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Tony looked at Pepper in surprise.
"Tony, you can't handle everything alone," Pepper said seriously. "The Iron Man suit is powerful, but you're not the suit. You make mistakes, have oversights... If another Obadiah situation happens, we might not save you in time."
Pepper hoped he'd have similar people to rely on. Didn't want him fighting solo.
This would make him safer. Also ease his loneliness.
Tony fell silent.
Actually, last night he'd understood something.
The Iron Man suit could completely crush ordinary people—terrorists, for example. But once enemies upgraded to supernatural or similar powers, the suit became quite powerless.
Like the Iron Monger this time.
"Miss Potts is right."
Fury said. "This world is far larger than you imagine. Many unknown entities hide beneath the surface. We must unite."
"Take Miss Witch, for instance. Without her, we wouldn't know magic exists. Wouldn't know anything about the mystical side or wizarding world. I have a feeling—something's waiting for us in the future. So assembling the Avengers is necessary."
Hermione listening, had to admire—Baldy was shady... but his instincts sharp, vision keen. Nearly reached ordinary human limits.
Whether assembling the Avengers, first detecting problems with Insight and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s interior, or secretly recovering the Helicarrier... solving Sokovia's rescue crisis during the Ultron incident—all demonstrated this.
"I need to think about it."
After silence, Tony spoke again. But no longer as resistant.
Fury nodded.
He hadn't expected immediate success anyway. Today was just groundwork.
"Besides that, one more thing." Fury pivoted. "S.H.I.E.L.D. sincerely invites you to become our technology consultant."
Tony snorted. "You can't afford my salary."
But immediately changed tone. "However, seeing you're so discerning, helping out as a favor isn't impossible."
Then added.
"Don't overthink it. I'm only agreeing because you protected Pepper last night. And helped with the rescue."
Though he repeatedly emphasized this reason, gave off an inexplicably tsundere vibe.
Having secured Tony, Baldy turned to Hermione.
"Miss Witch, regarding the Avengers..."
Before finishing, Tony immediately went on alert. Eyes unfriendly.
"What, now S.H.I.E.L.D. won't even spare children? We adults can't protect the world, so you need a kid risking her life for you?"
Fury thought, I'd like to, but seeing how protective you all are of Hermione, where's the opportunity?
Actually, he was just saying it. Forget that always asking Hermione for help would make them adults look bad—even if possible, Natasha and Coulson wouldn't agree.
No matter how strong Hermione was, she was only a twelve-year-old girl. Actually putting her on battlefields to fight and kill—many couldn't get past that conscience barrier.
Conscience existed somewhat. Though not much.
"You misunderstand, Mr. Stark." Fury corrected. "I just want to invite Miss Witch to also serve as our S.H.I.E.L.D. consultant... Only not your technology direction, but mystical studies consultant."
"Huh? This involves me too?"
Hermione pointed at herself. Somewhat surprised.
Fury said. "Correct. Miss Witch comes from the wizarding world. Your mystical knowledge is crucial for world security... With your assistance, S.H.I.E.L.D. could more smoothly protect people, fight evil, maintain justice."
Regardless, put the high hat on first.
"Just consulting?"
Tony's eyes carried suspicion.
"I guarantee—after Miss Witch joins, she'll have extremely high freedom. Only teaching knowledge."
Hermione suddenly interested. "So I can be like Hogwarts professors, teaching others?"
She rubbed her hands. Eyes sparkled mysteriously.
Quite the excitement of a kid finally getting to be someone's teacher.
Fury nodded. "Of course."
"Can I use corporal punishment on stupid students?"
Hermione showed a devilish expression.
Fury: "..."
He suddenly felt recruiting Hermione might not be the right choice.
"As long as you don't torment our agents to death..." Fury rarely hesitated. Voice somewhat uncertain.
He probed. "If you'd be willing to teach them a spell or two, even better."
Cards on the table.
Hermione shook her head. "It's not that I'm unwilling to teach. Just that people with magic are too rare. Plus the Ministry has specialized means of monitoring the world... Once they discover qualifying children, they're directly recruited by major magical schools."
Though already guessed, Fury still somewhat unwilling.
"Isn't there any other method to give people magic?"
"No." Hermione answered decisively. "However, letting Muggles cast spells is indeed achievable. Just very troublesome. And effects aren't good."
Fury's eyes lit up. Hurriedly asked. "Can you do it?"
"Can't. Even if I could, I wouldn't." Hermione glared at him. "You want Ministry Aurors storming S.H.I.E.L.D. to arrest your agents?"
Fury stopped talking.
Tony suddenly interjected. "You really want to be their mystical consultant?"
Hermione's beautiful big eyes looked at Tony. "Yeah, I think it's quite interesting."
This was true.
In her conception, wizards' existence should be known to the world. Might as well take this opportunity to reveal part of it first.
Tony nodded. Looked at Fury. "How much salary are you planning to give her?"
Fury: "?"
Tony narrowed his eyes. "You're not saying S.H.I.E.L.D. not only wants to employ child labor, but also won't pay wages?"
Fury's face darkened. He indeed thought that.
Just that Tony stated it so blatantly—he couldn't say anything about "for the world, for justice."
"What do you think—given Hermione's value—you should pay her?" Tony pressed.
"One million?" Fury probed.
Tony laughed coldly.
"How about this—I'll pay ten million per month. Hire her as Stark Industries consultant. How's that?"
Fury's face darkened further. Could only look at Hermione pleadingly.
Hermione poked her cheek with one finger. Looked at the ceiling. Deep in thought.
Long while later, she suddenly thought of something. "How about this—TV shows say organizations like yours control many interesting things. Why not give me enough clearance to access your fun collections and files? How's that?"
Hearing this request, Fury suddenly alarmed.
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