Coulson left, having learned about the deal between Ethan and Tony. One percent of Stark Industries' shares were to be exchanged for treating the hidden danger within Tony's body.
As for whether the deal was worth it, Coulson didn't bother to evaluate or calculate it. What mattered to him was whether Ethan was a fraud with exceptional abilities or someone who genuinely possessed the capability to cure Tony Stark.
For now, Tony Stark placed significant trust in Ethan, so Coulson refrained from taking any rash actions, such as making threats in Tony's home. Instead, he handed over the gems he had brought gems that S.H.I.E.L.D. had intercepted from Tony's earlier orders. This was partly a goodwill gesture, ensuring that if Tony ever confronted them about it, they could claim it was a precautionary measure and return the gems amicably.
This showed how much S.H.I.E.L.D. valued its relationship with Tony Stark. They were careful not to provoke any unnecessary conflict or turn Tony against them.
For now, S.H.I.E.L.D. wouldn't make trouble for Ethan. If Ethan genuinely succeeded in curing Tony, S.H.I.E.L.D. might even consider befriending him. After all, someone with such extraordinary medical skills or the ability to treat severe injuries was someone worth keeping close.
If, however, Ethan turned out to be a fraud... S.H.I.E.L.D. would make him regret ever stepping into this world.
Ethan could easily guess S.H.I.E.L.D.'s plans. In truth, they might even prefer it if he were a fraud. That way, they could score points with Tony by swooping in to "rescue" him and perhaps even use their advanced technology to provide a real solution. In doing so, Tony would owe them a significant favor, further strengthening his ties to S.H.I.E.L.D.
Over the next few days, Tony gradually transferred control of Stark Industries' daily operations to Pepper, while Ethan stayed at Tony's house, dedicating himself to charging the gems.
Gems are natural conduits for magical energy, but not all gems are suitable for storing magic. Ethan meticulously sorted through the batch, selecting those compatible with the magic circle he had designed. Following the Ancient One's teachings, he would open a channel to another dimension to draw energy, using his knowledge of magic to construct a circle that could store and regulate this energy. He then "charged" the gems, much like filling a battery.
The process was painstaking. Each gem had to be charged one by one, and drawing energy from other dimensions posed significant risks. Ethan had to maintain complete concentration, so he paused all other research to focus solely on this task. To replenish his drained mental energy, he constantly smoked handmade cigarettes infused with spiritual energy.
Finally, after exhausting his reserves, Ethan completed the gem meant to heal Tony.
"This was far more exhausting than I anticipated," he muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. Popping the last piece of spiritual restorative into his mouth, Ethan slumped onto the sofa, completely spent.
It was in this state that Tony found him upon returning home.
"Judging by the way you look, it seems like you just survived a war. Who wrung you out like this?" Tony teased.
Ethan didn't bother responding. He simply raised a middle finger at Tony before flopping back onto the sofa. After finishing his spiritual restorative, he finally spoke. "The preparations are complete. Are you sure you don't want me to handle the removal of the shrapnel?"
Tony had initially insisted on performing the shrapnel removal himself, believing in the reliability of scientific methods. However, he now hesitated. The high-tech equipment he had assembled required a skilled operator, and he couldn't do it himself while undergoing the procedure. As knowledgeable as Ethan was, his familiarity with advanced technology seemed no different from the average layperson.
Pepper? She was swamped managing Stark Industries, having taken over Tony's responsibilities. She wouldn't have the time to assist. After considering all his options, Tony couldn't think of anyone suitable.
Jarvis and the assistant robots in his home weren't viable options either. The operation required managing numerous unpredictable emergencies. Jarvis's AI, while advanced, wasn't equipped to handle the complex decision-making such situations demanded.
"Maybe... I'll need your help after all," Tony admitted.
After some thought, Tony decided to proceed himself, relying on Ethan's magic circle to stabilize his condition. As long as the circle ensured his survival, Tony believed he could handle the procedure with Jarvis's assistance.
"Don't worry," Ethan assured him. "I'll be standing by to intervene if anything goes wrong. I'll make sure the operation stays on track."
Ethan took his role seriously, Tony had already prepared the paperwork to transfer the shares, and Ethan had signed under the supervision of a lawyer. Once the surgery succeeded, the agreement would take immediate effect. This meant Ethan had every incentive to ensure nothing went wrong.
With everything in place, Ethan and Tony agreed to conduct the surgery the following day. The operation was kept a closely guarded secret, known to only a handful of people.
Yet, on the day of the surgery, everyone privy to the secret seemed to appear before Ethan.
"Hello, I'm James Rhodes, but you can call me Rhodey," said Tony's best friend and a colonel in the Air Force. In an alternate series of events, Rhodey would eventually don the War Machine armor and become a superhero himself. But for now, that future seemed uncertain.
"Nice to meet you, Rhodey. Just call me Ethan."
Pepper also arrived, as expected. Tony was in the middle of reassuring her, trying to ease her worries by emphasizing the high success rate of the procedure.
Then, an unexpected guest showed up—a man in a black leather trench coat, sporting an eyepatch and an authoritative presence. Accompanying him was Phil Coulson, whom Ethan had already met. The man's identity was obvious.
"Hi, I'm Nick Fury," he introduced himself.
Coulson elaborated, "This is our director."
"Nice to meet you, Director Fury."
Fury's presence surprised Ethan. His appearance signaled the importance S.H.I.E.L.D. placed on Tony. Fury was likely here to observe the surgery and provide an additional safety net in case something went wrong. This level of attention only underscored Tony's significance to S.H.I.E.L.D.
As for Fury witnessing the procedure, Ethan didn't mind at all. After all, even if they watched the entire process, it wasn't as though they could replicate his magic. On the contrary, it would be a good opportunity to demonstrate that Ethan wasn't someone they could easily provoke.
"Well," Ethan said after everyone had gathered, "since we're all here, let's get started."
"It feels more like a party than a surgery," Tony quipped, finding the atmosphere oddly casual.
"Isn't this perfectly in line with your style? Even a surgery turns into a spectacle," Ethan shot back.
"As accurate as that may be, it doesn't make me feel any better," Tony retorted.
The group watched as Tony and Ethan entered the prepared room. Tony, stripped down to just his pants, lay topless on a bed that looked like something straight out of a science fiction movie.
"Should we leave?" Rhodey asked hesitantly, lingering near the door.
Ethan waved dismissively. "Didn't you all come here to observe the treatment? What's the point of stepping out now? By the way, close the door behind you."
Hearing this, everyone decided to stay, spreading out to avoid crowding the room. Thankfully, the space was large enough to accommodate everyone comfortably.
Once all the preparations were complete, Ethan gestured for the group to step back. "Stand clear and don't panic, no matter what happens."
Turning to Tony, he asked, "Are you ready?"
"Ready. Let's do this," Tony replied confidently.
Ethan glanced around to ensure everyone had moved back to a safe distance. Satisfied, he turned his focus to the task at hand. This was a critical moment, and he couldn't afford any mistakes.
Taking out the Book of Inheritance, Ethan began activating the magic circle. Tony and Pepper, having seen this process before, remained composed. However, Rhodey, Fury, and Coulson were visibly shaken. Their expressions betrayed how profoundly this defied their understanding.
"What... what is this? Magic?" Rhodey murmured, barely able to suppress his amazement.
If it weren't for the knowledge that they couldn't disturb the procedure, the newcomers would have bombarded Ethan with questions.
The golden glow of the magic circle illuminated the room, filling it with an otherworldly radiance. The Book of Inheritance floated in Ethan's hand, its pages unfurling as the intricate patterns of the magic circle came to life.
"It's ready," Ethan announced. "The magic circle is functioning. You can start the procedure now."
The focus shifted to Tony and Jarvis, who began the delicate operation to remove the shrapnel. Yet the group's attention wasn't on the machinery or Tony's resilience. Instead, their eyes were glued to the golden glow surrounding Tony's body. Under its radiance, the wounds caused by the shrapnel healed visibly, as though time itself were reversing.
Tony's willpower was commendable. Despite the searing pain of the shrapnel extraction, he endured it without faltering, staying focused on the delicate task. Every time a piece of metal was removed, the magic ensured the wound healed almost instantly, preventing excessive blood loss.
"It's... unbelievable," Rhodey muttered, unable to contain his awe. No one criticized him—everyone in the room felt the same way.
"What happened today..." Fury murmured, his voice heavy with conviction. "This will change the world forever."
***
For every 100 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on patreon to read 30+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Blownleaves.