Chapter 131: The Magical Panda—Third Avatar

"... Shawn?"

Black Widow's wide eyes were filled with a trace of doubt.

"Yes, Shawn."

George's tone was firm.

Changing Captain America's name for his new identity was to ensure he wouldn't be easily recognized, minimizing trouble for the school. After all, looking so much like Captain America and sharing the same name would undoubtedly raise suspicion.

This decision was made with Steve's consent, as he was also eager to live under a new identity.

"Hello, my name is Shawn."

Captain America extended his right hand toward Black Widow.

"Hello, Natasha," she replied, still filled with skepticism.

If she had met someone resembling Captain America under normal circumstances, she might not have suspected much. However, encountering this man at George's school, where he was introduced as a new teacher without proper identification, naturally raised her guard.

"Consider my suggestion; the school doors are always open to you," George said as he escorted Black Widow out, not forgetting to extend another invitation.

The arrival of Captain America as a new teacher was a major development for the school. That evening, Professor X also brought news of a new student.

"Jessica Jones, ten years old.

During a trip to Disney with her family, a quarrel with her younger brother in the back seat distracted her father, leading to a collision with a military truck carrying radioactive chemicals.

Jessica was the sole survivor. She fell into a coma for several months and awoke with superhuman strength and the ability to fly. She's now been adopted by the Jones family and goes by Jessica Jones.

I've observed her for a few days and believe she'd be a good fit for our school."

"Professor, if you think she's suitable, then let's admit her," George replied.

Professor X's decades of experience recruiting young mutants made him far better at identifying potential students and persuading families. George decided to entrust future admissions entirely to him, so he could focus on learning and refining his magical skills.

With the professor's assets recovered, and short-term trouble from the government, S.H.I.E.L.D., or Hydra unlikely, the school was stable. The addition of a competent teacher like Captain America meant George could afford to step back.

After discussing admission protocols with Professor X, George returned to his dormitory for the night.

These days, George had mastered controlling three bodies simultaneously without any lag, thanks to his growing mental strength.

However, as soon as he lay down after his shower, he felt that familiar sensation—a splitting, fracturing feeling.

Sure enough, after the searing pain of a soul split, George was greeted with a new perspective and...
Six years' worth of dull, repetitive memories:

Drinking milk, sleeping, eating bamboo, climbing trees, basking in the sun—day in and day out, it was almost always the same.

"Seriously?! Last time, it was a magical cat. This time, it's a giant panda? Can't I just get a human for once!"

From his new vantage point in the Bronx Zoo, George couldn't help but grumble inwardly.

Yes, his latest avatar had attached itself to the soul of an adult giant panda that had recently and unexpectedly died.

The panda's strength was no joke. Although they looked adorably clumsy, pandas are bears—a species of predator with an impressive bite force. Historically, they've earned the moniker "iron-eating beasts."

A normal adult panda can weigh 300–400 pounds, with a bite force approaching 600 pounds per square inch. Their claws and teeth are razor-sharp, and a single paw swipe can deliver a force of over 3,200 pounds.

This strength now enhanced all of George's avatars, including his original Marvel-world body, his Harry Potter-world avatar, and his Fairy Tail-world avatar.

In turn, this panda avatar inherited their bloodline powers, magical abilities, and physical enhancements.

"Guess I'll need to learn transformation magic from Mirajane," George mused, swinging his powerful panda claws.

Moving as a giant panda in the human world wasn't exactly practical. If he strolled out of the zoo and onto the streets, he'd instantly attract a crowd.

In the Fairy Tail world, transformation magic existed, and Mirajane was an expert at it. She could even partially transform, such as turning only her head into that of a cat-like creature.

However, transformation magic merely altered appearance—it didn't grant the abilities of the form assumed. For that, George would need "Take Over Magic," like the kind used by Elfman to assume the forms and powers of defeated monsters.

"First, let's get out of here!"

After adjusting to his new body, George approached the steel door of his enclosure. Raising his paw, he cast a spell: "Alohomora!"

With a click, the lock popped open under the unlocking charm.

Since this avatar didn't yet have a wand, he resorted to wandless magic using hand gestures.

Pushing open the door, George walked into the open enclosure. A magical circle appeared behind him, and a pair of pristine white wings unfurled from his back.

With a few powerful flaps, he soared into the sky, heading toward downtown New York.

"B-Bears... pandas... pandas can fly?!"

Meanwhile, a young zookeeper patrolling the zoo froze in shock, his flashlight tumbling to the ground.

It took him several moments to recover before mumbling to himself: "I must be hallucinating again. Too much overtime... A panda flying? That's impossible, absolutely impossible."

Later, staring at the now-empty panda enclosure, he felt as if the sky itself was falling.