Marvel: Awakening the Universe.

Chapter 304 The Time Required for Closing the Loop

Chapter 304 The Time Required for Closing the Loop (Third Update!!!)
Nepal.

Himalayas.

Kama Taj.

Almost the instant Hawke and Gwen teleported directly from New York City, the gates of Kamar-Taj opened.

"Mr. Phoenix."

"Mrs. Phoenix."

"this way please."

The mage Mordo, who had been waiting for a long time, bowed to Hawke and then gestured for him to enter.

Hawke thanked Gwen and followed the mage Mordo, who was leading the way, through the training grounds where the trainee mages were doing their morning exercises, and then headed towards the reception room where the Sorcerer Supreme was located.

It has been a year since Hawke and Gwen last visited.

Most of the trainee mages who practiced in the training grounds back then are no longer here.

A small number of mages successfully passed the approval of the Vishanti and became true mages, thus remaining in the fold.

However, many more aspiring monks gave up their practice for various reasons and chose to leave the mountain and return to the world of ordinary people.

of course.

A small number of mages also choose to turn to the dark side, joining various dimensions of dark magic and becoming a dark mage.

Just like the mage Casillas whom Hawke had once met at the New York Temple.

Didn't he become evil?

When Hawke woke up last night and told Gwen that he needed "time," he originally planned to come here directly through the portal of the New York Sanctum.

but……

After scanning his six senses, he was surprised to find that Casillas was no longer there.

Hawke then thought about the current timeline.

Ok.

If nothing unexpected happens, at this point in time, the one who looks a lot like the "well-mannered" Kaecilius has already discovered Kamar-Taj and is plotting to hand over his pledge of allegiance to Dormammu in the Dark Dimension.

If everything last night was just Hawke's speculation...

So right now—

Hawke's gaze fell on the training plaza, specifically on the one who looked remarkably like the future Doctor Strange, clumsily trying to draw circles in the air like his predecessors.

This proves that this was not just his guess, but something that was actually happening.

Gwen also took notice of the future Doctor Strange.

After all, Gwen had seen this group of sorcerers doing their morning exercises before, and Doctor Strange's movements were so clumsy that it was hard for Gwen not to notice him.

But Gwen's clumsy movements weren't her focus; it was the strange face that caught her attention.

Gwen glanced at Doctor Strange several times before looking at Hawke standing to the side.

“Hawk, look at that guy, he’s so clumsy. I feel like he looks like Dr. Strange from the New Amsterdam Hospital.”

"Who?"

Hawke pretended not to know and glanced in the direction Gwen indicated, then looked at Gwen: "You know him?"

Gwen looked at Hawke: "Have you forgotten? At the end of December last year, I told you about a car accident that happened in Malibu. The person involved in the accident was Dr. Strange, a medical genius. After the accident, many people at our school felt sorry for him."

Late December last year?

Hawke blinked.

"Was it when we were in Waterfall Town?"

"Ah."

"Oh."

Hawke remembered that Gwen seemed to have mentioned something like that.

However, Gwen didn't mention her name at the time, and Hawke was still wondering if the angels and demons were planning to join forces against him, so he didn't take it to heart.

Hawke thought to himself, then looked away.

"It seems to be him."

"Right, but what's he doing here?"

Gwen was curious. If it weren't for the fact that they were doing their morning exercises and the Sorcerer Supreme was waiting for them, she would have liked to go over and ask.

However, the mage Mordo, who was leading the way, answered Gwen's question.

"Stephen came here three months ago hoping we could help him treat his hands."

"……I see."

Upon hearing this, Gwen's expression suddenly changed, and she looked at Hawke, who hadn't asked any questions or seemed curious, and said, "I heard that after the car accident, Dr. Strange's hand was seriously injured, and he can no longer perform surgery. As a result, he sold his mansion in Malibu and his apartment in Manhattan, and I heard he's on the verge of bankruptcy."

The reality is so cruel.

The question is that Dr. Strange, like most Westerners, likes to consume in advance, and because of this, he can quickly go from being a rich man to a homeless person after encountering a crisis.

but……

This has nothing to do with Hawke.

Hawke didn't come here to make friends with the future Doctor Strange.

soon.

Led by Master Modu, the two arrived once again at the familiar and antique-style reception room.

The Ancient One, still dressed in a white robe, looked at Hawke and Gwen as they walked in from outside with a kind smile.

"Hawk."

"Supreme Master".

"Gwen."

"Mage."

"Please take a seat."

"Thank you."

Hawk and Gwen were invited by the Ancient One to sit on the familiar futon.

Gu Yi brews tea with practiced skill and a serene demeanor.

Gwen looked at the fragrant tea in her cup.

"Master, what is this tea...?" "This year's pre-Qingming Longjing tea. It was a gift from a monk friend from the East when he came to visit me."

"...It smells so good."

Gwen held the teacup to her nose, sniffed it lightly, said something, then took a sip, her eyes lighting up: "Delicious."

Upon hearing that it was Longjing tea, Hawke, who was sitting to the side, also picked up the cup, took a sip, and then drank it all in one gulp.

"It's really good."

"You can take it back with you if you like."

"Thank you."

Hawke didn't refuse. If nothing unexpected happened, the Ancient One would be retiring soon, and leaving the good tea to Doctor Strange would be a complete waste. It would be better to let him take it back.

Before Stephen Strange arrived, the Sorcerer Supreme, who often carried the Eye of Agamotto, also known as the Time Stone, seemed to have stopped keeping it as a contraband and placed it in a secret room in the library after Strange's arrival.

but……

Hawke had always been quite curious about the Sorcerer Supreme's retirement.

Leaving aside the current Sorcerer Supreme, who, upon first meeting him, declared that he had already obtained the power of the future Virgo.

Just talking about the original drama.

Hawke has always been curious about whether the Sorcerer Supreme truly died in the end, or whether he faked his death.

Although in the original series, the Ancient One appeared to be dead at the end.

But putting aside the fact that the Ancient One drew energy from Dormammu in the Dark Dimension to sustain her life, it's highly unlikely that the Ancient One, who possessed the Time Stone, wouldn't have seen herself assassinated by the traitor Kaecilius.

The most reasonable explanation is that after serving as the Sorcerer Supreme for so many years, the Ancient One was tired, and with Stephen Strange, chosen by the Vishanti, emerging, she simply took this opportunity to unload the burden on her shoulders.

In a word.

If Stephen Strange hadn't been appointed by Vishanti, let's put it this way: even if Stephen Strange had exceptional talent, it would have been impossible for him to cultivate magical energy to that level in just a few months.

Magic isn't a dinner party.

Leaving aside others, just take Hawke for example. He's already incredibly powerful, but it's taken him almost four years to go from awakening his cosmos in 2012 to being able to stand on Earth and say no to anyone based on his strength and status.

result……

Stephen Strange only spent a few months before he dared to take the Time Stone and negotiate with Dormammu in the Dark Dimension?
Infinity Stones.

Having mana consumes mana, running out of mana consumes life.

If Stephen Strange were to train on his own, without the Vishanti providing energy, he could use the Time Stone several times.

Once is okay, twice is alright, but three times would probably be tough, and after four or five times, it would probably kill him.

So if there's no shady dealing involved, Hawke simply doesn't believe it.

but……

Despite his thoughts, Hawke didn't just ask Gu Yi in such a grand way.

If it doesn't concern me, I won't worry about it.

Even the Venerable Master himself isn't concerned. As an outsider, why should he worry? In any case, once things settle down, he'll naturally find out what really happened. There's no need to ask now.

He's here on business.

After three cups of tea.

Hawke put down his teacup, looked at the Sorcerer Supreme, and got straight to the point.

“Supreme Master, I wish to borrow the Eye of Agamotto.”

"You've come at just the right time."

Upon hearing Hawke's purpose, the Sorcerer Supreme smiled and said, "If you had come a month later, it wouldn't have been possible."

Hawke raised his eyebrows.

Upon hearing this, Gwen looked at the Sorcerer Supreme and asked, "Are you going on a long trip in a month, Sorcerer Supreme?"

The Venerable Master smiled.

"I'm planning to take a vacation."

"take a vacation?"

Gwen blinked as she listened to the Sorcerer Supreme's question: "Where are you planning to travel this summer, Sorcerer Supreme?"

She thought the vacation the Venerable Master was referring to was a summer vacation trip every year.

Gwen is also thinking about her summer trip with Hawke this year.

However, this year's holiday may be a bit short, only four or five days. But it's still good to listen to other people's experiences and get some reference.

Hawke and the Sorcerer Supreme exchanged a glance.

The latter smiled and said to Gwen, "The Phoenix Galaxy."

Upon hearing this, Gwen nodded subconsciously, then seemed to realize something and looked at Hawke.

Hawk smiled slightly, changed the subject, looked at the Sorcerer Supreme, and brought the topic back to the matter of borrowing the Time Stone.

The Supreme Master used his magic to inform the King.

after awhile.

Wang arrived at the reception room.

Hawke looked at Gwen beside him.

"Are you coming with me, or..."

"I'm right here."

"Row."

Hawke nodded, rose from the futon, and followed the king to the secret room behind his library to borrow the Time Stone.