Drift Of The Multiverse: [Marvel] [Resident Evil] [DC] [Bleach] [DB]
Chapter 311: Not A Mutant (BONUS)

Chapter 311: Chapter 311: Not A Mutant (BONUS)

Ethan was particularly dissatisfied right now. He refused to believe there was no way to change this group’s preconceived notions.

"It looks like Mr. Senator doesn’t believe me."

David Brickman maintained a very friendly smile, as if showing goodwill, but he didn’t know how to respond. At this moment, keeping a friendly smile was the safest way to handle things.

Most of the time, the other party would naturally change the topic. Unless the person was dissatisfied with him, it was rare for anyone to fixate on a particular issue and not let go.

Unfortunately, that trick wasn’t working today.

In the past, those who came to question him were either lower in status or seeking favors. When they saw he didn’t respond, they would understand his meaning: he didn’t want to dwell on the subject.

So he tried the same tactic now.

But Ethan wasn’t his subordinate. The one questioning him wasn’t some politician looking for help, and even if Ethan understood what Brickman meant, he wasn’t going to play along.

"Mr. Senator, how do you think I can prove that I’m a magician?"

David Brickman realized this question couldn’t be avoided. As for how to prove it? He honestly had no idea. In his understanding, magicians only existed in fictional movies and TV shows. It was hard to describe their characteristics—just strange powers that didn’t really exist.

Looking left and right, Brickman could only respond casually, "You said you came from another world?"

"Yes."

"How did you come into this world?" Brickman thought for a moment and continued, "Have you been to other worlds?"

"Through a special teleportation magic that breaks the barriers between planes."

Ethan thought for a moment, then to reinforce his explanation, the surging magical energy transformed into one orb after another, like well-behaved pets. In an instant, the large reception room seemed to become a unique celestial observatory. The scene created by these orbs was more awe-inspiring than IMAX.

Not only was Brickman stunned, but even Charles and Erik were speechless. As for Moira? She was completely dumbfounded.

"Each orb represents a universe. In my eyes, countless universes are displayed like this. All I have to do is break through the protective layer surrounding the orb and step inside."

The scene before them was shocking. Rather than saying ten thousand words, it was far more convincing to demonstrate something extraordinary. Although Brickman still suspected that this might just be Ethan’s mutant ability, he was at least willing to keep listening instead of flat-out labeling him a mutant.

He also realized that if Ethan truly wasn’t a mutant but actually a magician, it would mean ordinary people might also have the potential to gain special abilities.

With that thought, Brickman no longer rejected Ethan’s repeated insistence that he wasn’t a mutant. On the contrary, he became even more eager to know more.

Ethan briefly introduced the nature of mages, confirming Brickman’s speculation: mages could be trained from ordinary people.

It’s just that the entry threshold was extremely high. People without talent didn’t even qualify to become apprentices.

Of course, Ethan wouldn’t kindly tell him that he lacked talent. He would simply keep raising the bar. Whether Brickman could find a suitable apprentice was none of Ethan’s concern.

His repeated emphasis on his identity was mainly to avoid being associated with mutants.

That wasn’t beneficial to either the mutants or himself.

Ethan then deliberately demonstrated several of his spells. Compared to mutants—whose powers were mostly singular and rarely diverse—Ethan’s continued displays of different abilities served as a repeated reminder to Brickman that he was not a mutant.

He transformed these energies into water, fire, and even lightning. On the surface, he was showcasing the characteristics of different worlds, but in essence, he was exhibiting his range of abilities.

He also coordinated his illusions with explanations. By now, Brickman had begun to lean toward believing that the man in front of him really was a mage, especially after Ethan casually waved his hand, and his previously disheveled clothing instantly became neat again—like a trick straight out of a movie.

This kind of ability didn’t look like something a mutant would possess.

There had never been a mutant who could master so many completely different powers at once. Apocalypse was still asleep in Egypt, after all.

Brickman gradually began to accept that Ethan wasn’t a mutant, and then he realized he might have stumbled into something big.

If Ethan was telling the truth, the implications were enormous.

In addition to the possibility that ordinary people could master special powers like mutants, this also hinted that humanity wasn’t alone in the universe. There were even countless parallel universes.

This meant boundless resources, but it also meant potential crises.

Both resources and crises could become bargaining chips. The possible existence of either made his original plan all the more viable.

Brickman had been planning to form a mutant task force. He wanted to use the powerful abilities of mutants like Charles and Erik to establish a special department dedicated to fighting crime. As long as it could protect the United States and its people, the initiative could accomplish great things. As the one behind it, he would establish his political foundation.

It would also address mutant-related crimes. The prestige gained from that would help him rise further.

But even that wasn’t enough. The information Ethan brought—the existence of countless parallel universes—meant that nobody could guarantee a sudden invasion from another world.

That made the value of a strong armed force skyrocket. His original idea of recruiting a mutant task force now carried even more weight, and the potential benefits were even greater.

"Are there any people or forces capable of breaking the barriers between planes and hostile toward other universes?"

Ethan nodded. He didn’t go into too much detail. In fact, he didn’t need to. It was enough to make them understand that this multiverse was far more dangerous than they thought.

In a world that didn’t yet have heroes of a higher level or greater powers, the X-Men would become their most reliable and powerful team. This could help ease the conflict between humans and mutants to some extent.

Of course, it would still be very difficult for humans to fully accept mutants. For now, mutual compromise was the only path. Then, through the long-term efforts of the X-Men, ordinary people could come to understand that having powers didn’t mean mutants could act with impunity. If they could be held accountable by law, public hostility toward mutants would gradually fade.

However, many mutants lost control of their powers during adolescence. The damage caused by such loss of control was often too severe to be treated as anything less than intentional crimes. If this problem wasn’t addressed, public resentment toward mutants would never disappear.

But Ethan wasn’t their guardian. He found it interesting enough to lend a hand here. Let Charles and Erik handle this headache.

Besides, even among ordinary people, conflicts across nations and races were never-ending. Hoping for total unity? That would only be possible if there were an alien invasion, and humanity stood on the brink of extinction. Only then—when the old order and ideology collapsed—could true unity emerge.

The conversation eventually shifted back to Charles and Erik. Ethan reiterated countless times that he didn’t belong to this world and that he would leave soon. He made it clear they could get information from him, but not to expect him to stay and work for them.

Brickman was a sharp man. He understood Ethan’s message and began focusing on the two young mutants.

What’s more, Ethan had shown that he had a good relationship with the two. If they encountered trouble in the future, Ethan wouldn’t mind lending a hand.

In other words, forming a good relationship with those two mutants also meant having a connection with a wizard capable of traversing universes. If everything Ethan said turned out to be true, Brickman would be more than willing to bet on them.

For instance, by promoting the X-Men’s acts of justice to the world, people would come to understand that some powerful mutants were working hard to maintain world peace.

These were things Charles had failed to do well in the past. Ethan reminded him that one of the reasons for working with powerful politicians was publicity.

Sometimes, this is just how it is—no matter how much you do, if no one knows about it, it’s like you did nothing. If mutants caused a disaster, and the media ran wild with it, they could easily drag the entire group into the abyss. Even if the X-Men stepped in afterward, it would be useless.

With memories of his "past life" to guide him, Charles no longer rejected the idea of working with politicians. At the very least, Brickman had been very cooperative. If nothing unexpected happened, they would likely become long-term partners.

If everything went well, there would be no issue forming a strategic alliance.

Overall, the meeting went smoothly. All sides achieved their goals.

Brickman found a political bargaining chip for his future. If everything went well, he would gain prestige and rise further. If Ethan’s words were later confirmed, he might even become a crucial figure in this world.

Charles found a political ally he could get along with, and the two sides reached a preliminary agreement. Though the X-Men would lose some of their freedom by becoming official government agents, it was better than running around putting out fires and dealing with endless political pressure.

At least people on the same side would hesitate before stabbing them in the back. Not to mention, Brickman would help shield them from political fallout.

(To be continued.)

***

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