Chapter 85: Karn is a Magical Prodigy (Extra Chapter for the Leader "From Heaven to Hell, I Passed Through the Mortal World") 4/5

The power of magical creatures granted Karn an unusual affinity for magic, though the price he paid was a house. By the time he used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames at the front, half the villa was already burned, drawing the attention of both the police and the fire brigade.

Fortunately, Karn lived in a wealthy district where the villas stood far apart, and since he reacted immediately, the fire caused minimal damage. After confirming that no further help was needed, the police and firemen soon withdrew.

Residents here were practically like family to them—almost all were model taxpayers.

The second floor remained habitable, and since Karn hadn’t yet purchased a new place, this was still the largest and most suitable for him, so he decided to stay for now.

With the first floor destroyed, Karn felt little reason to restrain himself. After a cursory tidying, he resumed practicing spells.

He created three shadow clones: two stayed at home to study sealing techniques and magical creatures—magic seemed to reside only in the original, so the clones couldn’t use it, leaving Karn himself to practice spells. The third clone handled business at his other two companies.

Though he communicated with Laura via email and video, he still needed to oversee affairs at his military security company. The company wasn’t profit-driven; in the future, it might take on security contracts or government missions, but its main purpose was to build his own armed force.

Karn dreamed of founding a magical creatures zoo—a plan not yet fully formed—but he knew he’d need a loyal armed force, especially once the Despair Virus went to market, to deter any challengers.

His ability to breathe fire likely came from dragon genes, which also granted him affinity for magic. Perhaps the connection to the phoenix was the reason he learned spells with such ease.

Over ninety percent of spells required only a few attempts before Karn could cast them successfully. Wizards needed a wand to channel their magic; magical creatures relied on instinct.

Now, Karn seemed to have inherited that instinct. In fact, using a wand felt like a hindrance when he tried to cast spells.

In just five days, with the exception of Transfiguration, he’d mastered all the spells he’d brought back—a feat unimaginable in the world of Harry Potter.

It was as if a phoenix had taken human form, had Hashirama cells and dragon cells fused into its body, and was injected with the Despair Virus to orchestrate a perfect blend of all these alien genes.

That was Karn’s current state.

His magical reserves were abundant. According to Keitel, even adult wizards couldn’t duel or cast spells for a whole day without exhaustion, but Karn could practice spells intensively all day and feel only slight fatigue by nightfall.

The strength of one’s magic determined the power of their spells. For example, when Karn tested the Blasting Curse outdoors, he blasted a crater eight meters wide and over two meters deep into the ground—a display that startled even himself.

As for the Shield Charm, though he hadn’t tested it, Karn felt confident that even an RPG couldn’t threaten him now. His body’s strength allowed him to rip through seven or eight millimeters of steel plate. Even if someone broke through his shield, there was no guarantee they could harm him.

“The remaining spells will likely require study in the world of Harry Potter: Legilimency, Apparition, Animagus transformation, and some dark magic. For formal spells, perhaps I can invite a few down-on-their-luck wizards to teach me, but for dark magic, will I have to seek out a dark wizard?”

Karn mused to himself. Many spells tempted him, especially Apparition and Animagus. Without these two, it felt as though all his magical study would be for nothing.

“Right, Snape—he’s a master of both spells and potions, though his weaknesses are obvious…”

He would have to discuss matters with Orochimaru; if Orochimaru mastered the Reanimation Jutsu, perhaps Karn could negotiate for it, or push him to speed up. He could teach Snape every spell and collaborate on potions in exchange for time with Lily Evans. If that wasn’t enough, he could even reanimate James Potter and hang him upside down for Snape to torment for a day.

...

Two days later, Betty Ross arrived at Karn’s villa with several people. Upon seeing the fire-damaged interior, she sighed helplessly. “Boss, do you really need me to find you a new place to live?”

“It was just a little accident, Betty. This must be General Ross. Hello, I’m Karn Pent.” Karn shook hands with the white-haired man in a lieutenant general’s uniform. Besides four soldiers, the others must be researchers from Ross’s super-soldier laboratory.

“I’ve looked into you, Karn Pent,” General Ross said, locking eyes with Karn. “A few years ago, you were unremarkable, but after your parents passed, you demonstrated extraordinary talent in finance, excelled academically, and quickly developed your business, even investing in the M Team’s project.

“The Despair Virus serum is certainly remarkable, but it’s not quite what I envisioned for a super-soldier…”

Karn cut him off with a brief laugh. “I didn’t expect a military general to be so skilled at negotiations. Is this your way of lowering the price?”

As he spoke, Karn picked up a metal cup from a side counter, effortlessly crushed it into a metal sphere with one hand before General Ross and his team, and handed it to him. “Strength close to the human limit, incredible regenerative powers—if you aren’t interested, General, I’ll find other partners. The Despair Virus project is mine. If you won’t cooperate, you won’t have it.”

A red gleam flickered in Karn’s eyes as he spoke. With his current powers in both ninjutsu and magic, he had no need to fear any modern military, politicians, or generals.

Cooperation was mutually beneficial; if anyone tried to play games, Karn wouldn’t hesitate. With his current strength, he could easily eliminate every congressman and powerful official in America.

“You injected yourself with the Despair Virus?” Betty Ross asked in astonishment. By rights, the trials shouldn’t have succeeded—how could he test it on himself…

Karn replied, “The trials have a ninety-nine percent success rate. We’re now researching civilian applications for limb regeneration, but the original Despair Virus isn’t at one hundred percent yet.”

Betty shook her head. “And you still dared to inject yourself? You’re too bold.”

Of course, Karn thought to himself, he’d injected himself with the enhanced version, which was almost fail-proof. The military would receive the inferior version, which still enhanced the body and granted powerful regeneration but retained a risk of explosion.

General Ross clenched the metal ball, making a decision. “I want to visit your laboratory. If it’s as you say, I can approve the cooperation on behalf of the military, as well as the limb regeneration serum. The budget for the super-soldier project increases every year.”

“Then let’s go. I’m sure we’ll have a fruitful partnership.”

With that, Karn led General Ross and his party to the bio-research center. He didn’t mention any other collaborations; the main deal was for the original Despair Virus serum and the regeneration serum. If the military agreed to purchase, the annual profit would likely reach over a billion dollars.

Stark Industries built its empire on military contracts, and still dominated arms sales to the U.S. military. After today, Karn would follow the same path to grow his own enterprise.

Moreover, the special medicines Tsunade promised were nearly ready—three drugs capable of curing terminal diseases. Karn’s biotech company would become a pharmaceutical titan within a few short years, irreplaceable in the industry.

With military backing and his own private force, he could finally build his magical creatures park just as he wished.

In America, he could do anything he wanted!

...

“A pleasure to work with you, General Ross.”

“A pleasure, Mr. Pent.”

After touring Karn’s research facility and seeing Karn himself as a living “finished serum product,” General Ross, following several days’ consultation, signed off on the deal on behalf of the military.

Though he’d been irritated by Karn’s threats at their first meeting, Ross had to admit that nowhere in America was there a better candidate for a super-soldier serum than the Despair Virus.

The serum used on Captain America had been superior, but no one could reproduce it now—not the military labs, not the biotech giants. Karn was the only one with a breakthrough.

The contract was finalized smoothly. Karn’s company would provide at least one hundred doses of Despair Virus serum per year, with a fusion success rate over seventy percent. Two thousand doses of regenerative serum would be supplied annually, and the military would have purchase priority for any additional needs.

The price was set at five million dollars per dose for the Despair Virus serum after multiple rounds of negotiation—Karn had wanted more, as five million for a super-soldier was a bargain; the serum that made Captain America was worth over ten million per dose. But the military cited the danger of the Despair Virus, which could even turn on allies, and would go no higher than five million. Ross’s initial offer had been three million; only after a near breakdown in talks did he raise it to five.

The regenerative serum was priced at two hundred thousand dollars per dose, close to Karn’s intended market price, and the military would pay slightly less for the initial order with the expectation of larger orders to come.

From the military contracts alone, Karn’s company would rake in nine hundred million dollars a year, and besides the financial windfall, it would gain prestige.

With military contracts, Karn’s biotech firm would become an overnight sensation, rising from obscurity to a top-ranked company in its field.

After signing with General Ross, Karn made a few small requests.

First, he wanted Ross’s help in recommending his security firm to retiring soldiers—Karn offered generous benefits and it would be an ideal place for veterans.

Second, he asked that Betty Ross remain as a liaison between the two sides. He’d come to rely on her; whether for official business or private matters, her long legs in black stockings never failed to make an impression.

He’d observed Betty for a while, and she hadn’t mentioned their drunken encounter to anyone—General Ross knew nothing of it. So, when Karn made this request, Ross agreed readily. He needed someone to keep an eye on the serum’s progress anyway.

Betty herself was resigned to her father’s arrangement. She had a boyfriend, and before that drunken night, their relationship had been strong. But as time went by, Betty was startled to find she couldn’t bring herself to dislike Karn.

After just a few days apart, she noticed changes in him—his skin, appearance, charisma—everything about him drew her in.

Later, Betty would betray her boyfriend Bruce once more. As she gasped “I’m sorry, Bruce,” she simultaneously reveled in the pleasure Karn gave her.

Afterward, she threw herself into her work, trying not to think about it anymore.

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Chapter Eighty-Five: Karn is a Magical Prodigy (Extra chapter for the Hall Master “From Heaven to Hell, I Passed Through the Mortal World”) 4/5.