"Listen, Luke, I have to have a serious talk with you." After the meeting, Nick returned to the atrium and stopped Luke, Strange and others, and asked with a serious expression.
"Is it important? You know we still have a lot of things to deal with now. Especially Strange and the others." Luke looked at Nick, then at Strange and the others.
"Of course it's important." Nick emphasized. "I'm here for Strange and the others."
"Okay, okay, what do you want to say?" Seeing that Strange and the other two had no objection, Luke could only temporarily find a place nearby to serve as the place for the discussion.
"With the occurrence of this dimensional invasion, I think it is necessary to strengthen the defense of our planet again. Whether it is new technology or manpower." Nick stated his request directly.
"It was just an accident, Mr. Fury." The Mage King smiled awkwardly at Nick's gaze. "Besides, we've already resolved the matter. You know, this is an exception. Dimensional invasions don't normally happen in reality."
"But many people saw it this time." Nick spread his hands. "S.H.I.E.L.D. spent a lot of time and effort, and mobilized all its official power, to suppress this invasion by claiming it was an alien invasion. But we all know that's not true. Those dimensional demons are far more dangerous than an alien invasion."
"This is a special case. You also attended the meeting. You should know that this is a test of Strange by the Ancient One. Whether he passes or not, the safety of the atrium is guaranteed." Mordo expressed dissatisfaction with Nick's pointed words. Although Nick did not accuse anyone by name, the attitude extended from his tone and eyes made it easy for people present to understand that the other party was accusing the wizards of their "negligence" this time.
Strange and the Wizard King were able to communicate with Nick calmly, but he was different. From the beginning to the end, he was not very willing to have too much contact with the official.
"This is where we disagree. I cannot accept basing our safety on a trial for succession. I think there might be a better way." Nick pursed his lips and said seriously, "We can't know if any real accidents will happen, causing a trial to turn into the beginning of tragedy. Those dimensional demons are very dangerous."
"We understand the dangers of those dimensional demons better than you do. What you know, and what little information you possess, we've given you. Are you going to teach us now?" Mordo narrowed his eyes, confronting Nick. "This incident may seem accidental, but it was under the Ancient One's control from beginning to end. Just as it has always been. Perhaps you should have a little faith in the Sorcerer Supreme. After all, she's been protecting this planet for hundreds, nearly a thousand years, before you were even born. Those dark dimensional creatures that once wreaked havoc and flourished, those dangerous black magic artifacts, those demons and monsters that inhabit your writings—how do you think they disappeared?"
If they hadn't vanished, you might still be living in the precarious Age of Gods, a time when your lives were as low as food. Never mind becoming the master of this planet and developing civilization and technology. You should have awe for the Supreme Mage!
"I respect the contribution that the Ancient One has made to this planet, and I have no intention against you, but to the best of my ability, we can strengthen our defenses and share some of your pressure. I don't think it is a questioning or blasphemy to the Supreme Sorcerer." Nick responded to Mordo's words calmly.
"How are you going to share the burden? With your mortal armies and weapons? With all due respect, the only thing that can fight against magic is magic." Mordo stated the fact bluntly and cruelly.
Nick fell silent. He hadn't truly experienced the full power of magic, but he knew its wonder and might. He'd really like to have his agents go to Kamar-Taj for some training, but judging by their attitude, he doubted they would accept his proposal. So, he turned his gaze to Luke, who was lost in thought, his chin resting on his hand.
"I think this can be handed over to Luke. I believe his skills are capable of turning magic into equipment and promoting it to ordinary people."
"The power of magic is difficult to master. Even if Luke really did it, does that mean the world will really be safer? I think it will only be worse! I can't believe that some of you, those ambitious people, have mastered the power of magic. It would be a disaster for the world. We don't have the energy to help you deal with the mess when the time comes." Mordo frowned, thinking that Nick was too whimsical.
Democratize magic?
it's out of the question!
However, it was still possible to use some technology to engrave certain magic onto extraordinary equipment, allowing ordinary people to master it. At least when Luke was the leader, this possibility was not low.
After all, the power and effectiveness of the equipment Luke spearheaded was already comparable to some of Kamar-Taj's magical equipment. In the words of the Ancient One, after mastering Kamar-Taj's magical knowledge, their manufacturing techniques were no longer limited to magic or technology. They had even developed a method that combined magic and technology.
Strange and the Mage King both thought Nick's proposal was a bit far-fetched. Even if Luke could do it, so what? Both magic and Luke's skills required a large amount of high-dimensional or high-quality energy.
Previously, mages were limited by the difficulty of acquiring energy and their minds. Without perseverance and tenacity, rashly engaging with dimensional energy would quickly lead to its erosion and influence, endangering not only themselves but also the world they inhabit. After all, whether it was the power of a dimensional demon or the power of an ownerless dimensional space, improperly maintaining either would bring a series of unpredictable and serious consequences.
Although Luke's new energy now greatly reduces the difficulty for mages to obtain energy and provides a relatively safe and gentle energy supply, the growth of the number of mages is inevitable. However, this does not mean that the new energy can be squandered endlessly.
At the Ancient One's signal, Kamar-Taj had already begun preparations. As the purveyors of the new energy, the mages could observe the exponential growth of the new energy, such as that of the Nine Realms of Midgard, and based on this quantity, infer how many mages this energy could support daily consumption.
Mages will not give up the method of borrowing power from other dimensions, but with a more convenient and safer energy supply, mages who use new energy will inevitably become mainstream over time.
In other words, the distribution of new energy shares cannot satisfy everyone at present. The mages don't care about other things, but if Nick wants to participate in the grab, they can't control other people's shares, but the mages' shares cannot be snatched away.
If the new energy supply can't satisfy all existing distributors, then expecting it to reach everyone is practically a joke. Even if the new energy supply is sufficient, who would want too much of something tied to strength? After all, as the new energy increases, the share of the pie for distributors like mages also grows.
"I understand that Fury wants to increase his own strength to avoid being helpless when encountering similar incidents again. We support your idea as long as you can solve all the problems you face in the implementation process." The Mage King added implicitly.
Nick understood his implication.
Whatever they want is up to them. If they can solve all the hassles and procedures without hurting the interests of others, then they will not do anything.
Nick rubbed his aching forehead. He had anticipated that the communication process would be troublesome and complicated, but he hadn't expected that just the beginning would lead to resistance and vigilance from the mages. He couldn't help but look at Luke, who was watching with great interest.
"That's a good idea, I support it! Technology isn't a problem." Luke thoughtfully reassured Nick, then smiled at Nick's suddenly frozen expression and said, "As long as the money is in place!"
"This is for the safety of this planet and everyone who lives on it..."
"Whoever makes the suggestion is responsible for the funding. I'm just a technology provider," Luke interrupted Nick, spreading his hands. The word "freeloading" never existed in his vocabulary.
Nick's words might be very effective against Stark; if persuaded, that wealthy man might actually contribute his own money and technology to the safety of the world. But Luke, who has moved his hometown to his own dimension for backup, won't do that.
"I need a loan." Nick took a deep breath. Regardless, his concern for the safety of the world was his bottom line. Under this premise, he was willing to sacrifice everything. He had previously been indifferent to dimensional invasions, which existed only in words and phrases, especially with the presence of the Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One. But this time, the invasion had truly irritated his inner sensitivities. Coupled with the Ancient One's retirement, and the sight of the new Sorcerer Supreme, Strange, who had only been a sorcerer for a few years, he felt deeply insecure.
"No problem." Luke nodded.
The meeting ended on a sour note. Nick went to his immediate superiors to apply for a loan agreement. As the only organization in the world with a stable source of new energy currency, S.H.I.E.L.D. had become a coveted asset in the eyes of the nations behind the Council. Nick Fury's power grew, and S.H.I.E.L.D. received more resources and support. However, this, in turn, led to stricter oversight of the agency.
Especially regarding the new currency, while Nick still held a strong voice, it was difficult for him to have the final say as before. Every new currency and dimensional material addition, every expenditure, was closely watched and scrambled for. Even for something as major as adding a new protective shell to the planet, Nick needed to obtain the Council's approval and at least have their share of the benefits sorted out first.
Looking at Nick's back as he hurried away, slightly hunched over due to having to bear another heavy debt, Luke turned around and called out to Strange and the others who had opened the portal and had half a foot in.
"Master Strange."
"Anything else, Luke?" Strange turned calmly and met Luke's gaze. Beside him, the Mage King and Mordo looked at each other, as if there were flowers on each other's faces.
"My energy book," Luke reminded briskly.
So Strange and the other two, like Nick, all hunched over slightly.
"I'll help you get it back." Strange promised with a stern face and gritted teeth.
"How long did it take?" Luke asked, his tone still cheerful, as if he didn't notice the hunched bodies of Strange and the other three.
"As soon as possible!" Strange's heart began to beat fast at the thought of having to enter the Dark Dimension again and possibly face Dormammu's face. Especially after knowing that he seemed to have severely tricked the other party in the end.
If Dormammu believed he was the mastermind behind the poisoning of his dimension, how could he possibly escape Dormammu's wrath? He couldn't just go through an endless cycle and compete with Dormammu in patience, could he?
Although if we compete in patience next time, under the threat of the abyss energy, I should be the winner, right?
If Dormammu catches him, will he turn Luke over? Say he has a way to deal with the abyssal energy?
This seems to be arranged very clearly!
The more Strange thought about it, the more frustrated he became. Surely Luke had done this with the permission of his teacher, the Ancient One, or at least with his consent. He had only just inherited the position of Sorcerer Supreme, and already he was bearing the pressure and blame he shouldn't have.
"Then let's talk about the cost during the time when the Book of Energy was out of contact." Luke's words made Strange and the other two raise their heads in unison, looking at him in shock.
"More fees?" Strange felt like Luke was picking on him! When his teacher, the Ancient One, was around, the Book of Energy was given away for free. Now he'd become the new Sorcerer Supreme, and before he'd even had time to warm up, he already had an extra expense.
The settlement fee must be the new currency. Although the mage does not lack such an expense, he will still feel distressed if Luke Lion asks for a large amount.
"Of course, this is a supervision fee. When you get the Book of Energy back, this supervision fee will be returned." Luke felt that he was still showing some mercy.
However, when these words fell into the ears of Strange and the other two, it was like a debt collector reminding them all the time not to give up, not to procrastinate, and not to try to get away with it.
It is conceivable that now it is Luke, and in the future Odin, Mephisto, and even his own teacher may join in.