Lyon couldn't help but chuckle.
Wong and Mordo had been completely crushed by Tony and Banner.
Even though they had also completed five years' worth of wizarding education in just six months, even though their talent and foundation far surpassed the vast majority of wizards, they had unfortunately been studying alongside two actual prodigies.
Watching those two absurdly excel in every subject had completely shattered their confidence.
"But that's still pretty amazing!" Lyon encouraged them.
"In just six months, you both managed to pass the O.W.L. exams with almost all Outstanding grades—that's incredible!"
"When the Ministry of Magic handed you your results, their eyes must have practically popped out of their heads."
"And just look at Hogwarts' own students—how many of them spend five full years studying, yet still can't pass every subject?"
Hearing Lyon's words, Wong and Mordo's dejected expressions finally eased up a little.
The truth was, their low spirits weren't just because they felt defeated.
They were also worried about how Lyon might perceive them now.
Would he see them as untalented compared to the others?
Just one month ago, back at Kamar-Taj, Lyon had been nothing more than a magic novice.
Meanwhile, they had already been on the path of sorcery for years.
At their first meeting, Mordo had even considered mentoring Lyon in his magical training.
And Wong had thought this "Superman" was too reckless, someone who didn't understand magical taboos.
But then, in just a single month—Lyon had become the Sorcerer Supreme!
His mastery of magic was so advanced that he could effortlessly surpass every sorcerer at Kamar-Taj.
And now—even the newcomers Lyon had brought with him had far surpassed Wong and Mordo in magical talent.
This made them genuinely anxious, worried that Lyon might start looking down on them, thinking they were too slow or dim-witted compared to the rest.
Especially Mordo.
He was, at his core, a very proud person.
In some parallel universes, that pride had even driven him to become a villain, all because of the favoritism shown toward Strange.
And now—that same pride had been utterly shattered.
"But… we're still too far behind Tony the Sorcerer and the others," Mordo admitted, sounding almost self-conscious.
"Why are you even comparing yourselves to them?" Lyon waved it off. "One of them only cares about building new armor, and the other just wants to collect magical creatures."
"If we're talking about true dedication to magic, you and Wong are the real deal."
Lyon was doing his best to find an angle to praise them.
Placing a hand on both their shoulders, he reassured them, "Talent is just a small part of success. What truly matters is hard work."
"Don't forget—you two are my Manager and General. I can't afford to lose either of you!"
"In fact, the entire task of establishing a universal magic system at Kamar-Taj… is something only you two can handle!"
"R-Really?" Wong hesitated, sensing that something felt off about that statement.
It seemed like, without realizing it, his workload had somehow increased dramatically.
But despite that, he was still happy.
He firmly pressed his hand over Lyon's on his shoulder and nodded with conviction. "I understand!"
Mordo's eyes shone with excitement at being recognized. He nodded solemnly. "I understand as well!"
"Good! That's what I like to hear!" Lyon beamed with satisfaction, looking like an elder finally reassured about his disciples.
"From now on, you two will jointly handle the teaching of the new magic system. Make sure to draft a proposal and get it to me as soon as possible."
Then he turned to Banner. "Banner, you're still learning soul magic, so stay here for now. If you run into anything confusing, just message me on my personal number."
"I will," Banner nodded. "Are you planning to leave Kamar-Taj?"
"Yeah, I've got more important matters to handle." Lyon didn't deny it.
After all, it had already been established—as Sorcerer Supreme, his only duty was to block out dimensional beings.
The day-to-day management of Kamar-Taj?
That was Wong and Mordo's responsibility.
Lyon opened a portal and stepped through. "I'm leaving Kamar-Taj in your hands—do your best! I believe in you!"
As his words faded, so did the portal, closing shut.
Wong stared at the now empty training ground under the moonlight, suddenly falling into silence.
After a long moment, he muttered, "Mordo… do you get the feeling that ever since Lyon became Sorcerer Supreme, our workload has been increasing nonstop?"
Mordo frowned. "More work just means Lyon trusts us the most. What, you trying to slack off?"
"No, it's just… something feels a bit… Never mind. Maybe I just didn't sleep well last night." Wong shook his head.
Hearing the conversation between Wong and Mordo, Banner scratched his head and quietly slipped away toward his room.
Judging by the way those two were talking, he had a strong feeling that if they kept discussing this any longer, they'd probably turn right back around and pull an all-nighter working.
—
Meanwhile.
Lyon stepped through the portal. First, arriving at Stark Industries in Los Angeles, where he caught up with Pepper after not seeing her for a while.
Only after that did he return to his apartment in Brooklyn.
At this time, New York was still in the afternoon.
Since it was summer vacation, Sherry wasn't home.
And Natasha and her sister were still at the site of Hulk and Tony's previous battle.
So Lyon simply snapped his fingers, activating magic to control the kitchen appliances, making them automatically follow a recipe and prepare dinner.
This trick he had learned from the house-elves at Hogwarts.
After all, those little elves were responsible for preparing food for thousands of wizards every day.
When it came to using magic to cook, they had a mastery that few could match.
—
Two hours later.
The door swung open as Sherry came bouncing into the house.
As soon as Sherry saw Lyon, she let out an excited shout, rushing toward him like a porcupine spotting its favorite treat.
She threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly, her face rubbing hard against his chest while shouting, "I missed you so much!"
Natasha and Yelena followed behind her, smiling. "Honestly, we thought you'd be gone for another month before coming back."
After the four of them finished dinner, the conversation drifted from Lyon's experience with magic to Sherry's school life.
"So next semester, Sherry's moving up. You're thinking of sending her to Midtown Middle School? That's all the way in Queens, isn't it?" Lyon casually gestured—his dishes leapt up on their own and jumped into the dishwasher.
All three women's eyes sparkled.
They couldn't resist the sheer awesomeness of dishwashing magic.
Natasha rested her chin in her hand, watching the plates line up for their own cleaning, while answering absentmindedly, "It's a bit far, yeah—but last year, it had the highest number of top graduates among local public schools. Sherry likes it too."
"But why not a private school?"
"We think public school will let her meet more diverse people. That's more important for Sherry. Considering her past, she needs more social interaction."
"Alright, fair enough. I agree."
"Speaking of school," Natasha's amber eyes shifted toward Lyon. "You're starting college in two weeks, right? Columbia University?"
"Yeah, but it's just for show," Lyon shrugged. "Pepper thinks the college experience is super important for personal growth, so she's making me go."
"But honestly? I'm not going to learn anything there. And I doubt I'll have much in common with the other students either."
"What's your plan, then?"
"Heh~ I'm going to finish my credits as fast as possible—and then graduate." Lyon was fully prepared to give Columbia's professors a taste of what it's like to teach a genius.
"Speaking of which, since we're done eating, how about we watch a movie together?" Yelena suggested. "What are we watching? Your new movie?"
"..." Lyon shot her a deadpan stare.
—
Three hours later.
The latest Superhero Studios film, Iron Man & Superman: Origins, came to an end.
Lyon's face was dark as he tossed a thoroughly scorched Yelena, who had been squeezed in his grip for the last three hours, and turned away—Scooping up Sherry in his arms.
"Let's go, Shirley. We're listening to a bedtime story—this movie was garbage."
"Yay! I wanna hear Léon: The Professional again!" Sherry cheered, waving her tiny hands.
"You've heard that story seven times already… but alright, if that's what you want, I'll tell it again."
—
The story lasted half an hour before Shirley finally drifted off to sleep.
When Lyon returned to his own room and shut the door—A sudden, hot breath tickled his face from the darkness.
"You've been gone so long… looks like someone wasn't too tired tonight after all?"
Following that breath was a heated hand, pressing against his chest.
"A whole month apart—the little one was too excited. She wouldn't let me go until I told her another wizard story."
"Well, it was a long-awaited reunion… So tell me, do you think I'm excited too?"
"This isn't just excitement—you're about to set me on fire…"
In the silent room, their breaths intertwined.
Then came the sound of gulping, like drinking water, gradually growing louder—Until it turned urgent, their movements shifting across the room.
—
Suddenly—
BANG!
The door slammed open, crashing against the wall.
A voice burst in—"Boss! How could you leave me out?!"
"I'm excited too, you know! Heh heh!"
"Shit! Yelena, what the hell—? Wait, the room—IT'S COLLAPSING!"
__________
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