47 - The Power of the Fountain
The Fountain of Wisdom, also known as Mimir's Well, nestled in Jotunheim and tied to the World Tree.
Legend held that a single sip of its waters granted profound wisdom.
In the myths Aaron recalled from before his transmigration, Odin had sought the spring's wisdom, sacrificing his right eye to drink from it and gain all the knowledge of the world.
Odin lost his eye permanently.
But this was the Marvel universe.
Though it was unclear whether this was the cinematic universe, Aaron knew from his memories that Odin's lost eye here was not a sacrifice for wisdom but a wound inflicted by Laufey.
In other words, Odin's wisdom was unrelated to the Fountain of Wisdom. His foresight of Ragnarok stemmed from his own divine power.
Amora had gleaned from fragmented records that the Fountain of Wisdom held some unknown, extraordinary properties.
Yet, no one knew its true secrets.
The strained relations between Asgard and Jotunheim prevented anyone from uncovering the fountain's mysteries.
Aaron had considered seeking infinite wisdom from the fountain. Perhaps it could max out his intelligence attribute instantly.
This would also unlock the full potential of his materialization magic.
He sorely lacked intelligence, but his current priority was boosting energy intensity, relegating intelligence to a secondary concern.
With his present intellect, he could not fully harness the capabilities of level 5 materialization magic.
Let alone the potential of levels 6 and 7.
But gaining wisdom from the Fountain of Wisdom was merely a tempting thought.
To Aaron, the fountain was too enigmatic and unpredictable. Without sufficient knowledge and strength, recklessly seeking power far beyond his capacity was foolhardy.
Moreover, from what Aaron knew, acquiring wisdom from the fountain came at a steep cost.
In mythology, Odin sacrificed an eye, while in the comics, Rune King Thor surrendered both.
Aaron's strength paled in comparison to theirs. The fountain might deem his eyes insufficient.
Thus, the most pragmatic approach was to focus on enhancing his own power.
With greater strength, all else would follow.
For now, the Fountain of Wisdom's greatest value to Aaron was its magic energy.
There was a saying from his pre-transmigration knowledge that the magical energy of Asgard and the Nine Realms flowed from the World Tree, with the Fountain of Wisdom serving as one of its conduits.
The relationship between Asgard and Yggdrasil mirrored that of Kamar-Taj and its Dimensional Demons.
The former drew energy from the latter.
While Asgard harnessed this energy, it paid a corresponding price.
Aaron did not know what that price was—perhaps Ragnarok was part of it.
It was a cycle.
The Aesir were trapped in an eternal loop of Ragnarok and rebirth, unending.
If true, then even a power as mighty as the Aesir Protoss was merely a puppet on strings.
Aaron did not dwell on this. His future was destined to transcend the Nine Realms and the World Tree.
Even if Ragnarok came, it would not touch him.
When the gods fell, he would stand unscathed!
"The magic surrounding the Fountain of Wisdom is far denser than in Asgard."
"I can continuously draw magic power from the fountain. As long as I remain here, I'll never be limited by magic reserves."
"But this is only temporary. I need a portable energy source to replace the Fountain of Wisdom."
"This will ensure I can keep improving my strength and maintain peak combat readiness no matter where I am!"
Aaron's mind raced, and his level 6 energy absorption ability allowed him to siphon unclaimed energy from the air to replenish his reserves as he expended magic.
Near the Fountain of Wisdom, his power would surge rapidly.
But Aaron was not content with this.
The fountain could not be carried, making it a transitional solution. His broader plan would proceed.
His next primary objective was the Casket of Ancient Winters!
His energy absorption could not yet draw from primary energy sources.
The Eternal Flame's power was near infinite, but its owner, Surtur, still lived.
Aaron was unsure if he could absorb its power even if he acquired the Eternal Flame.
The Casket of Ancient Winters was different.
It had lost its true master. Laufey and Loki wielded it through their racial affinity, unable to tap its full potential.
Thus, Aaron was confident he could safely absorb its energy.
Most crucially, Laufey was a far easier target.
Loki had slain him with a single blow, and Aaron could do the same.
Unlike Surtur, Laufey lacked near-immortality or a fated role. Even if killed, Surtur was destined to return.
Ragnarok was inevitable.
As a pivotal figure in it, Surtur would always reappear.
In other words, even if Aaron killed Surtur for the Eternal Flame, he likely could not fully control it before Ragnarok's arrival.
Additionally, Aaron had a personal vendetta against Laufey for the deaths of his parents. No matter the circumstances, Laufey had to die!
Thus, the Casket of Ancient Winters became Aaron's primary target.
Next, Aaron settled in and began practicing his magic.
With the support of the fountain's vast energy, he boldly cast a grand illusion environment around the area.
This ensured that even if Frost Giants or Heimdall focused their attention here, they could not detect him. Aaron could wield magic freely without fear of discovery.
"The first magic to enhance… the portal!"
Meanwhile, in a distant corner of the galaxy, the Supreme Evolutionary's plans were advancing.
Ayesha, though outwardly compliant, harbored growing doubts.
The Sovereign's embrace of magic had opened new possibilities. The Magic Network's influence was spreading, and whispers of the God of Magic's power reached even their golden halls.
Ayesha's fleeting thought of betraying the Supreme Evolutionary lingered. The God of Magic's feats—annihilating the Matrix Tribe, humbling the Kree Empire—suggested a power that could rival or surpass her creator.
But such a betrayal would require meticulous planning. The Supreme Evolutionary's control over the Sovereign's genetic programming was absolute. A single misstep could doom her people.
For now, she would play her part, deploying Adam Warlock as ordered, while quietly exploring the Magic Network's potential.
On Earth, Zola's underground laboratory hummed with activity.
His vibranium body, a compromise to avoid the God of Magic's notice, was a far cry from his grander ambitions. Yet, it sufficed for his current project: a parallel universe teleporter.
The technologies of the Kree, the Dimensional Demon Gods, and the Space Stone had given him a breakthrough.
He was close—so close—to escaping this universe and the God of Magic's growing shadow.
Unbeknownst to him, his experiments with spatial energies were accelerating the Magic Network's expansion.
Its tendrils, already piercing the barriers between universes, were taking root in new realms, waiting for those destined to connect.
Aaron, as the Magic Network's master, sensed these shifts.
The network's autonomous growth exceeded his expectations. He had planned to send apostles to other universes later, collecting Infinity Stones to fuel the process.
Now, it seemed he could act sooner.
The network's current protocols were outdated. An upgrade was necessary, but with his intelligence at 7—among the highest in any universe—it would be a swift task.
Even without his extraordinary talents, his mind alone could rival the multiverse's greatest intellects.
Kang the Conqueror, trapped in the Quantum Realm, was no match. A mortal wielding future tech, Kang relied on time manipulation for dominance. Against Aaron's intellect and magical prowess, he was insignificant.
Aaron dismissed such thoughts and focused on optimizing the Magic Network's protocols.
His ambition was clear: to become a multiversal god, wielding influence across countless realities.
But first, he would harness the Fountain of Wisdom's power, secure the Casket of Ancient Winters, and eliminate Laufey.
The path to godhood began here, in the frozen heart of Jotunheim.
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