"Yes... that's true."
"But how should I put it? Actually, I'm just a bit faster at learning and thinking. My creative ability isn't necessarily stronger than yours."
Leon paused, concerned that Tony might feel disheartened, and proceeded to analyze his own abilities.
"The Iron Man armor is the culmination of the most comprehensive and cutting-edge knowledge you possess. Each step represents the highest-level application of related knowledge."
"Plus, you practically guided me step-by-step last night."
"That's why I was able to quickly grasp this knowledge."
"What I've done is simply replicate your knowledge into my own, exactly as it is."
Leon tapped his head. "A learning and processing ability as powerful as a supercomputer—that's the Super Brain."
"However, when it comes to the innovation stage, it still relies on my own talent."
"And the Super Brain also has limitations in the comics."
"In some DC works, it's set that most of Superman's Super Brain computing power is used to restrain his own power."
"But I haven't encountered this problem yet."
Leon used his index finger and thumb to make a very small gesture. "The brainpower I use to limit my superpowers is a very small proportion."
"So wait and see, Tony. In three days, I'll use your knowledge, plus my innovation, to defeat you!"
Slumped in his chair, Tony felt a little better after hearing the explanation.
He stood up again, looking unconvinced. "Don't be ridiculous, kid. Have you ever seen a plagiarist surpass the original author? My masterpiece can't possibly lose!"
"Then we'll wait and see, oh wise mortal." Leon left a chuunibyou-like provocation and went upstairs.
In the parking garage, the fighting spirit ignited in Tony's eyes again.
He could never admit defeat in his own field, especially not to Leon, that hateful younger brother!
However, before Tony could return to his workbench, Leon's figure suddenly reappeared behind him.
"Oh, right, I forgot something. Tony, your condition is too poor. You can't continue working. Take a break first."
As soon as he finished speaking, Tony felt a numbness in his neck and instantly lost consciousness.
Cheating! This kid is using underhanded tactics!
Before falling asleep, Tony cursed in his heart, using his last bit of consciousness, that Leon shouldn't play if he couldn't play fair.
"Look at this baby-like sleep," Leon commented, picked up Tony, and carried him to the bedroom.
"Young Master Leon, perhaps this is a somewhat unfair victory. Mr. Stark won't be convinced," Jarvis kindly reminded.
"It's best if he's not convinced. I'm still worried that he'll be hit hard and become depressed after being defeated by me." Leon walked into Tony's lab.
"You seem very confident," Jarvis observed.
"Of course." Leon turned on the power supplies one by one in front of the workbench Tony usually used. "After all, the most important thing in the early stage of the armor is to improve its functions, which doesn't require much technological advancement."
"And in my mind, there happen to be several modification schemes that can be realized without using more advanced technology."
Just kidding, not to mention the dozens of Iron Man armors Tony developed in the movies.
Even the armors in the comics, he had learned about in his previous life.
The research and development ideas of those armors were fantasies in his previous life.
But in this world, they are paths that have already been explored by other Tonys.
He only needs to develop along these ideas to always be one step ahead of his older brother.
Poor Tony, from now on, he will live in Leon's shadow.
Leon happily carried Dum-E and U onto the workbench from the garage and began his manufacturing.
"Okay, Dum-E, first put away the arc reactor Tony made on the table..."
"Young Master Leon!" Jarvis suddenly interrupted at this moment.
"What's wrong?"
"Miss Potts is here. She's looking for you."
"Not right now. Tell her I'll be out in three days."
"But she's already coming down."
"Huh? Then tell her Tony is in the bedroom!"
"I'm afraid you might consider telling Miss Potts this news in person."
As Jarvis finished speaking, Pepper hurried downstairs and appeared outside the lab's transparent partition door.
She saw Leon, who was greeting her with an awkward smile, at a glance, angrily patted the partition glass, entered the password on the door, and walked in.
"Hi, Pepper, good morning," Leon spoke first.
Pepper looked like she was there to interrogate him. "You didn't go to the company yesterday, Leon!"
Leon was busy learning how to make armor yesterday and had long forgotten about it.
He said with a sheepish smile, "But Jobsworth went. Old Job is reliable and hardworking and will definitely be able to share your work."
"But that's not a reason for you to hide at home!"
Pepper looked at Leon's messy hair after not sleeping all night and couldn't help but reach out to tidy it up.
"What did you do last night? Why are your hair and clothes so... Oh my god, don't tell me you learned from Tony again, called those cover girls, and had them come home..."
Pepper's eyes became dangerous.
Leon was like her child. If he was corrupted by Tony, she would definitely scold Tony until he was ashamed today!
"No, no, no!" Leon hurriedly interrupted. "What do you mean 'again'? I've never done it before, and I'll never do that kind of thing in the future. Pepper, you can rest assured!"
"I'm like this now because of Tony!"
He disclaimed responsibility. "I came down yesterday to ask him to show his face at the company, but he dragged me to make armor."
He rolled his eyes, snatched the oldest arc reactor from Dum-E's hand.
"Look, Tony even prepared a gift for you."
"A gift?" Pepper became curious, her attention diverted to the arc reactor. "This is what's in Tony's chest..."
"That's right, that's it!"
Leon embellished the story. "This little thing is an arc generator, a brand-new cold fusion energy source, representing the future of mankind."
"What Tony has been doing these days is research related to this little thing."
"That's the next step in Stark Industries' plan—to bring better benefits to the world!"
"And this, this arc reactor in my hand, is Tony's gift to you."
Leon overstepped his bounds. "This is the life-saving device he built in a cave for the terrorist organization, and it's also the world's first small arc reactor."
"After he replaced this little thing, he originally planned to give it to you."
"But you also know, with his personality, he can't say straightforward words even in a hundred years."
"So..."
Leon handed the arc reactor to Pepper. "You know the meaning of this gift, right?"
Pepper didn't take it, nor did she speak.
Because she was already too moved.
The meaning of this gift was too significant, too romantic.
Pepper covered her mouth with both hands and couldn't speak for a while.
"He, he really gave it to me?" Pepper carefully took the arc reactor, the happiness coming too unexpectedly, leaving her at a loss.