Chapter 373: Rigorous Scientific Approach

It was now clear to Solomon just how closely S.H.I.E.L.D. was monitoring him. Judging by Agent Coulson's awkward expression, they undoubtedly knew a lot more than they let on. Nevertheless, Solomon declined Coulson's invitation. He believed that Coulson's team had its own work to handle and that their paths should only cross in the event of magical incidents.

He urged Coulson to convey his thoughts to Nick Fury as quickly as possible, as Solomon had much to prepare before starting university.

However, a few days later, while Solomon was resting at home, he received a mission notification from Kamar-Taj. It was a minor task, a remnant of the celestial convergence—a localized overlap between an extradimensional realm and the material plane. Typically, any Sanctum attendant could handle such matters, but the Ancient One insisted Solomon personally lead this mission. Most senior sorcerers were preoccupied, leaving no one else available for such minor disruptions.

Though it seemed simple, Solomon wasn't going alone. The Ancient One assigned him a group of freshly trained novices who had yet to experience real combat. The likely intent was to shield these green sorcerers from the influence of any corrupted individuals within Kamar-Taj, while also giving them valuable field experience.

No training can substitute for real-world experience—an undeniable truth.

To ensure the novices returned unscathed, the Ancient One assigned Solomon a reliable assistant: Wong. Pulled from his culinary duties, Wong was thrust into the midst of nervous newcomers who barely managed to recite incantations without faltering.

"The Fodo Serpent stew was the worst thing I've ever eaten. Even after detoxifying it, the meat's rancid taste was unbearable," Wong grumbled as he opened a portal. His time on the extradimensional battlefield had been fruitful, allowing him to study a trove of recipes passed down through his family for preparing extradimensional creatures.

These recipes detailed the edible parts of such beings and the necessary detoxification and preservation methods. Extradimensional entities typically carried toxins, rendering them inedible without extensive preparation. Wong's observation revealed that upper-plane creatures were the most palatable, while those from lower planes or dark-magic realms required long curing and aging processes to become remotely edible.

Wong's most successful creation was jerky made from a low-level demon of the lower planes. After sampling it, Solomon noted that it granted minor resistance to fire damage—"Fire Element Resistance +1"—for about ten minutes, which was impressive. Wong also provided Solomon with demon skin, claws, and other "leftovers" for crafting magical items and paper. Solomon gratefully accepted them, teaching Wong a few spells in return.

Standing in front of the lined-up novices, Solomon glanced back at their anxious faces. Many were older than him but far less skilled in magic. Most had been recruited externally into Kamar-Taj and were visibly uneasy. Having witnessed the returning battle-scarred sorcerers, they understood, at least theoretically, that no battle was without sacrifice. But knowing was one thing; seeing it firsthand was another.

"Relax," Solomon said with a reassuring smile. "The Agamotto Orb has already shown us the enemy's strength. You just need to apply what you've learned, and you'll be able to banish the creature. There's no shortage of these incidents, and we've got plenty to do."

With a flick of his hand, he opened a portal, letting in the blazing sunlight from the other side.

Clad in his deep crimson robes made of sacred relic cloth, Solomon inspired confidence among the novices. As one of Kamar-Taj's most well-known sorcerers, both for being the Ancient One's favored disciple and his exceptional abilities, Solomon's presence reassured them. They had often witnessed his prowess on the training grounds and felt secure knowing he would handle anything beyond their capabilities.

"Remember the incantation for the Flame Blade spell," Solomon reminded them before stepping through the portal. "The power of the Vishanti is the sharpest weapon against all lower-plane entities. At the very least, know Vishanti's Divine Sword or the Contract of Demonblade I wrote for you. Just one of those will suffice."

The group stepped through into a small town, its rows of neat houses forming a quiet, sunlit community. Built around a nearby research facility, the town was home to the families of those working on classified projects. Typically, strangers stood out here and were questioned by local law enforcement.

Yet no one paid attention to Solomon and his conspicuous group. The townsfolk seemed preoccupied, hurrying about with hushed conversations.

Solomon realized his prepared illusion spell was unnecessary.

Before he could ask anyone what was going on, the roar of an ascending aircraft drew his attention. His sharp eyes quickly identified the plane's model and its operators. Although he couldn't see its passengers, he immediately knew who was behind it.

"Shit!" Solomon muttered under his breath. "We're late."

Pulling out his phone, he dialed a number and, while waiting for an answer, turned to the novices.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. has already been here. But this isn't something they can handle. Let's see what they've left behind."

"Hello, Agent Coulson," Solomon's voice echoed from the speaker in Coulson's office. "I saw your plane departing from Batesville."

"Hello, Solomon Damonet. I didn't know you were there." Coulson exchanged a glance with Melinda May, as if silently seeking her input. "This doesn't seem like a magical issue," he said cautiously. "Unless you consider telekinesis magic."

"I know who you took with you, Coulson," Solomon replied, his tone measured and calm, a far cry from their previous heated discussions. "Hannah Hutchins. The townsfolk here are quite welcoming—they've told me everything.

"This universe may be chaotic, but particle accelerator explosions don't spontaneously grant people unscientific powers. This incident ties back to the celestial convergence. Remember the nature of particle accelerators? They generate energy through particle collisions that cause nuclear fusion. The resulting particles are smaller than the originals, leading to collapses."

"But—"

"I know what you're going to say, Fitz," Solomon interrupted, picturing the scientist scratching his head. "While this particular accelerator didn't have enough energy on its own, under specific conditions—like those created by the celestial convergence—particles achieved an unprecedented acceleration and energy level. A fleeting black hole formed, pulling something not of this world into ours."

"So you're saying this has nothing to do with Hannah Hutchins?" Coulson caught the implication. "Did you find anything?"

"Nothing, Coulson. There's no sign of anomalies here," Solomon said, his sigh audible over the line. "The accelerator explosion site is too dangerous. Even the creatures I summoned found no further clues. If possible, could you turn your plane around? Otherwise, we might end up in police custody."

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