Solomon had no idea about the private schemes between Nick Fury and Coulson, nor was he aware of the so-called psychologist they had in mind. Even if he did know, he probably wouldn't care. However, Fury and Coulson were correct about one thing—Solomon had absolutely no tolerance for agents interfering in his life. While he might not resort to killing, and even if the intruders weren't Hydra agents, he certainly had the means to leave them mentally incapacitated if necessary.
But for now, the plump onion before him was far more important than any inquiries from S.H.I.E.L.D.
Today, his apartment was hosting a rare guest—Solomon's prospective university mentor. Athena had vetoed Solomon's original intention to enroll in Oxford's archaeology and theology programs. Both Kamar-Taj and Athena's collections contained innumerable artifacts, and Athena herself, as a renowned artist, had no desire for Solomon to waste time studying subjects he had already mastered. She knew he was simply looking for an excuse to slack off. Theology, too, was out of the question—despite his excellent academic record, Solomon had never been baptized, rendering any enrollment in such a program pointless.
Athena instead hoped he would enter a mathematics research institute or delve into a modern scientific field, rather than waste time poring over ancient texts. When it came to this matter, Athena and the spellcasters were unparalleled in their expertise. The Ancient One had no objections either; in the realm of Solomon's secular education, she deferred to Athena's authority. As his "adoptive mother," Athena's word carried weight, leaving Solomon with little room to argue.
Thus, he sought out a mentor in applied physics, specializing in astrophysics. His chosen mentor was someone he had met once before—a distinguished professor who, after Thor's arrival on Earth, had gained recognition for her published papers in SCI journals, earning her an honorary professorship at Oxford. Her research on Einstein-Rosen bridge theory had even positioned her as a candidate for the Nobel Prize in Physics. Such a prestigious mentor was more than qualified to guide Solomon. Securing a spot as her intern had required pulling some strings, but as long as Solomon passed his A-level exams, he was set to become an undergraduate in astrophysics.
Yet, this accomplished mentor now sat at the dining table, visibly uneasy. Even her intern, after much hesitation, only dared to tentatively reach for the plate of cookies. The oppressive aura of the two witches at the table was overwhelming—their flawless physiques and stunning appearances left anyone in their presence feeling utterly inferior.
Bayonetta maintained her perpetual smile, while Jeanne remained cold and stoic. The atmosphere was so stifling that the silence felt almost tangible—until a Cheshire Cat wearing an Elizabethan collar jumped onto the table, breaking the tension somewhat.
"Oh my gosh, a cat! You have a cat here! Hello, little cutie!" Darcy laughed, reaching out to scratch the Cheshire Cat's chin. Having lived through Thor's arrival on Earth, she had decided to switch her focus from social sciences to applied physics and was now studying under Jane Foster. After receiving Solomon's invitation, she had insisted on tagging along, as she was privy to certain details and wanted to see what a sorcerer's home looked like. However, she couldn't pinpoint the location of the apartment, as Solomon had transported them directly into the living room via a portal.
"What is this?" Jane Foster asked hesitantly. "Did you conduct some sort of genetic experiment on this cat? Sorry, I don't mean to sound accusatory… I just… It's an impressive scientific breakthrough, genetic editing…"
"Jane, relax," Darcy said with a grin, patting her mentor's shoulder. "It's magic! Ever since my mom left me in a shopping cart at the supermarket, I've been hoping a sorcerer would whisk me away to a magical school. This cat has to be the Cheshire Cat from fairy tales. It must talk! Look, it's glaring at me. It understands what I'm saying—it's a magical cat!"
"Last time, you said you were sold in a cardboard box," Jane muttered, rolling her eyes. "And before that, you said your mom's boyfriend traded you for drugs. And the time before that, you claimed…"
"Don't sweat the details." Darcy shook her head dismissively. "I can't remember much anyway. I was high on one of my mom's joints. The point is, it's magic! You know what that means? It means Hogwarts exists! Solomon Damonet must have passed his exams and is now continuing his magical education. When he comes out of the kitchen, I'm going to ask him all about the magical world!"
Jeanne almost broke into a smile. She found Darcy's free-spirited imagination rather endearing, as did Bayonetta. Compared to the stiff and overly serious Jane Foster, Darcy was far more likable. What puzzled the witches, however, was Solomon's insistence that his interest in Jane Foster wasn't due to her connection to Thor but her own potential. According to Solomon, Jane was remarkably gifted in her own right.
"There's no such thing as magic! Asgardians are just aliens…"
"Seared sirloin steak with a beef consommé reduction," Solomon announced, emerging from the kitchen and levitating the freshly prepared meal to the table with a flick of his wand. "Thanks to Stark Industries, I've acquired all the beef I need. Alongside the main course, there's a fruit and ice cream dessert, as well as a pot of tea. You won't be disappointed."
With another wave of his wand, he placed a small sprig of broccoli on each plate. "For dietary balance."
"Wow!" Darcy exclaimed, unable to contain herself. "You must be a Hufflepuff."
"Darcy!" Jane scolded, trying to curb her intern's embarrassing behavior.
"It's fine," Solomon said, taking his seat. "I enjoy using magic for cooking—it saves a lot of time."
"Uh, sorry, Mr. Damonet," Jane said awkwardly. "I wanted to ask about the mechanism of the Bifrost and your portals…"
"This is mealtime," Solomon interrupted. "Academic discussions can wait until tea in Norway later this afternoon. As for how I brought you from London to New York, it wasn't science—it was magic. There's no need to deny the existence of magic. Magic and science are parallel paths to uncovering universal truths, neither superior to the other. Just now, you witnessed magic firsthand. My wand has no integrated circuits or power sources."
"But I…"
"That's just prejudice," Jeanne remarked coldly. "Stubborn girl."
"Then why are you studying applied physics? Why choose me as your mentor?" Jane asked, a hint of skepticism in her voice. "Surely you could find someone better. If you don't mind, I could introduce you to my mentor, Erik Selvig…"
"I'm simply exploring universal truths. Blind faith in either science or magic leads to dogmatism, and I'm a more flexible individual," Solomon replied with a wink. "As for why I chose you, it's because you happen to be in the know. Given my busy schedule, it'll be easier to request leave under your supervision. Don't worry, Darcy. As long as you help with my papers, the magical skincare products I promised you are yours."
"Awesome!"
"Can you go to Asgard?" Jane suddenly asked, her tone anxious. Her thoughts were clearly elsewhere, focused not on papers but on Thor. "You were there when Thor came to Earth…"
"Diplomatic matters with Asgard are indeed my responsibility, Ms. Foster," Solomon replied. "But there's no need to worry. Thor is currently stabilizing rebellions across the Nine Realms. You'll see him again soon enough."
"I think Solomon has other reasons for choosing you," Bayonetta interjected suddenly. "He sees potential in you. This has nothing to do with Thor. He simply values those who can significantly contribute to humanity's progress."
"Why?"
"Because it's my duty. Now, let's enjoy the meal before the steaks get cold," Solomon concluded.
---
"Why didn't you tell Jane Foster the real reason?" Bayonetta asked immediately after their guests left. Her intuition told her there was more to the story. Narrowing her eyes with a lazy, skeptical expression, the witch pressed him, "I think you're hiding something, just like you did back then with me."
"If she can't grow beyond Thor, she's worthless," Solomon replied coldly, shedding the warmth he showed to guests. "The Einstein-Rosen bridge theory needs many contributors. Losing her wouldn't halt progress. What I value is her potential to wield Mjolnir. However, that Jane Foster is not who she is now. In other words…"
"In other words, you want her to claim Mjolnir and take Thor's power?"
"You could say that," Solomon said with a smile. "The more forces aligned with humanity, the better. Only then can we face the crises of the future."
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! Only $5 per novel or $15 for all!!] [www.p@treon.com/Mutter]