"Kassadin, Tony says the wormhole jump technology has made a significant breakthrough. It won't be long before he develops a more advanced version," Sonya shared after hearing the news from Lalatina.
"Tony's a genius, no doubt about it. But even with all the help he's had, it still took him eight months. This technology must have given him quite a few headaches," Harvey replied with a smile.
"True, but considering he had a wealth of research data and specialists assisting him, getting this far in just eight months is incredibly fast. After all, wormhole technology is one of the core components of space travel. Without it, interstellar journeys would be impossible. Even if the prototype isn't perfect, it's solved the most critical challenges," Sonya explained.
Harvey nodded. "I get that. I wasn't doubting Tony's brilliance. I was just reflecting on the fact that even someone like him struggled with it for this long."
"Now that Tony's made real progress, it's surprising he didn't come by to tell you himself. He decided to take a break instead. Looks like he's worn himself out," Sonya noted with a soft laugh.
"That's just how he is. If he didn't weigh the world on his shoulders, he'd be off partying every day," Harvey chuckled.
"Is it the funding issues I mentioned before that's stressing him out? Should I talk to him and let him know there's no need to rush?" Sonya asked, a bit puzzled.
"No, money's the least of his worries," Harvey shook his head. "It's other things weighing him down."
Tony's concern wasn't financial—it was the looming threat of future enemies that could invade Earth. He was anxious because he wasn't sure if Harvey would step in to help when the time came. That uncertainty kept Tony pushing himself relentlessly, never allowing himself to relax for long.
Harvey could easily have reassured Tony, but he chose not to. Tony, by nature, could be lazy if left to his own devices. Without the pressure, he'd easily slip back into a life of leisure.
Relieved that it wasn't financial worries, Sonya fell into thought. Given Tony's status as a Blue Star native—one of the Nine Realms—he likely feared another alien invasion like the one from the Chitauri. It made sense that he would feel responsible for protecting his home planet.
Even though Tony could easily live a carefree life traveling to other planets, his decision to shoulder this responsibility showed his strong sense of duty.
"Are you not planning to help Tony, Kassadin?" Sonya asked after some consideration.
Harvey looked at her with a thoughtful expression. "I'll step in if the situation calls for it, but not right now. Sometimes, the pressure is what drives people forward. Tony thrives under pressure. It motivates him to keep moving forward, to innovate," he explained.
Sonya mulled over Harvey's words, realizing that while Tony and Kassadin had a close relationship, there was still a layer of mystery between them. Tony wasn't sure if Kassadin would intervene when needed, which only added to the weight on his shoulders.
"And besides," Harvey continued, "Tony's not just some genius; he's got considerable strength now too. He might not need my help when the time comes. A little assistance can foster growth, but too much can be detrimental."
Harvey's eyes glinted as he spoke. He had already given Tony the opportunities needed to grow stronger and face future threats. But he never explicitly promised Tony he'd be there to save Earth. Had he made such a promise, Tony might have grown complacent, knowing he had a safety net.
Harvey himself was confident in his power, which allowed him to live a relaxed, carefree life. With plans to acquire some of the Infinity Stones, Harvey knew that as long as Thanos didn't collect all six stones, he wouldn't be a significant threat.
Of course, Harvey was aware that Thanos wasn't the most dangerous being in the Marvel Universe without the gauntlet. Other powerful entities were lurking in the vastness of space. But as long as Harvey didn't provoke them, they wouldn't pose a threat to him.
And so, Harvey had no reason to fear. He would act on his terms, secure in his growing power.
"I see," Sonya murmured, understanding Harvey's reasoning. She realized that Kassadin allowed Tony to struggle under the weight of his concerns, knowing it would only make him stronger in the long run.
Sonya also understood why Kassadin had shared this with her. Even though she now knew his plans, she would never reveal a word of it without his permission.