Training Arc Pt.3

Mark didn't stop at biology and training. He also delved into the Flaxans' weaponry and interdimensional technology. Their energy weapons, while powerful, weren't perfect. Mark reverse-engineered them, memorizing their best features with his Kryptonian brain while discarding the flaws.

Their portal technology, however, was a different challenge. Mark spent weeks studying the mechanics of their dimensional travel, experimenting with ways to control and stabilize the portals. He knew this knowledge would be invaluable—not just for returning to Earth, but for potential future battles across dimensions.

By the end of his study, Mark had refined the Flaxan portal device into his special suit so he could open portals with his mind. "It's sort of similar to Angstrom Levy's powers," he said, testing the new system. "But to perfect it I need Levy to study how his powers worked." 

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Mark stood in the ruins of a Flaxan facility, his newly upgraded suit shimmering faintly in the dim red sunlight. His body ached from weeks of relentless training, and his mind buzzed with ideas. The Flaxan technology had given him tools to enhance his strength and intellect, but there was a deeper power he wanted to explore—something far more enigmatic than his physical abilities.

'Kryptonian Magi…' The thought lingered in his mind, dredged up from fragments of memories implanted by the Codex and his past life. He recalled reading in Superman comics about how Kryptonian Magi were once powerful wielders of magic, isolating themselves as their civilization turned toward science and technology. The Codex within his soul wasn't just a key to Krypton's genetic legacy—it was a repository of knowledge and potential. And it had something he wanted: the genetic blueprint of the Magi.

"If they could harness magic through their genes," Mark muttered to himself, pacing the facility's central chamber, "then so can I."

He closed his eyes, focusing inward. The Codex wasn't just a source of knowledge—it was part of him. Its presence resonated in his soul, humming with untapped potential. If he could find the genetic material tied to the Magi, he might unlock something Kryptonians had long since abandoned.

Mark began by using the Flaxan medical chambers to map his own genetic code. As he examined the results, the Codex's influence revealed itself. Strands of Kryptonian DNA shimmered with potential, the markers for his Kryptonian and Viltrumite traits intertwining seamlessly.

"There it is," Mark whispered, his eyes narrowing as he identified the dormant sequence. Buried deep within his Kryptonian DNA was the inactive genetic code of the Magi. It wasn't entirely dormant—the Codex ensured it remained viable. All he had to do was awaken it.

The process was delicate and dangerous. Using the Flaxan bioengineering tools, Mark created a series of targeted genetic activators. He knew he was playing with fire. Manipulating his own DNA could have unintended consequences, but he couldn't resist the allure of unlocking magic.

As the activators worked, Mark felt a strange warmth spread through his body. His senses sharpened, and the world around him seemed to glow faintly with an aura he hadn't noticed before.

"It's working," he breathed, a grin spreading across his face. "This… this is incredible."

The first sign of success came during a sparring session with his holographic clones. As Mark dodged a strike, his body instinctively emitted a faint pulse of energy, sending the clone staggering backward. He froze, staring at his hands.

He spent the next several days testing his abilities, meditating, and focusing on the energy coursing through him. Unlike his Kryptonian powers, which were fueled by the sun, or his Viltrumite strength, which was intrinsic, this energy felt different—more fluid, more malleable.

Mark delved deeper into the Codex's knowledge of the Kryptonian Magi. He discovered that their magic wasn't purely mystical—it was a fusion of biological adaptation and universal energy manipulation. With this understanding, Mark began to push his limits.

He experimented with spells, using mental constructs derived from his Codex-enhanced intellect:

Elemental Control: Mark summoned gusts of wind and created small flames, manipulating the environment to his advantage.

Augmentation: By channeling magic through his body, he temporarily enhanced his speed and strength, amplifying his Viltrumite abilities.

Dimensional Anchoring: Using his understanding of Flaxan portal technology, Mark experimented with magic to stabilize and redirect dimensional energy making his dimensional portals stronger.

Mastering magic wasn't without its struggles. Unlike his Kryptonian and Viltrumite powers, magic required precision and patience. Mark's frustration often bubbled over during failed attempts.

During one training session, Mark attempted to create a teleportation spell. The energy backfired, sending him tumbling across the chamber. Groaning, he picked himself up, glaring at the faint scorch mark on the floor.

But each failure only fueled his determination. The Codex's knowledge gave him a roadmap, and his hybrid physiology ensured he could withstand the strain. Slowly but surely, Mark's control improved.

As Mark's abilities grew, he uncovered an astonishing truth about his hybrid nature. With his Kryptonian cells being enhanced by the Viltrumite smart atoms, this adaptation amplified his Kryptonian magical potential.

"The smart atoms are acting like a magical amplifier," Mark realized during one of his meditative sessions. "They're taking the energy I channel and boosting it, making my spells more potent. This… this is insane". The realization was exhilarating. 

Three years in the Flaxan dimension had changed Mark in every way. Physically, he was stronger, faster, and more resilient. His Kryptonian-Viltrumite biology had adapted beyond anything he thought possible, and his training had pushed his Viltrumite base abilities to new heights.

Mentally, he was sharper and more focused. The Codex, combined with Flaxan technology, had expanded his understanding of science, engineering, and strategy. He wasn't just a fighter anymore—he was a tactician, an innovator, and a force to be reckoned with.

As he stood in his newly upgraded suit, the fabric shimmering as it adjusted to his movements, Mark surveyed the ruins of the Flaxan civilization. He felt no regret for what he had done. This was necessary for his own growth and now he had his own personal dimension that he locked down to outsiders using his magic.

"I'm not just invincible," he said, a confident grin spreading across his face. "I've got magic now. The universe doesn't stand a chance."

With that, he activated the portal and stepped through, ready to return to Earth and face whatever awaited him.

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Author's Notes:

I uploaded the next two chapters to my p£treon, Bah_Goat, so if you want to get access to early chapters check it out.