For several days straight, Nolan, alongside his two research partners Connors and Stern, remained deep within the Osborn Genetics Division lab systematically dissecting and analyzing Inhuman physiology.
Even Norman Osborn occasionally rolled up his sleeves to assist.
The workload was immense. The genetic diversity of the Inhumans was off the charts. They weren’t just mutants they were the twin mirror of the X-Gene. Something alien, yet eerily familiar.
"Separate the cryokinetics, aerokinetics, and mental projection subjects," Nolan said calmly, scrolling through the test logs. "And this one... interesting. Petrification through direct eye contact."
He smirked. "I’m not risking that in my own eyes but this could make an excellent Medusa Squad."
Even with overlapping powers, Nolan noticed something fascinating: the same genetic fragment, a unique strand capable of airflow manipulation, appeared in both Inhuman and mutant test samples.
It was nearly identical to the one found in Storm’s genome.
"This must be the ’Origin X Gene’... the gift left behind by the Celestials."
Nolan began absorbing key genetic sequences mostly enhancements to his existing arsenal:
Enhanced breath (a fusion of Storm’s weather manipulation and Iceman’s cryogenesis)
Improved cellular reinforcement
Rapid oxygen crystallization
One upgrade caught his eye the "petrification gaze." He set it aside, more interested in practical versatility than flashy gimmicks.
But the real breakthrough?
A boost to his super breath.
Previously, it took ten seconds of exhalation to freeze a titanium plate.
That’s a near 40% efficiency gain on an already ridiculous upper limit. He couldn’t expect much more from organic modifications.
"The next leap will require something else," Nolan murmured. "Magic... or inscription."
If magical runes could be bound to tools... why not bind them to flesh?
Turn yourself into the artifact.
Then came the moment that made waves.
"Release it to the public," Nolan declared.
The product of weeks of genetic classification and theoretical modeling, the first official Global Superhuman Power Scaling System was about to be made public.
Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters.
In the sub-basement, Hank McCoy, Beast, pored over plans to counter Sentinel drones. Though he’d received assistance from Tony Stark, he wasn’t about to let ego hold him back.
Too many mutant researchers, Charles Xavier included, focused on mutation origins, not practical survival.
But something had shifted in Hank after Nolan’s arrival.
"We need to stop philosophizing about evolution and start weaponizing it," he muttered.
Osborn Corporation had published a new whitepaper.
"Unified Power Rating for Enhanced Beings – 7-Level Classification System"
Seven categories. Seven levels. Precise metrics. Actual numbers.
For the first time, both physical and psychic powers were split and scaled.
Each level had corresponding video demonstrations, calibration standards, and field examples.
Elsewhere, Tony Stark read the document in his tower, brows furrowed.
"Damn... this isn’t just a paper. It’s a declaration."
The metrics were brutal. A Level 7 rating in Power meant:
"Capable of generating over 100 tons of force in a single action or impact, including through energy detonation."
A video played on-screen:
Nolan, dressed casually, flicked his finger. The result?
A reinforced vibranium-titanium wall shattered like glass.
"He broke it... with a flick."
Next came the Defense test:
Nolan stood shirtless in front of a semicircle of high-frequency energy cannons. These weren’t toys they could liquefy a steel beam in 0.2 seconds.
Dozens of white-hot beams hammered Nolan’s torso and bounced off him like rain on concrete.
Tony watched, stunned, as the presentation shifted to Energy Projection.
Nolan exhaled, freezing a portion of the Atlantic Ocean into a solid shelf.
Then another clip laser vision, blasting through a small mountain.
"Output: consistent, scalable, sustained energy exceeding known fusion reactions."
If this was the new benchmark...
Nolan wasn’t just a top-tier enhanced individual.
He was a six-star maxed-out juggernaut.
"A hexagonal titan..." Tony muttered, rubbing his forehead.
There were powerful mutants. Brilliant minds. Skilled warriors.
He was everything at once.
And for the first time in a long time, Tony Stark felt... outclassed.
[Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter]
For early access to advanced Chapters on p@treon:
Thank you so much for your support and for reading!q