Vientiane World
"What happened?"
"What could possibly have changed?"
"Didn't Master Lockhart just establish a beneficial trade relationship with Asgard?"
The news of Lockhart's proclamation spread through the community of magical students almost instantaneously, rippling outward like a stone dropped in still water. Confusion and disbelief registered on nearly every face as they struggled to comprehend this sudden diplomatic reversal.
In preparation for the Asgardian alliance, Lockhart had invested tremendous effort and resources. When the Vientiane World had formally established its trade partnership with Asgard, the resulting benefits had astonished even the most skeptical mages. Virtually everyone had praised Lockhart for his foresight and efficient management of these new opportunities.
Following Asgard's arrival, many practitioners throughout Kamar-Taj had experienced an unprecedented period of accelerated magical development. For the first time, they had gained access to Asgardian artifacts, knowledge, and training methodologies—resources that had been mere legends until now. Their progress during this brief golden period had been remarkable.
Lockhart's personal students had perhaps benefited most substantially, receiving priority access to certain Asgardian training techniques and materials.
And now, what message had Lockhart delivered? Remain neutral toward Asgard. Terminate all preferential policies. Prepare for potential conflict.
The abrupt change left many students with expressions of utter bewilderment. How could such a promising alliance disintegrate so spectacularly and without warning?
Almost simultaneously, Ian, Wanda, Vera, and several other prominent students attempted to contact their mentor through their magical brands—the mystical connections that linked teacher to pupil—desperate to understand the situation.
Their efforts proved futile. Each message disappeared into silence, receiving no acknowledgment or response.
Lockhart's Tea Room
At that moment, Lockhart sat alone in his personal tea room, positioned in quiet contemplation as he awaited the inevitable. The room's enchanted walls gleamed with subtle protective wards, newly strengthened in anticipation of what was to come.
To speak honestly, this sudden diplomatic maneuver caused him considerable distress. He stood to lose more than anyone in this abrupt severance of ties with Asgard. Years of careful negotiation and relationship-building reduced to ashes in a single decision.
Nevertheless, it had to be done—and done with absolute conviction. The Ancient One had made her position unmistakably clear. Earth's protection outweighed all other considerations, and Lockhart had been entrusted with this critical responsibility. He could mobilize Kamar-Taj's vast resources in service of this mandate, an extraordinary vote of confidence from the Supreme Sorcerer.
The implications weren't lost on him. He now stood at the center of a gathering storm, with every mage in Kamar-Taj observing his actions with intense scrutiny. If he succeeded in this delicate mission, it would represent a momentous achievement—one that would undoubtedly smooth his path toward potentially becoming Supreme Sorcerer himself someday.
Conversely, failure would likely constitute the most damaging setback of his entire magical career. A stain that centuries might not erase.
Therefore, his position required absolute clarity and unwavering determination. This demonstration of resolve served multiple audiences: the mages of Kamar-Taj, certainly, but primarily the Ancient One herself.
If he attempted to maintain cordial relations with Asgard after receiving such explicit direction, his reputation would plummet precipitously. He could easily imagine the accusations: opportunistic, faithless, attempting to curry favor with both sides while committing to neither. Such perceptions would obliterate any possibility of ascending to the position of Supreme Sorcerer in the future.
The leader of Kamar-Taj must possess an unambiguous stance, always prioritizing Earth's protection above all else. Even from the most charitable perspective, his current actions needed to be beyond reproach.
Hence, his resolve must remain unshakable, visible to all observers. Even knowing the tremendous cost.
In this pivotal moment, Lockhart couldn't afford hesitation or ambiguity. Sensing the barrage of inquiries from his students through their magical brands, he silently blocked these connections. As much as he valued his teaching responsibilities, the current crisis demanded his complete focus.
BOOM!
A thunderclap resounded throughout the Vientiane World, causing the delicate teacups on Lockhart's table to vibrate. Hearing this familiar sound, Lockhart narrowed his eyes slightly. He had been expecting this reaction, though perhaps not quite so swiftly.
He lowered his gaze momentarily toward the ornate wooden box of tea leaves—Odin's gift to the Ancient One, which she had pointedly passed to him. The subtle aroma of the extraordinary tea perfumed the air, carrying with it both comfort and warning.
Less than thirty seconds later...
BOOM!
The door to the tea room exploded inward, reduced to splinters by a devastating blast of lightning. Wooden fragments scattered in all directions, some propelled directly toward Lockhart, crackling with electrical energy.
"LOCKHART! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" Thor's voice thundered from the doorway, raw fury evident in every syllable.
Hmmm.
Almost instantaneously, a prismatic light pulsed outward from Lockhart's seated form. The air seemed to thicken as reality itself appeared to pause—time momentarily suspended in perfect stillness.
Then, as though time itself reversed course, the wooden fragments began retracing their trajectories, returning to their original positions. The shattered door reassembled itself piece by piece.
Even Thor found himself involuntarily stepping backward, caught in this temporal manipulation.
However, as the dark blue energy of Mjolnir's power coursed through his divine form, Thor broke free from the constraints of Lockhart's spell. The God of Thunder recognized the powerful chronological magic and, despite his anger, this display of Lockhart's abilities gave him momentary pause.
Though Thor's movements had stopped, the rage in his eyes remained undiminished. His broad face contorted with a sense of profound betrayal.
From Thor's perspective, Lockhart's actions constituted nothing less than outright treachery. Previously, Lockhart had requested Thor's assistance in establishing a trade channel with Earth—a significant diplomatic undertaking. Due to their developing friendship, Thor had agreed, even persuading his mother Frigga to help convince Odin.
The resulting trade agreements had been established successfully, and Thor had been thoroughly satisfied with Lockhart's welcoming ceremonies and respectful demeanor. On multiple occasions, Thor had spoken favorably about Lockhart to his Asgardian companions, his words consistently filled with admiration for the Earth sorcerer.
And now? Barely a month later, Lockhart had abruptly rejected Asgard. What kind of friend behaved with such duplicity?
Technically, Lockhart had merely instructed his students to maintain neutrality toward Asgardians—neither extending preferential treatment nor displaying overt hostility. Just treating them as ordinary visitors rather than honored allies.
But in Thor's eyes, such a downgrade from their previous status represented naked betrayal.
"Thor, please—listen to me first," Lockhart said, his tone revealing genuine regret despite his firm stance.
Thor's temper flared hotter at these words, as though Lockhart's conciliatory tone had somehow inflamed rather than calmed his fury. As God of Thunder and Prince of Asgard, Thor's temperament had always tended toward the volatile.
When dealing with friends, his generosity knew few bounds. When confronting enemies, his tactics were as fierce and devastating as the storms he commanded. And when facing those who betrayed his trust? Unless they happened to be his brother Loki (a special case by any measure), Thor's wrath was typically swift and merciless.
That Lockhart had dared to use magic against him only intensified his disgust. The man's previous good standing in Thor's estimation made this perceived betrayal all the more bitter.
However...
As Thor prepared to unleash his full fury, his gaze fell upon the wooden box positioned on Lockhart's table. The box itself appeared unremarkable—finely crafted, certainly, but not extraordinary to Asgardian eyes.
What arrested Thor's attention was the distinctive thunderbolt sigil emblazoned on the lid—a mark he recognized instantly.
This symbol belonged to Odin himself, a personal seal the Allfather reserved for gifts bestowed upon individuals he considered worthy of his respect or friendship.
How could this be? Thor wondered, momentarily confused. Why would Lockhart possess something bearing Father's personal mark?
This unexpected discovery caused Thor to hesitate, his aggressive posture relaxing marginally as curiosity tempered his rage.
Noticing Thor's gradual calming, Lockhart released a subtle sigh of relief. Nevertheless, genuine remorse lingered in his eyes. Despite the necessity of his actions, he understood he had violated Thor's trust—a matter he did not take lightly.
"Thor," Lockhart said carefully, "please sit down and sample the tea your father gifted to the Ancient One. Allow me to explain the full situation."
Thor responded with a cold, dismissive snort. Yet, out of respect for his father's seal, he refrained from further aggression. If Lockhart failed to provide a satisfactory explanation, Thor remained fully prepared to summon Asgard's warriors and lay waste to Lockhart's entire realm.
As Crown Prince of Asgard, future God-King, and master of thunder, Thor harbored absolute confidence that Lockhart would pay dearly for any genuine betrayal.
"Thor," Lockhart continued, gesturing toward the wooden box, "this tea came directly from your father to the Supreme Sorcerer of Kamar-Taj. You understand the significance of such a gift."
Thor remained silent, but his expression acknowledged the truth in Lockhart's words. He understood his father's character intimately. Odin did not bestow gifts indiscriminately—such honors indicated that the recipient stood, at minimum, as Odin's equal in the Allfather's estimation.
The God of All did not extend his generosity to those he deemed unworthy.
"The Ancient One is fully aware of your father's intentions regarding this mission," Lockhart continued, his voice growing more somber. "I must inform you that the Supreme Sorcerer has chosen to oppose Odin's current course of action."
He met Thor's gaze directly, unflinching despite the risk.
"Thor, you should prepare yourself. I fear Kamar-Taj will take direct action in the near future."
The implications hung heavily in the air between them—two powerful forces, Asgard and Kamar-Taj, potentially moving toward open conflict. And Lockhart, once positioned as a bridge between these realms, now stood firmly on one side of a widening divide