Marvel: You Call This A Sorcerer?

The battle between Strange and Peter Parker appeared extremely bizarre and comical.

Especially when Strange used Kamar-Taj's top-level spatial magic—the Mirror Dimension—it seemed as though Peter Parker suddenly fell into a disadvantage.

Various illogical occurrences left Peter Parker at a momentary loss.

Then…

Then what happened?

Then Strange ended up being hung in the Mirror Dimension by Peter Parker's spider web.

Compared to Peter Parker, he looked more like a spider himself.

Even more ridiculous was that, having lost the Sling Ring, Strange became trapped within the Mirror Dimension.

Yes, a former Sorcerer Supreme was trapped inside the Mirror Dimension he himself created.

Just speaking of it sounded laughable.

And Peter Parker not only took Strange's Sling Ring but also escaped from the Mirror Dimension unharmed.

An Archimedean spiral…

Peter Parker fully exemplified a saying:

Master math, physics, and chemistry, and you can travel the world without fear.

Now he wasn't just unafraid of traveling the world—he could even easily defeat a former Sorcerer Supreme.

For the first time, Peter Parker realized how useful studying could be.

Returning to the Sanctum's basement, Peter Parker was very excited.

He eagerly shared with Ned and MJ the great news that he defeated Strange, and even showed off that he had obtained Strange's Sling Ring.

The Sling Ring ended up in Ned's hand at this moment.

"I'm so excited, I actually beat Mr. Strange!"

Peter Parker still wore a face of disbelief.

At this moment, he was excitedly describing how he defeated Strange.

For him, being able to defeat a well-known superhero was simply unimaginable.

"Why did you save us?"

"You clearly could have watched us die, so why turn against him?"

At this time, Dr. Otto Octavius, who had been trapped in the glass container, asked quietly.

Because in his view, this was something utterly inconceivable.

For a stranger, to fight someone familiar to you, and possibly even become enemies—

For a normal person, this was simply impossible.

That's why Otto asked.

"He's not that kind of person," MJ answered first.

"I've thought of a way to free you all from certain death."

"If we can cure you, then you won't die fighting Spider-Man."

"After that, I'll send you back."

Peter Parker stepped forward, looking sincerely at these people.

This sincerity was almost unimaginable to them.

How to put it—

For these adults, especially ones full of ambition and villainy, they couldn't comprehend Peter Parker's actions.

Cure them?

What does it mean to cure them?

Also, does their fate really need this child to save them?

"Cure us? What does that mean?"

Electro was the first to ask this question.

Among these people, he was relatively the most straightforward.

But a cornered straightforward man can be even more dangerous.

"We have advanced technology."

"We can…"

Before Peter Parker could finish speaking, Norman Osborn, who had been silently observing, spoke up.

"I'm a scientist. I can assist you," Norman said, looking at Peter Parker with sincere eyes, like an innocent old man.

Faced with life or death, they eventually agreed to Peter Parker's proposal.

Of course, Peter Parker wasn't completely without caution.

He arranged a safeguard: MJ and Ned took the Receptacle of Restoration. As long as Peter Parker told them, they would press the button on it—finishing the final step.

After everyone discussed it and prepared to leave the Kamar-Taj basement—

Peter Parker suddenly noticed that Ronan, at some unknown point in time, was standing by the door, gazing at them calmly.

He immediately grew tense.

For some reason, his spider-sense kept warning him that this boy, who looked about his own age, would be even harder to deal with than Strange.

"Do you want to stop me too?"

"I just thought of another way to save them."

"I believe I'm not doing anything wrong!"

Peter Parker stared at Ronan, body taut, because he could clearly feel the indescribable pressure emanating from Ronan.

That pressure forced his spider-sense to continuously warn him.

All this told him that Ronan was absolutely not easy to handle.

"Stop you?"

"Why would I stop you?"

Ronan shook his head. This time, not only did he not stand blocking the doorway, he even moved aside, clearing the exit.

This action, however, startled Peter Parker.

Could there be another trick?

Half-believing, Peter Parker shot a strand of web toward the doorway.

This time, the web didn't stick in midair. It passed beyond the doorway and flew outside.

The doorway was no longer blocked by that invisible wall.

"Why?"

Peter Parker was still confused.

Ronan, however, just shook his head, not intending to explain.

"No reason."

"If you want to do it, then do it."

"But Peter, you must understand something."

"Every choice you make, you must bear the consequences yourself, whether good or bad."

"You've made your choice now, and I have no obligation to stop you."

"So…"

"Go ahead."

A smile played on Ronan's lips as a mystic portal lit up and he slowly stepped through.

Peter Parker closely watched Ronan's every move.

He worried that Ronan's words were just to lull him into carelessness before snatching the Receptacle of Restoration when he wasn't looking.

But until Ronan's figure disappeared and the portal closed, Ronan made no further moves—he didn't even bother to glance at Peter Parker again.

The basement became quiet for a few seconds.

At that moment, it felt as though even breathing had stopped.

"He's really gone?"

Peter Parker swallowed, and only after MJ confirmed it did he relax.

However, the words Ronan had just spoken left a knot in Peter Parker's heart.

If you choose something, you must bear the corresponding price…

Perhaps Peter Parker never imagined that one day, due to his naivety, he would lose the person he loved most—

His only remaining relative.

Kamar-Taj.

Ronan sat in the courtyard, enjoying the rare winter sunlight, feeling perfectly content.

Although he couldn't go back for the time being, he was now not in a hurry.

Since that woman named Vini was doing everything possible to "visit" him, Ronan would give her the chance.

He really didn't want to encounter that woman again in some future parallel universe.

"Ronan, do you know where Strange went?"

"He's not in any of the Three Sanctums."

Just as Ronan was enjoying the wonderful sunshine, Wong appeared in front of him. He'd been looking everywhere for Strange.

"What do you need him for?"

Ronan opened one eye to look at Wong.

"Of course, to ask him why he hasn't resolved his mistake yet."

Wong looked at the leisurely Ronan and couldn't help but twitch his mouth.

Ronan hasn't left, which means Strange's so-called 'plan' isn't finished.

Although from a certain perspective, Ronan can be considered one of their own, a visitor from another universe staying too long can cause unpredictable crises.

For example, the innocent destruction of the New York Sanctum last time was still fresh in memory.

"I only saw him pull Peter Parker into the Mirror Dimension, and then Peter Parker returned to the basement. As for Strange, I haven't seen him since."

Ronan closed his eye again, mercilessly exposing Strange's predicament.

Hearing this, Wong thought Ronan was joking.

"Don't joke."

"Didn't you want to go home quickly?"

Wong looked helplessly at Ronan, believing he was kidding.

"I'm not joking."

"I watched Strange drag Peter Parker into the Mirror Dimension. After about ten minutes, Peter Parker came back to the basement and released those from the parallel universes. As for Strange, I never saw him again."

Ronan repeated his words.

This time, Wong's expression became strange.

A dignified former Sorcerer Supreme got trapped by an outsider in his own Mirror Dimension?

This…

Thinking of this, Wong immediately waved his right hand, drawing a circle in the air.

The golden sparks reappeared, and Wong and Ronan saw a classic scene:

On the other side of the portal, Strange was tied up in midair by multiple strands of spider web, looking exactly like a spider caught in its own web.

Of course, calling him a "pig in a blanket" would also fit.

At this moment, Strange was struggling desperately, trying to break free from Peter Parker's webbing.

When he noticed the golden light flash, his body instantly stiffened.

Because the ones who can open a mystic portal and find him are none other than a few people he has in mind.

Among them, almost every one is a heavyweight.

No matter who saw him like this, Strange would experience a 'social death.'

In this extremely awkward atmosphere, Strange slowly raised his head.

Seeing the two heads peeking from the other side of the portal—Ronan and Wong—his heart sank like a stone dropping into the ocean.

He encountered the worst-case scenario!

Wong and Ronan were both looking at him with indescribable expressions.

Their gaze looked as if…

They were looking at an idiot.

If only Wong had seen him, it wouldn't be so bad. He could endure some nagging. He can't provoke Wong, but he could avoid him.

But being seen by Ronan as well, that's not so simple. Because—

"Hahahahahahahaha!!!"

Ronan's familiar mocking laughter rang out.

This unrestrained laughter made Strange wish he could find a hole and crawl into it.

You're laughing too loudly!

This is too freaking embarrassing!!!

Wong, beside him, still wore a stern face, but his twitching mouth corners revealed his inner thoughts.

He's not laughing for a reason—

I'm the Sorcerer Supreme. I must be serious. I mustn't laugh!

Wong silently chanted this mantra at least ten times in his heart before he spoke.

"Strange, how did you pu… haha"

At the first laugh, Wong immediately covered his mouth and face.

A few seconds later, Wong lifted his head, face returning to its previous expression.

If not for his shoulders shaking when he covered his face, Strange might have believed Wong didn't laugh.

But now, it was too late.

"Wong!"

"You actually laughed!"

Strange looked at Wong angrily.

In his view, Wong shouldn't laugh even if it's hilarious!

"No, I just thought of something happy," Wong shook his head, denying Strange's accusation.

However, Ronan's laughter, about to make him faint, made Wong's mouth twitch again.

He quickly covered his face and rubbed vigorously.

"How did you end up like this?"

Wong looked at Strange, his lips trembling.

He thought of something so joyful he couldn't control his physiological response.

"Why else? He must have been beaten by intelligence."

"Defeated in his own territory by a kid, using a method he's not even familiar with."

"Puhahaha!"

Ronan laughed again.

Though he didn't find the situation itself that funny, he laughed because when Strange raised his head, his eyes were filled with grievance.

That expression—

Aggrieved, helpless, and stunned that "it had to be you guys."

Seeing these mixed emotions made Ronan want to laugh himself to death.

"Enough laughing?"

"Hurry and help me out. I need to stop Parker from making a bigger mistake."

Strange looked helplessly at Ronan, with no way to defend himself.

If Ronan had encountered a similar scenario, maybe he'd laugh even louder?

Soon, Wong couldn't stand it anymore.

After all, he was a Kamar-Taj sorcerer. Being hung here in front of a sorcerer from another universe was too embarrassing to talk about.

So Wong quickly released Strange.

The moment Strange stepped out of the portal, he let out a long sigh of relief.

If not for Wong and Ronan rescuing him, with his current ability, he might have been stuck inside for a long time.

Without the Sling Ring, he couldn't even open the Mirror Dimension!

If Peter Parker forgot him, he might have died of old age inside his own Mirror Dimension.

How terrifying!

"Phew… Where's Parker? Didn't you stop him?"

Just after breathing a sigh of relief, Strange asked about Peter Parker.

In his view, with Ronan there, he could definitely have stopped Peter Parker from continuing his folly.

"I didn't. Why should I stop him?"

Ronan shrugged, acting as if it was none of his business.

"He's going to cause big trouble!"

Strange looked at Ronan, incredulous.

Ronan surely knew that letting Peter Parker continue would lead to disaster.

But again, that's his choice.

"Strange, in my view, you indeed made a mistake when casting the memory spell."

"This is beyond doubt."

"But you've tried your best to make amends, and Peter Parker stopped you."

"Since he insists on proving his own idea is right, why should you stop him?"

Ronan looked at Strange curiously.

Tony Stark decided not to be Peter Parker's mentor anymore, so is Strange planning to be the second dad?

"I admit it was my mistake at the start."

"But now that I'm involved, I can't just let it go."

"I can't watch Parker make a mistake."

Strange took a deep breath, glanced around, and reached out for the Sling Ring in Wong's hand.

Without the Sling Ring, he couldn't open a mystic portal.

"Strange, when we make choices, we lose many things."

"You lost your once-proud hands, yet you unexpectedly became a Sorcerer Supreme of Kamar-Taj."

"Likewise, you've also borne the cost of being a superhero."

"That cost was losing the woman you loved."

Ronan stood up from the chair. When he said this, Strange's hand, which was about to open a mystic portal, paused.

He turned around, facing Ronan, opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

"Since we all lose so much when choosing,"

"Why, when it's Peter Parker's turn to choose, must we question or even interfere with his choice?"

"Even if his choice is wrong, that's the price he must bear."

"Right?"

Ronan smiled at Strange.

From Strange's perspective, Ronan's words were irrefutable.

He tried his best to fix his mistake, and just a step away, Peter Parker interrupted.

From this moment on, Strange no longer bore any consequences of the error he made, because he had done all he could.

Everything remaining needed Peter Parker to bear.

He chose another method to save those people.

Whatever happens next is a path Peter Parker must walk.

But…

But he still didn't want to do that.

For Strange, though he had complained about Peter Parker's mouth causing the spell's failure, ultimately most of the error was on him.

That's why he had been accommodating Peter Parker all along.

More importantly, after so many choices and losses of his own, he didn't want someone younger like Peter Parker to repeat his path.

He wouldn't let others walk his own painful road.

"Sorry, even though you make a lot of sense, I still cannot choose to stand by."

"No matter what, Peter Parker was once my comrade. We fought life and death together."

"Just for that, I can tolerate his nonsense."

"Even if just once… Just this once."

Finishing his words, Strange took a deep breath and moved his right hand again, opening a mystic portal.

On the other side of the portal was the Queens neighborhood of New York—

Where Peter Parker once lived.

"Do you know how to find him?"

Ronan raised an eyebrow.

"No, I don't. But I'll still look for him."

Strange shook his head. He didn't know where Peter Parker was, but he would still try.

He wouldn't let Peter Parker keep making mistakes.

"Here, take this."

"Find him here."

Ronan tossed a small card with an address on it.

He got this address from Tony Stark, as a backup plan.

Ronan always leaves himself some fallback options.

Strange caught the flying note, looking at Ronan with surprise.

He never expected Ronan to change his attitude so quickly.

"Don't stare at me. I'm just too lazy to be a therapist for a youngster."

"Since you're willing, go ahead."

Ronan rolled his eyes; he needed to conserve his energy to deal with that cunning and treacherous woman named Vini, who almost caused him to "404."

Strange took a deep breath and nodded.

"You're a good person, but just a bit petty."

With that, Strange stepped through the mystic portal and disappeared.

At Strange's final words, Ronan couldn't help feeling a bit stunned.

He never thought Strange would launch a final counterattack at the end.

He thought Strange had genuinely become emotional earlier!

Thinking this, Ronan couldn't help looking at Wong beside him.

Wong just twitched his mouth.

"Don't look at me. How would I know what he's thinking now?"

"Also, I want to ask you: Strange said that before you left last time, you gave him an idea—

Teaching him how to seize back the Sorcerer Supreme's title?"

Wong suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Ronan.

Ronan was dumbfounded.

When did he ever say such a thing?

Did he say that?

Ronan scratched his head and quietly stepped back two steps.

"I think we need to calm down."

"Have you considered this might be a tactic by Strange to sow discord?"

"Given our friendship, do you think I could say something like that?"

This must be Strange's plot!

A blatant ploy!

"Our friendship?"

"You mean when you got a freebie from me and learned the Mirror Dimension spell?"

Wong gave him a sidelong glance.

Crap!

He finally realized. Wong had caught on!

There must be an expert behind this.

No, he must find an excuse to retreat!

"Ah, I just remembered I left water boiling on the stove at home."

"I need to check on the hot water!"

"See you never!"