Whether it was Tony or Ethan, both were the type to act as soon as inspiration struck. So, with one willing to teach and the other eager to learn, the introductory course began almost immediately.
What annoyed Tony was that Ethan specifically called over a little girl named Sherry Birkin and had her demonstrate how an introductory mage course should proceed.
"I think you're just using this as an excuse to mess with me."
Ethan shrugged, not denying that this factor was involved.
"Sherry's talent isn't the best, but she's been studying with me for a while. She's very familiar with the basics, and she can use sufficiently simple language to help you better understand what you need to do."
"Why does it have to be in 'simple' language?" Tony felt this was an insult to his intelligence. Did they think he couldn't understand complex concepts?
"Because there's a lot in magic that's hard to describe. Honestly, I was pretty confused when I first started training. I was lucky enough to get past the early stages of confusion, and later on, I relied on some special items to keep progressing. I honestly don't know how someone like you, with zero prior exposure, would overcome those same issues."
Ethan had the space-time orb at the very beginning to train his mental power, which gave him a shortcut. That foundation allowed him to avoid many challenges later on.
For someone like Tony starting from scratch, there were plenty of problems Ethan wouldn't know how to explain clearly—especially since Tony was a scientist. He would instinctively resist anything that sounded too theoretical or abstract. Having Sherry explain things in plain terms might help him understand faster.
"Then what are you going to do?"
Tony looked at Ethan suspiciously. Was this guy just going to stand there and watch him make a fool of himself?
"Of course, I'll be here to help you learn magic. You don't think Sherry is capable of teaching you, do you? At most, she can explain potential stumbling blocks."
This was also an opportunity for the two to train together, but Ethan wasn't going to say that out loud.
The same game Ethan had Sherry play before was brought out again. This time, it was Tony's turn to train his control over mental power by playing the game, while Sherry cheerfully shared her experience.
It had to be said, Ethan's arrangement was spot on. Sherry used simple, straightforward language to explain how to control mental power, and how to interact with the puzzle made of magical energy to complete the game.
Of course, Ethan wasn't just standing around watching the show. In fact, he had more things to deal with.
While Tony was learning magic, he began integrating the various materials he had on hand to develop more advanced potions.
By now, his companions had all completed the initial stage of "accumulation." For example, Ada had already surpassed the level Ethan originally expected and was due for further enhancement or instruction.
After obtaining the Extremis virus from Tony, Ethan realized that Logan could also gain some additional offensive capabilities. The Extremis virus could release high temperatures. If Logan's claws were also heated...
And considering that the Extremis virus could also cause explosions, in a critical moment, Logan could even sever his own arm and use it as a bomb. After all, the guy's arm could grow back.
"That's just too brutal!"
"What's brutal?"
To Ethan's surprise, Tony was still able to follow his side conversation. Looking up, he saw that Tony had already completed the puzzle, and it had taken very little time. He didn't even look like he'd consumed much mental power.
"Finished?"
"Of course. Who do you think I am? I'm Tony Stark, the smartest man on Earth!" Perhaps realizing that sounded too boastful, the ever-humble Tony reluctantly added, "...one of them."
Although there was a bit of bragging, Ethan had to admit that Tony really was a genius. His learning speed exceeded expectations. He could now fully understand why the Ancient One had once considered Tony a candidate for Sorcerer Supreme.
In the following days, Ethan focused on concocting new potions while teaching Tony magical theory.
At first, Sherry was simply reviewing and reinforcing what she had already learned.
Soon, she began learning new material alongside Tony. However, by the time Tony was already attempting to control magical energy, Sherry was still struggling with the basic lessons.
Sherry had already been studying for quite a while, while Tony had only been learning for a few days. The gap in talent was glaring. The mage class was one that inherently placed a high demand on talent.
The poor little girl was completely disheartened. If she hadn't been mentally strong, any ordinary child would've burst into tears and run home to their mother by now.
To soothe her wounded heart, Tony had to take her to an amusement park for the day. That day, the newspapers reported a story about a "suspected illegitimate daughter of Tony Stark," but at least it prevented Sherry from seeing him as a lifelong enemy.
"Fortunately, the age gap between you is big enough. Otherwise, Sherry definitely would've sworn to become your rival for life."
Tony spread his hands helplessly, but his expression—"I don't care, I've dealt with this kind of thing since I was a kid"—was incredibly irritating.
During the busy learning intervals, Ethan also visited the shipyard Tony had acquired to check on the Prinz Eugen. Its construction was progressing much faster than expected. At this rate, it could undergo full testing by the time they returned from outer space.
Ethan knew that after he helped Tony resurrect his parents, Tony had increased his investment in order to speed up the construction—just so he could use the new ship as soon as possible.
If Ethan hadn't told him that what he needed next wasn't a larger surface ship, but a spaceship capable of long-term interstellar travel, resource collection, and atmospheric entry and exit, Tony would've likely used his spare time to start designing the originally planned magically-enhanced Bismarck.
Now, with one less project to focus on, Tony could devote more energy to his studies, and his learning speed skyrocketed. With Ethan's help, he even began working with arcane energy.
"You must be very careful when using arcane energy. It can attract the Burning Legion."
He had to give this warning. Tony could be reckless. Without this reminder, Ethan suspected the guy might try something crazy, like conjuring up a Sunwell.
It wasn't a big deal for a single mage to break the spatial barrier and draw arcane energy for personal use. But if large-scale use turned the Marvel Cinematic Universe into a stable hub of arcane energy, the Burning Legion would very likely detect its presence.
After clearly understanding the risks of arcane energy, Tony promised not to do anything reckless and put away his playful attitude.
As the glow of arcane energy flickered around Tony, it attracted the attention of the Ancient One, who was in Kamar-Taj settling her "afterlife" arrangements.
The Sorcerer Supreme opened a portal and appeared next to Ethan and Tony. Seeing Tony's progress in learning magic, she was visibly surprised.
"Truly outstanding talent."
Ethan had come to the same conclusion after observing Tony's progress and fully agreed with her. After a brief exchange, the Ancient One casually took some of the arcane energy lingering around Tony, then returned to Kamar-Taj for further study.
Tony wasn't casting spells yet. He was still learning how to control energy through mental power. The arcane energy was currently being summoned by Ethan, since the environment here differed from Azeroth. Only this method allowed Tony to interact with and understand the magical energy from the start, laying a foundation for future training.
He let the energy wrap around his body, then gathered it between his palms into a glowing blue sphere. That energy split into streams of light that swirled around him, finally returning to the sphere along his arms.
His goal was to maintain this cycle without the energy veering off or breaking. This process would help him understand the properties of arcane energy and improve his control over it.
Tony was doing quite well. Although the sphere fluctuated in size and the streams flickered, for someone touching energy manipulation for the first time, it was already impressive.
However, his current appearance startled a group of unexpected guests.
"What the hell! What's going on here?"
The person who suddenly appeared was none other than S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury, accompanied as always by Phil Coulson and Natasha Romanoff.
Of course, they hadn't barged in uninvited. Ada and Pepper had come with them. It was thanks to them that these visitors made it to the backyard without trouble.
Ethan had expected this guy to show up eventually. In fact, he was surprised it had taken so long. But he didn't expect them to arrive right when Tony was in the middle of training.
Due to the sudden interruption, Tony lost control of the arcane energy. Normally, that energy would dissipate into the atmosphere. The amount wasn't enough to affect this world's environment, so it would've simply disappeared.
But Ethan was right there. He casually waved his hand, and the arcane energy leaving Tony's body condensed into a ball of light that hovered obediently in his palm, looking no different from a normal glowing orb.
It was because he was watching over everything that he wasn't worried about someone suddenly showing up and disrupting Tony. There would be no negative consequences.
The only side effect was that Tony, whose training had just been interrupted, was in a very bad mood. He glared at Nick Fury with a dark expression and cut him off before he could say a word.
"You interrupted my training. I might have lost my chance to become a great mage because of this, so I'm in a terrible mood right now and don't want to talk to you."
(To be continued.)