Chapter 374: The Sorcerer's Internship

Fitz had always viewed Solomon Damonet as the antithesis of science. After every conversation with him, Fitz would spend hours muttering to himself, reaffirming his faith in the scientific method. He recalled a particularly troubling exchange during the Dark Elves' invasion when he had tended to Solomon's wounds aboard the Bus.

"This is bad, Fitz," Solomon had said, his tone as casual as if they were discussing the weather. "If you ever encounter something you can't explain, I'm afraid you'll break down."

Solomon's words hadn't stopped there. "Have you ever considered the possibility," he continued, "that our universe has a personified consciousness? One capable of arbitrarily altering atomic distances, changing molecular structures, or even rewriting the rules of mathematics so that one plus one equals three? What would you do then?"

"You're insane," Fitz had shot back, tightening the bandage on Solomon's arm with a touch more force than necessary.

"If you must believe in science, believe in the pursuit of truth," Solomon had replied, ignoring Fitz's petty revenge. Fitz glanced up at the smiling sorcerer, his nerves jangling, and quickly returned his focus to the bandage.

"I see magic as a tool, no different than I see science," Solomon had said. "What's truly worth exploring is the essence behind these phenomena, not the phenomena themselves. The next time you encounter something inexplicable, don't rush to cry 'impossible' or 'unscientific.' Instead, ask yourself why it happens. That's where the treasure of human intellect lies."

Though reluctant to admit it, Fitz had found those words insightful. He no longer dismissed Solomon as just a spooky mage tinkering with skeletons in a gothic mansion.

Now, for the first time, Fitz found himself face-to-face with multiple sorcerers. When Coulson ordered the Bus to return to Batesville, Fitz personally opened the cargo hold doors. To his astonishment, a group of robed individuals of various genders and ethnicities climbed aboard, led by none other than Solomon.

"Alright, everyone," Solomon said, ushering them in like a schoolteacher corralling his students. "No poking at the shiny tech like wide-eyed tourists. I know every kid dreams of being a spy, but we're far more mysterious than that. Good afternoon, Fitz. Do you have enough snacks? You can't host guests without snacks."

Fitz froze, flustered by the unexpected crowd. Large groups of unfamiliar people made him nervous, and nervousness led to stammering, which only worsened the cycle.

"Take us to the lounge," Wong interjected, rescuing Fitz from his spiraling anxiety. "Just water will do; it's stifling out here."

"That's what you get for skipping the Endure Elements spell, you lazy bum," Solomon quipped. "Every spell I put in that book is practical. Novices, stop obsessing over flashy high-level magic. Even basic spells like Endure Elements have their uses—it lets you wear stylish clothes in summer without sweating, for instance."

"Welcome, Solomon," Coulson greeted him as he entered the lounge with his entourage. "I'll offer you any assistance you need—including help for your students. I didn't realize you were a teacher now."

"I'm not," Solomon clarified. "These are the Ancient One's apprentices. I'm just giving them a chance to gain some field experience."

Solomon requested that Coulson make arrangements for the novices and then asked to meet Hannah Hutchins. However, Coulson explained that Hutchins had been sedated and was still unconscious.

"We were on the verge of losing control," Coulson said. "If not for May's quick thinking and immediate transfer of Hutchins onto the Bus, things could've escalated. Her powers are uncontrollable; she might hurt someone out of self-defense—like when she blew up the gas station. The owner had apparently insulted her earlier that morning."

Handing over Hutchins' file, Coulson said, "You can read it here, but nowhere else. After a preliminary medical exam, we moved her to a secure cell. Fitz added electromagnetic shielding for safety."

"And where do you plan to take her?" Solomon asked.

After a pause, Coulson replied, "The Fridge."

The mention of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s secretive facility made Solomon's expression darken. "You mean the same place that got obliterated by the Bifrost on my advice? I see it's been rebuilt."

"Yes," Coulson admitted, "but we believe it's the safest option. Hannah Hutchins is dangerous, and the Fridge is equipped to handle her."

"Let me guess—Nick Fury would shove me in there too if he could figure out how to detain a sorcerer," Solomon said with a wry smile, flipping through the file. "No analysis of her mental state?"

"None."

"Then let me meet her," Solomon said. "If there's an extradimensional presence about her, she's our problem. If not, it proves she's not the source of these anomalies."

With that settled, Solomon entered the interrogation room with two bowls of ice cream—one spiked with rum and one plain, per Coulson's insistence that Hutchins should avoid alcohol. Coulson and May accompanied him, while Wong, the novice sorcerers, and the rest of Coulson's team gathered around the Bus's holographic table to watch the proceedings.

"Do you really have a magic school?" Skye whispered to Wong, unable to suppress her curiosity. "Do you teach, like, magical sports?"

Her question drew amused glances from everyone at the table. Embarrassed, Skye coughed and retreated into the group, feeling like a shy mole burrowing into its den.

"Why didn't you stop me from asking that?" she hissed at Fitz-Simmons.

"Solomon seems interested in you, so I figured the others might share some intel," Simmons replied casually. "It's a standard intel-gathering strategy."

"Really?" Skye brightened for a moment, only to catch the mischievous glint in Simmons' eyes. "For your information, I don't date younger guys. I swear!"

"Sure you don't," Simmons teased, earning a playful swat from Skye.

"Want some ice cream?"

These were the first words Hannah Hutchins heard in her unfamiliar surroundings. Before she could respond, she saw a wooden spoon holding a scoop of ice cream floating in midair toward her. Behind it, a man in a crimson robe stood holding an empty bowl.

"Don't worry," he said calmly, his presence as unshakable as a mountain. "You don't have the power to hurt me."

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