Helicarrier, Advanced Biological Laboratory.
Dressed in a white lab coat, Miles worked intently at the laboratory bench. Beside him, dozens of nimble mechanical arms simultaneously carried out complex sample analysis and purification. Meanwhile, the others assisted him while listening closely to his explanations.
"Mr. McCoy, Ms. Pryde, and Agent Natasha—their condition all stems from a loss of vital energy."
Without looking up, Miles said to the others, "This is the effect of black magic. Put in more scientific terms... their cellular activity, metabolic rate, or rather, their 'lifespan,' is being forcibly drained and transferred in an abnormal manner."
"That really is unbelievable."
As his assistant, Dr. Jemma Simmons carefully helped Miles prepare the reagents while studying him with curious eyes.
"So magic really exists? Right?"
"That's right." Miles nodded. "Of course, my own understanding of magic isn't particularly deep. Maybe someday, you'll meet a sorcerer more capable than I am."
"With all due respect, you're already the most powerful sorcerer we've ever seen," Simmons said sincerely.
"My abilities aren't magic. They're... forget it. I can't really explain them clearly right now either."
Miles shook his head and did not dwell on it.
As he skillfully operated the centrifuge, he explained to Simmons, "Back to the issue of lost vitality. Some ancient witcher traditions can alleviate this condition by brewing magical potions, but I have a better method."
"In my world, there was a doctor named Nathaniel Essex. His accomplishments in biological genetics could be called unparalleled. Aurora and I were both, in a sense, half his students."
"Some of his theories happen to be perfectly suited to the situation before us..."
At that point, Miles's movements paused slightly, as though he had recalled something.
"Come to think of it, Nathaniel had lived for a very long time too. Maybe... he