In the end, Kevin still couldn't let Annie have her way.
Mainly, he was afraid that his 'reunion' with Annie wouldn't pass the review.
However, despite that, Kevin and Annie spent a good while together, and it wasn't until Logan came knocking in the evening that the two began to attend to official matters.
Quite a few people came from the Marvel World.
Not to mention those from the Mutant Academy, there was also Captain Marvel Carol, who had yet to regain her memory, and several members of the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Kevin first arranged for them, telling Charles and the others to return to the Mutant Academy, and he would visit them later when he had time.
Then, he arranged for people from Vought to pick up the Guardians of the Galaxy, who were still in the wilderness, and settle them.
During this time, he began to sort out his current abilities.
During his battle with Apocalypse, Kevin unconsciously said words like 'I am God' to him.
Although Kevin was indeed a god-like existence in The Boys Universe now, he had never been so arrogant before, truly believing himself to be the God of this world.
Yet, in front of Apocalypse, Kevin still said it.
And at that time, he truly believed it.
Coupled with the occasional display of insufficient emotional control, this made Kevin feel uneasy.
"Could it be that even my mindset has become that of a child? That wouldn't be fun."
Kevin felt that this might be because his body had now become that of a child, and even his mentality had become unstable and immature.
If it were during normal times, this change would be nothing.
But now, The Boys Universe was at a critical juncture of life and death, and any decision handled improperly could lead to the destruction of The Boys Universe.
Kevin was worried that his mindset would not be able to handle the collapse of parallel universes.
However, despite thinking this, in the depths of Kevin's consciousness, he felt that the collapse of parallel universes was nothing.
He could just directly imitate Loki, grab the timeline, and become the God of all The Boys Universes!
How cool would that be—
—Cool my ass!!
As soon as the thought popped into his head, Kevin forcefully suppressed it.
It was still the same old saying: was he, Kevin, so full that he would sit on the toilet forever and not move?
Did he think he was some Emperor of Man?!
Shaking his head, Kevin shook off all the chuunibyou thoughts in his mind, then his face showed worry.
Before, it was just a guess; now, it was basically confirmed.
His current mindset had been affected by his youthful body.
It was filled with the drive, passion, innocence, and chuunibyou that a young person should have.
It was precisely because of this that he claimed to be a god in front of Apocalypse.
It's not that these emotions are bad, but sometimes things can't be solved just by relying on a burst of passion.
Things done impulsively would definitely be regretted in the future; Kevin could guarantee that.
"Looks like I need to be more careful from now on... Oh, right, I haven't checked The Boys Universe's worldline yet."
Busy until now, Kevin just remembered that he hadn't yet determined the situation of those parallel universes in The Boys.
From Annie's mouth, Kevin easily learned that five months had passed in The Boys world.
Five months wasn't long, but for the collapsing The Boys parallel universes, it was definitely not short.
Kevin remembered that when he left, parallel universes had already collapsed.
After these five months, God knew what the other parallel universes would be like.
After a brief thought, Kevin casually opened a portal, going directly from this The Boys timeline to the outer void.
Countless time ribbons appeared before Kevin, but surprisingly, these time ribbons showed no signs of collapsing at the moment.
As for the reason...
"...Is this... the timeline of the Marvel Universe?"
Yes, the Marvel Universe, with its chaotic time branches caused by the elimination of the Remaining One, was currently intertwined with The Boys Universe where Kevin was.
The two sides were now playing a complementary role.
One ensured that too many time branches in the Marvel World would not appear, while the other slowed down the collapse progress of The Boys timeline.
And seeing this, Kevin knew why so many Marvel characters appeared in this world.
The reason was here.
However, this was not a good thing.
Kevin could see that although the Marvel Universe's timelines were integrated with The Boys world, their integration was distinct.
From a distance, it didn't look like integration at all; instead, it looked like different threads wrapped around a single rope!
And the deeper the 'integration,' the more signs of collapse they showed.
However, this collapse, under a strange circumstance, actually slowed down the destruction progress of both worlds.
But Kevin always felt this was only temporary.
Now both worlds were walking on an extremely dangerous cliff, and a slight mistake could lead to eternal damnation.
If this continued, it wouldn't be surprising if all worlds suddenly collapsed one day!
"Time Restraint Device... Tsk, OB hasn't been able to build it yet, and I've already run out... I don't know what the situation in the Marvel Universe is like now..."
Kevin did not dare to act rashly now.
Although he had now merged with the skill tree and completely mastered the method of traversing worlds, and even because of his thorough merger with the skill tree, all his abilities were beginning to advance to a higher level.
But traversing worlds was something Kevin still dared not do now.
He was worried that if he traversed the Marvel World, it would directly trigger the collapse of the timeline, and then everyone would be finished!
"Let me think about it again, think about it again... huh?"
Rubbing his temples, Kevin still wanted to think more.
But before he could think for long, he saw layers of film-like objects suddenly appearing in the far reaches of the void, extending towards the already chaotic timeline.
Kevin recognized that thing.
That was the Time Sphere of the DC Universe!
The stretched and extended Time Sphere!!
"Shit! This is going to be a complete mess!"
The Marvel Universe hadn't been dealt with yet, and the DC Universe was about to interfere.
Kevin was now very grateful, grateful that he hadn't traversed more instance worlds, otherwise, who knew how many worlds would collide with The Boys Universe when the time came.
Currently, the DC Universe's approach speed was not too fast; at this rate, it would take at least a few months to reach The Boys world's universe.
But Kevin couldn't drag it out any longer.
Even if it might cause world collapse, he had to find an opportunity to return to the Marvel World and take a look!
"...Let's go back and rest for a while."
Daring not to look at the situation of the timeline in the void anymore, Kevin sighed and headed back home.
The increasingly serious troubles made Kevin feel annoyed.
He felt very tired now and just wanted to rest well first, then make plans.
...
"Ha, your technology here is too backward, you can't even build a machine to check bodies?"
This taunt came from the genius Rocket Raccoon.
After Kevin returned, he stayed with Annie for two days, then began to think about checking his own body.
He originally wanted to determine if there were any problems with his body through more detailed examinations.
However, upon returning to Vought, he found that Vought's equipment simply couldn't perform the examination of his body.
The level of technology was insufficient, and the analyzed results were not accurate at all.
There was no other way, so in the end, Kevin could only ask Rocket Raccoon to help him build a body examination machine.
As one of the top geniuses in the Marvel Universe, Rocket Raccoon, after learning of Kevin's request, used the parts Kevin provided to build an instrument that could examine the bodies of advanced organisms within a few days.
Now, he was both taunting and performing a body check on Kevin.
"I know our technology is indeed very backward for you guys, so stop mocking me and just tell me the results."
Kevin, lying on the examination instrument, said helplessly.
He had had enough of living as a child these past few days, although he wasn't exactly a child now, at most he was a teenager.
But so many people looking at him with the eyes of a child still made him somewhat uncomfortable.
And his height had also shrunk a lot, from his original height of over 1.8 meters to barely 1.6 meters.
He was even shorter than Levi Ackerman!
What made Kevin even more unacceptable was that Annie always pressed down on him!
Hmm... let's not go into detail here.
Anyway, Kevin wanted to change back as soon as possible.
Not changing back through magic, but truly 'growing' back to his original appearance.
At least his height had to return to normal!
It was a pity, though, that Rocket Raccoon didn't seem to have found anything either.
He studied the data that Kevin couldn't understand for a long time, and finally concluded:
"Your body is very healthy, just like a newborn baby... Hmm... this isn't a metaphor."
"?"
"Anyway, from the data, your physical age is probably not even one year old... You really did revert to childhood."
Rocket Raccoon sat on the chair, spinning around, and continued:
"Body density... health status... cardiopulmonary function... all are fine, it's just that it'll be a bit difficult for you to grow up in the future."
"What do you mean...?"
"According to the data, your body's lifespan has been infinitely extended, and your growth time is also the same. I cannot predict how long it will take for you to 'reach adulthood'. Conservatively estimated... it probably won't happen within a hundred years. My goodness, you're immortal, brother!"
Rocket Raccoon teased Kevin.
He had no thoughts about immortality; after all, there were countless long-lived races in the universe.
Not to mention others, just Groot alone, he had lived much, much, much, much longer than everyone else... Therefore, Kevin becoming long-lived was indeed not a surprising thing.
Moreover, in their impression, Kevin was actually almost like a god.
Even Ego, that 'false god,' could live from the beginning of the universe until now, so what if Kevin, this 'true god' who destroyed Ego, lived longer?
On the contrary, the thought of Kevin having to maintain this little kid's appearance until he died made Rocket Raccoon unable to resist laughing heartily.
It was only because Kevin had dealt with him before that he dared not mock so presumptuously now.
"Hahahaha! You'll be a little kid your whole life!"
Alright, Rocket Raccoon held back for a long time but still couldn't resist.
He threw away the data in his hand and slapped the table wildly with his small paws, bursting into laughter.
"The thought of me getting old later, and then you walking next to me, and when people ask about our relationship, I'll answer, 'Oh, I'm his Grandpa Rocket,' I just can't help myself... Puhahahahaha! Grandpa Rocket— "
His fist hardened.
Kevin's forehead veins throbbed, and the corners of his mouth twitched as he forcibly suppressed the urge to beat Rocket.
He took a deep breath, and with a fake smile, said, "Rocket, if you want to practice swimming like Drax in a 'washing machine'... then you can keep laughing."
"Pfft...cough cough...Hmm, who's laughing? Not me, anyway! Oh, right, I think Quill said he wanted to take me to experience the local customs of this country..."
Rocket, however, knew when to back down.
Seeing that Kevin was truly angry and about to turn him into a 'drenched raccoon', Rocket immediately got down from the chair and ran outside.
But he hadn't run far when he found he couldn't move.
Looking down, a blue whip was wrapped around his waist.
"Hey! Using magic tricks is going too far! I'm not even laughing now!"
Pulled over by Kevin, Rocket hung upside down in the air, protesting.
Kevin rolled his eyes at him exasperatedly, then took out a manual from his treasure trove and tossed it to Rocket:
"I'm not looking for trouble with you; there's something serious I need to tell you. Look into this and see if you can build the 'Time Control Device' mentioned in it."
"Time Control?"
Untangling the magic whip from his waist, Rocket deftly landed, clutching the manual.
He looked at the cover of the manual in his hand, then opened it, raising an eyebrow as he asked, "Time Variation Administration Manual? I remember that 'TemPad' we got from the ancient ruins earlier, wasn't it from this organization?"
Rocket still remembered their experience of getting the TemPad.
Originally, Rocket wanted to study the TemPad to see if he could create something similar.
Unfortunately, the TemPad was eventually taken by Kevin, so Rocket couldn't study it even if he wanted to.
But he didn't expect to get a direct step-by-step guide now, receiving the TVA's manual on time-related technology.
Don't let this small manual fool you; it contains countless valuable technologies from within the TVA.
Kang the Scientist, relying on this small manual, created some prototype equipment for the Time Variation Administration.
For example, the Time Extractor and the Time Trimming Device.
Kevin knew Kang the Scientist was very intelligent; he was indeed an extraordinary genius.
But when it came to intelligence, Kevin felt that Rocket was absolutely no less capable.
If Kang the Scientist could research so many things with just one manual, perhaps Rocket could too.
Therefore, Kevin thought of bringing out the manual to see if Rocket could produce a prototype of the Time Restraint Device.
"Yes, it's that organization. I want you to see if you can use this to research a device that can restrain timelines."
Kevin said truthfully.
...Rocket was stunned. He looked down at the manual in his hand, then looked up at Kevin, and finally said seriously to Kevin:
"Then, before I start researching, do you want to explain to me what a timeline is and what a Time Restraint Device is?"
"That's a long story, but I will tell you, because right now... I need your help."
Kevin took a deep breath, finally deciding to ask his friends for help.
...
Saving the timeline is no longer Kevin's sole responsibility.
It's everyone's business.
Kevin could no longer think of solving the problem alone; mainly, he couldn't solve it.
Therefore, seeking external help was a very good choice.
Originally, before this, Kevin thought his variants in the Marvel Universe would help him.
But before those variants could even discuss anything, he was beaten back to The Boys world by the strongest variant and turned into this state.
But that doesn't matter.
How he looks is no longer important; what's important now is how to save the collapsing timeline.
For this, Kevin gathered everyone together.
The Guardians of the Galaxy, the X-Men, and the Hero Association created by Kevin, as well as The Boys who chose to actively inject Compound V to protect the city.
All of them were now before Kevin, listening to him explain the greatest crisis they currently faced.
The collapse of the timeline.
"Oh... God, this joke isn't funny..."
When Hughie learned about the crisis facing The Boys world from Kevin, he murmured.
The others also had various expressions, some thoughtful, some doubtful.
Captain Marvel Carol asked directly, "So, in that case, the reason we ended up in the wrong world is because our universe is starting to collapse?"
"Something like that, so I need your help."
"Just tell us what to do."
Star-Lord of the Guardians of the Galaxy said directly, without asking any questions.
They trusted Kevin, and they believed Kevin wouldn't joke with them. If he said the world was in danger, then it definitely was.
After all, in their eyes, Kevin was the true hero who saved Xandar and destroyed Ego.
Among the Guardians of the Galaxy, Kevin's trust level was completely maxed out.
Logan was the same; he looked at Kevin and said, "Alright, although I don't know much about the multiverse or anything... But since you said it, we're willing to help. What do we need to do?"
Kevin was deeply moved that the Guardians of the Galaxy and Logan were willing to trust him.
Kevin's gaze swept over everyone, and he began to lay out his plan:
"First, we need to create a Time Restraint Device. I've already given the relevant theories to Rocket."
Everyone looked at Rocket, who cooperatively puffed out his chest and stepped forward.
Kevin continued, "But Rocket alone isn't enough. Hank, I remember you're also a scientist, right? You come and help Rocket perfect the time theory."
Kevin was referring to Hank McCoy, the Beast.
Hank was the scientist in the X-Men's new trilogy. The X-Men's jet, Charles's Cerebro, and the serum in Days of Future Past that could temporarily strip mutants of their X-factor, were all created by Hank.
From this perspective, even if Hank wasn't a mutant, he was a genius among humans. With him collaborating with Rocket, they should be able to create the Time Restraint Device more quickly.
"Okay, no problem."
Hank quickly agreed.
Charles looked at Kevin: "What about us? What should we do?"
"Charles, I need you to first help this person here... recover some of her past memories, and then help me deal with the active Super Villains in this world."
Kevin said, pointing at Carol.
Carol frowned, asking in confusion, "My... past memories?"
"You had your memories extracted when you were captured by the Skrulls, right? You should know that a part of your memory was sealed. Your name isn't Vers; you have another name, but you need to figure that out yourself. I won't say more."
After a brief explanation to Carol, Kevin looked at everyone: "The rest of you, for this period, help deal with the Supes causing trouble in this world. We need to stabilize the world in the shortest possible time so we can focus on the timeline collapse issue."
As the saying goes, to pacify external threats, one must first stabilize internal affairs. Due to a series of previous events, many Super Villains had emerged in The Boys world.
These Super Villains weren't particularly powerful, but their sheer numbers and widespread distribution across the world would waste a lot of time if handled solely by the Hero Association.
Since the X-Men and the Guardians of the Galaxy were here to help, Kevin thought of conscripting them to eliminate all the destabilizing factors in The Boys world.
Then, he would start building a new organization based on the people in front of him.
The TVA.
The TVA belonging to The Boys world.
...
Kevin's orders were given. The Marvel characters, unable to return to their original world for now and forced to remain here, could only follow his instructions.
After all, a timeline collapse sounded very dangerous. Regardless of whether it was true or false, treating it as true was the safest bet.
Moreover, dealing with Super Villains was what they, as heroes, were supposed to do.
The X-Men followed the Hero Association, running all over the world.
Kevin, on the other hand, finally started resting, planning to take a few days off before going back to the Marvel Universe.
At the very least, he needed to get a prototype of the Time Restraint Device.
But even when idle, Kevin wasn't doing nothing.
He was sensing his current power, using the last bit of this time to fully master the power that had integrated into his body.
By now, Kevin also understood that the mysterious power that had transformed him into his current state wasn't harming him; it was helping him.
While the old Kevin seemed to be getting stronger little by little, he actually hadn't exceeded the limitations of the skill tree.
His growth could only rely on skill points; without skill points, his strength would be stuck at a certain stage, unable to advance further.
But now, Kevin had completely merged with the skill tree, losing the skill tree's limitations on his upper limit.
Therefore, the current Kevin no longer needed to acquire skill points; he could continue to grow stronger simply by circulating magic and comprehending divinity.
Especially his physical constitution.
Kevin felt his physique strengthening every moment. If he could grow into an adult in this form, then his physique would undoubtedly be a Level Seven physique!
The same applied to his spirit and magic.
He only needed to grow normally to reach the peak set by the original skill tree, and even continue to grow beyond it.
The cost, however, was...
Kevin's growth rate was a bit slow.
Rocket's estimate was even conservative. Based on his current body's growth rate, it would take at least several millennia for Kevin to grow even a little bit taller.
"Now I've truly become an immortal species..."
The elevation of life level leading to increased lifespan and prolonged growth cycles was not surprising.
But Kevin didn't have hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of years to wait for himself to grow.
So, in the end... did he still need to acquire 'nourishment'...
Thinking of the variants in the Marvel World who would become his 'nourishment', Kevin's gaze darkened.