Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 545 True and False Memories (Second Update)

With the recent recruitment/acceptance of many S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, Stark Industries has essentially become the Avengers' headquarters. Aside from Agent Maria Hill's occasional trips to Washington to assist in investigations, it has become a second S.H.I.E.L.D., with most people immersed in a joyful atmosphere, as if nothing could faze them. This natural confidence has also clouded Tony Stark's judgment; he has begun modifying his suit, inviting Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanoff, and Hawkeye to generate machine learning algorithms for his Iron Man suit. He is enthusiastically updating the equipment of his Avengers companions—including but not limited to Captain America's magnetic shield and straps; a new Black Widow bodysuit made of carbide-derived carbon (CDC), featuring insulation and a supercapacitor that allows for adjustable voltage. Even the restoration of the Super Soldier Serum is secretly underway, unknown to anyone.

If Salomon knew about this, he would definitely tell Stark not to waste his efforts. The Brotherhood of Shield's involvement is evident in every aspect of the Super Soldier Serum, especially Howard Stark, who seems completely unsurprised by this serum that can target and edit genes using ionizing radiation to obtain synthetic proteins. With his scientific knowledge, he couldn't possibly be unaware that the Super Soldier Serum, without a new genome, absolutely cannot push the user's limits.

So the question is, whose genes are used in the Super Soldier Serum?

Salomon believes that Stephanie has already found the answer in the Brotherhood of the Shield's archives.

"I might even become the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.," Stark said smugly to Pepper Potts. "Honestly, it wouldn't be difficult at all."

He certainly hadn't imagined what kind of future awaited him, nor could he have guessed that Salomon was currently grooming the adversaries he would encounter in the future. Of course, the Avengers' future adversaries were currently dozing off in the ocean of knowledge, and in Salomon's eyes, they weren't yet worthy of being called spellcasters. It must be said that Salomon's requirements were extremely strict; after all, in the history of magic, very few people had explored the scientific mysteries behind magic—Salomon was currently writing a few words on the whiteboard. He was drawing a simple model of the brain to explain to Wanda Maximoff, from a scientific perspective, how her powers affected the human brain.

"The cortex, the target of enchanting spells." Floating beside Salomon was a massive, pristine white human skull, far exceeding the size of a human, measuring a full 40 inches. Under the pointer's direction, the skull gradually disintegrated, revealing a cross-section of the brain, with blood flowing freely from its vibrant vessels. Were it not for this bizarre sight and the unusual surroundings, this place would resemble a neuroscience lecture hall at University College London. Given the sheer size of the course, Salomon could only teach neurobiology, cognitive neuroscience, and neuropsychology for the time being. "The brain is an extremely complex system," he said. "If you truly want to make a breakthrough in mental illusions, you need to understand how enchanting spells work. This is the most important knowledge for a spellcaster, not the most powerful magic. With this knowledge, you can create magic that best suits you."

Wanda nodded helplessly, while Pietro quietly yawned. He now deeply regretted his inappropriate interest in his sister's lessons, which were far more difficult than math and physics.

"We can draw an analogy with transcranial stimulation (TCS), AKA, and TMS. In clinical applications, Dr. Ian Cook of the Simmel Institute for Neurological and Human Behavior Research at UCLA uses TMS to induce neuronal reorganization to treat depression." A few small flashes of light emanated from the tip of the pointer, stimulating the cortex of a brain model. He used electrical current to simulate the propagation of electrical signals.

“Moreover, this technology can alleviate chronic pain, migraines, and anxiety, and regulate emotions and moods. The same applies to enchanting spells, but with greater precision and immediacy, and it can even alter a person's moral judgment. Of course, that's a little difficult for you,” Salomon said. “However, we can try something relatively simple and direct. That is memory erasure and memory implantation.” He rotated the huge brain model. “The frontal and temporal lobes. These areas control various human behaviors. Interfering with the electrical activity of neurons in these areas, coupled with the secondary cascade of stress hormones and dopamine, can directly overwhelm the recipient's synapses, leading to permanent changes in cognitive function. That's the underlying logic of memory implantation.”

"It's like when you think back to something that happened when you were a child, Wanda." He gave a stark example: "When you think of Stark, you think of bombs. The neural networks in your brain start to integrate, and the memory is reinforced. But this reinforcement isn't necessarily preparation."

He stared intently into Wanda's eyes. "Your memories aren't necessarily complete; the brain can deceive itself."

"You don't believe me?" Wanda felt a surge of anger rush from the soles of her feet to her brain. She simply couldn't accept Salomon's doubt; she couldn't. Although they hadn't known each other for long, Salomon was already one of the people she trusted most. Betrayal from a loved one is the most painful. "You'd rather believe that damn rich guy! Just because he's your partner? My family…"

Pietro was startled by his sister's sudden outburst of anger. He snapped back to reality, completely bewildered. He saw his sister accusing him loudly, her voice trembling with tears, on the verge of a breakdown.

"Wanda, it's not that I don't believe you." Salomon placed his hand gently on her shoulder. "You were too young then. As you grow, your brain constantly adds memories, and those added details deepen with age. I need you to remember..."

However, the devastated Wanda refused to accept it.

"Listen to me!" Salomon's words carried a magical quality. "Calm down, Wanda! I don't believe that Stark Industries bomb was a dud!"

"What does this mean?" Pietro stood up as well. "Are we all ghosts?"

“From a multiverse perspective, yes.” Salomon turned to Pietro, looking very serious. “When the US government-backed opposition launched a coup, that batch of bombs that was supposed to be sent to the Middle East ended up here.” He said, “I checked the production number of that bomb; the quality control of that batch was excellent. In other words, the possibility that the bomb was a dud is extremely low; my weapons are of superior quality.”

"Then why...?"

“Because the Mind Stone merely awakened your powers, it didn’t grant them.” Salomon placed his hand on Wanda’s shoulder. Her sobs subsided; clearly, she was captivated by Salomon’s words. “You all possessed these powers from childhood, but Wanda’s powers are somewhat unique. I believe it was subconscious magic that suppressed the bomb’s explosion. Remember what I said before? Magic isn’t a talent, it’s a bill. I need to find out the bill Wanda owes from the past.”

"And then?" Wanda asked, her eyes blurry with tears, as she lowered her hands from her face.

Salomon's hearty laugh melted away the gloom in her heart, and Wanda suddenly felt incredibly ashamed of her emotional breakdown. "If I could, I'd definitely go beat up your creditor!" he said. "I was just planning to go and mock your creditor!"

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)