DOTM: Chapter 370/371

Chapter 370: The Other Party Doesn’t Want to Talk to You

Whether it was Tony or Ethan, both were the type to act as soon as inspiration struck. So, with one willing to teach and the other eager to learn, the introductory course began almost immediately.

What annoyed Tony was that Ethan specifically called over a little girl named Sherry Birkin and had her demonstrate how an introductory mage course should proceed.

"I think you're just using this as an excuse to mess with me."

Ethan shrugged, not denying that this factor was involved.

"Sherry's talent isn't the best, but she's been studying with me for a while. She's very familiar with the basics, and she can use sufficiently simple language to help you better understand what you need to do."

"Why does it have to be in 'simple' language?" Tony felt this was an insult to his intelligence. Did they think he couldn't understand complex concepts?

"Because there's a lot in magic that's hard to describe. Honestly, I was pretty confused when I first started training. I was lucky enough to get past the early stages of confusion, and later on, I relied on some special items to keep progressing. I honestly don't know how someone like you, with zero prior exposure, would overcome those same issues."

Ethan had the space-time orb at the very beginning to train his mental power, which gave him a shortcut. That foundation allowed him to avoid many challenges later on.

For someone like Tony starting from scratch, there were plenty of problems Ethan wouldn't know how to explain clearly—especially since Tony was a scientist. He would instinctively resist anything that sounded too theoretical or abstract. Having Sherry explain things in plain terms might help him understand faster.

"Then what are you going to do?"

Tony looked at Ethan suspiciously. Was this guy just going to stand there and watch him make a fool of himself?

"Of course, I'll be here to help you learn magic. You don't think Sherry is capable of teaching you, do you? At most, she can explain potential stumbling blocks."

This was also an opportunity for the two to train together, but Ethan wasn't going to say that out loud.

The same game Ethan had Sherry play before was brought out again. This time, it was Tony's turn to train his control over mental power by playing the game, while Sherry cheerfully shared her experience.

It had to be said, Ethan's arrangement was spot on. Sherry used simple, straightforward language to explain how to control mental power, and how to interact with the puzzle made of magical energy to complete the game.

Of course, Ethan wasn't just standing around watching the show. In fact, he had more things to deal with.

While Tony was learning magic, he began integrating the various materials he had on hand to develop more advanced potions.

By now, his companions had all completed the initial stage of "accumulation." For example, Ada had already surpassed the level Ethan originally expected and was due for further enhancement or instruction.

After obtaining the Extremis virus from Tony, Ethan realized that Logan could also gain some additional offensive capabilities. The Extremis virus could release high temperatures. If Logan's claws were also heated...

And considering that the Extremis virus could also cause explosions, in a critical moment, Logan could even sever his own arm and use it as a bomb. After all, the guy's arm could grow back.

"That's just too brutal!"

"What's brutal?"

To Ethan's surprise, Tony was still able to follow his side conversation. Looking up, he saw that Tony had already completed the puzzle, and it had taken very little time. He didn't even look like he'd consumed much mental power.

"Finished?"

"Of course. Who do you think I am? I'm Tony Stark, the smartest man on Earth!" Perhaps realizing that sounded too boastful, the ever-humble Tony reluctantly added, "...one of them."

Although there was a bit of bragging, Ethan had to admit that Tony really was a genius. His learning speed exceeded expectations. He could now fully understand why the Ancient One had once considered Tony a candidate for Sorcerer Supreme.

In the following days, Ethan focused on concocting new potions while teaching Tony magical theory.

At first, Sherry was simply reviewing and reinforcing what she had already learned.

Soon, she began learning new material alongside Tony. However, by the time Tony was already attempting to control magical energy, Sherry was still struggling with the basic lessons.

Sherry had already been studying for quite a while, while Tony had only been learning for a few days. The gap in talent was glaring. The mage class was one that inherently placed a high demand on talent.

The poor little girl was completely disheartened. If she hadn't been mentally strong, any ordinary child would've burst into tears and run home to their mother by now.

To soothe her wounded heart, Tony had to take her to an amusement park for the day. That day, the newspapers reported a story about a "suspected illegitimate daughter of Tony Stark," but at least it prevented Sherry from seeing him as a lifelong enemy.

"Fortunately, the age gap between you is big enough. Otherwise, Sherry definitely would've sworn to become your rival for life."

Tony spread his hands helplessly, but his expression—"I don't care, I've dealt with this kind of thing since I was a kid"—was incredibly irritating.

During the busy learning intervals, Ethan also visited the shipyard Tony had acquired to check on the Prinz Eugen. Its construction was progressing much faster than expected. At this rate, it could undergo full testing by the time they returned from outer space.

Ethan knew that after he helped Tony resurrect his parents, Tony had increased his investment in order to speed up the construction—just so he could use the new ship as soon as possible.

If Ethan hadn't told him that what he needed next wasn't a larger surface ship, but a spaceship capable of long-term interstellar travel, resource collection, and atmospheric entry and exit, Tony would've likely used his spare time to start designing the originally planned magically-enhanced Bismarck.

Now, with one less project to focus on, Tony could devote more energy to his studies, and his learning speed skyrocketed. With Ethan's help, he even began working with arcane energy.

"You must be very careful when using arcane energy. It can attract the Burning Legion."

He had to give this warning. Tony could be reckless. Without this reminder, Ethan suspected the guy might try something crazy, like conjuring up a Sunwell.

It wasn't a big deal for a single mage to break the spatial barrier and draw arcane energy for personal use. But if large-scale use turned the Marvel Cinematic Universe into a stable hub of arcane energy, the Burning Legion would very likely detect its presence.

After clearly understanding the risks of arcane energy, Tony promised not to do anything reckless and put away his playful attitude.

As the glow of arcane energy flickered around Tony, it attracted the attention of the Ancient One, who was in Kamar-Taj settling her "afterlife" arrangements.

The Sorcerer Supreme opened a portal and appeared next to Ethan and Tony. Seeing Tony's progress in learning magic, she was visibly surprised.

"Truly outstanding talent."

Ethan had come to the same conclusion after observing Tony's progress and fully agreed with her. After a brief exchange, the Ancient One casually took some of the arcane energy lingering around Tony, then returned to Kamar-Taj for further study.

Tony wasn't casting spells yet. He was still learning how to control energy through mental power. The arcane energy was currently being summoned by Ethan, since the environment here differed from Azeroth. Only this method allowed Tony to interact with and understand the magical energy from the start, laying a foundation for future training.

He let the energy wrap around his body, then gathered it between his palms into a glowing blue sphere. That energy split into streams of light that swirled around him, finally returning to the sphere along his arms.

His goal was to maintain this cycle without the energy veering off or breaking. This process would help him understand the properties of arcane energy and improve his control over it.

Tony was doing quite well. Although the sphere fluctuated in size and the streams flickered, for someone touching energy manipulation for the first time, it was already impressive.

However, his current appearance startled a group of unexpected guests.

"What the hell! What's going on here?"

The person who suddenly appeared was none other than S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury, accompanied as always by Phil Coulson and Natasha Romanoff.

Of course, they hadn't barged in uninvited. Ada and Pepper had come with them. It was thanks to them that these visitors made it to the backyard without trouble.

Ethan had expected this guy to show up eventually. In fact, he was surprised it had taken so long. But he didn't expect them to arrive right when Tony was in the middle of training.

Due to the sudden interruption, Tony lost control of the arcane energy. Normally, that energy would dissipate into the atmosphere. The amount wasn't enough to affect this world's environment, so it would've simply disappeared.

But Ethan was right there. He casually waved his hand, and the arcane energy leaving Tony's body condensed into a ball of light that hovered obediently in his palm, looking no different from a normal glowing orb.

It was because he was watching over everything that he wasn't worried about someone suddenly showing up and disrupting Tony. There would be no negative consequences.

The only side effect was that Tony, whose training had just been interrupted, was in a very bad mood. He glared at Nick Fury with a dark expression and cut him off before he could say a word.

"You interrupted my training. I might have lost my chance to become a great mage because of this, so I'm in a terrible mood right now and don't want to talk to you."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 371: Incompetent Director

Nick Fury wasn't just thick-skinned—he was significantly thicker-skinned than most. He completely ignored Tony's displeasure and instead pressed him about whether he had just been practicing magic.

Tony didn't respond, so Nick turned to Ethan and asked, "Can ordinary people learn your magic too?"

"Why wouldn't they be able to? Aren't mages ordinary people before they learn magic?" Ethan spread his hands. "Even I was an ordinary person back then."

Nick had considered this point. What he was concerned about was something else. "What I mean is… are there no special requirements?"

"Of course there are." Ethan nodded. "Magic requires much higher talent than most professions. In other words, if you're not a genius, you don't even qualify to start."

Nick nodded. Tony was undoubtedly a genius. His ability to learn magic couldn't be considered typical. That meant cultivating mages would require recruiting more young geniuses.

His first thought was of the young people at the SHIELD Academy. They were all geniuses among geniuses. Perhaps some of them had the qualifications?

He considered forming a team of mages for SHIELD, but he knew this idea couldn't be rushed. Moreover, his relationship with Ethan wasn't deep to begin with, and it had only worsened after the Security Council incident. He needed to consider what price he would have to pay to get Ethan to train a few mages.

He also glanced at Tony. If things didn't work out with Ethan, maybe there was another route through Tony?

Nick suddenly felt a bigger headache. Tony Stark wasn't easy to deal with either. His relationship with SHIELD wasn't great. Right now, basic cooperation was only maintained through the connection with Howard.

He was unaware that Howard Stark had already been resurrected with Ethan's help. Given Howard's assassination, the slight friendship Nick thought they had was long gone.

So Tony's dislike for Nick wasn't simply because he had interrupted his training.

If SHIELD hadn't been a major power, Tony wouldn't have agreed to meet with him at all. Pepper Potts wouldn't have spared him a second glance either. At most, she might have chatted with Phil Coulson.

After a few brief exchanges, Nick stated that he wanted to speak with Ethan alone.

In fact, he didn't even need to say it—Tony had already stepped aside. Phil Coulson, ever the diplomat, had already "drawn away" Pepper. He had even intended to distract Ada, but she completely ignored him.

Nick waited for everyone else to leave, but to his surprise, Ada simply stood beside Ethan, unmoving. She looked at Nick with a sweet smile, as if mocking his tactics.

"Can we talk alone?"

"Sure." Ethan spread his hands and made a gesture for him to speak. "Is this another advisory consultation?"

Nick's face was already dark, so it was hard to tell if it got even darker.

At that moment, Natasha, who had been quietly standing by, suddenly asked Ada what brand of lip gloss she was wearing.

"You don't need to try and distract Ada. Even if she knows something, she poses no threat to you."

Nick looked at Ethan, then remembered he was someone from another universe, and finally stopped insisting on a private talk.

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about your ship."

"Ship?" Ethan had been wondering why Nick suddenly came to see him. He hadn't expected it to be for this reason. "What about the ship?"

"I want to know what you plan to do with a warship like that."

Nick stared at Ethan, as if trying to see through him. But to Ethan, that look was ridiculous.

He understood why Nick had come. Because he had built a warship and was an "outsider," they suspected he had some agenda involving their world.

Even if the details varied, that was the general idea.

"Of course, ships are meant to be used. The world I spend most of my time in is completely covered in water, with very little land. So I commissioned a large ship to live more comfortably. Is there a problem with that?"

"No problem." Nick nodded. Ethan's explanation sounded flawless, but as an agent, he couldn't bring himself to immediately trust it, even if it were true.

"Why is it a warship?"

"Good question."

This question treated others like fools. The reason it was a warship was obvious, but Nick still asked, proving he had already made up his mind to view Ethan as a potential threat.

Ethan could clearly see that. While he understood Nick Fury's cautious thinking, he still disliked the man's approach. It might be appropriate for a spy chief to remain skeptical, but acting hostile from the outset was just disgusting.

"Of course, it's to guard against people like you."

The mockery on Ethan's face was undisguised. Nick wasn't an idiot—he was smart and good at reading people from subtle cues.

So he understood what Ethan meant, but still didn't change his tone. "SHIELD's responsibility—"

"SHIELD's responsibility? What exactly is SHIELD's responsibility? I feel like you stick your nose into everything."

Nick was about to say something when Ethan raised a hand and lightly snapped his fingers. Instantly, the area around them was enclosed in a layer of translucent glass-like energy.

"This is a Mirror Dimension. We can talk here in complete safety. To others, it will still look like we're just discussing SHIELD's responsibilities."

Nick looked around, recalling how Ethan had seemed ready to argue just a moment ago. Was that just a setup? Was he about to reveal a secret?

Ethan narrowed his eyes at Nick Fury. That expression made Nick feel tremendous pressure. If Ethan wanted to do something to him, he probably wouldn't even have a chance to fight back.

"Your visit wasn't just a spur-of-the-moment idea, was it? Was it the Security Council or someone inside SHIELD who asked you to investigate me and the warship I commissioned?"

Nick had been an agent his whole life. He immediately understood what Ethan meant but wasn't willing to answer directly.

"That's an internal matter. I don't think it's necessary to report it to you."

"Because it involves me now, you'd better explain it clearly."

"Otherwise?"

"Otherwise, I'll assume SHIELD harbors significant hostility toward me and is likely to create constant trouble… and I particularly dislike trouble. To avoid endless problems, I prefer to eliminate them at the root the moment they appear."

Nick Fury felt the threat—Ethan was threatening him. His face darkened even further.

"SHIELD doesn't accept threats, and we fear no challenge."

"Challenge?" Ethan shook his head. "You're the one challenging me right now."

"We simply want to determine your true purpose for building such a powerful warship in our world."

"True purpose? What do you want to hear? That I plan to conquer Earth? That I'd build a surface warship to do it? Whose intelligence are you insulting? And as for 'determining my purpose,' you don't even believe that yourself. You know perfectly well what those people are really after."

It was obvious that someone inside SHIELD had their eyes on the technology Ethan had provided Tony—most likely Hydra.

"So, is seizing other people's property and technology part of SHIELD's responsibilities too?" Ethan thought for a moment. SHIELD had indeed done similar things. After defeating Hydra, they had confiscated quite a bit, including recruiting Hydra scientists.

Nick really wanted to nod and say "Yes, that's right." But if he did, they wouldn't be SHIELD anymore. One of the main reasons SHIELD had always acted with such authority was because they stood on the moral high ground and silenced dissent in the name of justice.

"I assure you, as long as you truly have no intention of threatening Earth, SHIELD will not trouble you."

Nick pinched the bridge of his nose. After thinking it through, he realized there was nothing he could do to Ethan. Setting aside his individual power, Ethan's relationship with Tony Stark was clear. The warship was also designed and built under Tony's supervision. Without that connection, SHIELD would've made their move long ago.

Now, going after Ethan would not only offend a powerful mage, but also completely alienate Tony Stark. The cost was too high, and Nick wasn't willing to pay it just for a warship with some advanced tech.

"Guarantee? An organization where eighty percent of its personnel, from the former director down to its grassroots agents, have been infiltrated by Hydra—what kind of guarantee can you offer me?"

Up to this point, the conversation still seemed like a typical argument. Nick had been wondering whether this private talk in the Mirror Dimension was even necessary. But when Ethan said that, he understood why the spell had been cast.

Nick instantly broke into a cold sweat. He desperately wanted to believe Ethan was deliberately provoking him or trying to disgust him, but the look in Ethan's eyes made it clear—the content of that sentence was likely true.

"What did you just say?"

"Just what you heard. SHIELD has long since become a branch of Hydra. As the Director of SHIELD, you don't even know what kind of organization your people are running. You're truly a failure."

Since those Hydra idiots had dared to provoke him, Ethan wasn't going to act like nothing happened.

Since directly eliminating Hydra's parasites within SHIELD wouldn't be easy, he might as well tear off Hydra's disguise.

Once that happened, Nick would definitely take action when he returned. Regardless of whether it was Nick or Alexander Pierce who came out on top, SHIELD's image wouldn't survive.

Without the mask of justice, Hydra was just a bunch of rats running through the streets—and everyone would be happy to see them crushed.

At that point, Ethan could settle the score properly.

(To be continued.)