Ethan spent the next few weeks intensively testing the full extent of his newfound metahuman abilities. He needed to understand the limits of his powers, how to control them, and how they might evolve under different conditions. The results were both thrilling and astonishing. His ability to absorb and release energy was unparalleled, but what truly excited him was the discovery of a unique transformation that occurred when he absorbed an immense amount of energy at once.
This special state, which he likened to the "binary mode" of Captain Marvel, was triggered when he absorbed an extraordinary influx of energy—be it solar, kinetic, electromagnetic, or magical. When entering this state, his body emitted a radiant, almost celestial glow, as energy coursed through him at an unprecedented intensity. His physical capabilities were amplified to a staggering degree
In this binary state, Ethan found he could accelerate to nearly 30% the speed of light in a vacuum. His body became a blur, his movements imperceptible to the naked eye, allowing him to cross vast distances in mere moments. The resistance of the air, friction, and even gravity seemed negligible as his energy absorption counteracted these forces.
One of the most profound discoveries was his ability to survive and operate in the hostile environment of space. By absorbing solar energy, Ethan no longer needed to breathe, as his body used the energy to sustain itself indefinitely. He also became immune to the extreme temperatures and radiation of the vacuum, making him an untouchable force in outer space.
In this heightened state, his strength temporarily increased by a factor of 20. This meant that if his base strength allowed him to lift 3,000 tons, he could now lift an astounding 60,000 tons while in binary mode. His punches could shatter mountains, and his energy blasts could disintegrate massive asteroids. However, this immense strength and power were temporary, dependent on the energy reserves he could store in this form.
His flames, infused with Shazam-like properties, reached an astonishing new temperature of 100,000°C while in binary mode. This intense heat allowed him to melt through nearly any material, whether it was advanced alloys, reinforced barriers, or even the toughest extraterrestrial substances.
While other forms of energy provided temporary boosts, lunar energy remained the only source capable of permanently enhancing his strength and durability. By absorbing moonlight, Ethan's body continued to grow stronger and more resilient. Previously, his moon-based body strengthening process allowed him to increase his strength by 30 tons per month. Now, with his enhanced ability, this rate had skyrocketed to 150 tons per month.
This meant that his physical evolution under moonlight was accelerating exponentially. Where his base strength had been 600 tons, it now stood at an impressive 3,000 tons. And with the continuous strengthening under moonlight, there seemed to be no ceiling to how far his abilities could grow.
This is an overview of his newly gotten abilities:
1. Energy Manipulation
He could absorb almost all forms of energy—kinetic, thermal, electromagnetic, and magical—and release it in devastating attacks. This meant that even if he were struck by a nuclear explosion or the kinetic force of a superhuman punch, he could turn the incoming energy into a counterattack of equal or greater magnitude.
2. Enhanced Endurance
His ability to absorb energy also extended to attacks that would typically overwhelm others. For instance, Superman's punches, heat vision, or even lightning strikes would only empower him further. Ethan's body acted as a living energy capacitor, rendering most conventional and even superhuman attacks ineffective.
3. Combat Adaptability
By absorbing the kinetic energy of an opponent's blows, Ethan could render their attacks powerless while simultaneously amplifying his counterattacks. This adaptability made him a near-perfect combatant, able to overpower foes who relied on brute strength, energy-based powers, or even magic.
Ethan's moon base also benefited from his new abilities. He tested the rate at which his body could strengthen under concentrated moonlight. To his delight, the energy absorption process had become more efficient. With the enhanced lunar energy absorption, his moon base's specialized chambers allowed him to gain strength at an unprecedented rate.
Beyond physical enhancement, the moon base also served as a testing ground for his Shazam-based flames. He pushed these flames to their limits, watching as their temperature climbed from 6,000°C to a staggering 100,000°C. These flames were now hot enough to rival the surface temperatures of stars, making them a deadly tool against any opponent foolish enough to challenge him.
As Ethan concluded his tests, he took a moment to reflect on the magnitude of his abilities. He was no longer just a genius inventor or a skilled combatant—he was becoming something far greater. With the ability to absorb and manipulate energy, survive in space, and harness the power of lunar energy to continuously strengthen himself, Ethan was reaching levels of power that rivaled or even surpassed the greatest heroes.
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Ethan paced across his penthouse, his mind alight with calculations and strategies. The flickering skyline of the city outside his windows was nothing compared to the storm of ideas brewing in his head. Standing before the holographic interface of Helios, his AI companion, he issued his next directive.
"Helios," he began, his tone calm yet firm. "We start with Project Star. Begin by procuring the materials and equipment necessary for a muon catalytic fusion reactor. Use the black market if needed—ensure there's no traceable connection back to me."
"Understood, sir. Compiling a list of suppliers and resources required. Estimated time for acquisition: three weeks."
Ethan nodded, his mind already leaping ahead to the construction phase. "Good. I'll use that time to finalize the design schematics. Ensure we acquire the highest quality materials—no compromises."
"Acknowledged. I will prioritize discretion and efficiency," Helios confirmed."
Ethan turned his attention to the holographic projection of the reactor design. The concept of a muon catalytic fusion reactor was revolutionary—an energy system capable of harnessing near-limitless power by inducing fusion reactions at room temperature. Unlike traditional nuclear fusion, which required extreme heat and pressure, muon-induced fusion relied on subatomic particles to collapse hydrogen nuclei.
This reactor would be the perfect energy source for the Echo Box, elevating it to its full potential. With it, he could power galactic-scale projects, terraform planets, and unlock the true capabilities of his technology.
Ethan stood in the center of his underground lab, surveying the massive, cleanroom-like space. It was the kind of place where the future was forged, where science met ambition. The space was sleek, minimalist, and well-lit by cold, sterile lights that gleamed off polished metal surfaces. Every surface was covered in blueprints, schematics, and holographic displays, mapping out the intricate details of his latest project: the Muon Catalytic Fusion Reactor, or Project Star.
This would be the breakthrough he needed. Fusion, the process that powered stars and, if harnessed, could provide unlimited energy. But not just any fusion—Muon Catalytic Fusion. A far more efficient form of fusion, using muons to drive hydrogen atoms to collide at room temperature, bypassing the insane temperatures and pressures required by traditional methods. The implications of this technology were staggering. He could generate enough power to fuel his Echo Box indefinitely, and the possibilities for planetary-scale manipulation, terraforming, and cosmic engineering were endless.
The theory behind Muon Catalytic Fusion wasn't new—it had been proposed decades ago, but the technical challenges of generating and sustaining the necessary conditions had kept it out of reach for most of humanity. In a traditional fusion reactor, such as the tokamak-style reactors in use today, hydrogen atoms were heated to millions of degrees to form plasma. But the real trick to fusion, as Ethan understood it, was overcoming the Coulomb barrier—the repulsive force between the positively charged nuclei of the hydrogen atoms.
This is where muons came in. A muon is a heavier cousin of the electron, with about 200 times the mass of an electron. In a fusion reactor, if muons could be introduced into the system, they would replace the electrons in hydrogen atoms, bringing the atomic nuclei closer together. The increased mass of the muons would effectively lower the Coulomb barrier, allowing fusion to occur at much lower temperatures.
The problem had always been the generation and containment of muons. Muons were unstable and decayed within microseconds, making their use in a continuous process incredibly difficult. But with his vast resources, advanced knowledge of quantum mechanics, and the high-tech materials at his disposal, Ethan was determined to make this work.
Ethan began the process by procuring the materials needed to build the reactor. Unlike conventional reactors that used metals like copper and titanium for containment, the Muon Catalytic Fusion Reactor required far more exotic materials—materials that could withstand intense electromagnetic fields and the high-energy particles produced during fusion reactions. Helios, his AI assistant, handled the procurement from the black market, sourcing everything from specialized superconductors to rare isotopes for the muon production system.
First, Ethan constructed the fusion chamber, the heart of the reactor. He used an advanced alloy composed of tungsten carbide and vibranium—a material capable of withstanding immense heat and pressure. This chamber would house the fusion reactions, containing the hydrogen isotopes and allowing the muons to interact with them. Surrounding the chamber was a series of superconducting magnets that created a magnetic confinement system, much like a tokamak, but vastly smaller in scale and far more efficient.