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Wanda hesitated, then nodded.
She dragged her exhausted body up the stairs, wandered a bit down the hallway, and finally chose the room closest to Jiro's.
It was more luxurious than she'd imagined.
A king-sized bed with silk sheets, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private beach, and a bathroom with a jacuzzi big enough for three people.
Wanda stood in front of the mirror and almost didn't recognize herself—sunken cheeks, hollow eyes, hair a tangled red mess.
She filled the tub with hot water and slipped in carefully.
The moment the warmth embraced her, she broke down.
Three years of fear, pain, and hopelessness—all released in silent tears.
An hour later
Wanda was drying her wet hair with a towel when she heard a soft knock on the door.
She tensed, clutching the towel tighter. Red sparks of chaos magic flickered between her fingers.
"Can we talk?" Jiro's voice came through the door.
Wanda took a deep breath and adjusted the collar of her pajamas. "Come... come in."
The door slid open without a sound, and Jiro walked in holding a tray.
It had a mug of hot milk and a few waffles drizzled with honey. The sweet scent filled the room immediately.
He placed the tray on the nightstand. "You need the calories."
Wanda's stomach growled in response, and she looked away, embarrassed.
Jiro just smiled slightly and took a seat by the window in a cushioned armchair.
Moonlight streamed through the window, casting soft shadows across his features.
"I can help you," he said, voice low and steady.
He raised his right hand. A golden light began to glow from his palm.
Wanda's eyes widened as a softly glowing yellow gem floated up, hovering three inches above his hand.
It looked like liquid light swirled inside it, each pulse sending tiny ripples through the air.
"This is the Mind Stone."
Jiro watched the gem, its light flickering across the sharp lines of his face. "One of the six most powerful Infinity Stones in the universe."
Wanda leaned in unconsciously. Chaos magic shimmered in her eyes in response.
She felt a strange pull, like the stone was calling to her.
"I can feel it…" she whispered, reaching out instinctively—then quickly pulling her hand back.
"It's talking to me…"
Jiro nodded. "Your power is special, Wanda. It's not just mutant genes. It's chaos magic—real, tangible magic."
He turned his hand, and the light shifted with it. "The Mind Stone can help you control it. Maybe even become stronger."
Wanda's breathing quickened. Three years of captivity had made her instinctively wary of any promises. "Why… why help me?"
Jiro closed his hand. The gem vanished, and the room dimmed again.
He walked to the window, back to her. "Because I've seen people who were controlled... and people who control others. Both are tragic."
"What do you mean?" Wanda asked, gripping the bed sheet.
"The energy inside you is chaos magic," Jiro said, looking out at the night.
"Once you master it, you'll be able to rewrite reality itself."
Wanda's pupils contracted slightly. "Seriously?"
Jiro turned around, moonlight casting a long shadow behind him. "I can teach you to control it. Just remember…"
His eyes burned with intensity. "Power is just a tool. It's not the answer."
The room fell silent, only the soft sound of waves outside breaking the stillness.
Wanda looked at the mysterious man in front of her. For the first time in three years, a spark of hope flickered in her chest.
"What… do I need to do?" she finally whispered.
Jiro took a small golden necklace from his pocket. Inside it was a magic seal to calm the mind.
"Wear this. It'll link with you and help sort out your energy."
Wanda's hands trembled as she accepted the necklace. The moment the metal touched her skin, a wave of warmth rushed through her entire body.
She gasped. Her hands were suddenly wrapped in swirling red and gold energy—chaos magic, gentle and responsive for the first time.
"This… this is amazing…" she whispered, watching the energy dance across her fingertips in elegant patterns.
Jiro stood where the light met shadow, a faint smile on his lips. "This is just the beginning. Tomorrow, I'll teach you the basics of energy control. For now, get some rest."
He turned to leave, but Wanda called out.
"Sir…" she fingered the necklace at her chest. "Thank you. Not just for this… for everything."
"I know," Jiro replied without turning back, gently closing the door behind him.
Wanda sank into the soft bed. The Mind Stone necklace warmed against her skin.
She closed her eyes. For the first time in three years—no nightmares came.
The next morning
Sunlight poured in through the windows.
Wanda jerked awake, instantly forming a red glow of chaos magic in her palm.
"Good morning, Miss Maximoff."
A gentle mechanical voice came from the ceiling. "Indoor temperature: 22°C. Humidity: 45%. Air quality: excellent."
Wanda looked around, alert. "Who's speaking?"
"I am the villa's AI housekeeper. Mr. Jiro named me Turing," the voice answered with a touch of humor.
"Based on your current vitals, I recommend breakfast before training."
Wanda's tense shoulders slowly relaxed. "You're... artificial intelligence?"
"Yes, Miss. Shall I open the curtains for you?"
As Wanda nodded, the blackout curtains slid away silently, revealing a breathtaking ocean view.
She couldn't help walking to the window, fingertips brushing the glass.
"Mr. Jiro left early for Washington. He's attending a Senate military hearing," Turing continued.
"He left you a training plan—and breakfast."
A hologram appeared beside the bed, displaying a detailed schedule.
Wanda tapped the projection curiously. It instantly switched to a live news broadcast.
Tony Stark's face appeared, seated at the witness stand in a government hearing. Sharp suit, but clearly annoyed.
Wanda stopped breathing. Her fingers dug into her palm instinctively.
"...Mr. Stark, you must admit that your armored technology poses a threat to national security…" a senator was saying.
The broadcast triggered her deepest memories.
The explosion when she was ten. Her parents' final embrace. She and Pietro hiding under rubble for two days and nights.
A broken Stark missile shell sat less than a meter away from them.
"Miss Maximoff, your heart rate is spiking," Turing said with concern. "Shall I summon medical assistance?"
Wanda took a deep breath, forcing her clenched fists to relax. "No, I'm fine. Why did Mr. Jiro go there?"
"Based on analysis, there is a 99.7% probability he went to support Mr. Stark."
The projection switched to an overhead shot. Outside the Capitol, thousands of people were gathered, holding signs that said "Support Superman."
Just then, chaos erupted on the live feed.
Senators stood up, pointing toward the main entrance.
Wanda squinted. A black figure was pushing open the doors, walking into the chamber.
"He's here," Turing said calmly.
The hearing room went wild.
Guards scrambled to raise their weapons, but none dared to fire.
Senator Stern slammed the desk with a furious face. "This is a Senate hearing! Unauthorized personnel are not welcome!"
Jiro calmly walked in and sat behind Tony. He wasn't in his armor, just a perfectly tailored black suit—but everyone knew the power hidden beneath the fabric.
"Sorry I'm late."
He nodded at Tony, his voice calm but instantly silencing the entire chamber.
"Had to deal with a few things on the way."
Tony raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
"Gang war in L.A. And some terrorists planning an attack," Jiro shrugged.
"I made sure they're safely digging ice for a research team in the Arctic."
"....."