Dr. Hank Pym barely tolerated Solomon's presence—only because the man seemed to have a theoretical grasp on how to access the Quantum Realm, and, to some extent, supported the idea of a fractal multiverse. Solomon believed that one could only truly enter the Quantum Realm after collapsing into a three-dimensional fractal geometric structure.
It was a curious and rather fringe theory.
That is, our universe might exist within the subatomic space of the smallest particle in another universe, and that universe in turn within the subatomic structure of an even larger one, and so on. The source of Pym Particles—microscopic access to another dimension—was itself a kind of proof of this theoretical framework. This forced Solomon to re-examine with a rational eye the scriptures he had read as a child out of boredom: The Avataṃsaka Sūtra, The Brahma Net Sutra, The Vajra Sutra, and The Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment.
In ancient times, many cultivation methods existed, and the teachings of sages often contained truths. As a fully ordained monk with a license issued by the Bureau of Religious Affairs, Solomon felt he shouldn't view those scriptures through the lens of outdated thinking. At the next scholarly exchange, he could even have Kamar-Taj recommend him to visit the ancestral Taoist court at Mount Longhu to exchange knowledge—sharing his scroll-inscription (sigil-crafting) techniques.
Though his facial features looked nothing like those of a Chinese man, his fluency in Chinese and the vast library at Kamar-Taj meant he had read far more Buddhist texts than most actual monks. When he was young and still unable to use magic, he'd read the full version of the Zhengyi Canon collected by the Ancient One. He was never one to lose a scripture debate.
Dr. Hank Pym kept an expression of barely disguised disdain as Solomon launched into a sweeping exposition on the intersection of ancient religious philosophy (+30 bonus) and the structure of the Quantum Realm. If it weren't for the fact that Solomon occasionally referenced the application of wavefunction behavior in Pym Particle users—some of which involved actual calculations—Pym would've thrown him out already. He hated when people mixed philosophy into physics. He had never entertained a philosophical thought in his entire life, and didn't intend to start now.
"Quantum superposition!" Pym snapped, slamming his hand on the table, derailing Solomon's tangent and sending cookie crumbs flying all over the pages of scattered notes.
"You would be defined as a probability of existing at a given point in space and time. It's not necessarily correct, but you might indeed exist as a wavefunction," Solomon said, glancing at the irritable old man. What he'd just proposed could contribute to the unification theory—not a beautiful equation, but an inspiring framework for modern theoretical physics. Immortal City had already absorbed some alien civilization interpretations of the unification theory and translated them into practical applications. That gave Solomon the confidence to hold his ground in front of someone like Hank Pym. But the doctor didn't want to hear theories. He just wanted to know whether, at 10⁻¹⁰ scale, it was possible to exist in the Quantum Realm as a wavefunction, and what quantum mechanics and quantum electrodynamics would look like afterward.
"You need to be observed. The wavefunction will collapse. But no one knows what happens after the collapse. It's like Schrödinger's cat," the arcane master said, brushing aside the cookie crumbs and tapping his pen on a long string of formulas. "We can measure the effect through entanglement."
"Hmph! Don't mix philosophy with physics—I want math and science!" Pym snapped, then glanced at the cookie in his hand and the package it came from. After a moment's hesitation, he stuffed it into his mouth anyway. Expired four or five years ago, sure, but as long as it wasn't moldy, it was edible. He had no problem serving stale snacks to guests.
Then Solomon noticed Pym freeze mid-chew, as if listening to something. The old man abruptly stood and grabbed Solomon's arm, trying to yank him out of the chair.
"Go! Now!" Pym barked, clearly trying to usher him out. Solomon didn't understand—until he, too, picked up on the faint rhythm of an unfamiliar heartbeat approaching, not passing by like any ordinary person. Hank Pym must've known who it was. His ever-present ants were the best scouts imaginable.
"Your daughter, Hope?" Solomon asked. The old man wasn't strong enough to move him, but Solomon stood up slowly out of respect—and to avoid having his spine snapped by a panicked senior citizen. What he said next, though, gave Hank pause. "There's another one. A man."
Pym let go of his arm and turned to reach under the table for a pistol.
"You serious? Your daughter's not a high schooler. No need to shoot her boyfriend, okay? I'm sure a grown woman knows how to avoid accidental pregnancy," Solomon joked.
But Hank didn't respond. He flicked the safety off, chambered a round, and tucked the weapon under his jacket. As a veteran of World War II, Pym was no stranger to firearms. His weapon of choice—like Solomon's—was a .45 ACP Colt M1911A1 semi-automatic. Old, worn, but timelessly reliable.
"You still planning to hang around?" Pym growled at the uncooperative arcane master. But Solomon only shrugged and smiled smugly, clearly enjoying the drama. That made Pym seriously consider whether his first bullet should go to this troublemaker. "Get lost!" he snapped, storming toward the door and waving him off. "I don't need help!"
"Who are you talking to?" When Pym turned back, the tall man—nearly two meters—was already gone. No trace of Solomon. But there was no time to dwell on it. Standing behind his daughter now was his former student—Darren Cross. The one obsessed with reverse-engineering Pym Particles. The slimy, plague-ridden little bastard was smiling at him.
"Get out!" The old man roared like an aging lion trying to intimidate the younger ones in the pride. As he moved to shut the door, he hesitated for a moment—clearly waiting for something. And sure enough, his daughter stopped the door with her hand.
"Get out!" he yelled again, though his volume had dropped noticeably. He glared at his former student. "I'm not giving you the secret to Pym Particles! I don't have them! Don't even think about it, you damned wolf!"
"Hank, I just wanted your help with a few technical problems," Darren Cross said, shaking his head in exasperation. "Are you afraid someone else might reach your achievements? Is that your academic integrity? Don't you know what kind of reputation the Pym Particle has in scientific circles now—because no one else can replicate it? I'm this close, Hank…"
Pym shut the door with satisfaction, ignoring Darren Cross's desperate plea.
He had seen his daughter. She looked fine. As for that clown Cross, Hank Pym no longer cared. He was convinced his ex-student could never replicate the Pym Particle. And besides, Hank had found a better path. Solomon had reignited his interest in Quantum Realm theory. Once his theoretical framework was complete, he would dive into the Quantum Realm and search for his wife.
That was his final obsession—the reason he still lived.
He would bring Janet back.
No matter the cost.
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
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