Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 309 Athena's Countermeasure (Second Update)

Certain times of the year present challenges for the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj. For example, the four solstices each year, when the magical levels of the entire planet rise, are based on the various natural phenomena caused by the magical tides of the earth.

For example, the winter solstice is the day when the level of natural magic on Earth is the highest, and the day when the prime material plane is closest to all outer dimensions. Newborns born on this day are very likely to have extremely high magical talent.

For example, May Day, the first Monday in May, is a day when bonfires are lit to signify the end of the long winter and the arrival of summer. At the same time, it is also a day to praise spring and celebrate the fertile soil. In the past, countless young men and women would dance around the bonfires on this day, looking for their sweethearts and then procreate in the grass.

For example, Samhain, celebrated on October 31st, later evolved into All Saints' Day in Christianity (later changed to November 1st after Christianization). This day is both New Year's Day and the time when the souls of the dead return to their original homes. According to Kamar-Taj's planar theories, October 31st is the time when the material plane approaches the lower planes, and some souls briefly appear on the material plane, a phenomenon known as the "Feast of the Dead." Every All Saints' Day, the mystics of Kamar-Taj are busy reinforcing the planetary defense system and driving souls belonging to Hell and the Abyss back to their original places.

Some challenges are even more severe for Kamar-Taj. Salomon has already guessed the reason why the High Priest sent him to Asgard. The alignment of the nine planets, which occurs every five thousand years, is about to happen this year. On this day, Yggdrasil, as a whole, will unite the nine realms. This is undoubtedly a huge challenge for the planetary defense system, a test that Kamar-Taj has never faced since its establishment. If the planetary defense system is damaged, beings from other dimensions will be able to freely enter and leave Earth, and the efforts of generations of Sorcerers Supreme will be in vain.

This is a very, very serious problem, so the Sorcerer Supreme's request for Salomon to study runic magic in Asgard may just be a pretext to keep Asgard and Midgard in contact. As for whether the Sorcerer Supreme had more plans after using the Eye of Agamotto, or what kind of agreement the Sorcerer Supreme reached with Odin, the Allfather, these are things that Salomon could not know.

Salomon didn't mind the Venerable's arrangement. In his mind, Asgardian court education wouldn't involve much formality; magical education would be the majority of the curriculum. The Vanir gods possessed secret arts that even Odin hadn't mastered, and Loki was learning a magical system that combined runic magic with the Vanir's mystical spells. However, he only wanted to know one thing: did Asgardian court education actually offer diplomas?

If not, Athena will get angry!

"I won't get angry over something so trivial, Salomon." Athena toyed with the pristine white, one-eyed skull in her hand, a trophy Salomon had acquired after purifying the demonic skeleton. He would have been extremely reluctant to destroy such valuable material if it weren't intended as a vessel for a spirit. Now, the skull was utterly useless, unable even to create an undead creature—the Celestial Aura spell was far too powerful in Salomon's hands, imbuing the skull with a bit of positive energy.

Simply put, it emits a faint white light in the dark, making it an ideal decorative item.

Athena planned to carve this thing into beads, engrave runes on it, and then give it to the children in the orphanage. There was no better material for amulets than this, which was why Salomon brought this useless material to Athena.

"Your Excellency told me about your study plans." Athena seemed somewhat gloating. "I had contact with the Asgardians, right when the gods were fighting against the cosmic gods. The atmosphere in Asgard is the most detestable; they have absolutely no respect for women. Some idiot tried to touch me and I poked him with my spear—when you go to Asgard this time, remember to check if that idiot is still alive. If he is, then kill him—okay, don't look so surprised and stupid. I'm just kidding; that guy is long dead."

Athena tossed the one-eyed skull aside, and the owl that had been strutting around on the floor immediately swooped down, rolling the skull into a heap on the ground. "You'll certainly face challenges in Asgard, Salomon," said the radiant goddess of wisdom. "I don't know if His Holiness will allow you to bring the Holy Sword and the Holy Lance; I'll assume for now that they're forbidden. Therefore, besides the sword and lance, you'll only be able to fight with a spear. Do you remember how to use a spear?"

"Mother, you taught me the art of spear throwing from a young age..."

"I'm talking about fighting with a spear and shield, silly boy. Thor's hammer is not something you can withstand. You'd better take the shield I gave you. The Sorcerer Supreme won't send you to Asgard for no reason. If you go in armor, it will be seen as distrust of Asgard. But if you bring a shield, no one can say anything, and the Aesir will know who's behind you." The radiant and graceful goddess raised an eyebrow. "But the other two challenges you'll face are not so simple—one is drinking. Asgardians are heavy drinkers, and as a representative of Kamar-Taj, you'll inevitably attend their banquets. I know you brought back Asgardian mead before, but their banquets don't end in one night. This means you must start practicing drinking, drinking large amounts of strong liquor, and you're not allowed to use potions. You can start practicing this today."

The second challenge is rather unpleasant. Odin, as the Allfather, is ruthless and cunning. While he will uphold the agreement between Asgard and Kamar-Taj, that doesn't mean he won't manipulate things. He will find a way to keep you in Asgard, or at least favor Asgard in future affairs. There's only one way to achieve this: Odin might have a goddess tempt you—but I don't think you'll fall for it. I know your self-control, and I've often trained you to resist beauty. But with a challenge like this, failure once means permanent failure—that's why I've entrusted Bayonetta to help you solve this problem.”

"Um?"

"Simply put, after your secular lessons are over, Bayonetta will spend a wonderful evening with you," Athena said with a smile and without any concern for Salomon's flushed face or the potential threat this action posed to his life.

"I must admit, the witches' sexual skills are exceptionally high, both of them are. With them, you won't be tempted by the goddesses of the Vanir and Aesir pantheons, and even Aphrodite won't be able to sway your thoughts." Athena glanced at the owl playing with a skull on the ground and continued, "If that doesn't work, I'll find Hecate and have her make a potion. That potion will temporarily rob you of your male abilities, but that's alright, one more dose will restore them..."

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(End of this chapter)