Not long after Lucas began his discourse, he felt a gaze descend from the sun.
Atum!
Lucas paused.
The Sorcerers' Convention did not restrict participation. Anyone who received the news could attend as an observer. Even video recordings were allowed.
The spread of information had a time lag, and some people couldn't make it for various reasons.
But to cast a gaze from a mere step away, unrestrained, and unwilling to attend in person to show respect to the lecturer...
Lucas looked up, directly into the blazing sunlight. Distance and the speed of light could not prevent his eye contact with Atum.
"Are the local Gods so impolite?" Lucas said calmly.
His sudden remark left many sorcerers and Gods in the venue bewildered.
But Gaea was not one of them.
Her expression changed, and she quickly said, "Sorcerer Lucas, this is a misunderstanding. It's not convenient for Atum to go out right now."
Lucas raised his hand to interrupt Gaea. He withdrew his gaze and slowly said, "It's alright, I've already forgiven him."
Only then did the Gods understand the reason for Lucas's earlier unusual behavior.
"Lucas and the Sun God clashed?"
"It seems so, thankfully nothing happened."
"Hehe."
"What are you 'hehe'-ing about?"
"Let the bullets fly a bit longer."
"You don't understand Lucas. He acts extremely fast, it often takes a while to realize he's made a move."
"Really?"
Gaea's expression was stiff.
She had also heard the words of the Gods present.
She sincerely apologized again, "Sorcerer Lucas, Atum didn't mean to offend you. The him now is not the true him."
Lucas smiled at Gaea and gently said, "Don't worry, Gaea, I've already forgiven him."
It's precisely because you say that that I'm worried.
Gaea forced a smile, then secretly contacted Atum.
"It's nothing."
Seeing Atum's quick reply, Gaea finally felt a little relieved.
Afterward, Lucas took a sip of milk tea to moisten his throat and continued his lecture. He explained, one by one, the various methods he had summarized for purifying energy and removing energy's contamination of the soul.
Although the topic wasn't particularly profound, these methods were very practical for many Gods and sorcerers, especially sorcerers.
They felt greatly enlightened, believing their future path was bright.
"What's going on? Why did the world suddenly get brighter?"
"What else could it be? A solar flare, of course."
"Did you forget? Sorcerer Lucas just made a move against the Sun God."
"He just looked at him, didn't he?"
"Hehe."
"What are you 'hehe'-ing about now?"
"I really have forgiven him." Lucas noticed Gaea looking at him with worried eyes and said helplessly.
He had only gently stirred the sun's energy a little. It was Atum himself who had a problem with his state.
...
"You laid hands on Atum?"
"He didn't know how to respect others, I merely made a slight move."
In Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum's second-floor lounge, Lucas slumped on the sofa, explaining to the male Ancient One opposite him.
"These gods sometimes truly don't know how to respect others. A lesson is good."
The male Ancient One nodded, not dwelling on the issue.
He had originally been continuing his research on mental manifestation and the application of mental power at Kamar-Taj. He was only alarmed by the recent changes in the sun, which is why he came to inquire.
Now, on Earth-616, Lucas is the only one capable of laying a hand on Atum.
After a moment of thought, the male Ancient One said, "However, I've heard that Gaea has a special affection for her descendants. Your conflict with Atum might displease her."
Lucas said indifferently, "If she's displeased, then she's displeased. Today, when I acted against Atum, I discovered his situation was worse than imagined, and the heterogeneous energy within him was also agitated by me."
"If he doesn't get effective relief, he will soon completely degenerate and never be able to return to his normal form from his Demogorge form."
"Now, Gaea and Atum are seeking our help. Weighing the pros and cons, I believe they will make the right choice."
Even without this reason, he wouldn't allow Atum to be presumptuous.
Otherwise, what good was this power for him?
"Lucas, there's also a possibility. These gods might not be as rational and intelligent as you think."
The male Ancient One said with a strange expression, then explained, "Gaea holds a high position among the gods of Earth, highly respected. But this is because she gave birth to the first New Gods."
"Atum is revered among the New Gods because he represents the first New God and the last Elder God, ending the era of the Elder Gods. And he's very good at fighting, none of this has anything to do with wisdom."
"Uh..."
Lucas was speechless.
He thought for a moment and said weakly, "If Atum takes the initiative to act, then we just go for the hard approach?"
"What about Strange's future work? Moreover, Gaea isn't necessarily an enemy."
"Forget it, let's take it one step at a time." Lucas sighed.
He preferred opponents like Mephisto, who knew how to size up the situation and immediately grovel and admit fault when things looked bad.
The male Ancient One also sighed helplessly, "Then let's wait for a while and see the attitude of Gaea and Atum."
Thump... Thump...Thump...
As soon as the Ancient One finished speaking, footsteps sounded.
It was the apprentice sorcerer from yesterday, jogging over.
"Ancient One, Sorcerer Lucas, Lady Gaea is looking for you."
Lucas and the Ancient One exchanged glances.
The male Ancient One hummed and instructed, "Please bring her over, Sorcerer Madeline."
"Yes, Ancient One."
Madeline agreed and then jogged away again.
A short while later, she returned with Gaea and a figure shrouded in a wide black robe.
"Earth Goddess, Sun God, please take a seat."
The male Ancient One stood up and invited the two to sit.
Lucas also stood up.
He was not like Atum. He was a polite, civilized, and moral young man.
"Gaea."
"Ancient One, Sorcerer Lucas."
Gaea responded to the male Ancient One and Lucas.
She smoothed her clothes and gracefully sat on the chair opposite Lucas, next to the male Ancient One.
Atum stood silently behind her.
"Lady Gaea is the Earth Goddess?" Madeline's voice suddenly rang out, her mouth slightly agape, looking at Gaea with some astonishment.
Such an expression was a bit rude, but no one present would mind.
"Hello, Sorcerer Madeline. Earth Goddess is indeed one of my names. However, a title is just a form of address. You can continue to call me Lady Gaea." Gaea responded gently.
"Okay." Madeline responded stiffly, then withdrew.
After walking away, she patted her chest and let out a long sigh of relief.
"Oh my god, Lady Gaea is actually the Earth Goddess. Last night, when I saw Ancient One enter her room, I thought..."
"The child is ignorant. I hope the Earth Goddess will not take offense." The male Ancient One said, then cleared his throat awkwardly.
Madeline didn't speak these words aloud. But telepathy had already become a passive skill for the male Ancient One.
And he and Lucas had just finished teaching Gaea the application of mental power early this morning.
He wasn't sure if Gaea had heard what Madeline was thinking.
"It's nothing."
Gaea smiled, her expression still natural, making it impossible to tell if she had heard Madeline's thoughts.
"Master, Gaea, have some tea."
Lucas, at the side, took the opportunity to pour tea for the two.
He hadn't noticed Madeline's thoughts, inadvertently helping the male Ancient One and Gaea out of an awkward situation.
"Thank you, Sorcerer Lucas."
Gaea took the teacup with both hands, politely took a sip, and praised, "This tea has a rich and lasting aroma, with a unique floral and fruity fragrance. The taste is fresh and refreshing, mellow and crisp."
"Earth Goddess overpraises."
The male Ancient One stroked his beard, humble.
After so many years, he finally met someone who understood his tea.
Then he gave Lucas a look, urging Lucas to quickly pour another cup.
Lucas, who had just sat down, stood up again, took the teapot, and refilled Gaea's cup.
Gaea smiled politely, and under the male Ancient One's expectant gaze, she drank it all down again.
Then she found that the male Ancient One was still staring at her, so she could only brace herself and say, "Mellow and delicious, with a slightly sweet aftertaste."
The male Ancient One nodded in satisfaction, again gesturing to Lucas with his eyes.
Lucas helplessly stood up again to pour tea for Gaea. After that, he simply moved a chair and sat next to Gaea.
Gaea drank three or five more cups, gradually running out of words.
Helpless, she could only look at the male Ancient One's expectant gaze and said seriously, "Ancient One, I have something else to ask for this time."
Lucas put down the teapot, suppressing a laugh, and said, "Gaea, why didn't you say so earlier? Master thought you were here to discuss tea with him."
Gaea opened her mouth as if to speak but stopped, finally giving a helpless smile.
No anger.
She had witnessed the naughtiness of this master and disciple duo early this morning.
"Enough!"
Atum, at the side, suddenly roared.
If it weren't for his mother's repeated reassurances, he would have lost his temper long ago.
These two insects actually took his mother's politeness for weakness and were toying with her.
Lucas glanced sideways at Atum, said nothing more, stood up, and returned to his original sofa, slumping down.
"What does the Earth Goddess seek?" The male Ancient One also ignored Atum, his tone flat, feigning ignorance.
Gaea sighed and slowly stood up and bowed.
"I have come this time to ask the two sorcerers for help in diagnosing the condition of my son, Atum."
"Mother!"
Atum, behind Gaea, said mournfully, his eyes seemingly welling up with tears.
Lucas turned sideways, dodging Gaea's bow. Mainly, he saw that the male Ancient One had dodged, so he followed suit.