manynovel Chapter 112 The First Signs of Magic
Chapter 112 The First Signs of Magic
The alloy walls of the Stark Tower's underground laboratory reflected a ghostly blue light, and the air was filled with the peculiar smell of ozone and heated metal. Chen Haotian leaned against the control panel, his slender fingers lightly tapping the holographic projection interface, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"So, we're really going to do this experiment on Fury?" Tony Stark, dressed in oil-stained overalls, fiddled with a multi-purpose wrench in his hand. "I mean, if he suddenly turns into a fire-breathing frog, I'm in trouble with S.H.I.E.L.D.."
"Don't worry, data analysis shows a success rate of over 92%." Chen Haotian said without looking up. "Besides, haven't you always wanted to see the energy properties of the Amazonian artifact?"
In the center of the laboratory, Nick Fury sat expressionless in a specially designed energy transfer chair. His single eye swept across the sophisticated instruments and equipment around him, finally settling on Chen Haotian: "If this experiment fails, I guarantee you'll spend the rest of your life on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s watch list."
"Relax, Chief." Chen Haotian chuckled and pressed the start button on the control panel. "Just consider it a free superpower awakening service."
The Amazonian artifact hovering above Fury's head began to slowly rotate, its ancient golden patterns gradually lighting up and emitting a soft white glow. The air in the laboratory seemed to freeze, and the instruments emitted a slight hum.
"Energy output is stable, activating receptor nerve endings..." The electronic voice of AI Friday echoed in the laboratory.
Fury suddenly stiffened, a flicker of pain flashing in his single eye. Chen Haotian immediately adjusted the control parameters, while simultaneously giving Tony a wink. Stark understood and activated the backup power source, blue arcs of electricity leaping between the instruments.
"Vital signs are normal, brainwave activity is increased..." The report continued on Friday.
Just then, the air around Fury began to distort, like the heat waves rising from an asphalt road in summer. A faint silver halo spread out from him, and the laboratory lights flickered on and off.
"Damn it, is this an energy leak?" Tony frantically operated the control panel. "Friday, report back!"
"An unknown energy field is forming; its energy characteristics are unidentifiable..."
Fury slowly raised his right hand, his fingertips swirling with tiny silver specks of light. The control panel in front of him began to blur, as if viewed through a flowing curtain of water.
"Incredible..." Chen Haotian took a few steps closer and carefully observed the light spots. "This is not just a simple visual effect, but a real spatial distortion."
As Fury moved his finger, the image on the console began to split and recombine, eventually becoming a completely different object—an old-fashioned typewriter.
"Holographic projection?" Tony raised an eyebrow.
Chen Haotian reached out to touch the typewriter, but his fingers passed right through the image: "No, it's an illusion. A real illusion."
Fury let out a long sigh, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "It feels... strange. Like I suddenly have an extra limb that I can control at will."
"Try something more complex," Chen Haotian encouraged. "Imagine a scene you're familiar with."
Fury closed his eyes, and a blurry outline began to appear on the open space in the center of the laboratory. A few seconds later, a realistic S.H.I.E.L.D. command center appeared before them, with even the buttons on the control panel clearly visible.
"The details still need to be perfected," Tony said, walking around the illusion. "But for a first attempt, it's already quite amazing."
Just then, the illusion flickered violently and then vanished. Fury, clutching his forehead, was pale. "I'm incredibly dizzy, like I've been working for 48 hours straight."
"Your mental energy is being depleted." Chen Haotian handed over an energy supplement. "Your brain isn't used to this way of operating."
Tony couldn't wait to start recording the data: "The energy fluctuation frequency is around 450 MHz, unlike any known superpower. On Friday, establish a new database and name it 'Magical Energy Properties'."
"The database has been established, Mr. Stark."
Chen Haotian looked at Fury thoughtfully: "This ability is highly compatible with the rules of magic in the DC Universe. If my speculation is correct, the use of this ability in the Marvel Universe may be restricted."
"So now we have a sorcerer who can only be used in other universes?" Tony spread his hands dramatically. "What's the use? Are we supposed to travel through time every time we cast a spell?"
"This is just the beginning." Chen Haotian smiled slightly. "The important thing is that we have proven the feasibility of intercosmic capabilities."
Fury slowly stood up and tried to summon the illusion again. This time, he only created a blurry outline of a coffee cup, but it lasted significantly longer.
"It requires training," Fury concluded. "Like learning to use a new weapon."
Over the next few hours, they conducted a series of basic tests in the lab. Fury was able to create illusions that gradually progressed from simple geometric shapes to complex everyday objects, but he felt noticeable fatigue after each use.
"Energy consumption is directly proportional to the complexity of the illusion," Chen Haotian recorded the data. "Simple visual deception can last for about ten minutes, while complex illusions with multiple sensory effects can only last for a few seconds."
Tony developed a simple training program, and the holographic projection interface can display Fury's energy output and illusion stability in real time.
"Try turning this cup into a gun," Tony said, pointing to a metal cup on the lab table.
Fury focused his mind, and the outline of the metal cup began to twist and deform, eventually taking on the general shape of a pistol, but the details remained blurry.
"No, it's too complicated," Fury shook his head. "It feels like handling a dozen different tasks at the same time."
Chen Haotian suddenly thought of something and took out the Amazon artifact from the safe: "Maybe it can be used as an auxiliary tool."
When Fury grasped the artifact, the illusions around him instantly became clear and stable. This time, he not only altered the appearance of the metal cup but also imbued it with a cold touch and a faint metallic scent.
"Incredible!" Tony reached out and touched the illusion, feeling a real coolness on his fingertips. "How did you do that?"
"The artifact is amplifying his abilities," Chen Haotian observed the energy readings, "while simultaneously reducing his mental energy consumption."
However, the good times didn't last long. A few minutes later, the artifact suddenly emitted a blinding light, and Fury was pushed away by an invisible force. The illusion vanished instantly.
"Energy overload," Chen Haotian said, examining the artifact. "It can't be used for a long time."
The training continued late into the night. When Fury was finally able to create a stable illusion that lasted for five minutes without the aid of the artifact, everyone realized the potential of this ability.
"Imagine," Tony gestured excitedly, "creating decoys in battle, or infiltrating enemy territory disguised as someone else..."
"Or create a virtual command center," Fury continued, "to confuse the enemy's surveillance systems."
Chen Haotian, however, was not as optimistic as they were: "How effective this ability will be in actual combat depends on the results of subsequent training. And..."
His words were interrupted by the sudden sound of an alarm.
"Anomalies in space have been detected," the report said Friday. "Source: DC Universe Anchor."
The three exchanged a glance and rushed towards the teleportation area simultaneously. Just before activating the teleportation program, Fury subconsciously created an illusion that they were still in the laboratory. Although it only lasted for a few seconds before dissipating, this action did not escape Chen Haotian's notice.
"You're learning very quickly, Director," Chen Haotian said with a smile. "It seems you're already adapting to your new abilities."
A barely perceptible smile flickered in Fury's single eye: "We should always make the most of everything, shouldn't we?"
As the teleportation light enveloped the three, Chen Haotian noticed that Fury's fingers were still moving unconsciously, tiny silver specks of light dancing around his fingertips like fireflies. This former top agent was adapting to this new realm of power at an astonishing speed. And Chen Haotian knew that this was just the beginning—as they gained a deeper understanding of the nature of magic, they would unlock even more astonishing possibilities.