Master Sherlcok

1878, Kamar-Taj, Nepal

It had been over a year since Sherlock came to learn magic with the Ancient One whose name he had deduced to be Yao, after reading the countless books in the library.

Using his enhanced brain and his body which seemed to have gained an unusual affinity to all kinds of energies, learning magic was a breeze for Sherlock. Although he needed some practice, he managed to learn all he could and became a master of mystic arts within a little over a year.

During this time Griffon Company had come along smoothly, with a young army doctor being hailed as the genius businessman at the helm of the company. With the help of the secret service, the involvement of Sherlock and Moriarty was downplayed as many nobles and even the crown had also invested in the budding company.

The company was poised for success with its successful investments in many mines as well as its shipping business gaining popularity across the world. They already had more than a dozen large ships transporting goods all over Europe, Asia, and America just after a year of incorporation.

Moriarty had already started to train and recruit the top brass for the company. He had started to focus on adopting and training orphaned and discarded kids from the slums of Europe. And according to Sherlock's suggestion the recruitment of mutants was also well underway.

There were also plans for Griffon Orphanages to be built all over the world as the profits from the mines and the company stabilized in a couple of years.

Not everything was smooth though, as there were some altercations with Essex along the way when recruiting the mutants. The situation hadn't developed into a violent one yet, but it had to be seen what would happen in the future.

Sherlock was content with the developments as he himself was also getting stronger as he learned magic. And he could still get stronger. Now that he had become a master, his final lesson should begin soon.

As he thought about his final lesson, he couldn't help thinking back to that day when Yao (Ancient One) had put forth this condition.

***Flashback***

"Mr. Holmes, you should be aware of how our magic works now that you have read all the books in the library." Yao's face had a hint of annoyance. She had sent him to study a few books in the library but he returned a week later after having read everything.

With a smug smile, Sherlock replied, "Borrowing the magic energy from other dimensions and such."

Yao's mouth twitched as she continued, "Yes, all of the sorcerers draw power from different dimensions based on their affinity and capability. As for your situation, you already seem to be drawing that unknown power from an unknown dimension. I tried to study it but can't even peer through the dimension."

Sherlock wasn't sure where she was headed but he listened intently.

"Some dimensions corrupt the user as they borrow their powers. And since we don't know anything of this dimension where your power comes from, I will only teach you how to harness it when you are capable enough to handle it.

*************

And now he was there, waiting for the Ancient One, to give him the final lesson.

She arrived just on time but today her face didn't have any hint of playfulness as she started right away, "Start meditating on the energy, Mr. Holmes. Feel its presence and let it guide you to its source. Let your astral projection be guided to the dimension."

"Remember not to cause any alarm in the dimension, since I can't enter with you, we don't want you to encounter the owner of the dimension unprepared."

Sherlock did as he was told, and as he felt himself passing through some kind of barrier he came to a place he could never forget, the ideaverse. But this time he felt something different, it was like a connection to the very dimension itself. He could control the energies around him now.

Although only a little more than a fistful, the energy gathered in front of him was still in his control. Suddenly, he thought of something and right then, the energy changed shape, and an image of a tiny Sherlock sculpting some clay formed. It was an idea, he had just formed an idea inside the ideaverse by himself.

He had only thought if he could sculpt the energy and the idea manifested itself. He wasn't sure how he could use this energy but it was a start.

After the brief break, he continued trying to contact the ideaverse to find out if it had any owners and contract with them just like the Ancient One instructed, but he couldn't find anything. Dejected, he came back to his body and explained what happened to the Ancient One, keeping some details of the ideaverse hidden.

"It seems there might be no owner for that dimension. You are quite lucky, you can use the energy without paying a price. And if you get strong enough in the future you might be able to claim the dimension itself."

The words of Ancient One rang in his mind as Sherlock started to think of all the possibilities that would open up if he could own the ideaverse.

'If I could follow the end of the ideas to this side of reality then surely I can trace the origins of the ideas and break that damned wall too, given that I'm strong enough.'

Yao's voice continued, "For now, you should try controlling and using that power. It would be best if you could hide it entirely. You also need to learn what you can do with that power and its effects."

"You also need to find a way to mask that energy lest you want gods hunting you down. Or you might not be able to use that power at all. But for now, follow me, we need to find you an artifact as you've become a master yourself."