Lucas returned two days before the Sorcerers' Convention.
He held a small meeting with the male Ancient One, Strange, and 616 Strange.
During the meeting, they decided on the speaking order.
Strange would go first to set the tone, and 616 Strange would be the finale.
The male Ancient One would be second, and Lucas third.
The reason was that Strange's topic was the most profound and could immediately capture attention.
616 Strange was the host, and his topic was the signature Agamotto-Kamar-Taj lineage magic—Time magic. He was perfectly suited to be the finale.
However, while deciding the order, Lucas noticed Strange subtly smile.
Based on his experience, Strange was probably thinking about how to trick someone.
Lucas glanced around, his gaze sweeping over Strange.
He understood who Strange wanted to trick.
Time flew by, and two more days passed.
The Sorcerers' Convention was held as scheduled.
"Magic, humanity's method of exploring the Universe's operational laws. For countless years, sorcerers have drawn energy from the Multiverse, using spells and runes to fulfill their various needs. And some of these Universes are vibrant, while others have fallen into dead silence."
Strange spoke slowly, seated on the high platform.
He was all too familiar with such occasions.
"I have a question."
"Why and how?"
"Why do Universes die?"
"How can these dead Universes be saved?"
"The power of sorcerers comes from the Multiverse, they should save and protect the Multiverse."
This was naturally not the real reason he researched how to save the Universe, but the true reason was not easy to state directly, so he could only use this to mislead the attending sorcerers.
After the introduction, Strange began to formally elaborate on his research.
"Through research, I have found several main factors for the demise of Universes."
"Universe collisions, energy plunder, and... destruction of spacetime structure."
"Next, I will mainly discuss the third situation: how to repair Universes with damaged spacetime structures."
Lucas's gaze darted towards Strange.
Sure enough.
616 Strange, listening from below, changed his expression.
Not good!
This variant of him had an overlapping topic and research with his own, and he was speaking before him.
On the high platform, Strange continued to speak unhurriedly and eloquently.
"Time and space are one, like inseparable twin sisters. The destruction of a Universe's spacetime structure is usually due to time being disturbed. To repair a Universe, one must first sort out that Universe's spacetime structure."
"I will first briefly explain Time magic and Space magic."
616 Strange's expression below became even more bitter.
This variant of him seemed serious and deeply troubled. In reality, like him, he was a devious person.
Strange spoke at length, eloquently.
He looked down, only to see confused faces.
Wanda and 616 Wanda, and 616 Agatha beside 616 Wanda.
616 Loki.
616 Strange and Clea.
Many powerful sorcerers on Earth-616 were all simultaneously filled with confusion.
This topic was beyond their scope.
Strange was deeply disappointed. Then he became relieved.
He could find a way to save his world on his own.
Just as Strange withdrew his gaze, his peripheral vision caught a glimpse of a burly man in a cloak and hood in a corner.
The burly man wore a mask, so Strange couldn't see his expression. But from the burly man's eyes, Strange saw thoughtfulness.
This was someone he could discuss how to repair the Universe with.
Strange secretly noted it down, then continued his lecture, revealing all his research on how to repair the Universe without reservation.
At the same time, he occasionally looked in the direction of the burly man, who was nodding frequently.
There's a chance!
"That concludes my research on reshaping the Universe. If anyone is interested, you can find me privately to discuss it further."
Strange smiled as he ended his lecture, then left.
Normally, there would also be a Q&A session, discussion, and even a practical demonstration. But Strange's topic was too advanced for the audience below, so he skipped this segment.
It was only after he had gone far that the audience slowly came back to their senses.
Everyone was impressed but confused. Although they didn't understand much and gained little, they felt enlightened and that the trip was worthwhile.
Afterward, people left in small groups.
The Sorcerers' Convention would last five days. For the first four days, four Sorcerer Supremes will take turns lecturing, one person per day.
The fifth day was for joint discussion, supplemented with physical explanations.
During this time, if other sorcerers wanted to share their insights or publish magical theses to make a name for themselves, they could also take the stage to speak.
However, with Strange's brilliant topic on the first day, many sorcerers abandoned that idea for now.
"This sorcerer, what is your name?"
A voice sounded, followed by a figure in a black cloak stepping out of the shadows.
Strange stopped the burly man on his way back to his room to rest.
The burly man pondered for a moment, his body under his clothes tensing slightly. Then, as if thinking of something, he relaxed.
He slowly said, "People call me Doctor Doom."
"Hello, Doctor Doom. People call me Doctor Strange."
Strange smiled and greeted Doctor Doom, formally introducing himself in the same format Doctor Doom used.
Afterward, Strange invited, "Doctor Doom, are you interested in discussing the topic of reshaping the Universe with me in detail?"
"I can tell that you are very interested in this topic and have done some research. We are both Drs., and we both understand the importance of teamwork in scientific research. I believe that discussing it together will be more effective than working alone behind closed doors."
"Good, follow me."
Doctor Doom nodded, turned, and stepped out.
Strange's lips curved upward, and he stepped out, following closely behind him.
"It seems the Earth Goddess didn't come today."
In the lounge on the second floor of Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum, Lucas and the male Ancient One were loudly conspiring.
"It doesn't matter, she's probably having a headache over Atum's situation right now. Black-cloaked Stephen's topic also holds no appeal for her, so her absence is normal."
"The key is whether she comes to the lectures on the second and third days. If she continues to be absent, it means Atum's situation might be much better than you guessed."
The male Ancient One took a sip of tea, then slowly spoke after putting down the teacup.
Then he asked, "What did Thor say? He must be very interested in the truth of Ragnarok, right?"
"Cough."
Lucas coughed lightly, smiling awkwardly. "Master, I've been busy with something these past few days and haven't had time to see Thor."
"Hmm?" The male Ancient One glared at Lucas.
He wanted to say, what could you possibly be busy with, it's your first time on Earth-616?
But looking at the various alien snacks Lucas had offered him on the table, he sighed, "That's fine too. Thor is an Asgardian god, they have close ties with Gaea. If we approach him first, he might directly inquire with Gaea. Right now, we don't know Gaea's stance, so it's not advisable to alert her."
"Exactly, Master, that's what I was thinking."
Lucas nodded repeatedly, wearing an expression that said, 'You understand me.'
"Alright, if there's nothing else, you can leave. I also need to spend some time with Wanda. If you have time, you should too. We can't just bring her to Earth-616 and then abandon her to others, can we?" The male Ancient One said dismissively.
He packed up two portions of snacks, put them away, and then got up to leave.
After the male Ancient One left, Lucas took out a silver orb of light. Within the sphere of light, there was a faintly visible spherical object, resembling a planet.
This is a copy of Prosilicus that he had made. It possesses the complete history of Prosilicus.
After that, Lucas became fully absorbed in the task and continued to act as an observer.
Meanwhile, on the distant other side of the starry sky, three enormous humanoid armored figures were silently plotting.
"The origins of this sorcerer named Lucas are unknown. The only information available about him is from the last few years."
"He must have come from outside the universe."
"There has never been a visitor like him before. His power is mysterious and seems to be able to devour everything in the universe."
"It may be the latest creation of the First Firmament."
"Meet him, and determine his stance and purpose."
Late at night, Strange emerged from Doctor Doom's room.
Doctor Doom is indeed a powerful sorcerer who, like him, holds a doctoral degree. He also has a profound understanding of reshaping the universe.
He proposed using fragments of the universe to piece together a new universe.
But...
Strange shook his head.
He didn't want to create a new universe, he wanted to save his own universe.
But creating a new universe to house the life of his original world doesn't seem like a bad idea.
No, no, no!
This method is too extreme.
How many universes would you have to destroy to piece together a new universe from fragments of the universe?