Ancient One watched his departing back and said to Mavuika, "He will become the most powerful Sorcerer Supreme. Not because he has the highest talent, but because he never admits defeat."
In addition to preparing for battle, Ancient One also took the time to exchange many magic insights with Loki.
The two sat in the tea room with a chessboard set before them. It wasn't chess, but a special three-dimensional game unique to Kamar-Taj, formed from condensed magical energy.
The pieces were not made of wood or Shitou, but were miniature energy bodies; every move emitted a fine, subtle glow.
Loki was very interested in this game. "Is this how you sorcerers train?"
Ancient One nodded. "Yes, each piece represents a magic element. The process of making a move is a simulation of energy allocation during combat."
Loki picked up a blue piece and twirled it in his hand.
"Interesting. Asgard's magic focuses more on individual power output rather than the allocation of elements."
Ancient One said with a smile, "Each has its merits. Your Highness's illusions are also recorded in the archives of Kamar-Taj."
The corners of Loki's mouth curled up slightly. "My illusions do more than just deceive the eyes."
The two continued to play, exchanging knowledge as they went. Ancient One taught Loki how to use magic to perceive ripples in space, while Loki taught Ancient One how to use illusions to create multiple clones.
Neither held anything back, as if they were exchanging gifts.
Mordo watched from the side with a complex expression. He didn't quite understand why his master was so candid with an 'outsider,' but he chose to trust his master's judgment.
Strange also watched from the side, lost in thought.
Wanda was also summoned by Ancient One.
That afternoon, Ancient One waited for her in the courtyard.
Wanda walked out from the corridor, wearing a deep red coat with her hands in her pockets, her expression somewhat wary.
She wasn't used to being alone with strangers, especially someone as powerful as Ancient One, whom she couldn't see through.
"Miss Wanda," Ancient One said with a smile, "please sit."
Wanda sat on the stone bench opposite her but did not relax. Her body leaned forward slightly, like a cat ready to bolt at any moment.
Ancient One looked at her with a gentle gaze. "Your power comes from Chaos Magic."
Wanda's hands tightened slightly. "What is that?"
Ancient One said, "Chaos Magic is one of the oldest and most primitive forms of magic. It requires no incantations, no gestures, and no magic circles—only will. The stronger your will, the stronger your power."
She paused.
"But this power is also the most dangerous. It has no rules and no boundaries. If you do not control it well, it will control you in turn."
Wanda remained silent.
Ancient One continued, "HYDRA used the Tesseract to trigger your power, but they didn't teach you how to control it. They only treated you as a weapon, letting you release, release, and release again. That is why you are afraid of yourself."
Wanda looked up at Ancient One, something flickering in those brown eyes.
"How do you know?"
Ancient One chuckled softly. "Because I was once afraid too. Not of enemies, but of myself. Afraid that my power would spiral out of control and hurt those who shouldn't be hurt."
She reached out, her palm glowing with golden magic light. The light was warm and soft, like the first rays of sunlight at dawn.
"Do you want to learn? Not to learn the magic of Kamar-Taj, but to learn how to master your own power."
Wanda looked at that hand for a long time.
Then she reached out and took Ancient One's palm.
Ancient One's palm was warm and dry, forming a sharp contrast with her cold fingers.
"Very good," Ancient One said. "Then let us begin."
Over the next three days, Ancient One would set aside time every day to guide Wanda.
She didn't teach her new incantations or complex magic circles; she only taught her one thing—how to feel her own power.
"Close your eyes," Ancient One said. "Feel the energy inside you. Where is it?"
Wanda closed her eyes. She could feel that dark red Chaos Magic surging through her veins like a river.
It had no fixed shape or direction, sometimes turbulent and sometimes calm, like a Beast that could break free from its reins at any moment.
"It's... everywhere," Wanda's voice was a bit tight.
Ancient One nodded. "Chaos Magic is like that. It has no order, so it is everywhere. But you can give it order."
She walked behind Wanda and placed her hands on her shoulders.
"Don't try to control it, or it will resist. Try to guide it—like guiding a river, rather than building a dam to block it."
Wanda took a deep breath and tried to touch that energy with her consciousness.
It was like a startled snake, snapping back and then suddenly Swirling out. Wanda's body trembled, and fine beads of sweat broke out on her forehead.
"Take it slow," Ancient One's voice was very soft. "Don't rush. It won't hurt you; it is a part of you."
Wanda grit her teeth and continued to try.
This time, she didn't try to 'grab' the energy. Instead, as Ancient One had said, she tried to guide it. She imagined her consciousness as a riverbed, letting the energy flow through it.
The energy began to move slowly and reluctantly. It flowed from her fingertips to her shoulders, from her shoulders to her chest, and from her chest to her abdomen.
It drew circle after circle within her body. Each circle slowed its speed and made it more docile.
Wanda opened her eyes and looked down at her hands. The dark red light in her palms was no longer jumping frantically as before, but flickering steadily and rhythmically, like a heartbeat.
"I... I can feel it," Wanda's voice trembled slightly. "It's listening to me."
Ancient One let go and stepped back, nodding with satisfaction. "Yes, it is listening to you. Not because you have controlled it, but because it has finally found a direction."
Wanda looked up at Ancient One. For the first time, there was no wariness in those eyes, only gratitude.
"Thank you, Sorcerer Ancient One."
Ancient One shook her head. "Don't thank me. You did it yourself."
She paused.
"You have great potential, Wanda. When Chaos Magic is practiced to a high level, even I would feel inferior. But this path is long and dangerous. Don't rush; take it slow."
Wanda nodded. She looked at her hands; the dark red light in her palms was like a docile little animal, curled up quietly there.
Pietro stood under the corridor, watching all this, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.
Three days passed in a flash.
On the evening of the third day, Ancient One received a message from Mordo in Hong Kong—Kaecilius and his Followers were moving toward the Hong Kong Sanctum and were expected to arrive tonight.
Ancient One stood in the courtyard, watching the setting sun sink into the snow-capped mountains. The sunset glow dyed the sky a golden red, exactly the same color as Mavuika's flames.