Guidance from the Sorcerer Supreme

Oaks did not mind learning more spells outside the Druid tradition.

Some of the spells he had previously learned from Queen Frigga in Asgard had been quite practical.

But although Frigga was powerful, she could not possibly open up her own legacy and teach Oaks as she had taught Loki.

Agatha was different.

Perhaps her spells were not as high-level or powerful as Frigga’s, but the legacy of Earth’s Witches was not to be underestimated.

After all, it was a tradition that had survived intact despite being hunted by the world for centuries.

Oaks had no interest whatsoever in the Black Magic portions, which was why he had remained unaffected after reading the Darkhold.

He simply did not crave the power and knowledge it represented that much.

Of course, that also had much to do with his powerful soul and the protection of Astral Energy.

Aside from Black Magic, Agatha had mastered many other spells. Her greatest specialties were perception, Transfiguration Magic, and manipulating the minds of living beings.

Oaks was already highly skilled at perception, and he had no interest in manipulating the minds of living beings. Transfiguration, however, greatly interested him.

Previously, he could only transform himself, whereas Agatha’s spells could transform both herself and others.

They were very similar to Loki’s spells.

So, after Agatha was introduced to Wanda as a magic mentor, Oaks also learned some Transfiguration Magic from her.

For the first time, Wanda understood what Oaks had meant when he spoke of "Witches."

Agatha’s immense store of knowledge astonished the young Witch, who had been desperately hoping to make something of her magic. Naturally, she accepted Agatha as her magic mentor.

But Oaks could not continue studying alongside her for long. He still had to deal with the Darkhold and Mephisto’s remaining problems.

So, after mastering Agatha’s Transfiguration Magic at an astonishing pace, Oaks left the Avengers base.

"Malorne, keep an eye on Agatha. If she tries to fill Wanda’s head with any strange ideas, notify me immediately."

"Don’t worry, brother. I will."

Malorne had built the main body of the Biological Computer for Jarvis in Oaks’ place. Jarvis had now begun taking over Tony’s Iron Legion, using his immense computing power to improve their operational models and upgrade them through successive iterations.

Malorne and Jarvis had already synchronized their information and data, while the entire Avengers base lay within Jarvis’ field of view.

Thus, Malorne also possessed complete surveillance authority over the Avengers base.

Other than the Howling Commandos, who were handling outside combat, and Wanda and Pietro, who were training, Tony and Banner had devoted all their energy to optimizing the Biological Computer’s processing power.

Even with Malorne, the nature-magic-enhanced biological supercomputer, whether it could support all the data of Earth’s Biosphere remained unknown.

As more and more materials and data from the biosphere were compiled, the estimated computing power required for the Gaia Hypothesis mirror increased rapidly every day.

Although it was still far from exceeding the upper limit of processing power Malorne had reserved, the data they had collected so far was merely a drop in the ocean for Earth’s Biosphere.

When Oaks returned to New York, Ghost Rider Johnny had already bid farewell to the old veteran Carter Slade and resumed his wandering journey.

Oaks did not attempt to recruit him, either.

After breaking free of Mephisto’s control, he had gained the Blue Flame of protection and taken on the responsibilities of a Fallen Angel.

He had made it his goal to strike down evil and avenge the innocent. He longed to punish wickedness and promote good, and he was accustomed to working alone.

Of course, Johnny left behind his contact information. After all, Mephisto would not simply let the matter rest after failing to achieve his goal.

No longer controlled by Mephisto yet still maintaining a special connection with hell, Johnny would become an important force against Mephisto.

When Oaks arrived at the New York Sanctum, Ancient One was already waiting for him personally.

"You did not go looking for Odin first? After all, he was the one who told you about Mephisto."

The familiar tea table, the familiar tea set, the familiar method of brewing tea.

Oaks contentedly lifted his teacup and drained it in one gulp, then let out a comfortable sigh.

"Odin is having far too much fun playing his mafia game. If he cared that much about this matter, he would have told me from the start that Mephisto was behind it. But he never even mentioned that name."

He spread his hands helplessly.

"When people get old, especially when they are old but still at the peak of their strength, they become willful.

The public-facing ‘Guardian of the Nine Realms’ is still sitting on the Asgardian throne. Unless things reach the point where they cannot be cleaned up, he probably will not show himself."

"Very well said. It seems I was right to send Odin to your side back then."

Ancient One smiled as she brewed the tea. Seeing Oaks’ unconvinced expression, she picked up her teacup.

"So, what did Mephisto come to do?"

"He wanted to make a move on me."

Oaks told Ancient One what Mephisto had said to him. After pondering for a moment, she slowly nodded.

"Nightmare… If you can fully master the power of nature, then this matter is indeed feasible."

"Mephisto’s schemes come one after another. I know that very well."

Oaks pointed at his own head.

"When it comes to schemes, I cannot beat him. So the best solution is not to play with him."

"And are you truly unmoved by the Dream Dimension?"

Ancient One gave Oaks a deep look. A small Portal appeared beside her hand, and she reached inside to take out a book, making the corner of Oaks’ mouth twitch.

So this little trick of your successor had already been overused by you.

Ancient One flipped through the book and turned the open page toward Oaks. The book floated before him.

"A space connected and shaped by humanity’s collective subconscious…"

Oaks looked over the records. They contained an introduction to the Dream Dimension, though there was very little information. Still, it mentioned the Dimension Lord—Nightmare.

Oaks frowned. It was somewhat different from what he had imagined. The Dream Dimension was a rather unique existence among Dimensional Spaces.

It was a physical space, yet it only affected the mind.

And the most ridiculous thing was that although it was called the Dream Dimension, only nightmares seemed to exist there. Beautiful dreams were completely out of the question.

So perhaps Nightmare Dimension was a more fitting name.

However, this dimension seemed to possess one special characteristic: its upper limit of dimensional power was determined by willpower.

That gave Oaks a strange expression.

If Captain America Steve, whose willpower ranked first in the entire Marvel universe, entered the Nightmare Dimension, could he beat the Dimension Lord Nightmare senseless?

It should not be that simple, right?

That was a Dimension Lord, after all… Weren’t Dimension Lords supposed to be invincible within their own dimensions?

And even beating him senseless would not actually mean much. He could neither strip Nightmare of his authority as Dimension Lord nor kill him.

So he had to find another way.

The Sorcerer Supreme had said it was feasible…

The prerequisite was fully mastering the power of nature, which meant receiving the complete blessing of the Gaia Hypothesis.

Oaks suddenly woke up.

By then, he would have reached the realm of My Mind Replaces Heaven’s Mind. In terms of willpower… he would basically be unmatched.

Beating Nightmare senseless should not be a problem.

And most importantly—

The essence of the Gaia Hypothesis was the diffuse consciousness of the biosphere. It could be said to be the collective subconscious of all life on Earth!

Its strength was far greater than that of humanity’s collective subconscious!

"So that’s it. I understand now!"

Oaks’ eyes shone brightly. As expected of the Sorcerer Supreme—she had immediately grasped the key to the problem!

"Hehe… It is good that you understand. As the Sorcerer Supreme, I have protected Earth from dimensional invasions for so long. I truly hope that we humans can have a Dimension Lord of our own."

Ancient One nodded in satisfaction, then her expression gradually turned serious.

"You… read that book?"

"I did."

Oaks fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

"But the Black Magic in it conflicts with the nature of my magic, and it even tried to affect my soul. I only read one page before I could not continue.

So I brought it today. How does the Sorcerer Supreme intend to deal with it?"

He slowly extended his hand, and the book emitting strange magical fluctuations appeared in his palm.

"The Darkhold…"

Ancient One’s expression turned solemn. She carefully examined Oaks, then slowly nodded after a long while.

"You were actually able to hand it over voluntarily. It seems it truly did not affect your soul.

The New York Sanctum’s protective measures are insufficient. Come with me to Kamar-Taj."

Oaks nodded. The Darkhold would reveal whatever knowledge its reader wanted to know, so the page he had read contained records about the Scarlet Witch.

Only by drawing upon powerful nature power and Astral Force to suppress it, together with the immense strength of his own soul, had Oaks barely managed to suppress the book’s influence over his soul.

But after that, he absolutely did not dare turn another page.

With a gentle push from Oaks, the Darkhold floated before Ancient One.

Ancient One silently chanted an incantation and formed several hand seals. A brilliant golden rune was then placed upon the Darkhold—

It was a spherical protective barrier, and Oaks could sense the vast magical power circulating within it.

Even the Sorcerer Supreme needed to chant and use hand signs to cast this spell. Its strength was self-evident.

Ancient One opened a Portal and stepped through it. Oaks followed close behind.

The place where they appeared made Oaks pause.

It was a broad space filled with a huge number of bookshelves.

A flat-topped, chubby man in a sorcerer’s robe was dusting the bookshelves with a feather duster.

"…Is there no cleaning spell or something?"

Oaks watched speechlessly as the chubby man wore a serious expression while his eyes darted around and he waved the feather duster. This guy was really good at acting in front of the Sorcerer Supreme!

"Greetings, Sorcerer Supreme!"

The chubby man turned around and raised his palm in salute to Ancient One. She gave a slight nod.

"Wong, close the library temporarily.

Also, Oaks, many of the books stored here contain magical power. For safety reasons, no spells are permitted here."

"…"

Oaks gave the Portal that had just vanished a strange look.

Fine. The Sorcerer Supreme made the rules, but she never said she had to follow them herself.

Wong tugged at the corner of his mouth with difficulty. He secretly glanced at Ancient One, who was walking slowly ahead, then raised his palm to Oaks in salute as well.

"Greetings, Lord Oaks. I am Wong, librarian of Kamar-Taj."

"I have heard much about you. A pleasure to meet you."

Oaks shook Wong’s hand. He truly had heard much about him—

He had not seen this comedian while working on Kamar-Taj’s landscaping, and he had found that rather regrettable at the time.

Wong closed the library according to Ancient One’s orders, while Oaks followed Ancient One to a special bookshelf.

She swept one hand across the bookshelf, and it slowly vanished, revealing a hidden door behind it.

"We have arrived. The Sealed Land."