Jane was startled for a moment, then nodded heavily.
She connected her laptop to Tony's system, transferring years of accumulated observational data.
Everyone had witnessed Tony Stark's genius, and she knew this was her chance!
Soon, Tony and Dr. Jane Foster entered a state of engrossed work.
This made Darcy, who was standing by, feel a bit redundant.
She quietly leaned over to Professor Erik and whispered, "Hey, Professor, should I go downstairs and buy some popcorn? It feels like the real show is just beginning."
Professor Erik smiled wryly and shook his head, his gaze subtly drifting towards Leon Odinson by the window.
He knew there was only one director for this play, from beginning to end.
He had lived for most of his life and had never seen anyone like him, yet he felt that given his identity, all of this was only natural.
Leon, however, seemed to see nothing, the Sun shone obliquely on him, and the faint golden glow on his body made him look even more like a god.
Soon, only the sounds of Tony and Jane's intense discussion, and the constantly flickering data on the holographic screens, remained in the lab.
Tony's genius was on full display.
In less than ten minutes, he had fully understood Dr. Jane Foster's research findings from the past few years.
Then, he began to expand and create upon that foundation.
"No, that's not right! Your energy model is too unstable!" Tony said, drawing formulas in the air with his finger.
"The essence of Bifrost Bridge radiation is a dimension-reduced manifestation of energy; using it directly would just blow everything up!"
"We need a converter! A tool that can stably transform this energy into something we can control!"
As he spoke, he called up design blueprints, his mind searching for inspiration within them.
Just then, a lazy voice sounded again.
"Perhaps, you should look at what your father left behind, like the Stark Industries Expo model you loved so much as a child?"
Tony's movements froze.
What was this guy talking about?
The Expo model? He had long since thrown that into storage; what was there to see?
But thinking of Leon's mysteriousness, he still, by some strange impulse, ordered Jarvis, "Jarvis, pull up the 1974 Stark Industries Expo park planning model."
Soon, a holographic model of a massive architectural complex appeared in the center of the lab.
Tony frowned as he looked at the familiar model, completely bewildered by Leon's meaning.
Leon's voice drifted over again, "Sometimes, the ideas of geniuses are interconnected. An unrealizable energy theory and an uncreatable structure, perhaps they were meant to be together? Why don't you look at the model upside down?"
Structure?!
Upside down?!
Tony was struck by lightning!
He quickly rushed to the model, then had Jarvis flip the model over, staring intently at the seemingly chaotic architectural layout.
In his eyes, those buildings, roads, fountains… everything began to decompose, reassemble, and finally, formed a model!
He understood, he understood everything!
His father, Howard Stark, had already conceived this possibility with his brilliant mind decades ago!
But he couldn't do it.
Because he lacked the most crucial thing.
Energy!
And now, Dr. Jane Foster's research had pointed him in the right direction!
"So that's how it is…"
Tony murmured, looking at the model and the energy formulas, his eyes somewhat lost.
He and his father, two geniuses from different eras, had resonated in such a wondrous way!
He paid no attention to the reactions of others; he was completely immersed in ecstasy.
He felt that the pain from the palladium poisoning in his chest seemed to have lessened considerably.
Nothing excited Tony more than solving a difficult problem.
He even temporarily forgot the tension Leon brought, and forgot his grand pronouncements from earlier.
However, just as he was about to begin constructing the first prototype, Leon's voice softly sounded again.
"The strawberry smoothie tastes good, but it's a bit too grainy. Jarvis, try a different flavor next time."
The voice wasn't loud, but it successfully interrupted Tony's train of thought.
He stiffly turned his head and saw Leon slowly sipping a smoothie, a contented expression on his face.
Tony's expression darkened.
He had just regained a bit of control and confidence.
As a result, the other party's single sentence once again reminded him who was in charge here.
Damn it, who exactly was the Master here?!
"So, you went through all this trouble just to be my life coach?" Tony rolled his eyes, his tone flippant.
He leaned back against the workbench, arms crossed, trying to appear less passive.
"Or, do you have some special interest in my lab? Do I need to get you an annual pass, Mr. Odinson?"
He admitted the other party was powerful, incomprehensibly so.
But that didn't mean Tony Stark would yield.
He had his pride.
Leon seemed to notice his change in mood; he put down his smoothie and slowly sat up from the lounge chair.
He didn't look at Tony, but instead cast his gaze out the window at the bustling New York.
"Mr. Stark, do you know?" His voice was very soft.
"From my perspective, this city is like a machine. Everyone is busy, rushing for survival and desires. They think they are free, they think they are the Master of the World."
He turned his head, watching Tony calmly.
"But in reality, their every move, their joys and sorrows, all follow a pre-set trajectory."
Tony didn't retort, but he vaguely felt something was wrong.
"What are you trying to say?" He narrowed his eyes.
Leon smiled, a hint of playfulness in his expression.
"What I want to say is, you, Tony Stark, are the smartest, but also the most disobedient part in this machine."
"You try to challenge predetermined fate with your wisdom and technology. You think that by putting on that tin suit, you can become a hero, you can change the World."
His tone became meaningful.
"But have you ever considered that perhaps everything you do, your proud Iron Man armor, the new element you are about to create, and even your current anger and unwillingness, are all just a plot point in someone's script?"
Tony fell silent.
There was no collapse on his face, no despondency, only calm.
He looked at Leon for a long time, so long that Jane and Darcy both felt a little uneasy.
Suddenly, he laughed.
"A script?" Tony spread his hands, his tone casual.
"That sounds pretty boring. If my life is a play, then I guarantee I'll be the protagonist who gives the director a heart attack."
He walked to the bar, poured himself a full glass of red wine, and then raised it towards Leon.
"So, Mr. Mysterious Audience, who exactly are you? Where are you from? An alien? Or someone from the future? You must have a name, right?"
Leon looked at his feigned composure and nodded with satisfaction.
That's more like it.
Now this was interesting.
"Me?"
Leon slowly walked in front of Tony, looking down at him.
A gentle and confident smile returned to his face.
"My name is Leon Odinson."
"I am here on vacation in this World."
He looked at the doubt and disbelief in Tony's eyes, smiled slightly, and added the last sentence.
"By the way, I happen to be very familiar with the Bifrost Bridge Dr. Foster mentioned, because that is my home's door."
.....
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