Reborn as the God-Emperor in Marvel

When humans first invented mirrors is unknown, but in the beginning, they only gazed at reflections in water, much like Narcissus from ancient Greek mythology, who saw his own reflection. Through this, humans became aware of their own image. In many ancient cultures, reflections in water were often considered representations of the soul, and seeing one's reflection was thought to be dangerous. Thus, when the first mirror was crafted, it was naturally believed to possess magical properties.

And indeed, mirrors were the earliest tools through which humans glimpsed other realms. Although what mirrors showed wasn't always real, they could still reflect environments, realities, and people. This gave rise to the belief in many legends that another world exists inside mirrors.

When Solomon was about to practice magic, the Sorcerer Supreme provided him with a safer location: the Mirror Dimension. The simplest way to enter the Mirror Dimension was to use a Sling Ring from Kamar-Taj.

To Solomon, the Sling Ring was a shortcut created by the Sorcerer Supreme for Kamar-Taj's sorcerers. The Sorcerer Supreme had inscribed spells on the rings, allowing even novice sorcerers to open portals—an otherwise highly advanced spell. The Sorcerer Supreme linked the portal's distance and the Mirror Dimension's size to the user's magical power, rather than their spell mastery. This "shortcut" saved a lot of trouble and gave Kamar-Taj sorcerers unparalleled mobility. Even the Sorcerer Supreme occasionally used the Sling Ring herself.

Today's lesson took place in the Mirror Dimension not only because practicing magic there wouldn't affect the real world but also because the Sorcerer Supreme wanted to discuss matters that other Kamar-Taj sorcerers shouldn't know.

"Solomon, your stigmata are proof of wisdom, a sign that you are capable of achieving true insight. The stigmata have granted you knowledge," the Sorcerer Supreme said, standing before Solomon in her black mystical robes. "But this universe holds countless dangers—ones you've never encountered. You need to experience them firsthand."

"Dangers?" Solomon looked down at his hands. He, too, was dressed in black mystical robes similar to the Sorcerer Supreme's, but over them, he wore a long red cloak made from sacred shroud. This new cloak replaced the one that had been burned and was enchanted with protective spells.

Although Solomon had gained initial control over his stigmata's power, the Sorcerer Supreme still insisted on restraint, warning that the stigmata's strength could continuously refine his life force if left unchecked.

After his recovery, Solomon had grown thinner, and his hair had been cut short, giving him a sharper, colder appearance.

"Yes," the Sorcerer Supreme nodded. "For example, Dormammu. He constantly watches this planet, waiting to swallow Earth into his Dark Dimension. Only a few high-ranking sorcerers in Kamar-Taj have heard his name, but none have truly experienced what you are about to. I've chosen you to learn this."

"Learn what?"

"Learn balance."

The Sorcerer Supreme placed her hand on Solomon's forehead, activating the Astral Projection spell. It was Solomon's first time undergoing this spell, which separated his spirit from his physical body, though his astral form looked the same as his physical self. Without warning, the Sorcerer Supreme gave Solomon's astral form a powerful push, and suddenly, Solomon felt himself falling—rapidly, uncontrollably—through a multicolored tunnel. Stars and visions warped and twisted around him, the rapidly shifting colors almost making him feel nauseous. He felt tiny and helpless, being dragged through dimension after dimension.

Just as he thought he couldn't take it anymore, he passed through a dark curtain and stopped falling. Before him lay a silent, dead void. In this place, countless shattered planets were stained black, sprouting grotesque, deformed limbs like sickening tumors. Every object in this starless space was covered with thick, oozing black energy, interspersed with nauseating streaks of colored light. Solomon widened his eyes to take it all in, but nothing here made sense. The chaotic colors in the darkness flooded his vision, and his ears were filled with maddening whispers that never ceased, threatening to drive him insane.

Solomon floated like an ant between the monstrous planets, unsure how long he had been there. Time had lost its meaning, and the continuous barrage of crazed murmurs washed over him. Just when Solomon thought he was on the verge of losing his mind, he saw an enormous face. This colossal visage seemed to be made of the same sticky, black energy, with a single eye as large as a planet. When the face noticed Solomon, it let out a deafening roar. The sound shook Solomon's astral form, cracking the twisted planets around him. Even though he covered his ears, the sound penetrated his very soul.

It was as though he was being cursed or damned, but Solomon couldn't make out a single word. The massive being's hand rose from the darkness, reaching toward Solomon. It was as if he were standing beneath a collapsing mountain. The hand came down with a gale and a shower of meteors. When Solomon looked up, all he could see was a shadow large enough to blot out the sky, descending upon him. The overwhelming terror of something so vast falling from above made him tremble uncontrollably.

When Solomon finally snapped back to consciousness, he found himself still in the Mirror Dimension at Kamar-Taj, sitting across from the Sorcerer Supreme. He was seated cross-legged on the ground, pale-faced and drenched in cold sweat, his head swimming with dizziness and the lingering whispers from that horrifying dimension. At that moment, all he wanted to do was empty his stomach and collapse into a long, dreamless sleep.

"That was…" he struggled to find his voice as he looked at the Sorcerer Supreme.

"Dormammu, ruler of the Dark Dimension," she replied calmly. "I imagine you've gotten a good look at him now."

Solomon nodded, suppressing the urge to vomit.

In fact, the Sorcerer Supreme's method of teaching Solomon was completely different from how she would later teach Stephen Strange. She had only given Strange a fleeting glimpse of the Dark Dimension, just enough to prevent him from falling into Dormammu's trap. But for Solomon, she chose to have him confront the Dark Dimension head-on. The Sorcerer Supreme intended to teach Solomon everything she knew about the Dark Dimension.

Her expectations for the two were different. She was preparing Solomon to bear a much heavier burden. The Sorcerer Supreme knew that Solomon was innately gifted in the pursuit of knowledge. Even without Kamar-Taj, he could have become an incredibly powerful sorcerer on his own. So, the heavy responsibility she placed on Solomon was one she did deliberately.

In any organization, there are those who take care of appearances and those who handle the dirty work. The face of an organization must remain spotless, and if blood is spilled, it must be kept hidden. If the dirty work becomes visible, it could spell disaster. If Strange was destined to be the future face of Kamar-Taj, then the Sorcerer Supreme intended for Solomon to be its hidden strength. Part of her immense power came from not only drawing on the Vishanti's magic but also from tapping into the Dark Dimension's energy. This gave her power far beyond that of ordinary sorcerers, even rivaling many dark gods, and allowed her to stand toe-to-toe with the God-King Odin.

Solomon was unaware of this, but even if he had known, he wouldn't have resented the Sorcerer Supreme. He wasn't some protagonist in a typical power fantasy, expecting everyone to treat him well for no reason. Solomon never saw himself as particularly important, and he had no delusions of grandeur. In fact, if he could laze around, he would.

It was clear to Solomon that the Sorcerer Supreme had her own reasons for raising an orphan like him, and he accepted this.

Even without her guidance, Solomon knew that one day his curiosity for knowledge and magic would lead him to explore the Dark Dimension on his own. Having an experienced mentor was a blessing.

So, Solomon nodded, expressing his interest in the Dark Dimension.

Even so, the Sorcerer Supreme felt a pang of guilt in her heart. She knew how dangerous the Dark Dimension was, yet she had pushed Solomon into it. Perhaps that was why she often treated Solomon with special care.

"Balance and restraint are what you need to learn, Solomon," the Sorcerer Supreme said, lowering her head as she picked up her tea, not wanting him to see the conflict on her face. "This is your first lesson."

___________________

Read Ahead

[email protected]/Mutter