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Ethan walked slowly between the cases, observing carefully.
He could feel different types of energy from each one—some heavy and oppressive, others sharp and aggressive, and a few calm but deep.
Wong stood quietly behind him, watching.
Ethan eventually stopped in front of a tall black staff enclosed in a reinforced case.
The staff was made of dark metal, its surface etched with twisting runes. At the top was a hollow ring containing a floating sphere of condensed shadow.
The air around it felt colder.
Ethan stared at it for a few seconds.
The shadow within the ring shifted slightly.
Wong stepped closer and looked at him.
"That," Wong said calmly, "is the Staff of Darkness."
Ethan glanced at him.
"It was once used by a Witch who engulfed the whole of London in darkness," Wong continued. "It amplifies shadow and dark magic significantly."
Ethan studied the staff again.
"This is good for me," he thought.
Wong, standing behind him and sensing his intention, spoke calmly.
"You should choose something else. The witch who once engulfed all of London in darkness was initially skilled, but she became intoxicated by its power. That led to the tragedy," he said.
Ethan did not turn around.
"It's fine for me. My necromancy is at a much higher level than mere darkness," he replied.
He placed his hand on the glass case.
The runes around it flickered faintly.
The staff floated toward his hand.
It passed through the glass cover as if it were water, not solid crystal, and settled into his grasp.
The moment the staff settled into his grasp, darkness burst outward from it.
Shadows poured from the ring at its head and surged toward Ethan, attempting to engulf him completely. The temperature in the vault dropped sharply.
Wong took a step forward—but stopped.
Ethan did not move.
He remained calm.
A pulse of green energy flowed out from his body.
Necromantic power spread across his skin like a controlled aura.
When the darkness touched it, it reacted like mist meeting water. It hissed softly and began to recede.
Not destroyed.
Subdued.
The shadows that had tried to swallow him slowly drew back toward the staff.
At the top of the weapon, the dark sphere hovering within the ring shifted in color. The black surface thinned, revealing a faint green core within it.
Even the runes carved along the shaft began to change.
They were no longer pure black.
They now carried dark green lines flowing through them.
Wong observed silently.
Ethan glanced at the staff.
"Hmm," he murmured. "I can control it."
He rotated the staff once in his hand.
A wave of magic pulsed outward, controlled and smooth, demonstrating his command over it. The shadows responded instantly to his intent, no longer resisting.
With a thought, he willed it to shrink.
The long shaft compressed, folding inward as if made of flowing energy rather than metal. Parts of it dissolved into light and reformed as a sleek, dark bracelet around his wrist. A faint green sphere rested at its center.
Ethan flexed his hand slightly.
The bracelet pulsed once in response.
"It also has some interesting features," he muttered.
Wong exhaled slowly.
"It seems," he said calmly, "the staff has accepted you."
Ethan glanced at the bracelet on his wrist.
"It did try to amplify negative emotions," he said. "That's most likely the reason the previous user became drunk on its power."
Wong nodded. "That is a reasonable conclusion."
"Anyway," Wong continued, "with this, you are now officially a Master."
Ethan nodded once.
They exited the vault and returned to the main hall, where the Ancient One was waiting.
She studied him briefly, her gaze resting on the dark bracelet around his wrist.
"You were chosen by the Staff of Darkness," she said. "I can't say I'm surprised."
Ethan inclined his head slightly.
"You may leave Kamar-Taj if you wish," she continued. "Your training here is complete."
"I am ready to leave," Ethan said calmly.
The Ancient One nodded.
"However, the others are not ready yet," she added, glancing toward the courtyard. "They are still learning."
Ethan followed her gaze.
Sharon, Clint, Frank, Storm, Coulson, and Natasha were practicing. They could now form stable magic circles, but their control was still basic. They were not ready for real combat.
Ethan looked back at the Ancient One.
"I'll leave alone then," he said. "Let them continue their training here."
She gave a small nod of approval.
Ethan walked toward the courtyard where the others were still training.
Sharon was the first to notice him approaching. Storm and Frank stopped shortly after.
Clint and Natasha also paused, wiping sweat from their hands.
"You're done?" Clint asked.
"Yes," Ethan replied calmly. "My training here is complete. I'll be leaving Kamar-Taj."
There was a brief silence.
Storm stepped forward slightly. "Then we leave with you."
Frank nodded. "That was always the plan."
Sharon crossed her arms but said nothing. She was clearly expecting the same.
Ethan looked at them.
"That's not necessary anymore," he said.
They frowned.
"I've already revealed my abilities publicly," Ethan continued. "There's no reason to maintain constant close protection. And the company is stable. Aria is handling operations efficiently."
Sharon's expression shifted slightly at the mention of Aria.
"The company doesn't need me there right now?" she asked.
"It's being managed well," Ethan said. "You can stay here and complete your training without worrying."
Sharon was quiet for a moment, then gave a slow nod. "Understood."
Storm folded his arms.
"I will return stronger," he said firmly.
Ethan gave him a steady look. "I expect you to."
Frank exhaled through his nose. "Three months and I can barely maintain a circle for five minutes."
"You're improving," Ethan said simply. "Focus on control."
"So, you're going out without your bodyguards?" Coulson asked, raising an eyebrow. "That's definitely not like you."
Ethan gave a small shrug. "I still have Aria. She's more than enough to handle small matters."
They nodded, though Clint looked unconvinced.
"Small matters," Clint repeated. "Your definition of small is very different from mine."