The Eternal Flame had now shrunk into a small wisp of fire.
Ethan controlled the tiny flame with a ring of magical runes, allowing it to float slowly around his body. The method itself was not particularly powerful. In fact, it was simply a crude magical structure he had constructed after observing Asgardian spellwork.
The runes formed a basic containment pattern.
The structure wrapped around the flame and held it in place, almost like gripping something in a hand. There was nothing especially sophisticated about it.
Of course, that simplicity was relative.
For the Asgardians, such control would be trivial. But for Ethan, who had only just begun experimenting with magic, there was still some uncertainty involved.
He was not yet fully familiar with magical systems.
The runes he used at that moment were experimental constructs based on his observations of Odin's spells. They had never been tested before.
Fortunately, the attempt succeeded.
His idea had been confirmed.
The Eternal Flame represented the embodiment of the source of magic itself. Using magical energy to contain it was the most natural method possible.
Ethan glanced back at Odin.
The king's face had turned darker than before, his expression as grim as storm clouds. In the depths of his eyes, a mixture of anger and deep resentment could clearly be seen.
Ethan noticed it immediately.
But he did not care in the slightest.
Half of the objective he had come for today had already been accomplished.
"So," Ethan said casually as he turned his head toward Odin, "can you give me the magical system of Asgard now?"
Odin's jaw tightened.
He hated the calm expression on Ethan's face, yet he had no choice but to comply. Without saying another word, Odin turned and pressed his hand against a hidden point on the nearby stone wall.
A rumbling sound echoed softly.
The stone surface split apart, revealing a hidden passageway behind it.
The corridor beyond was pitch black at first.
Then flames suddenly ignited along the walls on both sides, illuminating the passage with a steady glow.
Odin walked forward without speaking.
Ethan and Jean followed behind him.
The small flame formed from the Eternal Fire continued drifting quietly beside Ethan as they walked. After only a short distance, the three of them arrived inside a small stone chamber.
The room was lined with shelves.
But instead of books, the shelves held clusters of glowing spheres.
Each sphere radiated a faint fluorescent light.
Some glowed with a turquoise color, others shimmered with emerald blue. A few appeared dark as ink, while others burned with fiery red brilliance.
At the very top of the shelves rested a much larger sphere.
That sphere was multicolored, shining with countless hues that shifted constantly. Its size was roughly that of a basketball, far larger than any of the other spheres in the room.
"What is this?" Ethan asked curiously.
Odin answered without expression.
"These are the accumulated inheritances of knowledge gathered by Asgard over countless years. They contain the magical methods of our people and represent the crystallization of our civilization's wisdom."
"All the magical knowledge in the world?" Ethan repeated with a faint smirk.
He was not particularly impressed by the claim.
Asgardian magic was indeed extremely powerful, but the statement clearly contained some exaggeration. Ethan knew very well that magic across the universe was far more diverse than Odin suggested.
Even on Earth alone there were unique magical traditions.
For example, the teachings of the Ancient One—the Sorcerer Supreme—formed a system entirely separate from Asgardian magic.
At that moment, Odin raised the long staff in his hand.
Brilliant divine light erupted from the tip of the staff, forming a thin beam that connected directly to the large multicolored sphere at the top of the shelves.
The moment the beam touched it, the sphere began to tremble.
Its brilliant colors flickered and shifted unpredictably.
"Humm…"
A low vibrating sound echoed throughout the chamber.
The sphere suddenly split apart.
Two identical spheres appeared where there had once been only one. One of them remained on the shelf, while the other slowly drifted downward into Odin's waiting hand.
Odin looked at Ethan with a complicated expression.
Without saying a word, he tossed the glowing sphere toward him.
Ethan reacted instantly.
His telekinetic power wrapped around the sphere and held it suspended in the air before him.
The moment his mind touched it, an overwhelming flood of information burst into his consciousness.
Countless flashes of light exploded behind his eyes.
Images appeared one after another in rapid succession.
They were visions of magical principles, arcane structures, and endless spells unfolding before him. Every piece of information was presented with extraordinary clarity, as if someone were directly explaining the essence of magic to his mind.
Ethan was genuinely surprised.
He had not expected Asgard to store knowledge in such a direct way.
Instead of studying texts or scrolls, their accumulated knowledge could be transmitted instantly into one's consciousness.
It was an incredibly efficient system.
The process seemed to last only a moment.
At the same time, it felt as though an entire year had passed.
When Ethan finally regained full awareness, the glowing sphere had already disappeared.
Around him, the chamber still shimmered with countless faint colors from the other orbs. The surrounding magical energy carried a subtle sense of vitality, almost like a quiet celebration.
Inside Ethan's mind, a vast amount of knowledge had appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
Although the information now existed within him, truly mastering it would still require time. Understanding magic and applying it effectively were two entirely different things.
Fortunately, Ethan had never lacked confidence in his own abilities.
He had plenty of time to analyze everything later.
"Well," Ethan said with a satisfied smile, "my purpose for coming here has been achieved."
He turned toward Odin.
"So I won't trouble you any further. I look forward to seeing you again someday, Odin."
Odin's face twitched slightly.
His voice carried barely restrained anger.
"Since you have obtained what you wanted, then leave immediately. From this moment forward, you are an enemy of all Asgard."
"You should prepare yourself for that."
For someone who had ruled for countless years, Odin was not the type to quietly swallow such humiliation.
Even if he had lost today, he would not forget it.
Ethan merely laughed.
"Haha, thank you very much."
Then he reached out and took Jean's hand.
Under Odin's cold gaze, Ethan connected his mind to the power of the Cosmic Cube. In the space behind them, a portal suddenly formed.
The swirling gateway opened silently.
The two stepped backward into it.
The portal closed instantly, vanishing without a trace.
Odin tightened his grip around the staff in his hand.
His expression had grown darker than ever.
The next moment, his figure disappeared from the treasure chamber.
He reappeared inside the throne hall.
The once-grand chamber was now filled with wounded and fallen soldiers. Warriors continued rushing in from outside the palace, gathering around the scene of devastation.
Odin raised his staff.
His voice echoed throughout the entire realm of Asgard.
"My people… war is coming."
"You and I must prepare."
At that moment, a man hurried into the hall from outside.
He wore magnificent dark green armor, and a cloak of the same color flowed behind him. The man knelt on one knee before the throne.
"Father," he said respectfully, "what has angered you so greatly? What happened here?"
His eyes swept across the hall.
"Why are so many soldiers dead and wounded?"
"Loki, my son," Odin said slowly, "I have a task for you."
"Please command me, Father."
Odin lifted his gaze toward the distance.
His eyes seemed to pass through countless layers of space as he looked toward Earth. After a brief moment, he sighed softly.
"I want you to go find your brother and bring him back."
"Asgard now has a new enemy."
"He is extremely powerful."
"What?" Loki's expression changed.
A faint shadow flickered deep within his eyes.
He looked up sharply.
"Father, who is this enemy? Even with your power, you cannot defeat him?"
Odin shook his head slowly.
"I do not know his true limits. The enemy is powerful… and extremely difficult to deal with."
He lowered his gaze toward Loki.
"Go now. Bring your brother back immediately. Asgard needs him at this time."
"Yes, Father."
Loki stood and accepted the command.
He turned and walked toward the exit.
But the moment his back faced the throne, his expression turned dark and unpleasant.
.....
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