Drift Of The Multiverse: [Marvel] [Resident Evil] [DC] [Bleach] [DB]

"The world won't changed, and just because you didn't know about it doesn't mean it wasn't there all along."

Ethan snapped back at Fury's words. One of the most frustrating things about S.H.I.E.L.D. is their tendency to act like they hold all the answers, only for it to repeatedly turn out that they're as clueless as everyone else.

In fact, their understanding of the world is arguably inferior to that of Hydra, which had infiltrated their organization. This ironic reality often left people speechless.

"Tony, how are you feeling?"

Tony's face was pale. It wasn't from blood loss or any typical symptoms, it was pure pain. Forcing the shrapnel out of his body over and over again wasn't exactly a pleasant experience. The fact that he'd managed to endure it and remain conscious spoke volumes about his mental toughness.

"No problem. I could put on the armor and go take out the bad guys right now," Tony joked, his voice tinged with strain.

Seeing that he was still in the mood to crack jokes, Ethan felt reassured. Tony could hang in there, and the worst of it was behind them. The next task was to dismantle the arc reactor embedded in his chest.

This wasn't a complicated job. Even someone like Ethan, who didn't understand advanced technology, could handle it as long as Tony gave clear instructions.

In the end, however, the task was left to a robotic arm controlled by J.A.R.V.I.S., allowing Ethan to proceed with the next stage of treatment.

Using the magic circle to sustain the small injuries caused by the shrapnel was effective. While the process was painful, it ensured Tony wouldn't be left with scars.

The wound in Tony's chest, however, was another matter. A foreign object had been forcibly lodged there for a long time, and healing such a large hole would require significant time, even with the magic circle. To speed things up, Ethan had prepared a special medicine.

It was a recovery potion, derived from the T-virus in the Resident Evil world. He'd optimized it to target Tony's specific condition.

"You're sure this won't have the side effects you mentioned earlier?"

Ethan had explained the potion's origins to Tony in detail. The key ingredient was the purified essence of a biochemical virus. Ethan had used magical techniques to remove the harmful elements, leaving behind only the healing properties.

Although Ethan had tested it on animals and observed its impressive results, Tony couldn't shake his apprehension. The thought of injecting himself with something derived from a virus made his head spin.

"You don't have to use it," Ethan said matter-of-factly. "But if you don't, it'll take months for you to fully recover."

At the thought of being bedridden for months, Tony clenched his jaw and motioned for Ethan to proceed. "Fine. Do it."

Once the robotic arm finished dismantling the arc reactor, it left behind a gaping wound in Tony's chest. Ethan held up the injection gun and pressed it against Tony's skin before pulling the trigger.

The potion began to take effect immediately. Ethan opened the Book of Inheritance and conjured a new magic circle, guiding the potion's healing energy to close Tony's wound. Simultaneously, he used his magic to perform a thorough internal cleanse.

Although the majority of the shrapnel had been removed by the machine, traces of fine particles remained. These tiny fragments weren't life-threatening but could still cause problems if left inside. Ethan focused on gathering them together and expelling them through Tony's wound.

As the hole in Tony's chest gradually closed, foul-smelling pus oozed out, filling the air with an acrid stench.

"Oh, God. What is that?" Tony groaned in disgust.

"You should be thanking me," Ethan said with a smirk, gesturing to the mess. "That's all the toxins left in your body. I just gave you a full detox. You're cleaner on the inside than most people now."

The so-called toxins included harmful residues like medication byproducts. While the human body naturally expels such substances, the process slows with age or poor health, causing them to accumulate. Tony's body was in decent shape, but his recent ordeals had exacerbated the problem.

"No wonder I feel so much lighter," Tony said, flexing his fingers experimentally.

"That's just in your head. Getting rid of a few toxins isn't going to transform your body," Ethan replied dryly.

Tony grinned. "You're starting to sound more like a scientist than I am."

"That's also your imagination."

The plan had gone off without a hitch. Tony remained on the bed, bathed in the golden glow of the magic circle as it completed the healing process. Ethan, not taking any chances, conducted a second round of checks to ensure there were no lingering issues.

At that moment, Pepper and the others approached the bed. Seeing that the gaping hole in Tony's chest had disappeared, leaving only slightly discolored new skin, they couldn't hide their amazement.

"It's incredible," Pepper said, her voice filled with awe. Even though she had already witnessed the miracle from a distance, seeing it up close left her speechless.

Fury, however, had his gaze fixed on Ethan, specifically on the Book of Inheritance in his hands. He had watched this young man use that strange, glowing book to conjure patterns that defied explanation, creating a miracle before his very eyes.

This experience had fundamentally altered Fury's understanding of the world. Magic wasn't just real, it was powerful. While Fury had no way of gauging Ethan's full capabilities, today's display proved that he possessed abilities far beyond the ordinary.

Fury knew better than to provoke someone like this. Fortunately, Ethan seemed uninterested in using his powers for personal gain. Asking for 1% of Stark Industries' shares as compensation appeared to be more about securing a comfortable life than pursuing power. From Fury's perspective, Ethan was someone who valued stability, making him a potential ally for S.H.I.E.L.D.

"He's someone we need to bring into the fold," Fury thought. He didn't need to handle this personally, Coulson was better suited for this kind of relationship-building.

"I'm glad to see you're on the mend, Tony," Fury said, shaking Tony's hand. "I thought you'd need our help, but it seems that won't be necessary after all."

Fury glanced at his watch, feigning urgency. "Once you've fully recovered, I'd like to meet with you. There's something important we need to discuss."

He had planned to hold off on giving Tony the files about his father, but the current situation called for a change in strategy.

Turning to Ethan, Fury extended the same invitation. "And I hope you'll find some time to speak with me as well."

"There'll be a chance," Ethan replied casually. He knew that dealing with S.H.I.E.L.D. was inevitable, and he wasn't particularly concerned. They had no means of forcing his hand, and he preferred a cooperative approach over going into hiding.

Fury left without further ado, leaving Pepper to clean up Tony's chest while Rhodey and Coulson bantered with him.

"Looks like I did a pretty good job," Ethan said, watching the scene unfold.

After thorough checks, both magical and technological, Tony's body showed no lingering issues. If anything, the tests indicated he was now healthier than most people. The only real toll had been the mental strain Ethan endured during the procedure.

"Care for one?" Ethan asked, offering a cigar.

"A victory cigar?" Tony smirked, reaching for one.

It seemed cigars were a popular way to celebrate in North America, whether for a win or a major milestone. Ethan wasn't entirely familiar with the custom, but he figured the occasion warranted it.

"Think of it as more than that," Ethan explained. "These will help restore your mental energy and speed up your physical recovery."

"Really?" Tony eyed the cigar with newfound curiosity. His desire to examine it almost overpowered his desire to smoke it.

Rhodey and Coulson each took one as well, though the mention of its effects made them hesitate.

Ethan rolled his eyes. "If you don't store them properly, the effects will fade over time."

Hearing this, the three men reluctantly lit up, filling the room with a mellow, aromatic smoke.

As the magic circle's glow faded, the gems powering it crumbled into ash, and the intricate patterns etched into the floor became damaged beyond use. Permanent, reusable magic circles required higher-quality materials and more elaborate designs, which Ethan hadn't bothered with this time.

With the procedure complete, Pepper left to handle the Stark Group's business, while Coulson and Rhodey followed shortly after.

Now alone, Tony turned to Ethan with a proposition that immediately piqued his interest.

"For the next little while, Stark Industries will announce that I'm recovering at home. Since I won't be going anywhere, how about we use this time to explore something more interesting, combining technology with magic?"

***

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