Three weeks had passed. In that time, Ethan Kane had transformed. He wasn't just a better hacker, now he was one of the best in the world.
Ethan hadn't just learned to hack—he had mastered all forms of coding in record time. Python, C++, Java, Assembly, Machine Learning Algorithms any book on coding he devoured. He then reverse-engineered many existing security programs to understand how they worked. He then built custom scripts that allowed him to bypass firewalls, reroute data, and scrub traces of his digital footprint.
With Sage's processing power, he could write perfect and efficient code in seconds. If he wanted, he could crash government databases, rewrite criminal records, or erase someone's existence entirely. But Ethan wasn't reckless. Not yet. He had one goal for now which was money.
And the best source of money in New York was Wilson Fisk.
Red Lion National Bank. On the surface, it was just another high-end financial institution that catered to New York's wealthy elite. But in reality, it was a front for Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of Crime, used to launder billions in illegal transactions.
Ethan didn't need to rob the bank. That would be too obvious. Instead, he would infiltrate their system through a simple USB drive.
The plan was elegant in its simplicity:
Step one was to create the Program. A small script that would hide an account within the bank's internal system.Another script that would slowly siphon money—one penny per $10 transaction—into that account.
Step two was a little more difficult which was planting the program. Ethan had to physically visit a Red Lion National Bank branch. While making an innocuous deposit for his father, he discreetly plugged in a flash drive to one of the teller's unsecured terminals. The program activated instantly, embedding itself deep within their system.
Step three was to do nothing as time worked its magic. The transactions were so small, so insignificant, that they would go unnoticed for months. By the time Red Lion's financial analysts would notice it, Ethan would have already moved the money.
Ethan sat in his hotel room, staring at the numbers on his hidden offshore account. The balance was $998,674. He leaned back, exhaling slowly. With this money, he no longer had to worry about food, shelter, or supplies. Now, he could focus entirely on getting stronger in more ways than one.
Tomorrow would be his first day at Midtown High School. Ethan hadn't set foot in a school since waking up in this world and the thought of going back was... strange.
In his previous life, he had already graduated. Now, he was 16 years old again, about to enter his senior year. It was a waste of time, but a necessary cover. For now, blending in as a normal student was the best way to make those watching him see that he really was not a threat.
During his three weeks, Ethan had rebuilt his image. His clothes were no longer cheap thrift store finds. Now, he dressed in fitted black jeans, crisp button-downs, and a sleek jacket. His hair was well-groomed, and he carried himself with unshakable confidence. This wasn't just vanity. Perception mattered and it wouldn't do if he had to deal with bullies and other idiotic things.
The Hellfire Club's agents had been watching him. It had been weeks, but Ethan had been careful. He kept his routine predictable, with no sudden moves, and no unusual behavior. He used misdirection by planting fake online searches for random colleges and internships, reinforcing the idea that he was just a normal high school student. It worked in the end and for the first time in a long time, he didn't see any agents. Of course, there was still a chance that they were hidden so he'll play the role for a while longer.
The next morning air was crisp as Ethan descended the stairs into the hotel dining area, his steps steady but unhurried. His new parents were already seated at a small table, sipping coffee and reading the morning news. A simple, quiet scene—one that, despite the absurdity of his situation, felt strangely normal.
"Morning, sweetie," his mother greeted warmly, setting down her cup. "I made you a plate."
Ethan offered a small smile as he took a seat. The breakfast spread was simple with eggs, toast, and bacon. He picked up a fork and began eating at a leisurely pace.
His father glanced over the newspaper. "Excited for school?"
Ethan forced himself to nod, keeping his expression polite. "Yeah," he replied with a small smirk. "Should be fun. I'm looking forward to it."
In truth, he couldn't care less.
High school? Socializing? None of it mattered to him. But perception was key. He had worked hard to truly make sure he'd shaken off suspicion from the Hellfire Club, and that meant continuing the illusion of a normal life.
"That's good," his mother said, looking pleased. "Just don't get into trouble, alright? You just got out of the hospital just last month."
Ethan gave a reassuring chuckle. "I wouldn't dream of it."
After finishing breakfast, Ethan grabbed his backpack and left the hotel. The bus stop where he'd catch a ride to Midtown High was ten minutes away due to their house being damaged.
The walk was pleasant, the streets of New York City bustling with morning activity. He could hear car horns blaring, the chatter of people rushing to work, and the occasional street vendor shouting deals on bagels and coffee.
It was an odd feeling being back in a routine after three weeks of intense learning and planning. But blending in was part of the game.
When the school bus pulled up, Ethan stepped on and scanned for a seat.
Since his stop was one of the last ones, most of the good seats were already taken.
His eyes flicked across the bus—groups of teenagers chatting, some looking half-asleep, others listening to music through cheap earbuds.
Then, he spotted her.
A blonde girl sitting by herself near the back.
She looked to be around his age, maybe a year younger.
Her blue eyes were friendly, and when she noticed him looking for a seat, she gave him a polite, welcoming smile. She looked like a classic Southern girl, her casual outfit carrying faint traces of country-style fashion with denim, a fitted jacket, and a touch of rustic charm.
Ethan's heart skipped a beat. Not because of her appearance, but because of what appeared above her head.
[Ability Detected: Transitional Omni-Morph (Husk)– A-Rank]
Ethan's mind clicked instantly. Then this girl must be Paige Guthrie or Husk. She was a future member of the New Mutants. A Guthrie sibling, which meant she was related to Cannonball or Sam Guthrie.
'Hmm if she's here instead of Kentucky then her powers should have already activated. Are her parents waiting to get her admitted to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters? No that doesn't make sense. She should be at the new Massachusetts branch of Xavier's School. I wonder why she's here in New York? Maybe she's waiting for the new school to open? But then why go to a normal school? I need to get to the bottom of this.'
Ethan's lips curled into a smirk.
He walked over and took the empty seat beside her.
"Mind if I sit?" he asked, his voice casual.
She chuckled lightly. "Wouldn't be much of a Southern lady if Ah said no."
Ethan settled into the seat, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.
Paige Guthrie. Why was she here, it didn't match up with his knowledge of her timeline. He turned back to her, offering a charming smile. "Well then," he said smoothly. "Guess I got lucky today."
As the bus rolled toward Midtown High, Ethan leaned back, his mind already calculating possibilities.
For the first time since waking up in this world, his next move had changed, 'Maybe school wouldn't be so boring after all.'