Chapter 82: The Magician George
"How long will it take to make?"
George's eyes lit up immediately. He had only wanted to give it a try, but it seemed there was real hope.
"Two minutes. What size and color do you need?"
Tony asked.
With the machines in his workshop, even a complex Iron Man suit could be made in just five hours. A simple alloy rod would take only a minute or two.
George thought for a moment and then said:
"If possible, how about this..."
"Well, it's not difficult, but it might take a bit more time."
Hearing George's request, Tony pondered for a moment before replying.
George's request was actually quite simple. Since the alloy could be used to make a staff, and it couldn't amplify the power of magic but only save casting time, there was no need to deliberately make it in the form of a small rod.
If convenient, he could make a wand in the shape of a ring, which would be easy to carry.
He could also make a sword-shaped one, which could serve as a wand and, when necessary, be controlled magnetically to strike the enemy.
Finally, he could make a large, thick super mace for use when he cast giant magic and his size increased, making it impossible to wear a ring. It could still be used for casting and for melee combat.
Unfortunately, he couldn't find suitable materials to make a proper wand. Otherwise, the small rod form would be the most appropriate, as it was the best shape developed by wizards over thousands of years, with the most mature technology to maximize the power of magic.
For now, he had to settle for second best.
While waiting for the various wands to be completed, George asked Tony:
"How do you plan to deal with Obadiah?"
"First, we need to find evidence of Obadiah's crimes. However, he has already allied with the board to temporarily remove me from my position, so I can't enter Stark Tower.
I just notified my assistant to go to my office at the company later, hack into the company's system, and copy all the shipping records. We're sure to find evidence of Obadiah's crimes.
Once we confirm that he's selling weapons to terrorists, he'll spend the rest of his life in prison."
Tony confidently laid out his plan.
After listening, George nodded. It was indeed a good idea. He turned to Wolverine:
"Logan, have you ever worked as a bodyguard before? If so, follow Tony's assistant later and ensure her safety."
"A bodyguard? Done it many times. I remember once protecting a young lady, and I ended up in bed with her. Her father chased me for a whole year."
Wolverine puffed on his cigar, reminiscing about his youthful days.
Tony's face stiffened upon hearing this, and he turned to George:
"I think it might be better if you go and protect my assistant."
"I don't mind."
George thought for a moment and agreed.
He wasn't worried about Wolverine hitting on Pepper, but Wolverine's face was quite recognizable to certain people, like the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Moreover, Wolverine could be impulsive at times, which might cause unnecessary trouble. It was safer for George to go himself.
Before long, Pepper arrived at the mansion, and George received the newly made alloy ring. He used a spell to fuse Professor X's hair into the ring as the wand core, creating a modified wand.
"Flavido!"
After putting the alloy ring on his finger, George chanted the spell and pointed at a nearby wastebasket. The basket instantly transformed into a small cat, meowing softly.
"There's no amplification of magical effects, but the casting speed is no worse than a normal wand, so it meets expectations."
"Tony... are you sure your friend is really a magician?"
Pepper and Tony had just left the room and happened to see George using a transformation spell to turn the wastebasket into a cat.
Tony was also taken aback but quickly explained:
"Well, you know, magicians' tricks often seem unbelievable, like those who make doves appear. He's just good at turning things into cats. Anyway, if there's danger, he can use his magic to help you escape."
To avoid worrying Pepper, he didn't tell her about George's true identity or the subsequent plans.
"Alright, Mr. Magician, I'll be counting on you."
Pepper was half-convinced by Tony's explanation. Magicians do make doves appear out of thin air in hats, but she felt that what she had just seen was different.
And how could George, as a magician, protect her? Was it like the magic tricks in the movie Now You See Me?
"At your service."
George smiled, instructing Wolverine to stay and protect Tony, then followed Pepper into the car heading to Stark Tower.
Once in the car, he closed his eyes and focused his attention on his other two avatars, who were studying magic in their respective worlds, to accelerate his learning.
Pepper had wanted to probe George for information during the ride, but seeing him meditating, she decided not to disturb him.
As Tony's personal assistant, she knew everyone Tony interacted with.
Even the women who spent the night with Tony were handled by her afterward. Except for Dr. Yinsen, who returned with Tony, this was the first time she had encountered a friend of Tony's whom she didn't know.
By noon, they finally arrived at Stark Tower.
However, as they entered the lobby on the first floor, they were stopped by a balding middle-aged man.
"Ms. Potts, do you have a moment? I'd like to have a word with Mr. Stark."
"You're... Agent Coulson from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. I'm in a bit of a hurry right now, so please wait here."
Pepper glanced at the man, recalling his identity, and replied somewhat dismissively.
George also looked at the man, thinking to himself:
"Agent Coulson, that must be Phil Coulson, the Level 8 agent from S.H.I.E.L.D."
He remembered this S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. If he wasn't mistaken, Coulson was a fan of Captain America, was killed by Loki during the Chitauri invasion, and was later resurrected by Nick Fury using Kree blood.
After a brief glance, George averted his gaze. He had no intention of getting involved with S.H.I.E.L.D., a global organization.
Not to mention that, given Nick Fury's modus operandi, if he learned of their existence, he would undoubtedly take measures, just as he did with the Inhumans.
The key issue was that the current S.H.I.E.L.D. might as well be called "Hydra Shield," as a large portion of its agents had been turned into Hydra operatives.
"Alright, Ms. Potts, I'll wait here."
Coulson had a good temper and didn't mind being brushed off. He smiled and sat back down on the bench, leisurely continuing to read his newspaper.
However, as George and Pepper walked away, he subtly fixed his gaze on George.
(End of Chapter)