The Black Witch’s Regret

Johnny got Carter Slade’s address from Oaks and rode his beloved Harley to find the old veteran himself.

Oaks, meanwhile, had turned his attention to Agatha and the Darkhold.

"I need to discuss the Darkhold with the Sorcerer Supreme. This thing is far too dangerous…"

In the Confidential Meeting Room of Little Rainforest, Oaks sat on the sofa and raised a brow at the somewhat uneasy Agatha across from him.

"Now then, let’s talk about your situation, Ms. Agatha."

Though this powerful Witch carried herself like a queen, and acted obedient in front of Oaks, she showed no courtesy toward anyone else.

That was because Oaks could be considered her "kind," yet he was even stronger than she was, despite never having studied Black Magic.

That had greatly shaken the belief she had always clung to: "Black Magic is far stronger than ordinary spells, so I must learn it in pursuit of power."

Combined with the purification of Johnny’s Penance Stare and the removal of Mephisto’s soul lurking within her, Agatha had changed considerably.

As a powerful spellcaster, her thirst for knowledge had not diminished, but she now had more thoughts about the means by which she acquired that knowledge.

"Lord Druid, please don’t hand me over to those Mystic Arts Mages."

Though Agatha was used to acting lawlessly outside, there was no way she did not know the name of the Sorcerer Supreme.

She had always kept out of the way of those Mystic Arts Mages who regarded protecting the world as their duty.

At first, she had been very interested in how those people, originally ordinary mortals, could gain magical power through study. But after learning of the Sorcerer Supreme’s existence, she became much more low-profile.

There was no other reason. She could not beat them, and she could not afford to provoke them.

Besides, as someone deeply versed in Black Magic, she did not even want to come face-to-face with the Sorcerer Supreme.

Being thrown into a magical prison would be the least of her worries.

Especially now, after possessing the Darkhold for several days and learning several Black Magic spells from it!

"They have always taken a hands-off approach toward Witches, but I’m different from ordinary Witches. I have… far too many blood debts on my hands."

Agatha’s expression darkened. Over the past fifty years, she had killed plenty of people in her pursuit of Black Magic.

"Though the Spirit of Vengeance did not judge you to death because of Mephisto’s soul mark, you did pass the judgment, at least."

Oaks shifted his posture and rubbed his chin. The fact that she could actively recognize her own mistakes and sins showed that the Penance Stare’s ability to reform the wicked was truly impressive.

It was just that very few people could survive it.

"In other words, you now have a chance to atone for your crimes and make up for the sins you’ve committed."

Seeing Agatha’s expression ease somewhat, Oaks nodded.

"You’ve seen it here, and you’ve surely heard plenty about what my magic has accomplished.

The purpose of magic is not merely to defeat opponents. It should be used for things with greater meaning. Like technology, it should be able to contribute to humanity as a whole."

He pointed outside, his expression calm.

"Why is it that even in an age when human ideas have become so open-minded, Witches can still only live in the shadows in such a vast world?

At first, I thought it was humanity’s instinctive rejection of those who were different, along with religious persecution and the like.

But after learning what you did in the past, I realized that Black Magic was indeed an important factor that could not be ignored—

You should understand very well the many misfortunes it brings."

"Yes…"

Agatha sighed softly.

"Just as you said, the Coven of Witches has always preserved a great number of Black Magic spells. Lower-ranking Witches simply had no right to learn them.

High-ranking Witches all studied Black Magic, and it made their personalities and conduct increasingly gloomy, terrifying, extreme, and… cruel.

I have to admit that even without Mephisto’s influence, I would sooner or later have come into contact with Black Magic as my rank rose, and then embarked upon this path…"

She clutched her hair in pain. Her fingers gradually turned pitch-black, her voice and body began to tremble, and her expression became increasingly agonized.

"I… ngh… Mother… Ah!!"

Purple magical energy boiled around Agatha as her mind fell into extreme instability. Clearly, she had recalled the Salem Witch Trials and the fact that she had killed her own mother with her own hands.

Oaks shook his head helplessly and waved a hand. A pillar of sunlight crashed down, suppressing Agatha’s magic before it could erupt.

"So this is one of Black Magic’s greatest side effects. It makes the mind extraordinarily fragile and sensitive, causing frequent outbursts."

As the sunlight faded, Agatha gasped for breath and regained consciousness. The black traces on her fingers disappeared as well.

"It seems you need to learn how to calm yourself down… Perhaps I should find something for you to do."

Oaks looked at the dejected Agatha and gradually formed an idea.

"Actually, besides you, I know another Witch."

"What?!"

Agatha forgot her dejection and abruptly raised her head.

"A Witch? But after all these years, I… I haven’t found a companion in a very long time…"

"Yes, she is indeed a Witch, and an exceptionally gifted one."

Oaks carefully chose his words.

"Her name is Wanda Maximoff. She is from Sokovia in Eastern Europe. Both she and her brother Pietro possess unusual powers.

After examining her, I determined that Wanda was born with magical power. Without learning any magical knowledge, she could instinctively use magic to manipulate objects and affect minds.

I brought them back from Sokovia, and they are currently undergoing Avengers training."

"This… is indeed a Witch’s trait."

Agatha’s eyes gradually lit up.

"And she has never studied any magical knowledge? To achieve that level, even with systematic magical training, would take a very long time…

Exceptionally gifted. She truly is exceptionally gifted!"

The light in her eyes grew brighter and brighter.

"The Avengers… Yes, the Avengers. She will become an outstanding Avenger… unlike me, and she should never become like me…"

"A Witch without the guidance of a reliable senior can very easily go to extremes."

Oaks spoke again, interrupting Agatha’s thoughts.

"You must understand that deeply.

Wanda is indeed exceptionally gifted, but she should not waste that talent like this…

That’s right. She needs a teacher, a Witch teacher who is… well-versed in magical knowledge. She should have a brighter future!"

Agatha froze.

A moment later, her expression became incomparably solemn.

As a Witch, she had spent decades viewing the world as an outsider.

As perhaps the strongest Witch on Earth today, and one who had even read the Darkhold, Agatha’s magical knowledge in the Witch tradition could absolutely be called the greatest in the world.

"I am qualified for this position, Lord Druid!"

Her gaze was filled with resolve.

"Even if it is only to keep her from straying down the wrong path, I should take on the role of her teacher…

Mephisto will not let this go. Even with your protection, Lord Druid, he will certainly try to do something.

If Wanda possesses such powerful magical talent, then she is the perfect target for that cunning Hell Lord…

I will never allow another Witch to be tempted by him and bring about a great disaster!"

Agatha bowed deeply to Oaks.

"Lord Druid, though I have learned much Black Magic, that knowledge is only a small part of what I know… I will not teach it to her. Let me bear this darkness alone!"

"…"

Oaks looked gravely at Agatha. He understood very well that this might be a gamble.

Theoretically, from the moment she accepted the Mind Stone experiment, the seed of becoming the Scarlet Witch had already been planted within her.

But whether that seed would sprout still depended on what Wanda experienced afterward in life.

Strictly speaking, the magic Wanda currently used could not be called true Chaos Magic.

Her main abilities were currently Telekinesis and Telepathy.

The true power of Chaos Magic was altering reality. Wanda could only unconsciously cast it on rare occasions when her mind was stimulated.

Only when she could wield reality-altering Chaos Magic as easily as her own limbs could she truly become the Scarlet Witch.

That was right. The Darkhold had an entire page dedicated to the Scarlet Witch.

Oaks did not know whether Agatha had read that page.

Now, Oaks’ arrangements regarding the Mind Stone had made the births of Ultron and Vision impossible, and Sokovia had survived.

That meant the three factors that would have caused the greatest mental trauma to Wanda had all disappeared, greatly reducing the odds of her becoming the Scarlet Witch.

But as Agatha had said, if Mephisto wanted to do something, Wanda truly was the best target.

It had been one thing while the Hell Lord remained hidden in the shadows, but now he had openly announced his arrival and even blatantly told Oaks about his plans to scheme against Nightmare…

Then he certainly had other plans.

If he guided Wanda further toward becoming the Scarlet Witch, the situation would undoubtedly become very unfavorable.

A severely unstable and easily rampaging uncertainty like the Scarlet Witch should not appear, at least not before Oaks had sufficiently effective means to deal with her.

"A teacher… Perhaps that is not a bad choice, for both Wanda and yourself."

After pondering for a long time, Oaks slowly nodded beneath Agatha’s delighted gaze.

"If you can find an emotional anchor, or perhaps a goal, your mental state may also become easier to stabilize.

But I suggest you first undergo some mental stabilization treatment through Nature Magic here."

"Alright!"

Agatha agreed without hesitation. "I can join your organization, Lord Druid."

"… Though I won’t force you, if you wish to join, you are more than welcome."

Oaks was briefly taken aback, then smiled.

"Besides, perhaps you can serve as my magic instructor as well."