Chapter 2: Foundations of Genius

Zeus Sterling sat on the edge of his bed, focused on the one boon that excited him the most: Tony Stark's intellect. His mind buzzed with the knowledge of Stark's genius, particularly his expertise in weapons and, most importantly, armor. Schematics of the Iron Man suit flowed through his thoughts, blueprints, calculations, and the intricacies of advanced materials. He felt as though he could build the suit right then and there if he had the tools.

His hands shook with anticipation. "This is real," he muttered to himself. "I know everything Stark knew about his armor."

But knowledge wasn't enough. He needed the resources, and for that, he had to test his second boon—his ability to convert any material into Vibranium.

He grabbed a small piece of paper from the table and held it in his hand. Closing his eyes, Zeus concentrated, imagining the molecular structure of the paper breaking down and reforming into Vibranium. He felt a strange tingling sensation in his fingertips, and when he opened his eyes, the paper had transformed into a small, shiny piece of Vibranium.

His jaw dropped in awe. The excitement bubbled up inside him. "I can turn anything into Vibranium!" he exclaimed. This material was practically indestructible and absorbed energy—perfect for armor. The possibilities seemed limitless.

Zeus stood up, pacing the room, his mind racing. With Vibranium and Tony Stark's knowledge, he could build the most advanced armor the world had ever seen. A suit as strong as the Iron Man armor but made entirely out of Vibranium. The idea of creating a nanotech suit that could deploy at will, always available and ready, was thrilling.

But he needed more than just Vibranium. To power the suit, he would need an Arc Reactor. He could practically see it in his mind: a self-sustaining energy source, just like the one Tony Stark built in a cave. But building an Arc Reactor, and the suit itself, required money—lots of it.

Right now, according to the details on his ID, Zeus was an orphan working a few part-time jobs, and his funds were extremely limited. Building anything like an Arc Reactor or advanced armor required far more resources than he had access to.

"What do I need?" he muttered to himself, pacing back and forth. "I need an AI, something like Jarvis."

An AI would be the key to kick-starting his plans. With it, he could automate processes, analyze data, and eventually find ways to make his work easy. His first project, then, would be building his own AI. Once he had that, he could focus on building the Arc Reactor and begin forging his Vibranium armor.

Zeus smirked, already envisioning the road ahead. "Jarvis... no. Something better. Something of my own."

With his mind set, Zeus thinks of ways to earn money quickly. While he wasn't very knowledgeable in his past life, Tony Stark's intellect now gives him insight into one easy solution for someone with knowledge of the future—the stock market. Though it wasn't something he cared much about before, he remembers key companies and brands that would rise to prominence over time. If he could invest in them now, he could easily earn his first fortune.

But first, Zeus needs to check which companies are currently in the market and which will grow. With only limited savings, he decides to buy a laptop, even though it won't be powerful enough to build his AI yet. His plan is simple: make money through smart investments, then use the earnings to create the AI and start his bigger projects.

Zeus sat down at his newly bought, modest laptop. He knew that while his future knowledge gave him an advantage, it wasn't going to be instant wealth. He needed a plan. The stock market was unpredictable, but he remembered a few key companies that would rise to become giants in the next few years.

He started by researching current companies, scrolling through the lists of stocks. Companies like Amazon, Apple, and Google were still growing but already making waves. Zeus remembered they'd become titans, and though their stock prices were high, they'd keep climbing. Then, there were smaller companies, those not yet recognized but destined for massive growth. He noted down tech startups and businesses in renewable energy—industries that would explode over the coming decade.

Zeus knew that small, steady investments could snowball into a fortune. He picked a few smaller stocks that were low-priced but had future potential. His first move was to invest in a renewable energy startup. He recalled that in his past life, this company would gain massive attention in the green energy movement.

After placing his first set of investments, Zeus waited. The stock market didn't work overnight, and patience was key. Over the next few days, he monitored his choices, watching the graphs fluctuate. The first week didn't yield much, just minor gains. But by the second week, something changed.

One of the tech startups he had invested in announced a groundbreaking product. The stock price shot up overnight. Zeus watched as his small investment nearly tripled in value. His pulse quickened. It was happening.

For the next three months, Zeus continued to refine his investment strategy. He stayed vigilant, tracking market trends, news, and the performance of his stocks. His early investments in renewable energy and tech startups paid off as those sectors began to heat up.

His careful monitoring allowed him to make timely decisions, pulling out of underperforming stocks and doubling down on those showing promise. He also diversified his portfolio, investing in emerging markets and innovative sectors that aligned with his vision.

By the end of the third month, Zeus had amassed a substantial sum. His initial investments had grown significantly, thanks to the strategic choices he made and the overall upward trend in his selected sectors. This growth provided him with the financial foundation he needed to pursue his broader ambitions.

With his financial base solidified, Zeus began to shift focus towards his primary goals: developing his AI and creating advanced technology. His newfound wealth gave him the resources to hire experts, acquire the necessary materials, and invest in research and development.

As he progressed, Zeus continued to leverage his market knowledge to fund his projects, ensuring a steady flow of resources. The blend of his strategic financial moves and forward-thinking technology development set the stage for his eventual foray into the Arrowverse, where his preparation and planning would come to fruition.