As a foreigner, Zola naturally had no understanding of the concept of "the overwhelming favorite getting overturned."
So he was extremely confident in his plan.
After converting himself into an artificial intelligence, Zola had become deeply influenced by data.
Everything was done according to big-data analysis.
Most of the time, those results were highly accurate.
But once key information was missing, or a variable was overlooked, the outcome could deviate by thousands of miles.
He immediately transmitted the entire operation plan to the base.
Division of labor was essential.
He only explained the reasoning behind the timing and the chosen method.
As for the concrete execution, he left that to the base and the rigorously trained Winter Soldier.
After all, Zola didn't truly understand that side of things.
Strictly speaking, he was just a scientist.
A scientist without a body.
But one thing was certain.
The time and location could not be altered.
This was the result of massive data calculation.
It could not be wrong.
Naturally, the base raised no objections.
First, their clearance level wasn't high enough.
Second, in the past, Dr. Zola's plans had always been flawless.
After analyzing the defensive systems Tony's villa might possess, they quickly finalized a corresponding action plan.
Then they notified the Winter Soldier, who had already arrived in New York.
The Winter Soldier showed no reaction.
He was a brainwashed tool.
He only followed orders.
And so-
The next day.
Three in the morning.
Tony woke up.
He was already used to this schedule.
His mind was clear.
Not the slightest trace of drowsiness.
But at that moment, he frowned slightly.
Something was wrong.
Why wasn't JARVIS speaking?
Tony never hid anything from JARVIS.
As an AI he created himself, if he ever had to guard against JARVIS, then he should go see a psychologist.
So JARVIS knew everything about Tony learning magic.
If Tony didn't wake up on time, JARVIS would gently wake him.
Then arrange food or dessert.
Even if nothing was needed, he would greet him.
Like a meticulous butler.
Yet today-
After Tony woke up, the room was still pitch black.
JARVIS hadn't even turned on the smart lights.
And he wasn't speaking.
Did he crash?
Was he hacked?
What level of hacker could take down JARVIS without any warning?
Especially after the upgrade?
"JARVIS?" Tony called softly.
No response.
Tony frowned.
A ball of light appeared in his hand, illuminating the surroundings.
After a brief thought, he cast several defensive and automatic counterattack spells he had just learned.
Only then did he move quickly down the stairs toward the workshop.
Where the complete Mark armor was stored.
A normal person might assume a power outage.
Tony wouldn't.
First, the villa had an independent power supply.
Second, even if that failed, there was a backup.
It would never reach the point where JARVIS couldn't even issue a warning.
Combine that with Hydra agents lurking in the shadows-
The conclusion was obvious.
He was under attack.
And the enemy had an exceptional understanding of the villa's defenses.
They had used highly targeted equipment to take JARVIS offline instantly.
The most prudent choice would have been to draw a circle and summon Morin.
If Morin came, this would be over.
But Tony didn't have the habit of seeking help at the first sign of trouble.
More importantly-
This was exactly what he needed.
Real combat.
To temper himself.
As for safety-
Politely put, Tony was confident.
Realistically-
Study time had arrived.
If the student didn't show up for a while, wouldn't the teacher take a look?
If he took a look, wouldn't he see what was happening?
After that, Morin would either intervene directly or let Tony struggle first.
But one thing was certain.
Morin wouldn't let him die.
Tony knew that.
Because Tony also knew-
Morin desperately wanted to resign as Sorcerer Supreme.
But was constrained by certain conditions.
Probably related to a successor.
Tony wasn't just smart in technology.
He was smart in general.
With so many clues, and Morin barely hiding anything, it would be strange if Tony couldn't figure it out.
That said-
Before confirming he truly couldn't handle the situation, Tony decided to rely on himself.
Just as he started down the stairs, a figure with semi-long hair and a mask-
Who had breached a weak point using silent tools-
Heard the footsteps.
After a brief pause, he quickly calculated Tony's route.
Based on sound.
Light.
Shadow.
He moved silently.
Yet fast.
Like a tiger.
He slipped into a blind spot along the stairs.
The stun gun in his hand was ready.
His face was expressionless.
Cold.
Like a machine.
Only capable of data input.
Logical judgment.
Calculation.
Output.
Closer.
Even closer.
Judging Tony's position-
And just as he was about to be seen if he didn't act-
The Winter Soldier struck.
Lightning-fast.
Tiger-like.
He used his right hand.
According to the data, Tony Stark was an ordinary human.
If he used his left mechanical arm, there was a risk of killing him outright.
That would violate mission parameters.
The mission prioritized capturing Tony alive.
Specifically-
Do not strike the head.
Do not strike the lower body.
Protecting the head was to avoid brain damage.
As for the lower body-
Given Tony's reputation-
No, given his actual history-
Zola's analysis suggested that losing that function might make Tony want to die.
In that case, capturing him alive would be meaningless.
And if reproductive capability was preserved-
Perhaps the next generation could be cultivated.
Superior genes.
One could only say-
The consideration was extremely thorough.
Of course, if capture proved impossible, Hydra wouldn't let Bucky die meaninglessly.
The mission allowed for termination if necessary.
Afterward, they would fabricate Tony Stark's disappearance.
Obadiah Stane would miraculously survive.
A puppet controlling Stark Industries.
Also acceptable.
Zola's calculations were loud.
He had accounted for nearly every scenario he knew.
But-
The real world couldn't be fully calculated by an AI.
Just like now.
Hydra knew that with the Mark armor, Tony was extremely dangerous.
Possibly stronger than the Winter Soldier.
But-
Would they ever imagine-
That even without the armor, Tony was still strong?
That was impossible.
So Bucky never considered it.
He threw a full-powered punch.
Mid-swing, he adjusted the landing point.
Before Tony could react.
One strike.
Disable resistance.
Then use the stun gun.
Perfect.
Simple.
Because when you have strength, simplicity is optimal.
But the moment Bucky's fist touched Tony's abdomen-
The magical arrays Tony had prepared detonated.
Tony was still a beginner.
His mana reserves were limited.
So he had only prepared two arrays.
One defensive.
Automatically triggered upon detecting an attack.
One offensive.
Its function was simple.
Release massive force in the direction of impact.
"Bang!"
A spark erupted where Bucky's fist was about to land.
It expanded instantly.
A circular magic array formed.
It felt like punching solid steel.
Sharp pain surged through Bucky's arm.
He heard bone shatter.
But his expression didn't change.
He raised his left hand.
Dropped the stun gun.
And punched again.
Fast.
Very fast.
But not faster than a pre-set array.
The second array detonated.
A directional blast.
Bucky was launched backward.
Like he'd been hit by an explosion.
At the same moment-
Tony reacted.
Using the remaining magic in his body, he cast a spell.
"Stupefy!"
He felt ashamed having to shout the incantation.
But it was the best option.
According to Morin, this was "chain control."
Extremely practical.
Lock the enemy down.
Prevent counter-kills.
Tony didn't know Morin was thinking of games when he said it.
But it wasn't wrong.
If you can't one-shot-
Control until death is optimal.
As for Stupefy-
Yes.
It came from the Harry Potter world.
Morin, whose sense of responsibility far exceeded the Ancient One's, still felt uneasy about tricking people.
Most of the magic he taught Tony avoided borrowing power from Marvel-world entities.
Unless it was unavoidable.
Or essentially free.
Like drawing circles.
The effect of Stupefy was powerful.
Even with multiple ribs broken and his right arm fractured-
Bucky fell unconscious.
Whether magical sleep or a self-protective coma didn't matter.
His body was still human.
"Phew..."
Seeing Bucky motionless, Tony exhaled deeply.
He didn't bother to check the body.
After replenishing his energy, he ran straight to the basement.
Only after donning the Mark armor did he re-emerge.
Magic was still novice-level.
Limited mana.
But the armor-
High HP.
High MP.
High defense.
His safety margin jumped significantly.
"Sir, it's good to see you again."
JARVIS's voice sounded.
"What's the situation?" Tony asked. "How many enemies?"
"I was subjected to simultaneous cyber and EMP attacks," JARVIS replied. "To prevent data leakage, I entered forced lockout."
"I actually set something that stupid?" Tony was stunned.
"I empathize with your self-assessment," JARVIS said, "but priority is survival. Before shutting down, I requested assistance from Colonel James Rhodes."
"It's time to teach these idiots a lesson."
Tony's voice hardened.
"If the tiger doesn't bare its fangs, they'll think I'm a sick cat."
He tied Bucky up in the living room.
Then flew out through the tunnel.
Locked onto Hydra agents.
And began a direct massacre.
...
Obadiah was eating.
A perfectly cooked steak.
High quality.
But it tasted like wax.
He had been here a long time.
At first, he was calm.
Later, restless.
He couldn't leave.
The people who delivered food said nothing.
Like robots.
Regret gnawed at him.
After handing over the Mark I, he probably lost all value.
Damn it.
If he had turned back then-
Could he have salvaged something?
At least he wouldn't be hiding here.
Then-
A furious voice rang out.
"Obadiah Stane."
"You actually dared to deceive us!"