Since waking up today, Harry had fallen back into an ordinary rhythm of life.
Maybe too many things had happened recently, because now, nothing did.
Every night, he went to bed with Felicia, and they slept until dawn.
In the morning, he enjoyed the breakfast prepared by Old Al, then drove his sports car to Osborn headquarters to start the day's work.
The only pity was that Invisible Woman hadn't shown up for days. Even when Harry went to see her, she avoided him.
Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
"How is it, Dr. Carl? Haven't you analyzed it yet?"
Sitting on a bright metal chair, Harry toyed with two iron spheres in his hand, his head resting on the other, eyes half-closed with boredom as he addressed the bespectacled scientist across the room.
"Ah!" Dr. Carl finally stopped what he was doing, exhaled heavily, and threw down the equipment in his hands. He slumped onto the nearby sofa in defeat.
"Although I've analyzed the composition of this helmet, it's impossible to replicate," he said, shaking his head as he removed and wiped his thick glasses.
"Why? Is the material used to make it that special?" Harry asked curiously. He didn't know much about Magneto's helmet—only that it blocked telepathy.
"Yes." Dr. Carl put his glasses back on and looked at him.
"I've figured out the technology behind it—the electrostatic shielding is simple enough. But the material itself is something else entirely. At first, I didn't recognize it. It took a lot of research to identify it. Even so, no matter how I try, I can't synthesize it."
"What kind of material?" Harry asked. As a traveler between worlds, he knew things others could not.
"Impossible. It's Adamantium," Dr. Carl said, sighing again. "That alloy disappeared after World War II. And the metal used here—this isn't even refined Adamantium. It's the raw ore."
"Raw Adamantium, huh… That's indeed hard to come by. But I happen to know a place."
A faint grin curved Harry's lips. "I'll bring some back when the time comes."
"Alright, I think that's it for today."
Harry checked his watch—it was already noon. He had a lunch date with Felicia, and he wasn't about to miss it.
Standing up, he flicked his wrist lightly. The helmet floated off the test stand, deforming in midair. As it drifted toward him, the shape compressed and slid neatly into his sleeve.
…
"Well, this tastes much better than what you used to eat," Felicia said with a sweet smile, spoon in hand, sitting across from him at the table.
"It's the best steak I've ever had," Harry admitted, swallowing a mouthful. It was true—even though he preferred his steak less well-done, he still enjoyed it.
"Then you can eat all of it." Felicia scooped a spoonful of dessert and smiled. The playful squint in her eyes reminded Harry of a mischievous cat.
"Alright…" Harry looked at the three large plates of steak still in front of him and smiled helplessly. He really couldn't resist her teasing.
"Breaking news—"
"Reports from Washington say the Oval Office was attacked earlier today. Fortunately, both the President and Vice President are safe. Sources indicate the attack may have been carried out by one or more mutants—"
The voice from the TV caught Harry's attention.
"What's wrong, Harry?" Felicia asked when she saw his eyes shift toward the screen. The corners of her mouth curved into a knowing smile.
"Ah, nothing. Just thought of something interesting. Oh, and—time to refuel. Still plenty left."
Harry turned his attention back to his plate, cutting into another piece of steak with exaggerated enthusiasm.
"Hehe, you don't have to force yourself to finish it all," Felicia laughed softly, covering her mouth with one elegant hand, though her trembling shoulders gave her away.
"Hic! And you don't have to force yourself to hold back your laughter."
Harry burped, set down his utensils, and dabbed his mouth with a napkin.
"Hahaha!"
Felicia finally gave in, lowering her head and pounding the table as laughter spilled out. She didn't care about maintaining her usual composure in front of the staff.
…
There were far more police cars patrolling the streets these days. Harry folded the Daily Bugle and sighed. Because of all the commotion, Spider-Man hadn't appeared in the headlines for several days.
"How long has it been since they started debating that Mutant Registration Bill again? Even Senator Kelly's not supporting it this time," Harry remarked, taking the coffee Felicia handed him and glancing back at the newspaper.
"It's not Senator Kelly—it's the President this time. That's progress, isn't it?" Felicia replied, sitting down beside him.
"The President's just scared. He's still an ordinary man, after all." Harry stirred his coffee and smiled faintly.
Even at the top of the world, an ordinary man still couldn't see the shadows beneath it.
"Let them fuss about it—it's got nothing to do with us anyway." Felicia tilted her head and took a sip of her coffee.
Harry only smiled and said nothing. For now, maybe it didn't concern them—but what about later?
Who knew whether this bill was just the World Security Council's first test? If so, the next time, it wouldn't be mutants they came for—it would be them, the so-called superheroes.
"In this world, there will never be a quiet day," Harry thought as he leaned back comfortably, fingers laced behind his head.
"But that's fine. This kind of world—the unpredictable, amazing kind—is exactly what I want."
A faint grin touched his lips as he closed his eyes.
"Open system interface," he commanded silently.
A transparent display flickered into existence before him—visible to him alone.
Name: Harry Osborn
Age: 21
Physical Condition: Healthy
Abilities:
Body Reinforcement (40), Static Adhesion (30), Spider Sense (50), Invisible Field (40), Electrokinesis (40), Infinite Rage (80), Rapid Regeneration (50)
Items:
Simplified Armor Suit (20), New Flight Glider (20)
Remaining Points: 120
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A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
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