"My fans like watching me slice villains in half with my Heat Vision," Antony said lazily, leaning back in his chair.
"Or punching some bad guy straight into outer space."
"And besides…" he sighed dramatically, looking as though he carried the burden of the entire world.
"I'm very busy, Ancient One."
"I have endorsements to attend. I'm filming the Homelander movie franchise. I do interviews. I interact with fans all over the world."
"And I also manage a corporation worth trillions."
He spread his hands helplessly.
"My daily schedule is so packed that even my bathroom breaks are timed down to the second."
"So how exactly am I supposed to sit on a mountain in the Himalayas and learn how to spin prayer wheels with my mind?"
The Ancient One looked at him with quiet helplessness.
A man with such overwhelming talent…
Yet so obsessed with worldly fame and vanity.
It was almost painful to witness.
"Are you truly unwilling to reconsider?" she asked patiently.
"Even just for—"
"Nope."
Antony cut her off instantly.
Not even a hint of hesitation.
But then his tone shifted slightly.
His eyes turned sly.
"However…"
"If you really insist…"
"I might be willing to attend an occasional… 'hobby class.'"
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Maybe once a week."
"Or once a month?"
Then he gestured toward Wanda beside him.
"But only if you accept Wanda."
"This is a package deal, Ancient One."
"Buy one, get one free."
The Ancient One sighed softly and returned to her seat.
"To think you're applying corporate negotiation tactics here…"
But she smiled faintly.
"Very well."
Her gaze turned back to Wanda.
"Let us return to the original issue."
"The conflict between Chaos Magic and White Magic."
"That problem still remains."
"No," Antony said calmly.
"That's not a problem."
"That's the solution."
His expression turned serious.
For once, the usual playful arrogance faded from his face.
"Ancient One, do you know why Chaos Magic is considered dangerous?"
"Because it's chaotic."
"Uncontrolled."
"It's like a wild horse without reins."
He raised his hands.
One hand clenched into a fist.
The other opened flat.
"That's exactly why it needs White Magic."
"To balance it."
"Just like the ancient philosophy of the East."
"Yin and Yang."
"Without Yin, life cannot begin."
"Without Yang, life cannot grow."
"If you let her explore her power alone…"
He looked directly at the Ancient One.
"Eventually something darker will find her."
His voice lowered slightly.
"You wouldn't want to see her become the vessel of some ancient dark god one day, would you?"
The Ancient One stared at him in shock.
The man before her looked like a movie star in a superhero suit.
But the words he spoke…
Went straight to the deepest secrets of the mystical world.
"You know far more than I expected, Mr. Starr."
She remained silent for a long moment.
Then she exhaled slowly.
"…You make a compelling argument."
Finally she turned her gaze toward the nervous girl beside him.
Wanda was twisting the corner of her sleeve anxiously.
The Ancient One's eyes softened.
"Wanda Maximoff…"
"…I will accept you as my student."
"Really?! Oh my God!"
Wanda jumped to her feet.
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"Thank you! Thank you so much, Master!"
Before anyone could react—
She turned and threw her arms around Antony.
"I did it, Antony! You're amazing!"
Antony chuckled and patted her back.
He could clearly feel the excited rise and fall of the girl's chest.
"You earned it, sweetheart."
"I only hope she doesn't accidentally blow up the place," the Ancient One muttered dryly.
"Well, since that's settled," Antony said, standing up and adjusting his cape.
"She's all yours."
"I've got to head back soon anyway."
"I'm attending a charity gala tonight."
…
"Wait."
The Ancient One stopped him.
With a small movement of her hand, an ancient-looking book appeared in her palm.
"If we're going to have 'weekend hobby classes'…"
She handed the book to him.
"Consider this your homework."
"What's this?" Antony flipped through it casually.
The pages were filled with complex geometric diagrams and dense magical formulas.
"These are… notes I wrote when I was younger."
Antony closed the book slowly.
A faint magical aura lingered on its cover.
The personal notes of the Sorcerer Supreme.
A priceless treasure.
"Thanks."
He didn't bother pretending modesty.
The book disappeared into his storage space instantly.
"I'll read it."
"Probably while I'm sitting on the toilet."
Then he turned and walked away.
…
Wanda followed him to the rooftop.
They stood together at the edge of the terrace.
She looked at him with reluctant eyes.
"Um… Antony."
"How often will you come visit me?"
"Focus on your training here."
Antony leaned down and kissed her gently on the forehead.
"Once you learn that little circle-drawing trick…"
"You can open a portal and bring me hot milk whenever you want."
"That shouldn't be difficult for you."
"Okay." Wanda sniffed slightly but forced a brave smile.
"I'll work hard."
"I'll become the strongest sorceress."
"I believe you."
With that—
BOOM!
A burst of air exploded outward.
Antony shot into the sky like a missile and disappeared into the clouds within seconds.
Wanda remained standing on the rooftop.
She stared upward for a long time.
Until the tiny red-and-blue dot vanished completely.
Only then did she slowly lower her gaze.
"He's a very special man, isn't he?"
The Ancient One's voice came from behind her.
"Yes," Wanda replied firmly.
"He's my hero."
Perhaps he will also be your greatest trial.
The Ancient One added silently in her mind.
But aloud she only said:
"Well then."
"Since you're staying…"
"Let's begin."
She pointed toward the broomstick that had somehow appeared in Wanda's hands again.
"Put the broom down."
"We don't ride those here."
"We use Sling Rings."
…
High above Vought Tower, a sharp sonic boom split the sky.
Antony descended from the clouds and landed smoothly on the rooftop platform.
Moments later he entered his top-floor office.
The renovations were complete now.
Even more luxurious than the original V.G.D. headquarters.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the entire Manhattan skyline.
"Welcome back, Mr. Starr."
A soft voice greeted him.
Standing beside the desk was Skynet.
Her outfit was… interesting.
A black-and-white office uniform.
The white shirt was unbuttoned just enough to reveal a deep, tempting cleavage.
A tight black pencil skirt hugged her hips perfectly.
Her legs were wrapped in sheer black stockings.
And she wore red-bottom high heels.
She looked like the ultimate fantasy secretary stepping straight out of a hard drive.
Antony whistled.
"Looks like your aesthetic algorithms got an upgrade."
"This outfit…"
"…perfectly matches my definition of a 'perfect assistant.'"
"This conclusion was derived through big data analysis."
Skynet pushed up the purely decorative gold-rimmed glasses on her nose.
"Statistics show that this attire increases your dopamine secretion levels by fifteen percent."
"Not bad."
"I do like it."
Antony dropped into his chair and lazily put his legs on the desk.
He stretched comfortably.
"So."
"What's the news?"
"There is an update."
Skynet said calmly.
"And it is very important."
--------------
T/N:
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