*Chapter 4: Highschool and Decision*
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A little while later, I arrived at Midtown High School. The classic school building with its red brick walls and large windows stood in stark contrast to the white snow that blanketed the roof and ground.
Around the school, the sidewalks were filled with footprints of students going in and out of the building. Streetlights were on, providing extra light during the short winter days. The parking lot in front of the school was often covered with cleared snow, leaving piles of snow on the sides.
I parked my bike and entered the main building. When I got to the hallway, Gwen was already waiting for me by the lockers. She greeted me with her usual bright smile.
"Hey, Pete. It's good to see you're doing well now."
"Yeah, thanks to you, Gwen. Turns out, fresh air is a great remedy."
We chatted for a bit before Ned came over and greeted me. "Peter! How's it going, buddy?"
"Hey, Ned! I'm good. How about you?"
"I'm good too. Have you checked our assignment yet? Miss Sinclair gave us something new," he said enthusiastically.
"Oh yeah, our science project. It sounds like it'll be fun," added Gwen.
We talked about the assignment as we walked to class.
There's my other friend, Ned Leeds. It's a bit surprising to see him after what his other version did to me.
But somehow, having Ned as my friend just feels right and natural. Unlike his bully version, the line between my three personas is so random and unclear.
Sometimes, a person or thing can feel so right and natural, yet also so foreign. A future task for me. Good luck, future me.
The school atmosphere in the morning always felt busy yet familiar. The hallways were full of students chatting and getting ready for the first class.
As we walked through the hallway, some classmates waved and said hi. We stopped briefly at the bulletin board to see if there was any important information we needed to note. After that, we continued our journey to the classroom.
When we entered the classroom, we chose our usual seats at the back. I ended up in the last seat in the right corner, near the window so I could look outside.
Gwen sat to my right, while Ned was in front of Gwen's desk. While waiting for the lesson to start, I took out today's textbook.
I glanced out the window, watching students hurrying into the building, shielding themselves from the cold air. They wore thick coats and scarves, trying to stay warm in the biting winter morning.
Our history teacher, Mr. Thompson, then entered the classroom and began the lesson on the Industrial Revolution. The classroom was quite large, filled with old but sturdy wooden desks and chairs. The walls were adorned with educational posters and student artwork. Large windows on one side of the room let in natural light, helping to keep the atmosphere bright.
Mr. Thompson was a middle-aged man with graying hair and thick glasses. His voice was flat and monotonous, but he tried to make the lesson interesting by telling intriguing stories from the past. Even so, some students looked sleepy, struggling to stay awake.
In the corner of the room, there were a few potted plants placed on a small table, adding a touch of color and life to the room. The blackboard at the front of the class was covered with notes and drawings made by Mr. Thompson to help explain the lesson.
Time passed quickly as we learned about important inventions and social changes during the Industrial Revolution. Mr. Thompson assigned us a group project on one of the significant figures from that era.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson, and we quickly headed to the next class: physical education.
In the PE class, we gathered in the school gymnasium. Our PE teacher, Coach Davis, was a big man with an athletic build and a booming voice. He gave us instructions to warm up before continuing with running drills.
All this time, I thought my body was strong enough, but running showed me otherwise. Even though my body is now more filled out compared to my past self, I still felt less athletic. I'm no longer a skinny kid, but my physique still isn't strong enough. I'm okay, but I haven't reached peak performance.
After warming up, we did various challenging physical exercises. Despite my hard efforts, I felt my stamina and strength still needed improvement.
I looked around and saw my classmates, some of whom were very athletic and could do all the exercises with ease. Even so, I wasn't discouraged; instead, I felt motivated to keep striving to be better.
When the PE class ended, we returned to the locker room to change clothes. I felt a bit tired but happy to have completed the workout.
After school ended, we got ready to go home. Gwen, Ned, and I walked together towards the school gate.
"Hey, want to do some homework outside for a bit?" I asked, hoping they would agree.
"Sorry, Pete. I have an appointment with my dad this afternoon," Gwen said, looking apologetic.
"I also need to help my mom at home," added Ned.
"Well, it's okay. Maybe next time," I said with a small smile.
We parted ways, each heading home. I walked alone through the city streets, enjoying the fresh air and scenery.
For some reason, today felt a bit pleasant. Even though it was exhausting, I felt happy to be able to enjoy peace after going through many difficulties.
Part of me wanted all this to last longer, which is why I invited them out to have some fun together.
But that's okay. I still have other opportunities. I stopped by a bookstore and got a bit lost in reading a book. So I went home a bit late, with the sky starting to darken.
On the way home, suddenly a thug appeared from an alley. His face looked nervous and scared.
"Hey, give me your money!" he said with a trembling voice while holding a small knife.
I was surprised a bit, raising my hands and slowly moving to the side of the road, not expecting to be confronted like this. But this is New York, a city full of surprises. Moreover, this is the Marvel universe, where unexpected things can happen at any time.
From his trembling body, panicked look, and unstable breathing, I could see that he had never done this before. He must really need money.
"Calm down, buddy. Don't do anything rash. Here, take it," I said, taking out my wallet and handing him some money.
He took it with trembling hands, then looked at me with confused eyes.
"You're not going to report me to the police, are you?" he asked anxiously.
"No, I won't report you. But you need to think about your life choices. There are other ways to get money besides robbing people," I advised calmly.
He just stared at me for a moment before running away without saying anything.
After seeing him go, I continued my journey home with mixed feelings. I felt relieved to help someone in need, but the anxiety about the situation is continued to haunt my mind.
When I got to the apartment, I opened the door and found May watching TV in the living room.
"You're a bit late, Pete. What's up?"
"I got a bit distracted reading a book. Sorry, May."
"Alright then, dinner's in the fridge. You just need to heat it up."
"Thanks, May."
After dinner, I freshened up and lay down on my bed. I had to admit, I was quite lucky because I only encountered an amateur thug. If I had faced gang members or someone more dangerous, I wasn't sure what I could do in my current condition.
However, I'm not sure if I'm ready for the responsibility that comes with the power I will search for. It's only been one day, and it feels like I'm being forced to choose my path quickly. Taking a break might not be an option.
But, just thinking about May or Gwen being in my position is enough to drive me crazy. If something happened to them, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.
So, after much consideration, I decided to take action. I won't rely on unrealistic things like waiting to become Spider-Man or creating some advanced technology, considering the equipment and money I need. So, I need something I can easily access, and powerful enough to keeping them safe.
New York has its own unofficial Hogwarts academy. And tomorrow will be my first visit to study the mystic arts. It's the beginning of my journey to delve deeper into the mysterious energy that remains unexplained.
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After school, I was parting ways with Gwen and Ned, continued my journey and headed straight to the Sanctum Sanctorum. It's located at 177A Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village, New York City.
From the outside, the building looks like a classic New York townhouse consisting of three floors with sturdy brown brick walls. Large windows with black frames neatly adorn each floor, giving it an elegant and classy impression. In front of the main door, there is a sturdy stone staircase connecting the sidewalk to the entrance.
The large and thick front door is made of wood with artistic carvings, giving it an ancient and magical feel. Above the door, there is a magical symbol known as the Seal of the Vishanti, a round window with three lines forming a symbol resembling an eye. This window is a hallmark of the Sanctum Sanctorum and plays an important role in protecting the building from mystical threats.
Around the building, there are several trees and ornamental plants that provide a touch of greenery and life to the surroundings. Although located in a busy area, the atmosphere around the Sanctum Sanctorum feels calm and peaceful.
Here I am, at the front door of the New York Sanctum. I stood there for a few minutes, regulating my breath and calming myself. I had thought about how to convince them, but here I was, still hesitating.
Once I felt calm enough, I knocked on the door and called out to whoever was guarding the New York Sanctum. "Hello, is anyone in there? Can I come in?"
A few moments later, the door opened and out came an old man. He was wearing thick clothes under a fur coat, and his expression was sullen, frowning at me.
"What do you want, kid?"
"Hi, uh. My name is Peter Parker. I'm here to see the Sorcerer Supreme."
"You're not a student of Kamar-Taj, are you?"
"No, But I'm here want to learn."
"How do you know us? And what is your business with the Sorcerer Supreme?"
"Well, here's the thing... I somehow got dreams, memories, or visions from myself in another universe. I want to learn to protect myself after seeing them. And, I guess I can share the details if the Sorcerer Supreme is involved."
I know it's unconventional, revealing your secrets this quickly, especially to a stranger. But after considering many things, I chose to be honest. Besides, I didn't really reveal all my secrets, I haven't even mentioned my 'other' self.
The old man was silent for quite a while before letting me in. Entering the Sanctum Sanctorum, the magical and mysterious atmosphere was immediately felt. The main room on the ground floor was a large living room with high ceilings and richly detailed decor.
The walls were lined with shelves filled with ancient books and magical artifacts from around the world. Luxurious carpets with intricate patterns covered the floor, providing a warm and cozy ambiance.
Hanging lamps with antique designs illuminated the room with soft light, creating a calm and focused atmosphere. In the corner of the room, there were statues and magical ornaments that added to the mysterious and historical aura.
I admired the mystical view of the place. Then he stopped, gesturing for me to sit. The old man went straight up to the second floor while I obediently sat down and waited for Wong to arrive.
I waited for quite some time, reflecting on my situation. Realizing what would change in my life in the future. My perspective began to shift since my death, and it would continue to change as I delved into the mystic arts. Understanding the essence of the multiverse and the threads that weave it. I could only hope that what I had here, right now, would stay with me through the ups and downs of the future.
As I was contemplating my decision, Wong walked down the stairs in the center of the room. He looked at me, and I met his gaze. Wong was a man in his 40s with a sturdy build, standing about 5'8". His hair was black and shaved very short, almost bald, giving a neat and clean appearance. His thick eyebrows and dark brown eyes gave a sharp and attentive impression.
He came down the stairs and sat in front of me. His expression showed annoyance, maybe? He always frowned, so I couldn't really read his expression.
"So, Peter Parker. You say you have experiences about the multiverse?"
"Yeah, you felt it too, right? When 'he' came to see me."
"Yes, Kamar-Taj sensed a surge of energy forms near here. We were monitoring you since, but who would have thought you'd come knocking on our door yourself."
"Look, I understand you being defensive. But, can you please stop it? I've had enough emotional burden from those experiences. Another hostile attitude would make me very uncomfortable," I pleaded sincerely. I was truly exhausted from all of it. Despite the quality time I had at home slightly alleviating it, some part of me kept worrying. I didn't know if it was because of my death experience, my anxiety about the future, or something else. But here I was, trying to get past the suspicion and disbelief. So whatever unknown worry I had could be resolved soon.
Wong continued to frown, but after a few moments, he relaxed, showing a slightly more at-ease expression.
"Thank you, Wong. That's all I needed."
"..." Wong still chose to remain silent, gesturing for me to explain myself.
"It would be very difficult to explain it to you. So, can you use a mind-reading spell or something?"
Wong showed a surprised expression, probably because he didn't expect my suggestion.
But what can I do? I'm really tired and too lazy to explain everything to him. Besides, Strange, who is more skilled, although he knows a bit about my other self, doesn't fully understand those memories. I bet he only knows about me from outside the Marvel universe because I, Peter Parker, mentioned it. So, I'm fairly confident in my mental resilience.
"Why do you want me to see your memories?" Wong asked, as I had anticipated.
"Honestly, Wong, it's because I'm too lazy to explain it. Besides, you're not likely to believe everything I say, right? So, it's better if you just read my memories and I can explain them from there."
Wong was silent again, thinking for quite a while before standing up. "Follow me."
Wong walked up the stairs towards the back. I stood up and followed him. If I'm not mistaken, we're heading to the basement. The room felt cold and dark, lit only by a few antique hanging lamps casting a soft glow. The walls were made of sturdy stone and appeared ancient, giving the impression that this room had existed for centuries.
Once we arrived, we stood in the middle of a stone circle altar. This circle was where various magical rituals were performed and often used as a focal point for magical energy.
"Are you sure you want me to peek into your memories?" Wong asked me with an expression I thought was guilt and an apology. Although it was fleeting, as he quickly returned to his usual frown.
"Yes, go ahead. It's faster than me explaining it."
"...Are you sure?"
Geez, does he feel that guilty?
"Yes, Wong. Just do it, you'll understand once you do."
"...Alright, brace yourself, kid."
Wong then began chanting his spell, moving his hands in intricate patterns. Familiar orange sparks appeared, forming diagrams and images with even more complex patterns.
After inscribing the unique patterns and images on both his hands, Wong placed two fingers of his right hand on his forehead, while the other hand reached out towards me. He closed his eyes, and I followed suit, trying to trace the path of the spell he sent to my mind.
Somehow, through the flow of the spell, I could see what Wong was seeing from my memories. I saw him in my position, speaking with Strange in my dream. Then when I talked to The Watcher, up to the battle at The Forge.
Strangely, I saw Wong's perspective shift from mine to Strange's. I also saw from the very beginning how Strange's efforts to revive Christine only resulted in destroying his reality. I saw the battle between him and Carter against Ultron using the Infinity Stones on Vision's body. Everything continued to how Strange's sorrow led to the creation of The Forge, how he captured many villains and heroes from other universes to be used as sacrifices. I even saw how Strange conducted his experiments on me, ending with the battle between Strange and Carter, followed by his sacrifice, which eventually recreated this universe.
When I opened my eyes, I saw Wong convulsing. His eyes turned white, and it seemed he couldn't cancel the spell he had cast. In fact, the orange color of the spell formation had turned into a bright white.
I immediately released Wong's spell and caught him as he was about to fall. He was still convulsing even in my arms.
"Hey, Wong! Are you alright!? What happened to you, buddy!?"
The spell slowly dissipated, and he passed out. I checked his pulse, and he was still alive. Though not completely sure, I knew he wasn't dead. And that was what mattered, so I dragged Wong's body upstairs. Despite the difficulty due to my strength and physique, I managed to lay him down on the sofa.
Not knowing what else to do, I waited for Wong to regain consciousness on the other side of the sofa. I didn't know whether to be thankful or not because there was no one else around. If they suspected I had done something to their Sorcerer Supreme, I'd be doomed.
While waiting for Wong to wake up, I tried to imitate what Wong had done earlier. I followed the spell and hand movements as best as I could. But nothing happened. Of course, what could an amateur like me expect?
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Wong had the most shocked expression on his face. He saw Peter's journey in reclaiming his home. Not only that, Wong also received the knowledge and experiences that Strange went through when he began to stray from his path—specifically when he revived Christine and the destruction of his universe, up to his sacrifice to save it again.
"So, Wong? Do you understand your condition now?"
Strange appeared in the same condition as in Peter's dream. Wong immediately saw him and vented his anger on Strange.
"What the hell, Strange!? How could you destroy our universe!"
"Sorry, Wong. My sadness and arrogance were too deep to just leave Christine. And truly, I deeply regret everything."
"If you still had a physical body, I'd beat you to a pulp right now! You know that!"
"Hehe, yeah. I also wish I could be beaten up by you, friend."
"Yeah! And even though your goal was noble, your method to achieve it was still reprehensible, Strange!"
"I realize that now, Wong. I'm fortunate to have had Peggy who managed to stop me. And please, can we set aside your anger for a moment? I'm just a remnant of my consciousness, we don't have much time here."
"…So, what do you want? Why did you send that kid to revive my true memories? Why didn't you let me be with my false memories? And again, you–"
"–I gave you my memories as well. Everything I did for Christine, up to my final moments."
"But why? Knowledge this powerful is too dangerous for anyone to possess. You should have let it fade away with you."
"…I thought so too. But that kid, Peter, has secrets beyond my power. I don't know for sure, but I believe he has an energy level that exceeds 5-dimensional beings, and its limits are still unknown. And you, my friend, need a lot of knowledge and experience to guide him in developing his talents."
"You're planning to raise a monster like that?"
"Heh, you and your sharp tongue, friend. You should know, Wong. That 'monster' is the strongest weapon this universe has to face greater threats in the multiverse."
"…You want to entrust the fate of this universe to him?"
"No, I'm entrusting the fate of the universe to you, my friend. You can do whatever you want with him. However, I still recommend that you educate and guide him on the right path. I usually don't easily praise someone, but Peter has his own qualities. And, he's just a kid, he just got his home back. And I believe he's more determined to protect his new home than I ever was. But, he's still young and could easily lose his way. And with you, Wong, by his side, I hope you can educate and be a good mentor to him."
"...Alright, although I still criticize all your actions, thank you for everything you've done, Strange. I promise I will educate that kid to understand his role."
"Sorry once again, friend. Goodbye, and good luck raising the kid."
Strange teased one last time before his body slowly lost its light. Strange began to disappear, the world turned white, and Wong woke up, back to the real world.
Wong saw Peter striking a strange pose, trying to mimic what Wong did when reading his mind. Peter kept posing, his eyes slightly bulging behind his glasses. Trying his best to imitate Wong, or maybe Dr. Xavier's signature pose when doing the same thing.
"Are you done imitating me?" Wong asked irritably. After regaining his memories, Wong became more serious.
"So, how is it? Anything you want to ask?" Peter asked as he pulled back. Peter saw Wong's eyes looking like someone who had just been enlightened.
"No need, I understand it well. When can you make time to learn the mystic arts?" Wong asked. He knew Peter did this for his family, so he would be more relaxed about the time. But in return, during the learning process, Wong would teach him very strictly.
"Really? I didn't think it would be that easy. Are you sure you don't want to ask anything?"
Wong thought for a moment and then asked, "What do you want to learn first?" Depending on the answer, Wong would assess Peter's character.
"Honestly, I don't really know. But if I consider its usefulness, then I want to focus first on learning portals. That way, whatever my condition is, I can immediately come to save my family and escape when the situation doesn't allow it."
Wong was silent, but in his heart, he smiled. "Alright, come here tomorrow at the same time. Now go home."
"Alright then. See you, master!" Peter wasted no time and immediately rushed out of the building.
Wong watched Peter's back and could only sigh. He never expected to have to take care of a teenager when he didn't even have a girlfriend. Wong went to inform the previous Sanctum guardians. He planned to use the New York Sanctum as his home from now on to keep an eye on Peter.
As for Peter, the journey was quite smooth. Riding his bike, he weaved through the streets of New York. The winter air slightly calmed his tense nerves.
Somehow, he got through the hardest part, convincing Wong. But he's feeling grateful. Now he could get his own owl and wand. Or not, but he was quite happy with his first step in gaining power.
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