Chapter 56: The Weight of Responsibility

Wang Chu set the teapot down with a soft clink, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the polished wooden table. He pondered the implications of Tony Stark's potential refusal to cooperate. If it came to that, he wouldn't hesitate to eliminate him. Obadiah, eager to usurp Stark's position, needed to be kept in check.

His thoughts were interrupted by the excited return of his bald-headed associate.

"Tony Stark agreed to cooperate," he announced, beaming.

A sigh of relief escaped Wang Chu. This was the best possible outcome. Tony Stark was not just a valuable identity; his intellect could turn the tides in their favor. With Stark on their side, they could envision a future filled with power and influence, rather than just the present, which was all about managing Obadiah.

"Whatever Stark requires, see to it that he receives it. We need to demonstrate our sincerity as the Ten Rings," Wang Chu instructed, his tone firm.

The bald-headed associate nodded eagerly, and soon the valley buzzed with activity, preparations unfolding at a rapid pace. Watching the flurry of movement, the bald man felt a surge of excitement. Once this deal was finalized, his status within the Ten Rings would skyrocket. No longer would he have to lurk in this desolate hideaway, dodging the U.S. military like a cornered animal. He envisioned leading a formidable army against the Americans, proving the might of the Ten Rings. And perhaps, he would return to his hometown to marry the girl who had captured his heart, blending villainy with romance.

---

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, James awoke to the soft light filtering through his window. He stretched, feeling the stiffness in his limbs from sleeping on the floor. His knight's armor lay discarded nearby, its war skirt design having spared him any embarrassing mishaps.

After a night of restless dreaming, he found no changes in the Box. He hadn't even fully grasped the knight's seat in his possession. It was strange to think he might be able to wear two armors simultaneously, but he decided against overthinking it. Instead, he focused on mastering the power in his hands.

With determination, he imagined launching ice arrows with one hand while blazing fire with the other, ready to face any challenge—magic or physical—with confidence. He loved the idea of leaving his adversaries perplexed and helpless.

His dream had been vivid, showcasing his control over water vapor and the ice arrows he could conjure. As a Zodiac Knight, mastering his sixth sense would unlock certain abilities, though not everyone would naturally gain superpowers. He reflected on his own situation: while he hadn't activated any powers during his sixth sense awakening, he had something special—the innate ability to control fire, honed through his training.

Now, with the knight's armor, he had the chance to learn the art of ice manipulation. Thanks to the teachings of Pope Shion, he could now create ice arrows even without the armor, though their potency was still less than when he wore it. The armor amplified his connection to the universe.

As he dressed and prepared for school, he practiced forming and dissolving ice arrows in his palm, honing his skills as he walked.

At the school gate, with a flick of his wrist, he sent a dozen ice arrows soaring into the sky, where they burst into a dazzling display of ice shards before vanishing.

Three months had flown by since James had arrived in the Marvel Universe. In that time, he had become adept at controlling his powers, achieving a level of mastery that allowed him to manipulate energy with ease.

A lot had changed in New York as well. Peter had fully embraced his role as Spider-Man, becoming a symbol of hope, albeit one that some, like Sheriff George Stacy, viewed with skepticism. Despite the rising crime rates, Spider-Man's presence had created an aura of safety that many New Yorkers were eager to believe in.

James couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of George's disdain for Spider-Man, especially as he found himself enjoying dinner at Gwen's house, where George expressed his concerns. James had managed to ease Gwen's worries about her father's opinions, and she had enjoyed the evening, laughing at his chopstick antics.

At his locker, Peter greeted him with a grin. "So, how was the lemon sea bass? Did you enjoy it?"

James shrugged, recalling the meal. "You won't believe it. I brought chopsticks, and when I used them to fish out the bones, Gwen's mom was shocked. She had no idea chopsticks could be so effective."

Peter rolled his eyes. "You went to her house with chopsticks? Don't you know that's a bit rude?"

James shrugged again, nonchalantly. "They didn't have any, and I wasn't going to eat with my hands. That would be even worse! But enough about me; what's the latest with Jessica?"

Their conversation continued, the weight of their responsibilities settling around them like an invisible cloak, both young men navigating their paths in a world filled with heroes and villains.

▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️

Thanks for the support on my patreon and thanks to those who will support in future.

Check out my p@treon for more chapters

www.p@treon.com/Greatsage5302

Guys POWER💎 STONEEEEEEE 💎

▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️