Everyone has their own ideas, and relationships between people are complex. In the future, if you want your team to stay united, either everyone must share common interests, or dissenting voices must be removed.
He knew that day would come sooner or later. He just hoped it would always be tomorrow.
What a childishly naive thought.
Having nothing else to do, just standing around wasn't enough. Ethan shared his thoughts with Ada, and her evaluation was both fair and realistic.
But I like your naivety.
"?"
Ethan looked bewildered. Was he being teased? Should he tease her back?
Before he could respond, Ada was already pitter-pattering her way back to the cabin in her slippers, ready to return to her room to rest.
Her physical fitness had indeed improved rapidly, requiring less rest time. However, proper rest was still necessary. She had also been training intensely lately to maximize her potential, and after standing in the wind for a while, she began to feel sleepy.
After watching Ada's back disappear into the cabin, Ethan casually walked over to the sterncastle and looked up at Logan above.
"You're not asleep either."
"Just wanted to come out for a smoke before bed. Didn't expect to overhear something."
Logan had been lying on the sterncastle earlier. From the deck, he was completely invisible. As long as he didn't make a sound, only someone with particularly keen spiritual perception like Ethan would notice.
Especially after Logan had learned some Druidic knowledge, if he truly didn't want to be found, even Ethan would have to put in some effort to sense him.
"Your hearing's really good."
"It has gotten better recently."
With nothing else to do, Ethan casually asked about Logan's own progress.
Originally, Logan thought he couldn't make much progress on the Druidic path of nature, so he decided to focus on strengthening himself physically.
Unexpectedly, it brought some pleasant surprises. As Logan's physical abilities improved and he continued training to control his rapidly increasing strength, his previously stagnant Druidic path actually began to show signs of progress.
"So you're studying Druidic spells again?"
"When I have free time."
Life on the ship could be quite boring. A single voyage often meant drifting at sea for months, or even a year. For most of that time, there was nothing to do, so they had to find ways to pass the time.
Even a training fanatic couldn't train all day long. Logan also needed something else to help him relax. The Druidic studies suited him well. At the very least, they kept him from feeling so irritable.
"Any insights?"
"Didn't I just say? My hearing has improved." Logan finished his last puff and flicked the cigarette butt directly into the sea. The ocean often served as a massive garbage disposal. "My vision too. I can see very far, even without using Hawkeye."
Ethan blinked. He wasn't surprised that a Druid had picked up the Hunter skill Hawkeye. Magic itself shared many similarities. A lot of spells had nearly identical names and effects, differing only in the way they were cast and the energy used. He wasn't sure if Druids had that particular spell, though.
But what he was thinking about was something else.
"You've improved your strength and speed, and now your vision and hearing are enhanced. Are you planning to change your name to James Blaster Logan? Want me to find you a transforming horse that uses a shotgun?"
"Don't think I don't know that cartoon!"
The two chatted aimlessly for a while. Ethan was about to head back to rest when Logan, behind him, suddenly said:
"Ethan, don't give up on your dream so easily."
Ethan stopped in his tracks. He didn't turn back to make any dramatic promises. He simply gave a calm "Ah" and continued walking down the stairs before entering the cabin.
He didn't give any firm guarantee, but Logan understood Ethan's personality. This was someone who didn't make promises lightly and was even unwilling to tell white lies. That simple response just now was more reliable than any long-winded speech from a smooth talker.
Standing on the sterncastle, Logan still didn't feel sleepy. He decided to have another smoke…
Back in his room, Ethan sat at his desk, lost in thought. Both Logan and Ada had expressed support for his ideas, which made him genuinely happy.
With his mood improved, he found himself unable to sleep.
Should he read a bit more? Or go mess around in the workshop? He remembered the twelve sets of Gold Cloth he had planned, but hadn't even finished a single blueprint yet. He decided to go fiddle around in the workshop to burn off his excess energy.
For the next few days, Ethan didn't completely immerse himself in tinkering in the workshop.
After a few days of proper rest, he got himself back in shape.
After confirming everyone's condition, he led the group, who had packed their things, and departed together for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
He brought many people this time, but such a small matter was no longer a problem for the current Ethan. Now, traveling between planes was as easy and effortless as casually casting a regular teleportation spell.
He could even precisely choose his landing spot.
Unfortunately, the timing wasn't ideal. Tony was enjoying some private time with Pepper Potts, and suddenly a large group of people appeared. That was awkward for anyone.
Fortunately, Ethan's teleportation magic had some light and sound effects, which gave Tony enough warning to realize that Ethan was about to arrive. So they didn't end up in an even more awkward situation.
"Looks like I owe you an apology for the sudden visit."
Seeing the two of them looking a bit awkward, with fruits and champagne on the table, Ethan could tell without asking that he'd arrived at an inconvenient moment.
Tony coughed to cover his embarrassment, then stood up and gave Ethan a hug. He quickly shifted the topic to the large group behind him. "Oh, your team's grown quite a bit. How come I don't see Diana?"
"Diana went back home. I plan to visit her after some time."
Tony nodded. He didn't particularly care why Diana wasn't there. With his sharp mind, he could easily guess that she had returned home.
As for the group behind Ethan, he wasn't too curious. What caught his interest was something else entirely.
"Wait, did you get taller? And better looking?"
With so many people suddenly appearing, and the distraction of the moment, Tony had only just noticed the changes in Ethan.
Compared to before, when their heights were similar, Ethan's change was quite noticeable now. Standing side by side, Tony felt he had to look up.
In addition, Ethan's previously average appearance had become handsome. If he didn't tease him, he wouldn't be Tony Stark.
"Plastic surgery? But can plastic surgery even make you taller?"
As he looked Ethan up and down, Tony's eyes then fell on Laura, who had also changed significantly.
"My God, Laura? You must be an imposter! Where did you hide that cute little girl?"
Ethan had already learned from Pepper that not much time had passed in the Marvel world since he last left. At most, it had been half a year.
But in reality, Ethan had stayed in several worlds for many years. From his perspective, he had been away from the Marvel Universe for a long time.
Laura had followed him through several worlds as well. She was a big girl now, and her current age was when people changed the most. Even just a few months apart could result in dramatic changes, let alone several years.
Tony then looked at the others. Aside from Logan, he didn't recognize anyone. Logan hadn't changed much, except the gray at his temples seemed to have lessened.
"Seeing how much you've changed, I'm seriously starting to get curious about this whole traveling-between-worlds lifestyle. I swear, once I've handled the stuff on my plate, I'll definitely go on an adventure with you."
"Forget it, Tony. You're never going to finish the work on your plate." Pepper mercilessly exposed him from the side, also expressing her subtle dissatisfaction.
Ignoring the awkward Tony, Pepper greeted Ethan's companions and introduced herself.
Compared to the brilliant and arrogant Tony, who disliked interacting with "ordinary" people, Pepper excelled at socializing. With just a few words, she left a positive impression on the group. Even Imhotep responded to her with a smile.
While Pepper was greeting everyone, Tony and Ethan walked a short distance away for a private chat.
"You've changed so much. You definitely weren't gone for just half a year, were you?"
"For me, it's been several years," Ethan nodded. "Fortunately, the problems that needed solving are pretty much taken care of."
Tony didn't ask for details. He understood what Ethan meant and reached out to pat his shoulder. For someone who didn't like being touched, the fact that he often hugged and patted Ethan's shoulder said a lot.
"Right, I'll need a place big enough for everyone to stay. It's not convenient to have this many people crammed into your house."
That was also why Ethan came directly to Tony's place. Even if Tony hadn't been home, Jarvis could have notified him immediately, or even arranged accommodations on his behalf.
"That's easy." For this billionaire tycoon, even covering all the group's expenses was a non-issue. "Actually, I prepared a mansion for you a long time ago. It's huge, fully equipped, and you can move in right away."
"Seriously?" Ethan hadn't expected Tony to make arrangements so far in advance. "Where is it?"
"Next door to my house!"
(To be continued.)
***
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