---
As soon as those words were spoken, Strange found himself even more puzzled.
At that moment, a cold female voice echoed in his ear, catching his attention.
"Is he your chosen future? Looks good."
Though the voice wasn't loud, it was incredibly clear—carrying a strange, enchanting rhythm that compelled Strange to turn his head.
There, in the left corner of the room, stood a blonde woman in a beige windbreaker, facing a bookshelf. Her back was turned as she examined a book in her hands, seemingly engrossed.
Though he couldn't see her face, her tall figure and flawless curves left little doubt in Strange's mind: this woman was breathtakingly beautiful.
As if sensing his gaze, the woman turned around.
When Strange finally saw her face, a flicker of light sparked in his eyes—an instinctive reaction, the simple admiration a man has for an extraordinarily beautiful woman.
Her features were exquisitely sculpted, as if by divine hands. Delicate, elegant brows framed eyes filled with an almost magical allure—eyes one could easily get lost in.
She was the kind of woman who could make a man imagine marriage at first sight.
It was only thanks to Strange's training and mental discipline from years immersed in the mystic arts that he didn't start daydreaming about their future children's names or what kind of tomb they'd share in old age.
Yet something about her seemed oddly familiar.
Then, a realization struck him.
"Catherine Isa Bella?"
"Hello. It's our first meeting, Dr. Stephen," Bella replied with a graceful nod, then walked toward the Ancient One without a trace of annoyance at Strange's reaction.
With her already remarkable appearance and her strength continually evolving, Bella had reached the level of a "God Father." Her presence had become even more refined—so much so that her beauty bordered on divine. Even women found themselves captivated by her aura.
As she knelt beside Stephen at the low, rectangular table—which comfortably seated four—he caught a faint, pleasant fragrance and suddenly felt uneasy.
It wasn't just her beauty that unsettled him. It was something deeper, something instinctual. A subtle but undeniable pressure radiated from her. Anyone who could walk freely into this sacred sanctuary—and even earn the respect of the Ancient One—was certainly no ordinary person.
"Level God Father"… What did that even mean?
Neither Bella nor the Ancient One acknowledged Strange's obvious confusion. In fact, the Ancient One didn't even stop her—an unspoken sign of approval, if anything.
For a relatively new magician like Strange, being allowed to sit with these two was a stroke of fortune in itself.
What more could he ask for?
When the Ancient One served a cup of fragrant hot tea, Bella accepted it with a smile and took a delicate sip.
"Your tea skills have improved, Ancient One."
The Ancient One responded warmly, "It's the tea that's better this time. I spent quite a fortune getting this Pu'er from the Eastern lands. The King complains about it often."
Bella chuckled, clearly amused. This wasn't just idle praise—she had grown strong enough to converse as an equal.
The last time they met, she had been a rising star. Now, she was a force to be reckoned with.
The Ancient One had seen many lifetimes and few could still surprise her. But Bella was not just another 'Level God Father.' In her heart, she believed this young woman's future far exceeded what even she could imagine.
Bella finished her tea and looked up, eyes falling on the Ancient One's face… or more specifically, her brow.
Strange saw nothing unusual. But Bella, with her unique perception, saw it clearly: a trace of corruption, darkness—power tainted by Dormammu, the ruler of the Dark Dimension.
She sighed quietly. The death of this legendary sorcerer was near, much like Odin's had been.
But the Ancient One showed no fear—only peace and release.
To others, death meant suffering and terror. But to her, it was liberation. She had protected this world for far too long. She was tired, just as her predecessor had once been.
Bella understood—and respected—that deeply.
Meanwhile, Strange remained utterly lost. From his perspective, these two had locked eyes and started having some sort of intense "moment" after just one cup of tea.
What was going on?
Unbeknownst to him, the two were communicating silently—mind to mind—using spiritual power he couldn't perceive.
The silent exchange lasted no more than ten seconds before Bella nodded. "I understand. I'll appear when the time comes."
The Ancient One smiled and returned the nod.
After that, the conversation turned to lighter topics—Bella's adventures throughout the universe, tales that fascinated Strange.
Still, a question nagged at him: Who exactly was this woman?
---
Later that afternoon, Bella returned to her villa. She sat on the couch, gently stroking Nina's head as the girl dozed beside her.
Elsewhere, Angie, little Sally, and Cosmo had gone out shopping.
Bella leaned back, her mind replaying the earlier conversation with the Ancient One.
"So then, I'll be waiting for you… Mephisto," she whispered, the corners of her lips curling into a mysterious smile.
---
Back in the sanctuary, Strange sipped his tea and finally asked the question burning in his mind:
"Is she… a magician too?"
The Ancient One raised an eyebrow, thoughtfully sipping her tea. "She's not a magician."
Then paused, reconsidering.
"Well… she did study magic here. But she's very different. Let's just say—she's half a magician."
Strange nodded slowly. If the Ancient One herself praised Bella so highly, her magical skills must be extraordinary.
"Earlier, you congratulated her on becoming a 'Level God Father.' What does that mean?"
The Ancient One grew quiet for a moment, then gently waved her hand.
An invisible force swept through the room.
The light dimmed.
---