Chapter 27: Heading to Runeterra
"The Book of Thresholds? Meow... Do you want to visit my world?"
Yuumi blinked her big eyes and lightly hopped onto the table. The magic book that had originally been beneath her paws flew in front of her and rapidly flipped through its pages in midair.
The Book of Thresholds was the magic book Yuumi stood on. Originally, like Yuumi herself, it belonged to the Yordle sorceress Norra.
Later, Norra disappeared, and Yuumi and the book began searching for their master.
The Book of Thresholds was not simply a book used for studying. It was a magical item.
Every page within it corresponded to a location in Runeterra. As long as the Book of Thresholds was activated, one could teleport unconditionally.
Of course, these pages did not clearly mark their teleportation destinations. If someone without enough strength used it carelessly, they could very easily end up being sent somewhere dangerous.
And the book’s original owner, the Yordle sorceress Norra, had disappeared exactly like that.
"You’re obtaining that dimensional coordinate from this book?"
The Ancient One stared at the Book of Thresholds for a while, then understood Orion Cross’s idea.
Unfortunately, the Ancient One had not learned, nor could she learn, Hyperdimensional Magic. Even if she had dimensional coordinates from another world, she could not go there.
"That’s right."
Orion Cross nodded and placed his hand on the Book of Thresholds. "I call this Hyperdimensional Magic. It’s no longer limited to acquiring hyperdimensional energy from a single multiverse."
"Are you very familiar with the dimensional demon gods of this world?"
The Ancient One had not forgotten that Orion Cross had said earlier he planned to find an initial contractor even more "gentle" than the Vishanti, so she could not help asking.
"I know a certain amount. Don’t worry."
Orion Cross smiled at the Ancient One, then asked, "So, Master Ancient One, do you want to come and take a look?"
Dimensional demon gods usually referred to the creators of a dimension, or its strongest beings and rulers.
Similarly, just like the Vishanti Trinity, a dimensional demon god was not necessarily a single existence. It could also be multiple beings.
The power of dimensional demon gods was often linked to an entire universe. This also meant that they possessed nearly endless energy.
And dimensional magic was the act of freely drawing from that endless energy.
"I cannot easily leave Earth’s dimension. Otherwise, the Dark Dimension will invade."
The Ancient One frowned and shook her head.
Just as when she and Orion Cross had gone to the Olympian pantheon back then, the previous Sorcerer Supreme had stayed behind to guard Earth’s dimension. The current Ancient One also could not casually leave Earth.
"Not even for one day?"
Orion Cross raised an eyebrow and asked.
"If it exceeds twelve hours, the other dimensions will notice," the Ancient One said.
In truth, this time limit could originally have been extended to at least forty-eight hours, which was two days.
But her apprentice Kaecilius had already defected and converted to Dormammu’s side.
Originally, Dormammu would need at least forty-eight hours to discover and confirm that she had left Earth. But with Kaecilius on Earth serving as a coordinate, Dormammu could immediately learn whether she was still there or not.
"Twelve hours is enough."
"Knowledge and magic from another world. Even if you don’t want them for yourself, you can still bring back some insights and leave them for future generations, enriching the magic of Kamar-Taj."
Orion Cross still did not give up on persuading the Ancient One to go with them.
After all, they knew nothing about the situation on the other side. Bringing a big shot along was necessary insurance.
"Very well."
The Ancient One pondered for a moment, then nodded. After that, she removed the necklace from her neck and opened a small portal. "But the Eye of Agamotto cannot leave this universe."
With that said, the Ancient One placed the Eye of Agamotto, which stored the Time Stone, onto a cabinet shelf on the other side of the portal.
Just as Orion Cross had said, traveling to different dimensions, obtaining unknown knowledge, and deepening one’s understanding of the universe would bring tremendous improvement to the Sorcerer Supreme.
Even if she herself already had thoughts of retirement, she could leave this knowledge to the next successor.
"Fine."
Orion Cross curled his lips. He naturally knew that the Ancient One simply did not want to take the risk.
During the reversal of the Infinity War in Avengers: Endgame, the Time Stone had been borrowed by Dr. Banner.
However, Orion Cross did not care.
The Time Stone was a unique object created after the Big Bang. Once it reached another universe, perhaps the laws of time would still exist there, but it would no longer be so broken.
After all, one could not use a sword from a fallen dynasty to execute officials of the current one.
"Get ready."
Orion Cross withdrew his hand from the Book of Thresholds. At this moment, he had already confirmed that dimension’s coordinates and could go there at any time.
"What do we need to do? Strike a pose?"
Pietro and Coulson nervously grabbed Orion Cross’s arms.
"...Just put your hands on my shoulders."
Being touched like this by two men made the corner of Orion Cross’s mouth twitch, and his tone turned unfriendly.
"Oh."
The two immediately let go and, following Orion Cross’s instructions, placed their hands on his shoulders.
Then Orion Cross wrapped his right arm around Wanda and picked her up, while his left hand grabbed the Ancient One’s arm.
Buzz.
Space trembled slightly.
Everyone inside the room, along with one cat and one magic book, disappeared.