章節 640: Avengers' Training: Captain America
"Where can I start?" Steve sighed. "I just woke up from the ice, realizing everything I knew and loved was dead or different. I took solace in the fact the world was a better place and was trying to adapt to modern life. Then, Fury contacted.
"At first, I thought this was an opportunity to help people. Everything in modern life was different, but I figured helping people would be the same." Steve turned to look at him. "Then, you came in."
Edward could only apologize with his eyes.
"I'm now thrust into a world with Gods and demons, a world in which the lives of trillions is a regular amount of casualty. So, how do you think I'm doing?"
Edward tapped him on his shoulder. "All I can say to you, Cap, is that destiny doesn't choose people for no reason. I was chosen to be this world's guardian for a reason, and I chose you to help because I know what you're capable of."
"Maybe you're right."
The test started, and Steve had to do a few things. First, he had to throw his shield at a specific target, followed by being asked to give an impromptu speech. Then he was electrocuted and asked to resist, and finally, he had to bear some kind of pressure in his mind. Edward received the results a few minutes later, and his lips twitched. He expected the result to be as abnormal as the others, but one part of it almost made him angry.
"A natural Willpower of 8. No wonder he could break his body's limit and stop Thanos for a short period," Morgana commented. Meanwhile, Edward was still salty. He went to so much to get a Willpower level of 8, but Steve probably got it after a small blessing from the Universe Will. Yes, he refused to believe his Willpower was naturally this high. The highest he's willing to accept Steve had was 5 — the same as Asta from Black Clover.
"What do you think?" Morgana continued. "With his Willpower, a combination of [Aura] and Haki might be the best for him. However, that would not make good use of his other excellent attributes."
According to the test, Steve tested high in two other categories: leadership and the Power of Hope. This was the first time Edward had seen someone with this talent, but he was not unfamiliar with the concept.
"We could try to make him a Paladin," Edward stated. "However, I haven't come into contact with a potent Light Dimension, and Light Magic has always been my worst achievement in all the elements."
If Thunder was Edward's best elemental magic, then Light was his worst. Of course, his worse also meant he was an expert compared to some people. Of course, he did not measure up to the Arcanist back home, who had reached the pinnacle of Light Magic.
"We could make a Light Dimension for him," Morgana suggested. "We have the technology to use the Power of Hope from the Green Lantern's emotion spectrum, so it should not be a problem to combine it into a light dimension, turning him into the ultimate Paladin."
"Okay, then, that's the…Wait, I have an even better idea that can save us so much work." Edward said.
"I'm all ears."
"He's Captain America, but how about we turn him into Captain Universe," Edward said. "I remember reading in a comic that Superman was the embodiment of hope in the universe. As long as the universe has hope, he cannot die permanently or be erased from reality. We can turn the Cap into the hope of this timeline — its recognized protector."
"You want to ask the Universe Will to recognize Steve as this timeline's official protector and grant him strength, and in return, the Captain will dedicate his life to serve and protect this universe?"
"You follow along nicely," Edward gave a thumbs up.
"If it works, that would save us a lot of time, resources, and effort," Morgana praised. "However, I think we should still build the Light Dimension and an army of Paladin."
"Yes, and it could also be a backup means for Steve in case we one day have to oppose the Universe Will, and he requires another power source."
"Here comes your paranoia again," Morgana rolled her eyes.
"You've been rather quiet," asked Steve. "Is something wrong?"
"No, but here is the plan."
Cap frowned after hearing his training method.
"What? Don't like it?"
"I have no problem, except with the idea of being a symbol."
Edward suddenly remembered what happened to Cap right after the serum. "The universe and I are not America, so we have no plans to use you as a marketing ploy."
"That's good to hear."
So, Edward took him to see the Eternal Consciousness.
"Sorcerer, what is it this time?"
"This is Steve Rogers," Edward pointed at Cap, still shocked by the being before him. Upon laying eyes on the Eternal Consciousness, Steve saw the birth of the universe and the creation of all lives.
"I'm aware of all the sentient beings born in my universe," replied the Eternal Consciousness, seemingly implying something with its words. However, Edward ignored him.
"Here's why I brought him here…."
"A guardian? A noteworthy suggestion," the Eternal Consciousness commented. "But is this human worthy to represent the universe? Can he bear the duty that is going to be imposed on him? I will test him first and, based on the result, decide on the next course of action."
"Do as you please," Edward replied, preparing to wait until the test finished. However, that rude Universe Will told him to leave, so he returned to his magic tower to work on the Paladin Project. He thought he would have long, but when he was a quarter done, Steve appeared outside the tower, floating in the air with his shield now drawn with this galaxy like image.
"Cosmic Energy?" Edward commented. "No, this is something else." Steve was using Cosmic Energy, but it was more of a byproduct of a power he had not completely mastered.
"It's like he's fused with the universe and drawing strength directly from it. This reminded me of the Power Cosmic from the comics,' Edward talked to Morgana.
'Wai, but why is his strength only Tier 6?' the little elf asked, making Edward frown.
"Did something happen?" he asked Steve.
"I wasn't completely successful," Steve replied.
"What do you mean?"
"The Eternal Consciousness said I have two major flaws that prevent me from being a perfect guardian."
"Flaw? Are you talking about Peggy and Bucky?"
Steve nodded, and Edward grunted softly. Bucky disappeared with Hydra, so he could do nothing about that.
"I can't do anything about Bucky, but I may be able to help with Peggy."
"How?" Steve asked directly.
"I can revert her to her youth, but whether she's willing to give your relationship another try is beyond me."
"I'll go ask her." Steve turned into a bright light as he flew into the distance. He could grant Peggy eternal youth or even eternal life with his newfound power. However, it went against his duty as a guardian to use his power in such a selfish manner. Luckily, he had Edward for this kind of thing.
Steve then returned ten minutes later.
章節 641: Avengers' Training: Hulk
"I am," she nodded her head slowly. Edward did not say anything more. In this timeline, it's not feasible for Steve to travel back in time to retroactively become her husband. Meanwhile, Peggy had another husband, but they divorced after a few years, probably because she could not forgive her first love.
Edward released a white light from his palm into her body, changing his Life Code on a genetic level, thus increasing her lifespan by a thousand years. He also strengthened her physical abilities, given her stats similar to those of the former Captain America before becoming the Universe Guardian. He also left an Aura Training Method in her mind, just in case.
In a matter of seconds, Peggy returned to her younger self and a physical shape unlike anything else. She looked at her smooth skin and touched her young face. Then, smiling, she looked at him," Steve."
"Peggy."
They hugged each other before starting to kiss passionately. Edward was fine at first, but when these two did not stop after more than thirty seconds, he had to cough to remind them they were not alone.
"Sorry about that," Peggy apologized.
"My bad," Steve said.
Edward controlled his jealousy. "I've increased her constitution, so she might have to take a few days adapting to her newfound strength."
"Is this why I feel I can crush a boulder or run a marathon like it was nothing?" Peggy commented. At first, she thought these thoughts were because she had regained her youthful vigor.
"Use the training I left in your mind to adapt to your strength quickly," Edward said before looking at Steve. "Don't you have something to do?"
"Oh, right." Steve flew in the air before disappearing.
"Is he going to be okay?"
"He should be fine."
"You don't sound too certain," Peggy stated worriedly. They had just reunited, and she did not want to experience another separation.
"His life is not in danger, but there are more important things at stake."
Peggy was briefly quiet. "He told me about everything. Is there anything I can do?"
Edward looked at her: "You're on the list for the secondary training group. Use the method I left in your mind to save me time and effort." After training the Avengers, Edward will take a long break before training the Defenders, and Peggy is part of that training group, along with the younger members of the Avengers, like Spider-Man, the Marvels, and maybe Scarlet Witch and her brother, if he can save them from Hydra's clutches.
"I'll do my best," Peggy nodded. Oh, and could you please unseal my strength and memories?"
'That bastard Steve really told her everything,' Edward complained. He then removed the seal from her memories. "Adapt to your current strength first before getting more of it."
Peggy was fine after seeing how she killed another version of herself. After all, she was in the army and one of the founders of SHIElD; she has killed plenty of people. However, there was still an odd feeling after killing someone that looked exactly like herself.
Steve appeared in the sky a few minutes later, releasing a potent aura and palpitating cosmic enemy.
"Tier 9, not bad," Edward commented. Although this strength was not his but the universe, it was still valuable. "How is it?" he asked.
"Bucky is still my flaw," Steve admitted with a sigh.
"Do you know where he is?"
"No."
Edward was not surprised. It's simple for a Tier 10 Entity like Mephisto to hide from the Universe Will— especially a devil like him who likes to hide behind the scenes and use tricks.
"In that case, we can only wait," Edward uttered. "There is one more thing." He told Steve about acquiring another set of strengths in case he loses his status as the Universe Guardian.
"Is this really necessary?"
"The Universe Will is limited by rules," Edward calmly explained. "If one day you have to make a choice that saves the universe but breaks the rules, it will have no choice but to remove your status as a Guardian. We must prepare for such a possibility."
Edward did not even mention the fact that once people discover the source of his power, they will try to deal with the Universe's Will. No, they don't even need such a reason as eliminating their timeline's will, which is one of the most direct and efficient ways to destroy them.
"I understand," Steve nodded.
"By the way, have you contacted Sam?"
"I've met him.
"And?"
"A great guy," Steve commented. He understood why the future him he saw got along so well with the latter.
"Have you told him the current situation?"
"No, that's confidential information."
Edward resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Tell him since he's on the training list for this round."
"Is that so? Alright."
The two chatted briefly before Steve left with Peggy. The two lovebirds have a lot to catch up with.
"It might be in our interest to study the source of his power," Morgan suddenly said.
"I've already put a mark on him to gather data."
"Good. You should also talk to Tony about his parents. We don't want that to become another one of his flaws."
"I'm on it." Edward hid that Bucky had killed Howard when he showed the Avengers the future, but this fact would become a problem that he needed to address eventually.
He summoned Banner for training, and as soon as the latter arrived, he could tell he was nervous.
"Banner, what's on your mind?" Edward asked, trying to appease him before things started.
"I'm a little jiffy about this training."
Edward glanced at him: "Are you afraid of being used as a weapon?"
Banner suddenly paused: "Something like that."
"Unfortunately, that is exactly what fate awaits you," Edward said, not mincing his words. "While you have reservations, some variants of yourself do not. When these monsters encounter our timeline and want nothing more than to eradicate it, we need someone to restrain them."
Banner was quiet. His life has been so peaceful ever since he found that meditation technique. With absolute control over his mind and soul, he easily suppresses the other Hulk and can control his transformation at will. However, he had never lost his fear of losing control, of being manipulated and turned into a weapon of destruction.
"You are a monster, Banner," Edward said calmly. "And that's coming from another monster who can recognize his own kind. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing — as long as you keep that sliver of humanity that allows you to use that monstrous power for something good."
"I…never thought of it that way," Banner uttered. "But what if I can't preserve that humanity?"
"That's why you need other people, other closed ones, to keep you grounded," Edward explained.
"I understand."
Banner proceeded with his test, and the test result was abnormal yet predictable.
"An abnormal affinity with Gamma Energy," Morgana reported. "We only need to strengthen his soul and pump him with enough Gamma Energy, and he'll become a rampaging monster that is the embodiment of strength and rage."
"So?" Banner asked.
"You'll need to start practicing an advanced version of your meditation technique to increase your soul. Then, you can start absorbing Gamma Energy from other dimensions," Edward explained.
"Advance meditation technique?" Banner muttered as something dawned on him. "Of course, that meditation scroll was so effective; it had to be magically related." He thought he was lucky enough to find something so mystical, but now he knew no luck was involved.
Banner shook his head, deciding not to overthink it, and started training. Despite how uncomplicated Hulk's training was, Edward still allowed him access to this Time Acceleration Room. He also added other training for Banner, including hand-to-hand combat, weapons training, and, more importantly, soul defense.
Banner had a unique soul that was divided into two. The Banner Soul was previously weak before this training, but now, there is no issue. Meanwhile, the Hulk Soul is powerful, but it is easily influenced. Edward tried to teach that soul how to defend itself, but this thing was too stupid to learn anything too complex, so it was now the Banner Soul's task to protect it in case he met an opponent who was an expert at Spiritual/Soul Magic.
Edward even created a Soul Defense Artifact for them.
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