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Chapter 124: Gwen Needs to Grow Up, The Mysterious Monitor
🕑 Added 2025-03-16 17:57:35 +0000 UTCIn addition to imitating the Phoenix Force's abilities, materialized objects are no longer restricted to their original qualities.
When creating most objects, Aaron can enhance some of their characteristics according to his own will. In short, he can strengthen them!
For example, the Uru metal longsword he materialized is stronger and sharper than the same sword in reality. However, the more specific and powerful the materialized object, the more it will inherit certain properties of the Phoenix Force—but only to a limited extent, not its full power.
After experimenting with this feature, Aaron created numerous powerful pieces of equipment and enchanted them with various abilities, including automatic energy shields, magnetic isolation, and magic amplification, among others.
These enchantments were applied to Uru metal, Vibranium, and Adamantium. Aaron even attempted to merge the properties of all three metals—a bold idea indeed.
Each of these special metals possesses unique characteristics, and even using just one is rare. The process of acquiring and refining them is complex, requiring advanced technology and resources. Even with Aaron’s intelligence boosted to level five, he lacked the confidence to complete such an experiment through conventional means.
However, by using materialization magic, he bypassed the tedious and nearly impossible process. Through sheer imagination and manifestation, he successfully created a super-metal combining the properties of all three!
This new metal possesses Adamantium's hardness, Vibranium's energy absorption, and Uru metal’s energy storage and magical conductivity. The equipment forged from this super-metal, enhanced further with Aaron’s enchantments, resulted in a collection of immensely powerful artifacts—irresistible to both magicians and warriors alike. Wearing them provided an unprecedented sense of security.
Aaron crafted personalized gear for several individuals, including Amora’s green robe, Jean’s red dress, Gwen’s white spider battlesuit with an outer layer, Sif’s warrior armor, and Mystique’s gold-and-silver battle suit. However, he didn’t create anything for himself—he simply didn’t need it. In his magical Superman form, his defense and attack power far exceeded that of the super-metal.
The Mirror Space's Limitations
Throughout this process, Aaron discovered a significant issue: the fifth-level mirror space could no longer accommodate his growing power.
With materialization magic at level eight, any offensive spell he cast shattered the mirror space instantly. While the mirror space was difficult to crack for those unfamiliar with it, it was still fragile in the face of absolute power. Although it appeared to be a spatial ability, when faced with sufficiently strong attacks, the mirror space simply couldn’t hold.
One time, Aaron attempted to materialize a large-scale attack at full strength to test his limits. The mirror space collapsed in an instant, nearly causing an unimaginable catastrophe in reality. The magicians of Kamar-Taj, always vigilant about magical threats, were thrown into chaos. The guardian of the New York Sanctum almost rushed to Kamar-Taj to alert the Ancient One.
They were truly terrified. The sheer scale of the magic Aaron unleashed could have dealt a devastating blow to the Earth. It was beyond their ability to handle. If Aaron hadn’t stopped immediately, he might have found himself in a battle against the Ancient One—or even Odin.
Since that incident, Aaron abandoned further experiments and instead considered improving the mirror space itself. Otherwise, as his output magic continued to advance, he would be forced to leave Earth for other planets or dimensions to conduct his tests.
Distributing the Equipment
After emerging from his seclusion, Aaron gathered everyone and distributed the newly created gear.
Sif picked up her armor, puzzled. “Didn’t you already give me enchanted equipment? Did you add more enchantments?”
“The enchantments have been improved, but there’s more. Take out your one-handed sword,” Aaron said with a mysterious smile.
Without hesitation, Sif handed over her weapon. Aaron held her sword in one hand and a new, super-metal sword in the other. With a single strike, a visible crack appeared on her Uru metal sword.
This was an artifact crafted from Uru metal, renowned for cutting through virtually anything. And yet, Aaron’s new blade had damaged it with a single blow. Sif stared in shock.
Aaron explained the properties of the super-metal, and once everyone realized the significance of the equipment, they eagerly claimed their designated gear.
Gwen, however, hesitated. Seeing this, Amora handed her the spider battlesuit and said, “Don’t be shy. Consider it a gift from a teacher to her student. Besides… do you really think these things are difficult for him to make? With his magical abilities, he could produce them effortlessly.”
Aaron’s materialization magic was no secret to them. They all knew his abilities bordered on that of a creator.
Amora was right, and Aaron reassured Gwen, “Take it. These are just transitional items—there will be even stronger equipment in the future.”
However, he also noted, “While these artifacts combine the properties of three special metals, their full potential remains untested in actual combat. I don’t have Vibranium on hand to verify its energy absorption, but I can study its energy storage first.”
Theory and reality often differ, and all theoretical data must be tested. The best way? Actual combat.
Gwen’s Mission and Lessons from Amora
“Maybe I can help,” Gwen offered, attracting everyone’s attention. “Recently, there have been multiple Lizardman sightings in New York, and several people have been injured. I decided to track him down and capture him. I could test the suit in battle.”
“Again? You’ve already fought him?” Aaron asked, picking up on her words.
Gwen hesitated before admitting, “Yes, I fought him once. He’s powerful and intelligent… I struggled for a bit.”
Amora, unimpressed, immediately scolded her. “I’ve told you before—a fight is a fight. You must go all out, no matter who the enemy is. If you keep showing mercy, you’ll be the one who suffers in the end. Mercy toward your enemies endangers both you and those around you!”
Gwen nodded quickly. “I understand! I’ll be serious next time!”
“Next time? Do you think I’ll believe that?” Amora sighed and looked at Aaron. Gwen’s soft-hearted nature was difficult to change, influenced by her father George’s principles over the years.
Aaron knew this too. Changing someone’s nature was not easy. However, unlike Peter Parker, Gwen had been raised by a police officer, not Uncle Ben. The police were trained to subdue criminals, and if necessary, take lethal action. Gwen’s approach was about capturing and bringing criminals to justice rather than outright killing them. But if pushed into a dire situation, she would make the right choice.
Now that she had new equipment, her safety had improved significantly. Even if she held back, Dr. Lizard wouldn’t be able to harm her.
Still, Aaron reiterated, “Fighting is not a game. When facing an enemy of equal strength, you must go all out and seize every opportunity to land a decisive blow. Mercy can be deadly—to you and your loved ones.”
Gwen nodded thoughtfully. She understood Amora and Aaron were looking out for her. Yet, breaking a lifetime of ingrained habits was not easy.
As she left, Amora sighed, “You just let her go like that?”
“She’ll understand,” Aaron replied confidently. Gwen needed to grow. He couldn’t always be there to watch over her. She had to face challenges and grow stronger on her own.
The Mysterious Watchers
“Aaron, recently, I’ve sensed prying eyes watching us. They don’t seem hostile, but they are definitely observing us,” Jean informed him while changing into her enchanted gown.
Aaron ruled out S.H.I.E.L.D., HYDRA, Asgard, and Kamar-Taj. “Who could it be?”
“It started when your magic surged,” Jean said.
Aaron smirked. “A group of so-called ‘champions’ worried about me destroying the world?”
Regardless of their intent, he wouldn’t tolerate being watched. “Leave it to me—I’ll make sure they behave.”
The Approaching Nine Stars Alignment
Amora changed the subject. “By the way, are you going to watch this year’s celestial event? The Nine Stars Alignment?”
Aaron’s expression darkened. The event meant one thing—the return of the Dark Elves and the Aether. Frigga’s fate was at stake. He had a decision to make.
“This won’t be easy,” he murmured.
