Chapter 50 - Arcane Solutions: Shop-Chapter 50

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"Hello, I need help urgently. Could you please let me in? I'm not a bad person! I came here on recommendation—I've traveled a long way!" The shadow outside spoke with desperate urgency, constantly turning to scan the surrounding darkness.

Ethan warily reached for the Beater's bat that Gemini had given him, its surface gleaming with enchantments George had layered onto the wood. As long as he wasn't facing a properly trained wizard, he could hold his own in a fight.

"Sir, it's very late and we're already closed. Perhaps you could return tomorrow?" Ethan gripped the bat tightly, feeling the magic thrumming beneath his fingers.

The dark figure outside suddenly grew more frantic. "Please, just let me hide for a moment! Just five minutes!"

The shadow pressed desperately against the door. Through the glass window, Ethan could see distant searchlights sweeping methodically in their direction, their beams cutting through the night like predatory eyes.

"Oh no!" The figure at the door saw the harsh light illuminate his hunched form, gasping in despair as he crouched against the entrance.

"Where did he go? Search every alley! He can't have gone far! Bruce Banner! I saw you! Stop hiding!" Harsh voices and heavy footsteps thundered past the shop entrance, the sound of military boots on pavement unmistakable.

The shadow at the door froze completely, not daring to breathe.

"Bruce Banner? Dr. Banner?" Ethan watched the lights sweep away and quietly approached the door, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes! That's me! You know me?" Banner looked around with haunted uncertainty, his eyes darting to every shadow.

"I'm Dr. Yinsen. We met at the 2001 Culver University symposium!" Ethan said, recognition dawning as he set down his bat and unlocked the door. "Come in quickly!"

The disheveled Banner slipped through the narrow opening like a ghost, his movements sharp with barely contained panic. "Thank you so much! What just happened?! Dr. Yinsen, why are you here? Is this your shop?"

Ethan flicked on the lights, his breath catching at the sight before him. Banner looked like he'd been living rough for months—his clothes hung in tatters, his face gaunt with exhaustion and constant fear. "Dr. Banner, how did you end up like this? What happened? Who were those people chasing you?"

Banner stared helplessly at the pristine shop interior, as if cleanliness itself had become foreign to him. "Those were General Ross's people. They wanted me to conduct gamma radiation experiments, but there were... complications. They've been hunting me for five years. My location was compromised early this year, and with nowhere else to turn, I came back to New York. Someone told me this place might solve my problem, so I came. I never expected to see you here, Dr. Yinsen."

Ethan nodded with growing understanding. "This place is quite special. I'm not the manager—just an employee. Come with me first. Tomorrow I'll introduce you to the shop owner."

"Isn't this too much trouble for you? And just now—why did they pass right by me without seeing me?" Banner glanced nervously toward the shop entrance, his voice trembling with residual terror.

Ethan offered a reassuring smile. "Come on. You look like you haven't had a proper meal in days. Let's go to my quarters first. I told you, this is a very peculiar place. Don't worry—those people can't find this location."

"Coby? Could you please help prepare some food and clean clothes? You can deduct the cost from my wages, alright?" Ethan called out as he led Banner toward the residential area.

"Yes." Only a sharp, disembodied voice answered—no figure appeared, but the response startled Banner, who clutched his chest and forced himself to breathe slowly, fighting against the familiar surge of adrenaline.

"Is that also one of your shop employees?" Banner asked, his voice tight with barely controlled anxiety.

"Come in. This is my room. I'm afraid you'll have to make do here tonight." Ethan approached what appeared to be a painted door on the wall, pressing his palm against the surface. The door swung open with a soft click, revealing his private quarters beyond.

Walking into Ethan's room, Banner stopped short. Steaming food and clean, neatly folded clothes were already arranged on Ethan's table, as if they'd materialized from thin air. "Coby certainly works with impressive efficiency," Ethan marveled.

"How did he—?!" Banner whipped around to stare at the door, then back at the room, his scientific mind reeling at the impossibility.

Ethan removed his glasses and placed them carefully on the table. "The bathroom's through there. Go wash up first, then come eat something substantial." He walked to another section of wall and tapped it with his knuckles. A door immediately manifested in the solid surface. He opened it and peered inside, then nodded with satisfaction. "You'll sleep here tonight."

Behind the door lay a compact ten-square-meter room containing only a bed and a simple desk with chair. Banner's jaw dropped at this casual display of impossibility—he was absolutely certain that had been solid wall moments before!

"We'll discuss everything tomorrow morning. Don't worry, there won't be any problems here. I'll explain your situation to the manager when I see her tomorrow. Try not to be anxious." With that, Ethan yawned and returned to his original room, leaving Banner standing there in stunned amazement, his worldview quietly crumbling.

Early the next morning, Ethan rose at his customary hour, consumed breakfast with methodical precision, and requested Coby leave a portion for Banner. Then he began his daily routine: unlocking the shop entrance, hanging the "Open for Business" placard, inspecting the potion inventory, and settling behind the counter to continue his research on the computer.

Noting the time approaching nine o'clock, Ethan confirmed with Coby that Gemini was awake before ascending to the second floor.

"What's wrong? Is there something you need?" Gemini looked puzzled at Ethan seeking her out so early in the day.

"It's like this." Ethan explained how he'd provided sanctuary to Dr. Banner the previous night, requesting Gemini's assistance in examining the man's condition. Though he'd only encountered Banner twice, his judgment of character was sound—Dr. Banner had clearly been wronged by the U.S. military. As fellow researchers, Ethan naturally felt kinship with Banner's plight.

Gemini considered the request thoughtfully. Upon learning that Dr. Banner possessed seven advanced degrees and intelligence nearly rivaling Tony's, she finally acquiesced. "Very well, I'll assess the situation. When he's sufficiently rested, bring him up."

Ethan immediately brightened, hurrying downstairs to his suite where he found Banner sitting uncertainly at the table, looking like a man afraid to touch anything.

"Did you manage breakfast? If so, let's go meet the manager." Ethan said warmly.

Dr. Banner hastily stood, nervously smoothing his borrowed clothes. "I'm ready, no problem at all. Thank you, Dr. Yinsen."

Ethan waved dismissively. "Don't mention it. Whether we can actually help depends entirely on the manager. Oh, and I should warn you—the manager is a teenage girl. Don't let appearances deceive you."

Banner looked genuinely surprised, then nodded earnestly. "I understand completely. There are always exceptional minds that can't be judged by conventional standards. I'll be appropriately respectful."

Following Ethan cautiously to the second floor, Banner couldn't help surveying the magnificent reception room with scientific curiosity. Despite his considerable academic experience, he rarely encountered such museum-quality Victorian furnishings in active use.

"Please, make yourself comfortable. What would you like to drink?" Gemini rose graciously to greet them as they entered, her manner perfectly poised despite her apparent youth.

Banner settled into the designated guest chair at Gemini's gesture, his movements careful and deferential. "Just water would be wonderful, thank you."

A crystal glass filled with steaming water materialized in the air before Banner, hovering at the perfect height for him to reach. He stared at the impossible sight, then carefully accepted the cup, his hands trembling slightly. After a moment's hesitation, he couldn't help whispering tentatively, "Thank you?"

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