Marvel: King of Mythology Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Can I Learn Magic?


[Baxter Building, Manhattan]


“And so, there will be two people working with us?” Ben asked, amused at the student details that he received.


“Susan might have gotten a little carried away during the speech, so we are having a few student interns in here.” 


This statement by Reed irked Susan, quite a lot.


“If you remember, I said that I was going to recruit the students who made the best project as interns.” Susan showed a smile that was anything but happy, “That is to give them a look at what researchers and scientists do. And I believe you have been just lost in your projects that you don't even remember our conversations, just like our promises.”


Ben quietly bit on his jerky, not daring to add fuel to fire by saying something unnecessary.


“You are still mad about that?” Reed asked, surprised.


And well, Susan was still mad at him.


Why?


Because they did talk after the events of the Awesome Android and all that the man said to her was the he was busy with his research at the moment.


He didn’t have time for romances.


“No.” Susan said with a bright smile, “Why would I be wasting time on useless matters when I can be working on important projects of my own.”


‘She is fuming.’ Ben noticed, but for the moment he just focused on the jerky.


Reed was one of the smartest man alive, but there was a major difference between Intelligence Quotient and Emotional Quotient.


His IQ was ridiculously high but his EQ was just as low.


Even now, he could not understand what he did wrong. Even now he could not understand that different people did and processed things different, that included emotions.


Susan and Ben both knew that Susan had been too emotional lately because of the man –which was also a problem.


But the reason Ben was more leaning towards Susan was because Susan was aware of her being an emotional mess –Reed wasn’t.


Ben also knew that while it was smart to not get himself involved, it was also better to divert the topic to not end up with a hell of a place to live.


“So, what are these people like?” Ben asked, drawing their attention towards him.


This, at the very least, managed to draw Reed’s interest.


“I mean…” He looked at Ben, “They aren’t that bad. They had a decent project that could help solve a lot of issues for the government.”


“Oh?”


“They made a bridge that could handle massive impacts and shockwaves that are generated when heroes and villains fight.” The genius explained, “And they went a step ahead by showing that those shockwaves can be converted into electricity.”


Even Susan agreed, “They have a good future ahead of them if they use their intellect in the right way.”


But as they talked about the project, Reed recalled something else.


“Oh, and one of those two happens to be a kid with powers.”


“Mutant or Mutate?” The guy with rocks for skin asked immediately.


“Mutants generally develop their powers at the start or peak of their adolescence and for some it is even earlier.” Susan said, “He is an adult, so while it is possible, it is also unlikely.”


“If he was a mutant and considering that he did use his powers, Xavier would have contacted him by now.” Reed looked down, remembering his old acquaintance, “I wonder what he is up to these day. I haven't heard from him in months.”


“Maybe if you weren’t so drowned in your research, you might have.”


‘I am not getting any peace today, am I?’ Ben sighed, realizing that it was better for him to go fishing.


…

…


“*Achoo!*” 


“Are you alright?” Punisher asked, while he looked half dead himself.


“I am,” I looked at the pale sickly looking guy, “Are you?”


He was quite well built now he looked like he would drop dead any moment.


He looked at his thigh, it was leaking blood. 


Unfortunately my buffs didn't include healing, or at least none that I could use at the moment.


“You should see a doctor.” I suggested, “I don't see any wanted posters of you despite your violent way of dealing with criminals. So, you can go to a general hospital as well.”


Honestly, I preferred his way over others. It was refreshing and it got rid of the problem permanently.


He stared at the ground for a long time. Possibly thinking or maybe even trying to handle the pain.


“What did you say your name was?” He finally spoke.


“Medea.” 


Obviously one of the many names that I had. 


“Are you a sorceress?” He asked and that made me wonder.


Most my powers were inherent but magic was something that could be learnt, right? Or was it not?


“I am.”


Medea wasn’t born with magic, right? Wasn’t she taught by Circe?


Now this led me to another dilemma.


If Medea wasn’t born with magic and learnt it all from Circe, can’t I learn magic without using the essence?


Or am I missing something about her story? 


Fuck, I need to do more research.


He nodded, “You aren’t on the side of those criminals.” He took a deep breath, “That's a relief.”


I could honestly understand why. 


Medea was weak for a one on one fight but in a team fight?


She was a monster when there was another person to fight besides her.


I could understand why he was worried.


Imagine if I was on the side of those three that died.


Punisher would have ended up being punished in that scenario. 


But as I thought about everything, Punisher asked me an interesting question.


“Are you going to keep saving this city like you did today?”


That was a question that I truly haven’t thought about.


Will I?


I wasn’t doing all these things hoping to save anyone, it was all the result of me experimenting with my powers.


But I did end up with times where I acted like a hero.


Eh, fuck it.


“I don’t know.” I shrugged, “Depends if I end up facing such situations again.”


Because I am definitely not going to look for villains actively.


…

…


[Queens, NYC]


“Thank you for the notes, Peter.” Gwen felt relieved as she ended up missing an important lecture because of a flu.


“Don’t worry about it.” Peter said, “You have helped me with bigger problems.”


While many didn't know and they didn't talk much in school, Peter and Gwen were friends.


“So, what have you been up to?” The girl asked, curious about the boy’s recent adventures.


“Nothing much, trying to work on a project and hoping to get a scholarship if that works out.”


“Ayy.” Gwen lightly slapped him over the shoulder, “I know you can do it. You always succeed.”


He shook his head, “Not always.”


He failed more times than he succeeded. Maybe not when it came to science, but at other times –he knew his luck was pretty bad.


“Anyhow, Congratulations.” He gave out a little smile, “For getting the internship.”


This made Gwen’s face brighten up.


“Oh, we worked so hard for this.” She breathed out, getting tired just from remembering the time she and Michael spent working. “At least it paid off.”


Peter was happy for her, as she was one of the only few that were always nice to him and even stood up to his bullies.


“I am glad that things didn't get awkward between us.” He suddenly said, amusing Gwen.


“Why would they?” She asked, curious.


“Well you know…” He rubbed his arm, “I asked you out and you rejected me.”


“Oh.”


Gwen recalled that Peter asked her out a few months back, but she also knew why he did that.


“You never truly meant it, Peter.” She sighed, “You were trying and thinking of using every way you could to get her off of your mind.”


Peter looked down.


“And that was something I couldn’t accept.” She said, “We have always been friends, and we will always be friends –nothing more nothing less.”


But to not make Peter feel worse by constantly meeting her, she kept her distance at the university for a while.


After all, it took time for people to heal


“Yeah.” The boy said, “That was my bad and I still feel guilty about it.”


She wasn’t wrong. He was trying to get a certain girl out of his mind so he tried everything he could to get that girl off of his mind.


He felt stupid for risking his friendship with Gwen over all that. And he was glad that Gwen rejected him without being angry at him.


“She is coming back in a few days.” Gwen said, staring at Peter’s expression. “Are you sure you will be alright?”


Peter didn't look at her, but nodded. “I think so.”


Gwen wasn’t sure how to help him, but she could at least express her concerns.


“You know that if you ever need my help, I will always be there.” She showed a bright smile, “And now you have people that care about you.”


‘She is right.’ Peter thought, ‘I have her, Ava, Sam, Luke, Danny and even…’


“And Michael likes you a lot too.” Gwen said, “So, I know that he will be happy to help you too.”


‘And Michael.’ Weirdly enough, he had not spent as much time with Michael as he had with the rest. But somehow, he felt comfortable around Michael.


But that suddenly made him curious and look at Gwen.


“You like him, don’t you?”


The was not a question that Gwen was ready for.


“W-What?”


And definitely not a question she had an answer for.


Or well…


An answer that she was certain about.