Thea was very happy, not just because she had finally won a battle, but more importantly, because she had been able to use the Meteor Punch in actual combat.
Compared to Ethan, who could unleash a storm of meteors with a wave of his hand, Thea could currently only create a single meteor, but it was a good start. Moreover, the power of this move was undeniable. An ordinary person would not survive even one punch.
It could be said that if Miss Thea were to go after criminals in Star City, anyone who didn't understand her strength and let her make a move would have no chance to react once she launched her punch. The speed of the Meteor Punch was simply too fast for normal people to react to. Unless they predicted her move in advance and dodged in time, it would be impossible to avoid, especially depending on whether she held back or not.
In addition, her long hours of combat training had greatly improved her swordsmanship, and she now knew how to cast supportive spells at the right time. It could be said that Thea's basic training was complete. From now on, she would need to steadily train on her own, accumulate magic, and gradually learn new things.
"So... I've graduated?"
"Not yet."
Ethan looked at the excited Thea, flipped his hand, took out a pendant resembling a dog tag, and handed it over. "You'll only have graduated once you can truly master this piece of equipment."
Thea took the pendant Ethan handed her. The pattern on the rectangular dog tag looked like a Pegasus?
She recalled the warrior Ethan had mentioned before, the one who served the goddess Athena. That move was called the "Pegasus Meteor Punch." There should be some connection.
"What is this?"
"Warriors who serve Athena are called Saints. The standard equipment for these Saints is the Saint Cloth, which possesses miraculous power... The one you have, of course, isn't an original. It's a replica I made on a whim."
Although it was a replica, it was equipment created by a god. Even a replica couldn't be considered ordinary. While Thea didn't know what this so-called Saint Cloth looked like or what miraculous effects it had, she was still very happy to receive such a "gift." Did this mean her performance had been pretty good?
Thea left in high spirits, while Oliver continued his training. The events of the past year in Star City had made him realize his lack of strength, especially compared to Thea, who had clearly improved.
He also wanted to grow stronger to better handle the various threats in Star City. However, as an ordinary person, he wasn't sure what direction he should take.
Strictly speaking, Oliver's practical skills weren't bad, but they couldn't compare to someone like Master Bruce, who was practically cheating. Aside from a few special arrows he made himself, most of his equipment was purchased off the shelf, and he severely lacked the ability to develop things on his own.
He could ask Tony for help, but Tony's suggestions were always for rather "aggressive" weapons. After that, Oliver stopped asking. If he upgraded according to Tony's suggestions, Oliver felt he wouldn't be maintaining order anymore but rather destroying or taking over Star City.
Because Oliver had repeatedly "rejected" Tony's suggestions, the fact that Tony was still speaking to him, considering his temper, already showed a great deal of respect. He had come all the way to see the Green Arrow himself, so even if he was a little unhappy, he kept it to himself.
Compared to chatting with Oliver, Tony was simply enjoying life now, treating this world like a vacation. Incidentally, he also practiced magic in this quiet place where no one disturbed him, and he would bring up some of the issues he encountered to discuss with Ethan.
Tony was indeed a genius, but that didn't mean a genius never had problems.
Usually, he would slowly think things through on his own or conduct experiments to find the answers. However, when necessary, he didn't mind asking others for advice. Especially with Ethan, who had taught him magic, Tony felt there was nothing wrong with seeking help.
"So, energy exists in every universe."
"Yes."
Energy exists in every universe because the very existence of a universe requires energy.
It's just that most energy is difficult for mages to use, or rather, that kind of energy is incompatible with "most ordinary mages," so it hasn't been classified as magic energy in the broader sense.
"But that doesn't mean this energy can't be used for magic. As long as your understanding of the nature of energy is deep enough, and your control is strong enough, that energy can also be used to cast spells."
Just like Ethan had realized in the past—mages are people who use energy to achieve their goals.
"I'm starting to think that mages are actually pursuing the essence of the world."
Everyone and everything is "using" energy. Isn't eating, for humans, just absorbing energy that can be consumed?
"So energy is everywhere..." Tony paused, then suddenly thought of a line. "The Force is everywhere..."
Ethan smiled and pointed at Tony. He seemed to have thought of it too.
In Ethan's view, the so-called Force was also a form of energy that inherently existed in the universe. Jedi training is about sensing, connecting to, and using the energy that already exists within the universe.
Ethan believed that the many different understandings of the Force among Jedi were all correct. The energy within the universe had many characteristics. Although Jedi all interacted with the same "Force" when they trained, depending on their individual circumstances, they came into contact with different aspects of this vast and complex Force. That's why there were various interpretations.
"So I'm actually a Jedi?"
"Not necessarily. I don't know what other specific traits Jedi have. After all, I've never truly interacted with that group."
Perhaps, in the eyes of the Jedi, Tony, who could only use "a portion of the Force," would be considered a heretic? Maybe, to them, he was no different from a Sith who had fallen to the dark side?
"But the way you're teaching Thea to use energy... isn't that the same theory as how Jedi use the Force?"
"It's inspired by it."
Whether Jedi or Sith, their strength was heavily influenced by the general environment. When the positive energy in the universe was more active, the Jedi, who leaned toward the light, would gain the upper hand and demonstrate amazing combat strength and miraculous abilities.
When the dark side was more active, it became the Sith's domain.
Even though Force users gained long lifespans and enhancements through the Force, they still couldn't escape the suppression of the overall environment. Perhaps this was because all Force users drew from the same source. With a fixed total amount, the environmental energy's nature directly influenced user strength.
This wasn't a problem for Ethan. Whether light or dark, to him, it was just energy. He could use it freely. Now, he no longer worried about this energy "polluting" his mind and altering his personality.
If he were a Jedi, he would definitely belong to the Unifying Force faction.
Thea was not at that level yet. She was still too weak and fragile. Even with the special techniques Ethan had taught her, it wasn't good for her to absorb too much external energy. That's why Ethan had initially warned her not to casually cross her limits.
"This energy manipulation technique called Cosmo feels a bit strange."
Tony was referring to the method Ethan had taught Thea for utilizing cosmic energy, which could also be directly referred to as the Force. He had found that although this method could effectively gather external energy and convert it into pure, harmless energy, there seemed to be two "backdoors" in the technique.
"Yes. One is the Saint Cloth, and the other is a god."
"Huh?"
Ethan gave a brief explanation, and only then did Tony understand. When using this power called Cosmo, having a Saint Cloth was like adding an external device. It let the user gather more powerful energy, convert it more efficiently, and share the physical strain, keeping the user safe.
As for the so-called god...
The effect was similar to that of the Saint Cloth. When a powerful being stood behind the warrior, providing vast, pure, and easily controllable energy, the warrior could unleash terrifying power. That power would also integrate perfectly with their Cosmo.
"Wait... doesn't that mean..."
"Yes. If the god is willing, by lending their power repeatedly, they can subtly influence the warrior's spirit and soul, making them more and more loyal."
"That doesn't sound like something a benevolent god would do..."
Ethan spread his hands. Actually, he didn't do it intentionally. After studying this energy usage technique and casually adding two backdoors, he had only then discovered this "side effect."
The gap in realm between a god and a normal warrior was simply too vast. When divine power could directly enter a mortal's mental world, even a god unskilled in manipulation could, through prolonged "intimate contact," cause the warrior to become increasingly loyal.
This wasn't hard to understand. Even when raising a pet, after long-term care and feeding, it naturally forms a close bond with its owner. Let alone a human being who receives a god's power, life-saving strength, and mental connection. Even if the god did nothing, the warrior would unconsciously become emotionally attached.
"However, Thea learned a modified version. It doesn't have the second backdoor."
Hearing Ethan say this, Tony let out a long breath.
"Good. You're still the Ethan I know."
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)