Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 485 Stage Exam (Second Update)

Both Yog-Sothoth and the Vishanti are patriarchs who revere knowledge, and many of their followers worship them in order to gain knowledge and truth. This is also a major reason why Salomon never falls into Dormammu's trap, not only because of the Venerable One's protection, but also because Salomon really doesn't think much of the knowledge Dormammu uses to tempt him (in the magical world, knowledge and power are synonymous).

White magic is provided by the Book of Vishanti, while black magic can be obtained through the Silver Key and Randolph Carter's notes. Not to mention the magical knowledge within the Stigmata, he has never lacked anything in terms of magical inheritance throughout his life.

He grew up surrounded by knowledge, so when Salomon tried to teach the Maksimov siblings at the pace he himself had learned, they reacted as normal people would. Unsurprisingly, they both developed information anxiety syndrome, a psychological condition caused only by overwhelming information overload, and prevalent among highly educated white-collar workers in high-tech industries, especially normal adults who frequently deal with high volumes of information.

This was incredible for Salomon, who had been exposed to highly information-polluting spells like "Touch of the Scholar" since childhood and had been corrupted by the information of holy marks since he was young. He could even accept uncompressed files sent by Yog-Sothoth, so this knowledge was really nothing.

Even scalding hot tea couldn't quell Pietro's dizziness. Salomon doesn't have superpowers, so he can only teach through scientific methods. For example, Lorna's magnetic field ability allows her to move by controlling a conductor to cut magnetic field lines to generate an electric current, which in turn generates a magnetic field. Lorna has been busy lately calculating how to use her superpowers to create a portable electromagnetic cannon.

Despite her seemingly rebellious appearance, Lorna is a top student in school. When she's about to enter high school, Athena plans to send her to a private all-girls school. Salomon even suggests that Lorna build a giant robot to fight for her, thus becoming a Stand user.

Like Lorna, Pietro's primary field of study is physics. Salomon has him learn about his superhuman speed and the effects of his acceleration on his environment and himself. Combining the medical reports provided by Hydra researchers, Salomon can easily determine the physical parameters of the Maximov siblings and deduce certain key data.

Pietro learns science much faster than Wanda because he can read and think at lightning speed, much like the Flash next door, only not as ridiculously fast. As for the application of his abilities, according to Salomon's tests, Pietro easily exceeds the speed of sound. At that speed, even a piece of paper would become incredibly sharp.

"Attention! There's an exam tomorrow! Pietro, your exam is physics. Wanda, yours is practical training." Salomon's words suffocated the Maximov siblings. "The exam will cover today's lesson. If you pass, you'll get a day trip to London, and I'll cover all the expenses." He raised his hands, seemingly pleased for the Maximov siblings. "Especially you, girl, perhaps you'd like to buy some pretty clothes? Hmm?"

Salomon blinked. He could tell Wanda needed new underwear, but he didn't say so to avoid embarrassing the girl.

This is a matter of upbringing; it's his subconscious behavior. Although he drinks, fights, smokes, and swears, he is a truly polite gentleman who will consider the feelings of others to some extent.

Salomon had previously been very unhappy with Wanda's indiscriminate use of magic. But after his instruction, the girl finally learned to be more frugal. If she continued to rely solely on instinct and talent when casting spells, then sooner or later Sithon would settle the unpaid bills with her.

Gifts bestowed by fate always come with a price tag, and Salomon knew this applied to himself as well.

"Once I send Pietro back, you can bring that researcher outside back to consciousness. By the way, I'm very pleased with your progress," Salomon said. This castle didn't just hold the Maximov siblings; Hydra researchers dreamed of replicating their condition on other test subjects. Salomon wandered around, only to find that many had been driven insane by those guys; the Maximov siblings were probably the only ones who could access the Mind Stone unharmed.

The Avengers certainly had reason to raze this place, but the awkward thing is, not everything can be blamed on Hydra, because this is a direct subordinate agency of the United States. The reason Hydra here was able to obtain the Mind Stone scepter is because it was working for the government.

Just as American pharmaceutical companies, charitable foundations, and individuals test unproven vaccines on people in third-world countries, they use their geographical location here to circumvent these unfavorable factors within the United States. In the past, it was taxes, human rights, and the media; now it's the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D., or political adversaries. With the outbreak of the Battle of New York, the superpower craze that arose in the United States in the 70s has resurfaced, and the military and CIA's past involvement in or even leadership of certain superpower experiments has once again been brought to the forefront.

Experiments involving telepathy, farsightedness, levitation, and bending metal spoons have been common, and some have even planned to use superpowers to control other countries. Most people don't possess this talent, but a small number of people are born with the ability to drop metal plates, and unsurprisingly, these individuals are targeted by the military, which wants to use them to study paranormal phenomena such as communicating with the dead.

Athena's orphanage was established to shelter children like that. So when people see American movies on the big screen that slander other countries, they should understand that some of these portrayals are based on America's own experiences. "If I do this, you'll definitely do the same"—that's the reality of America, and reality is even more unbelievable than the movies.

Not to mention in this chaotic universe, Salomon has a congressional-led experimental base for children with superpowers. Although they haven't produced any results, they have indeed kidnapped certain "superpowered children" from their homes and forced them into military service.

Maybe the spoons in the military need superpowers to straighten them, who knows~

"What if they find out we're not here?" Pietro asked.

"Oh, that's no big problem," Salomon said. "I can make two snowmen out of the snow outside, and they won't notice."

"Can I do that too?" Wanda asked.

"That's alchemy, you're still a long way off," the sorcerer said with a smile. "That's advanced stuff. Wait until you get A+ in your spellcasting, math, and spellcasting gestures. Oh, I forgot to mention, if you pass the exam tomorrow, you'll all receive a small gift—something you can't even buy in London."

Is it a surprise?

"I promise," Salomon nodded.

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)