Tony Stark was staring intently at the holographic projection of a nanostructure model. His fingers flicked through the air again and again, adjusting the molecular arrangement.
His workbench was littered with metal fragments, energy cores, and half a cup of cold coffee.
"Jarvis, pull up parameter group seven." Tony said without lifting his head, dark circles hanging beneath his eyes.
"Sir, you have been working for thirty-six hours straight," Jarvis reminded.
"According to the health protocol—"
"I wrote the health protocol, Jarvis." Tony waved dismissively with a tired grin. "Now, parameters."
The hologram switched immediately to a complex molecular diagram.
Tony squinted, snapped his fingers excitedly, and exclaimed, "There! The energy conduction nodes need to be rearranged!"
Just then, a voice suddenly spoke from behind him:
"You're looking in the wrong direction."
"AH—!"Tony nearly leaped out of his chair, his tools clattering loudly to the floor.
"Jesus! Xiao! Can you enter like a normal person through the front door for once?"
Xiao Han stood in the center of the lab, the golden lines on his black combat suit glinting faintly under the lights.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Sorry. Habit."
Tony rubbed his temples and picked up his fallen tools. "So, where did the great Mr. Superman disappear to?"
Xiao Han walked toward the workstation, glancing at the projection. "Kamar-Taj, the magical sanctuary on Earth."
Tony raised a brow. "Magic? I thought you had your fill of those Asgardian hocus-pocus tricks."
"Not the same."
Xiao Han shook his head and gently traced the hologram with a finger. The molecular structure immediately reorganized into an entirely new configuration.
"Asgardian magic is more like a blend of technology and divine power. Kamar-Taj's magic is pure dimensional energy manipulation."
Tony stared at the new structure, his eyes gradually widening. "Wait… this energy conduction method…"
"More efficient, right?"
Xiao Han smiled. "Magic and technology are both ways of controlling energy. Only the paths differ."
Tony abruptly rushed to another holo-terminal. "Jarvis! Record this structure and recalculate energy loss!"
Xiao Han watched Tony fall into a feverish frenzy of inspiration, shaking his head lightly. "You keep researching. I have something else to deal with."
"Hold on!"
Tony shouted without turning around. "You still haven't told me about that magic sanctuary! Can they really summon fireballs from nothing? Or do they teleport with a wave of the hand like in the comics?"
"More or less."
Xiao Han shrugged. "Though they need specific artifacts to channel it. Their Supreme Sorcerer wanted me to take over her position."
Tony spun around so fast he almost slipped, eyes wide. "What? You're becoming a sorcerer now?"
"I refused." Xiao Han walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window. "I have my own plans."
Tony let out a breath of relief, then asked curiously, "Is that Supreme Sorcerer strong?"
Xiao Han recalled the Ancient One's eyes—eyes that could see through time itself."Stronger than you think."
"Stronger than you?" Tony pressed.
Xiao Han was silent for a moment. "…In certain aspects, yes."
Tony's expression turned serious. He set down his tools and moved to stand beside him. "Just how many powerful beings are out there that I don't know about?"
"Many." Xiao Han looked at the New York nightscape outside. "Which is why I need to become even stronger."
Tony nodded thoughtfully. "So what's your plan?"
Instead of answering, Xiao Han asked, "Do you know about mutants?"
"Mutants?" Tony frowned.
"You mean those X-gene carriers? I've heard rumors, but SHIELD's files have almost nothing reliable."
"Because most of them live in hiding." Xiao Han walked toward the lab door.
"I'm thinking of talking to them."
Tony followed two steps. "Hold on—why the sudden interest in mutants?"
Xiao Han stopped and looked back at him."Because in this world, mutants are among the few who could potentially threaten my existence.
I need to understand them—especially… a certain guy who controls magnetic fields."
Xiao Han was completely making it up. Magneto would probably get one-punched by him anyway.
He paused, then suddenly laughed. "But before that, I need to teach a few naughty kids how to use their powers properly."
"Kids?" Tony looked baffled.
"A few students who accidentally gained superpowers." Xiao Han shrugged.
Tony opened his mouth to ask more, but Xiao Han had already turned into a streak of black light, passing straight through the glass window and vanishing into the night.
"Jarvis," Tony murmured, staring in the direction Xiao Han disappeared, "pull up everything about mutants—especially anything on magnetic manipulation."
"Already up, sir. But information is extremely limited. Shall I attempt to contact Professor X?"
Tony blinked. "Professor X? As in the principal of that mutant academy?"
"No, sir. But based on digital trace analysis, it is highly likely he is one of their leaders."
Tony returned to his workstation, excitement gleaming in his eyes. "Hold off for now. Let's finish Xiao's structure first. Once the nano-armor is done…"
He looked out the window again, a confident smile curling on his lips."Maybe I should go meet these mutants myself."
New York
Xiao Han hovered a thousand meters in the air. His super-hearing spread outward like an invisible radar net, capturing abnormal sounds across the globe.
A minute ago, he'd picked up three voices arguing intensely.
He adjusted his listening frequency, pinpointing the source: an abandoned industrial zone in Brooklyn.
Abandoned Industrial District
The last rays of sunset cast a dim glow over the empty ground. Three college students stood among scattered rubble, the tension thick in the air.
Andrew crouched on the ground, absentmindedly flicking a pebble. The stone floated a few centimeters above his palm before he gently lowered it again.
The dark circles under his eyes were heavy—clearly, he hadn't slept well.
"We need a plan," Matt said, pushing up his glasses. His voice was low. "That stone… something's wrong with it."
"Wrong?" Steve snorted. "It gave us superpowers! That's a damn miracle, man!"
"Then Andrew almost throwing a car at someone last night was also a miracle?" Matt shot back.
Andrew's head jerked up, pain flickering in his eyes. "I said it was an accident! I just—"
His voice caught. His fingers trembled slightly, and the rubble around them began to shake.
"Hey, relax, man." Steve frowned and reached to hold his shoulder, but Andrew shook him off violently.
"Don't touch me!"
CRACK!
The gravel exploded outward like bullets.
WHOOSH—
A black shadow landed silently.
All flying debris froze mid-air, then drifted gently to the ground.
The three students went rigid, slowly lifting their heads toward the tall figure.
Black combat suit. Gold patterns. Eyes deep, calm—not angry—simply observing.
"You're… the superhuman who was with Tony Stark today…" Matt muttered, nearly dropping his tablet.
Xiao Han didn't respond at once. His gaze swept over the three, finally settling on Andrew.
The boy's eyes were red, fingers clenched tight—like a string stretched to the breaking point.
"What did you find here?" Xiao Han asked, his voice gentle.
The three exchanged glances. At last, Matt answered, "A… glowing stone. Inside the cave."
Xiao Han nodded and looked toward the dark tunnel. "Can you take me to see it?"