Chapter 2: The Test Drive

Chapter 2: The Test Drive

When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was how light I felt. The pain from the previous day was completely gone, replaced with a strange sense of power and control over my body. I jumped out of bed, feeling my muscles move in perfect synchronization—strong, precise, and balanced. As I walked over to the mirror, I stopped, blinking at my reflection.

"Damn," I muttered with a grin. My body had undergone a total transformation. Lean, toned muscles covered my frame, but it wasn't just for show—this was the physique of someone who had mastered the art of combat. I flexed a little, admiring the new definition. "Shang-Chi's got nothing on me now."

I felt amazing, but the real test was in how I could use it. Throwing on some casual clothes, I made my way to the backyard, eager to see what my newly acquired skills could do. I started with basic punches, gradually increasing the speed and intensity. My movements were precise, fluid, as if they were second nature. Every strike felt powerful, yet controlled. My balance, footwork, and agility were on a whole new level. I tested out a few more advanced techniques—flips, sweeps, and counters—and everything felt perfect.

The knowledge and muscle memory had fully integrated with my body. I couldn't stop smiling.

After a quick shower, I grabbed a simple breakfast and thought about my next move. I had Shang-Chi's martial arts, billions in my bank account, and an entire city to explore. San Fransokyo was a beautiful mix of futuristic tech and culture, and today felt like a good day to get out there and see it.

But first, I knew where I wanted to go.

"Aunt Cass's café," I muttered to myself. I'd always loved that cozy little spot when watching Big Hero 6. Plus, Aunt Cass herself... well, let's just say she had certain *assets* I wouldn't mind seeing up close. My mind drifted to the movie, remembering those moments where the camera had unintentionally focused on her, well, backside. The thought made me grin.

"Let's go check out the café... and maybe those big—"

I stopped myself, laughing. This was real life now, and I wasn't going to let my imagination run too wild. Still, the thought of seeing Aunt Cass in person was enough to put a spring in my step.

After finishing breakfast, I grabbed my phone, checked the map, and headed out. The sun was shining, and the streets of San Fransokyo were bustling with life. The futuristic city was even more impressive in person—hover cars zipping by, towering skyscrapers, and an overall vibe that mixed high-tech with an almost traditional charm. As I walked, I couldn't help but marvel at how vibrant and alive everything felt. This wasn't just a movie anymore; this was my reality.

I spotted the café down the street, the familiar sign hanging above it. My heart raced a little, and I couldn't deny my excitement. I pushed the door open, the smell of fresh pastries and coffee filling the air. The café was cozy, just like I remembered it.

And there she was.

Aunt Cass, standing behind the counter, busy with some orders. Her cheerful smile lit up the room, but my eyes couldn't help but wander for a moment, catching sight of those famous curves as she bent slightly to grab something from the counter. *Well, the animation didn't do her justice,* I thought, trying not to stare too much. But I wasn't going to lie to myself—Aunt Cass was even more stunning in person.

I quickly composed myself and walked up to the counter, trying to keep it cool. "Hi, just a coffee, please."

Aunt Cass turned to me with a smile, and I almost forgot what I was doing. "Coming right up!" she said cheerfully, moving with her usual energy.

As she prepared my order, I couldn't help but wonder what was next for me. I had the skills, the resources, and now, I was making connections in this new world. Tadashi's fate, the plot of the movie, and everything else were still on my mind, but right now, I was just enjoying the moment.

Who knew? Maybe I could carve out a life here that was even better than what I had imagined.

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Aunt Cass's POV

It was a typical day at the café. The steady hum of conversations, the clinking of cups, and the familiar scent of fresh coffee filled the air. I loved the atmosphere here, how it was always alive yet cozy, like a little slice of calm in the middle of the busy city.

As I wiped down the counter, I heard the bell over the door ring. Another customer. I barely glanced up until I heard a voice, smooth and clear.

"Hi, just a coffee, please."

I turned, ready to greet them with my usual smile, but when I saw him, I had to pause for a second. He was... well, *good-looking* would be an understatement. Tall, fit, and with a sharpness in his features that immediately caught my attention. His eyes were bright, and there was something about the way he carried himself—confident, but not in an arrogant way. Just... self-assured. He almost had this presence about him, like he was completely comfortable in his own skin.

"Coming right up!" I replied, maybe a little more cheerfully than usual.

As I busied myself with making his coffee, I couldn't help but sneak a few more glances at him. I mean, it's not every day someone like *that* walks into the café. He looked so fit—like he spent a good amount of time training or working out. I tried not to let it distract me too much, but it was hard not to notice how well-built he was, especially compared to most of the customers I saw every day.

When I handed him his coffee, our hands brushed for just a second. I could feel a little flutter in my chest, but I quickly shook it off. *Cass, you're just surprised,* I told myself, trying to stay focused. It's not like this was anything more than a random, good-looking customer.

"Here you go," I said, my voice steady, though my thoughts were still a little flustered.

He smiled as he took the cup from me, and for a brief moment, I felt almost mesmerized. There was something in his eyes—like he knew more than he was letting on. But before I could dwell on it too much, he thanked me and went to find a seat.

I turned back to the counter, trying to act normal, but my mind was still replaying that moment. Sure, it was just a regular coffee order, but I couldn't help feeling a little intrigued. 

Okay, Aunt Cass, get it together. He's just a customer. Nothing more.Still, a small part of me couldn't help but wonder who this handsome stranger really was.

For now, though, I just smiled to myself and went back to work, brushing off the feeling as nothing more than a passing thought.

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Max's POV

As Aunt Cass handed me my coffee, our hands brushed for just a second, and to my surprise, I noticed a faint blush spreading across her cheeks. It caught me off guard for a moment. *Wait, did I just make Aunt Cass blush?* I thought to myself, a little amused. 

I couldn't help but chuckle internally. *Am I really that good-looking now?* I guess I had been so caught up in acquiring skills, mastering fighting techniques, and adjusting to this new life that I hadn't really stopped to think about how I must look to other people now. My body had transformed overnight, and it seemed like it wasn't just the martial arts that were impressive—apparently, the system had also done wonders for my overall appearance. Not bad.

Sipping my coffee, I tried to enjoy the atmosphere of the café. The place was cozy, just as I'd imagined it would be, but soon my attention was drawn to the door as a familiar group walked in—Tadashi and his friends. 

And there she was.

Go Go Tomago.

My heart skipped a beat. Seeing her in real life,—it was like a dream come true. She was even more stunning than I remembered from the movie. That tomboyish look, the short black hair, the sharp gaze… she was everything I had admired growing up. My childhood crush, standing just a few feet away.

As they sat down together, Tadashi and the others started chatting about their latest projects. I could hear bits and pieces of their conversation—Baymax was coming along nicely, and they were excited about some new tech they were developing. But my focus was on Go Go. I couldn't help but watch her, fascinated by how cool and composed she was. 

And then, suddenly, our eyes met.

It was one of those moments where time seemed to slow down for just a second. I hadn't expected her to notice me, but there it was—her piercing gaze locking with mine. My heart raced a little, but I tried to play it cool.

"Hi," I said, offering a casual wave.

To my surprise, she responded. "Hi," she said back, her voice softer than I expected. It was different from her usual demeanor—the tough, no-nonsense persona she usually projected. She was the quiet type, rarely engaging with strangers, and yet here she was, acknowledging me with a subtle smile.

I smiled back, feeling like I had just made a small connection with someone I had admired for so long. This world was full of surprises, and I was more than ready to explore what came next.

As I sipped my coffee, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. Things were definitely getting interesting.

----

As I finished my coffee, ideas kept racing through my head. If I wanted to make a real impact in this world, diving into technology was the key. And I knew just what I needed: the intellect of Tony Stark and Reed Richards—the smartest minds in the Marvel universe. With their skills, I could create anything.

I quickly accessed the system and purchased both skill sets. Immediately, a rush of knowledge poured into my brain. The designs, the science, the cutting-edge theories—it was all there. But as incredible as it was, the sudden overload caused a sharp pain to pulse through my head.

I winced, trying to keep my cool, but it must have shown on my face because Aunt Cass noticed right away. She hurried over, concern in her eyes.

"Are you alright, young man?" she asked, her voice soft but serious.

I tried to play it off with a weak smile. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just stayed up too late working on a project."

She gave me that knowing look, the kind only someone with years of experience caring for people could give. "You don't look alright. How about you come to my house and rest for a bit? You really shouldn't push yourself."

I started to protest. "No, it's fine, really—"

But she cut me off with a smile. "If I'm not looking after my customers, what kind of café owner would I be, hmm?"

I chuckled a little. She wasn't going to take no for an answer. "Alright, alright. I appreciate it."

We headed upstairs to her home, and she guided me into her cozy living room. "Here, lie down on the couch and rest for a bit," she said, her motherly instincts kicking in. "I'll call Hiro down to grab you some medicine."

As I settled onto the couch, she turned towards the stairs and called, "Hiro! Come down here, please!"

In no time, Hiro appeared at the top of the stairs, looking curious. As Aunt Cass was about to head back to the café, she paused and looked at me. "By the way, what's your name? I didn't catch it earlier."

"Max," I replied, smiling slightly.

"Alright, Max," she said with a warm smile. "Hiro will bring you some medicine and water. Rest up, and don't push yourself too hard. I'll be downstairs if you need anything."

With that, she went back to the café, leaving Hiro to take care of me. He handed me a glass of water and some medicine, his curiosity piqued.

"So, Max, what's up with the headache?" he asked as I swallowed the pills.

I smiled, leaning back against the couch. "I stayed up late working on a project."

Hiro's eyes lit up with interest. "What kind of project?"

I paused for a second before answering. "I'm working on a suit of armor. One that can fly and fight."

Hiro blinked, his eyes wide with excitement. "Wait, like a superhero suit?"

I grinned. "Yeah, something like that."

He leaned in closer, fascinated. "That's so cool! What kind of tech are you using? Is it AI-driven or more mechanical?"

I chuckled. "It's a combination of both. I'm still working out the details, but when it's done, it'll be something big."

Hiro's face lit up with excitement. "I'd love to see it when it's ready. Maybe we could even work on it together sometime!"

I nodded, feeling the excitement build within me. "Definitely. I think we could make something incredible."

Hiro smiled and headed back upstairs, leaving me to rest. As I closed my eyes, the knowledge from Stark and Richards continued to swirl in my mind. The possibilities were endless, and now, with Hiro potentially on my team, the future looked brighter than ever.

----'zz

It was evening when I woke up, feeling much better after the rest. My body had fully adjusted to the new skills, and the headache from earlier was long gone. I stretched, savoring the newfound strength and sharpness in my mind, then made my way downstairs to the café.

Aunt Cass was busy with the last few customers of the day, but as soon as she saw me, she smiled warmly. "Feeling better, Max?"

I nodded, grateful for her kindness. "Yeah, a lot better. Thanks for letting me rest, Aunt Cass."

She waved it off with a smile. "It's no problem. You come back anytime, okay?"

"Definitely," I replied, smiling. "Thanks again. I'll see you soon."

We exchanged goodbyes, and as I stepped outside into the cool evening air, I couldn't help but think about how surreal the day had been. I'd met Tadashi, Hiro, Go Go, and even Aunt Cass herself. Honey Lemon had been there too, although I hadn't interacted with her much yet. It was amazing being around them, knowing that this world was real.

Walking through the quiet streets of San Fransokyo, I began to wonder what my next step should be. I had the skills of two of the smartest men in the Marvel universe, and a world of possibilities was ahead of me.

Maybe I should take things to the next level. With Tadashi and his friends already working on their tech projects, it would make sense for me to be where they were—San Fransokyo Institute of Technology. It was the hub for all the innovation and cutting-edge science in the city.

A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. Yeah, that's exactly what I should do. With everything I've gained, I could really make a difference here. Plus, being closer to Go Go, Hiro, and the others wouldn't be a bad thing either.

"San Fransokyo Institute of Technology," I muttered to myself. "Here I come.