Janus Keys—that was the name of these two items. Of course, they had another name: Void Keys.
Marcus had crafted these using Aya Stars. While protecting the holder from void corruption, they also allowed the user to barely control void power.
Marcus was familiar with the Janus Key. In his memories, the person who mastered the original Janus Key was from the beginning of everything—a gene-collapsed clone who'd coveted Warframe power.
"Although it's not as fully functional as Wally's Janus Key, it should be enough. After all, this is just to help them adapt to void power."
These were simply tools to help Bruce and the others adjust to void energy. There was no need to add those other abilities and risk making them dependent.
Looking at the two golden Janus Keys, Marcus smiled and shook his head.
"Seems like I've been influenced too. The craftsmanship on this thing is really over the top."
The golden gleam under the light was pure Orokin Empire style. In truth, the gold coloring of the Janus Keys was completely unnecessary.
The shining gold served no purpose except to attract attention.
However, Marcus didn't intend to change it. If the Janus Keys looked better, that was still a good thing.
After completing the manufacturing, Marcus put away the foundry and began extracting from the black-red crystal.
Void energy wrapped around the crystal, and as its color gradually became transparent, six Aya Starss appeared in Marcus's hand.
Although he was still one short, it was enough. Combined with the three Aya Starss left over from making the Janus Keys, he now held nine Aya total.
"Sure enough, I can only create one Warframe!"
Marcus sighed and began considering what armor to forge this time.
He had various frames available, and many more that hadn't been created yet. After thinking for a while, Marcus made his decision. He wanted to create Rhino.
This frame was one of the heaviest among all Warframes. It ranked among the best in terms of defense and raw strength.
"I happen to have fewer heavy defense frames, so this would fill that gap."
As he spoke, his body was wrapped in energy and transformed into an energy cocoon.
Rhino's power manifested in a unique way. This frame could release explosive shockwaves through massive stomps, causing all matter in the area to vibrate wildly in place.
Through sheer overwhelming force, it achieved a time-stasis effect—that was Rhino's strength.
This kind of temporal halt achieved through brute power could only last a few seconds at most, but that was enough for Marcus. A few seconds might not be useful to others, but for Marcus, it was enough to deal with many enemies.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
As the energy cocoon shattered, a very heavy earth-yellow armor appeared.
"Really is a wild bull. This kind of power is seriously strong."
Rhino's strength was immense. If Marcus wanted, he could use his bare hands to unleash attacks that achieved time-stasis effects.
After testing his movements, Marcus also felt the difference between this frame and others.
As heavy armor, Rhino was powerful, but its movement was much slower than the rest.
However, considering this was heavy armor, Marcus could accept such performance. After all, this frame's defensive capabilities were truly formidable.
One month later—
Bruce and Selina were training in the garden, their combat suits each embedded with a Janus Key.
Ever since Marcus had given them these items, the two had worked hard practicing the Vazarin school abilities he'd taught them.
The Vazarin school was a discipline that mastered methods of rapidly restoring energy—a very important ability for Bruce and Selina.
But the two couldn't seem to make any progress. They couldn't even control the void power emanating from the Janus Keys.
"Can we really master the Vazarin school?" Bruce fell into self-doubt.
"Who knows? That's what he said anyway!" Selina shrugged, looking helpless.
They suspected Marcus was messing with them. They'd been practicing for a whole month but had barely sensed a trace of energy.
On the other side, Marcus rocked in his chair, a data pad falling from his hand.
"Alfred, what do you think Bruce will be like in the future?"
Alfred, who'd been watching the two train, turned and looked at Marcus with a smile.
"Young Master Bruce will definitely be an upright person in the future, and Gotham will continue improving just like he will."
Gotham continues to improve?
Hearing this, Marcus raised his eyebrows slightly. As someone who knew the future well, he couldn't help but want to laugh.
He knew very well that Gotham would always be like this. Even if Bruce became the money-powered Batman, he couldn't completely change this place. At most, he could become the hope in Gotham's darkness.
"Heh, then you'll have to watch carefully."
"I'm old. Maybe I'll die before the young master gets married. As for what Gotham becomes, that can only remain a dream."
Alfred shook his head and poured tea for Marcus. When Bruce's grandfather was alive, he'd already been the Wayne family butler.
He'd witnessed Thomas's growth and would accompany Bruce as he grew up, but he knew he was old and likely wouldn't live to see Bruce marry and have children.
"That's not necessarily true. Isn't the relationship between these two good?"
Looking at the pair still trying to contact the Vazarin school and sense void power, Marcus grinned.
Then he reached to his waist and a light blue serum appeared in his hand.
"This is called life serum. It can help extend your lifespan. As long as nothing unexpected happens, you'll definitely live another 70 or 80 years."
Seeing Marcus offer the life serum, Alfred was stunned. Something that actually extended human life had been created!
But was it really okay to give such a precious thing to him? After all, this was something that could prolong human life. Wouldn't it be wasteful to give it to an old man like himself?
"I say, Alfred, what are you thinking about?" Glancing at the hesitating butler, Marcus continued. "The combat suit you're wearing is much more expensive than this thing. I don't want to come back next time and find only your tombstone."
Hearing this, Alfred took the life serum, his attention focusing on Marcus.
He'd heard clearly just now that Marcus was about to leave.
"Mr. Marcus, are you leaving Gotham?"
"Well... there's someone I haven't seen in a long time. There's nothing happening here, so I'm going to visit them."
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