Noah's idea was actually very simple.
Release Domain Magic.
He knew better than anyone how terrifying Domain Magic was.
After all, he was the first person to develop it.
And the first to use it in actual combat.
The qualitative change this magic brought to a mage was beyond imagination.
In essence, a Domain was an independent universe.
To control a universe.
To wield its laws, its power, its structure-
Unless the enemy existed on a completely crushing level, almost no one could defeat a mage in such a state.
More importantly, Domain Magic possessed a unique trait.
It resonated with the external universe-the Main Universe.
Through that resonance, it could simulate and resist the terrifying energy floods released by the universe itself.
In simple terms, this magic allowed a mage to endure the universe's baptism.
To complete true Divine Transformation.
Without abandoning their physical body.
It was a natural bridge.
A bridge spanning the long, brutal path between mortal and god.
The results were obvious.
Just look at the Ancient One.
However, the restrictions were just as obvious.
Enough to make ninety-nine percent of mages despair.
First, to truly activate this magic, one needed to reach the Ninth Tier.
Even with the simplified method Noah provided, the Eighth Tier was still required.
And how many Eighth Tier mages existed on Earth?
Very few.
Pitifully few.
Even within the Sanctuary, only a handful qualified.
One of them was Hamir.
A man dressed in Taoist-style robes.
Missing one hand.
Yet terrifyingly powerful.
In the original timeline, Strange had once mistaken him for the Ancient One.
Noah had even thought he was Wong's father.
They weren't related.
Nationality didn't matter here.
Once you entered the magical world-especially an organization like the Sanctuary-it stopped being important.
There were very few Eighth Tier mages even here.
Across the global magical circle, those at that level were usually leaders of top organizations.
That alone explained how demanding this magic was.
And how much despair it could cause.
But mages didn't care.
If you lacked confidence, you were never going to become an exceptional mage anyway.
Everyone seated in this conference room was top-tier.
Even if their strength hadn't reached that step yet, they were absolutely confident they would.
Noah was certain of that.
Which meant he didn't need to persuade them.
They would pursue this magic on their own.
Realizing that, Noah stopped teasing.
Instead of words, it was better to let them feel it.
To experience the charm of this magic firsthand.
To understand why his teacher could remain on Earth.
Most of them didn't know the full reason.
Some knew fragments.
Most didn't.
Once all the Grandmasters had sworn their oaths, Noah's mana began to ripple.
Slowly.
A distinct rhythm spread through the space.
Every Grandmaster straightened.
Even Wong.
Even Mordo.
Even Victor.
Noah had hinted at something special before.
They remembered it clearly.
Especially anything involving the previous Sorcerer Supreme.
As the rhythm grew clearer, waves of power surged through the hall.
Mysterious.
Familiar.
Oppressive.
Fire.
Wind.
Water.
Earth.
They intertwined.
Then, they were enveloped by Space.
Time.
Darkness.
And finally-
A mysterious, holy element.
The moment it appeared, subtle repulsion spread among the Grandmasters.
It was radiant.
Sacred.
Untouchable.
"The Light Element!"
No one here had become a Grandmaster by accident.
This repulsion was unmistakable.
A unique attribute rejection.
All Sanctuary Grandmasters had used high-dimensional dark power to refine themselves.
No matter how pure that power was, traces remained.
Only Light caused this reaction.
There was something else.
An angel had appeared on the streets of London months ago.
Wong remembered it vividly.
Noah had left.
Soon after, the angel appeared.
It was fast.
Too fast.
Before Wong could react, it vanished.
But the news had spread through the magical world.
Now, looking at this-
There was no doubt.
That angel had been Noah.
As the elements revealed themselves one by one, awe filled the room.
Mastering so many powers was already extraordinary.
But then-
Their minds went blank.
Several Eighth Tier Grandmasters stood up simultaneously.
Because they saw something impossible.
Those eight terrifying elements were merging.
Fusing.
And as they did-
A brand new world unfolded before them.
"This... this is an independent universe!"
Hamir cried out.
No one blamed him.
Everyone was stunned.
Completely.
Using the power of a single human, Noah had displayed something beyond human limits.
He had unfolded a universe.
The resonance with the external universe.
The dense, orderly chaos of magic.
At that moment, Noah resembled a god.
"This is the result of discussions between me and my teacher."
Noah floated calmly in mid-air.
"I believe you've all felt its effects."
The moment he finished speaking, he vanished.
The Domain's power surged.
Instantly.
The Grandmasters felt the world change.
Birds sang.
Flowers bloomed.
Plants thrived.
A gentle breeze passed.
Mountains stretched across the horizon.
If not for the disturbing intersection of light and darkness in the sky, they might have believed Noah had transported them somewhere else.
"This is my world."
Noah's voice echoed.
Near.
Yet distant.
"Within this magic, mages weaker than me cannot sense any elements."
"Because every element here belongs to me."
As he spoke, the Grandmasters realized something alarming.
They had lost contact with all elemental forces.
Only the mana within their bodies remained active.
If not for that, they might have thought their magic had been stripped away.
This was a natural anti-magic zone.
A bit niche, perhaps.
Anyone weaker than Noah would likely die to a single spell anyway.
But exaggerated all the same.
"This magic is also a natural barrier."
"It can withstand catastrophic attacks."
Noah reappeared before them.
Calm.
Unhurried.
"Let me ask you something."
"Once a mage reaches the Tenth Tier-what comes next?"
"Divine Transformation," Wong answered.
"Mordo and I have heard you and Teacher mention it."
"But what exactly is it?"
That question drew everyone's attention.
They sensed it.
The future was no longer distant.
No longer unknowable.
Who wouldn't want to take another step forward?
Mages were confident beings.
They didn't worship gods.
Their only faith was themselves.
And knowledge without end.
"Divine Transformation," Noah said lightly, "is the evolution from mortal to god."
"It is also a trial."
"The birth of every god drains the universe."
"It is a complete metamorphosis of life and soul."
"So the trial-" Mordo continued.
"Is the universe rejecting us?"
"Punishing our attempt?"
"Yes."
Noah nodded.
"And it is terrifying."
"The punishment strikes both body and soul."
"If you survive, you transcend life."
"If you fail-"
He paused.
"A mortal body has almost no chance."
"Even with training, the odds are slim."
He looked around.
Several Grandmasters had gone pale.
"That is why the standard approach is to abandon the body."
"To let the soul endure the change alone."
"My teacher originally planned to do the same."
Noah stopped.
Some of them knew this.
Yet the Ancient One still possessed her body.
She had stepped down voluntarily.
Living in seclusion.
There was only one explanation.
Either she had approved Noah's method and gambled everything.
Or-
She had already succeeded.
"Then Teacher..." Mordo hesitated, then asked.
All eyes turned to Noah.
"My teacher has already passed this stage."
Noah's eyes narrowed slightly.
"She is now a god."
"And the method she used-"
He gestured to the world around them.
"Is the one you are witnessing now."
"Remember this magic."
"It is called a Domain."