While Ethan was honing his new spells, he did not forget the comprehensive enhancement plan he had set before.
For him now, constantly learning new knowledge, continuously using existing abilities, and deepening his understanding of older knowledge was also a form of self-improvement. Therefore, even when making new potions, in a way, he was also training.
Especially when preparing new potions, there were always some minor issues that required his attention. Each time he resolved a problem, he felt a sense of "my strength has improved," which was a kind of illusion.
In fact, this was not entirely an illusion. It was just that the benefits gained from overcoming problems of this level were not enough to bring about earth-shattering changes in his strength. Improvement certainly existed, but it was extremely subtle, almost imperceptible.
He simply told himself this internally, which gave him more motivation to perform some rather mechanical and repetitive tasks. While such work felt interesting at first, continuous repetition became incredibly tedious, even leading to a feeling of aversion. However, to achieve his goals, he had to persist, so he had to find a reason to convince himself.
This method of self-hypnosis had a limited duration, but at least he managed to complete all the planned potions before Ethan grew weary.
Tailoring to each individual's circumstances, Ethan created several different types of potions.
For example, the enhancement potion created for Tony Stark was solely aimed at improving his physical fitness and significantly boosting his mental power, ensuring a smoother journey on the path of magic. No extraneous abilities were added.
As for Tony, he did not require those miscellaneous abilities. With just a healthy body and sufficient mental power to traverse the path of magic, he could rely on his brilliant mind to become a formidable existence.
He possessed this confidence, and Ethan also believed he could achieve it.
"Similar to the previous potion, it will not take effect immediately after use. It will gradually enhance your physical fitness and break through your body's limitations in the coming days. If you exercise diligently, you might even become stronger than Steve. I am not referring to overall capabilities, but purely physical attributes."
Howard and Maria had become significantly more active lately, and their appearances had matured to resemble twelve-year-olds.
Since Ethan and Tony spent much time in the underground laboratory during this period, Howard and Maria would often come to visit them. Humans require social interaction; life is difficult when you are only with yourself. Even though they had each other, they still desired to communicate with others.
During this time, Tony had been practicing magic. That such a wondrous thing actually existed, even though he had already witnessed various miraculous abilities, he still had not expected that his son could actually learn this legendary power.
As for the effects of Ethan's enhancement potions, while Ethan was making the potions, Howard often used the excuse of helping to observe the process. However, he discovered that the key to Ethan's potion-making was not the formula or proportions, but the magic used during the creation.
Extracting a specific effect from a concept and then formulating it into a potion.
Such a preposterous thing actually worked?
Howard truly struggled to accept this, yet with various facts presented before him, he had no choice but to believe that such an unscientific method of creation could indeed produce potent potions.
Fortunately, although he himself could not comprehend Ethan's methods, Tony, who had already learned magic, had the opportunity to learn this miraculous way of making potions. This seemed to imply that the Stark family would become a "magic family" standing at the pinnacle of Earth's scientific community in the future?
Why did that feel strange?
Howard was also contemplating whether he should learn some magic. He was a super genius no less capable than his son Tony. Since Tony could learn it, there was no reason he could not, right?
However, regardless of whether he learned magic, he still needed to focus on adapting to his new body for now. Even if he were to learn, it would have to wait until his body matured.
While it is generally better to start learning anything when one is young, his and Maria's situation was rather unique. Their bodies had been artificially matured, and after completing their growth, they would still require further refinement with potions to become truly normal bodies.
Cloning technology in reality has numerous issues. Although "black technology" is rampant in this world, there are still considerable problems with cloning. More importantly, no one has genuinely created humans using this type of technology, so no one knows what side effects might arise. To ensure everything goes smoothly, they must be extremely cautious.
Even the potions prepared by Ethan were administered in stages. All of this was to ensure the true resurrection of the Stark couple.
As for Pepper, who would likely become a new member of the Stark family, her situation was much simpler to address. She just needed to wait for the opportune moment and drink the potion directly.
The potion prepared for Pepper did not excessively enhance any combat abilities, though her physical fitness would still see a significant improvement. This was done with Tony in mind, as too great a disparity in physical condition could lead to issues in their life together.
Pepper's enhancement primarily focused on lifespan and restoring youth. In the coming period, her skin would progressively improve, and her appearance would gradually undergo subtle optimization. While it would not revert her to an eighteen-year-old girl, it would make her increasingly beautiful and maintain this appearance for a long time without aging, only rapidly aging in the final years before the end of her lifespan.
Considering the relationship between Tony and Pepper, perhaps by that time, Tony would already be capable of further extending both their lifespans. If Pepper remained with Tony, the two could very likely walk hand-in-hand for a very long time.
All the potions for the Stark family had been given to Tony; he could use them according to the specific circumstances. As for his own, he had already used it.
In addition, Rhodey's potion was also given to Tony, who would decide when to deliver it to his good friend.
Rhodey's potion had effects similar to Tony's, but without the significant boost to mental power, essentially a weakened version of the potion Tony used.
Besides the Stark family's potions, Logan also received the potion specially tailored for him. His situation was simpler than anyone else's. His body had long since surpassed its limits and could continue to improve indefinitely. Thus, Logan's new potion had only one effect: providing him with a special ability.
Now, Logan's claws could carry astonishingly high temperatures. His already very sharp claws had become even more terrifying; even when encountering metal objects capable of resisting Adamantium, he could "cut" through them like cheese using the intense heat.
Even without using his claws, any part of his body could release high temperatures, and it would absolutely not suddenly lose control like the Extremis virus. Even though Logan had just begun using it and his control was not perfected, he did not need to worry about suddenly exploding.
Logan did not resist or say thank you for this. He just found the ability quite interesting and then went back to practice how to use it more effectively.
Watching Logan wave and casually leave the laboratory, Tony suddenly remarked, "I wonder if I should feel sorry for Logan's future girlfriend…"
"…"
Ethan gave the guy a look that said, "You're too dirty-minded," and received the response, "If you can understand it, how are you any better?"
Subsequently, Ethan's companions successively received their respective potions.
Evelyn received a potion similar to Pepper's, which could better maintain her youth and appearance. The improvement in physical fitness would also enable her to better pursue her interests.
As for combat? In fact, improved physical fitness can also boost combat power. Whether she gains significant combat prowess depends on whether she is interested in putting effort into that area. It does not matter if she does not. The Goddess of Dawn is not lacking in combat power because of her.
O'Connell and Jonathan used the same type as Rhodey's. Of course, as their own strength increases in the future, they can also receive a certain "specialized potion" like Logan if the need arises. This depends on whether they will actually have this need or desire in the future.
Ethan was not stingy about improving their strength. As long as they had the will, he was very willing to help. After all, they were already companions, and a motivated companion was certainly more appealing.
Imhotep and Anck-su-namun chose the type that enhances mental power, similar to Tony's. They positioned themselves as Ethan's divine servants, and even Anck-su-namun was diligently studying spells, eagerly hoping to boost her mental power.
As for Shirley and Laura, they had not used the enhancement potions yet. Their portions were ready. Laura could use hers after a while, while Shirley still needed to wait a few years.
As for Annette, she also chose the enhancement potion focused on mental power, as it would allow her to conduct research more effectively. However, at Ethan's request, Annette had not taken it yet.
After dealing with everyone, only Ada and Selene remained to be addressed.
"Ada, your and Annette's enhancements will need to be slightly postponed for a while, as I need you to first help Selene complete her physical transformation."
This task was not troublesome. There was highly automated equipment, and they just needed to figure out how to operate it. The potions were also prepared in advance. The two simply needed to come over frequently to monitor the situation and ensure no accidents occurred.
As for why Ethan was not personally helping Selene with her physical transformation? Because this time, Selene needed to be completely immersed in a special medicinal liquid, and she could not have any items on her body.
Hearing that this was the reason he needed their help, Annette did not say anything, but Ada stared at Ethan for several seconds, prompting Ethan to add another sentence.
"Thor sent me a message saying a group of Kree are heading towards Earth. I might need to make a trip to Asgard."
(To be continued.)
I just finished a fic I was working on and I'm thinking of starting another soon, so if you have any recs, drop them. Also, it's a new week, don't forget to drop more stones for bonuses xD
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