In truth, Wanda's remarkable progress was more or less what Leon had anticipated. As the universe's originator of Chaos Magic, she could learn white magic as easily as a Ph.D. statistician might grasp elementary school material—just a quick explanation, and she understood it instantly.
In the realm of magic, Wanda was like a fish in water, her strength growing exponentially. At this rate, the Ancient One might need to consider early retirement.
As for Leon, without the near-limitless support of Sky Blade, if he ever found himself pulled into Wanda's mirror dimension, he'd likely be helpless. Magic, especially Wanda's, was so idealistic that her ability to magnify and reshape reality within the mirror world could wipe out anything with a single thought. Even Leon would have no control there. Wanda, in her fully mature stage, could theoretically reboot the universe—or even the multiverse—with a thought. She'd be powerful enough to defeat Thanos wielding the Infinity Gauntlet, unless he possessed the Heart of the Universe... but that's another story.
At this point, Wanda was hurtling toward full maturity, and soon, she might be the most powerful member of their family. Leon felt immense satisfaction in watching her growth, experiencing the sense of achievement that came with it. He wasn't the least bit jealous; in fact, he wished she'd reach her full potential sooner.
The manor was quiet that day, with everyone off at school, training, or occupied with duties at the Sky Base. Taking advantage of this rare solitude, Wanda suggested taking Leon for a stroll in New York. Of course, she would never admit it was a date.
Before leaving, Wanda noticed a peculiar dark red sword on the table. The sword radiated a strange but potent energy, sparking her curiosity. She picked it up and was surprised by its weight. Given that her single-arm strength could handle up to three or four hundred tons, feeling any heft at all meant this sword weighed at least ten to twenty tons, a testament to the density of its material.
Seeing the curiosity in Wanda's eyes, Leon took the sword, running a finger along its uneven surface. He said softly, "This sword is quite powerful. Its destructive force could easily level a city."
In fact, Leon's description of the flaming sword didn't cover its full complexity. The sword is designed to resonate with solar energy, generating immense physical power and radiation effects. Because of the unique properties of its materials, it's often crafted in the form of a sword, but it actually contains a sophisticated computing core—a true stellar weapon. Sky Blade sourced rare materials from across the universe and spent ages perfecting this cutting-edge weapon. With it, one could command Sky Blade's systems more effectively.
However, the sword's hardness isn't exceptional. Anyone or any god with sufficient strength could break it with bare hands, so it functions more as a remote control and transmitter, much like a mage's wand.
"Wow, our family really knows how to set a high standard," Wanda commented with a matter-of-fact nod, clearly impressed.
Leon grinned, placing a hand on her shoulder and steering her out of the manor. As they walked, the flaming sword vanished from his hand with a subtle spatial ripple, unnoticed by Wanda.
The sudden closeness made Wanda blush; her innocent reaction was endearing.
Instead of a flashy sports car, the two hopped on a motorcycle and rode through the streets of New York. The city was bustling during the day, and there was plenty to explore.
Wanda, besides enjoying shopping for stylish clothes, had a soft spot for good food. Thanks to her unique physiology, she didn't worry about weight gain and could eat without restraint. While Western food lacked the variety of Eastern cuisine, New York was full of diverse culinary options if one was patient enough to search—or willing to splurge and had a big enough appetite.
Dressed in classic red and blue T-shirts, with sunglasses resting on their foreheads, they strolled down the hot summer streets, each holding an ice cream cone. But after the first bite, their expressions changed instantly.
Wanda's face twisted in horror, her disbelief clear as she examined the "new chocolate ice cream" in her hand. "Ugh, this tastes like week-old cheese from a leftover burger!"
"Yeah, exactly," Leon grimaced, agreeing. "This thing tastes like packaged garbage."
Both disgusted, they tossed their cones into a nearby trash can. Leon was baffled that anyone would buy such a thing and made a mental note of the shop's name. He figured that if any of the kids at home got on his nerves, he'd have them try this "ice cream" as payback.
As they continued down the street, they noticed an unusual number of people gathered around, all moving in the same direction. Curious, they decided to follow and see what the commotion was about.
The scene quickly caught Wanda's attention. "Where's everyone going?" she asked.
"There's probably some event happening in the square up ahead," Leon guessed.
Just then, loud, wild laughter filled the air. Both Leon and Wanda turned to see a figure in dark green armor, wearing a menacing helmet shaped like a demon's face. The figure was riding a jet-powered glider, soaring high above, speeding off into the distance.
Nearby, people looked up, pointing and talking excitedly. Most assumed it was part of the day's activities or some kind of surprise stunt.
Wanda glanced at Leon. "That guy..."
"Yeah, I think it's exactly what you think it is," Leon replied, nodding. He had recognized the figure immediately and could sense an aura of strength beyond the ordinary, confirmed by his heightened perception. This wasn't a planned event—it was something far more dangerous.