I have finished translating this fanfic, IMUC (I Am In Marvel With Unlimited Cards) and have posted all the advanced chapters on Patreon (Last Chapter -- 706). (https://www.patreon.com/c/marvel6395). You can read all the advanced chapters there.
''Top 8 to Top 4, First Match: Ancient One vs. Raina''
Random Battle Scenario: SHIELD Headquarters Rooftop!
Located in the heart of New York City, yet isolated from the hustle and bustle of the city, one wall of the rooftop is marked with a logo resembling the letter "E".
This is SHIELD's headquarters, high above, with a helipad on its open roof.
The two women stood on opposite sides of the rooftop, facing each other. Though they were in a competitive and confrontational stance, neither of them exuded any murderous intent or competitive edge.
They remained calm and composed, as if they were just two strangers who happened to meet on the street.
Raina, cold and elegant, wore a long, pale dress, the black hem fluttering like a black rose in full bloom.
Ancient One, aloof and reserved, wore a simple robe and stood on the edge of the roof with her hands behind her back, like a lotus unspoiled by the world.
Although their appearances and auras were drastically different, when they stood together, they gave a strikingly similar impression.
This similarity existed because both Ancient One and Raina shared a common purpose.
After centuries of experience, the Ancient One chose to protect Earth from being consumed by the Dark Dimension.
Her actions were not driven by personal desire, but solely to defend the planet. Every step she took, right or wrong, was for the protection of Earth.
Raina, given new life and meaning by Kyle, had chosen from a young age to be a sword in Kyle's hand. Her actions were not her own, but focused entirely on what benefited Kyle. Anything that harmed him, she would eradicate.
Pure and unique - that was what made them alike. That purity and uniqueness made her stronger than anyone else in battle.
It was also what fascinated Kyle as he watched them face off.
On the roof of SHIELD headquarters.
"Do you want to go first or should I?" The Ancient One asked quietly.
"I'll go first," Raina replied. "I know you're very powerful, capable of threatening my boss. If you attack first, I may not even have a chance to resist."
Raina was very confident, and this fight wasn't about her boss. She had no desire to win.
But she still wanted to test her limits.
Her power had stagnated many years ago, seemingly trapped in a barrier, unable to grow or evolve.
This stagnation was largely due to her genetics and abilities. After all, Raina had fought with her rare blue-grade abilities and remained undefeated, even below Kyle's level.
Fighting someone as mysteriously powerful as the Ancient One might be an opportunity for a breakthrough.
With that thought, Raina's eyes glowed silver and her feet lifted off the ground, hovering half a meter above the roof.
"This is my strongest technique. If you can break it, I'll surrender."
As Raina spoke, her eyes sparkled. Her black hair and long skirt swirled as if moved by an invisible wind, while the space around her seemed to freeze.
A faint silver ripple spread outward from her, enveloping the entire rooftop, sealing in the dust, the light, and even the air.
The Ancient One stood completely still, her gaze fixed on Raina.
"What is that?"
The countless spectators outside stared at the scene on the screen in disbelief, as if witnessing a miracle.
Raina appeared to be a goddess, controlling everything in this corner of the roof.
"Is it time stopping? Or the freezing of space?" Logan in the Watchtower was stunned, never imagining that the little girl he once knew had surpassed him and reached such a level of power.
"No, it has nothing to do with time or space," Vision said, shaking his head as he turned to Kyle.
"That's a domain. Raina's mental domain. Only by pushing her mental power to its limit could she achieve something like this."
Kyle was deeply moved. What seemed like time and space being frozen was actually just Raina's subtle control over everything in that space. To outsiders, it appeared as though time and space had been sealed, but in reality, everything except time and space had been contained.
When everything but time and space was sealed, it could appear indistinguishable from time and space freezing.
Even if a god appeared, they might still fall victim to it.
Within Raina's mental domain, Ancient One stood completely still on the rooftop, like a human sculpture, unable to move.
''In the duel arena.''
Doctor Strange looked up anxiously, his gaze fixed on the virtual space where Ancient One stood. He understood very well that spells not only require concentration but also physical movement, including hand gestures and chanting incantations.
Now that Ancient One couldn't move, she was unable to cast any of her powerful spells in retaliation.
Unless, of course, she could cast spells solely with her mind, but that was impossible...
As Doctor Strange was thinking this, he saw a vague white figure in the duel screen, emerging from Ancient One's body, slowly drifting towards Raina, who was floating in front.
It was the soul of Ancient One!
In Raina's mental domain, Ancient One's soul seemed to float as if taking a stroll in a garden, effortlessly flying towards Raina.
Seeing Raina, with her silver eyes glowing and an aura of pressure radiating from her, Ancient One's soul gently shook its head and muttered softly:
"If the body restricts your strength, then simply abandon the body. The body and the soul are equally important to a person, but due to subjective perception, people often place more importance on the body. This is the stubbornness and flaw of the mind."
Ancient One's soul calmly extended a hand, placing it on Raina's forehead. In the next moment, a shadowy light burst from behind Raina, flying away.
It was Raina's soul.
But even as a soul, Raina's essence still radiated dazzling, proud silver light.
...
''What just happened?"
Most of the spectators outside couldn't comprehend what had occurred, and the match abruptly ended.
"Raina surrenders, Ancient One wins, advancing to the Top Four!" The announcement from the God system finally rang out, and only then did the spectators realize that Ancient One had won.
"That woman is terrifying," Logan in the Watchtower remarked. Just a moment ago, he thought Raina had a chance of winning, but in the next moment, Ancient One easily clinched victory.
'She was the Sorcerer Supreme who had guarded Earth for centuries!'
Kyle smiled calmly. If Ancient One wasn't strong, it would be hard to say if Earth could have survived the onslaught of multidimensional and extraterrestrial evil forces, enduring until the rise of today's heroes.
But even the strongest have their limits.
Just then, the God system's voice echoed:
"The next match is between Kyle and Deadpool..."
The audience erupted in enthusiastic cheers, but the God system quickly followed up with another announcement:
"Deadpool forfeits, Kyle wins the match and advances to the Top Four!"
"Huh?" The audience was left dumbfounded. The match hadn't even started, and it was already over.
''(End of Chapter)''