In a blink, Malrick returned to the Kamar-Taj library.

With a simple gesture, he dissolved the protective enchantments around the world ring, then tucked it away into his inner world. His formidable mental energy expanded outward instinctively, flowing through two spatial portals.

Through them, he saw what was unfolding inside the Mirror Dimensions anchored to the three Sanctums.

At the London Sanctum, Wanda effortlessly held back one side of the battlefield. The other sorcerers looked on, cheering, while the Hulk sat nearby, chin resting on his palm, clearly sulking.

In Hong Kong, Quicksilver and Wong coordinated to repel a wave of demonic invaders.

The New York Sanctum, however, was on another level entirely.

The Mirror Dimension there had been expanded to an immense scale. At its heart sat a colossal Mark armor, towering several hundred meters high. Countless mycelium strands spread from its frame, completely sealing the Hell passage. It even looked like the growths had extended into the Hell dimension itself, causing chaos from the inside.

Classic Avenger behavior—charging straight into enemy territory like it was just another Tuesday.

Yet the fact that Hell hadn't retaliated meant only one thing—its master wasn't home. Most likely, they'd gone to the Dark Dimension, chasing scraps Dormammu had already claimed.

Malrick raised his hand.

The energy of the Space Stone, still flooding his inner world, surged outward. Carrying a portion of his own power, it flowed through the portals and across the dimensional barriers.

Then, it detonated.

Blinding energy blasted through the opposing forces in all three realms, annihilating waves of Hellspawn and Dimensional creatures. As the surge collapsed the spatial channels behind them, the threat was extinguished completely.

Malrick's voice echoed into the minds of all present.

"The war is over. You've all fought well."

Whether they were still mid-battle or just observing, every sorcerer's eyes lit up. The Sorcerer Supreme had returned.

And he had won.

They all knew where he had gone. If Malrick had returned unharmed, then it meant Dormammu had withdrawn.

Earth was safe.

"I've destroyed the passageways the other Dimensions used to invade. You can all return now," Malrick continued, his voice calming and reassuring.

One by one, the sorcerers responsible for sustaining the Mirror Dimensions ended their spells. The distorted reflections shattered. Reality snapped back into place.

They exited their Sanctums through the portals, stepping back into Kamar-Taj.

Many of the sorcerers had gathered here a month ago, when the Ancient One passed. Now, they stood together again—alive, stronger, and united.

Malrick turned to Wong and Mordo. "Lead them to the training ground. They deserve a proper rest."

Half an hour later, the courtyard of Kamar-Taj was filled with calm energy. Sorcerers sat cross-legged under the sun, all eyes on Malrick.

The death of the Ancient One had left a void—a guiding light lost in the night. But Malrick had shown, again and again, that while they had lost their moon, they had gained a blazing sun.

They were eager to hear his tale. How he had faced Dormammu and made the Demon God retreat.

But instead of launching into a heroic monologue, Malrick reached into his inner world and pulled out…

A massive octopus.

"Judging by your expressions," he said with a smirk, "you're all hungry."

He conjured a grill in a snap, flames roaring to life. "Then I officially declare the second Kamar-Taj Barbecue Festival open!"

"Anyone want to sing?" Malrick grinned. "Same rule as last time. Best voice gets the first slice!"

For a beat, everyone blinked in confusion.

Then chaos.

Dozens of hands shot into the air. "Me! I practiced for a month! I've got a great one this time!"

Despite their power, the sorcerers still bore the fatigue of battle. To them, Malrick's food—enhanced with mystical energy—was more than just a meal. It was healing.

Even Hamir stepped up. Last time he'd sung the Heart Sutra. Now he belted out The River Flows East. His tone still bordered on ceremonial, like he was singing someone into the afterlife—but at least it was a step up.

Laughter filled the courtyard. Spells forgotten, robes tossed aside, everyone embraced the moment.

Nearby, Tony Stark sank his teeth into a tentacle nearly as long as his arm. "This is amazing. You're sending more of this to my house."

Wong raised a hand mid-bite. "Count me in."

Banner's soul, floating beside Hulk, nodded furiously. "Same here. I didn't even get a piece yet!"

Hulk, dual-wielding octopus legs, wasn't letting go of anything.

Even Pietro sheepishly raised his hand. "I could go for some too…"

Malrick waved them off. "Relax. I've got plenty."

Tony nudged him playfully. "You had plenty before and didn't share?"

"If you hadn't closed the dimensional gate," he added, "I would've broken through Hell myself."

"I cleared out the big ones on my end," Wanda added, tilting her chin proudly.

Hulk grunted, chewing silently.

"Can we not talk about octopuses while we're eating one?" Mordo muttered, face twisted in mild trauma. "That thing from before was revolting."

No one acknowledged him.

"I did a number on those demons too!" Pietro declared, wiping his nose in feigned modesty.

Wong chimed in. "You were just finishing off the ones I softened up."

Everyone around Malrick had the same look on their faces: Please compliment me.

Malrick raised an eyebrow, then pointed around the group.

"You've all done well. Your unique skills were crucial."

He didn't leave anyone out.

"Hulk, you kept your emotions in check—that was huge. Mordo, resisting that Eye Demon's psychic attacks took a lot of willpower. Good work."

Mordo perked up slightly. Even Pietro, trying to play it cool, was visibly beaming.

After all, it wasn't just anyone praising them—it was Malrick Stark. Sorcerer Supreme. Their strongest.

Once the noise settled, Malrick's tone shifted.

"But remember—those demons, those creatures? They're the bottom of the barrel."

"The ones truly dangerous—Dimensional Demon Gods, Hell Lords—are in a different league. Dormammu is only one of many."

"If we want Earth to stand a chance, we all need to grow stronger."

He wasn't trying to scare them. But if the Multiverse was on the brink, pressure needed to exist.

The younger sorcerers, who hadn't yet faced true Demon Gods, didn't fully understand.

"Speaking of Dormammu," Tony leaned in, "how strong was he? And how did you beat him?"

All heads turned.

Malrick smiled faintly. "Rather than tell you…"

He flicked open a water bottle and sent its contents into the air. The liquid coalesced into a translucent floating screen.

Touching his forehead with a glowing fingertip, Malrick pulled out a shimmering strand of blue light—his memory.

He inserted it into the screen.

"Let me show you instead."

The screen shimmered, and the memory began to play.

The battle was far from over.

But for now, the war was won—and the feast had begun.

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