"Basically, use your own magic as energy. Spells as medium. Leverage world rules. As for wands, they transmit magic more stably…
Ugh, forget it. Too troublesome explaining this to you Muggles. I'll bring you a first-year Magic Theory textbook later. Read it yourself. You're such a genius—should understand, right?"
Hermione said absentmindedly.
Tony's mouth twitched.
Damn, dissed by this brat again.
"Sooner or later I'll analyze magic's principles. Build an anti-wizard suit. Then I'll beat you till you cry for mercy…" Tony muttered.
"By the way, Pepper, are you busy lately? I need your help."
After quiet moments, Tony seemed to remember something. Suddenly stopped working. Looked up at Pepper.
"What?"
Tony handed her a USB-like device.
"I need you to go to my office. Hack the company server. Get all recent shipping manifests. Probably in execution documents. Or on the ghost drive…"
He'd figured it out. For Stark weapons to reach terrorists, someone inside must be secretly selling. He wanted to find transaction evidence. Identify this person.
Tony kept elaborating details. Pepper suddenly interrupted: "If I get the information, what will you do?"
Her expression became serious. Eyes locked on Tony.
Unfortunately, Tony didn't notice Pepper's change. Continued on his own:
"Same as always. They're operating in shadows. I'll stop them. Find my weapons and destroy them…"
Pepper's gaze became inscrutable. Voice gradually lowered.
"Tony, you know I'd do anything for you. But if you're going to be reckless again, don't blame me for not helping."
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Hermione also quietly left Pepper's embrace. Stayed silent. Eyes moving between them.
Whether not sensing this suffocating atmosphere or deliberately ignoring it, Tony just continued:
"Nothing else matters. No art exhibitions. No charity galas. No signing events. I have only this one mission. Nothing else."
His tone gradually chilled. Expression became somewhat terrifying. Suddenly looked up. Eyes glaring at Pepper. As if angry at her refusal.
But Pepper wasn't scared. Instead, her eyes showed disappointment and sorrow.
"I see," she said flatly. "Then I quit."
Tony shouted: "All these years, you've been by my side. Watched my weapons harm innocent people. Now I want to protect those endangered because of me. And you're leaving?!"
Pepper shook her head: "You'll get yourself killed, Tony."
"I don't care!"
Tony's voice was somewhat hysterical.
Pepper didn't speak. Just looked at him deeply. Turned to leave.
Hermione had somehow stood up. Slightly shook her head.
"Hermione, you're leaving too…"
Tony's voice sounded helpless. A life winner with countless halos actually gave her a pitiful feeling.
"Tony, why would you think between you and Pepper-sis, I'd choose you?"
Hermione knew his mentality had problems. Sighed inwardly. Still decided to give him strong medicine.
"You don't care? Then go die. Don't drag others down."
Seemingly shocked by Hermione's sudden coldness, Tony's brain short-circuited. Even Pepper at the door stopped. Quickly said: "Hermione…"
Reached out to pull her back.
"Pepper-sis, you don't speak either."
Hermione raised her head. Voice carried unquestionable authority. Calmly looked at Tony.
"You want to be a superhero. Save the world. That's fine. But you don't know—while you were gone, Pepper-sis helped your company through difficulties. Cleaned up your messes. How she survived each day.
You not only don't know, but after returning never asked once. Never thanked her even once. Every day just buried yourself in that damn suit to numb yourself."
"Thought after returning, she could rest a bit. But because you're hands-off, she faces endless pressure daily. Both caring for you and running your company. No rest time at all."
"I keep coming here not because I like it. It's because only when I come can Pepper-sis relax mentally."
"If you think there's a mole in the company, investigate yourself. That way if discovered, won't implicate others.
Pepper-sis is just an assistant. Not your girlfriend or wife. Not a superhero like you. Just an ordinary person. Risking her life to help you only because of her feelings for you."
"Even for her effort and dedication, you should cherish the life Ethan sacrificed himself to save."
Hearing Hermione's words, Tony's face turned pale.
"Are you really trying to protect the world? Or just attempting self-destruction because you can't escape guilt? If the latter, I can help you now."
Hermione casually waved. A massive invisible slash instantly cut a nearby table in half.
"I, I…"
Seeing this, Tony reached out. Stepped forward. Wanted to say something.
Next second, the wand instantly pressed against his chest.
Hermione's face was indifferent. Wizard robe billowed without wind. Eyes glowed eerie blue. Violent hurricane swirled around her. Objects in the room shook violently. Exploded one after another.
Her whole being radiated terrifying aura and unparalleled oppression.
Hermione's usual cute appearance and young age made them subconsciously overlook her power.
Now, for the first time, they directly felt the weight of the word "wizard."
"Incendio!"
Several barrel-thick fire pillars erupted from the wand tip. Under Hermione's control, like living things, transformed into dancing fire serpents. Surrounded Tony in the center. Forcibly separated inside from outside.
Violent flames burned everything in the lab.
After this, Hermione turned: "Pepper-sis, let's go. Let him think carefully about what he really wants."
Then pulled Pepper's wrist. Walked out.
Pepper opened her mouth. Finally said nothing. Just looked at Tony inside the fire ring. Calmly said: "I'll help you get the files."
Reached the door. Footsteps stopped.
"Then quit."
Watching Pepper and Hermione disappear outside, Tony seemed drained of all strength. Collapsed to the ground. Expression dejected. Stared blankly at the suit in the flames.
Outside, Pepper finally couldn't help it. Looked back inside. Expression somewhat worried.
"Hermione, your flames… Tony won't be in life-threatening danger, right?"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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