The expansion of the Dark Division already followed a complete and carefully designed process.
The first requirement was simple: the candidates had to be mutants whose X-genes had already awakened. Only individuals who had manifested their powers could enter the selection pipeline.
The second condition narrowed the list even further.
They needed to be radical mutants—preferably individuals who had already committed crimes. People like that were not difficult to find. In fact, New York alone held a large number of them inside specialized detention facilities designed specifically for mutant offenders.
Those prisons contained exactly the type of people Leon wanted.
Once captured, their minds could be wiped clean and replaced with newly implanted personalities. After that process, the subjects would become completely obedient to Leon's commands.
Following the mental conditioning, the next stage involved physical modification.
Their bodies could be strengthened through genetic enhancement—integrating healing-factor X-genes or even adding other mutant abilities extracted from Leon's growing genetic archive. With the right adjustments, these individuals could be transformed into extremely powerful mutants under his absolute control.
As for the fate of those who served in the Dark Division, Leon honestly didn't care very much.
To him, these people barely qualified as experimental material.
In a world like this one, criminals were never in short supply.
"It's time for the Dark Division to expand," Leon thought quietly. "They'll be useful in many places later."
Ever since acquiring Magneto's magnetic control and the Witch's transformation ability, Leon could feel subtle changes occurring inside his body every minute.
The healing factor maintained a stable balance between his physical body and the Phoenix Force. Because of that equilibrium, both his physical strength and the cosmic energy within him continued growing together.
The Witch's ability acted like a perfect stabilizer.
Its neutralizing properties functioned like a safety lock, connecting and regulating the interaction between the healing factor, the Phoenix Force, and the magnetic control ability. With that stabilizing mechanism in place, the foundation of Leon's power became extraordinarily solid.
As the Phoenix Force continued increasing, all of his other abilities would gradually grow stronger as well.
Compared to other mutants, Leon now possessed a far greater potential for rapid growth.
"Just as I expected," he reflected calmly.
"The Phoenix Force shouldn't be treated as the primary weapon. It's the foundation of my evolution—the amplifier that strengthens everything else."
"At most, it's a trump card."
His psychic power expanded outward as he considered this.
The invisible force passed easily through the thick layers of earth surrounding the underground laboratory. It continued rising upward, spreading through the bedrock and soil until it reached the planet's surface.
Even then, it didn't stop.
Leon's mental energy extended higher and higher into the atmosphere until it reached an altitude of more than three thousand meters.
"My mental power has improved significantly as well."
He quietly observed the enormous range his consciousness now covered.
"At this rate, it won't be long before I can wrap the entire Earth inside my psychic perception."
"When that happens, I'll truly possess absolute strength on this planet. No major event could occur without my awareness."
The thought had barely finished forming when Leon's body suddenly disappeared from the laboratory.
A moment later, he reappeared thousands of meters above the ground.
An invisible electromagnetic barrier surrounded him, isolating his body from the outside environment. The barrier prevented air turbulence, pressure fluctuations, and other atmospheric forces from interfering with him.
Leon stood quietly in the sky.
Below him stretched the vast metropolis of New York, its towering buildings forming a dense forest of steel and glass.
From this altitude, the city looked strangely peaceful.
Yet Leon could still sense the countless electromagnetic signals flowing through the air around him. Invisible waves carried communications, broadcasts, data transmissions, and energy in every direction.
Watching the massive network of signals surrounding the city, Leon suddenly laughed softly.
"When power grows strong enough, even your mentality begins to change."
He tilted his head slightly while observing the world beneath his feet.
"Right now, I actually feel a little… divine."
The thought amused him.
However, the feeling only lasted for a moment before Leon shook his head.
He understood perfectly well that the sensation wasn't real.
It was merely the psychological effect of his abilities increasing so rapidly.
"My mindset still needs to stay calm," he reminded himself.
"This world isn't nearly as simple as it appears."
With that conclusion, Leon vanished from the sky and returned directly to his residence.
His apartment occupied the top floor of a towering skyscraper shaped like a massive blade piercing the skyline. From the windows, the view stretched across much of Manhattan.
As soon as he entered, Leon instinctively glanced toward the neighboring penthouse.
No lights were on.
There was no movement inside.
Tony Stark clearly wasn't home.
At this hour, Leon guessed the billionaire was probably still buried somewhere in a luxurious bed surrounded by beautiful women. Considering Stark's personality, such situations were practically routine.
Leon himself had no urgent plans for the moment.
He intended to spend the day quietly reviewing recent developments.
However, the next report from Svija made him pause.
"Sir," Svija said calmly, "Mr. Tony Stark has gone missing."
Leon raised an eyebrow.
"Missing?"
The word instantly triggered a memory.
He immediately recalled the original storyline.
Around this point in history, Tony Stark was supposed to be kidnapped by terrorists during a weapons demonstration.
"When did it happen?" Leon asked.
"Stark Industries has been unable to contact Mr. Stark for two days," Svija replied. "I analyzed communication records belonging to Obadiah Stane and confirmed that Mr. Stark's disappearance is connected to him."
Svija continued speaking.
"As you previously instructed, I have been monitoring Obadiah Stane's activities. Based on the data collected, he appears to be the primary conspirator behind the kidnapping."
Leon nodded slowly.
The events matched the storyline almost perfectly.
"Sir," Svija added, "I have already located the group responsible for abducting Mr. Stark. Should I dispatch personnel to rescue him?"
Leon shook his head without hesitation.
"No."
"Let him solve the problem himself."
His tone was completely calm.
"If he manages to escape and return alive, then he becomes Iron Man."
"If he dies there instead… then he simply wasn't meant to survive."
Leon walked toward the large window overlooking the city while considering the situation.
"Oh, and one more thing."
He paused briefly.
"Send a secret message to Tony's artificial intelligence system—Jarvis."
"Inform it about Obadiah Stane's involvement in the kidnapping."
Svija immediately acknowledged the instruction.
"Yes, sir."
Leon continued calmly.
"Once Tony escapes and learns the truth behind what happened, the conflict between him and Stane will be… interesting to watch."
A faint smile appeared on Leon's face.
He truly didn't view the situation as something he needed to interfere with.
Because of his presence in this world, many events already existed in a strange state—some would happen, others might not.
Either outcome didn't matter very much to him.
If the events unfolded as expected, then he would simply watch the drama play out.
And if they didn't happen at all, that was fine too.
After all, from Leon's perspective, this was just entertainment.
He would happily sit on the sofa, eating popcorn, while watching the show unfold.
Other than that, he had no intention of making any moves.
.....
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