Chapter 54: Chapter 53: Deterring Magneto, Frozen Fireman
Berlin.
The flight lasted six hours, giving Ethan Hayes a rare chance to get a good night's sleep. After landing at Brandenburg Airport, a luxury car arranged by Wealth Bank was waiting to pick him up. During his stay in Berlin, Ethan would have a personal butler provided by the bank to serve him.
This trip, however, made Ethan realize something crucial: it was time for him to form his own forces. A black Maybach soon pulled up to the Hotel Roma in Berlin.
Ethan's eyes briefly glowed with the soft, rippling light of water, scanning the surroundings. He could tell instantly that the Roma Hotel was filled with Mutant eyes and ears. Under the power of his water control magic, the life characteristics of Mutants manifested as a water-like mist, distinct from the life force of ordinary humans, whose vital signs showed in patterns of blood vessels. Each Mutant's aura had a unique color and texture, and Ethan's magic allowed him to track and locate these life forms over wide areas.
"It's my pleasure to serve you, sir. Mr. Smith has already explained that we at Wells Fargo Bank are at your disposal for any services you may need," said Hunter, the bank's representative, dressed sharply in a black suit.
"Thank you, Mr. Hunter. For now, I don't need anything further, so you can head out," Ethan said, nodding with a polite smile.
Hunter, professional and courteous, handed over his business card. "Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need anything, sir."
Ethan pocketed the card, closing the door behind him. Alone, he changed into a hooded black suit, then stepped onto the terrace, gazing out over the city.
Ethan Hayes summoned his Frozen Phoenix Wings and took to the air, soaring above the unfamiliar streets of Berlin. With the map Raven had given him, he soon located the address, and a taxi brought him to a bar.
Inside the bar, Ethan, still in his hood, sat down and ordered a whiskey. Even with his hood on, his distinctive features drew attention from the crowd.
"Sir, finish your drink and leave as soon as possible. This is not a place for you," the bulky bartender warned, placing a large glass of beer in front of Ethan. "This one's on the house."
Ethan ignored him. As the beer poured from the tap, Ethan breathed lightly over the glass, and a frost crept across it, cooling it instantly. He downed the beer in one swift motion, setting the empty glass back on the bar.
Reaching into his pocket, Ethan pulled out a wad of bills, laying some down. "Keep it coming."
Before the bartender could argue, a massive hand clamped down on Ethan's shoulder.
"Boy, didn't you hear the man? If you're some rich, spoiled kid, you've got rotten luck to have walked into the wolves' den."
Ethan didn't even flinch. His voice was cold. "I've always had good luck. It's your bad luck that I'm here."
With a subtle tremor of his shoulder, Ethan unleashed a surge of power. The hand gripping him recoiled violently. The man, a giant weighing more than two hundred kilos, contorted in pain, his face twisted in agony as his cells were frozen from the inside out. He collapsed, his body disintegrating into icy shards on the floor.
Silence fell over the bar.
Ethan calmly tapped the bar with two fingers. "Another drink."
The translucent life tracker on Ethan's HUD blinked, showing an influx of desire points. Fear surged through the crowd, with each Mutant present contributing to his growing power.
The bartender, William, glared at him. "Sir, you're no ordinary person. But you should know, you'll pay for killing Max, one of our own."
Ethan looked up, a smirk playing on his lips. "I have no malice toward Mutants, but if someone threatens me, they won't live to regret it."
The room tensed. Some of the patrons, knowing the Brotherhood's reputation, began to muster their courage. However, from a shadowed booth in the corner, a man called the "Magic Eagle" aimed a gun directly at Ethan's head. He pulled the trigger.
Bang.
The bullet passed harmlessly through Ethan's body, which had turned into a vaporous mist. The projectile shot through and struck the bartender William square in the chest, freezing instantly as it did. His heart stopped, encased in ice.
"I just want a quiet drink," Ethan said softly.
With a wave of his hand, the mist of ice expanded. The entire bar was caught in his Frozen Moment technique, a deadly move inspired by Admiral Aokiji.
The door to the bar creaked open, and a beautiful blonde woman stepped inside, the freezing air hitting her like a wall. She was followed by a short, white-haired old man in a wine-red coat and helmet.
"Omega… boy, what have you done?" the old man breathed.
Ethan stood from his seat, stepping toward them. "Magneto, I presume?"
Eric Lensherr—Magneto—gazed at Ethan with cautious respect. Behind him, Raven, the Shape Witch, looked equally alarmed. The sheer cold emanating from Ethan was enough to make them take a step back.
"Ice Demon… you've made quite the entrance," Magneto said, lowering his gaze. "Let me offer my apologies for the unfortunate incident here."
"Magneto, do you think this will go unnoticed?" Ethan asked, his cold aura growing stronger.
Magneto gave a slight bow, his expression hard to read. "I assure you, I have no intention of making you my enemy. The death of Max will not go unpunished, but this is not the place for bloodshed."
Ethan gave a faint smile, his body radiating the chill of death. "Your caution is wise, Eric."
But as he spoke, Ethan sensed something shift above him—a large tanker was plummeting toward the bar. Magneto had planned his escape well. At the same time, the blonde man standing behind Magneto unleashed a torrent of fire from his hands, aimed directly at Ethan.
The tanker exploded, flames engulfing the building. But as the inferno raged, Ethan stepped forward, his body emerging from the ice as he froze the flames mid-air.
"Pyro, is it?" Ethan said calmly, looking at the young mutant who had tried to burn him alive. "A pity you'll need to learn this lesson."
In the blink of an eye, Pyro was frozen solid, his flames turned to ice.
Magneto, however, had escaped. Ethan had expected nothing less from him.
The system chimed in Ethan's mind. The mission was complete—his display of dominance had established his reputation within the Brotherhood.
Ethan left the scene quietly, the sound of sirens in the distance.
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