The man in the gray robe—Kaecilius—had assumed John Constantine's sub-personality was just like he once was: a desperate soul who saw Kamar-Taj as his only hope and had come seeking help and salvation.
That aligned with the traditions of Kamar-Taj.
Anyone who could find their way there through effort and pass some initial tests would be granted a chance to enter.
In Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, many Kamar-Taj informants kept watch.
As soon as an outsider started asking around about the place, word would quickly reach their ears.
This time, Kaecilius had been sent to evaluate and guide John.
But the man's answer had caught him off guard.
"That's right," John said, snapping his fingers.
A small flame flickered to life in his palm.
Kaecilius' eyes narrowed—he could feel it.
The flame wasn't a magician's trick or mutant ability. It held real magical energy.
Now convinced, Kaecilius waved him over. "Come with me—"
He led John into a narrow alley and casually opened a portal.
Seeing the view on the other side—completely different from where they were—John's eyes lit up slightly.
This must be the teleportation Raymond had told him about.
Through that portal… lay Kamar-Taj!
Soon, John arrived outside the study of the Ancient One.
Kaecilius went in first, probably to report, and then gestured for John to enter alone.
As John stepped inside, he saw a bald Asian woman in simple robes, sitting cross-legged—floating quietly in mid-air.
That alone didn't surprise him.
Levitating was no big deal. He could do it too if he wanted.
What truly shocked him was… He couldn't remember her face.
Even after staring at her moments ago, the moment he blinked, her image faded.
All he could recall was that she was a bald Asian woman.
It was like an invisible hand was constantly erasing her face from his memory.
"Hey, Boss… can you remember what she looks like?"
John asked in his mind.
Raymond's answer echoed in his thoughts, just as stunned as he was.
While this version of the Ancient One looked different from the MCU's—clearly an Asian woman—that alone wasn't surprising.
Raymond had expected variations. Even if she had been male, it wouldn't have shocked him.
Also, the fact that meeting the Ancient One earned him 1000 exploration points and revealed her as an SSS-rank hero didn't surprise him either.
He had expected someone of that level to be classified that highly.
After all, this was his first direct encounter with a Skyfather-level character.
It was only right for such a legendary figure to be ranked SSS.
What truly amazed him… was the bizarre experience of not being able to remember her face at all.
Even John—who had seen all kinds of strange things—was clearly experiencing this for the first time.
"Hello, mysterious sorcerer—"
Just as John and Raymond were still stunned by what they saw, the Ancient One gracefully stepped down from midair and greeted him.
"John… John Constantine," John introduced himself.
The Ancient One gave a slight nod. "So, what brings Sorcerer John to this place?"
"I've heard that you, The Ancient One, are the strongest sorcerer on Earth. I came here hoping to learn more about magic from you."
"You wish to become my student?" she asked.
"Become your student? Sorry, I'm not interested in being anyone's disciple."
John shook his head without hesitation.
Despite his usual shady and mischievous ways, things like taking a master were no joke.
In many traditions, the relationship between master and disciple was nearly equal to parent and child.
With a prideful nature like his, there was no way he'd agree to something like that.
Raymond, listening in, didn't object.
He actually agreed with John's view on this.
In Chinese culture, a teacher is respected like a father.
Even if Raymond had come personally, he wouldn't agree to become someone's disciple just to learn teleportation.
So when John refused, Raymond didn't say a word.
To their surprise, the Ancient One smiled and said, "Even if you were willing, I wouldn't dare take you in as a disciple."
John blinked, confused by her unexpected response.
"I can't see your past, and I can't glimpse your future…" she said thoughtfully.
"I don't know what that means yet, but my instincts tell me—you are dangerous. Getting involved with you could bring endless trouble to all of Kamar-Taj."
"You're joking, right?" John replied with an odd expression.
"No. I'm not exactly known for my sense of humor," the Ancient One said calmly.
"So… you're turning me away?"
John looked genuinely disappointed this time.
And it wasn't an act.
He really had hoped to see more of what this world's magic could do—not just for Raymond's sake, but out of his own curiosity too.
"Why would I turn you away?" the Ancient One's tone suddenly shifted.
"Didn't you just say—?"
"I said I wouldn't take you as a student. I never said we couldn't exchange knowledge."
She smiled faintly. "If our exchange can help make humanity stronger as a whole, I see no reason to refuse."
John nodded in understanding.
He had seen people like her before—those saint-like figures who cared about all of humanity.
He would never become someone like that himself, but he couldn't bring himself to dislike people like her either.
At least compared to selfish manipulators, someone like her was a much better encounter.
"This isn't your real body, is it?"
The Ancient One suddenly asked.
That sentence made both John and Raymond freeze for a second.