The awakening of superpowers had only been happening for the past few years, specifically around the time Tony announced he was Iron Man.
The first to manifest superpowers was Smedley, who was the youngest at the orphanage. Her flight ability originated from accidentally falling from a classroom window. John could determine this was a superpower rather than magic because what they contained wasn't magical power; it was similar to an ability caused by genetic mutation.
Similar to Martha. However, Martha was a combination of the vampire curse, magic-inhibiting blood, and the Wizard King's blood. These three elements had created mutations that occurred during experiments.
Gerald, whom they mentioned, was the oldest child remaining at the orphanage and also a normal person without disabilities. But Gerald didn't show any superpowers, though he was very smart, getting into university through his own studies.
After learning John was the orphanage's investor, the three's attitude improved considerably. Especially Edward, who apologized for trying to scare John earlier. John didn't hold it against him.
"Who else knows you have superpowers?"
They invited him into a room filled with many rabbit dolls. This was Smedley's room, originally meant for two people, but since only Smedley remained as the only girl, it became hers alone.
John and Smedley sat on chairs, while the two boys sat more casually cross-legged on the floor.
Hearing John's question, Edward thought for a moment and said, "Not many people. We know these things are abnormal. Gerald told us to try not to leave the orphanage."
Bertram interjected, "I saw on TV that there are Avengers and Miracle Children. Is that real?"
"It's real." John nodded.
The three immediately had stars in their eyes, with the most lively, Edward, pumping his fist. "I knew it! We're not the only ones!"
They had the excitement of finding companions. The closed-off orphanage made them isolated from outside information. Their only way to know about the outside world was monthly outings and the TV Gerald had repaired.
"You're happy to have similar people?" John looked at them in surprise.
Edward said with dissatisfaction, "Of course! We have so many amazing companions."
"Hehe," John was amused and couldn't help shaking his head. "They're similar to you, but not necessarily companions."
"Thor—his power comes from Asgardian physique and magic."
"Hulk—he's the product of a failed experiment, not a superpower."
"Captain America—the super-soldier serum in his body gave him the ability to fight monsters. He's a soldier."
"Black Widow and Hawkeye—they don't have superpowers, only well-trained combat skills and killing abilities."
"As for Iron Man..." John looked at the three naive teenagers staring wide-eyed at his words, saying mockingly, "You don't think that armor is his real body, do you?"
The three kids were stunned, as if they hadn't considered that the iron armor wasn't Tony's actual body.
"You should see more of the outside world," John said in an old-fashioned manner. "Go out and walk around."
At the mention of going out, all three showed resistance. Sure enough, they displayed resistant expressions again.
John wasn't in a hurry—they'd have to go out eventually anyway.
Edward was even more annoyingly vigilant. "You're not trying to trick us into leaving so you can tear down our home, are you?"
Faced with such a troublemaker, John directly gave him a nuclear-friendly look that scared Edward's legs into trembling.
"First, this is my orphanage," John said flatly. "I won't sell it because I'm very rich, extremely rich."
His words left the three not knowing where to object. But based on Gerald's meager earnings from part-time work at McDonald's, very rich? Maybe he had a hundred thousand?
John silently looked at Smedley, who was biting her nails thinking about how much money that might be. He felt insulted.
"Second, I've decided to shut down the orphanage."
As soon as these words came out, all three couldn't sit still. This was their home. If the orphanage closed, wouldn't they lose their home?
Bertram's fingers danced with electric arcs as he growled darkly, "I knew it! You have no good intentions!"
Ignoring the three's anger, John casually snapped his fingers, and straps grew from their clothes, binding them tightly so they couldn't move.
Facing their angry stares, John said calmly, "The orphanage needs to close because there are no more children here who need care."
"How old are you? Eighteen?"
John said flatly, "Normal orphanages have no obligation to continue caring for children after they turn eighteen."
Being deflated by his words, unable to fight back, and not having reason on their side, the three became dejected.
"However, although I'm closing the orphanage, I won't drive you away." John changed his tone. "You can continue staying at this school."
"School?"
Facing three blank faces, John said, "This will no longer be an orphanage. I'll convert it into a school, and you three will be the first students of this school... four."
He suddenly remembered there was another troubled superpower user at the manor. Might as well throw them all together for training.
This place was already big enough—just adding some new teaching buildings would convert it nicely into a school.
John was also action-oriented. He took out his phone and said, "MOSS, give me a school template."
"Already drawing for you."
MOSS quickly searched architectural plans of world-famous schools. The ultimate patchwork creation. Based on the orphanage's land area, a plan was drawn up with all the items needed for a superpower school, everything marked out.
One-click ordering, everything handled.
The three, who hadn't reacted yet, belatedly thought of a question.
"How did he tie us up just now?" Edward struggled, but the straps held him tight.
After his reminder, the other two also remembered. Right, they just saw John snap his fingers. Also, when John saw them earlier, he showed no fear at all, even seemed amused.
Thinking of a possibility, Edward carefully asked, "Are you also a superpower user?"
"Me?" John snapped his fingers again, freeing the three from their bonds, and smiled lightly. "I'm your principal."
Freed from their restraints, the three became more certain that John was like them. They couldn't distinguish between magic and superpowers.
The three were happy to find someone similar, completely forgetting what John had told them earlier. They formed a circle, noisily asking what John's ability was.
John's gaze fell on the diamond-shaped, tattoo-like patterns on their shoulders. This was insurance placed on these children to ensure they wouldn't be persecuted.
John showed sufficient patience.
At the same time, the battle in New Jersey was also approaching its end. Missiles and energy beams flew together, and whips and alloy shields sparked. Cluster bombs fell like scattered flowers, iron armor moving like a swimming dragon under missiles.
The 720° cutting laser reappeared, with the Warrior opening an energy magnetic field shield. The terrain changed due to this battle.
Ivan controlled the Warrior, flames jetting from his feet as he flew up, arms spread with six reactors, unleashing overwhelming heat ray attacks.
Tony was enveloped, his chest and hands firing high-intensity energy beams. The battle neared its end, both armors battered and torn.
Tony was covered in damage, Ivan's shoulder armor destroyed by energy beams. Both had reached their limits.
"Taste this."
Ivan's other shoulder armor opened, revealing a charged missile.
Tony saw the familiar weapon and said in surprise, "Hammer Industries?"
"I modified its trigger mechanism." Ivan grinned maliciously.
The Ex-Wife missile launched. He really wanted Tony's life.
"You crazy Siberian bastard!"
Amid Ivan's laughter, Tony cursed and immediately pushed his propulsion system to maximum. In this low-end game, you brought out a high-end killer weapon.
"JARVIS."
"Obstacle detected three kilometers ahead."
Tony accelerated, disappearing with a trail of flames.
Ivan laughed until he coughed, the system showing armor damage and overheating as it ejected him. The Warrior opened, white smoke pouring out making Ivan cough continuously.
"Tsk, without a magical reactor, the endurance still isn't enough."
"I will continue my revenge, Tony Stark."
Glancing at the six reactors burned out from overload, Ivan looked into the distance. A tall, protruding landmass collapsed.
This battle couldn't continue. The outcome was full of suspense. Both thought they hadn't lost, yet also felt they had lost.