Strange had no idea when he passed out.
When he woke up, that devilish face was looking down at him.
"You're awake. The surgery was successful. You're now a qualified young lady."
Balder spoke seriously, causing Strange's face to turn white as he quickly checked himself.
The Ancient One sighed, shaking her head.
She suspected the God-King had some misunderstandings about the Sorcerer Supreme.
Not only did he constantly annoy her, but he also seemed to enjoy teasing Strange.
Like almost smashing his brains out earlier.
Balder patted Strange's shoulder, then turned to the cautious Mordo:
"Take him down. I doubt he'll say magic is a scam anymore."
Mordo nodded, not questioning the Ancient One, and helped the trembling Strange out.
Honestly, he thought this guy had it the worst.
Others who came not believing in magic usually just experienced a bit of astral projection.
But Strange seemed to have gone through hell.
With the room empty, the Ancient One spoke:
"Kaecilius hasn't found Wanda yet. Are you sure the plan will still work?"
Balder suddenly laughed:
"You know, I never intended for him to meet Wanda."
"We can easily deceive a dark acolyte but not a god of black magic...though Dormammu, that disgrace, is an exception. He's been your victim for years without figuring it out, clearly not too bright."
"Underestimating Chthon is incredibly foolish. If Kaecilius met Wanda, it would likely alert Chthon."
"So, we need to create an opportunity he can't refuse."
The Ancient One seemed to understand Balder's plan, sighing:
"Dormammu will hate me even more now."
Balder rolled his eyes:
"As if he doesn't already hate you. Do you have to be so shameless to be the Sorcerer Supreme?"
He recalled how even in the comics, Strange had his shameless moments, once abandoned by the White Magic God, unable to use a single spell.
But since the Ancient One understood the plan, there was no need for more words:
"Make sure to teach Strange well. Don't regret it if he dies."
With that, Balder vanished.
Time for some role-playing.
---
**Northern Europe.**
In a secluded lakeside cabin in a valley, a woman sipped tea elegantly.
A man dressed like a temple ascetic stood before her, his face impatient, coldly saying:
"Agatha, you must understand, on Earth, no one in the mystical arts can refuse Kamar-Taj!"
"We have clues that the Scarlet Witch is about to awaken!"
"As a witch yourself, don't tell me you have no way to find her!"
Agatha smiled, hiding her shock.
Did this damn mystic know what he was saying? The Scarlet Witch was supposed to be a legendary figure!
A being that could bring about the world's destruction!
But she remained calm, having lived through much.
The next moment, Agatha felt extreme annoyance!
As a dark witch, she could absorb other witches' powers. If she could prepare before the Scarlet Witch awakened, she might gain her power!
But with Kamar-Taj involved, it was impossible.
The Sorcerer Supreme was not someone she could provoke.
"I can help find her, but what's in it for me?"
Since the opportunity was lost, Agatha sought some benefits.
With Kamar-Taj's vast resources, obtaining a couple of ancient magic books would be highly beneficial.
But her words were met with a slight lift of the man's head, an indescribable arrogance in his eyes:
"Your benefit is that you can continue living."
"Trust me, that's a generous reward."
A lousy mystic dares threaten me!.... Agatha's eyes glowed black and purple, everything in the cabin twisting as if to become monsters, killing intent evident!
Ultimately, Agatha held back.
If this encounter were merely by chance, she wouldn't have hesitated to kill him and burn the soul clean!
But in the current situation, if he died, she couldn't clear the suspicion.
Besides... the Sorcerer Supreme was always domineering.
Agatha withdrew her power, returning the room to normal:
"Come back tomorrow; I need to prepare for the divination ritual."
The mystic in the room gave a knowing smile, saying nothing as he left.
---
**The next day.**
In a desert oasis in South Africa, Kaecilius stepped out of a portal.
A day's break from the library was permissible.
He glanced around, then walked forward a few steps before stopping, sneering at the air before him:
"Are you satisfied now, Agatha?"
As he spoke, a large gray pointed-roof hut appeared.
The next second, the door opened from inside, and Agatha, with a calm expression, said:
"You're joking, mystic. The ritual requires this place."
Kaecilius' eyes showed disdain.
The magical network of the three Sanctums monitored all high-energy magical beings. Agatha couldn't escape unless she left Earth or became powerful enough to hide her energy.
But he wouldn't expose her; she was trying to test.
Knowing she couldn't escape, she would cooperate well.
Kaecilius followed her into the hut, finding it a spacious hundred square meters, clearly altered.
A pentagram array was set on the floor, surrounded by candles.
Agatha was prepared.
"I'll begin."
Agatha wasted no time, stepping into the array center.
She slit her wrist, purple blood spreading rapidly, forming a blood mirror within breaths.
It filled the array, and she stopped, chanting in an eerie tone:
"Show me the Scarlet Witch, not fully awakened."
The next second, the blood mirror shifted, showing a woman imprisoned.
Seeing this, Kaecilius was ecstatic!
Found her!
This witch really had a way!
Agatha noticed his expression, feeling a bit uneasy.
She had already used the Darkhold to find her yesterday.
This ritual was a guise to avoid detection.
But the man's expression seemed off.
Kaecilius suddenly turned coldly:
"Take me there, now."
Agatha looked at him deeply.
After a few seconds, she waved her hand, a vortex of black mist appearing, and she walked in first.
Kaecilius followed closely.
Inside, he saw the girl curled in the corner, a look of joy on his face.
But Agatha frowned slightly.
A witch's sixth sense was strong.
Nothing seemed wrong; the Scarlet Witch hadn't awakened, still weak.
But she felt like a lamb entering a den of beasts, instinctively wanting to flee.
---
**PS:**
Kamar-Taj can definitely monitor Earth.
In "Doctor Strange 2," Strange easily found Wanda.
They had no contact before.
In "Thor: Ragnarok," Thor and Loki were quickly located upon arriving on Earth.
---