Chapter 99: Aptitude Test

Due to the failure of Project Insight and the fragmentation of the United States, Tony Stark, Iron Man, became increasingly convinced that only machines governed by absolute logic could effectively protect Midgard. Consequently, he intensified his research into the Ultron Program.

Currently, the Avengers were tasked with clearing out the various forbidden zones scattered across the Eastern United States. The military had attempted to raze these areas with long-range artillery, but the zones continued to devour any life that dared enter them, leaving the military with no choice but to seek the Avengers' assistance.

This posed a difficult challenge for the Avengers. Most of the team members relied primarily on physical combat. Thor was far away in Asgard, and Qu Yizhi, the only one who utilized what appeared to be magic, had not yet recovered her memories. This forced Tony to consider whether he needed to pursue a dual path of science and sorcery.

With this plan in mind, Tony naturally wouldn't let the only person around him capable of "magic" slip away. He boldly proposed to become Qu Yizhi’s apprentice, a move that stunned everyone else present.

"Tony, I don't think this is necessary. Even if you are a genius, you can't learn magic in such a short time," said James Rhodes, Tony’s close friend, who had also arrived. Following the political fracturing of the U.S., Rhodes had become disillusioned and left the military to join the Avengers full-time.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Tony retorted with a touch of exaggeration. "What do you mean 'even if I am a genius'? Is there anyone more gifted than me?"

Rhodes was momentarily speechless before continuing, "Of course, you are a genius beyond dispute. But just as the waters of the Mississippi River won't flow into the Pacific, science and magic are two entirely different branches. You should give it up, Tony." Rhodes shook his head, clearly regarding Tony’s talk of learning magic as a joke. Furthermore, if magic had remained hidden for so long without being discovered, it must have had very specific prerequisites.

Tony raised an eyebrow, handed a cup of green tea—which Qu Yizhi favored—to her, and said to Rhodes, "But the waters of the Atlantic and the Pacific do mingle; at their essence, they are the same. Besides, you’ve never studied magic, so how do you know it’s hard to learn? Isn’t that right, Teacher Qu?"

Qu Yizhi took the tea and whispered a thank you. As she took a small sip, she choked upon hearing Tony call her 'Teacher Qu.' "Cough, cough, cough. Tony, what did you say?"

Tony quickly handed her a towel, saying, "I heard that in the East, one must offer a cup of tea to a master to become an apprentice. If the master drinks the tea, it means they have accepted the student. You’ve already drunk my tea."

Qu Yizhi took the towel to compose herself, looking at Tony with a mixture of exasperation and amusement. "Mr. Stark, that is not how the tea ceremony works. My sect requires, it requires..."

As she spoke, Qu Yizhi’s brow furrowed. She pressed her hand firmly against her temple; the mention of taking on an apprentice seemed to have triggered a memory.

"Ms. Qu? Are you alright?" Natasha immediately reached out to steady her. She had seen this before; it appeared that Qu Yizhi’s memory was returning.

Seeing this, Tony quickly signaled Natasha to help Qu Yizhi to her room. It seemed his apprenticeship attempt had been quite successful.

Qu Yizhi’s memory restoration was brief, and she returned to normal after resting for a short while. This recovery gave her an idea of how to regain the rest of her past. Previously, she had only recalled fragments whenever she encountered something related to her memories, but Tony’s request to be her apprentice had reminded her that she had once taken on such a student herself.

Naturally, when Tony entered the room, he was surprised to hear her reply: "Mr. Stark, do you truly wish to learn?"

Tony’s usual flippant expression vanished. He knew that the previous tea offering didn't officially count, but he had indeed become serious about the idea of combining magic and technology. Relying on his brilliant mind, Tony quickly understood what Qu Yizhi meant.

He nodded, his face solemn. "This recent cult incident has made me fully understand the power of magic. There is an old Eastern saying: 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.' If I don't even understand what magic is, I can never develop a way to counter it."

Qu Yizhi nodded slightly. Having spent time with Tony, she knew his character, and he had essentially passed the test of moral integrity.

She stood up and approached Tony. Forming a seal with her hands, several thin blue threads emerged, intertwining and colliding to form a beautiful flower. The flower was etched with mysterious, unknown runes that pulsed as if breathing.

"This is a formation to test aptitude. Only those with the potential for spiritual energy can light it up," Qu Yizhi explained, presenting the glowing blue crystal flower. Through her recovered memories, she had successfully mastered the various methods of introductory testing.

"What a magical and beautiful creation." Though an agent, Natasha, as a woman, was naturally drawn to such beauty. She asked curiously, "May I touch it?"

"Of course." Qu Yizhi handed the flower to Natasha, who took it carefully, ignoring Tony’s protests that it belonged to him.

The glow of the flower faded the moment it left Qu Yizhi’s hand, leaving Natasha flustered, worried that she might have broken it. "Is it alright? Does this mean I have no aptitude?"

Qu Yizhi nodded. "Yes, if a person lacks the corresponding aptitude, the Flower of Spiritual Energy will not glow." She paused, then added, "Don't worry about breaking it; it should be quite sturdy."

"Well, it seems I wasn't meant to be a witch." Natasha handed the flower to Tony, who had been watching impatiently, and smiled. "There you go, Tony. Talent is something destined by the heavens."

Tony took the flower, feeling a bit nervous. He didn't know if he possessed the talent Qu Yizhi spoke of, and for someone who always prided himself on being a genius, this was a rare moment of anxiety.

As Tony held the flower, the others held their breath. If even Tony lacked the aptitude, it would be difficult for anyone else to learn, given that he was the most intelligent among them.

The god of luck seemed to favor Tony at that moment. After dimming for a few seconds in his hand, the flower began to glow once more. While the light was not as intense as it had been with Qu Yizhi, it confirmed that Tony had passed the aptitude test.

"Ha! I told you I couldn't possibly fail." A familiar grin returned to Tony’s face. He hadn't expected to actually possess magical—or rather, spiritual—talent. It seemed the heavens were on his side after all.