"What are you thinking about?" Ian asked while leading Steve into the potential testing room.
"Where should I start?" Steve sighed. "I just woke up from the ice and realized that everything I knew and loved was either dead or changed. The only thing I feel relieved is that the world has become better and is trying to adapt to modern life. Then, Fury contacted me.
"At first, I thought this was an opportunity to help others. Everything in modern life is completely different, but I thought saving people was always the same." Steve turned to look at him. "Then, you showed up."
Ian can only express his apology with his eyes.
"I am now pushed into a world full of gods and Demons, a world where the number of casualties is often calculated in trillions. So, how much better do you think my current state can be?"
Ian patted him on the shoulder. "All I can say to you, Captain, is that fate does not choose a person without a reason. There is a reason why I was chosen as Guardians in this world, and I chose you to help because I know your abilities."
"Maybe you're right."
The test began, and Steve needed to complete several tasks. First, he had to throw the shield at a specific target, and then he was asked to give an impromptu speech.
Then he was given electric shocks and asked to resist, and finally, he had to endure some kind of pressure in his mind. A few minutes later, Ian received the results, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch. He expected that the results would be as abnormal as the previous people, but one of the data almost drove him crazy.
"He is born with 8 points of willpower. No wonder he can break through the limits of his body and temporarily block Thanos," Morgana commented. At the same time, Ian was still feeling sore in his heart.
He put in so much effort to get his willpower to 8 points, but Steve probably only got a little bit of Cosmic Will and Grace reached it. Yes, he refused to believe that Steve's willpower was born with such a high level. The most he can accept is 5 points from Steve - the same as Asta in <Black Clover>.
"What do you think?" Morgana continued. "With his willpower, combining [Qi] with Haki may be the best choice for him. However, that would not make good use of his other excellent attributes."
According to the test, Steve also scored highly in two other categories: leadership and Hope Force. This was the first time Ian had seen someone with this talent, but he was no stranger to the concept.
"We can try to train him into a paladin," Ian said. "However, I haven't come into contact with the powerful Light Dimension, and Light Magic has always been my worst attainment among all elemental magics."
If thunder and lightning are the elemental magic that Ian is best at, then the light system is what he is least good at. Of course, his so-called "worst" is still at the expert level compared to some people. Of course, he is not as good as Arcanist from his hometown who has reached the peak of Light Magic.
"We can create a dimension of light for him," Morgana suggested. "We have the technology to extract the power of hope from Green Lantern's emotional spectrum, so it shouldn't be a problem to merge it into a dimension of light and turn him into the ultimate paladin."
"Okay, that's it... wait a minute, I have a better idea that can save us a lot of effort." Ian said.
"All ears."
"He is Captain America, but why don't we turn him into Captain Universe?" Ian said. "I remember reading in a comic that Superman is the embodiment of hope in the universe. As long as there is hope in the universe, he will not really die or be erased from reality. We can turn the captain into the hope of this timeline - Guardians recognized by the universe."
"You would like to ask Cosmic Will to recognize Steve as the official Guardians of this timeline and grant him power. In return, the captain will dedicate his life to serving and protecting this universe?"
"You have followed the idea," Ian gave a thumbs up.
"If it works, it can really save us a lot of time, resources and energy," Morgana praised.
"However, I think we should still build Light Dimension and an army of Paladins."
"Yes, this can also be used as a backup method for Steve, in case we have to go against Cosmic Will one day and he needs another source of power."
"You're paranoid again," Morgana turned over Byakugan.
"You've been quite quiet," Steve asked. "What happened?"
"No, but that's the plan."
The captain frowned after listening to his training methods.
"What? You don't like it?"
"I have no problem with it, I just don't like being a symbol."
Ian suddenly remembered what happened after the captain was injected with the serum. "Neither the universe nor I are the United States government, so we have no intention of using you as a publicity stunt."
"I feel relieved to hear you say that."
So, Ian took him to meet Eternal Consciousness.
"Magic, what happened this time?"
"This is Steve·Rogers," Ian pointed at the captain, who was still shocked by the existence in front of him. The moment his eyes fell on Eternal Consciousness, Steve saw the birth of the universe and the creation of all things.
"I know all living beings born in my universe," Eternal Consciousness replied, and his words seemed to imply something. However, Ian ignored him.
"The reason I brought him here is..."
"A Guardians? A suggestion worth considering," Eternal Consciousness commented. "But is this human worthy of representing the universe? Can he bear the heavy responsibility that is about to be imposed on him? I will test him first and decide the next step based on the results."
"It's up to you," Ian replied, ready to stay and wait for the test to end. However, the rude Cosmic Will asked him to leave, so he returned to his magic tower and continued the Paladin plan.
He thought it would take a long time, but when he finished a quarter of the work, Steve appeared outside the tower, floating in mid-air, and his shield now had a galaxy-like pattern painted on it.
"Cosmic Energy?" Ian commented. "No, this is something else." Steve is using Cosmic Energy, but it's more like a by-product of a power he hasn't fully mastered yet.
"It feels like he's connected to the universe Fusion, drawing power directly from it. It reminds me of Enigma Force in the comics," Ian said to Morgana.
'Wait, but why is his power only Tier 6?' House-elf asked, making Ian frown.
"What went wrong?" he asked Steve.
"I wasn't entirely successful," Steve replied.
"What do you mean?"
"Eternal Consciousness said that I have two major flaws that prevent me from becoming a perfect Guardians."
"Defects? You mean Peggy and Bucky?"
Steve nodded, and Ian snorted lightly. Bucky and Hydra disappeared together, so there was nothing he could do about it.
"I can't do anything about Bucky, but I might be able to help Peggy."
"How can I help?" Steve asked directly.
"I can restore her youth, but whether she is willing to give your relationship another chance is beyond my control."
"I'll ask her." Steve turned into a bright light and flew into the distance. He could use his newly acquired power to grant Peggy eternal youth and even immortality. However, using power for such selfish desires violated his duty as Guardians. What's more interesting about Luck is that there is Ian who can help him do such a thing.
Then, ten minutes later, Steve came back.