magic, surely nobody would mind him taking a small souvenir, right?

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