"Oh!? Then tell me?"
Tony looked on expectantly, but his eyes were secretly observing Finney Hellseg's every move.
"I feel like your chair is going to break, and you'll fall flat on your face!"
Just as he finished speaking, the front leg of the plastic chair Tony was sitting on suddenly broke. Caught off guard, Tony's body was about to fall forward, and just as he was about to crash, his palm-mounted jet system activated, helping him regain his balance.
Finney watched with regret; with Tony's reflexes, he definitely wouldn't have had time to react. It was definitely the AI Jarvis that helped him adjust his body, otherwise he would have fallen.
Tony, now steadied, looked at the broken chair behind him with deep surprise and stubbornly asked, "How did you do that?"
"Jarvis, analyze frame by frame, what little trick did he just make!"
A few seconds later.
"Sir, Mr. Finney was just talking to you; he didn't do anything unusual."
"Impossible!"
Looking at the grinning Finney, Tony paused, finally saying with a forced smile, "Fine, I admit your sorcerer has some skills, but they're just trifles."
Finney didn't mind, looking at Tony standing there, and after thinking for a moment, asked, "The armor is finished. What are your plans now?"
Tony didn't answer, but pulled up another chair and continued, "Tell me about your arcane sorcerers."
"How many are there? Is it a special organization? Are they registered with the government?"
"I don't know the exact number, but not many. I guess it's a special organization, but registered with the government?! I don't think so."
Finney didn't think it was an important question and answered based on what he knew.
"Then what is the purpose of your organization? To secretly rule the world?" Tony continued his 'interrogation'.
"Pah, quite the opposite. Our purpose in existing is to protect the world." Finney glared at Tony, then explained, "The Earth is actually very dangerous. The dangers on the scientific side are protected by people on the scientific side, such as the military, Captain America, or you, and perhaps some genetically mutated people in the future."
"But the dangers of the mystical side are protected by us mystical side. For example, us arcane mages. If it weren't for my teacher, Earth would have been finished long ago."
"The dangers of the mystical side?" Tony stared at the wine glass in Finney's hand, his eyes questioning.
"For example, retrieving dangerous magical equipment from various places, or stopping a dimensional overlord who wants to devour Earth."
"A dimensional overlord!?"
Tony understood magical equipment, but he didn't quite understand dimensional overlord.
"Ugh, that's hard to explain." Finney scratched his head in distress, thought for a moment and said, "Anyway, it's something very powerful, a being beyond the level of ordinary life. You just need to know that if it descends, several nuclear bombs won't be enough."
After hearing this, Tony fell silent, adopting a "better safe than sorry" attitude. He would choose to believe Finney; such an enemy really did exist.
Tony's personality was actually similar to Finney's in some ways; he didn't like to place his hopes on others. If the enemy was really as they said, he found that the Iron Man armor he had created seemed useless. At least he couldn't survive a nuclear bomb right now.
He thought he was almost a max-level expert, capable of protecting Earth, but who knew the enemy was so strong? Compared to them, the Iron Man suit was practically beginner equipment.
Noticing Tony's expression, Finney, worried about frightening him, quickly reassured him, "But don't worry, with us mages here, that guy can't come to Earth, and my teacher is here too!"
"What if your teacher isn't here?" Tony countered, now trusting almost no one but himself. "So, as I said before, she has time manipulation abilities, can see the future, and will arrange everything before she disappears."
To be honest, Finney truly trusted the Ancient One. He didn't even want her to step down. Doctor Strange's 'bargaining' was clearly less reassuring than the Ancient One's. If possible, he would definitely stop the Ancient One from committing suicide.
Tony opened his mouth, unsure of what to say. He felt Finney's ideas were somewhat far-fetched and showed too much trust in his teacher.
"Alright, I've told you what I needed to say. What are your plans?" Finney looked at Tony curiously.
He had actually noticed Tony's distrust, but what did it matter? If he could really create an 'Anti-Dormammu Armor,' he would be overjoyed.
However, considering Tony's future plans to create an 'Anti-Hulk Armor,' the chances of creating an 'Anti-Dormammu Armor' weren't very high.
"My plans…"
Tony's eyes flickered with confusion. Although the Iron Man suit was his hope and goal for correcting his past mistakes, he hadn't really figured out what to do after it was built.
Seeing Tony's inner turmoil, Finney thought for a moment and decided to offer a suggestion.
"You could fight terrorists, like that doctor who treated you before..."
"You know Ethan!?" Before Finney could finish, Tony abruptly stood up, interrupting him. His visor snapped shut, and his energy cannon was pointed at Finney. "You're with them!?"
"Are you out of your mind?"
Finney frowned, displeased by Tony's actions, and stood up as well. "That's right, I know Ethan. I even know who kidnapped you. Actually, I know a lot more. Does that prove I'm with them?"
Actually, Tony realized he'd gotten a little emotional as soon as he finished speaking. If Finney were truly a terrorist, he wouldn't have escaped.
But Ethan was one of the most important people in his life, and he'd just sacrificed himself in front of him a few months ago. He hadn't told anyone about this, which was why he was so agitated when Finney mentioned him.
But Tony wasn't the type to swallow his pride and apologize at this moment. He simply lowered the energy cannon on his arm and pressed, "How do you know about him?"
"None of your business!"
Finney retorted irritably. No one would be happy to be suddenly pointed at with an energy cannon; that thing was more powerful than a gun. If it had hit him, without 'Possessed by Evil Spirits' equipped, it was hard to say whether he would have survived.
He had dispelled 'Possessed by Evil Spirits' earlier because he trusted Tony, since it wasn't like the Iron Man armor, which relied on energy and constantly wearing it consumed stamina.
Tony's actions had undoubtedly betrayed that trust, instantly ruining his good mood.
"Tony Stark, remember, everyone's life has its own trajectory. Not everyone likes their life being interfered with, and no one is obligated to help you."
After saying this, the disgruntled Finney didn't wait for Tony's reply, simply muttered a portal phrase, opened the door, and returned home.
Tony was left standing alone in the villa, silent for a long time before finally speaking slowly, "Jarvis, I need to find a place to have a drink to calm my nerves. Any recommendations?"
"Sir, the third annual charity ball you're hosting for the Firefighters' Family Foundation is currently being held at the Disney Concert Hall, and Ms. Potts is there too."
"Okay, I'll get ready and head out!"
"By the way, sir, you didn't receive an invitation to this ball!"
Hearing this, Tony's mood worsened. When did his own ball stop inviting his master? If he couldn't bully the sorcerer, couldn't he at least be arrogant in front of ordinary people?!
It's…Friday!
Read 15+ chapters ahead at p4treon...
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(End of Chapter)