The thought lingered in Liam's mind, sparking a flicker of interest. If he could bring someone like Helen Cho into the mutant camp, it would be a massive boost to his long-term plans. A scientist of her caliber wasn't just valuable—she was transformative.
Unfortunately, that idea hit a dead end almost immediately.
He didn't even know where she was right now, let alone how to approach her. Trying to recruit her blindly would be pointless. Still, he recalled that Tony Stark had maintained contact with her in the past, so perhaps that could be his way in. The next time they crossed paths, he'd make sure to ask.
For now, though, his priorities lay elsewhere.
Today's check-in.
The bar was filled with mutants, but only a few truly caught his attention. Among them, the Red Devil and Multiple Man stood out the most.
The Red Devil's teleportation ability was undeniably useful, though Liam already possessed spatial movement. If he signed in with him, it would likely just grant additional experience rather than something entirely new.
Multiple Man, on the other hand, was different.
The ability to duplicate oneself had far more potential than it appeared on the surface.
After a brief moment of consideration, Liam made his decision.
"Multiple Man first," he murmured quietly.
If there was bonus experience to be gained, he could deal with that later.
[Ding! Do you wish to check in with the mutant Multiple Man?]
"Yes."
[Ding! Check-in successful. Congratulations to the host for obtaining the super ability 'Duplication.' Experience gained: 100 points.]
As expected, the ability manifested immediately.
Liam could now create duplicates of himself, each possessing fifty percent of his original strength. More importantly, those duplicates could use all of his abilities without restriction.
It was absurdly powerful.
At his current Level Five strength, even half of his power would easily overwhelm most Level Four mutants. But raw combat wasn't what interested him the most about this ability.
What truly mattered was efficiency.
With duplication, he could handle multiple tasks simultaneously. While things were relatively calm now, he knew that wouldn't last forever. When his plans expanded, he would inevitably be pulled in different directions.
Having multiple versions of himself managing different operations at once?
That was priceless.
By the time he returned to the Mutant Academy, his thoughts had already shifted toward future applications of his new power. However, he had barely settled in when his phone rang.
Nick Fury.
Liam didn't need to guess why.
After all, S.H.I.E.L.D. had stepped in to clean up after his last incident. They weren't the type to offer help without expecting something in return.
He answered the call without hesitation.
"Director Nick Fury," Liam said casually, leaning back in the shade of the academy's playground. "What's the mission?"
There was a brief pause on the other end.
"…You're surprisingly direct," Fury replied, sounding faintly caught off guard. "But yes, I do have a task for you."
"Go on," Liam said lazily. "I'm in a good mood, so let's hear it."
Fury didn't waste any more time.
After a short explanation, the situation became clear.
A few days ago, S.H.I.E.L.D. had sent Phil Coulson to investigate what was believed to be a meteorite crash in New Mexico. But when he arrived, what he found wasn't a meteorite.
It was a hammer.
Not just any hammer.
A hammer that no one could move.
No matter what method they used—machinery, manpower, anything—it remained completely immovable, as if it were rooted into the earth itself.
Fury suspected it might be extraterrestrial in origin, and given the potential implications, he wanted it secured.
That was where Liam came in.
"Thor's hammer… and Thor himself," Liam muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing slightly in interest. "Now that's interesting."
If he could check in with a god, what kind of ability would he gain?
The thought alone was enough to intrigue him.
"Hey, Liam," Fury's voice cut back in, a hint of impatience creeping in. "Can you handle this or not?"
"Relax," Liam replied with a small smirk. "It's not a problem. I'll head out tomorrow."
Fury let out a quiet breath of relief on the other end.
S.H.I.E.L.D. had been trying to retrieve the hammer for days without success. It wasn't just a matter of weight—it was something far beyond normal physics.
In reality, it was Mjolnir.
A weapon forged from the heart of a dying star, bound by enchantments that made it impossible to wield unless deemed worthy.
To ordinary people, it was immovable.
But to someone recognized by it?
It was a source of immense power.
After hanging up, Liam glanced at the sky. The sun had already begun to set, casting long shadows across the academy grounds.
He stretched lazily, preparing to head back and rest.
But just as he reached the doorway, someone grabbed his arm.
It was Rogue.
Since becoming an alternate member of the X-Men, she now had her own room, but her expression in that moment carried a mix of nervousness and determination.
"Liam," she said softly, her eyes fixed on him. "You're the only person I can touch without hurting them. That has to mean something, right?"
She hesitated for only a second before continuing, her voice growing steadier. "We're meant to be together. Promise me… promise me you'll always love me."
Liam didn't hesitate.
"Of course," he said, his tone serious for once. "I won't ever let you leave me. I love you."
He wasn't the type to dance around relationships.
Unlike Tony Stark, who drifted through countless encounters without ever truly committing, Liam had a much simpler approach.
If he liked something, he kept it.
Rogue's face lit up instantly, her earlier hesitation melting away as she leaned into him, completely convinced by his words.
The next day arrived quickly.
Liam had originally planned to head straight to New Mexico using his spatial movement, but Fury insisted that Melinda May accompany him to guide him to Coulson's location.
It felt unnecessary.
But before he could refuse, Rogue immediately insisted on going with him, treating the trip as something like a honeymoon.
After a brief moment of thought, Liam decided not to argue.
He wasn't in a rush anyway.
However, just as he was about to leave, an unexpected figure appeared in front of him.
The Ancient One.
"Sorcerer Supreme?" Liam said, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "Didn't expect to see you here again."
The Ancient One smiled faintly, her expression calm as ever. "It seems you're not particularly fond of my visits."
"I wouldn't say that," Liam replied honestly. "It's just that every time you show up, it feels like there's something troublesome attached."
Instead of taking offense, she simply nodded. "That's fair. And you're not wrong. I do have a request."
Liam crossed his arms slightly. "Let's hear it first."
"I'll be leaving for a while," she said, her tone growing more serious. "Before that, there are certain matters I need to resolve."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"You're heading to New Mexico, correct? There's a magical artifact I need you to retrieve while you're there."
Liam's interest was immediately piqued. "What kind of artifact?"
"It's known as the Contract of St. Van Gonzal," she said.
Liam frowned slightly, rubbing his chin as he tried to recall where he had heard that name before.
"And where exactly am I supposed to find it?" he asked.
The Ancient One shook her head.
"I don't know its precise location," she admitted. "But I can place a spell on you. When the time comes… the artifact will find you."
....
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