Deep within Asgard
Frigga's chambers
Frigga, the Queen of Asgard, stood by the window, looking worried.
A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes when she saw Thor entering with Xiao Han.
"Mother!" Thor strode forward. "I'm back, Loki has been apprehended."
Frigga breathed a sigh of relief, then her gaze fell on Xiao Han. "This is...?"
"Xiao Han, from Midgard," Thor introduced.
"But he is no ordinary human; his power... even surpasses mine."
Frigga nodded slightly, examining Xiao Han carefully.
After a moment, she smiled gently. "Welcome, Xiao. Thor rarely speaks so highly of anyone; You must be extraordinary."
Xiao Han nodded in greeting. "Queen, I came to Asgard because I wish to learn Your technology and magic."
Frigga looked thoughtful. "The knowledge of Asgard is indeed vast, but not everyone can comprehend it."
"I can try," Xiao Han said calmly.
Frigga smiled. "Very well, I will arrange for someone to take You to the library and workshops. But before that...."
She looked at Thor. "How is Your father?"
Thor's expression dimmed. "Odin's sleep is not yet over, but Loki's plot has been thwarted, and the crisis on the Bifrost Bridge is resolved. He should awaken soon."
Frigga nodded, then said to Xiao Han, "Xiao, if You truly wish to learn the knowledge of Asgard, perhaps You can start with the theory of the World Tree."
"The World Tree?" Xiao Han raised an eyebrow.
"It is the foundation of the Nine Realms and the source of all our magic," Frigga explained.
"If You can understand it, You can understand the essence of Asgard."
A flicker of interest flashed in Xiao Han's eyes. "That sounds like exactly what I need."
The Asgardian Library
This was a magnificent golden hall, with towering bookshelves holding countless ancient scrolls and metal tomes.
Xiao Han stood in the center, looking up. His Super Vision allowed him to instantly scan the contents of the entire library.
"The knowledge here covers the history of the Nine Realms, magic, technology, warfare..."
Thor introduced proudly. "Even I haven't finished reading a tenth of it."
Xiao Han walked towards one of the bookshelves and casually picked up a metal tome.
His fingertips gently touched the pages, and his super brain began to rapidly analyze the text and symbols within.
"Your rune system is very interesting," Xiao Han murmured. "They are not just words; they also contain energy."
Thor was surprised. "You can understand them?"
Xiao Han did not answer, but continued to flip through the pages.
His learning speed far surpassed ordinary people; the content of each page only needed to be scanned once by his eyes for him to fully understand and remember it.
A few minutes later, he closed the book, a thoughtful light flickering in his eyes. "So that's it. Asgardian magic is essentially another way of utilizing Universe energy."
Thor scratched his head. "Uh... something like that?"
Xiao Han put down the book and looked at Thor. "Take me to Your technology workshops. I want to see Your forging techniques."
Thor grinned. "No problem! Coincidentally, our master craftsman, Eitri, just finished forging a batch of new weapons recently!"
Nidavellir
The Dwarf Kingdom
Via the Bifrost Bridge, Xiao Han and Thor arrived at the dwarf's forging World.
Here, lava churned, and a giant ring of stars encircled a dying star. The dwarves used the star's energy to forge artifacts.
"Thor!"
The Dwarf King Eitri's booming voice rang out. "What brings You here? And You've brought a stranger?"
"This is Xiao, from Midgard," Thor introduced.
"He is very interested in Your forging techniques."
Eitri eyed Xiao Han for a few moments, speaking gruffly. "A mortal? Can he withstand the temperature here?"
Xiao Han smiled slightly and walked directly towards the edge of the forge.
The intense heat had no effect on him; not even the hem of his clothes was singed.
Eitri narrowed his eyes. "Interesting..."
Xiao Han observed the dwarves' forging process. His Super Vision allowed him to see the precise point of each hammer strike and the timing of every quench.
His brain rapidly analyzed, and he quickly understood the principles involved.
"Your forging is not just physical hammering," Xiao Han said.
"It also incorporates the energy network of the World Tree, which is why You can forge artifacts."
Eitri was shocked. "How do You know that?"
Xiao Han did not explain, but instead walked towards a piece of un-forged uru metal. "Can I try?"
Eitri hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. "You may, but don't waste the material."
Xiao Han picked up a forging hammer, a golden light flashing in his eyes.
His movements were initially a bit clumsy, but quickly became fluid.
More astonishingly, each of his hammer strikes was incredibly precise, with the force controlled just right.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The metal gradually took shape under his hammering, and energy faintly flowed within it.
Eitri watched, dumbfounded. "This... this is impossible! Even an Asgardian would need decades to master this technique!"
Thor also looked shocked. "Xiao, who exactly are You?"
Xiao Han stopped, looking at the metal blade taking shape in his hand, and said lightly, "A learner."
Just then, a golden light suddenly descended from the sky!
Thor looked up sharply. "It's Father's summons! He's awake!"
Xiao Han put down the forging hammer and looked at the sky. "It seems Odin wants to see me."
The Asgardian Throne Room
Odin sat on his throne, his single eye fixed on Xiao Han as he entered.
His gaze was deep and majestic, as if it could see through everything.
"A visitor from Midgard," Odin said slowly.
"Your power is very special."
Xiao Han met his gaze calmly. "My power belongs to myself."
Odin was silent for a moment, then said, "Thor told me You saved Asgard and stopped Loki's mad plan."
"For that, I thank You."
Xiao Han nodded. "I merely did what I ought to do."
"But You are staying in Asgard not just for 'learning', are You?" Odin's gaze sharpened.
Xiao Han did not evade. "Knowledge is power, and power allows me to better control my own destiny."
Odin stared at him for a long time, finally leaning back slowly into his throne. "Very well, You may stay and learn the knowledge of Asgard. But remember...."
His voice was low. "Some secrets are not meant for mortals to touch."
Xiao Han smiled slightly. "Don't worry, I'm not interested in secrets. I'm only interested in truth."
The corner of Odin's mouth curved slightly upward. "An interesting answer."
...
Xiao Han moved through Asgard's libraries, workshops, and even magic halls, avidly absorbing knowledge.
He analyzed rune magic, understood the energy flow of the World Tree, and even learned simple spatial teleportation techniques.
All the knowledge he had seen was stored in his mind, ready to be recalled at any time.
Meanwhile, he also sparred with Thor a few times.
Their battles shook all of Asgard; the clash of lightning and Heat Vision left the watching Asgardian warriors dumbfounded.
Frigga occasionally personally instructed him in the use of magic, while the Dwarf King Eitri praised his forging talent profusely.
Loki was imprisoned in the dungeon, but Xiao Han could feel that his plotting was not over.
Early morning
Xiao Han stood at the highest point of Asgard, looking down upon the Nine Realms.
"I've learned enough," he murmured to himself. "It's time to return to Earth."
Thor walked up beside him and offered him a cup of mead. "Leaving?"
Xiao Han took the cup and drank it in one gulp. "Yes, there are still things to deal with on Earth."
Thor grinned. "Next time You come, remember to bring some good Midgardian wine."
Xiao Han also smiled. "Certainly."
The light of the Bifrost Bridge shone brightly again, and Xiao Han's figure vanished within the beam of light.
When he opened his eyes again, he was standing on the streets of New York.
The sky was covered in dark clouds, and siren wails and explosions could be heard in the distance.
Xiao Han looked up, towards the direction of Stark Tower, and the corner of his mouth curved upward:
"It seems I've returned just in time."