Reborn as the God-Emperor in Marvel

Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Pegasus



The Sorcerer Supreme's legacy?

Solomon's expression became uncertain.

Ever since his journey through the Dark Dimension, he knew that the Sorcerer Supreme's legacy wasn't just about the magic of the Vishanti.

The Book of the Vishanti was displayed prominently on the library shelves, accessible to any sorcerer at Kamar-Taj. Unlike Hogwarts, there were no final exams. How much magic one learned was entirely up to them. The Sorcerer Supreme had made the magic of the Vishanti public knowledge to all members of the sorcerers' enclave at Kamar-Taj, holding nothing back.

What was hidden, however, were the teachings related to the Dark Dimension. Solomon understood the inherent danger in that knowledge. Although the library contained some information about contacting Dormammu, the deeper, more dangerous magic remained heavily guarded by the Sorcerer Supreme.

Seeing Solomon's uneasy expression, Athena chuckled. The youth, after all, was still young.

She said, "In my eyes, the Sorcerer Supreme is also young—barely over a thousand years old. The Dark Dimension is no great secret to beings like me."

Solomon suddenly felt the urge to flee. He couldn't fathom how the Sorcerer Supreme dealt with these immortal entities.

The knowledge accumulated over their long lifespans rendered all human secrets trivial in their eyes. And Athena wasn't just any goddess—she was the Goddess of Wisdom. Solomon had no doubt that her command over magic was formidable.

"But I respect the power of the Sorcerer Supreme," Athena continued, her voice still carrying an Amazonian fierceness despite her graceful appearance. "She has the strength to stand equal to my Father."

Even seated, Athena had the presence of a warrior, despite her beauty. Her words, however, retained a strong undercurrent of aggression.

"I follow the contract," Athena explained, "but that doesn't mean the other Greek gods are as willing. They've only bowed to the Sorcerer Supreme's power because they had no choice... Haven't you ever wondered why she, despite achieving immortality through magic, is still grooming you?"

"You mean..." Solomon's eyes narrowed. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind in that instant.

The Sorcerer Supreme's plan to relinquish her physical form was already in motion. She had carried the burden of Earth's safety on her shoulders for over a millennium.

This responsibility had surely exhausted her, and coupled with the corrosive nature of the Dark Dimension, Solomon agreed that the Sorcerer Supreme deserved to step down and explore the universe's mysteries.

Solomon also thought about Odin—the lifespan of the All-Father was no secret in the Nine Realms. In the past, Odin and the Sorcerer Supreme had fought to a stalemate, leading to Earth becoming a protectorate of Asgard while maintaining its independence.

However, Odin's eldest son, Thor, had yet to display the wisdom required of a true heir. It was possible that Odin and the Sorcerer Supreme had struck an agreement, fearing that Earth might break free from the Nine Realms after Odin's death. Perhaps the Sorcerer Supreme was timing her own withdrawal with Odin's death to avoid provoking Asgard into making a display of power by targeting Earth.

After all, for beings like Odin and the Sorcerer Supreme, physical death didn't signify the end of their existence...

At the same time, Solomon began to understand why the Sorcerer Supreme had chosen him to study the Dark Dimension.

Beyond the stigmata, Solomon's personality made him a fitting candidate—he was incredibly lazy and lacked desire, making him difficult to manipulate. If Dormammu tried to tempt him with power, Solomon would likely not even glance in his direction. And if Dormammu whispered in his ear too much, Solomon would probably respond with a tirade of profanities, insulting every female ancestor in Dormammu's lineage.

More than once, when Dormammu had detected Solomon wandering through the Dark Dimension, Solomon had responded with verbal abuse, launching into a relentless mental assault on the dark entity. Knowing full well that he couldn't resist, Solomon figured there was no point in being polite.

When the Sorcerer Supreme scolded him later, Solomon deflected the blame, claiming he had simply repeated insults he'd learned online. And if Kamar-Taj's internet went down for a few days afterward, that was hardly his fault.

If Dormammu had attempted to lure Solomon with knowledge, he might have succeeded, since magic was the only thing that truly captured Solomon's interest. 

That's why the Sorcerer Supreme's training was focused on balance and restraint—teaching Solomon how to control his curiosity. The Sorcerer Supreme's immense power stemmed from her ability to balance the powers of both the Vishanti and Dormammu.

Athena's words had also given Solomon much to contemplate.

When the Sorcerer Supreme stepped down, the entire multiverse would take notice. The dark gods, long suppressed, would likely initiate a carnival of chaos, seeking to devour Earth in a brutal feeding frenzy.

With the new Sorcerer Supreme still maturing, Solomon would have to hold up Kamar-Taj's reputation, just as the Sorcerer Supreme had once done.

In his mind, Solomon had already considered the worst-case scenario regarding the Greek pantheon. It was hard to imagine that they wouldn't harbor some resentment toward the Sorcerer Supreme.

When that time came, gods like Zeus and Hades might very well attempt to rebuild Mount Olympus on Earth.

The young sorcerer looked at Athena with suspicion, unsure of her true relationship with the other Greek gods. Was she a spy, gauging the Sorcerer Supreme's stance on the return of the gods? However, since the Sorcerer Supreme had allowed Athena to remain on Earth, there was still room for negotiation.

"The Sorcerer Supreme's judgment is as sharp as ever. It seems you've figured some of it out," Athena said with a nod. Although she couldn't read Solomon's mind, she could infer much from his thoughtful expression.

"I want you to continue the Sorcerer Supreme's mission," she stated. "Keep the gods out of Earth."

"I doubt that alone is why you helped me at the British Museum," Solomon replied, his face expressionless. He didn't trust in easy favors—there was always a hidden dagger behind them.

"I still need your permission to remain on Earth in the future, and this is a trade," Athena explained, opening her palm to reveal a small, white sculpture. The miniature figure, only half the size of her hand, depicted a lifelike Pegasus, its head adorned with a finely gilded bridle.

Solomon examined the sculpture but couldn't identify the material. It looked as smooth as marble but wasn't cold to the touch as he'd expected.

"Pegasus?" Solomon ventured, thinking of the winged horse from Athena's myth. "Isn't that a constellation?"

"Do you really believe that nonsense? I told you not to confuse human myths with reality," Athena said with some irritation. But out of respect for the Sorcerer Supreme, she quickly softened. "Zeus cannot arrange stars, and the so-called Pegasus constellation is absurd. Pegasus is simply my personal summon."

"I once lent this horse to Bellerophon to help him slay the Chimera. Now, I am lending it to you... until the end of your life."

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