American Comics: Heaven's Reward

A week is a strange measure of time—neither too short nor too long.

For the Aesir gods, a week is but a fleeting moment, equivalent to less than a single night's sleep for humans, a mere blink in the span of their existence.

Word quickly spread that Thor was preparing to lead an army to quell the unrest in Vanaheim. The people of Asgard buzzed with excitement at the thought of their great prince stepping into the role of a leader, much like Odin himself. The anticipation was palpable, as they hoped for another victory for Asgard under Thor's command.

During this week of preparation,

Aaron devoted every waking moment—save for meals and the occasional sleep—to perfecting his abilities.

He didn't even step foot into the Academy of Magic, instead burying himself in his studies. Irene, concerned for him, visited to check if everything was alright, especially since Amora had mysteriously disappeared in the past few days. When she found Aaron completely absorbed in his magical training, her worry turned to relief.

It was well-known that magicians often forget to eat or sleep when they immerse themselves in their studies, and Aaron was no exception. What amazed Irene was the level of focus Aaron displayed. He wasn't merely working hard—he was becoming extraordinary, pushing the limits of his potential.

As she watched him work, she couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and pressure.

Geniuses were formidable, but Irene was no stranger to hard work. She considered herself a genius who had worked tirelessly to achieve her current level. However, Aaron's brilliance—and his ability to work even harder than she ever could—left her feeling like there was no comparison.

"You've become so strong in just one day... How terrifying is Aaron now?" Irene thought as she left, her expression conflicted.

Meanwhile, inside Aaron's room...

Aaron opened his eyes with a deep breath, finally ending his intense focus.

"It's done…" he muttered. "With my current strength, defeating the former me would be a piece of cake."

His training was paying off.

Character Stats:

Name: Aaron

Life: 1000/5000

Abilities: God rewards those who work hard

Skills:

Energy Absorption (Asgard Meditation) LV6 (36,000/1,000,000)

Fighting Technique LV5 (2/100,000)

Swordsmanship LV5 (2/100,000)

Materialization Magic (Phantom Magic) LV5 (1/100,000)

Space Storage LV4 (10/10,000)

Spear LV4 (2/10,000)

Mind Barrier LV4 (2/10,000)

Psychokinesis LV4

Energy Explosion LV4

Attributes:

Intelligence: 3

Strength: 4

Speed: 3

Endurance: 4

Energy Strength: 4

Fighting Skill: 6

Strength Evaluation: Surface level (second-rate superhero)

With his training focused primarily on improving his magical energy reserves, Aaron had devoted the rest of his energy to leveling up his swordsmanship, fighting technique, and materialization magic. Other aspects of his abilities were left at a decent level, sufficient for now.

After this strengthening session, his energy intensity and fighting skills had increased by one point. Other attributes remained static.

"If I could get my hands on magic that enhances physical strength..." Aaron thought, his eyes narrowing. "I could become a real powerhouse. I could even become a well-rounded warrior, not just a magician."

But for now, his main focus was on boosting his physical power through magic. He knew that simple training wouldn't suffice—he needed something more to push his strength, speed, and endurance beyond natural limits.

Thor and Odin's immense physical power came from inherited divine magic, not just raw strength. Thor's divine power endowed him with resistance to energy and incredible physical resilience. In contrast, Hela's divine power provided her with extreme regenerative abilities, capable of healing wounds quickly if she had a constant energy source.

Aaron speculated that such body-strengthening magic might only be available from Odin himself. Even Frigga, Odin's wife, had never mastered it. As for the magicians of Kamar-Taj, it was unlikely they knew of such a technique. Otherwise, magic-powered superhumans would be a common occurrence.

"There's a chance Hela could have such magic," Aaron mused. "After all, she crushed Mjolnir with one hand while still under the seal. That shows how far beyond normal Asgardians she is in terms of strength."

His thoughts wandered as he analyzed the situation. If Odin didn't offer him the magic he sought, he'd be open to negotiating with Hela for it. The opportunity to enhance his body's potential was too valuable to pass up.

Shaking off those thoughts, Aaron refocused. "For now, it's time to test my materialization magic."

The upcoming military action in Vanaheim was the perfect opportunity for a real-world test. Heimdall had informed him of the mission, and Aaron was eager to see how his magic performed under actual combat conditions.

At the Assembly Point...

As Aaron made his way to the gathering, he was met with a scene of Asgard's finest warriors. Thousands of elite soldiers stood in formation, ready for battle. They were positioned at the edge of Bifrost, awaiting the command to embark on their mission.

With a single word from Thor, they would step onto the Bifrost bridge and instantly teleport to Vanaheim to launch their strike against the enemy's strongholds. The Asgardians had mastered this tactic, using Bifrost to teleport directly to enemy territory, striking before their foes had a chance to respond.

The force at the front of the group was a select few, led by Thor himself. Loki, the three warriors of Asgard, and Sif—Thor's inner circle, the future leaders of Asgard—stood ready to lead the charge. Together, they were the future of Asgard's military might.

Odin had carefully planned to prepare Thor for the responsibilities of leadership, ensuring a smooth transition when he ascended to the throne. Yet, despite all the preparation, there were cracks in the plan. Loki's and Hela's presence remained an unpredictable variable. Ragnarok was destined to come, and no plan, however meticulously crafted, could change that.

As Odin's enemies gathered, and the ever-looming threat of the Eternal Surtur's sword rose on the horizon, the end of Asgard seemed inevitable.