The Wizard: Ascending Beyond Marvel

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Wes's eyes were fixed intently on the crystal ball.

It was an unassuming object at first glance—smooth, transparent, almost delicate in its perfection. But beneath its polished surface, something stirred. He could feel it—an immensely powerful spiritual force, coiled within like a slumbering entity. Yet, unlike the ominous energy he had encountered before, this force radiated tranquility, like the stillness of a vast, moonlit lake.

A strange sensation coursed through him, as if the crystal ball was calling to him, resonating with something deep inside his soul.

"You want it?"

The voice was calm and measured, yet undeniably powerful. Gu Yi—better known as the Ancient One—stood before him, her piercing gaze studying him with quiet amusement.

Wes did not reply immediately. He simply continued to gaze at the crystal ball, his mind absorbing its ethereal glow.

Then, without hesitation, Gu Yi raised her hand slightly, barely moving her fingers. The crystal ball, as if responding to an unseen force, lifted from her palm and drifted toward Wes. It floated through the air with effortless grace, gently descending into his outstretched hands.

The moment his fingers made contact with the surface, a shiver ran through him. The energy inside the crystal ball was pure—purer than anything he had ever felt before. It was like immersing his entire being in a stream of fresh, untarnished magic. The spiritual force within it was not just powerful—it was cleansing, like a clear spring washing away the impurities of the soul.

"Is this the gift you mentioned?" Wes finally asked, his voice quiet but filled with an unmistakable undertone of reverence.

Gu Yi nodded, her expression unreadable.

"This reward is not bad," Wes remarked, though his tone was far more serious than his words suggested.

With swift, practiced movements, he placed the crystal ball into a box, securing it with precision, as if handling something sacred. He could feel Gu Yi's eyes still on him, as though she was weighing his reaction.

"You deserve it," she said at last.

With that, she offered a final piece of advice—simple words of caution to use power wisely—before turning and disappearing into the distance, leaving only the faintest trace of her presence behind.

----

Johnny and Carter, who had been watching from the sidelines, finally allowed themselves to breathe. The tension in the air had been thick—an unspoken acknowledgment that something beyond their understanding had just taken place.

Johnny was the first to break the silence.

"Is that it?" he asked, frowning in confusion.

"I think so," Carter sighed, adjusting his cowboy hat with a weary motion.

The two exchanged glances before simultaneously exhaling, as if a weight had been lifted from their shoulders.

Wes, too, felt the shift. The tension in his body loosened, and for the first time since the encounter began, he allowed himself to relax.

"What are your plans now?" Carter asked, pulling a cigar from his coat pocket. He struck a match and lit it, taking a slow, deep drag before exhaling rings of smoke into the cool night air.

"I plan to go back and continue guarding the cemetery," he continued, his voice carrying the exhaustion of years gone by. "You know, when you get old, you just don't feel like moving much anymore."

His words carried a quiet resignation, as though he had long accepted his fate.

Johnny, on the other hand, looked more uncertain. He shifted his weight and shrugged.

"I don't know," he admitted. "Wandering the world might not be a bad idea."

Wes, however, remained silent. He had no intention of forging a deeper bond with these two knights. They had crossed paths like drifting leaves in a stream—drawn together by circumstance, but destined to part ways just as quickly.

"Goodbye," Carter said at last, tipping his hat as he turned to leave.

With no more words exchanged, the three of them walked off in separate directions, disappearing into the vast, empty night.

---

Moments later, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the now-empty space. Coulson arrived, flanked by a squad of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.

His sharp eyes swept across the room, but there was nothing left—no trace of Wes, Gu Yi, or the old priest who had been there earlier. It was as if they had all vanished into thin air.

"Sir, everyone is gone," Coulson reported, pressing a finger to his earpiece.

Nick Fury's voice crackled through the communicator. "Don't panic. As long as they're still on Earth, we'll find them. Continue collecting any evidence left behind."

With that, the transmission cut off.

Coulson let out a quiet sigh before nodding to his team. "You heard the man. Sweep the area."

----

Meanwhile, far away from the bustling world of S.H.I.E.L.D. and superheroes, Wes found himself standing once again within the familiar embrace of the wizarding world.

He had returned to the world of Harry Potter.

The contrast between the two realms was staggering. The Marvel universe had been chaotic, filled with gods, demons, and forces beyond comprehension. Here, everything felt... structured. Predictable.

He let out a slow breath, reflecting on his journey.

This experience had been more than just an adventure—it had been an awakening. He had witnessed the power of the Ancient One, felt the suffocating presence of Mephisto, and realized, with unsettling clarity, that he was still far too weak to contend with such beings.

It was only sheer luck that Gu Yi had been benevolent. Had Mephisto been the one to find him first, things could have ended far differently.

[At the very least, I must have the strength to protect myself.]

That thought solidified his next course of action. He needed to train. To grow stronger.

Hogwarts would have been the perfect place—rich in magical energy, filled with countless resources. But it was also Dumbledore's domain, and Wes had too many secrets to risk being discovered.

Instead, he set his sights elsewhere.

After a week of searching, he finally found an isolated island—far away from prying eyes. The environment was harsh but manageable. The biggest nuisance was the abundance of snakes, insects, and vermin.

But Wes, a master of potions, was unfazed.

With careful precision, he concocted a special potion and sprinkled it around his wooden cabin. To ensure effectiveness, he even added a drop of dragon urine.

"Now, those pests won't dare come near me," he murmured, shaking the remaining liquid off his hands.

----

For the first few days, Wes allowed himself to rest. His mind had been stretched to its limits, and pushing himself further without recovery would be counterproductive.

Then, on a quiet night beneath a vast, starlit sky, an idea took root in his mind.

[Now.]

He retrieved the crystal ball and seated himself beneath the heavens, entering a deep meditative state.

As soon as he focused, he felt it—the pure, spiritual power flowing from the crystal ball. It seeped into his body like a gentle stream, bringing warmth and clarity.

But soon, the calm trickle became a surging tide.

Magic churned within him, growing wilder by the second. Wes gritted his teeth, forcing himself to guide the overwhelming energy rather than succumb to it. His mind strained under the effort, but the crystal ball replenished his strength just in time.

By the time the first rays of sunlight painted the sky gold, Wes opened his eyes.

His gaze gleamed with power.

At this moment, Weiss finally let out a satisfied smile, his entire being immersed in the sensation of surging magic power coursing through his body.

The sheer force of it was overwhelming, yet, with the aid of the crystal ball, it flowed effortlessly within him—controlled, refined. Unlike the usual strain that accompanied sudden bursts of power, this energy moved smoothly through his veins, integrating with his very essence.

Weiss lifted his gaze, watching as the crystal ball slowly dissipated into the air, its light fading bit by bit.

The gift left behind by the 3,000 saints had now been fully absorbed.

A strange warmth settled in his chest, a sensation both unfamiliar and exhilarating.

Power.

Raw, unrestrained power.

Weiss took a deep breath, allowing himself to revel in this newfound strength for just a moment longer before turning away.

He made his way back to the cabin, his thoughts racing with anticipation.

Upon entering, he wasted no time.

Weiss extended his hand and summoned the panel.

The magical interface unfolded before him, its soft glow illuminating the dimly lit room. His eyes locked onto the text displayed on the screen:

Host: Wes Irwin

Worlds: Marvel; Harry Potter; Delicious in Dungeon; #@Alchemy%￥

Occupation: Wizard / Pharmacist / Alchemist

Level: 4