Chapter 44 Adding Buffs, Feeding, and Giving Equipment
Watching Tony Stark solemnly declare "I am Iron Man" on TV, Finney calmly took a sip of his iced cola. With Skye around, the refrigerator always seemed to have a lot more stuff.
"He just admitted it like that?"
Skye, holding her laptop, looked at Finney with surprise. She had noticed Finney when the video went viral online, having experienced being "possessed by a demon" herself.
So last night, she had woken Finney up from his sleep to give him a brief explanation, making Skye one of the few who knew the whole truth.
"So what if he admitted it? Nobody dares to touch him."
Finney shrugged, saying nonchalantly, "He's Tony Stark, the genius who developed weapons, the billionaire. His admission just adds another layer to his aura."
"Did he really build that armor himself?"
Skye couldn't help but ask curiously, watching the repeated broadcasts of Tony Stark on TV and the edited combat videos beside him.
"Hmm, this is only the second generation. I guess it won't be long before it gets updated."
Finney was also watching Tony on TV with anticipation. Although the mage experience in Kamar-Taj was quite high, after grinding for so long, it was time for a change of pace.
"What about your 'Haunted'? Can you reforge it?"
Skye, still reminiscing about the feeling of flying, looked at him pitifully.
"Sorry, that's unique."
Finney glanced at her and said. Actually, when he became stronger, he might be able to give 'Haunted' to Skye, but right now he was as weak as an insect, unable to even protect himself, so how could he lend out the most important equipment for grinding experience?
"Hmph!"
Skye snorted indignantly, turned her head back to watching TV intently, and, to appease her anger, ate potato chips and drank cola.
"Eat less! I haven't seen you exercising much lately!"
Although Skye had worked hard to train after experiencing being "possessed by a demon" a while ago, her lazy nature had somehow returned, as evidenced by the food in the refrigerator.
"Hmph, what's the point of me exercising if I only have one suit of armor?"
Skye was still preoccupied with being "possessed by a demon," subtly expressing her displeasure.
"Don't say that. It's always good to exercise." Finney understood Skye's meaning, so he went along with her thoughts and said with a grin, "What if one day I have a change of heart and give you 'Possessed,' but you can't equip it? Wouldn't that be a waste!?"
"You'll give it to me?"
Skye looked at Finney suspiciously. Ever since her last experience with flight, she had pestered Finney several times to try it again, but Finney had never agreed.
"Of course!"
Finney answered without hesitation. If 'Possessed' was no longer needed, Skye was definitely the first choice as a backup. Her vibration ability granted her powerful offensive capabilities, while 'Possessed' would perfectly compensate for her defense.
Of course, this was all predicated on him becoming strong enough that he no longer needed 'Possessed,' at least strong enough to easily defeat the Hulk and Thor.
Although Finney's personality was always mischievous and he liked to tease her, she could still distinguish between sincerity and jokes in some of his words.
"Okay, I'll work out hard."
Skye became hopeful again. Although she didn't know when Finney would "have a change of heart," since he had said that, it must happen someday.
Tony's official announcement of becoming Iron Man didn't have a significant impact on Finney's life, because due to Tony's secrecy, S.H.I.E.L.D. still didn't know his identity.
The next morning, the campus was vibrant with youthful energy.
"Good morning, Finney."
"Good morning, Hersez."
Many students greeted Finney, mostly girls. After all, his appearance, enhanced by the 'Golden Great Evolution Technique,' was enough to attract these girls brimming with youthful hormones.
Finney didn't ignore them, politely smiling and returning each greeting.
"Finney, I'm throwing a party this week, come join us!"
At that moment, a girl with long, flowing blonde curls walked over, inviting Finney with a bright smile. Finney had encountered this situation many times before.
Occasionally, Finney would attend to relax, although he always ultimately refused those who wanted to seduce him at night.
Considering the two dangers they might face soon, Finney hesitated for a moment before shaking his head and replying, "Sorry, Dandy, I have some things to do this weekend, I might not be able to make it."
"Okay, that's a shame,"
Dandy said with a disappointed look. She was one of the girls who was quite attracted to Finney's body, and she was also quite patient. Finney had promised to attend the party, so this refusal didn't bother her much.
"You're welcome to come anytime if you have time!"
Dandy blew Finney a kiss with a grin, then turned and left with a graceful sway, leaving Finney shaking his head helplessly.
He could understand Dandy's meaning, of course, but he had no plans to have a girlfriend right now.
A mage only needs hands; even opening a portal is so slow, how could he dare to have a girlfriend?!
Based on his past life's memories, two dangerous events occurred shortly after Iron Man's birth. One was Thor's banishment to Earth, which wasn't too bad, as it was an Asgardian family matter—the power struggle between the third princess and the second prince—and didn't have a significant impact on Earth for the time being.
The other, however, was more troublesome, taking place in New York.
The Hulk, also known as Bruce Banner, was about to make his appearance, and if he didn't interfere, Abomination might accompany him.
Finney was somewhat apprehensive about Abomination; with his current strength, his only advantage against Abomination was his ability to fly.
In terms of strength, speed, and regeneration, he was currently inferior to Abomination. Given Abomination's leaping power of tens of meters, his aerial advantage was practically useless.
If they flew hundreds of meters in the air, while Abomination couldn't attack him, he couldn't attack Abomination either.
As for preventing Abomination's emergence beforehand, that's quite difficult. First, he doesn't know where the professor who worked with Banner on the serum is. Using the 'Compass' to find him would require too much sacrifice; he can't do it.
The 'Jack Sparrow Compass' points to the place one desires, and this desire must be the place one most desires, not just a random thought. He was truly focused on finding the Ancient One, thinking of Kamar-Taj, which led him to the New York Sanctum.
Therefore, to find the professor's location, he must wholeheartedly want to go to the school to see him.
Finney simply can't wholeheartedly want to see a man. He tried it when he was looking for Tony, but failed—that was only because Tony wasn't too ugly.
Sacrificing himself for a mere Abomination is not something Finney is that noble about. Besides, even if Abomination is born, there's still the Hulk; he can just help out.
He can buff the Hulk, feed him, and give him equipment—he refuses to believe he can't defeat Abomination.
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(End of Chapter)