Chapter Fifty-One: A Rescue That Absolutely Surprised Tony

A few more days passed before Kim Bradley returned home from the Russian military. During this period, he had maintained constant contact with the authorities. The military had considered detaining him, but after the attempt to capture him alive began, an entire battalion was single-handedly overpowered by Kim Bradley. Even after dealing with so many soldiers, he remained unscathed. In light of this, the Russian military had to admit that capturing Kim Bradley alive without causing a major incident was impossible.

If the situation escalated and Kim Bradley tried to flee to another country, they might not be able to stop him, and his uniqueness ensured that other governments would be more than willing to accept him. With no other option, the military chose to negotiate with Kim Bradley, exchanging certain terms and resources for information.

After learning some details about the arcane world, the military became even less willing to act against him. The entirety of Russia’s supernatural community had been purged, leaving only this rare survivor—they hardly wished to see their own nation without any mystical power of its own.

However, ever since Kim Bradley brought Ivan Vanko home, the Russian authorities saw a glimmer of hope in coercion. They couldn’t do anything to Bradley alone, but now that he had an attachment, things were different. Kim Bradley understood this; he was politically astute enough. He also guessed that the authorities would first try subtle approaches, using force only as a last resort. That was why he kept Ivan Vanko at home.

But Ivan couldn’t stay there for too long—the longer he remained, the greater the danger he faced.

“According to official US military reports, Tony Stark, CEO of Stark Industries, has gone missing in the Middle East. Stark Industries is seeking help worldwide and will award anyone who can provide useful information…”

As soon as he stepped inside, Kim Bradley noticed Ivan Vanko, unusually not practicing alchemy.

“Taking a break?” Kim Bradley asked.

Ivan was silent for a moment. “It just left. Its soul is exhausted and it can no longer survive.”

“I see,” Kim Bradley replied without surprise. In fact, the mummy had lasted longer than he expected. Now that the teacher was dead, it was time for Ivan Vanko to leave.

“Ivan, pack your things,” Kim Bradley said suddenly.

Ivan was a little confused. “Are we moving? Is it not safe here anymore?”

“Not we—just you.”

As he spoke, Kim Bradley took out a piece of paper with strange patterns and placed it in front of Ivan.

“I used an old favor to secure you a place in the Ouroboros Society. I also found you a temporary mentor, who can teach you the basics of the mystical world and the key points for the Ouroboros Society’s assessment. He’ll reach out to you in New York when he’s available.”

“I understand,” Ivan agreed reflexively, then hesitated. “Why aren’t you coming with me?”

“I can’t leave,” Kim Bradley replied coolly. “It’s one of the rules. As long as I’m here, no powerful mystical group will dare occupy this territory openly. Alchemists still have a place to grow here.”

At this, Ivan asked no further questions. He wasn’t foolish; he understood why he had to go.

During his recent training, Ivan had sensed through the electromagnetic field that more and more people were watching the house. They hadn’t moved in yet, likely still wary of Kim Bradley.

“I… I want to go to the Middle East,” Ivan suddenly said.

Kim Bradley was surprised. “What for?”

“My father spent his whole life resenting Howard Stark, always feeling inferior to him. Now that they’re both dead, I don’t want my father to be overshadowed even in the afterlife. I want to prove that his son is better than Howard’s! That, in raising me, he did better than Howard did with his son!”

Ivan spoke with conviction. Though he didn’t especially like his father, there were things he cared about even more than his father did. He also wanted to prove he was smarter and stronger than Tony Stark.

“The best way is for me to rescue that guy, who’s probably been kidnapped!”

Kim Bradley looked at Ivan with admiration. Ambition and competitiveness weren’t necessarily virtuous, but he appreciated such people.

But… could Ivan now still be considered his father’s work? Wasn’t that a stretch? If Howard and Ivan’s father were to meet in the afterlife, Howard might well mock him—after all, Kim Bradley had taken less than a month to change Ivan’s mindset and future. Ivan might even feel more affection for Kim Bradley than for his own father.

“As you wish. But let me remind you, I only have one teleportation opportunity left. Once you’re in the Middle East, you’ll have to figure out how to get to New York on your own.”

“I know! I’ll manage! I won’t bring shame to you or to alchemists!” Ivan nodded resolutely.

Kim Bradley flicked his wrist, and the paper affixed itself to Ivan’s arm. After a sharp sting, it fell away, leaving an Ouroboros mark on his skin.

[User connected. Identity verified. Welcome, incoming staff member Ivan Vanko.]

“Go pack your things, take a few books. After you leave, I’ll reopen the seal on that room. The next time you can access it will be after you become an intermediate professional,” Kim Bradley said to Ivan, who was still sorting through the information the Ouroboros Society had transmitted to his mind.

Ivan nodded, bowed deeply, and turned toward his room.

Observing all this, Yang Qiu felt a headache coming on. He had originally intended for Ivan to go to New York, where Fina or Jenomi would look after him for a while, thus ending this arc. He hadn’t expected Ivan to choose his own path, nor for Kim Bradley to agree. Now, it seemed the storyline would be prolonged.

Still, the final outcome wouldn’t change much—wherever Ivan showcased his alchemical powers, the effect would be the same.

Therefore, Yang Qiu decided not to alter the script or force the plot back on track.

Of course, this wasn’t because Yang Qiu was indulging his own sense of mischief.

Ivan going to rescue Tony Stark—as someone who knew the future, Yang Qiu couldn’t help but feel the direction of the story was a little off. But the mere thought of it was quite amusing.