Chapter 90.
Felix found Thor's antics amusing, yet he was also genuinely surprised. Previously, Thor's control over his godly abilities was crude, far from the effortless mastery he now displayed. In the films, even during the third reunion, Thor could only control his divine power to exert his strongest attacks. He couldn't manipulate it as he was doing now, transforming his power into various states at will.
While perfect control of one's power doesn't directly translate to a massive increase in combat effectiveness, it offers unexpected advantages. Felix understood this deeply, as his own perfect control over his abilities allowed him to imitate seemingly impossible moves from Dragon Ball, even if the power couldn't compare to the original.
Before, Thor would simply channel thunder's power, either attaching it to a weapon or directly summoning lightning to hit a target. Though this attack style looked impressive, its power was relatively small, wasting most of the energy and failing to maximize its potential efficiency. For instance, the lightning energy ball Thor had just ingested, which he claimed had no taste, packed a much greater punch when it exploded than Thor's full strength blow with the Stormbreaker axe normally.
Crucially, Thor could now shed the warrior archetype, no longer needing to wield weapons in close combat. Instead, he could operate like a mage specializing in thunder and lightning abilities, launching long-range, even area-of-effect, attacks.
As Felix mused, Thor emerged from the room, greeting everyone with palpable excitement. Tony had just deactivated the " Black House" mode.
"Thor, how are you feeling? Any unusual sensations?" Captain America was the first to approach, expressing concern, as Thor's initial reaction to the potion had been unsettling.
"Of course, I'm fine! How could anything happen to me?" Thor exclaimed. "On the contrary, I can clearly feel my body brimming with power, perfectly controlled by my thoughts—it's incredibly comfortable!".
He admitted, "Though taking the potion was indeed a bit painful, for us Asgardian warriors, such pain cannot overcome me! Moreover, I now feel several times stronger than before!".
Thor was ecstatic, the recent pain seemed negligible compared to his rapid increase in strength.
"Haha, Felix, did you see that? I can do it like you now!" Thor immediately approached Felix, eager to demonstrate his newfound ability. Since seeing Felix effortlessly condense violent lightning energy into a small ball, Thor had secretly attempted countless times to replicate it. Unfortunately, his control over his divine power was too superficial and unrefined, preventing him from achieving what Felix could.
He couldn't even maintain a concentrated ball of lightning in his palm without it dissipating. This failure had plagued Thor, so the unexpected realization of this desire, through a potion he previously disregarded, felt like a gift from the heavens.
"Cough, Thor, since you're fine, shall we discuss the matter of you damaging my villa's roof?" Felix was speechless by Thor's eager display. Before he could respond, Tony interjected, a devilish grin spreading across his face.
"This... um... sorry, I suddenly feel a little pain in my stomach. I'm going to the bathroom!"
Faced with Tony's mischievous expression, Thor tried to deflect, but a sudden, intense abdominal pain erupted. The sensation was overwhelming and uncontrollable, like a volcanic eruption. Thor didn't dare delay, fearing the consequences of even a moment's hesitation.
"Puff! Puff..." With a hasty excuse, Thor clutched his stomach and sprinted away, leaving a series of distinct sounds and an indescribable pungent odor in his wake. His speed was incredible, seemingly fueled by the full activation of his potential, achieving a velocity he might never surpass again.
"Jarvis, remember to direct Thor to the nearest bathroom in the villa. We wouldn't want any unfortunate incidents! Also, quickly circulate the air in this room, Thor's flatulence is truly dreadful!" Tony, covering his mouth and nose, urgently commanded Jarvis as Thor fled.
"Well, what's wrong with him? It doesn't seem like he's lying to escape your question."
Felix held his breath to avoid the unpleasant odor. He was curious, as Thor didn't appear to be feigning anything. He'd even seen Thor use his powers to accelerate his legs while running. The others, instantly covering their noses, struggled to breathe. Thor's sudden departure left them bewildered, wondering what could cause such an urgent dash to the toilet. The continuous sounds of Thor's hurried escape painted a vivid picture of his desperate situation.
"Haha, it's fine. This is normal. He just took the potion, although he successfully enhanced his physique and his lightning-based abilities, this particular outcome is a failure, so it's normal to have such an urgent need to go to the toilet!" Tony, finally lowering his hand as the air cleared, explained with an unsurprised expression. "And he's already doing very well, I thought he'd go straight to the bathroom as soon as he came out!".
"Haha, with him like this, it can be considered revenge for my villa!" Tony recalled the similar reaction of a little mouse during earlier experiments. Thinking of that mouse's fate, Tony could only silently wish Thor well, hoping he'd safely endure this difficult period.
"Uh, that... Stark, if I fail to use the potion, will I be like Thor?". Captain America, his gaze fixed on Thor's retreating form, asked Tony with a hint of apprehension. He desperately hoped for a negative answer, but reality often disappoints.
"I'm sorry to tell you that with your physique, if you fail, I'm afraid it will be even more embarrassing than Thor just now!" Tony mercilessly delivered the affirmative answer, instantly making the Captain's face fall.
"However, you can rest assured that apart from this side effect, there is no other danger!"
If even Thor's powerful physique couldn't endure the feeling of "falling apart," would the Captain make it to the bathroom in time, or would he be overcome before he could get there?
"Come on, it's my turn next!" Despite the terrible prospect, Captain America refused to back down. He gritted his teeth and walked into the room as if entering a battlefield, ready to take the potion. No one was surprised by his persistence, if he flinched, he wouldn't be Captain America.
Felix understood this deeply. Captain America's long-standing role as the Avengers' spiritual leader wasn't due to his combat strength, which wasn't overwhelmingly powerful, nor was it his passive ability to instigate fights with anyone. It was because of his tenacious and courageous character. Even when confronted by Thanos's massive army, even with his shield shattered, he would bravely face him and fight to the very last moment.
So, Felix never doubted that Captain America would shrink from a minor setback, especially with the probability of failure not being excessively high.
As Captain America, seemingly embracing death, entered the room as if stepping onto a battlefield, the third potion administration commenced.
"Hoo... I'm ready, come on!" Captain America took a deep breath. This was his second injection of a special medicine. Though still a little nervous, he wasn't overly worried. He looked at Tony, who stood nearby, and felt a sense of familiarity. It was unexpected that he had not only received the Super Soldier Serum, gaining a physique far beyond ordinary humans, but now he was about to receive another medicine.
Coincidentally, his previous injection nearly seventy years ago had been overseen by Howard Stark, and now it was his son, Tony Stark, watching him inject medicine again.
"Hey? I said, Steve, what are you looking at me like that? I would let you know I don't swing that way.". Tony noticed the complex emotions in Captain America's eyes, finding it inexplicable why he would show such an expression.
"Oh, for god's sake Tony! I was just remembering some past events! Come on, inject the serum now!". Tony's words interrupted his memories, and a fleeting look of disappointment crossed Captain America's eyes before he quickly buried it. He smiled and told Tony he was ready.
Tony, shaking his head dismissively, had no interest in Captain America's past. So, once Captain America confirmed his readiness, Tony immediately ordered the nearby drone to administer the injection. While the drone sometimes fumbled with Tony's instructions, it was perfectly capable of handling a simple injection. Though Captain America possessed strong physical qualities, they were only several times greater than an ordinary person's. He couldn't compare to Felix or Thor, so he opted for the faster injection method.
After the injection, Tony led the drone back outside the room, intently watching the instrument to monitor Captain America's condition. The onlookers could only observe as Captain America's brows furrowed increasingly, as if he were enduring immense pain. Everyone silently prayed for his complete success.
"The potion has begun to work, we just don't know if he'll succeed!" Tony remarked, his voice deep, as he observed the instrument's display. Despite his usual unserious demeanor, Tony was more focused than anyone during such critical moments.
At this point, Captain America's body suddenly shivered, much like Thor's had. His teeth clenched, eyes shut, and brow furrowed, as relentless, violent pain assailed his body.
"Felix, look, I told you. Both Thor and Steve are behaving the same! Both will experience severe pain during the mutation process, and only you were the one to comfortably fall asleep in this situation!" Seeing that what was happening was relatively normal, Tony relaxed slightly, and even made a joke at Felix's expense, hoping to lighten the tense atmosphere.
"Ha ha...". Felix simply chuckled, choosing not to engage Tony further, effectively ending the topic.
After Felix's brief response, Tony stopped talking, quietly observing the instrument and Captain America's state. Time passed slowly, and ten minutes vanished in an instant. Captain America inside remained unchanged, his pain still evident. Tony, with a serious expression, continued to watch the instrument, knowing this might be the critical moment.
"Hi, everyone, sorry for the wait, I'm back!". A voice rang out from behind the group, causing everyone to turn and see Thor approaching, a relaxed expression on his face.
"Thor, how are you? How are the side effects after the failure? Are you comfortable?". Tony turned, and upon seeing Thor, his serious expression vanished, replaced by a bright smile as he playfully ridiculed him.
"Hmph, it's just diarrhea! How can it defeat me, I'm Odin's eldest son, and Asgard's most powerful warrior!". Thor puffed out his chest, looking proud as he approached the group.
"Oh, don't be too happy, this is just the beginning!". Tony looked at Thor's triumphant expression, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. Thor, seeing Tony's look, suddenly had a bad premonition.
'Was this terrible side effect not over? Was it truly just the beginning?'
"Right, has Steve started using potions? How is he doing now?" Thor quickly banished the unsettling thought from his mind and changed the subject.
"What in Odin's beard is happening! That feeling is coming again! You wait for me, I'll be right back!" However, his fear materialized! Before he could wait for an answer, a familiar sensation returned to his stomach, and he instantly bolted back towards the bathroom, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"Haha, I told you, this is just the beginning!" Seeing Thor's swift departure, Tony couldn't help but laugh.
"Tony, leave Thor alone! I feel that Captain America inside is a bit off! Look at what's happening!" At that moment, Felix called out to Tony.
"Felix, don't worry, the Captain is fine. This is the moment when the mutation is about to succeed. He should be in the stage of awakening a special superpower! It's just that his body is a little abnormal, constantly heating up!" Before Tony could fully observe the Captain's situation, Dr. Banner, who had been closely monitoring the instrument's display, reassured Felix. "Moreover, his body temperature is much higher than Felix's, and it's rising very rapidly!".
"Well, as Bruce said, it seems Steve succeeded in using the potion! Unlike you and Thor, he is awakening a superpower, but we don't know what kind of superpower, or how powerful it will be!" Tony quickly turned, not following Thor's departure, and after carefully observing the specific situation, he reached the same conclusion as Banner. He had strong expectations, eager to discover what superpower the Captain had awakened.
"However, this abnormal body temperature—I don't know whether it's good or bad!".
At that moment, Captain America in the room suddenly stopped shaking, and the pain seemed to subside. Suddenly, his tightly closed eyes snapped open, and two yellow lights radiated from them, dissipating into the air.
"This is... what's going on? This is too coincidental!" Felix stared at Captain America, his mind struggling to comprehend, utterly surprised.
How could this be? Had the Captain actually awakened this superpower?
"Holy cow, everyone look at it, Steve is spontaneously combusting!".
......
E/N : Please support me and read atleast 10 chapters ahead at my patreon for $5.
patreon.com/PrimorDious
I'll be really grateful and it would mean a lot to me. Thanks.