Three hours.
That was how long I had been inside my personal dimension.
Or, more accurately, three hours of what I considered normal time.
Outside, according to Alfred, barely a minute had passed.
I was beginning to understand just how broken my fifth wish actually was.
The training dimension alone was ridiculous.
The library was even more ridiculous.
And then there was the Omnitrix.
I looked down at my wrist.
The familiar green-and-black device sat there as if it had always belonged to me.
I still couldn't believe it was real.
I had spent years watching Ben Tennyson use something like this in the shows I remembered from my previous life.
Now...
I was the one wearing it.
I pressed the dial.
The holographic display appeared.
Dozens of alien silhouettes rotated around the interface.
I recognized some.
Others were unfamiliar.
And according to Lyra, this wasn't even the complete database.
There were different Omnitrix configurations stored inside my dimension.
Different versions.
Different databases.
Different functions.
"I really went overboard with my wishes."
I laughed quietly.
"Not that I'm complaining."
I closed the Omnitrix.
There was plenty of time to learn about it.
For now, there was something more important.
My new life.
Back to Earth
I stepped through the portal.
The scenery changed instantly.
The endless training grounds disappeared.
The enormous library vanished.
And I was back inside my bedroom.
I looked toward the clock.
Barely any time had passed.
I glanced at Alfred.
"How long?"
Alfred: "Approximately seven minutes since you entered the dimension."
I stared at him.
"Seven minutes..."
I shook my head.
"This is going to take some getting used to."
Alfred: "Indeed, Master Ben."
I sat down on the edge of my bed.
"Alfred."
Alfred: "Yes?"
"Tell me everything about my current identity."
He nodded.
A holographic display appeared between us.
My face appeared on the screen.
Underneath it was a detailed profile.
Benjamin Stuart
Age: 17
Nationality: American
Place of Birth: New York
Current Residence: New York
Family Status: Orphan
Education: Private School
Financial Status: Extremely Wealthy
Legal Status: Clean
Medical Status: Excellent
I stared at the information.
"Orphan?"
Alfred: "As requested."
I nodded slowly.
"What happened to my parents?"
Alfred: "According to your established history, they passed away several years ago."
I frowned.
"Did they actually exist?"
Alfred: "Yes."
That surprised me.
"What about relatives?"
Alfred: "Several distant relatives exist. None are currently involved in your life."
I leaned back.
"And no one finds that suspicious?"
Alfred: "Your identity has been integrated into existing records."
He continued.
Alfred: "Your birth certificate, medical records, school records, financial history, property ownership, tax records, passport, social security information, and other documentation are all legitimate."
I stared at him.
"ROB really did everything."
I rubbed my forehead.
"Okay."
I looked at the financial information.
Then froze.
"Wait."
I pointed at the screen.
"How much money do I have?"
Alfred calmly answered.
Alfred: "That depends upon whether you are asking about liquid assets, investments, properties, or total net worth."
I stared at him.
"Give me all of it."
The screen changed.
Numbers appeared.
I stared.
Then stared some more.
"That's..."
I couldn't even process it.
I had enough money to live comfortably for the rest of my life.
No.
That was an understatement.
I had enough money that normal human concerns about money were practically irrelevant.
And somehow, my assets had been structured so that they continued generating income without requiring my constant attention.
I looked at Alfred.
"Is this legal?"
Alfred: "Completely."
"Taxes?"
Alfred: "Handled."
"Bank accounts?"
Alfred: "Established."
"Investments?"
Alfred: "Diversified."
"Property?"
Alfred: "Multiple holdings."
I stared at him.
"You really are a good butler."
Alfred gave a small smile.
Alfred: "Thank you, Master Ben."
The Mansion
I decided to explore the house.
Calling it a house would be an insult.
It was a mansion.
A massive mansion.
Several floors.
Multiple bedrooms.
A library.
A gym.
A swimming pool.
A home theater.
A garage.
A kitchen that looked more professional than most restaurants.
And enough empty rooms that I had no idea what to do with half of them.
I walked into the kitchen.
"Alfred."
Alfred: "Yes?"
"Can you cook?"
He looked slightly offended.
Alfred: "I am capable of preparing virtually any cuisine."
I smiled.
"Good."
He nodded.
Alfred: "What would you like?"
I thought for a moment.
"Something simple."
A few minutes later, food appeared.
I stared at the plate.
It smelled incredible.
I took the first bite.
My eyes widened.
"Holy crap."
"This is amazing."
Alfred: "I'm pleased that you approve."
I continued eating.
It was strange.
In my previous life, I had never thought much about ordinary things.
Food.
A comfortable bed.
A safe home.
Having someone around.
Now they felt different.
I wasn't just starting a new life.
I had been given a second chance.
And this time...
I wanted to actually enjoy it.
The School Problem
After finishing my meal, I remembered something important.
"Alfred."
Alfred: "Yes?"
"I'm seventeen."
Alfred: "Correct."
"Which means..."
I sighed.
"I have school."
Alfred nodded.
Alfred: "Correct."
I stared at him.
"Do I really have to?"
Alfred: "Your identity currently includes enrollment in a private school."
I groaned.
"Of course it does."
I had infinite potential.
An Omnitrix.
A private dimension.
Technology beyond human comprehension.
And I still had homework.
"Life really is unfair."
Alfred seemed amused.
Alfred: "Your first day is tomorrow."
I nearly choked.
"Tomorrow?"
Alfred: "Yes."
I leaned back.
"Fine."
Then an idea occurred to me.
"Can I graduate early?"
Alfred: "Technically."
I smiled.
"How early?"
Alfred: "That would depend upon your academic performance."
I looked toward the ceiling.
"I have the combined intelligence of some of the smartest beings in Marvel."
I laughed.
"I think I'll manage."
Testing My Intelligence
Before going to school, I wanted to know exactly how intelligent I had become.
I returned to my dimension.
Lyra was waiting in the library.
"Lyra."
Lyra: "Yes, Master?"
"I want to test my intelligence."
She nodded.
A holographic interface appeared.
Lyra: "What level of testing would you prefer?"
"Start with normal human-level intelligence."
The test began.
Mathematics.
Physics.
Chemistry.
Biology.
Logic.
Engineering.
Computer science.
Psychology.
Economics.
History.
I answered the questions.
At first, I had to think.
Then I realized something.
I wasn't struggling.
Not even slightly.
The questions began getting harder.
Much harder.
The system increased the difficulty.
Eventually, the questions stopped looking like normal academic problems.
They became theoretical.
Advanced.
Then absurd.
I continued answering.
My mind felt...
Different.
It wasn't simply that I knew more.
I could understand relationships between concepts much faster.
I could visualize complicated systems.
I could manipulate equations mentally.
I could see patterns that would have taken me hours to recognize before.
I stopped the test.
"That's enough."
Lyra looked at me.
Lyra: "You have only begun to access your intellectual potential."
I smiled.
"Good."
I looked toward the library.
"I'll need to study."
Lyra: "There are approximately—"
"Don't tell me."
She paused.
"Very well."
My First Alien
There was one thing I couldn't resist.
The Omnitrix.
I returned to the training area.
The simulated environment changed into a simple empty field.
I looked down at my wrist.
"Let's start with something simple."
I activated the device.
The dial rose.
Alien silhouettes appeared.
I rotated the dial.
One silhouette caught my attention.
XLR8.
I smiled.
"Perfect."
I slammed the dial down.
FLASH!
Green light exploded around me.
For a moment, everything disappeared.
Then—
I looked down.
My hands were different.
My body was lighter.
My feet felt strange.
And the world suddenly looked...
Slow.
Extremely slow.
I took one step.
BOOM!
I accidentally launched myself several meters forward.
I crashed into the ground.
I rolled several times before stopping.
Silence.
I slowly stood up.
"...Okay."
I looked at my hands.
"That was embarrassing."
Lyra appeared beside me.
Lyra: "Your transformation was successful."
"No kidding."
I took another step.
This time, I controlled my movement.
Then another.
And another.
My speed increased.
The environment blurred.
The wind rushed past me.
I ran around the field.
Once.
Twice.
Ten times.
Then faster.
And faster.
My laughter echoed through the training grounds.
"This is awesome!"
I pushed harder.
The world practically stopped.
I could see every detail.
Every blade of grass.
Every particle of dust.
Every movement of the simulated environment.
Then I stopped.
My breathing hadn't even changed.
I looked at Lyra.
"How fast was that?"
She checked the data.
Lyra: "You were approximately—"
"Don't tell me."
I grinned.
"I don't want to know yet."
The Realization
I returned to human form.
I looked at the Omnitrix.
Then at my hands.
Then at the enormous training area.
I suddenly realized something.
I wasn't Ben Tennyson.
I wasn't trying to become Ben Tennyson.
I was Ben Stuart.
This was my story.
My life.
My choices.
The Omnitrix was simply one of the tools I had been given.
And I had no intention of becoming dependent on it.
I had technology.
Magic.
Science.
Infinite potential.
A library containing knowledge beyond anything humanity had ever imagined.
And an entire dimension where I could train without anyone knowing.
I could become anything.
But before I did that...
I needed a plan.
I walked toward the center of the training ground.
"Lyra."
She appeared beside me.
Lyra: "Yes?"
"I want you to create a complete training curriculum."
She nodded.
Lyra: "What subjects?"
I thought carefully.
"Everything."
She waited.
I continued.
"Science."
"Engineering."
"Computer science."
"Medicine."
"Physics."
"Chemistry."
"Biology."
"Magic."
"Martial arts."
"Weapons."
"Alien biology."
"Omnitrix mastery."
"Energy manipulation."
"Dimensional theory."
"Space travel."
"And anything else you think is necessary."
Lyra smiled.
Lyra: "That curriculum will require considerable time."
I smiled back.
"Good."
I looked at the massive clock floating above the training grounds.
Then at the time-dilation controls.
"Because I have plenty of it."
The Beginning
I returned to Earth just before midnight.
Only a few minutes had passed outside.
I stood by the window of my bedroom.
New York was glowing beneath the night sky.
Cars moved through the streets.
People walked along the sidewalks.
Somewhere in this city, ordinary people were living ordinary lives.
And somewhere in this world...
Heroes were waiting to be born.
Tony Stark was still just a brilliant billionaire.
Peter Parker was still just a kid.
Bruce Banner had yet to become the Hulk.
Stephen Strange was still a surgeon.
The Avengers didn't exist.
Thanos was still out there.
And I...
I had arrived before the beginning.
I looked down at my Omnitrix.
A small smile appeared on my face.
I had no intention of becoming some public superhero.
Not yet.
First, I would learn.
Then I would prepare.
And when the time came...
I would decide exactly how much of this world I wanted to change.
I turned away from the window.
"Alfred."
Alfred: "Yes, Master Ben?"
"Tomorrow I'll go to school."
He nodded.
Alfred: "Very well."
"But after school..."
I looked toward the Omnitrix.
"...the real training begins."
For the first time since my death...
I felt completely at peace.
My old life was gone.
My new life had begun.
And this time...
I intended to make it count.