"Ugh—!"
Tony Stark, clad in his red-and-white Iron Man armor with only the helmet open, dropped to one knee and retched violently.
The intense vertigo caused by spatial jumps diminished as physical conditioning improved. Unfortunately, Tony's lifestyle—late nights, excess indulgence, and minimal training—meant his baseline was barely above an average civilian. The backlash hit him harder than ever, and not even the Mark V could suppress it.
"Sir, you really should work on your conditioning," Child Emperor said calmly.
"Ugh… how are you… ugh… totally fine…?"
Tony spoke between heaves, feeling like he was about to empty his stomach completely.
Leaving aside Aiden Cross and the psychic prodigy, by all logic an adult should fare better than a child. Child Emperor should have been in worse shape.
So why did he look perfectly normal?!
"It's simple," Aiden said flatly. "If we're talking raw physical ability, Child Emperor could defeat a thousand of you."
"…What?"
"His current physique is enough to fight a Tiger-level threat barehanded."
"Heh, it's not that impressive," Child Emperor added modestly. "I do train, but I'm still growing. Overdoing it isn't good for height."
"..."
Trying to apply common sense inside the Hero League was a mistake.
No one here operated on normal rules.
"That big guy over there is the so-called God of Thunder?" Tornado of Terror hovered in the air, brows knit in disappointment. "He just looks like an ordinary man."
With his power sealed, Thor wouldn't necessarily win a straight fight against even the weakest registered heroes.
"He's under a seal right now," Aiden replied. "Once released, he should be around A-Class."
"Let's get closer," Child Emperor said, eyes bright. "A divine physiology is worth studying."
As a scientist with rigorous discipline, Child Emperor wasn't intimidated by the subject being a god. If anything, it only increased his interest. He wanted to analyze how Thor's body differed from a human's—down to structure and energy response.
He even considered abducting Thor for laboratory testing while the god was still mortal.
"Hey, Thor, look!" Jane nudged her muscular boyfriend excitedly. "It's Iron Man!"
"Iron Man?"
Thor turned, his gaze locking immediately onto the flashy figure approaching—Tony Stark.
Seeing Jane stare at Tony with starry-eyed admiration irritated him instantly. If his power were intact, he would have smashed that gaudy metal shell in one swing.
Jane's reaction was understandable. Iron Man's fame rivaled amplified celebrity worship.
"Hello," Thor said, stepping forward to place himself between Jane and Tony. "Friend, are these your children? They're… quite charming."
"If I were you, I'd retract that statement," Tony advised dryly.
Neither Child Emperor nor Tornado was someone to offend. One wrong word could ignite disaster.
"I wasn't talking to you. Step away."
"Suit yourself," Tony scoffed. "Don't regret it later."
He had no idea why this so-called god was hostile, but pride wouldn't allow him to ask.
"Of course not," Aiden said smoothly. "I don't have children this old."
He subtly restrained Tornado with psychic force—one tier stronger than hers—before she could react. Child Emperor merely rolled his eyes, but Tornado was infamous for immediate retaliation.
"My apologies…" Thor said awkwardly, scratching his head.
Even sealed, his instincts were sharp. The fleeting psychic pressure from Aiden and Tornado carried lethal warning—enough to make his skin crawl.
"Allow me to introduce myself," Aiden said calmly. "I am Aiden Cross, chairman of the interdimensional hero organization known as the Hero League."
"Prince Thor Odinson of Asgard," he continued evenly. "Regarding the war between Asgard and the Frost Giants—can you offer a proper explanation?"
"That conflict," Aiden added with a faint smile, "never needed to happen."
Aiden knew the story well. Accelerating Thor's growth—and guiding him into the Hero League—required timing and performance.
This was the perfect moment.
Thor's expression darkened instantly.
Jane sensed the tension and rose from her seat.
"Jane, go home," Thor said, lifting a hand.
"No!" Jane stepped in front of him protectively. "Are you with S.H.I.E.L.D.? Thor was released by your superiors!"
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Read Chapters ahead: [email protected] / KaiOynx