"I see, have they spotted any sign of magic?"
James, upon hearing the report of Black locked down the space, preventing Black from escaping.
Seeing as he was trapped, Black did not even attempt to run now as he let out a resigned sigh as he answered.
"My Lord, we have spent two months committing various "acts" and missions to "attract the mages" but we have not found even a single mage from "Kamar-Taj. We have also sent people to Nepal, I personally did a sweep of the whole nation but I have not found any temple under the name "Kamar-Taj"."
Black showed an aggrieved expression as he shook his head.
"The fact that they have not appeared is proof of their existence"
James responded, his words causing Black's expression to scrunch up as he felt that his Lord had gone insane. Unfortunately, James was not one to elaborate on his words, he found it a tedious tasks as he simply waved Black to continue with his tasks.
Unable to gain anything substantial from his Lord, Black decided to leave but just as he was about to meld into the shadows-
"Little-Black~ Think of things like this, for a world that is able to create mysteries out of nothing, a world whose laws and mysteries are twisted, the fact that Humanity has reached an extreme realm of reason and technology proves the existence of a "balancing force", but with the way this worlds "root" seems to act, there should not be a counterforce or any response from the world, in other words~"
Black paused his steps as he listened to the words spoken by his Lord's "teacher". Although the words may still carry a bit of complexities, it was not something that he could not resolve with his current knowledge.
Moreover, the way this "teacher" spoke made Black feel as if he was being led to the answer, then, the "teacher" slowed down his words as he elongated his speech giving Black the opportunity to respond to which he added-
"There exists an entity that maintains the balance?"
It was a query, one that obtained a positive response-
"Bingo!"
But that was all, Black was expecting to hear more but neither his Lord nor the "teacher" added anything.
Black turned to his Lord who gave him an exasperated look, it took this responsible butler a mere moment, just one glance. A look at his Lord's eyes gave him an answer-
'Find it out yourself'
Those were the silent orders he was given, and now that he could not get anything more from the "teacher" Black decided to leave.
As the restriction was already lifted, Black was finally able to meld into the shadows and quickly disappear. When Black's disappearance was confirmed, James turned to his teacher, he shot the white haired man a glare as he said-
"You really HAD to explain it to him didn't you?"
Smiling, the man was enveloped by pink petals which quickly vanished and as it did, the long baggy white robes that he wore had turned into a rather modern set of clothes. He still sported a weirdly long scarf but his top had now become a stylish gray long sleeve polo shirt. It was buttoned just up to his chest revealing a significant portion of his surprisingly muscular chest and well defined collar bone.
Below he had a pair of casual black trousers and shiny black shoes.
Keen eyed fate fanboys would recognize the man's clothes as a rather stripped down version of the infamous "Royal Brand" mystic code from the game FGO. But, it was more famous for being the clothes of a certain female knight who had once participated in the Holy Grail War.
"Of all the… nevermind, anyway for what reason did you tell him?"
James was initially shocked seeing his teacher change his clothes to the pair he was quite familiar with. He also noticed a few articles of magical wear, clothes that were high level mystic codes, disappear from his storage.
"Also, you need to pay for that and the others you took"
He did not forget to charge the man, although he was his "teacher", James was not going to let him freeload off of him.
"Come one now, I'll pay for it, what do you need? The winning lottery tickets?"
James snickered as he responded.
"Cut the crap, "YOU" predicting the winning lottery ticket? Better find me some mineral veins and the like, maybe undiscovered relics and tombs, I know how your eyes work"
Although he wasn't at all serious with his words, the man did not seem to mind as he extended his hand, a wide smile on his face as he said-
"Deal!"
The words he heard made James pause, he turned to the white haired man, his teacher. He stared at him for a good minute before his expression suddenly twisted.
".."
Yet he was unable to say anything, holding back his words, he clenched his fist as he took in one deep breath after another trying to calm his mind.
Unfortunately, he was still unable to control all his emotions as he ended up clicking his tongue in annoyance.
"Tsk!"
Despite this, James was unable to do anything but extend his hand and shake his teacher's extended palm.
"You win this time"
James accepted his own failure, but he was not going to let this one sit.
"Hahaha, you were just too easy to fool, though not as easy as Altria"
The man did not mind James' internal thoughts and his obvious desire for revenge. After all, this man was not that fearful of retaliation from his students.
Yes, this man was already used to being chased around by his students.
Maybe it was his personality? Or maybe it was because he was just too attractive?
He didn't really care though, he had fun running away. Few people could catch him, even God's would just shake their heads and give up when he starts running.
But James, of all the people who wanted him dead, James was the one he was most willing to piss off. After all, the man was quite tired of having an angry blonde chase him with a sword.
Though getting chased by a beautiful woman was fun, he really feared the day he would get stabbed by her lance.
In that aspect, he would rather have James be the one chasing after him. Though James was not a pretty lady, he was a like minded individual, a student who was like a blood brother. While his other students would just try to inflict infinite amounts of violence on him, James was the type to, like him, play with his target.
Moreover, their games were not all about inflicting pain, it was more a battle of wits.
Winning a bargain, taking the lead in a contract, their battles were not "Legendary" but they were fun.
'James could even use honeypot tactics to get me to lower my guard, that red head is quite an inspiring lady, that blondie though… she has the same spirit as Altria, playing with her may cost me a few lives… hmm… maybe James will have me "investigate" those agents… I wouldn't mind going on a date with them… for investigation purposes… yes, for investigation~'
As he shook his teacher's hand, James was unaware of the "plot" his dear teacher had. Yet, this did not matter as James was aware of his teacher's personality. Although his teacher only had to exchange information with him to pay off his debts of taking away a pile of mystic codes (mystic clothes ( • ̀ω•́ )✧), living expenses, food, rent, his teacher wouldn't have a pile of gold coins on him.
Even if he did, he'd have to exchange it and that would get him into deeper trouble.
James knew that his teacher would understand that, he knows what kind of things he has to do in order to maintain a "pleasant" life in this world. So he had to take a job under him, his teacher would have to mooch off his student whether he wanted to or not.
Moreover- although his teacher had many ways to circumvent all these problems, his teacher was, in essence, quite a slacker.
James himself was someone who would rather not work if he could but his teacher was… well worse. At most, he'd act if he REALLY needed to but-
Given all the knowledge he had off his teacher, James gave the white haired man a pleasant smile as he added.
"Teacher, you know, there's an interesting legend being born right at this moment, an individual who would be the savior of this world, no this universe, this individual is going through the very start of their hero's journey. At this moment, a few of my people are watching over this individual who we named, "Iron Magus", how about it teacher? Wanna be the sage leading the new hero to greatness?"
Seeing James' smile coupled with his words that were obviously coaxing him into a trap. The white haired man did not fall for the trick but-
"By the way, this hero in the making is one of the richest individuals in this world, the location of this tale is in this ge-"
Before James could even finish his words, the gem in his hands disappeared as a wall of pink petals covered his vision.
As the petals disappeared, James smile faded, replaced by a devious smirk as he then said-
"Fall back, initiate Project "Iron Magus"..."
Afghanistan, a certain mountain-
A blonde haired woman and a middle aged white haired man with a scarred face, the woman, was Yolda and the man, was Soldier. But many would see his face and call out, "Geralt" but this man was not the legendary witcher. This was nothing more than a "Soldier Type Homunculus".
These two, hidden in the shadows, were the people James had set to "Protect" Tony Stark.
Although fate was an interesting thing, one that made things go a certain way even if slight deviations occur, James was well aware of how twisted it could also be. With his own appearance into this world, James made sure that things proceeded towards a certain direction, at least, towards one that he could at least predict.
There were many things in this world that could just make things go crazy in a split second, it was unlike the Nasuverse that followed a very strict pattern.
James was not going to take chances, which was why he had set two Homunculi, one created for combating an army, the other for espionage and assassination.
These two homunculi were currently watching a man who had wires stuck on his chest hammer at a piece of metal. His actions were slow and boring, unlike that of a true blacksmith. His actions were not doing anything good for the metal, though he did try to be as precise as he can yet-
"His too weak, he knows how to handle the material but lacks the strength"
Yolda commented as she turned towards the other man in the cave, a bespectacled gentleman with a receding hairline.
Although the man with wires to his chest was lacking strength, the bespectacled man was even worse. While the former made up for his deficiencies with knowledge, the latter was unable to even do that, though he did have some level of understanding-
"The man, Yinsen, lacked significant knowledge and could only do simple tasks. With their current pace, they would take at least another month or two before they complete their project"
Yolda lamented, she truly wished to complete this mission but her directives were to allow the man to develop his "armor".
"So long as we are here, they won't be harmed, all we need to do is wait, patience is the key to this mission"
The man who looked like Geralt said with a cold tone before turning his attention towards the entrance of the cave.
Yolda turned to the Soldier, squinting her eyes, her magic power flared as a deep black shadow covered her pupils. But, upon seeing the Soldier turn his head slightly, Yolda dropped her act, she turned back towards the two humans in the cave rolling her eyes as she did.
It was at this moment that the two received an order-
"Fall back, initiate Project "Iron Magus"..."
Upon receiving the order, the two homunculi quickly scattered various compounds in the cave which moved to form a magical formation.
"Caster has arrived, time to go"
Yolda spoke with a happy tone as she vanished from the spot followed by Soldier who did not give any response whatsoever.
At this moment, pink flower petals appeared within the sandy cave.
One of the petals found its way towards the magic formation and as it landed-
*FLASH*
A bright pink light flashed inside the cave startling the two men who were busy with work. The two turned towards the source of the sudden light, prepared for the worst but upon turning they found themselves face to face with a white haired man dressed in a rather flamboyant set of clothes.
The two men covered in dirt, sweat and grime stared at this clean faced man, suspicion clouding their expression as they asked.
"Who are you?"
But the white haired man did not bother with them, instead, his gaze wandered around and after a few seconds of looking around his face showed an expression of astonishment before he started to laugh-
"HAHAHAHAHA, you got me there~!"
His words were pleasant to the ears causing the two men to lower their guard-
"Now then, it appears that I'm stuck here with you two~"
The man said with a playful tone as he extended his hand, a ripple appeared after which a long wooden staff appeared. The white haired man grabbed the staff before giving the two dirt covered men a bow as he introduced himself.
"Let me formally introduce myself, I am the king maker, the man who has seen all legends and who could see all of the present. The great mage of flowers, Merlin, at your service"
Hearing his rather obnoxious words, the man with wires sticking to his chest gave the white haired man, Merlin a look of sympathy as he said.
"To think he'd go crazy after getting kidnapped, Yinsen, do you know psychology?"
The bespectacled man, Yinsen, turned to the man with wires as he replied.
"Tony, I appreciate your attempt to calm us both down but with the way he appeared, his clothes and the staff, are you going to tell me that he's some street magician kidnapped by the Ten Rings? What use would they have for such a person anyway?"
Tony or rather Tony Stark, the infamous playboy, billionaire, philanthropist… this man who has his face plastered in almost all billboards and magazines worldwide, the supergenius who was now attempting to make an armor in a cave, his expression turned blank as his gaze shifted from Yinsen to the mysterious man.
"I mean the Ten Rings were the same people who tried to kill me not knowing they were targeting Tony Stark… wouldn't put it past them to kidnap some random street magician by accident… no, who knows? Maybe the guy sneaked into the base?"
Hearing their exchange, Merlin smiled as he raised his face, his expression bright and full of smiles as he cut in between their conversation.
"Tony Stark, I've come to help you! You shall become a hero! Now-"
As he spoke, a faint light shone in Merlin's eyes and his words stopped as he eyed Tony Stark…
"Now this is gonna be a problem-"
His words caused not only Yinsen but even Tony to go silent.
"Anyways~ I'll do my best to help, so what are you trying to make here exactly?"
Ignoring everything, Merlin casually walked up to the two as he glanced at their work. Tony and Yinsen exchange looks of utter confusion, they did not know what to do, whether to entertain this crazy man or not but neither of them could actually hurt or harm another "innocent".
In the end, a weird combination of three men found themselves working on a mechanical suit of armor…