False alarm.
Aron wasn't found guilty of "illegal summoning."
In fact, the Ancient One gave him permission to freely enter and exit Kamar-Taj from now on.
That meant his time under supervision was over.
Now, Aron could stay in Kamar-Taj to study magic or leave whenever he wished.
As the old saying goes, the doors of Kamar-Taj were always open to him.
He was also told he could reach out anytime if he had questions.
Look at that! Style, safety, authority... No wonder the Ancient One is the Supreme Sorcerer!
As the Ancient One disappeared through the portal, Aron mentally gave him a thumbs-up.
Who doesn't love a head like that?
Don't get it wrong, it's not that Aron had any weird thoughts about the Ancient One, but he had to admit he now owed him a big favor.
Even though he honestly didn't want to go back...
"In other words... what exactly did the Ancient One learn from Lord Vishanti?"
Aron was curious.
What did those three powerful entities say to the Ancient One that calmed him down so much, to the point he gave Aron a method to summon a dimensional lord?
That was a demonic god! Ruler of an entire dimension!
Almost on Dormammu's level!
Such a summoning could easily go wrong and erase the entire Earth in a few minutes.
"System..."
"Does Lord Vishanti count as an evil demon?"
[All entities from other dimensions that pose a significant threat to the host are classified as demons.]
So... That's why Lord Vishanti doesn't want to establish a direct connection with him?
Aron pondered internally.
"No."
"I don't want to mess with such a force."
He shook his head and dismissed the chaotic thoughts.
He picked up the papers and books the old mage had given him.
For now, he didn't plan to leave Kamar-Taj.
The reason was simple, Marvel's world is dangerous.
Until he became strong enough, it was safer to stay here.
After all...
When everything collapses, there are bald heads around that keep everything under control.
———
He passed through a portal surrounded by fire.
Aron returned to Kamar-Taj.
He saw the Ancient One walking away, from behind, his head seemed endless.
In the hall sat only one mage with an injured arm, meditating on a futon.
Because of the portal's unique energy, the mage opened his eyes for a moment but immediately continued meditating.
Aron muttered to himself, "How can you not sense all this demonic power?"
He didn't disturb him. He went straight to the library.
He borrowed a few basic magic books from Wong.
Then he found Mordo in the training courtyard.
"Hey, old man, teach me some combat magic, something I can actually fight with."
"Hmm?" Mordo was surprised. Then his expression turned grim.
"Aron, I understand you."
"Your talent... well, it's not exactly great."
"But don't give up right away or set unrealistic expectations..."
He tried to persuade him gently.
In other words, you haven't even learned the basics yet, and you already want to fight?
But Aron already carried demonic power within him. He had to learn how to use it.
"Alright, if you're so persistent."
"We'll start like everyone else, put on the ring and practice teleportation."
"Once you master that, we'll move on…"
But before Mordo even finished his sentence, Aron had already put on the ring, chanted the incantation, and drew the magical circle.
Boom——!
A portal to the fires of hell opened!
Radiating terrifying heat and evil energy.
"..."
Mordo's eyes widened.
His words caught in his throat.
From shock to seriousness, then to a cold expression.
"You're right. Teleportation magic is pretty cool."
Aron was ecstatic.
Mordo then drew his staff.
And he wasn't the only one.
Other mages stopped their training, drew their weapons, and surrounded Aron.
"What's this now?"
Aron realized something was wrong.
He tried to talk his way out, but Mordo was already charging at him with his staff.
"Oh, shit!"
The demonic power automatically formed a protective shield around him.
In an instant, Aron reflexively swung and struck.
In the next moment, Mordo flew backward like a cannonball!
"WTF? Am I really this strong?"
Aron was shocked by his own strength.
But there was no time to think, the other mages were already rushing at him.
"Don't come any closer! Or… your superiors will beat you all up!"
Aron tried to bluff.
And it worked. A few of them stopped.
Then came the voice:
"Your Holiness."
The Ancient One had arrived.
———
The misunderstanding was quickly resolved.
The mages withdrew.
Mordo got up, there were no serious injuries, just surprise.
"You said you had demonic power…"
"I thought you were some demon from hell."
"Did I even give you a chance to explain?"
"You're just copying some poses, I thought you were part of a gang in Kamar-Taj."
"A group of mages, like some damn hooligans."
Aron wasn't thrilled.
"Alright," said the Ancient One. "My mistake. I should've explained earlier what's going on."
He took responsibility.
But deep inside, he wasn't sure if he'd regret this decision in the future.
Aron, who had just taken his first step, was already dragging a storm behind him.
The Ancient One could only hope for the best.