Tony Stark was unusually cheerful that morning.
From the moment he stepped into Henry's villa, he talked non-stop like a caffeine-fueled broadcaster. His words fired out in rapid bursts, leaving Henry with no opportunity to interject.
"…so then the news outlets started calling us the City's Protectors, can you believe that? Honestly, the way the press is eating it up, I should've gotten kidnapped sooner—okay, maybe not that—but you know what I mean. And you—man, you were amazing out there! Did you see the photo they used of you mid-portal? Iconic!"
Henry sat calmly on the couch, sipping tea, watching Tony's animated pacing with an amused expression. He hadn't said a single word yet.
Finally, Tony noticed. He slowed to a stop and raised an eyebrow. "Why aren't you saying anything? Come on, aren't you excited? You're on the front page, for crying out loud!"
Henry gave a small smile. "I am happy. It's just that you're so excited, it kind of makes me look mellow by comparison."
Tony blinked, then chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Okay, fair point. I might've gone a little overboard." He recovered quickly, striking a more relaxed pose. "I'm used to this kind of attention. Big-shot genius like me? Headlines are my side hobby."
Henry smirked. "Is that why I couldn't get a word in for five straight minutes?"
Tony laughed and waved him off. "Okay, okay. I get it. My bad. Anyway, here—check this out."
He tossed Henry a rolled-up newspaper. On the front page, in bold font, were the words "New York Crisis!" along with two large photos: one of Tony flying through the air in the Mark 3, and another of Henry mid-spell, golden sparks dancing in his hands as a portal swirled behind him.
Henry unrolled it further and scanned the article. As expected, the media had gone wild. Overnight, the entire city had started buzzing about the appearance of two mysterious figures who had fought a heavily armed madman on a rooftop and won.
For many New Yorkers, it was their first exposure to something beyond the normal—beyond science and politics. Some were amazed. Others were concerned. A few thought it was all an elaborate hoax.
But what caught Henry's eye was the headline beneath his photo: "The Mysterious Man."
He frowned. "Wait… why do you get the name Iron Man, and I'm just Mysterious Man?"
Tony raised an eyebrow. "Because no one knows what you are yet. Most people still think magic is sleight of hand and parlor tricks. Flying suits make more sense to the public."
Henry sighed. "Great. Now I'm a magician from a Las Vegas show."
"Well," Tony said with a grin, "they did say you looked stylish."
Henry rolled his eyes but said nothing more. He knew Tony had a point. Despite the photo showing him clearly performing magic, most people couldn't wrap their heads around it. The average citizen had never seen a real mage before.
Which, in a way, worked in his favor.
"Wait," Henry said, narrowing his eyes. "Did you really come here just to hand me a newspaper and brag?"
Tony dramatically pulled a pair of sunglasses from his jacket and slid them on. "Nope. I came to invite you to a press conference."
Henry raised a brow. "Press conference?"
Tony grinned. "Yup. Hosting it myself at Stark Tower. I'm going public. I'm going to tell the world that I am Iron Man. And I want you there with me."
Henry stared at him. "You're… inviting me to stand beside you while you tell the world I can use magic?"
"Exactly! Come on, it'll be great PR. You'll be famous! A real superhero. I mean, how many people can sling fire and open portals on command? The world deserves to know you exist!"
Henry leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. He appreciated the gesture—Tony was trying to help him gain recognition, maybe even allies—but it also came with a price.
"Thanks, Tony," he said after a moment. "But I'll pass."
Tony blinked. "Wait—what?"
"I'd rather stay under the radar, for now. Magic is complicated. People don't understand it. Being famous sounds fun… until it's not."
Tony pulled off his sunglasses, confused. "What kind of trouble could you possibly run into? You're basically a walking portal gun."
Henry laughed lightly. "Exactly. That's why I don't want everyone to know. Power attracts attention—and not always the good kind."
Tony still looked skeptical, but he respected the answer. "Alright. Your call. I'll hold the press conference solo then. But just so you know… if I had magic, I'd be doing fireworks shows across Manhattan."
"Which is why I have magic, and you don't," Henry said dryly.
Tony snorted. "Touché."
With that, he stood up and made his way to the door. "You ever change your mind, you know where to find me. Also—your photo made it onto a couple posters. You're basically an icon now. Might wanna think about a cape."
After Tony left, the villa grew quiet again. Henry leaned back and stared at the ceiling.
He hadn't expected all this when he first got dragged into this world. Not the headlines, not the battles, and definitely not the magical evolution. But he had to admit—it was going well.
Too well, almost.
"I need to be careful," he murmured. "This kind of attention comes with consequences."
The only solution? Grow stronger. Faster. Smarter.
He returned to his study and resumed reading.
It was deep into the night when he turned the final page of The Complete Collection of the Supreme Being.
And just like that, he was done.
He closed the thick volume slowly, laying it on the desk like it was a sacred relic.
I've learned all the white magic in this book.
His breathing slowed as the realization sank in. Every spell. Every diagram. Every theory. Understood. Mastered.
There was only one thing left to do.
He opened a portal—this one more stable and accurate than ever before—and stepped through.
Kamar-Taj. Main Hall.
The Ancient One stood calmly near the central dais, deep in conversation with a few senior mages. Mordo stood beside her, listening intently.
Suddenly, a golden ripple tore through the air. A portal opened with precise elegance, its edges perfectly round, its magical structure stable.
Mordo immediately turned.
He relaxed when he saw Henry step through.
"Ah, we meet again," Mordo greeted him with a warm smile.
Henry returned the nod. "Yes, here we are."
Mordo chuckled. "Practicing portal spells again, I see. Even with the Sling Ring, it takes most apprentices weeks to stabilize a portal like that."
Henry hesitated, then said, "Actually… I didn't come here by accident."
Mordo raised an eyebrow.
Henry stepped forward and addressed the Ancient One. "Master. I've come to return the book."
The Ancient One tilted her head slightly. "Return it?"
Henry held out the Complete Collection of the Supreme Being.
"I've finished studying it," he said simply.
The room fell into complete silence.
Mordo's jaw dropped. The Ancient One blinked. The senior mages nearby stopped in mid-chant.
"…Excuse me?" Mordo said.
"I've finished it," Henry repeated. "All of it. Every spell. Every exercise. I've practiced and mastered each one."
There was a pause.
Then the Ancient One smiled softly, the corners of her eyes crinkling in amusement. "Already?"
Henry nodded.
Mordo stared at him like he had grown wings. "You're joking."
"Nope."
"You finished a text that takes most mages years to fully digest. In… what? A week?"
"Closer to six days, but yeah."
Mordo turned to the Ancient One, his voice barely above a whisper. "This isn't talent. This is... unreal."
Henry just smiled politely, then added, "So… what's next?"
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