Chapter 78: New Teacher Get!

Jay sat there in stunned silence, the Ancient One's words echoing in his mind. The casual revelation of his transmigrator nature had hit him like a physical blow, and for several long moments, he couldn't find his voice.

Finally, he lifted the teacup to his lips and drained it in one gulp, the warm liquid doing little to settle his nerves. When he set the cup down, his hands were steadier than he felt.

"How?" The word came out rougher than he intended. He cleared his throat and tried again. "How did you come to know about my... nature?"

The Ancient One's hands stilled completely, the teapot forgotten. When she spoke again, her voice carried such weight that the very air seemed to crystallize around them, heavy with ancient knowledge.

"There are forces that exist beyond the comprehension of mortals, Jay. Entities whose very existence shapes the fundamental nature of reality itself." She set the teapot down with calm movements. "The Vishanti, as we know Omnipotent Oshtur, All-Seeing Agamotto, and Hoary Hoggoth are beings of such immense power that entire civilizations worship them as supreme gods."

Jay's mind reeled. He knew these names from comics, but hearing them spoken with such casual reverence by someone who actually served them was jarring.

"But they are merely servants," she continued, oblivious to his quick acceptance. "Above the Vishanti, above even the goddess Witchcraft herself, stands The-Powers-That-Be, the abstract entity that governs all magic and strangeness in existence. She is one of only eight fundamental abstract entities that divide the axis of universal power, standing alongside Eternity, Infinity, Oblivion, and the Living Tribunal itself."

Jay's cup shook from nerveless fingers. This was beyond anything that should be in the MCU. The Ancient One was speaking about these cosmic forces as if she dealt with them regularly, discussing entities that existed on a level that made gods look like insects.

"And there are others," the Ancient One said, her eyes becoming distant. "The Queen of Nevers, the embodiment of possibility itself—what might be, forever outside what is. She was once the Pilgrim, the sentience of the Fourth Cosmos, who journeyed into the Mystery beyond space and time when her universe died. She exists in the Land of Couldn't-Be-Shouldn't-Be, and nexus beings throughout the multiverse serve as her agents."

"Wait," Jay managed to make his voice crack slightly. "You even know all of this?”

The Ancient One nodded as if discussing the weather. "Indeed. There exists an ancient compact between The-Powers-That-Be and the Queen of Nevers regarding those who slip between realities. Those who demonstrate magical aptitude may choose to serve under the Vishanti, enhanced by The-Powers-That-Be's authority. Those who refuse or lack the talent remain under the Queen's protection, free to explore infinite possibilities."

Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to focus. "I came here seeking your guidance," he said, his voice steadying. "I need help mastering my powers."

The Ancient One nodded slowly, as if this was exactly what she'd expected. "If you wish to become a sorcerer, you must understand what that entails. To draw upon the energies of the Vishanti's dimension requires a life oath, a binding commitment to serve and protect Earth from all mystical threats for as long as you draw breath."

Jay smiled then, remembering the careful choices he'd made back when this was all just theoretical. The reason he'd taken 'No Arcane' drawbacks, the reason he'd avoided any supernatural contracts or bindings. He'd known instinctively that he didn't want to be bound by lifetime promises to serve anyone else, no matter what power he got in exchange.

"I'm unable to use magic," he said simply.

The Ancient One's composure slipped for the first time since their meeting began. "That's... impossible. Everyone, no matter how small their potential, possesses at least a spark for sorcery. Magic is simply the art of borrowing energy from other dimensions through focused will and proper technique."

"You can check if you want," Jay offered with a slight shrug.

Now genuinely intrigued, the Ancient One rose from her seat and moved to stand before him. Her hands began to weave complex patterns in the air, and Jay felt a tingle of unknown energies gathering around them. A golden circle of light formed around his seated figure, intricate symbols rotating slowly within its circumference.

Then it shattered like glass.

The Ancient One's eyebrows rose slightly, and she tried again. This time, the circle lasted perhaps three seconds before fragmenting into sparkling motes of light that faded into nothing.

Again. The same result.

Again. Not even a flicker this time.

Finally, after the fifth attempt, the Ancient One exhaled slowly and sank back into her chair. There was something almost defeated in her posture as she spoke. "In all my centuries, across all the students who have sought the mystic arts, I have never encountered someone with such a complete lack of mystical talent that it could itself be considered a form of talent."

Jay couldn't tell if she was praising him or insulting him, and her expression gave nothing away.

"Why come here if you cannot perform even the most basic spells?" she asked, studying him with renewed curiosity.

Jay met her gaze directly. "Shouldn't you know what I want? With your Time Stone and all?"

The Ancient One's eyes widened slightly, the most surprised he'd seen from her yet. After a moment, she seemed to remember his outsider nature and nodded slowly. "Since you entered our reality, the timelines are no longer fixed. They have branched into infinite possibilities where each action you take shapes the world in ways I cannot predict. I cannot check every timeline to find the answer to this question."

That made sense, Jay supposed. His very presence had introduced chaos into what had once been a predetermined narrative.

"If you know my name, then you should know about the nature of my powers," he said.

The Ancient One nodded slowly.

"Even though my friend has trained me in military combat, that's not something that can bring out the complete potential of my abilities." Jay leaned forward slightly. "So, I came to the one place where people are taught to bring out the best in themselves, to push beyond normal limits."

He brought his palms together, closed his eyes, and bowed his head in the traditional gesture of supplication. When he spoke, his voice carried genuine respect and humility.

"Please teach me."

The silence stretched between them, filled only by the distant sound of chanting from deeper within the sanctuary. Jay kept his head bowed, waiting.

"You cannot learn magic," the Ancient One said finally, her voice thoughtful. "But perhaps... that is not what you truly need to learn."

Jay looked up, hope flickering in his chest.

The Ancient One stopped in front of him again. "I cannot teach you magic, but I can teach you something far more valuable—how to master yourself."

Jay felt something shift inside him, a recognition that this was exactly what he'd been searching for.

"The mystic arts are not about power," she continued. "They are about understanding. About seeing the connections between all things, about finding harmony within chaos." Her eyes seemed to look through him rather than at him. "Your powers are not separate from you—they are you, expressed through different facets. Start listening to them."

"How do I do that?"

"The same way one learns anything of true value," the Ancient One replied. "Through patience, practice, and the willingness to fail many times before succeeding even once."

She gestured toward the deeper recesses of the sanctuary. "We have training spaces where you can explore your abilities safely. We have masters who can teach you meditation techniques to quiet your mind and hear what your powers are truly telling you." Her smile became almost mischievous. "And we have centuries of accumulated wisdom about the nature of power itself—not mystical power specifically, but the fundamental principles that govern all forms of extraordinary ability."

Jay felt a surge of genuine excitement for the first time since entering the sanctuary. This wasn't what he'd expected, but it felt right in a way that mere magical instruction never would have.

"When do we start?"

"Now," the Ancient One said simply. "But first, you must understand the rules of this place. We are not a school for soldiers or heroes. We are guardians of knowledge, protectors of wisdom." Her voice carried gentle but unmistakable authority. "While you are here, you will show respect to all who dwell within these walls. You will harm none without direct threat to yourself or others. And you will remember that true strength comes not from what you can destroy, but from what you choose to preserve."

Jay nodded solemnly. After what had happened in Korea, those words hit deeper than she might have realized.

"I understand."

As Jay rose to follow Mordo, the Ancient One spoke once more.

"Jay," she said, and something in her tone made him turn back. "Before we begin, you need to promise me something after all, each teacher demands a price worth their teaching."

Jay looked at her with anticipation, sensing the weight of what was coming.

"First," the Ancient One continued, her voice carrying the authority of centuries, "you will not heal Stephen Strange, no matter what circumstances you may face."

Jay frowned, confused by the specificity of the request. "Why?"

"Because it is his destiny to become the best of us," she replied simply. "His journey through pain and loss is what will forge him into the protector this world needs. To rob him of that path would be to rob the world of its future guardian."

Jay nodded slowly. He understood the concept of necessary suffering, even if he didn't like it.

"And secondly," the Ancient One's eyes grew more intense, "if you are not willing to serve under the Vishanti, you are also never to serve under any dark lord or entity that would corrupt your purpose."

"I agree," he said without hesitation.

The Ancient One's smile was both sad and knowing. "Then let us begin your true education."

 The Ancient One clapped her hands once, and immediately a figure appeared in the doorway Mordo. "Master Mordo will show you to your quarters and explain our daily routines. Tomorrow, we begin your real education."