A Glimmer of Normalcy
After sending a God into orbit and winning a foosball duel against another, Jax felt an overwhelming need for something mundane. The Harem System might be annoying, but the need for human connection, even one steeped in romantic comedy tropes, was a genuine desire left over from Arjun Mehra's past life.
"AI, initiate a low-profile social interaction with Janie Carter. Objective: Normalize your presence and advance the relationship status. Suggest activity: Requesting local expertise or assistance," Jax requested mentally, pulling his Aether suit off with a shimmer.
"Affirmative, Mr. Ryder. Janie Carter is currently in her apartment. Suggested approach: Request assistance with the maintenance of your newly acquired, expensive training equipment—specifically the concealed gravity chamber, which requires specialized wiring knowledge," the AI advised.
"Too risky, AI. She's a former police cadet. She'd smell 'alien tech' instantly. Let's go simpler. I need a functional relationship with my landlord."
Jax walked down to Janie's apartment and knocked.
Janie opened the door, dressed in a comfortable college sweatshirt and nursing a large mug. She eyed him skeptically. "Jax. I haven't heard any sonic booms or sudden appearances of ancient cookware. Congratulations, you lasted a week."
"Baby steps," Jax said, flashing a charming, easy smile. "I came down for a genuine New York emergency. My loft is huge, and I'm realizing I know nothing about Brooklyn—like, where's the best hidden-gem diner? And what's the safest route to run six miles without getting mugged by a rogue C-list villain?"
Janie leaned against the doorframe, a genuine smile replacing her suspicion. "Running? You don't strike me as a jogger, 'Professional Hobbyist.'"
"Gotta burn off all that shawarma energy," Jax countered. "Look, I'm new to the city, and frankly, I need a local guide—specifically one who knows how to spot trouble. I could pay you for your time. Call it a 'Neighborhood Security Consultation.'"
Janie took a sip of her coffee, considering him. He was undeniably good-looking, seemed harmless, and offered a simple way to make extra cash for her tuition.
"Forget the money," Janie said. "But the diner? I know one that makes the best cheap coffee and pancakes in the Tri-State area. And I know a route that avoids the main gang territory. But you have to promise to stop fighting Norse Gods in the streets."
"I promise only to fight when absolutely necessary," Jax agreed, his eyes sparkling with a subtle mischievousness that only Janie seemed to appreciate.
The First Date, the First Zenkai
Over the next few weeks, Jax settled into a bizarre routine. By day, he played the wealthy, eccentric tenant, spending time with Janie. They explored Brooklyn's hidden spots, debated the merits of various coffee blends, and even went to a shooting range, where Jax—using his Ki-enhanced reflexes—managed to score impossible bullseyes, which he attributed to "beginner's luck and a shockingly good eye."
[A.I.S. Harem Quest Progression: Local Integration.]
[Janie Carter's Relationship Status: Amused Respect (75% Friendship / 25% Romantic Interest).]
[Bonus Acquired: Emotional Stability +5 (Human connection mitigates Saiyan rage).]
By night, however, Jax was Aether.
The A.I.S. was his tireless coach, putting him through hellish training in the concealed gravity chamber. Jax was focused on forcing the legendary Super Saiyan transformation.
"Mr. Ryder, increasing gravity to 30G. Initiate the 'Kame' training kata," the AI commanded.
Jax, wearing his durable Aether suit, felt every ounce of the increased gravity. Every muscle screamed under the pressure. He moved through the martial arts forms, pushing himself to the point of collapse, fueled by the relentless pressure.
"AI... why is the transformation taking so long?" Jax grunted, collapsing onto the padded floor, bathed in sweat and exhaustion. "I have Primordial Blood! I should be Super Saiyan 3 by now!"
"Negative, Mr. Ryder. The Ancient Primordial Saiyan Bloodline is far more potent than the lineage you recall from fictional sources. The Super Saiyan form requires an immense psychological and physical trigger—a deep emotional well of need or rage. You are too emotionally balanced and stable due to your current peaceful lifestyle. The transformation cannot be forced by mere physical hardship."
"So, I need to get really, really angry, or someone needs to be in danger?" Jax said, frustration mingling with sweat. "I guess I just have to wait for the Chitauri to show up."
"Recommendation: Utilize the Gate of Babylon to acquire a non-conventional training method. Something to induce the necessary psychological stress without violating the 'no civilian harm' protocol."
"Good idea," Jax breathed, powering down the gravity. He needed a psychological push, not just a physical one.
The Ultimate Training Tool
Jax dismissed the Aether suit and walked to the corner of the loft. He extended his hand and accessed the infinite wealth of the Gate of Babylon.
"AI, search the treasury for any items related to psychological simulation, stress induction, or emotional overload—something I can use alone."
"Searching… Found 8,742 artifacts. Filtering for non-lethal, solo use… One artifact stands out: The Hyperbolic Mind Chamber (H.M.C.)."
The H.M.C. materialized instantly: a sleek, black, egg-shaped pod that shimmered with strange, advanced technology, instantly recalling images of various sci-fi training devices.
"The Hyperbolic Mind Chamber is a prototype artifact designed to generate deeply realistic, stress-inducing simulated realities in the user's mind—ten years of subjective experience in ten minutes of real time. It is perfectly safe, but highly effective at generating the necessary psychological pressure for the Super Saiyan awakening," the AI explained.
"Ten years of stress in ten minutes?" Jax grinned, his confidence returning. "Perfect. I can't wait for Thanos to show up, I'll bring the rage to him. AI, set the simulation to run every traumatic event from my past life—my school exams, the anxiety of the 2019 lockdown, the sheer humiliation of the cake death, and then top it off with the crushing realization that Janie only sees me as a friend."
"Simulation parameters accepted. Commencing psychological warfare. Please enter the chamber, Mr. Ryder."
Jax stepped inside the pod. It sealed with a hiss, plunging him into darkness.
The simulation hit him instantly. He was back in his old room, the pressure of his final engineering exam looming, then the crushing, claustrophobic fear of the global pandemic isolation, then the surreal terror of the cake-covered plunge to his death. The shame was suffocating.
"Rage factor: Low. Still primarily humiliation," the AI noted.
Then came the final, crushing blow of the simulation: he was standing at the diner with Janie, confessing his feelings, only for her to gently, politely, and firmly tell him, "Jax, you're sweet, but you're just the weird, rich tenant. I just don't see you that way."
The simulated rejection, combined with the shame of the cake, the academic pressure, and the cosmic weight of his new responsibility, hit a primal nerve.
"NO!" Jax roared, a physical, mental, and spiritual explosion that shook the foundations of his mind.
In the real world, the Hyperbolic Mind Chamber began to glow with blinding, pulsing light.
"Rage factor: Critical. Emotional threshold achieved. Saiyan Transformation Imminent."
The chamber violently ejected Jax. He slammed onto the floor, his body now bathed in a blinding aura of turbulent golden energy. His jet-black hair stood on end, an impossible, shimmering gold, and his emerald eyes glowed with fierce, unrestrained power.
The air around him crackled with unleashed Ki.
[A.I.S. Core Power Unlock!]
[Transformation Acquired: SUPER SAIYAN (Stage 1)!]
[Power Level Multiplier: x50 Base!]
[Chitauri Preparation: OPTIMAL!]
Jax stood up, every inch of his being radiating the devastating power of the Golden Warrior. He had done it.
"AI. Status report." His voice was now deep, resonant, and echoed with power.
"Congratulations, Mr. Ryder. You are now officially prepared for galactic threats. You currently possess enough power to vaporize the entire island of Manhattan with minimal effort. Please proceed to cool down. The Chitauri invasion is now estimated to occur within the next six to eight months."
Jax powered down, the golden light receding, leaving him breathless but exhilarated. The game was on.