"Okay, sir, it's started."
Hearing Jarvis's voice, Tony's lips curled up. He didn't believe Lockhart could be so arrogant this time.
A large number of round, cake-like machines placed throughout the villa began to rotate rapidly, emitting strange fluctuations that covered the entire villa.
"Jarvis, give Professor Lockhart a glass of water—no, a glass of red wine. We can't let him leave disappointed."
Confident that his carefully researched machine was taking effect, Tony ordered with pride while raising his hand to signal the mechanical arms to unload the armor.
"Okay, sir. The red wine you requested is ready."
Jarvis's voice sounded as a mechanical arm carried a tray with a glass of red wine, moving smoothly toward Lockhart. Another mechanical arm offered Tony a glass of red wine as well.
Tony raised his glass to Lockhart, smiling. "Come, Professor, let's drink to celebrate the great breakthrough of the Gold Galleons Project."
Lockhart raised an eyebrow, a half-smile on his face. He sensed a strange wave emanating from the villa, a wave with the effect of dispelling magic. It was similar to the anti-thief waterfall but much weaker.
Despite this, Lockhart was impressed by Tony's ingenuity. Developing technology that could affect magic, even if it had minimal impact on a highly transformed wizard like him, was no small feat. For a novice wizard like Ian, it would have a significant impact, increasing magic consumption and making spellcasting difficult.
Lockhart understood why Tony insisted on meeting at the villa—it was payback for the last time. Tony was not one to swallow his pride; he was a master at getting even.
Lockhart picked up the wine glass, shook the red wine slightly, and then raised it, chuckling. "Tony, I hope you can really surprise me. I also have a gift for you."
With that, Lockhart drank the wine, and Tony did the same. Observing Lockhart, Tony was puzzled. The professor didn't seem worried at all. Had his plan failed?
No, it should be working. His previous tests were successful.
Lockhart then said, "Tony, a friend gave me a bottle of red wine before. It tastes good. You can try it after we finish."
Lockhart flicked the Sling Ring slightly, opening a small portal to his study and retrieving a bottle of red wine. Tony's expression changed.
What the hell? Why did the magic jammer fail?
"Jarvis, turn on maximum power," Tony whispered.
"Sir, turning on maximum power is risky. After three minutes, the machines might spontaneously ignite and destroy due to high-speed operation. Do you want to proceed?" Jarvis cautioned.
"Turn it on," Tony ordered through gritted teeth, determined not to lose face.
"Okay, sir."
The jammers began operating at maximum power. Lockhart, seemingly oblivious to Tony and Jarvis's conversation, examined the red wine. The small portal in mid-air remained open, symbolizing something.
As the interference increased, the portal began to shake slightly. Tony saw this and felt a surge of pride. Finally, he thought, he had regained some face.
But then, the portal's shape began to change. Multiple subtle portals emerged, forming the shape of eyes, nose, and ears—his own face.
Tony's anger flared. This was a mockery of his machine's failure.
Just as he was about to summon his armor for a fight, a strong burning smell filled the air, and fire flickered around the villa. The jammers had ignited from overuse.
Tony's face straightened. "Jarvis, start putting out the fire."
Lockhart frowned. With a wave of his wand, the taunting portal disappeared. He then spread a cold air around the villa, enveloping each magic radiation disruptor. Frost formed on the machines, extinguishing the fire and burning smell.
Small red flame-colored portals appeared next to each disruptor, and under Jarvis's observation, they engulfed the disruptors, bringing them in front of Tony and Lockhart.
Seeing the jammers laid out before him, Tony fell silent. He had lost again.
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