What Loki didn't know was that while energy explosion magic was certainly powerful, its mana consumption was immense. For most people, it would be a draining tactic—using it could lead to more harm than good if it wasn't managed well.
However, Aaron had Energy Absorption, a unique ability that allowed him to replenish his mana almost instantly. This made his usage of energy explosion magic much more feasible, whereas others would have to deal with the repercussions of running out of magical energy.
Even though Aaron's mana absorption was efficient, he still knew that, with more time, he could enhance his abilities even further. "In the end, it's just a matter of time," he thought. "Even with my Energy Absorption, I can't quickly reach the level of Odin. If I could, I wouldn't need to rely on these drastic measures to defeat a few Stone Titans."
Aaron wasn't entirely pleased with how things had unfolded. He knew that duplications combined with energy explosions were a potent combination, but the toll it took on his mana reserves was considerable. There were other ways to fight that didn't drain his magical energy as much—like materializing magic to create powerful weapons instead of expending it in explosions.
"You know, Aaron, your magic is impressive, but I'm glad Loki doesn't know how to use it," Thor remarked, chuckling.
Loki, with his skill in phantom duplication combined with invisibility and energy explosions, could pose a serious threat if he wielded such magic. Thor knew that, in the wrong hands, Loki's abilities would make him almost impossible to counter. The destructive power of an invisible Loki using an energy explosion was unimaginable.
Aaron only rolled his eyes at Thor's compliment. He wasn't concerned with what Loki might do. His focus remained on Amora and the quest to find the holy spring, which was crucial to improving his magical abilities.
With the defeat of the Stone Titans, the battle was over. The rebels in Vanaheim laid down their weapons, and the Asgardians began to secure the area. Despite the remaining forces being relatively strong, they were unable to continue fighting due to the loss of leadership.
"Thank you, Thor, Aaron, for saving my people," Hogan said, stepping forward to express his gratitude.
"It's nothing. You're our friend, and it's what we do," Thor said with a grin. "And the Vanir have always been allies to Asgard. We've fought side by side in the past, and we'll continue to do so."
Aaron merely nodded, acknowledging the sentiment, but his mind was elsewhere. He was eager to get back to his studies and his quest for more magical power.
The day passed quickly, and soon the rebels were imprisoned, with Asgardian forces left to guard the area. The rest of the party returned to Asgard via Bifrost.
Once back, Aaron began meditating, focusing on restoring his magical reserves. As he did so, news of the battle spread quickly throughout Asgard, and Odin made sure to let everyone know about the victory.
With so many participants in the battle, including the infamous Stone Titans, it was impossible for the fight to remain secret. Odin saw this as an opportunity to promote Thor's accomplishments. After all, Aaron was a trusted ally, and with him gaining recognition, it would only benefit Thor's rule.
The people of Asgard celebrated the victory, and the event was marked as a significant moment in the kingdom's history. However, Odin had bigger plans. The Frost Titans from Jotunheim and the Flame Titans from Muspelheim were still lurking, and defeating them would further solidify Thor's reign.
Thor had proven himself capable against the Stone Titans, and Odin had little doubt he could take on the other Titan factions. But the king of Asgard still worried about his son's impulsive nature. Thor's strength was immense, but his recklessness often put him in dangerous situations.
Meanwhile, Asgard was caught in the midst of a celebratory frenzy. Thor's victory over the Vanaheim rebels, along with the legend of the Stone Titans being vanquished, had the people singing his praises. It was a glorious time for the kingdom.
However, the name that was on everyone's lips was not just Thor's—Aaron's name had become almost as famous, if not more so. His contributions to the victory were undeniable. His use of powerful magic, his incredible skill in battle, and his mastery over energy spells had made him a hero in his own right.
In fact, Aaron's fame spread so quickly that it surpassed even Thor's. Whispers in the streets spoke of his magical genius, of how he single-handedly routed Vanaheim's rebels and shattered the Stone Titans with energy magic. Some even claimed Aaron had defeated Fandral in a sword duel and resisted Amora's charms.
Fandral, in his drunken moments, had confirmed these stories. His admission only fueled the rumors, and soon, Aaron was talked about as though he were a god himself. His achievements were magnified beyond belief, and the excitement around him only grew.
Of course, this rapid rise to fame didn't sit well with everyone. Amora, who had been the subject of much gossip after Aaron resisted her charm, was furious. She'd once been feared by many, but now, people questioned her powers. Women especially came to her seeking the truth, and many were disappointed by her failure to enchant Aaron. Her reputation was severely damaged, and she sought revenge through her magical abilities, promising to make Aaron regret his defiance.
Loki, however, was the one who felt the most resentment. For thousands of years, he had been overshadowed by Thor, and though he could tolerate it—after all, Thor was strong and worthy of his fame—Aaron's sudden rise was something entirely different. A newcomer to magic, a junior compared to him, had earned accolades that Loki had long desired.
Loki had worked hard, mastering both magic and combat, yet Aaron had earned all the glory with little time spent in training. How could Loki accept this? He, too, wanted to be recognized, to have his own fame and glory. But it seemed that Aaron had taken everything he had ever wanted with ease.
The more Loki thought about it, the angrier he became. It was unfair. He was supposed to be the one to stand out, to be the one people admired. And yet, here was Aaron, taking all the attention, all the praise.
His jealousy burned, and he found himself storming to Frigg, his anger growing with every step.
He wanted the glory. He wanted to surpass Thor, even Aaron. He wasn't going to let anyone steal what he believed was rightfully his.