American Comics: Heaven's Reward

"The god of magic from Asgard has appeared!"

As soon as Aaron appeared, someone from the temporary camp sent the news to S.H.I.E.L.D.

Nick Fury quickly received the intel.

He subconsciously stood up, quickly called Phil Coulson, and explained a few things again.

After explaining, Nick Fury closed his eyes and meditated.

"Asgard... God of Magic... I hope it's worth it. Don't let it come to those ten steps."

Phil Coulson, who had been staying in the temporary camp, walked outside while answering the phone, letting out a sigh of relief.

It's finally over.

He just didn't know if the result would be good or bad.

During this time, Phil Coulson had not left New Mexico.

Braving the sky full of yellow sand and scorching sun, he had been waiting for Asgard's visitors.

No choice—after hearing what Charles said, everyone was worried that those gods had actually come to bring warmth to their homes.

For this reason, Phil Coulson hadn't had any holidays this month.

Although the salary was good and the tasks few, he still preferred to be back in S.H.I.E.L.D rather than stay in this hellhole.

"Sir!"

As soon as Phil Coulson went out, he was greeted by a female officer.

He recalled that the other party had been sent by the military and remembered her name: Agatha Ha Nicks?

Which department did she come from?

Why couldn't he remember clearly?

Phil Coulson shook his head, putting the matter aside for the moment.

Although he didn't have a deep impression of Agatha, he knew she had been specially sent by the military to monitor S.H.I.E.L.D's operations, which was part of a joint operation.

Phil Coulson wasn't particularly interested. If it weren't for the military and certain congressmen making a fuss, he wouldn't have stayed here this long.

Like a watchdog, waiting in vain.

However, due to the military's involvement, he had to take her along to meet the living myth.

Almost at the same time,

Charles also got word of Aaron's presence.

He immediately assembled the X-Men.

Logan and Scott, who received the news of were the first to arrive.

"Professor, did Jean come with him? How is she? Did that guy do anything to her?"

Logan spoke quickly.

Scott glared at him, "Logan, those words aren't for you."

However, in response to Scott's rebuke, Logan just gave him a contemptuous glance.

"According to the news we received, Jean is in good condition."

"This operation—Scott and Logan, both of you need to control your emotions."

"Don't speak out of turn. Our main task is to come to a satisfactory conclusion to avoid war with Asgard."

Charles stressed the point to the two, especially to Wolverine. It was fine to be irritable normally, but in the face of such a major event, they needed to be serious and obedient.

If any inappropriate words led to dissatisfaction on the other side, it could cause great harm to Mutants and even all of humanity.

"Understood!"

Scott took a deep breath, and Logan responded casually.

As for whether he'd listen, that was probably something only he knew.

After giving the two of them instructions, Charles turned to the doctor.

"Ororo, you go fly the fighter plane first, wait outside. When we arrive, rush to New Mexico immediately."

"Peter, John, Bobby, after we leave, you'll take over the protection of the school. Protect the other students and avoid any attacks from anti-Mutant radicals."

The desert operation had made Charles realize that there were many forces that hated Mutants, lurking in the darkness and unseen.

They could be hostile to Mutants for various reasons, and even use them as subjects for inhumane experiments.

Colonel Stryker was just the tip of the iceberg.

But even he secretly plotted a series of schemes. If he succeeded, Mutants might be wiped out!

Therefore, Charles also remained vigilant.

He hadn't taken all the combat power with him.

Colossus Peter's ability to transform all tissues into steel-like substances made his combat power impressive.

Combined with John, who controlled fire, and Bobby, who could create ice, their combat effectiveness was quite formidable.

In terms of raw power, they were on par with the official X-Men.

It was just that they lacked real-world experience, but Charles was confident they'd become qualified soldiers in the future.

"Don't worry, professor, we'll definitely protect the academy."

Upon hearing Charles' orders, the three of them responded enthusiastically.

Seeing this, Charles wanted to say something, but suddenly a golden portal appeared in front of him.

Everyone immediately tensed up, watching the uninvited guest warily.

However, the expected enemy did not appear.

On the other side of the portal, Jean was waiting to greet them.

"Jean!"

Scott and Logan took a step forward at the same time, then glanced at each other, their eyes filled with suspicion.

"Is this similar to space teleportation magic?"

"As expected of the God of Magic!"

After a slight sigh, Charles took the lead and walked toward the portal.

While teleportation wasn't such a strange ability— the former Red Devil and current Nightcrawler could perform similar feats—they could only teleport short distances.

But Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters was located in New York, over 2,000 kilometers away from New Mexico!

Nightcrawler could only teleport short distances, while the Red Devil could only teleport such long distances.

And Aaron had not only long-distance teleportation abilities, but also displayed more powerful magic skills during the battle with Magneto.

Perhaps only a magician could achieve such omnipotence?

When many abilities are gathered in one body, it's not an exaggeration to call oneself a god.

"Professor!"

After Charles brought everyone over, Jean greeted them.

Charles nodded with a smile in response, then looked at Aaron, who seemed to be troubled by something.

His heart skipped a beat.

What's happened?

Is there something making him unhappy?

"Hush!"

Jean put her index finger to her lips and whispered to the group, "I don't know why, but he's been like this ever since he arrived. It seems like something is bothering him."

"Troubling things? What could make the God of Magic troubled?"

Charles found it hard to believe.

Aaron, who had been under everyone's gaze, was looking around thoughtfully.

He sensed a mysterious magic circle surrounding him.

It spanned several kilometers.

The magical aura was faint and inaudible.

Had it not been for his recent improvements, Aaron might not have noticed it.

At this moment, Aaron could tell that the magic circle was still inactive.

But he was sure that its creator could activate it at any time.

Who could it be?

Aaron thought deeply.

Though he knew a lot about magic, he had never seriously studied magic circles.

Because that stuff involved more complicated matters.

Aaron hadn't had the time to focus on it.

Even so, Aaron could still sense that this magic circle came from a powerful magician.

Its complexity was astounding.

The magical runes used in the circle were ones Aaron was very familiar with—it was rune magic!

When Aaron studied enchanting, he had learned this kind of rune magic, but it was mostly used for enchanting.

As for studying magic circles, he, who had never done research on it, was no match for the one who set up the circle.

"Although I don't know who it is, since a magic circle has been set up here, it's most likely aimed at me!"

"There's no doubt about it!"

"Interesting…"

Aaron was curious about who the magician behind it was.

It couldn't always be Kaecilius.

He had just fled from Kamar-Taj, so he couldn't possibly have had the time to set up the magic circle here.

And even then, Aaron didn't think Kaecilius would have the guts to do it.

Unless he obtained the power of Dormammu, someone like Kaecilius might dare to take the lead.

Since it wasn't him, Aaron hadn't provoked any other magicians on Earth.

"The Earth is truly full of surprises! I've only been here for a short while, and someone is already bold enough to plot against me."

Aaron thought it over and, since he didn't know much about magic circles, decided to play it safe for now.

In silence, Aaron completed a magical coordination in front of everyone.

At this moment, Phil Coulson arrived with a group of people.

Among them was Colonel Stryker, who was bound.

Aaron glanced at Stryker, then turned his attention to the female officer next to Phil Coulson.

From her, Aaron sensed an evil magical aura.

At Aaron's gaze, it would have been unbearable for anyone else to tremble, but the female officer didn't panic at all. Instead, she looked at Aaron up and down, as though sizing him up as prey.

It was obvious that her eyes grew larger, then she showed a very satisfied smile.

"Hello, God of Magic from Asgard! I am S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Phil Coulson, and on behalf of S.H.I.E.L.D and the United States, I send you my most sincere greetings!"

"Regarding the last nuclear weapons incident, I would like to say..."

When Phil Coulson saw Aaron, he immediately began speaking according to the prepared script, with formal diplomacy that rivaled international standards.

But he quickly realized that Aaron's attention wasn't on him—it was on her?

Agatha!

Could it be that the God of Magic had a preference for this kind of woman?

Phil Coulson couldn't help but wonder.

Although the records showed Agatha was around 50 years old, she looked no older than 40, exuding a mature charm.

Age aside, her allure was undeniable.

From his years of experience as an agent, Phil knew many people found her attractive.

And the God of Magic might not care about her age.

The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became.

If the God of Magic truly liked this type of woman, this conversation would go smoothly!

However, Phil Coulson was clearly overthinking it.

He soon realized something was wrong with the atmosphere!

It wasn't the romantic, rosy vibe he expected, but rather the oppressive aura of impending war.

As time passed, the tension grew stronger and stronger.

It felt like the air itself was pressing down on them.

"Who are you!"

Aaron spoke first…

He stared at the female officer's appearance and had his answer.

Who else on Earth could possess such magical prowess and dare to plot against him, except Agatha, who mastered black magic?

"Agatha Harkness, an ordinary Earthling, now a Colonel in the United States."

Agatha's demeanor was so sweet and charming that it was hard to tell she was feared as the Dark Witch of the magical world.

"Really? Maybe you've left out an identity, Dark Witch!"

As far as Aaron knew, Agatha had lived for hundreds of years, active in the United States since the 17th century.

She had been tried by a coven for practicing black magic.

But when they were about to execute her, Agatha, having mastered black magic, absorbed all their powers and killed them.

Among them was Agatha's mother, the coven's leader.

With black magic, Agatha drained the powers of many witches, becoming the nightmare of all witches in the area and gaining immortality.

Even after hundreds of years, she appeared no older than 40.

Later, she even set her sights on Scarlet Witch, who had killed Vision.

This triggered a series of events in Westview.

She almost absorbed Scarlet Witch's Origin Magic Power.

But at the crucial moment, she was countered by Scarlet Witch with a rune and ended up absorbing her magic instead, becoming the true Scarlet Witch.

This was a ruthless character in the magical world.

Furthermore, Aaron suspected she might still possess the Darkhold.

The dark artifact tied to black magic and Sithorn's power.

A powerful item capable of plunging its wielder into darkness and seducing them with the power of the ancient gods.

"So, Agatha has her sights on me?"

"Seeing the vast magical energy within me, is she tempted?"

Dark Witch!

Agatha is a witch!

Phil Coulson was startled internally, but his expression didn't change. He'd already stopped the pistol in his hands.

The next moment, he leaped aside, aiming the gun at Agatha.

"You're not from the military!"

Agatha didn't even look at Phil Coulson, an ordinary human who could easily be dismissed.

What was a pistol to a powerful witch?

This time, Agatha had merely wanted to see if the God of Magic from Asgard was real.

After studying black magic and living for hundreds of years, Agatha's perspective had evolved.

She craved more powerful power and dreamed of growing from a witch to a god.

Her particularity led her to closely follow the news from the magical world.

When Aaron appeared, he immediately caught her attention.

To be cautious, she had bewitched everyone at S.H.I.E.L.D and secured a false military identity.

Then, she set up a magic circle nearby as insurance for her plans.

After seeing Aaron, she was quite pleased.

The immense magical energy within him was like the most delectable pastry in the world.

It was irresistible.

"God of Magic, your magical prowess is truly surprising. I thought I had hidden it deep enough, but I didn't expect someone to find me so quickly."

Agatha's eyes were cold, and her gaze sharpened like an ice-cold blade.

Aaron understood.

She was no longer hiding her intentions.

She was aiming for him.

Just like her coven in the past, she would use any means necessary.

Now, the real battle began!