New Realities

Aaron woke up the next morning, feeling unusually refreshed. He glanced around the infirmary, noting how familiar and yet strange it seemed.

"Okay, Aaron, time to face the facts. This isn't a dream," he muttered to himself. "But if I'm really in a new world, does that mean I'm in some sort of Marvel universe crossover?"

His thoughts raced. "If Stark Industries is real, does that mean superheroes are out there? Am I in a world with Iron Man, or worse, villains? And which version of the Marvel universe is this? Is it the MCU, or does X-Men and the old-school comics play a role too? What if it's some mashup of everything?"

A sudden wave of anxiety hit him. "What if I'm not ready for this? What if I get caught up in some epic battle or-"

He took a deep breath and shook his head. No, stop that. I'm letting fear get the best of me. This is a new start. This is my chance to live differently, to break free from the mundane routine of my old life. I always wanted freedom, to live on my own terms. Now's my chance to make it happen.

He straightened up, giving himself a small pep talk. This life is a blank slate. Whatever happens, I've got the opportunity to shape it. I've always dreamed of being free, and now I have the chance to truly make it happen. No more being trapped in a corporate grind. No more feeling stuck. I can make something incredible out of this.

His mind flickered to the "golden finger" trope he'd read about in so many reincarnation novels. "Wait a minute—what about that golden finger thing from those novels? The one where every reincarnator gets some special ability or cheat? Could it be that I've got something like that?"

He grabbed the mirror from the nightstand and studied his reflection. Same white hair, blue eyes, and pale skin. "Well, well. This look is a lot like Gojo Satoru from 'Jujutsu Kaisen.' Could it be...?"

He tried to recall Gojo's abilities and got a bit excited. "What if I actually have powers like Gojo? Infinity, six eyes—imagine that! I could be like him, saying 'Infinity' and nothing can touch me!"

With growing excitement, he decided to test it out. "Alright, here goes nothing. Infinity!"

He said it with enthusiasm, expecting some grand result. Instead, he was met with the same quiet infirmary, nothing out of the ordinary happening.

Aaron stared at his reflection, a bit deflated. "Well, that didn't work. Maybe I need to wait or do something specific to unlock it. Or maybe it's not activated yet?"

He set the mirror back down and took a deep breath. "Guess I'll just have to be patient and see if anything changes. If there's a golden finger or some hidden ability, it'll probably show up eventually."

With a thoughtful look, he decided to face the day ahead and see what his new reality had in store. Even if it wasn't immediately clear, he was ready to take on whatever came next.Aaron stared at his reflection, trying to process everything. Just as he was about to get lost in thought again, the door creaked open. The nurse, a kind-looking woman in her early fifties, stepped in with a gentle smile.

"Good morning, Aaron. How are you feeling?" she asked, walking over to check his temperature.

"Uh, a lot better," Aaron replied, still trying to keep his cool despite everything going on in his head.

She nodded, satisfied with the readings. "That's good to hear. You've been out for a while, so you might be feeling a bit weak. Why don't you freshen up and have something to eat? Breakfast is still being served in the dining hall."

The nurse gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder before leaving him alone again. Aaron got out of bed, stretching his limbs. Despite feeling better physically than he had in years, there was a strange sensation of being in a body that wasn't quite his own—at least not yet. He took a moment to adjust before heading out.

In the bathroom, Aaron splashed water on his face and stared into the mirror again. "Okay, white hair, blue eyes… yeah, still me. Just, you know, different," he mumbled to himself before heading to the dining hall."Yeah, sure. Thanks," Aaron said, trying to keep his voice steady.The orphanage was bustling with morning activity as kids gathered for breakfast. Aaron, however, walked in without much fanfare. He had always kept to himself, partly because of his unusual appearance. His pale skin and striking features had always set him apart, making him somewhat of a loner. But now, he thought, That's actually a good thing. I don't need the extra attention, especially now that I'm mentally in my twenties.

He grabbed a tray of the familiar breakfast—scrambled eggs, toast, and a small cup of orange juice. Nothing fancy, but it was warm and comforting. Aaron ate quietly, barely acknowledging the other kids around him. Most of them were busy with their own conversations, hardly noticing him as usual.

This isolation works in my favor, Aaron thought as he finished his meal. No one really pays attention to me, and that gives me time to figure things out without being bothered.

Once breakfast was over, he returned to his room. The rest of the day stretched out before him, a blank slate just waiting to be filled. Aaron sat on his bed, his mind racing with possibilities.

First things first, I need to gather information, he mused. I need to know what's happening in this world, what events have occurred, and how much it overlaps with what I remember from the Marvel universe. If this really is some sort of Marvel crossover, knowing who's out there—heroes, villains, and everything in between—is critical. I can't just stumble around blindly.He leaned back, staring at the ceiling. News, internet, anything I can get my hands on… I need to find out as much as I can. Who's in power? What's the state of the world? If I'm going to navigate this place, I need to be prepared.

Aaron spent the rest of the day formulating a plan, mentally listing everything he needed to do. Information was key, and until he had a clearer picture of this world, he couldn't make any big moves.

One step at a time, Aaron. Gather the facts, then figure out how to use them.

He felt a sense of determination settling in. Whatever this new life had in store, he was ready to face it head-on.After spending most of the morning pacing around his room, Aaron decided it was time to start gathering the information he needed. He found a small television in the corner of the infirmary and switched it on, tuning in to a news channel.

The headlines were a mix of local events and technology updates. One segment caught his eye: a report on Stark Industries.

"Tony Stark continues to lead Stark Industries with groundbreaking advancements in technology and clean energy. His recent innovations have put him at the forefront of the tech industry," the news anchor reported.

Aaron's eyes widened. So it's 2007, and Tony Stark is making waves. No Avengers yet—just Stark Industries and the impact of his tech.His curiosity spiked, but the brief news clip didn't provide enough detail. He needed more.

Just then, the nurse entered, checking on him. "Aaron, are you alright? You seem a bit restless."

Aaron forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm feeling better. I just need to get some fresh air. Can I go out for a bit?"

The nurse hesitated. "You've just recovered, so don't overdo it…"

"Please? I won't be long. I just need a bit of a walk," Aaron pleaded.

After a moment's thought, she agreed. "Alright, but don't push yourself."

"Thanks!" Aaron said, grabbing his jacket and heading out.Outside, he took a deep breath, feeling the cool air clear his head. He made his way to a nearby internet café, a place he knew well from before. With some money saved up, he was ready to dive into the world's current events.

Inside the café, Aaron approached the counter, paid for some computer time, and settled into a booth. He logged in and started searching.

First, he looked up Stark Industries. The search results confirmed that Tony Stark was prominent in the tech world, focused on clean energy and advanced technology. No superheroes yet, just a lot of tech innovation.

Next, he searched for information on mutants and the Brotherhood. The reports revealed ongoing debates about mutants and their rights. The Brotherhood of Mutants, led by Magneto, was in the news for its activities and conflicts with authorities.So mutants are a big issue, and Magneto's Brotherhood is causing problems, Aaron noted. This is definitely a complicated world, with tensions running high between different groups.

He continued to browse for more details, gathering as much information as he could. The scope of the situation was becoming clearer: Stark was influential, mutants were controversial, and Magneto's group was active.

After spending several hours at the café, Aaron leaned back, feeling both overwhelmed and determined. I've got the basics now. Stark Industries is the big player, mutants are a serious concern, and the Brotherhood is stirring things up. I need to stay alert and figure out my next moves carefully.With a final glance at the time, Aaron logged out and left the café, heading back to the orphanage. His mind was racing with new information and plans. This new life is full of challenges, but also opportunities. I've got to be smart about how I navigate this world.

As he walked back, Aaron felt a renewed sense of purpose. This life might be different, but he was ready to take it on

Aaron arrived back at the orphanage just in time for lunch. The usual meal was being served in the dining hall. His mind was still buzzing with all the new information he'd gathered.

After lunch, he returned to his room. He needed to process everything and figure out his next steps. The idea of having some kind of special ability—maybe even something akin to Gojo's powers—hadn't left his mind.

If there's any chance I have some kind of special energy or ability, I need to find out, he thought, setting his room up for a bit of self-exploration.

He cleared a space on the floor and sat down cross-legged, trying to remember any techniques or practices he'd seen in anime or read about in comics. Meditation seemed like a good start. He closed his eyes and took deep, steady breaths, trying to center himself and focus inward.

Come on, Aaron, focus. Just because the mirror didn't show anything before doesn't mean I should give up. Let's see if I can feel anything inside.

He focused on his breathing, letting his thoughts drift away. Time seemed to slow as he concentrated, feeling the silence around him. He tried to sense any form of energy, any hint of something unusual.

Minutes passed, and while he didn't feel anything immediately, he remained hopeful. He imagined himself drawing in energy, like he'd seen in his favorite anime. Nothing yet, but maybe I need more practice.

After a while, he opened his eyes, feeling a bit more relaxed but not much else. No visible results yet. I might need to keep trying or find another approach.

Aaron decided to give himself a break and return to his research later. For now, he needed to rest and mentally prepare for whatever was coming next. With a determined look, he resolved to keep experimenting with his abilities and stay vigilant about the world around him.