Chapter 110. Me? The Next Sorcerer Supreme?
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When Nolan heard the Ancient One's words, he couldn't deny it despite all his confidence, despite knowing he had the potential to eventually rival her power, being personally sought out by the Sorcerer Supreme to become her disciple? That was something else entirely.
After all, the Ancient One wasn't just some mystic recluse. She was Earth's greatest magical protector. Even Odin, the King of Asgard, respected her power. She'd slain countless interdimensional threats who dared to eye Earth as prey.
And now she had shown up in person offering him mentorship. What's more, she had said outright that he was more suitable than Doctor Strange to inherit the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme.
"You said we've met in many timelines," Nolan asked, "does that mean you've taken me as your disciple in those other universes too?"
"No," the Ancient One replied with a slight smile. "Using the Time Stone, I traced potential timelines starting from when you were still inside the Hydra facility. In all those fleeting parallel universes, I encountered you many times."
"But without exception, you died. Sometimes inside the base, other times shortly after escaping. No matter the variation, you always perished."
"Only in this timeline... are you still alive."
Nolan raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not exactly the type who protects the Earth for free, you know," he said bluntly. "If there's no benefit in it for me, I'm not interested."