Howard and Maria, who borrowed dimensional energy two days prior, were the first to cast spells. Their features had reverted to middle age, and they seemed lively and full of energy.
Howard followed the instructions: drawing circles in the air, bringing his hands together, then opening them. Blue dimensional energy surged from his palms. The hardest part for Sorcerers was establishing the connection to dimensional energy. The real test was controlling the power once it was invoked.
Because these spells in Malrick's manual were designed with simple casting requirements, the challenge lay only in harnessing the effects. As Howard summoned magnetic control, metal pendants and pieces of equipment in the room began to float upward. But still new to the technique, Howard's concentration wavered slightly — the magnetic field slipped, and small metal objects dropped to the floor.
He blinked, caught his breath, and then smiled wide. "This… this is truly amazing."
The loose metal floated again, drawn by his will. But the trajectory sent some fragments toward Pietro. Startled, Pietro attempted to activate his super-speed via a hand-sign, but his gesture misaligned — instead he triggered a comical "fart-powered flight" spell. In a muffled boom, his body rocketed across the first floor of the Mage Tower, leaving stunned silence in his wake.
"What kind of magic is this, farting like thunder?" Yelena muttered in disbelief.
Wanda glared at Pietro, muttering, "You idiot."
Malrick waved a hand, summoning an invisible wind that swept away the lingering scent. Then he addressed everyone calmly: "Let Pietro serve as a warning — if you botch your hand gestures when casting, you might trigger something embarrassing... or dangerous."
After that awkward start, the group turned back to the magic book. They realized that although the bulk of the 990 spells had simple instructions, many overlapped in their casting gestures — meaning mistakes could have wild consequences. From that point on, everyone kept careful distance when casting. Fortunately, no further accidents occurred.
Meanwhile, Tony decided to experiment in full. He activated all seven of the spells called "Superman-level": Super Brain, Steel Body, Bio-field, Super Vision, Super Hearing, Heat Vision, and Freezing Breath. With a rush he soared out of the Mage Tower.
As he flew, he shouted with exhilaration: "Woohoo! So this is what Malrick feels like!" Tony — who had long studied Superman after awakening a Kryptonian bloodline — now truly felt what power meant.
The world seemed to shrink beneath him. Mountains felt fragile, the sky within reach. He soared above lakes, cut across oceans, lifting massive beasts like weighted dumbbells, roasting dragon eggs with Heat Vision, then freezing them with icy breath. At one moment he even slashed through the deep sea, and at another he soared into the clouds.
In those minutes, even if Howard had not resurrected, Tony might have trimmed his beard with Heat Vision out of excitement. Magical creatures scattered in terror from his passage.
After several dives over a lake, Tony returned to the tower and descended slowly. He landed, dusty and breathless. "This is Superman's power," he said between breaths, "but my Mark Armor… it still suits me better."
His fleeting Superman obsession faded. What he realized was: the armor he created, the Mark Armor, remained closest to who he was.
"I see what Malrick felt… but the gap is too big," Tony muttered. "Still, someday… my Anti-Superman Armor might match him."
He turned to Jarvis waiting by the entrance. "Don't you think so, Jarvis?"
Jarvis gave a gentle nod. "I look forward to it, sir."
Tony was not the only one to test Superman-level magic. Others — including Kara, Howard, and various Sorcerers — took to the skies. The tower grounds buzzed with power.
After all, Superman-style abilities ranked among the highest in Malrick's magic catalog.
In the following hours, they soared through the sky, fought each other playfully, and let loose sonic booms that shook the air like battles between godlike warriors.
Malrick observed quietly. These "Supermen" were still holding back; if they did not restrain themselves, the Small World would have been shredded by now.
He shook his head, smiling faintly: let them have their fun for once.
By nightfall, their borrowed dimensional energy vanished from all but a few close to Malrick. Having experienced Superman's might for a full day, everyone finally returned to the Mage Tower.
Even those whose bodies were once ordinary — including the Amazon queen and her general — still bore the look of longing.
Malrick cleared his throat, commanding attention. "Remember what you learned. When you return to your responsibilities, pass on the knowledge from the magic book. Borrow power sparingly — if you borrow too much, I may send you into parallel worlds to atone by saving them."
He added: "Jarvis will send the standard price list for borrowing power in two days. By then, everyone must begin protecting Earth seriously."
Two days later Jarvis finalized the cost list and sent it out with Malrick's approval.
At the same time, the old Captain America from the parallel world bid farewell and returned to his own universe.