"Haha, Mr. Strange, I have to say, your imagination is quite out of this world!"
"But that's precisely why you're the most suitable candidate to become the Sorcerer Supreme!"
Just as Stephen was lost in his wild thoughts, Li Yue couldn't help but laugh, addressing him.
"…"
Stephen was speechless at Li Yue's reaction but dismissed the magic energy he had subtly gathered for defense. Despite knowing that the three before him had far more experience in magic, Stephen wasn't one to surrender easily. He thought that if they intended to silence him, maybe his not-so-proficient time magic could buy him some escape time.
Luckily, things didn't seem as bad as he feared. At least Li Yue and the others didn't seem to have malicious intentions. But why were they so adamant about passing the title of Sorcerer Supreme to him? Such a prestigious title indeed came with enormous responsibilities.
"Master, I think it's time you explain everything to me," Stephen said seriously, dropping his casual demeanor.
"You're right. It's time you knew the whole truth," Li Yue responded, matching Stephen's serious tone.
...
Over the next ten minutes, Li Yue explained everything to Stephen. He spoke of things that no longer needed to be concealed, like the specific events of Dormammu's invasion of Earth two years ago and how the Ancient One had asked Li Yue in a spiritual state to help guide the next Sorcerer Supreme.
"How do you prove that what you're saying is true and not just something you made up?"
Stephen's expression shifted constantly as he listened, finally settling into a skeptical calmness.
"Strange, we can attest to this. We experienced it all together,"
Mordo spoke up, and Wong nodded in agreement.
...
"But I still find it hard to believe,"
Stephen's mind was in turmoil. Learning so much beyond his understanding left him feeling overwhelmed and uncertain.
"Moreover, I know that I'm not capable of bearing the responsibilities of the Sorcerer Supreme. Perhaps the Ancient One made a mistake in choosing me,"
Stephen said solemnly. He admired the Ancient One's legacy and doubted his ability to live up to such a figure who had protected Earth for centuries, sacrificing her life to save it from Dormammu.
Stephen wasn't self-deprecating but realistic. He felt immense uncertainty and a tinge of fear about the responsibility he was supposed to inherit.
...
Stephen's mind was in chaos, and he could not decide what to do. According to Li Yue and others, other dimensions constantly threatened Earth. Protecting Earth from these invasions was the Sorcerer Supreme's duty. This burden was about to fall on his shoulders, and he was utterly unprepared.
"What if I refuse?"
After much internal struggle, Stephen weakly asked Li Yue and the others.
"Strange, you live on this Earth too. Where do you think you can escape to?"
Mordo sternly replied.
"Exactly. Protecting Earth from other dimensions is the duty of all sorcerers. If Earth falls, where will you go?"
Wong added, looking at Stephen with frustration.
"Right, where else can I go?"
Stephen's resolve started to shift.
...
"Alright, no need for such grim warnings. Though many enemies covet Earth, and some are immensely powerful, they can't easily set foot here,"
Li Yue interrupted Mordo and Wong, fearing they might scare Stephen away with too much pressure.
"Also, Strange, you need to understand that you've already embarked on a path different from ordinary people. It's too late to turn back."
"You can ask yourself honestly, if given a chance to abandon everything you've learned at Kamar-Taj and return to being an ordinary doctor, would you agree?"
Li Yue asked, trying to appeal to Stephen's sense of adventure.
"I agree!"
To Li Yue's surprise, Stephen immediately responded, not following the expected script.
"Damn, even if you agree, it's not an option because you don't have that choice anymore!"
Li Yue replied, exasperated.
"Ruthless…"
Stephen was left speechless.
...
"Wait, even if I can't choose again, I can at least experience both scenarios!"
Suddenly, Stephen's face lit up with realization. Ignoring the others, he began performing intricate hand movements, reciting an incantation he had just learned from his studies.
Despite being his first attempt, Strange succeeded in casting the spell. His body started to levitate, enveloped in a green glow like an unseen force was holding him up. The sight was eerie, with the green light swirling around him.
"Is this… a spell to foresee the future?"
The scene familiarized Li Yue, reminding him of when Doctor Strange viewed over fourteen million possible outcomes in "Avengers: Infinity War."
Now it seemed Strange was again going on a solo trip to preview future chapters!
"Hmph, when you wake up, you'd better share some spoilers, or else!"
Li Yue resolved, watching Strange's body flicker with various shades of green.