Chapter 148: Chapter 148: Eyes Peeping from the Dark
Professor X's words resonated with undeniable power, indirectly confirming Orion's suspicions.
Talent, he mused, does not automatically translate to strength. Talent, while significant, remains bound by the limitations of its era.
Take Tony Stark's father, Howard Stark, for instance. Howard had delved into the mysteries of the Cosmic Cube, researching its isotopes and developing groundbreaking new elements.
Yet, his discoveries could only be concealed within the World Expo map.
Does this imply Howard was less talented than Tony Stark? Quite the opposite.
Tony Stark's achievements were nearly all built upon Howard's pioneering research.
Orion nodded in understanding. He knew this truth well. However, the Power Gem he now held was imbued with all forms of cosmic energy, making it an ideal component for the energy-stimulating device!
With a casual wave of his hand, a metal ball materialized from thin air. Its surface, marked with intricate, hollow etchings, exuded an aura of ancient mystery.
He hadn't brought the Cosmic Spirit Orb with him, but he had mastered the art of telekinesis, allowing him to retrieve objects effortlessly. After all, he alone knew the orb's precise location!
This was the essence of space magic, as detailed in the Book of Merlin. This tome covered everything from space planes and the multiverse to the energy matrix, and it had provided him with profound inspiration.
His mystic arts and magic had been in a constant state of improvement. The valuable knowledge compiled by his predecessors would soon be merged within him, elevating him to the pinnacle of magical mastery. Even without the title of Supreme Sorcerer, he embodied its essence.
"What is this?" Professor X, Beast Hank, and the X-Men all wore expressions of intrigue. They sensed a mysterious power emanating from the metal ball.
In an instant, Orion opened the Cosmic Spirit Ball, revealing a dazzling purple gem that radiated a violent and terrifying energy. The face of Beast Hank was momentarily bathed in purple light.
Even without technological scans, the gem's extraordinary nature was evident to the naked eye. Hank's pupils contracted in amazement.
Suddenly, Hank understood Orion's purpose behind proposing the ability stimulation device project. The sorcerer had already discovered a medium to activate his abilities a mysterious gem!
"This is… the Power Stone," Orion declared. "There are six Infinity Stones in the universe. As the name suggests, these stones possess nearly infinite energy, each representing a cosmic rule: Time, Power, Space, Mind, Reality, and Soul".
"This Power Gem is one of the Infinity Gems. It should be more than sufficient to serve as the medium for the ability-stimulating device. With this device, artificially intervening in the awakening of Factor X or even performing a secondary mutation of mutant abilities will be achievable. To be honest, the X-factor in my body was successfully awakened because I touched the Power Stone. But don't be careless. The Power Stone can easily become uncontrollable and might destroy this X Academy."
Orion shared his tale and revealed the secret of the Infinity Stones to the X-Men.
Though he knew the whereabouts of the other five Infinity Stones, acquiring them was no simple feat.
The Time Stone, hidden within the Eye of Agamotto, belonged to the Sorcerer Supreme. The Space Stone, also known as the Cosmic Cube, was under Nick Fury's control and used to power the Pegasus Project. Seizing this Infinity Stone recklessly would incite the government's ire.
Even if he could wrest the Cosmic Cube from its guardian, Kamar-Taj might intervene to prevent it! Furthermore, Captain Marvel stood behind Nick Fury, her cosmic energy potent enough to reignite the sun!
Intervening in Operation Pegasus, risking a civil war with Captain Marvel's involvement, would be a strategic folly.
The Mind Stone was currently in Thanos's possession. While it was fortunate that Thanos had not caused trouble for him, provoking him would be ill-advised.
The Soul Stone lay on Vormir, while the Reality Gem was sealed in a hidden space on Earth. Only when celestial bodies aligned could the exact location of this mysterious space be revealed.
The strategy was to pick the softest persimmons. By waiting for the right moment and making careful preparations, he could obtain all the Infinity Stones with minimal cost and without drawing the superheroes' enmity.
The X-Men were crucial to this plan. Within the mutant school, there were the Phantom Cat, adept at passing through walls, the indestructible Colossus, and Iceman, who could freeze everything. Soon, Nightcrawler, skilled in space teleportation, would also join the X-Men. Using Nightcrawler to steal the Cosmic Cube would allow Orion to remain uninvolved while preventing the X-Men from altering the future.
It was a strategy that could achieve two goals with one move.
The critical factor was Professor X's choice. When Professor X saw the Power Stone, his eyes flickered, and his expression grew solemn. He appeared to be evaluating Orion's motives.
There's a saying: if someone shows you kindness without reason, he is either a traitor or a thief.
Professor X was not easily deceived. Though he possessed the most formidable intellect on Earth, Orion's scheme tempted him nonetheless.
"Hank," Professor X said, "with this gem, can you truly create an ability-stimulating device?"
This response made Orion think his success was assured.
"It's worth a try," Hank said. "I'm unsure if Earth's technology can harness this Infinity Stone. Perhaps a machine crafted from Vibranium and Adamantium would be up to the task."
Beast Hank's focus was precise. He hit upon the key issue: material.
Many things could be manufactured with current Earth technology, but commercial and civilian applications were limited by material constraints.
Vibranium, being both the raw material for adamantium and possessing unique properties, was the best option Hank could envision.
Orion chuckled and waved his hand again, making five pieces of biological material, resembling blood jade, appear from thin air. This material, sourced from the dragon at the bottom of the lake in the Hidden Realm of Ta Lo, combined magical and sturdy properties but remained lightweight each dragon scale metal piece weighing nearly 100 kilograms.
It was perfectly suited for ability stimulation devices, ensuring that the Power Gem would not destroy the device during operation.
The Power Gem and the Mind Gem were worlds apart in their effects. The success rate of using the Mind Gem for ability stimulation was exceedingly low, nearly zero! The Mind Gem only influenced the mind and spirit of a living being. The Maximoff twins' survival was largely due to luck or perhaps, the protagonist's halo.
The Power Stone, in contrast, offered a far superior solution. Thus, conducting ability stimulation experiments through the Power Gem was the best approach.
Once the twins' abilities were awakened, Academy X would gain another top-tier mutant and a Omega-level powerhouse!
"Are you sure you want to leave this gem at X Academy for stimulation experiments?" Beast Hank asked, excitement evident in his voice.
"Orion," Logan interjected. "Could this gem be a critical artifact of Kamar-Taj? According to you, there are only six of them in the universe. How did you come by this Power Gem?"
Logan frowned, sensing a problem despite his intelligence being far inferior to Professor X's and Beast Hank's. If the Power Gem remained at X Academy, word would inevitably leak, and the academy would never know peace.
Logan, having finally found a place to belong, was unwilling to see it disbanded again.
"Orion," Cyclops said, "X Academy and Kamar-Taj have always enjoyed a friendly relationship. Your proposal is indeed compelling, but does the Supreme Sorcerer know?" Cyclops voiced his concern.
"Are the other five Infinity Stones all in Kamar-Taj? Or elsewhere?" Phoenix jean gray and Storm's eyes were filled with thought, their voices pleasant yet resolute.
Fate's gifts always come with a price. What, indeed, was Orion's true intention?
Professor X and Phoenix had discovered that their abilities were ineffective and could not sense Orion's thoughts. His emotions were unreadable.
"Everyone," Orion said with a calm demeanor, "there's no need to be so anxious. I am not only the acting Sorcerer Supreme of Kamar-Taj but also a genuine mutant. How could I ignore mutants in trouble?"
" The Sentinel Secret Service and Trask Industries are covertly working on a dangerous project. If successful, it could spell disaster for mutants."
"Even if you refuse, it's merely a device to stimulate abilities. I have both the medium and the materials. If needed, I could consult Reed Richards or Tony Stark, and they could accomplish it."
Orion shrugged, his tone nonchalant.
"Reed Richards?" Beast Hank's face showed surprise. Despite being secluded in X-School, he had heard of Reed Richards and Tony Stark. Their intelligence was world-class and potentially surpassing his own! Both Reed Richards and Tony Stark had official backgrounds, lacked conflicts of interest with mutants, and wouldn't consider mutants' welfare.
If these geniuses became Orion's allies, the Power Stone could become a weapon against mutants.
Furthermore, Orion had mentioned the Sentinel Secret Service and Trask Industries!
"A dangerous project?" Professor X's brow furrowed. He was aware of the Sentinel Secret Service's research, including the Weapon X Project and the Sentinel Robot Project.
His telepathic abilities often revealed such information, especially when using a brainwave enhancer.
He had refrained from taking extreme measures, knowing that eliminating William Stryker or Trask Industries researchers might provoke a large-scale military response.
At least, as a mutant endorsed by Kamar-Taj and the Sorcerer Supreme, Orion's presence could be trusted…
"So."
"What is your decision?"
"Stop talking so much."
"My schedule is very tight."
Orion pretended to leave.
However, Professor X and Hank the Beast exchanged glances, reached an understanding, and stopped him.
"I'm afraid Tony Stark and Reed Richards lack expertise in biological evolution, so it's better to leave it to me."
"Orion."
"Just give me an hour."
"You'll see the birth of the ability-stimulating device."
Beast Hank was eager to try.
He was very familiar with the X-factor and its manifestation on a genetic level. With the dragon scale metal and the power gem, all technical difficulties were solved.
Creating an ability-stimulating device was a piece of cake.
"An hour?"
"Then I'll wait and see."
Orion handed over the cosmic spirit ball and provided numerous instructions.
He was secretly excited.
How much luck would this action bring in return? There had to be more, no less.
But no one noticed that in the corner of the villa, an ordinary mutant student had yellow light in his eyes and an astonished look on his face. Because…
The ideas of this mystical Sorcerer coincided with those of Magneto.
Magneto had developed a mutant conversion device on his own! He planned to convert all world leaders into mutants!
However, this machine used magnetic energy to power itself, at the cost of one's life. The aged Magneto could not bear the burden of the machine.
That's why a dispute had erupted between the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants!
And if the Brotherhood of Mutants could obtain this power gem, wouldn't that mean the mutant transformation machine would also receive unlimited energy and completely rewrite the course of history?
He was very excited.
Continuing like this, he followed the X-Men into the secret underground base.
Inside the danger training room.
Many technologies and combat equipment were on display.
On the tarmac sat a black fighter plane with smooth lines, shaped like a flying bird.
This was the Blackbird fighter developed by Beast Hank!
Thanks to Beast Hank's genius, the X-Men's technological level had long surpassed that of the world today.
With the wisdom and deft hands of Beast Hank, the ability-stimulating device was also taking shape quickly. However, since this was Unit-01 and time was tight, there was a gap between it and the mechanical platform Orion had envisioned.
It looked more like an energy weapon.
"What substance is this…?"
"My shock rays can't even cut it?"
Cyclops raised a piece of dragon scale metal and immediately activated his innate mutant ability. Two blazing red beams shot towards the dragon scale metal.
But it did not split the dragon scale in two.
Instead, the dragon scale metal absorbed some of the energy, and a fresh blood-red light flowed across its surface.
Seeing this, everyone at the scene couldn't help but be amazed.
They could only admire the remarkable properties of dragon scale metal!
End of chapter
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