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Chapter 234: The Greatest Enemy of Kamar-Taj
🕑 Added 2025-07-11 04:07:37 +0000 UTCNoah had been contemplating the position of the Guardian of the Temple in London for quite some time.
It wasn’t that Noah didn’t want to be a Guardian in New York, but he was genuinely concerned that he would finally settle into the role, only for a meteorite to fall from the sky and destroy his temple. It seemed absurd. If he was going to New York, he’d wait until he was strong enough.
Besides, it wasn’t a bad thing if his future junior didn’t settle there. With teleportation magic at his disposal, he could always go there in the blink of an eye.
And truthfully, the Guardian of the Temple in New York was in good health and everything seemed to be going smoothly. Noah didn’t believe Casillas’ smoky face would easily defeat this Guardian. If Casillas planned trouble, he would likely target the London Temple first.
This year marked the second year of the new millennium, and it was also graduation season for Evan and the others.
In the past four years, the magic levels of these three had improved significantly. Now, all of them had reached the fifth level of magic. Though they were still considered fourth or fifth level, this was truly impressive!
Before their meditation, Mordo and Wong had also worked hard to reach this level. But after incorporating meditation, their progress became much easier.
Though the fifth level wasn’t remarkable by itself—since even a sixth-level magician would be far more powerful than a fifth-level—considering that Professor Dumbledore had spent his whole life reaching the fifth level, it was still an achievement. If not for elemental magic helping him comprehend new ideas and reach the sixth level, Dumbledore might have remained at the fifth level until the end of his life.
Evan and his friends had reached this level in their twenties, which was astonishing!
Along with Evan and his group, the Hogwarts students who came to Kamar-Taj during the same period had also made remarkable progress. Except for the three who followed Noah, everyone else had reached level five or above. While this level wasn’t on par with Evan’s group, it was still above average.
Noah knew that some students from that period were still at level 3 or level 9, a testament to the difference in talent. Some people advanced quickly, while others with more average talents improved at a slower pace, though they still had room for growth.
As teachers, the magicians of Kamar-Taj had made the most significant progress. Several long-time members had reached level 7, the level of senior magicians. Mordo and Wong, being from the younger generation, had reached levels 6, 8, and 9.
Considering Kamar-Taj had existed in public knowledge for at least fourteen years, it was likely that by then, most of them would have reached high-level magician status.
Although this world had no Noah, and no magical concept like meditation existed in the original timeline, Noah felt that by that point, the magicians would be around level six.
As for his junior, Doctor Strange? At that time, he was likely not as powerful. Without his extraordinary talent and the help of the Time Stone, he probably wouldn’t have been able to face Dormammu and earn the title of Supreme Sorcerer.
"So, you’ve come to ask me to return to London and become the Guardian of the Temple?" Noah asked as he sat in the hall of Kamar-Taj, gazing at the increasingly enigmatic Ancient One.
The Ancient One remained calm, her appearance unchanged. Yet, the subtle magic energy she exuded caused an instinctual shiver in anyone nearby.
"That's right. You've been at Kamar-Taj for eight years now. Time truly flies," Master Ancient One said, pouring herself a cup of tea and gently blowing on it.
"Eight years... Thank you for everything, Master. I wouldn't be where I am today without your guidance," Noah replied with respect. If it weren’t for the Ancient One, he wouldn't have this fate.
While Noah didn’t flaunt being the Supreme Master's disciple, it wasn’t hard for others to figure out. He had gained some fame in the magical world, mainly due to the introduction of meditation and his victory in the first Kamar-Taj Magic Award.
"You’ve worked hard. It’s a pity though. I had planned to teach you even more, but it seems you can’t wait," Master Ancient One teased with a smile, shaking her head.
"Teacher, London and Kamar-Taj may seem far apart, but for us, it's just a blink of an eye. You can teach me anytime. Going to London for a few years doesn’t seem like such a big deal," Noah smiled bitterly and shrugged.
"That might be difficult," Master Ancient One replied with a smile. "Do you know why I rarely leave Kamar-Taj?"
Noah raised an eyebrow, fully aware of the answer. It was to guard against and observe outsiders.
But the real reason was Dormammu. The relationship between the Ancient One and Dormammu was complicated, as she secretly used power from the Dark Dimension. While using these powers, she was also aware of Dormammu’s presence. Dormammu could find her just as easily as she could find him.
The Ancient One had been wary of Dormammu for a long time. Dormammu, once an earth magician, had entered the Dark Dimension and evolved into a powerful, destructive force, completely eroding his mind.
That’s why the Ancient One set up the temple to counter Dormammu’s influence.
It wasn’t until Strange’s arrival that she decided to fully commit to completing his training, preparing him to become a magician capable of protecting the earth.
Noah knew all this but didn’t voice it out loud. If he did, it could lead to trouble. So, Noah simply nodded, aware that the system protected him from being discovered by the Ancient One.
"I'm here to guard against a terrible enemy," Master Ancient One stated, her voice serious.
"The enemy from the Dark Power?" Noah asked thoughtfully.
Master Ancient One paused for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Yes, it’s indeed the power of darkness."
Noah’s words caught her off guard. How did he know this? Was it just a guess?
"Actually, when you asked me that question, I didn’t think much of it. But I have a talent for sensing strange powers, much like I did with Voldemort back then," Noah explained.
"That makes sense. Did you detect this power in me?" Master Ancient One asked.
"Yes, I’ve noticed some of this power," Noah replied.
"Doesn’t it make you uncomfortable?" she asked.
"Why would it? I explained my view on this in our first trial class. Power is neither good nor evil—it depends on how it’s used. You’ve been protecting the earth with it. Just because it comes from darkness, should we discard everything about you? That’s too simplistic. It’s life that controls power, not the other way around," Noah said, his voice confident.
Master Ancient One studied his smiling face and, for a moment, felt proud. He had become a great magician. Though Noah could be lazy, his will, knowledge, and judgment were extraordinary.
The power of darkness wasn’t inherently evil.
Master Ancient One had prepared herself for this long ago, but she still had some lingering worries. After all, pursuing light was the dream of every righteous person. She didn’t want Kamar-Taj to fall into chaos because of these powers.
"Well, it seems you have a good grasp of it. But how difficult is it to fight this power?" Noah asked, noticing Master Ancient One ’s absent expression.
"Huh? Oh, it's manageable. I didn’t absorb much of it," she said, returning to reality with a sheepish smile. "His master is incredibly dangerous and powerful. Even I may not be able to defeat him, but I know how to handle him. And while his power is terrifying, I can control it."
Noah knew that she had managed to use Dormammu’s powers to fuel her own magic, ultimately becoming the Supreme Sorcerer. But the way she dealt with him was a bit more straightforward—holding the Time Stone and repeatedly saying, "I'm here to negotiate," would have been enough to frustrate Dormammu.
"Are you thinking something rude, Noah?" Master Ancient One asked, her eyes narrowing.
"No! Of course not!" Noah instantly became serious, though he felt embarrassed. "Actually, it seems unrealistic for me to live in London. But maybe you could visit for a few months every year? That should be fine, right?"
"Heh!" Master Ancient One glared at him. "So, you want me to go to London, huh? Even if I agreed, why would I go there for a few months instead of letting you stay there?"
"Well, teacher..." Noah nodded. "By the way, could you give me a share of that dark power?"
"Give you a share? Why? Aren’t you studying mythical creatures?" Master Ancient One asked, genuinely curious but not angry.
"Since you can master those powers and transform them into your own magic, I’d like to try too. Of course, I know it’s dangerous. I’m only planning to study it. Magicians are naturally curious. If you're worried, you could leave a mark on me," Noah reasoned.
"Curiosity kills the cat, Noah. This is too dangerous."
"I’ll just try. I won’t ask for more."
"Alright, I’ll consider it, but only if it’s strictly for research and not for use. Though... why do I feel like you’re trying to get some free labor? If something happens, can I still save you?" Master Ancient One said with a knowing smile.
