Chapter 144: Such Matters Depend on Fate

Chapter 144: Such Matters Depend on Fate

Stepping through the portal, the three of them were instantly transported from the damp, dark cave back to the modern world. This unique and surreal experience left Tony and Ethan, both firmly rooted in science, questioning the very fabric of reality.

Given that Ethan had just narrowly escaped death, Luk arranged for him to rest in the guest room. Ethan didn't protest; the shock had been too much, and he needed some time to recover.

"You don't look too good, Tony."

Luk returned to his seat and deftly prepared a cup of tea for his guests, pushing it across the table.

"Try this tea I made."

Tony took the cup with a conflicted expression, "So, there really are extraordinary powers in this world? That thing we just saw... This tea is actually quite good!"

The fresh, pure aroma of the tea seemed to carry a unique essence, the lingering sweetness soothing his mind and calming his restless heart.

It felt like the peaceful moment after a good workout.

Luk modestly waved his hand, "Not bad, I recently learned how to make it."

The tea was just ordinary tea, but he had added a touch of magic! Ancient One, who had lived for countless years, was terrible at making tea. To maintain her dignified image, she had concocted a few spells to turn water into tea and to imbue the tea with a calming effect.

Luk found this magic quite useful, even if it didn't help much in battle. It was perfect for showing off.

"Magic has existed for a long time, and there have always been a group of wizards protecting Earth from the shadows."

Tony, forcibly calmed by the magic, chuckled bitterly, "I wouldn't be surprised if you told me there are aliens out there."

"There are," Luk nodded seriously. "Not just aliens, but gods as well. You just haven't encountered them yet."

Tony: ...

Had the first thirty-eight years of his life been in a different world? How had all these supernatural beings suddenly appeared?

His worldview was completely overturned. The great Tony Stark, once the emperor of the fashion world, had become a clueless newbie in the hidden world.

This was too cruel!

Tony exhaled, "The one who opened the portal for us is one of these wizards you mentioned?"

Luk nodded, "He is the successor to the Supreme Sorcerer, the next Supreme Sorcerer. He is both powerful and has a kind and upright heart. He discovered my abilities and guided me onto the right path."

"Wow, impressive," Tony agreed, recognizing the aura of a powerful figure. "What's his name?"

Luk: Σ(°△°|||)︴

He hadn't thought of a name!

Rock? Liangke? Vek?

"Jason." Luk blurted out a name, "He's called Jason!"

"This name is so common, it doesn't fit his face at all. Oh... I mean, it's very down-to-earth!" Tony couldn't help but comment, then quickly reined himself in, remembering Luk was right there.

Luk remained silent for three seconds, then suddenly slapped Tony across the face.

Slap!

"What the fuck?"

Tony, holding his face, looked at Luk in confusion.

"Tony, what about the jade pendant I gave you?"

Luk's well-timed question immediately extinguished Tony's rising anger. He chuckled awkwardly.

"Um... I forgot to bring it. It might be in one of my jackets at home, or in my car, or on my private jet..."

"That jade pendant is a defensive magical artifact given to you by Jason the Sorcerer. If you had worn it, you wouldn't have ended up in this situation."

Luk tapped the arc reactor in Tony's chest, which was used to hold the shrapnel, and sighed.

"Don't worry us like this."

"Sorry, I was wrong," Tony apologized sincerely. This experience had indeed made him grow, though his subsequent actions leading to the Ultron crisis showed he still had a tendency to act selfishly.

"By the way, Jason the Sorcerer said I should give up everything. How do I do that?"

Tony suddenly remembered and asked.

"You're willing to give up your wealth?"

Luk looked surprised; he hadn't expected Tony to be so decisive.

"I would have died without Ethan. A little money is nothing to worry about," Tony waved it off casually.

Stark Industries wasn't Tony's confidence; rather, Tony himself was the confidence of Stark Industries. Money could be regained as long as his brilliant mind remained.

He then recalled that the "everything" the sorcerer mentioned might include his exceptional talent, which made him a bit nervous.

"Is Jason going to take my brain? Or my IQ?"

That was a bit concerning.

Luk laughed and shook his head, "Those words were just a test from Jason. Mundane wealth means nothing to him. The birth of a new guardian is what makes him happy."

Tony felt nothing but admiration.

Truly fitting for the guide of his pure and loyal friend Luk, Jason the Sorcerer was also noble!

"Can you tell me more about magic?"

"What do you want to do?"

"I want to study magic. You know, all truths are interconnected."

Tony was clearly intrigued by magic. To him, magic was an unexplored and fascinating new science. If he could learn magic, he might discover even more powerful and interesting things.

Luk became wary. It was well-known that Tony, when inspired, could create world-destroying crises.

Thinking about it, whether in comics or movies, Tony Stark had caused numerous apocalyptic events across various timelines, making him a typical world-ender.

Similarly, there's Doctor Strange, another troublemaker who delves into forbidden magic, causing chaos that rivals Tony's scientific escapades.

These two are the epitome of the scientific and magical sides, occasionally swapping skill sets.

Although his memory is a bit fuzzy, Luk vaguely remembers that Tony had an "if" line where he became the Supreme Sorcerer...

From this, it seems being a Supreme Sorcerer is a high-risk job!

Highly dangerous for others, that is!

"I don't practice magic. If you want to learn, you could try finding Kamar-Taj, the hub of sorcerers. However, their entrance is shrouded in magic, and whether you can find it depends on fate."

Tony pondered, "How does this fate work? Is it based on magical talent, mental ability, or something else?"

Luk thought for a moment and replied, "Let me explain: fate is quite mystical. For example, if you have a relative who is a sorcerer, it suggests you have a connection to Kamar-Taj. If one of your parents is a sorcerer, you have a strong connection to Kamar-Taj."

"If both your parents are sorcerers, even if you lack talent, the doors of Kamar-Taj will be open to you!"

It seems that networking and connections are not just prevalent in one place; they are a global phenomenon, the only difference being whether they are overt or covert.

Tony: ... This is bullshit!

Then he thought, since he's Luk's good friend and Luk was introduced to magic by Sorcerer Jason, who is the second-in-command at Kamar-Taj, why can't he be introduced by Jason as well?

"Bro, can you—"

"No!"

Luk firmly rejected him, shaking his head in disappointment, "Tony, how can you even think of such a thing? It's very disappointing."

He prides himself on being an upright person and wouldn't stoop to such underhanded tactics!

Tony tried to plead a bit more, but the doorknob rattled.

Natasha led a visibly agitated Pepper Potts into the room.

"How did you know I was back?"

Tony stared at Pepper, his eyes filled with tenderness.

"I asked Natasha to notify Pepper Potts to come and pick you up. You must have missed her, and you need some grooming, Tony, like a shower, a change of clothes, and a meal."

Luk explained briefly.

Natasha walked over, took the bag from Pepper, and tossed it to Tony. It contained his usual suit.

"Take a shower and change your clothes. You smell like you've been in a dumpster for three months, Mr. Tony Stark."

Tony scowled as he took out the clothes, "That's quite accurate, Miss Natasha. I can't compare to you, who gets to sleep here and enjoy the meals Luk makes."

Having seen many people, he knew from the first glance that Natasha had been living a comfortable life, her beauty more radiant than ever.

Clearly, his honest friend had been thoroughly taken advantage of by this woman, and was now in a pitiful state of constant exploitation!

Ding!

A jade pendant slid out of his pants as he moved, making Tony's lips twitch.

"There it is."

Luk glanced at Natasha, whose expression remained unchanged. With Tony's home monitored by JARVIS 24/7, it was obvious she and Pepper had slipped it into his pants on the way here.

Pepper looked at Tony, hesitating to touch him. After a moment, she asked tremulously, "Tony, is it really you?"

"It's me." Tony opened his arms, trying to embrace her.

Slap!

Another slap landed on his face, the two handprints somewhat symmetrical.

Tony clutched his face, disbelief in his eyes, "You...?"

"Sorry, I just wanted to make sure this was real."

This capable assistant had been working around the clock while Tony was away, rarely resting and constantly worrying about his safety, waiting for updates from the search teams. She was on the verge of breaking down.

"It's okay." Tony forced a smile, planning to say something romantic, but was slapped again.

Slap!

Pepper's eyes were filled with affection, "Sorry, I'm just really worried this is a dream!"

Tony took a step back, unable to resist Pepper's gaze but knowing he needed to keep his distance to save face.

Natasha watched their interaction, finding a sweet note in the slaps. This is love, she thought.

She looked at Luk, leaning in to whisper in his ear, "Should we try this too?"

Luk glanced at the handprints on Tony's face, feeling a bit reluctant. He wasn't into being dominated.

"Natasha, I don't like that."

Natasha grabbed his hand and pressed it against her buttocks, her meaning clear. If he didn't like it, why had he almost bruised her there yesterday?

"That's different..."

Natasha's lips curved into a smile, "Let's play a role-playing game. I'm a secret agent who gets caught and tied up for punishment."

First, let Luk get used to it, and when she really exposes herself, he shouldn't be too angry, right? After all, her lover is broad-minded and shouldn't mind too much... hopefully.

Luk: "..."

If you had just said I was the one hitting you, it would have been easier!

"Fine!"

"You don't like it, right?"

"Changed my mind!"

Chapter 2, to be continued by 10 PM

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end