: Re: How can I handle a powerful mentor character without killing them off? I'm writing a book series that involves people with various superpowers. One of these characters and is more or less the

@XinRu607

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The Dresden Files may offer a few solutions (though the protagonist's mentor isn't introduced to the reader until book 4).
The Mentor isn't around
As in the OP, sometimes the mentor just isn't there. They have their own life and pursuits to deal with and don't have time to hold the protagonist's hand. Or the Conflict is acute enough that there isn't enough time for the Mentor to arrive before disaster strikes, so the Protagonist has to go it alone.
The Conflict is local/The Protagonist "should" be able to deal with the Conflict
Maybe the primary conflict the Protagonist is dealing with is local or regional, and the Mentor deals with provincial, national or global problems. Additionally, established professionals delegate tasks. Researchers have post-doc fellows and/or grad students, trial lawyers have associates and paralegals, Generals have Colonels who have Captains who have Lieutenants who have Sergeants. Dealing with problems like the Conflict is why the Mentor bothered training the Protagonist in the first place. Dealing with a problem of this scale is the Protagonist's job.
The Mentor is busy contributing to the plot off-page
The Mentor might be off being the Protagonist of their own story. They might be using all of their power and attention to slow down the BBEGs plan, and the Protagonist needs to go after the Dragon or McGuffin, or they've run off to blunt a feint, and the Protagonist is the only one on the spot to deal with the real threat. The Mentor might also be the Emperor, and needs to stay in the capital to keep the country running, not go haring off on adventures.
The Protagonist has skills/resources/allies the Mentor lacks
The Mentor might be an all around badass, but the Protagonist is just a better fit for this Conflict. This could even be used to generate tension between them, when the Protagonist does things the Mentor can't or the Protagonist beings to realize they've outgrown the Mentor. The Protagonist has contacts and allies who can provide them with vital intelligence or equipment crucial to resolving the Conflict. The Protagonist could have knowledge or skills they didn't gain from the Mentor that allow them to unravel the plot and resolve the Conflict. Maybe there is something innate to the Protagonist the Mentor lacks (like Éowyn) or the Protagonist is innately immune to the BBEG's big power. Inversely, the BBEG has a weapon the Mentor is especially susceptible to, who therefore can't risk a direct confrontation.
Hampered communications
Someone or thing is preventing the Protagonist from contacting the Mentor. It could be the Conflict itself, either by directly cutting off comms or by timing the plot to coincide with a natural blackout. It could also be caused by erstwhile allies who see the Conflict as an opportunity to discredit or dispose of the protagonist (who they never liked/see as a threat).
Political forces
The Conflict concerns a nominally neutral third party who insists the Protagonist alone deal with the problem, either offering substantial rewards (material, logistical or military aid, alliances, knowledge and/or power, etc) for success and/or threatening unacceptable consequences for non-compliance. Alternatively, a third party turns the Conflict into a test for the Protagonist. Failing the test will have dire consequences for the Protagonist and/or Mentor beyond the direct fall out.
Blackmail
The Protagonist is only becoming involved in the Conflict under duress, and is told the leverage will be used if they call for help. Bonus points if the Protagonist is required to violate personal or organizational moral codes/laws in the blackmailer's service, and the Mentor would do (or even does) their best to thwart the Protagonist. Alternatively, the Mentor is the one being blackmailed, either into staying away from the Conflict, or working against the Protagonist. An all-out conflict between a Protagonist and their Mentor can make for wonderful pathos and stakes, especially if one party has to pretend their betrayal is genuine.
Good ol' fashioned arrogance
The Protagonist is confident they are equipped to deal with the problem until its too late for the Mentor to intervene. Either the Conflict was bigger than the Protagonist assumed, or they played right into the BBEG's hands. Alternatively, the Mentor is arrogant, and dismisses the threat when alerted by the Protagonist.

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