Chapter 12 - Science of Magic

Tony Stark wasn't used to being the student. He had spent his entire life on the cutting edge of technology, pushing boundaries and creating solutions faster than anyone else. But here, in Kamar-Taj, surrounded by monks and mystics, he was out of his element. To be fair, most people would be out of their elements when it comes to magic.

The Ancient One stood before him in the courtyard, her expression calm, unreadable. "Magic is not so different from science," she said. "Both require understanding, discipline, and the ability to see beyond what others accept as reality."

Tony folded his arms. "Right. But my reality involves physics, engineering, and a whole lot of math. This?" He gestured at the glowing sigils another student was conjuring. "This looks like a cheat code for reality."

The Ancient One smiled. "Then learn the code."

For the first time in years, Tony was challenged in a way that made him excited and frustrated at the same time. The first lessons were brutal, learning to harness his own energy, to open his mind beyond the constraints of his scientific understanding. But Tony was nothing if not adaptable. He always felt that his capabilities to use magic was going into waste, not that he uses his other abilities often. He just hasn't met an enemy worthy enough to challenge his god-like physique.

Days turned into weeks. At first, he struggled. Despite everything that happened already, the concepts of astral projection and dimensional energy didn't fit neatly into his worldview. But once he approached them as just another form of energy manipulation, things started clicking. He compared spell-weaving to designing an advanced circuit board, flow, precision, efficiency.

Then, he started getting results, astonishing results.

Although he can teleport already, doing it using a different method was satisfying and eye-opening.

As for the iconic portals... His first portal sputtered, nearly consuming his sleeve in sparks. His second attempt actually worked, sending his arm to a location across the room before he yanked it back, startled. By the third time, he was creating full portals, stabilizing them, and even experimenting with new ways to use them.

"You learn quickly." The Ancient One observed.

Tony smirked. "That's what happens when you have a genius IQ and a lot of free time."

What set Tony apart from the other students was his source of power. Unlike the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj, who relied on the power of external dimensions and the universal balance, Tony tapped directly into his own unique energy. It wasn't borrowed; it was his. Where others had to offer something in exchange for their spells, Tony simply created. His magic had no cost, only the limits of his own understanding.

This difference didn't go unnoticed. Some sorcerers viewed him with admiration, others with unease.

Mordo, in particular, was wary. "This isn't how magic is supposed to work. Every power demands a price."

"Yeah? Maybe I just found a loophole." Tony quipped.

The Ancient One, however, remained intrigued. "Perhaps the laws we follow are not as absolute as we once believed."

Tony didn't admit anything.

---

Meanwhile, back in the United States, the trial of Obadiah Stane gripped the media. The former CEO of Stark Industries was charged with conspiracy, illegal arms dealing, and attempted murder. With Tony providing evidence, the case was airtight.

The courtroom was packed with reporters. Stane sat stiffly at the defendant's table, his once-imposing presence diminished by weeks in custody.

'That punk didn't even attend the trial.' Stane grumbled.

The prosecution laid everything bare. Stane had not only sold weapons illegally to terrorists but had also attempted to get Tony killed to cover his tracks. Those were just the major ones.

When the verdict came, it was swift.

"Guilty."

Stane barely reacted, but if Tony was here, he knew him well enough to see the rage simmering beneath the surface. It didn't matter. Stane was done. Stark Industries was free of him, and Tony had full control to take it in a new direction.

The stock market reacted immediately, Stark Industries saw a surge in confidence. Tony's push toward clean energy and defense technology was being met with skepticism at first, but after months of steady progress, the industry was taking notice. He wasn't just salvaging the company.

He was making it bigger than ever.

---

A few days later, in a secured facility far from prying eyes, Tony stood before a room full of former Red Room assassins. These were the survivors, the ones who had made a choice, whether out of necessity or curiosity, to follow him rather than vanish into the shadows or live totally away from their previous way of life.

They were silent, disciplined, unreadable. Years of brutal training had made them masters of concealing emotions. But Tony wasn't here to waste their time.

"Alright, let's get started this meeting, which I think is a little late. I was quite busy doing 'new' things." He started, leaning against the table casually while some of the girls nodded. "You're all here because the Red Room is gone and you made your choice. Some of you are already settling fine working as security details but this will be your main job."

The women exchanged glances but said nothing.

Tony exhaled. "As I said before, I'm not asking you to be heroes. I'm not even asking you to play nice. What I'm offering is a chance to do something with the skills they forced on you. Instead of being used, you'll have control. Instead of following orders, you'll have a say."

A woman stepped forward, Yelena Belova. "And what exactly do you want us to do?"

Tony met her gaze. "Protection, intelligence, operations. The world's got bigger problems than just terrorists and arms dealers. You'll help me handle them."

Another woman, younger, with sharp eyes, crossed her arms. "And if we say no?"

Tony shrugged. "I won't change what I said before. You all can leave, no strings attached. If you want, I'll even erase your memories of this entire thing like the thing I did before to the others. Your call."

That got their attention. They hadn't expected that level of control over their own futures.

Yelena studied him. "And if we stay?"

"Then you'll be working to make sure no one else goes through what you did. You get resources, security, and most importantly, freedom. No more handlers, no more blind loyalty."

A long silence followed before Yelena finally nodded. "We already made our decision by coming here with you. In fact, some of us are already getting impatient for not receiving assignments other than security guards for days now."

Tony forced a smile. "Right, sorry about that. I was really busy." He thought about all the fun he had using magic. "But before your first mission, let's talk about a new name for our organization..."

"Is that important?" Yelena asked.

"Of course!" Tony answered enthusiastically. "Choosing a new name that symbolized your break from your past. Best part is... you can choose for your own. Although if I can offer a suggestion... Stark's Angels would--"

"NO!"

They shut it down real fast.

Names were tossed around, some serious, some sarcastic. Finally, they settled on "Aegis Protocol." It was Yelena who finalized it. "A new beginning, with a purpose."

"An edgier name than SHIELD but it's all good. Now, we can talk about your first mission." Tony pointed at the screen as it booted up.