The deep, resonant divine decree thundered across the skies.
Damon raised his arms high, reaching toward the heavens!
A torrent of energy erupted from his small frame, the violent surge of power whipping his clothes around in a tempest. Countless particles of energy swirled around his fingertips, forming a dark, starry vortex. A circle of golden, unknown runic symbols quietly appeared on the ground, releasing a staggering divine force.
The dome of the sky cracked open as billions of golden beams tore through the clouds. It was not the scorching sun, yet it carried a force comparable to the sun itself. Everything within the Mirror Dimension disintegrated where the light touched. Even the Mirror Dimension itself trembled uncontrollably under the weight of this judgment. Tiny cracks appeared across its expanse.
This was not mere magic.
It was the vast divine power derived from the very source of Earth.
Orochi had always been the will of Earth, the embodiment of its power. At its peak, it wielded the might to destroy the world. Even though Damon's energy now was far below that of Orochi with Earth as its anchor, it was incomparable to the Karmatagei sorcerers who sacrificed themselves for magic.
Moreover, this power surpassed magic—it was the life force of a deity, capable of both creation and annihilation.
Led by Casillias, the ten senior sorcerers collectively conjured a massive Seraphim Shield, their strongest defensive spell. Yet, faced with the all-encompassing force of judgment, they lasted only three seconds before being engulfed by the sea of light, their screams cut short, falling into eternal silence.
The entire surrounding area was obliterated by the radiance.
[Anomalous Object Casillias has died, recorded, 700 anomaly points gained. Current anomaly points: 800/1200.]
Damon ceased the energy flow, the sun-like brilliance returning to his palm. Surveying the shattered Mirror Dimension, he stepped forward, walking through the fragments of the shattered space, returning to reality.
"Ancient One, how long do you plan to just watch?" he said to the empty street.
A gentle breeze blew, and suddenly, the Ancient One appeared before Damon. It was not invisibility, but rapid movement through the Mirror Dimension, giving the effect of stealth.
"Your Excellency Damon, you have finally arrived."
Ancient One, surprisingly, did not appear angry at the deaths of Modu and Casillias. Instead, she smiled faintly, bowing respectfully to Damon.
Damon raised an eyebrow. "Don't call me that—I can't bear such a title."
"I believe no one is more fitting than you, a god," she replied, shaking her head slightly, her gaze shining with joy.
The more Ancient One acted this way, the more Damon remained on guard. Praise without reason usually concealed ulterior motives. He would rather fight her than face a Supreme Sorcerer with such politeness.
"Will you just watch your disciples die at my hands?" Damon asked, though he had anticipated this.
"Oh, and them too," she said, performing a peculiar hand gesture. The Eye of Agamotto rose from her chest, emitting a brilliant green glow. Suddenly, the previously dead Modu, Casillias, and other sorcerers returned fully intact.
"Supreme One!" Modu and the others exclaimed, bowing with deep respect. But when they saw Damon, their fear returned—the divine presence was overwhelming, forcing even the strongest to tremble. In that instant, it felt as if they were confronting a dimensional god itself. They even suspected Damon might be the true master of the Mirror Dimension.
The Mirror Dimension itself was merely a key to one of countless dimensions within the Marvel Universe. It had no resident god, nor was it affected by Karmatagei's three sacred temples. Each Supreme Sorcerer could freely enter and use it for combat.
Damon, however, had a "cheat." He could control all unclaimed and non-sentient objects within the 3D View, which included everything in the Mirror Dimension. Modu may open Mirror Space, but the dimension's objects were not his to control—they were Damon's.
His "cheat" placed him above magic itself. Even the Ancient One could not contest his control within the 3D View radius.
"Time Stone?" Damon glanced at the Eye of Agamotto. "You wouldn't use it recklessly to alter time, would you?"
Everyone, including Modu and Casillias, paused. Until now, Ancient One had strictly forbidden breaking natural law. Modu had even treated this as gospel. But now, despite knowing it was to save them, it made Modu uneasy—Ancient One herself was defying her own rules.
"You're right, natural laws forbid breaking them—but now it's different," Ancient One said, waving her hand. "You, first. Return."
Modu hesitated but eventually relented, leaving quietly with the others.
"So, what will you do now?" Damon asked. The sorcerers were now useless to him. He had already assimilated Modu's and Casillias's templates, gaining mastery over conventional spells like Portals, Magic Whips, Shape Magic, Bosat's Lightning, Red Ring of Lagardo, and Seraphim Shield. More advanced abilities like Hog's Ancient Body, Vatoum's Wind, or Gravity Manipulation remained beyond reach—they were not Stephen Strange or Wanda-level prodigies.
"I had many plans, but now… I think we can start with a fight," Ancient One said. She raised the Time Stone, forming a spell gesture. The Eye of Agamotto opened automatically, revealing the quiet green gem inside.
"I believe you know the power contained within this gem. If you kill me, you will become the new Supreme Sorcerer, and the Time Stone will be yours."
Damon paused, then turned and walked away.
"Hey! Your Excellency Damon, we can discuss this!"
"Don't go! Please, don't leave!"
Damon ignored her entirely. He had imagined many scenarios facing Ancient One, but he had never expected… she had gone completely mad.