Chapter: 368

The reason Mark was willing to accept the seemingly troublesome task from Ancient One was, on one hand, due to the moral leverage Ancient One had over him.

During their phone conversation, Ancient One directly told Mark that Stephen Strange was the heir she had been cultivating as the future Sorcerer Supreme.

For the sake of peace for Kamar-Taj and Earth within the multiverse, if Mark was unwilling to become the next Sorcerer Supreme, then as the guardian of Kamar-Taj and a practitioner of mystic arts, he had a responsibility to assist Ancient One in guiding Strange's growth.

On the other hand, Mark also had his own considerations. He wanted a substantial period of uninterrupted time to focus on advancing his spatial research.

Regarding Doctor Strange's talents in mystic arts and magic, as a reincarnator, Mark was well aware. Accepting Ancient One's request not only allowed him to hold a favor over her, but also it didn't demand much of his energy, as Doctor Strange could progress through self-study.

What Mark needed to do was to simultaneously advance his spatial research and guide Doctor Strange to stay on the correct path, while occasionally addressing the doubts that arose during his magical studies.

Since Baymax had successfully evolved into an intelligent life form, its computing speed and analytical abilities had greatly improved. This helped Mark make significant progress in developing the spatial weapon against Thanos. He was now at a critical juncture.

If it weren't for the United Nations and the Green Goblin causing disturbances one after another, he would likely still be in his lab, tackling the final challenges of his research.

However, if things went as planned, after the crisis triggered by the Green Goblin, there shouldn't be any crisis that required his direct intervention until Thanos arrived on Earth.

The only potential threat was Dormammu, the Dark Dimension's ruler who had always coveted Earth. But now that he was returning to Kamar-Taj, Mark could intervene promptly if Dormammu tried to stir up trouble.

This way, Mark had practically gained a long stretch of uninterrupted time to focus on his research. This was a significant reason why he agreed to Ancient One's request.

However, Mark was still curious about one thing: Despite most hospitals and medical facilities being equipped with the civilian version of the hibernation pods sold by the Mark Research Center, how did Stephen Strange end up like the original story, with his hands crippled, to the extent that he sought miracles at Kamar-Taj?

"Baymax, investigate Doctor Stephen Strange's recent archival data."

"Of course, master. I've already found it. On the evening of May 6th this year, Doctor Stephen Strange was involved in a car accident during his journey to attend a banquet hosted by the Neurological Association due to slippery road conditions caused by the weather. He suffered severe injuries.

Due to the accident's location on a sparsely trafficked mountain road and the occurrence during the poorly visible night, when Doctor Strange was discovered by the rescue team and brought to the hospital, the critical time for treating nerve damage had already passed.

Although the use of the hibernation pod healed the majority of his physical and bone injuries, the neural necrosis in his hands left Doctor Strange without the steady dexterity he had prided himself on as a neurosurgeon.

In the process of attempting to restore his hands' health, Doctor Strange encountered a paralysis case worse than his own yet miraculously recovered: Jonathan Pangborn. From him, Doctor Strange learned about Kamar-Taj.

According to Doctor Strange's latest information, two days prior, he had taken an international flight to Kathmandu alone, seeking Kamar-Taj.

The reason was that he didn't have sufficient funds to go to Dr. Helen's newly established laboratory in Tokyo for treatment in the Regeneration Cradle. However, the money in his account was just enough to buy a ticket to Kathmandu."

"…"

That was truly unfortunate. Mark hadn't anticipated that even though he had significantly elevated the medical standards in this Marvel parallel world, Doctor Strange still couldn't change his fate.

"I wonder if I tell him now that I possess the Extremis enhancement technology and can completely restore his hands to their pre-accident state, will Doctor Strange still choose to stay and become the next Sorcerer Supreme?"

Mark believed that he probably would. Although Doctor Strange wasn't a saint in the conventional sense before he truly became the Earth's Sorcerer Supreme, once he decided to take on a patient, no matter how challenging the treatment process, he would never give up. This strong sense of responsibility was evident.

In the previous life's movies, Ancient One also praised Doctor Strange, stating he had a kind nature. Even when Doctor Strange knew he could relinquish the magical arts and restore his hands to health, returning to his former life, he still chose to shoulder the burden of the Sorcerer Supreme in the face of Dormammu's threat to Earth.

"Never mind, if Ancient One knew I had such thoughts, she'd probably try to force me or pressure me into becoming the Sorcerer Supreme.

I'll leave the matter of the Extremis enhancement for after Doctor Strange becomes the Sorcerer Supreme. He can decide whether to accept it then.

Honestly, I'm quite curious to see what kind of impact and changes a Sorcerer Supreme with the regenerative abilities of Wolverine and the intense heat ability would have on the future."

"Master, aren't you already such a combination? You're even more powerful…"

"Baymax, why do I feel like you've become less considerate after evolving into an intelligent life form? But I have to admit, your sarcasm has improved!"

"Thank you for the compliment, Master. Baymax will continue to strive and improve."

"Am I actually praising you? Wake up a bit, hey!"

...

Zi—zi—!

On the training grounds of Kamar-Taj, as a spark flashed, a portal appeared amidst the scene, and stepping out from it was none other than Mark, who had come at the request of Ancient One.

"Respected Guardian of the Sanctum!"

Seeing Mark's arrival, the apprentice magicians who were learning to use the Sling Rings on the training grounds all ceased their movements in unison. Following the lead of their instructor, Mordo, they respectfully saluted Mark.

"No need to be so formal, Master Mordo. If we're talking about seniority, you're my senior brother." Mark waved his hand, signaling everyone to stand at ease. He suddenly recalled Ancient One's assessment of Mordo: stubborn and inflexible. It seemed that assessment was quite accurate.

"Master Mark, you are not only the current Guardian of the New York Sanctum, but also a formidable individual on par with the Sorcerer Supreme. You helped Kamar-Taj recover lost methods of crafting artifacts. How could I possibly compare to you and become your senior brother?"

"You're always so traditional, Master Mordo. Alright, I have something to discuss with the Sorcerer Supreme. Lead the way, and let's catch up later."

Guided by Mordo, Mark arrived outside the temple where Ancient One practiced. "Master Mark, the teacher is inside. She instructed me earlier that if you came, I should bring you here. You can enter now. I still need to teach the apprentices, so I'll take my leave for now."

Mordo once again bowed and then respectfully withdrew.

Mark watched Mordo leave, then turned back and lightly knocked on the temple door a few times. Soon, a gentle and calm voice from within said, "Come in."

Mark pushed the door open and entered, seeing Ancient One seated on a cushion in meditation posture, immersed in tranquil contemplation. "Long time no see, Master Ancient One."

"It has indeed been a while, Master Mark. If I hadn't requested your presence this time, I wouldn't have known when you'd come back to Kamar-Taj to visit this old fossil like me."

Upon hearing Mark's greeting, Ancient One also opened her eyes and looked at him, engaging in playful banter.

"Don't make fun of me. You called me here this time to assist in teaching your successor, didn't you? How come you didn't summon him for me to meet?"

"Stephen Strange hasn't arrived at Kamar-Taj yet, but you needn't worry. He'll be here this afternoon. Why don't we share a cup of tea, discuss our recent magical research findings, and await his arrival together?"

"As you wish, I'm honored to be your guest."

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