Studies have shown that when a person finds themselves in a dangerous or highly stimulating situation, the body releases large amounts of adrenaline, accelerating the heartbeat.
If, at that exact moment, an attractive individual happens to be nearby, it becomes easy to mistake that physiological response for romantic attraction.
This is known as the Suspension Bridge Effect.
Maria Hill knew this.
She understood perfectly well what had just happened.
And yet—
After witnessing twenty simultaneous nuclear detonations at point-blank range, she still couldn't stop her heart from racing for Leon.
The reason was simple.
Given Leon's "hardware and software," and the utterly outrageous fireworks display he had just orchestrated—
Even knowing it was deliberate, a calculated move—
She fell for it anyway.
Few women wouldn't.
At this moment, Hill's gaze toward Leon was so direct it was practically predatory. For a second, she looked ready to devour him on the spot—only barely restraining herself with discipline.
"My water meter at home is broken," she said, licking her lips lightly, her eyes locked on his. "Think Captain Homelander, with all his experience, could come over and… inspect it?"
"With pleasure."
Leon's smile curved dangerously.
Tonight—
Sleep would be optional.
…
Seven Days Later
Hill's Apartment
Even with the passive protection of Leon's Bio-Field, seven consecutive days of… intense "cardio training" had consequences.
Hill lay on the couch, eyes hollow, expression numb.
Excitement had long since faded.
She now resembled a veteran soldier who had survived an endless campaign.
Leon, meanwhile, showed no signs of cooldown.
Seeing him "reboot" almost instantly after being forced into momentary stillness, Hill gathered what remained of her consciousness and kicked him clean off the sofa.
"You bastard!"
"Are you trying to kill me?!"
With that, she promptly fainted.
Leon scratched his head sheepishly.
Like Tony, once he committed to work, he tended to lose track of time.
After carrying Hill gently back to bed, he prepared to handle another matter.
'System, report the past week's automated Vibranium mining results.'
[Report: Total yield – 169 kilograms of Vibranium.]
'…Fine.'
'Bad luck follows me through life.'
'At least I've got a guaranteed baseline others would kill for.'
Self-comfort complete, Leon shot into the sky.
…
One Month Later
Kamar-Taj – Kathmandu, Nepal
(For MCU continuity, Kamar-Taj is located in Nepal.)
Leon, having donated a very persuasive amount of money, was now officially "studying" at Kamar-Taj.
Dressed in white training robes identical to Doctor Strange's early attire, he stood under Wong's one-on-one instruction, attempting to conjure a Sling Ring portal.
"Tch! Failed again!"
Leon clicked his tongue in frustration.
"How is that possible?" Wong muttered, demonstrating again. "You just do this… then this… and then—see? Portal. Even without a Sling Ring."
Leon rolled his eyes.
"Wong, if teaching like that actually worked, I'd eat the entire Kamar-Taj complex on the spot."
Wong sighed deeply.
"Leon… perhaps you should accept it. You have no aptitude for the Mystic Arts."
Days of effort.
Zero sparks.
Not even a flicker.
Even the Ancient One's personal instruction had yielded identical results.
Leon's true disappointment, however, was not magic itself.
It was this—
[Daily Check-In available.]
'Open.'
[Check-In complete. Reward obtained:
Wong's Private Novel Collection – "Please, My Sorcerer Supreme."]
Similar rewards had included:
"The Sorcerer Supreme Fell in Love with Me"
"That Time I Reincarnated as the Sorcerer Supreme"
"Sorcerer Supreme, How Will You Repay What You Owe Me?"
The system was practically stripping Wong's dignity bare.
All Leon wanted was teleportation.
A simple instant-movement ability.
Was that too much to ask?
He had even tried checking in on the Ancient One.
The system had immediately rewarded him with—
The undergarments she was currently wearing.
Leon had assumed it was a copied replica.
He was wrong.
The moment he removed it from System Storage—
The Ancient One appeared at his door.
Hundreds of Crimson Bands of Cyttorak erupted simultaneously, binding him midair before she proceeded to give him a thorough beating.
Fortunately, her raw physical stats weren't particularly high. Otherwise, a few swings of the Sword of the Vishanti might have left lasting impressions.
Of course—
She hadn't been serious.
If she were, there were plenty of spells in her arsenal capable of breaking through Leon's defenses.
After the disciplinary session, she tossed him into the Mirror Dimension for several days of confinement.
Ironically, that gave him ample time to attempt more check-ins.
Result?
Nothing.
Not even a spark.
Later, after shamelessly clinging to her leg for days, Leon finally gained temporary access to the Eye of Agamotto.
Under her supervision only.
He attempted to check in via the Time Stone.
Still—
Nothing.
Perhaps time manipulation was simply too overpowered for the system to grant easily.
All Leon had wanted was something modest.
A "Za Warudo"-style five-second time stop.
Five seconds might be short for a father.
But for Leon?
Five seconds was broken beyond reason.
Alas—
Nothing.
…
"Master Wong, the library requires supervision. You may return."
"Yes, Sorcerer Supreme."
The Ancient One descended gracefully, floating atop a golden sigil.
Wong escaped immediately—so relieved he didn't even reclaim the Sling Rings Leon had been dual-wielding.
Leon stared enviously as Wong formed a portal bare-handed and vanished.
"Master Ancient One! You're just in time!" Leon flew over, slinging an arm around her shoulder as if greeting a drinking buddy.
"Come see how my portal diagram looks!"
He dragged her toward the rooftop chamber he had constructed atop Kamar-Taj.
Technically unauthorized.
But enough Vibranium structural reinforcement—and generous funding—made objections disappear.
A single Vibranium pillar extended a hundred meters underground.
If Kamar-Taj collapsed, his attic would remain standing.
"Leon Stark," the Ancient One said gently, "across the past, present, and future of the Sacred Timeline… you may be the individual most incompatible with magic."
"Effort matters," Leon replied casually.
Even if his luck was bad now—
He'd eventually check in something outrageous.
"Indeed," she nodded. "Effort matters."
"However—it is time for you to leave."
"Huh?"
Before he could ask why, Arcee's voice sounded in his in-ear communicator.
"Leon. Happy Hogan is calling."
"Patch him through."
"Leon," Happy began excitedly, "the sequel to Homelander: Man of Steel—titled Homelander: Flesh and Blood—is premiering soon."
"You haven't made many public appearances lately. Think you can attend the premiere?"
"It'll boost ticket sales—and maintain Homelander's public popularity."
"What does Pepper say?"
"Miss Potts respects your decision."
"…Alright."
"I'll attend."
"But why are you calling me?"
"Because I'm the director."
"And Arcee is co-director and head of visual effects."
Leon blinked.
"You're serious? Wait—did you direct the first one too?"
"Of course. It was a box office smash. I've been promoted to CEO of Stark Pictures."
Happy sounded absurdly proud.
"…Nice."
After confirming the time, Leon hung up.
He glanced at the Ancient One, who had maintained a faint, knowing smile throughout.
Without the Time Stone in hand—
She still saw fragments of the future.
Her "Lightning Time"—a near time-acceleration state—had allowed her to effortlessly react to Leon's speed during their sparring.
Kamar-Taj's former renegade, Kaecilius, wouldn't have touched a single hair on her head.
"Leon," the Ancient One said calmly, tapping his forehead lightly, "do what you must. Do not dwell on what you should not."
Leon grinned mischievously.
"Master… do you think I still have a chance to live off you instead?"
Without warning—
He performed a quick Leon Grip™.
Before she could retaliate, he exploded skyward at full velocity—vanishing like a golden comet beyond even her casting range.
The Mirror Dimension shimmered briefly behind her—
Then faded.
"Incorrigible."
"A rogue."
She smiled faintly.
"Yet… that unrestrained sincerity may be rare."
"The future belongs to you."
"God of War—Leon Stark Odinson."
…
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