Chapter 39: Farewell Coulson (Part 3)

"He really enjoys himself, doesn't he? Aren't you going to do something about it?" Daniel asked Pepper as they watched Stark mingle with different women at his villa in New York.

"That's just how he is," Pepper replied with a smile.

Stark's villa had a spacious hall that could be used as a ballroom. Every so often, Stark would invite numerous women over for a party.

"What brings you here today? Something up?" Pepper asked.

"I want to buy a villa by the sea on Staten Island, similar in size to this one," Daniel said. After acquiring the Red Queen, his previous small villa was no longer sufficient.

"You're finally willing to move out. But why not buy one here?" Pepper smiled at Daniel. According to American standards, Daniel should have long bought a luxury villa, a fancy car, and a private jet.

These are the basic amenities for a super-rich individual. Stark, for example, had multiple luxurious villas, a collection of luxury cars, at least one of each available on the market, six private jets, several private yachts, and two private islands.

Some of his cars, Stark had never even driven.

"You know my personality. I prefer the quiet over there," Daniel said with a smile.

New York's five boroughs include Manhattan, the most populated and wealthiest, housing many Fortune 500 companies, including Stark Industries' headquarters.

Owning a villa in Manhattan is also a status symbol. Stark had several villas, with the New York villa being second in prominence only to his main residence in California, which was Stark's true home. Only a few could access that place, where Pepper had nearly as much authority as Stark.

Unlike Tony, who had become Iron Man, most of his time was spent in New York, given Manhattan's vibrancy compared to California. At least in New York, beautiful women were everywhere.

Tony only went to his California villa when he needed quiet time. For him, there was no difference between there and New York; both places had JARVIS.

"I'll keep an eye out," Pepper nodded.

"Thank you."

Buying a villa in Manhattan might be feasible after the New York battle, but for now, it would be a waste if it got destroyed during the battle.

Daniel had initially been unsure where the New York battle would take place, but it became clear as Stark Tower was too conspicuous. Only someone as flamboyant as Tony would engrave his name on a tower.

Of course, he wouldn't say this to Pepper.

One can't help but marvel at the leisurely life of a super-rich person. As CEO of FeiFei Group and Stark's assistant, Pepper's busy time was limited. Most of her job was steering the company's direction, leaving numerous capable managers to handle the tasks she delegated.

"Hello, long time no see."

"Yes, please come in."

As soon as Daniel saw Coulson and Melinda May, he knew Rebecca must have reported to them.

Daniel had been considering how to deal with HYDRA agents if they showed up. Now that it was Coulson and Melinda, it saved him a lot of trouble.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"No, thank you. I believe you know why we're here. Don't blame Rebecca; it's S.H.I.E.L.D. protocol," Coulson said, excusing Rebecca.

Although Daniel claimed he didn't mind, it would be a lie to say he wasn't bothered at all.

"Don't worry, I understand. You're here to register," Daniel said as he poured them both a cup of coffee.

"Yes, but we also have a few questions," Coulson said with a smile.

"Go ahead."

"According to Rebecca's report, she said you're a magician. We need to confirm that," Coulson said. It's not the first time he encountered someone claiming to be a magician; he even met those who called themselves the son of God or a deity.

People who gain powers often think of themselves as unique, which is common among those with superpowers.

Haven't some thugs proclaimed themselves as gods after getting the Berserker Staff?

So, even after confirming with Rebecca multiple times, they needed to confirm again.

"I should clarify that I'm not a magician; I'm a sorcerer," Daniel said, raising his index finger and gesturing to Coulson and Melinda.

When Rebecca mentioned reporting to S.H.I.E.L.D., Daniel had prepared a story to deal with them.

"Is there a difference? Aren't they the same?" Coulson and Melinda exchanged puzzled looks before Coulson asked.

"There's a significant difference. First, let me clear up a misconception: real sorcerers are entirely different from what you see in movies."

"Wait, how do you know your powers aren't superpowers but magic?" Melinda suddenly asked.

"It's simple: my powers were acquired through study," Daniel said, smiling and ignoring Melinda's interruption.

"Study, like in the movies," Coulson nodded.

"Can you demonstrate your power, like casting a fireball?" Melinda asked, looking expectantly at Daniel.

Daniel smiled and shook his head helplessly. The magic from Kamar-Taj was powerful but primarily for close combat, not conjuring fireballs.

"I've already said, don't measure real sorcerers by movie standards," Daniel said, sitting up straight. "First, you need to understand what a sorcerer is. A sorcerer seeks the profound truths of the universe, the principles of cosmic operation, unlike magicians who only know how to fight."

"Wait, what do you mean by that?" Coulson interrupted, looking confused. He then glanced at Melinda, hoping she could explain. He originally thought Melinda didn't need to go into the field, but since Daniel was Chinese, she came along.

"Don't look at me; I have no idea," Melinda said angrily.

"Can you simplify it?" Coulson asked politely, though the underlying meaning was clear: explain in layman's terms.

"Simply put, sorcerers are modern scientists," Daniel said bluntly.

"You're joking," Coulson said with a look of disbelief.

"Magic is just science that hasn't been proven yet," Daniel said, before Coulson could retort. He then took out a lighter, ignited it, and continued, "If someone saw this in the Middle Ages, would they think it's science or magic? And modern medicine? Don't let your preconceived notions affect your judgment."

Coulson and Melinda were left speechless.

"But unlike modern scientists who use instruments to observe the world, we use our own methods," Daniel said, bringing his hands together and then apart, creating a golden beam of light that transformed into a golden disc with magical runes, eventually dissipating into fireworks.

"Sorcerers have various specializations. For example, I excel in biochemistry and medicine."

"That's how you created the virus vaccine so quickly," Melinda mused.

"Exactly," Daniel nodded with a smile.

"So, your company's products are essentially magical items," Melinda continued.

"You could say that."

"You mentioned other sorcerers. Are there more?" Coulson finally caught on.

"Of course, I have a teacher."

"Can we meet them?" Coulson and Melinda exchanged a glance before asking.

"Sorry, but no," Daniel shook his head with a smile.

"You may not know S.H.I.E.L.D.'s duties, but we—"

"I'm well aware of S.H.I.E.L.D. and your duties. The ones truly clueless are you," Daniel interrupted. The most annoying thing about S.H.I.E.L.D. was their assumption of knowing everything for world peace, not realizing HYDRA had infiltrated them.

"Do you think Dr. Abraham Erskine developed the super soldier serum out of nowhere? Or that Newton discovered gravity by accident?" Daniel continued as Coulson and Melinda were about to respond.

"You mean they were sorcerers?" Coulson exclaimed.

Daniel only smiled, "That's your conclusion, not mine."

"It's not that I don't want you to meet the Sorcerer Supreme, but even if I told you their location, you wouldn't find it."

"S.H.I.E.L.D. has no place it can't find," Coulson said confidently.

"Really?" Daniel said, forming a golden magic circle with his hands. A map of space appeared between them.

"Do you know what this is?" Daniel pointed to a blue planet.

"Earth," Coulson nodded.

"Its official name is Planet C-53. Do you know what that means?"

Coulson and Melinda's expressions changed immediately. They were intelligent and quickly linked the number to many implications.

Don't forget, American streets are often named with numbers aside from the main ones with specific names.

"How can you prove what you're saying is true?" Melinda questioned.

"Sorry, we'll take our leave," Coulson stood abruptly, pulling a stunned Melinda along.

"Take care," Daniel said, seeing them out with a smile.

"Now Nick Fury will be on edge," Daniel thought. Involving S.H.I.E.L.D. was inevitable, so he decided to leak some information to get Fury's attention.

While it seemed like he revealed important details, Fury would already know much of this, given his connection with Captain Marvel.

By getting Fury's attention, Daniel could take the initiative in upcoming events.

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