LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 85: Chapter 85
Ethan swiftly completed the construction of the magic circle. Next, as long as the reserved nodes were embedded with gems filled with magical energy, the newly improved magic circle could be activated. Even without gems, it could still function, though the effects would be slightly weaker.
The task itself wasn't troublesome; the real difficulties were concentrated in the early stages of design and preparation.
What kind of magic circle should be designed? What effects should this magic circle achieve? What would be the energy source powering the magic circle? Could this source achieve perfect conversion? Would energy consumption be excessive, rendering the conversion effect unsatisfactory?
How stable would dimensional openings be? How compatible were energy transmission and energy transformation within the magic circle? During the operation process, how could the magic circle's stability be maintained?
Ethan had resolved these issues before even discussing the matter with Tony Stark. The Ancient One had also offered considerable assistance. As the Ancient One monitored multiple planes of existence, she knew which planes contained energy that matched Ethan's requirements.
In the end, the Ancient One provided the spatial coordinates and the technology needed to open dimensional channels. Ethan then integrated this knowledge into the energy conversion system he had designed and built earlier. After expanding and stabilizing it, the system was ready for continuous operation.
Thanks to the painstaking research he'd conducted beforehand, Ethan could now proceed with ease and precision.
"Mr. Ethan, Mr. Stark has returned."
"Oh?"
Ethan, who had just finished debugging, was considering whether there was room for improvement or if other methods, besides the magic circle and pre-prepared potions could enhance recovery efficiency. Hearing Jarvis's notification that Tony had returned home, Ethan's train of thought was interrupted.
It wasn't long before Tony appeared in the laboratory, accompanied by a woman.
Virginia "Pepper" Potts.
Tony's assistant, and now his girlfriend. The two had been officially dating for a few months and were currently on their honeymoon.
However, Pepper's face showed none of the happiness one would associate with love; her expression was icy, clearly indicating her anger. Tony, trailing behind her, threw Ethan a surreptitious "good luck handling this" look, which left Ethan somewhat speechless.
"What does this have to do with me?"
Even if Pepper was furious about Tony hiding the fact that he was poisoned and might die soon, shouldn't her anger be directed at Tony instead of an outsider like Ethan? Shouldn't she be giving Tony a hard time?
"Hello, I'm Virginia Potts, Mr. Stark's assistant."
Though she was visibly angry, Pepper's good upbringing kept her from being rude to Ethan. She maintained her composure as she greeted him.
"Hello, my name is Ethan."
Perhaps due to his long association with Arthur, Ethan's behavior had adopted some of the latter's refinement. When necessary, Ethan could present himself as the perfect gentleman.
After the polite exchange, Pepper got straight to the point, finally voicing the question she had been holding back for a long time: "Can you solve Tony's problem?"
"Yes." Ethan turned to Tony. "I assume Mr. Stark has already explained the general treatment plan to you?"
Tony nodded at Ethan, indicating he had. However, he also signaled that Pepper couldn't quite believe some of the more fantastical details he had described. Truth be told, Tony himself knew that most people wouldn't believe such claims. If not for Tony's repeated reassurances, Pepper might have dismissed him as someone suffering from severe hallucinations caused by poisoning, insisting he undergo conventional treatment.
"I still find it hard to believe... the so-called magic..."
Tony shrugged discreetly behind Pepper, signaling that he couldn't convince her. His look seemed to say, "Now it's your turn to take the stage."
"Come on, Archmage Ethan, let her tremble before the wondrous radiance of magic!"
Of course, that was merely Ethan's own imagination; Tony wouldn't express something so elaborate with just a look.
"So, how do you want me to prove it?"
Ethan kept his tone calm, genuinely curious about what kind of test this woman would present.
"Well..." Pepper thought for a moment before glancing back at Tony. "Tony just told me that your plan involves using magic to stabilize him during surgery, preventing sudden death while the shrapnel is removed from his body. So, you should be able to demonstrate magic's ability to heal injuries, right?"
This was a perfectly reasonable request. Even if Pepper hadn't brought it up, Tony would likely have made a similar one. Though Tony often conducted dangerous experiments without regard for his own safety, he always did so under specific conditions.
For those experiments, he meticulously planned every step, performed all the calculations himself, and executed them with his own hands. His confidence in his abilities allowed him to engage in actions that outsiders might view as insane.
This situation, however, was different. Though Tony had broken down the entire process into steps he could understand, the most crucial part still rested in Ethan's hands. Naturally, Tony wanted Ethan to demonstrate the reliability of magic to set his mind at ease.
"No problem."
Ethan's straightforward response made Pepper feel slightly relieved. Perhaps it was Ethan's self-assurance that had an effect on her, or maybe she felt that it wouldn't take long to determine whether Ethan was truly capable or just a fraud. Either way, she no longer felt as worried.
At this moment, Tony, who had remained silent until now, suddenly asked, "What were you doing just now?"
Pepper gave Tony a puzzled look, wondering why he had brought this up out of nowhere.
Seeing her confusion, Tony ordered Jarvis to replay what had just happened.
Only then did Pepper notice something strange, during their earlier conversation, Ethan hadn't spoken out loud, yet she had clearly "heard" his answers.
"Jarvis, analyze what happened just now."
"A special wave was detected invading Miss Potts's brain," Jarvis reported. The various detection systems spread throughout the mansion hadn't missed the subtle phenomenon; even a simple mental link had been captured.
"Don't worry, it was just a simple spiritual connection with no hidden dangers or side effects," Ethan explained.
Pepper, being highly intelligent, quickly pieced together what had happened from Ethan's words.
"You're saying... you were speaking directly into my mind just now?"
"Yes."
Establishing mental communication with another person wasn't a simple feat. Ethan's precise control over his spiritual power allowed him to master this technique, even when his mental strength wasn't particularly robust. That said, if he weren't careful, such "direct access" could cause discomfort to the other party.
"Incredible."
"This is nothing. Perhaps in a few decades, similar feats will be achievable through technology," Ethan remarked. In the Marvel world, with its ever-evolving black technologies, this wasn't an impossibility.
Ethan made a welcoming gesture, inviting the two of them into a newly arranged room.
"Here?"
"Yes."
This was the location where Tony would undergo treatment. The room was completely empty for now. Tony's custom equipment wouldn't be moved in until after Ethan had completed the magic circle's setup.
Currently, the only thing in the room was the mysterious pattern etched into the floor.
"This is it?"
Tony stepped into the center of the circle with Pepper, observing it closely for a long time.
"It doesn't look particularly impressive."
"That's because the magic circle hasn't been activated yet."
Ethan closed the door. The room had been outfitted with magic circles everywhere. In addition to the main energy transformation circle on the floor, the surrounding walls and door were also inscribed with magic circles to prevent energy from leaking.
"Want to see some magic?"
"You mean demonstrating this thing's effects?" Tony looked around the empty room. "There doesn't seem to be anything suitable for a demonstration."
"That's easy."
Ethan held the Book of Inheritance, the key tool he used to cast magic. In addition to using pre-set magical tools, many of his spells required the book's assistance.
Although Merlin had placed restrictions on the Book of Inheritance, preventing it from directly casting spells, Ethan had found ways to indirectly make it a casting aid by taking a few extra steps.
For example, the activation and control of the magic circle beneath their feet required the book's magical energy. Without it, the magic circle couldn't function. In essence, the book served as the true "key" to this circle.
With a surge of spiritual power, the Book of Inheritance floated out of Ethan's hand and hovered in mid-air. At Ethan's gesture, the book opened, and a golden magic circle appeared on the blank page, resonating with the floor's magic circle.
The initially unassuming pattern on the ground gradually began to glow with golden light. Tony and Pepper, standing in the center, watched the dazzling scene with wide-eyed astonishment.
"Tony, am I dreaming?"
Pepper, who had initially suspected Ethan of being a fraud, now wondered if everything she was seeing was just a dream. The scene before her eyes was far too fantastical.
"Even though I've seen many miraculous things, I still have to say—this is incredible."
Their reactions greatly satisfied Ethan's sense of vanity, though the real show was only just beginning. Drawing a dagger from his waist, he reminded the two stunned spectators:
"Now, prepare to witness a miracle!"
***
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