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640. Avengers' Training: Captain America
🕑 Added 2024-08-22 05:16:49 +0000 UTC“What’s on your mind?” Edward asked as he led Steve into the Potential Testing Room.
“Where can I start?” Steve sighed. “I just woke up from the ice, realizing everything I knew and loved was dead or different. I took solace in the fact the world was a better place and was trying to adapt to modern life. Then, Fury contacted.
“At first, I thought this was an opportunity to help people. Everything in modern life was different, but I figured helping people would be the same.” Steve turned to look at him. “Then, you came in.”
Edward could only apologize with his eyes.
“I’m now thrust into a world with Gods and demons, a world in which the lives of trillions is a regular amount of casualty. So, how do you think I’m doing?”
Edward tapped him on his shoulder. “All I can say to you, Cap, is that destiny doesn’t choose people for no reason. I was chosen to be this world’s guardian for a reason, and I chose you to help because I know what you’re capable of.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
The test started, and Steve had to do a few things. First, he had to throw his shield at a specific target, followed by being asked to give an impromptu speech. Then he was electrocuted and asked to resist, and finally, he had to bear some kind of pressure in his mind. Edward received the results a few minutes later, and his lips twitched. He expected the result to be as abnormal as the others, but one part of it almost made him angry.
“A natural Willpower of 8. No wonder he could break his body's limit and stop Thanos for a short period,” Morgana commented. Meanwhile, Edward was still salty. He went to so much to get a Willpower level of 8, but Steve probably got it after a small blessing from the Universe Will. Yes, he refused to believe his Willpower was naturally this high. The highest he’s willing to accept Steve had was 5 — the same as Asta from Black Clover.
“What do you think?” Morgana continued. “With his Willpower, a combination of [Aura] and Haki might be the best for him. However, that would not make good use of his other excellent attributes.”
According to the test, Steve tested high in two other categories: leadership and the Power of Hope. This was the first time Edward had seen someone with this talent, but he was not unfamiliar with the concept.
“We could try to make him a Paladin,” Edward stated. “However, I haven’t come into contact with a potent Light Dimension, and Light Magic has always been my worst achievement in all the elements.”
If Thunder was Edward’s best elemental magic, then Light was his worst. Of course, his worse also meant he was an expert compared to some people. Of course, he did not measure up to the Arcanist back home, who had reached the pinnacle of Light Magic.
“We could make a Light Dimension for him,” Morgana suggested. “We have the technology to use the Power of Hope from the Green Lantern’s emotion spectrum, so it should not be a problem to combine it into a light dimension, turning him into the ultimate Paladin.”
“Okay, then, that’s the…Wait, I have an even better idea that can save us so much work.” Edward said.
“I’m all ears.”
“He’s Captain America, but how about we turn him into Captain Universe,” Edward said. “I remember reading in a comic that Superman was the embodiment of hope in the universe. As long as the universe has hope, he cannot die permanently or be erased from reality. We can turn the Cap into the hope of this timeline — its recognized protector.”
“You want to ask the Universe Will to recognize Steve as this timeline’s official protector and grant him strength, and in return, the Captain will dedicate his life to serve and protect this universe?”
“You follow along nicely,” Edward gave a thumbs up.
“If it works, that would save us a lot of time, resources, and effort,” Morgana praised. “However, I think we should still build the Light Dimension and an army of Paladin.”
“Yes, and it could also be a backup means for Steve in case we one day have to oppose the Universe Will, and he requires another power source.”
“Here comes your paranoia again,” Morgana rolled her eyes.
“You’ve been rather quiet,” asked Steve. “Is something wrong?”
“No, but here is the plan.”
Cap frowned after hearing his training method.
“What? Don’t like it?”
“I have no problem, except with the idea of being a symbol.”
Edward suddenly remembered what happened to Cap right after the serum. “The universe and I are not America, so we have no plans to use you as a marketing ploy.”
“That’s good to hear.”
So, Edward took him to see the Eternal Consciousness.
“Sorcerer, what is it this time?”
“This is Steve Rogers,” Edward pointed at Cap, still shocked by the being before him. Upon laying eyes on the Eternal Consciousness, Steve saw the birth of the universe and the creation of all lives.
“I’m aware of all the sentient beings born in my universe,” replied the Eternal Consciousness, seemingly implying something with its words. However, Edward ignored him.
“Here’s why I brought him here….”
“A guardian? A noteworthy suggestion,” the Eternal Consciousness commented. “But is this human worthy to represent the universe? Can he bear the duty that is going to be imposed on him? I will test him first and, based on the result, decide on the next course of action.”
“Do as you please,” Edward replied, preparing to wait until the test finished. However, that rude Universe Will told him to leave, so he returned to his magic tower to work on the Paladin Project. He thought he would have long, but when he was a quarter done, Steve appeared outside the tower, floating in the air with his shield now drawn with this galaxy like image.
“Cosmic Energy?” Edward commented. “No, this is something else.” Steve was using Cosmic Energy, but it was more of a byproduct of a power he had not completely mastered.
“It’s like he’s fused with the universe and drawing strength directly from it. This reminded me of the Power Cosmic from the comics,’ Edward talked to Morgana.
‘Wai, but why is his strength only Tier 6?’ the little elf asked, making Edward frown.
“Did something happen?” he asked Steve.
“I wasn’t completely successful,” Steve replied.
“What do you mean?”
“The Eternal Consciousness said I have two major flaws that prevent me from being a perfect guardian.”
“Flaw? Are you talking about Peggy and Bucky?”
Steve nodded, and Edward grunted softly. Bucky disappeared with Hydra, so he could do nothing about that.
“I can’t do anything about Bucky, but I may be able to help with Peggy.”
“How?” Steve asked directly.
“I can revert her to her youth, but whether she’s willing to give your relationship another try is beyond me.”
“I’ll go ask her.” Steve turned into a bright light as he flew into the distance. He could grant Peggy eternal youth or even eternal life with his newfound power. However, it went against his duty as a guardian to use his power in such a selfish manner. Luckily, he had Edward for this kind of thing.
Steve then returned ten minutes later.
