Few hours had passed since Ethan, Anna, and Jean left the Xavier Mansion. Their journey led them to the storied address of 177A Bleecker Street, the fabled Sanctum Sanctorum, where Ethan introduced them to a world they'd never imagined existed—a world of magic, mysticism, and the ancient arts.
As they stepped up to the ornate doors, Ethan's eyes glimmered with quiet excitement. "Welcome to the Sanctum," he said. "Here, you'll learn that magic isn't just myth. It's real, and it's powerful."
Anna exchanged a doubtful look with Jean. "Magic?" Jean echoed softly, still processing the reality that they had left behind a world of mutants for one of mysticism.
Ethan continued, "You see, there's a place called Kamar Taj, a sanctuary of mystic knowledge. Here, we're going to learn how to harness energies from other dimensions, channel them through our minds and bodies, and even open portals to realms beyond our own."
Superpowers? Sure. Aliens? Fine. But magic? That was harder to believe.
"Come on, Ethan. Magic? Really?" Anna scoffed before folding her arms.
Jean, however, was more open-minded. "I mean... I've felt strange energies before. But actual magic? That's hard to believe."
Ethan simply smirked. "Just wait. You'll see."
Their skepticism began to waver as Ethan led them through a grand, dimly lit corridor lined with ancient texts and relics. The ambiance was charged with a palpable energy—an undercurrent of secrets waiting to be unlocked. The very air vibrated with mystical power. Anna and Jean shared a stunned look.
"Holy..." Anna muttered, speechless for once.
Jean looked around, "This place... it's like it has its own mind."
Ethan nodded. "Now, do you believe me?"
Just then, a calm yet authoritative voice greeted them. "Belief is merely the first step. Mastery is a long and arduous journey."
They turned to see that the Ancient One had arrived.
She regarded Ethan with an amused glint in her eye. "You always bring surprises, Ethan Carter."
"I do my best," he replied with a grin. "I want them to learn magic. Can you teach them?"
She studied Anna and Jean for a moment before sighing. "It seems I have acquired a 'buy one, get two free' deal. Very well, they may stay, but they must commit."
Ethan smiled as they said in unison, "Works for me."
She paused, then added, "If you wish to learn here, Carter, you first need to study the ancient languages—Sanskrit, Aramaic, and others—in which our texts are written. Only then will you truly understand and learn on your own and how to channel energies from other dimensions."
Ethan's eyes shone with determination. "I'll do whatever it takes."
Over the next few weeks, they immersed themselves in study. Anna and Jean struggled with the complex scripts and cryptic passages, their initial skepticism slowly giving way to cautious curiosity.
Meanwhile, Ethan's intelligence allowed him to grasp the foundational theories quickly, and he eagerly moved on to practical training.
Anna, however, struggled. "Ugh! Why can't they just put this in plain English?" she groaned before slamming a book shut.
Jean giggled. "It's like learning another science. It just takes time."
One afternoon, as the trio gathered in a secluded library, the Ancient One introduced her newest disciple, Kaecilius, who had joined just the previous month. He was a quiet figure, his presence marked by an almost solemn intensity. Although he rarely engaged in conversation, his focused eyes spoke volumes about his dedication. Together they began to work hard and are trying to learn mystic arts.
The Ancient One observed their progress and soon introduced them to practical magic. She explained how sorcerers channeled power from the multiverse.
Their practical magic training began with the fundamentals: the creation of golden mandalas. The Ancient One demonstrated by forming a perfect, spinning construct of glowing energy with practiced ease. The air hummed around it.
"Magic is the art of drawing energy from dimensions beyond our own," she explained. "We do not create power; we borrow it. Some, like the Vishanti, grant their aid willingly. Others... take a price. That is why we focus on harnessing pure, controlled energy. Now, try."
Ethan stepped forward eagerly with hands outstretched. He mimicked the motions the Ancient One had shown, attempting to summon his own mandala. The first attempt produced nothing but sparks. The second, a faint flicker that fizzled out in seconds. Frustration began to creep in.
Anna, gritting her teeth, tried as well, but her mandala was weak and unstable, barely forming before collapsing. Jean, determined, managed to create a faint outline, but nothing substantial.
Ethan, however, was not one to give up. On his fifth attempt, he finally succeeded—a bright, golden mandala spun into existence before him. It wavered slightly but remained steady.
The Ancient One gave a small nod of approval. "You are beginning to understand."
Anna and Jean, however, struggled for two more days before they could create stable mandalas. Their initial frustration turned into relief when they finally succeeded.
Ethan smirked. "Told you you'd get it."
Anna rolled her eyes but grinned. "Yeah, yeah. Don't rub it in."
After mastering the mandala, they moved on to the next major test—portal creation using the Sling Ring. The Ancient One handed each of them a ring, instructing them on the necessary focus and hand movements.
"Portals are gateways to anywhere you envision," she explained. "You must picture the destination clearly in your mind and guide the energy to open the way."
Ethan tried first. His first few attempts resulted in nothing but glowing sparks. He clenched his jaw, trying again. By the fourth attempt, a shimmering portal appeared before him, revealing another part of the room.
Jean and Anna, however, struggled more. Despite their best efforts, they could not maintain stable portals. The frustration from before crept in again.
Anna and Jean exchanged worried glances. Despite their best efforts, they found portal creation elusive, there is progress but it's very slow. Anna frowned before murmuring to Jean, "I just can't seem to get it right."
Jean replied quietly, "Maybe magic isn't our strong suit. We're more... grounded."
Ethan offered a gentle reassurance. "Don't worry, you two. Magic is as much about understanding yourself as it is about channeling energy. We'll figure it out together."
Anna sighed, her tone half-lamenting and half-determined. "I want to believe that, Ethan. It just seems so elusive sometimes."
Jean nodded in agreement. "Maybe we're just not meant to be sorcerers—but we can still learn something valuable from all this."
The Ancient One watched them from across the room, her eyes softening with approval. "Every path is unique," she said quietly, "and every journey teaches you something new. Remember, the true magic lies in your willingness to learn and adapt."
Kaecilius, who had been observing from a distance, narrowed his eyes at Ethan's progress. The young sorcerer was advancing quickly—perhaps too quickly. A competitor, he thought darkly. He would need to keep an eye on him.
Over the next few days, Ethan continued refining his spellwork, while Anna and Jean doubled down on their training. The Ancient One observed them all closely, her enigmatic expression is unreadable.
One evening, Ethan found himself staring at the ancient texts, absorbing knowledge faster than he ever had before.
Anna and Jean, despite their struggles, remained determined. Even if they weren't as naturally gifted in magic as Ethan, they refused to be left behind.
Kaecilius, meanwhile, continued watching Ethan from the shadows and his mind is calculating. A rivalry had been born, even if Ethan himself was unaware of it.
Soon time passed by and a Year and Six Months Later....
Ethan lay sprawled on the couch, his sharp blue eyes watching as Anna and Jean fumbled around in the kitchen. Pots clattered, and the scent of something slightly burnt filled the air. He couldn't help but chuckle at their frustrated expressions.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Ethan teased while resting his head on his hand.
Anna shot him a glare. "If you're not going to help, keep your comments to yourself, Mr.Carter!"
Jean, who was stirring something in a pot, sighed. "We're trying our best. Cooking is just... more complicated than I expected."
Ethan smirked. "You two can learn magic, but you struggle with cooking? That's ironic."
Anna groaned. "Spells make sense. Recipes? Not so much."
Ethan shook his head, amused. It had been one year and six months since he arrived in this world. During this time, he had grown immensely—not just in power but also in knowledge. He could now be considered one of the most formidable humans on the planet, capable of leveling a country, possibly even an entire continent.
Beyond raw strength, he had also mastered the mystic arts. His training with the Ancient One had paid off, allowing him to wield some of the most advanced spells known to sorcerers:
Eldritch Whip – A conjured energy whip used for combat.
Mirror Dimension Manipulation – The ability to trap enemies inside a parallel dimension.
Sling Ring Portals – The classic teleportation spell that allowed instant travel across the world.
Astral Projection – Separating the spirit from the physical body.
Shield of the Seraphim – A powerful defensive spell.
Winds of Watoomb – A spell used to summon strong gusts of wind.
Bolts of Balthakk – Energy projectiles used in combat.
Crimson Bands of Cyttorak – Binding constructs that restrained even the strongest foes.
While Ethan had surpassed many of his fellow students at Kamar-Taj, Anna and Jean weren't far behind. They were still studying diligently, though they lacked Ethan's sheer adaptability to magic. However, both had developed their own unique styles, and in time, they would be just as formidable.
After completing his mystical training, Ethan moved to New York. However, rather than seeking traditional employment, he had devised a more unorthodox way to make money: robbing criminals. Hell's Kitchen was riddled with gangs, akin to Gotham City in the DC Universe. It was a breeding ground for crime, making it an ideal hunting ground for someone like him.
Every night, he would track down gang hideouts, beat the living daylights out of them, and take their money and assets. The best part? No one would report the stolen funds. Criminals didn't exactly go to the police to complain that their illegal cash had been taken.
Over time, his actions caused a significant drop in the crime rate. Gang leaders feared him like the boogeyman, and whispers of a ghostly enforcer spread through the underworld. With his fortune growing, Ethan eventually purchased a two-story house near the Sanctum Sanctorum in New York. It had four bedrooms, though, more often than not, he and Anna shared one.
Life was good.
Now back to present, Ethan decided to take a walk while Anna and Jean continued their "experimenting" in the kitchen. The fresh air was a welcome change from the chaos inside the house.
He was enjoying the peace when, out of nowhere, a thug—clearly running from someone—grabbed him and pressed a knife against his neck.
"Don't try anything funny, or you're dead," the man hissed, his voice laced with desperation.
Ethan stood there, utterly unbothered. Are you kidding me? Of all people, this guy had chosen him?
Nearby people gasped, with some quickly taking pictures on their phones while others ran away in fear.
Before he could react, he heard familiar voices approaching. "Hey! Stop right there!"
A familiar blonde-haired man appeared, chasing after the thief. Johnny Storm.
"You?! what are you doing here?" Ethan asked in disbelief as Johnny came into view.
A blonde woman—tall, beautiful, and radiating confidence—approached alongside Johnny. She arched an eyebrow at Ethan's situation. "Johnny, you know him?"
Johnny sighed. "Yeah, I met him once at a bar."
The thief, still trying to make his escape, barked, "Don't move, or this guy won't see tomorrow!" He attempted to drag Ethan backward, but Ethan didn't budge. Instead, he turned his attention to the woman.
With a charming smile, he waved slightly. "Hi. Name's Carter—Ethan Carter. May I know your name, miss?"
The woman blinked in surprise at his audacity. "Susan Storm."
"Ah," Ethan grinned. "A lovely name for a lovely lady."
The thief lost his patience. "Are you seriously flirting right now?! Move, or I swear I'll—"
Johnny, amused despite the situation, muttered, "Can't say I blame him. My sister is beautiful."
Sue Storm rolled her eyes. "This is hardly the time for introductions."
Ethan sighed dramatically. "You, my friend, have the worst luck I've ever seen. You ran straight into me."
Before the thief could react, Ethan swiftly grabbed his wrist, twisted it with ease, and delivered a single punch to the face. The man crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Johnny and Sue stood there, stunned.
Johnny let out a low whistle. "Damn, dude. You didn't even try." And soon grinned. "I like this guy. He's got style."
Sue sighed in relief before narrowing her eyes at the unconscious thief. "He stole my purse. That's why we were chasing him."
Ethan knelt down, picking up the stolen bag, and offered it to her with a charming smile. "A purse this elegant definitely belongs with an equally elegant lady."
Sue rolled her eyes but took it with a small smile. "Smooth talker."
Johnny groaned. "Alright, Romeo, enough with the flirting. So what's your deal? What are you even doing out here?"
Ethan shrugged. "Just taking a walk, enjoying some peace. Didn't expect to be held hostage today, but hey, life's full of surprises."
Sue crossed her arms. "You handled that way too well. You're not just some regular guy, are you?"
"Let's just say... I have my ways... You wouldn't happen to be single, would you?" Ethan asked with a smile.
Johnny groaned. "Oh, come on! Dude, you have a girlfriend!"
Ethan smirked. "And? Is it a crime to appreciate a beautiful woman when I see one? That would be a sin."
Johnny groaned. "Oh, for the love of—"
Susan looked at Ethan with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. "You're interesting."
Ethan smirked. "I get that a lot."
Sue then glanced at the unconscious thief and sighed. "We should probably call the cops."
Ethan shrugged. "Yes, let's do that."
She called the cops and then chuckled. "Well, I suppose I should thank you properly. Maybe I owe you a drink?"
"Oh, I like the way you think, Miss Storm."
Johnny groaned while rubbing his temples. "Great. Another flirt. Just what we needed."
As the conversation continued, the unconscious thief lay on the sidewalk, completely forgotten. Not that anyone cared.
As police sirens blared in the distance, Ethan stretched lazily with Johnny and Sue behind with the unconscious thief. "Now," he muttered to himself, "let's see if those two finally learned how to make something edible by the time I return."
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