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*****
Watching Tony on television solemnly declare, "I am Iron Man," Fini took a calm sip of iced Coke. With Skye around, the fridge at home always seemed to mysteriously replenish itself with plenty of things.
"He just admitted it like that?"
Skye, clutching her laptop, looked at Fini with surprise. Back when the videos were first spreading like wildfire on the internet, she had spotted Fini in them; after all, she had experienced "Incursio" herself.
So last night, Fini, who had already been asleep, was forcibly woken up to give a brief explanation. Because of this, Skye was one of the few people who knew the full truth of the matter.
"So what if he admitted it? It's not like anyone dares to lay a finger on him."
Fini shrugged and said indifferently, "He's Tony Stark—the genius weapon developer and billionaire. Admitting it just adds another layer to his halo."
"Did he really build that armor himself?"
Watching the clips of Tony Stark replaying on the news alongside edited battle footage, Skye couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Yeah. And that's only the second generation. It'll probably be updated before long."
Fini was also looking at Tony on the screen with anticipation. Although the sorcerers at Kamar-Taj provided decent experience, after farming them for so long, it was time for a change of pace.
"What about your 'Incursio'? Can you build more of those?"
Skye, still fixated on the feeling of flying, looked over with a pitiful, pleading expression.
"Sorry, that's the only one," Fini said with a sidelong glance. In the future, when he was stronger, he might not be opposed to giving Incursio to Skye, but right now he was as weak as a bug and couldn't even ensure his own safety. How could he lend out his most important piece of experience-farming gear?
"Hmph!"
Skye snorted indignantly and turned back to focus on the TV, venting her frustration by stuffing herself with potato chips and gulping down Coke.
"Eat a little less. I haven't seen you exercising much lately!"
Although Skye had worked hard to train for a while after experiencing Incursio, as time passed, her lazy nature had somehow returned—the stock of food in the fridge was proof enough.
"Hmph, there's only one suit of armor anyway. What's the use of me exercising?"
Skye was still hung up on Incursio, expressing her unhappiness in a roundabout way.
"Don't say that; exercising is always good." Fini understood her meaning and played along with a grin. "What if one day I have a change of heart and decide to give Incursio to you, but you can't even fit into the gear? Wouldn't that be a pity!?"
"You'd give it to me?"
Skye looked at Fini suspiciously. Ever since that first flight, she had pestered him several times to experience it again, but Fini hadn't agreed once.
"Of course!"
Fini answered without hesitation. If the time ever came when he truly had no use for Incursio, Skye was definitely the first choice as a candidate. Her vibration powers gave her immense offensive strength, and Incursio would perfectly compensate for her defense.
Naturally, this was all predicated on him becoming strong enough to no longer need it—at the very least, he'd need to be at the level where he could bully the Hulk or Thor.
Although Fini's personality was usually mischievous and he loved to tease her, she could distinguish between sincerity and a joke.
"Alright, I'll train hard."
Skye became hopeful again. Although she didn't know when Fini would have this "change of heart," since he had said it, the day would surely come.
Tony's official announcement as Iron Man didn't have much impact on Fini's life. Thanks to Tony's secrecy, S.H.I.E.L.D. still didn't know his identity.
The next morning, on the vibrant school campus.
"Morning, Fini."
"Good morning, Haisai-zi."
Many students greeted Fini, the vast majority being girls. After all, his appearance, aided by the growth-assisting effects of "Gilded Eon," was enough to attract these young girls with their rampant hormones.
Fini didn't ignore them, returning every greeting with a polite smile.
"Fini, I'm throwing a party this weekend. Come and join us!"
Just then, a girl with shoulder-length blonde curls walked up and invited Fini with a bright smile. This was a situation Fini encountered often.
Usually, Fini would occasionally attend to relax, though he always rejected those who were eyeing his body by the end of the night.
But considering the two potential dangers he might face soon, Fini hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "Sorry, Dandi, I have some things to take care of this weekend. I might not be able to find the time."
"Alright, that's a shame," Dandi said with a look of disappointment. She was one of the girls interested in him, but she was patient. Fini had accepted her invitations before, so this rejection didn't make her overthink things.
"You're welcome anytime if you find the time!"
Dandi giggled, blew Fini a kiss, and walked away with a swaying gait, leaving Fini to shake his head helplessly.
He could clearly see her intentions, but he had no plans to get a girlfriend right now.
A sorcerer needs their hands—if opening a portal is already that slow, who dares to get a girlfriend!?
According to his memories from his previous life, after the birth of Iron Man, two dangerous events would follow closely. One was Thor being exiled to Earth. That was actually fine; it was just Asgardian family drama—the fight for the throne between the Third Princess and the Second Prince wouldn't have much impact on Earth for the time being.
The other one was more troublesome, and it was going to happen right here in New York.
The Hulk—Dr. Banner—was due to make his debut soon. If Fini didn't interfere, Abomination would likely appear alongside him.
Regarding Abomination, Fini was actually a bit apprehensive. With his current strength, his only advantage against Abomination was flight.
Whether it was strength, speed, or recovery, he currently couldn't compare to Abomination. With Abomination's jumping ability—leaping dozens of meters high—his aerial advantage wasn't actually that useful.
If he flew a hundred meters up, Abomination couldn't hit him, but he wouldn't be able to hit Abomination either.
As for preventing Abomination's birth in advance, that was also difficult. First, he didn't know where the professor working on the serum with Banner was located. As for using the "Compass," the sacrifice required was too great for him to manage.
"Jack Sparrow's Compass" points to the thing the heart desires most. This "desire" must be the absolute deepest wish in one's heart, not just a passing thought. Back then, he had truly wanted to find the Ancient One and Kamar-Taj with all his heart, which is how he successfully found the New York Sanctum.
Therefore, to find that professor's location, he would have to wholeheartedly desire to see that man.
To want to see a man with single-minded devotion—Fini really couldn't do it. He had tried it when looking for Tony, but unfortunately, he failed. And that was even with Tony being relatively good-looking.
Fini wasn't so noble as to sacrifice himself just for a mere Abomination. Besides, even if Abomination was born, the Green Fatty would be there. At worst, he'd just go and help out.
Buffing the Hulk, feeding him, and giving him equipment from the sidelines—he didn't believe they couldn't take down Abomination.
(End of Chapter)