Chapter 78

The previous exchange between Abel and Obadiah had been a strategic delay for both sides to regain their strength. Obadiah needed time for his armor's functions to reset, particularly the cooling of the right shoulder super cluster gun. Meanwhile, Abel was subtly restoring his magical energy after the intense exchange.

As soon as Obadiah fired, Abel unleashed his own magic simultaneously. An invisible magic shield formed before him, not only deflecting the incoming bullets and rockets but also, under his control, sending them hurtling back toward Obadiah.

Seeing the projectiles explode mid-flight, Obadiah realized there was an invisible barrier obstructing his path, something his armor couldn't detect. Without hesitation, he calculated the impact and fired up the six jets of his Iron Overlord, propelling himself into the air just as the ground erupted beneath him from the force of Abel's counterattack.

As Abel prepared to pursue, he noticed a flash of golden-red and iron-gray figures crashing down beside him—Tony Stark and James Rhodes. They appeared scorched and disoriented, as if subjected to intense heat and pressure. Abel quickly turned his attention to Zach, who was still grappling with his diminishing combat effectiveness, and then to Vanke, who had fallen near Obadiah amidst the swirling black smoke.

Vanke's reliance on mid-to-close combat, equipped with high-voltage electric whips, posed a significant threat. Abel found himself particularly wary of melee opponents, especially those whose armor could withstand much of his magic. Most of Abel's spells were tailored for direct combat, a consequence of the magical training from his previous life. While advanced spells could unleash devastating power, they still required a reliable source of magical inheritance, which he lacked.

Despite having traded potions for a wealth of magic from Kama Taj, Abel wasn't part of its core teachings. He preferred to keep a safe distance from the more powerful Trinity behind Kama Taj, as seeking their assistance might lead to unwanted entanglements. Although his future plans were nebulous, he had recently discovered that the magic he inherited from his previous life had evolved, influenced by the realities of this world. His fierce fire curse had begun to hint at a new power—hellfire.

In the heat of battle, he had unexpectedly merged the magics of his past and present, forging a new spell that was uniquely his—Seraphim Shield Armor. This magical fusion filled a critical gap in his abilities, providing him with a clearer path forward, yet he remained aware that such mastery wouldn't manifest overnight.

Focusing on the immediate battle, Abel acknowledged that while he had developed significant destructive capabilities, he needed to be cautious. Using the fierce fire curse in a densely populated city could cause widespread chaos. Even if he were to defeat his enemies, the resulting hellfire would create too much collateral damage, a fate he wanted to avoid.

As Abel assessed the situation, he addressed Tony and Rhodey. "Zach's combat capabilities are nearly depleted, but you should watch out for his magnetic manipulations. I've seen the super cluster gun on Obadiah's right shoulder—its power is terrifying. One shot could cripple your armor."

"Is it really that powerful?" Rhodey asked, concern evident in his voice.

"I can attest to its strength. I managed to resist it," Abel replied.

"Wait, you mean magic? Are you serious?" Rhodey questioned, disbelief creeping into his tone.

Tony, intrigued, added, "It's true. Magic exists in this world. I've confirmed it."

Rhodey glanced at the wand in Abel's hand, hesitating for a moment before asking, "So is this the kind of magic Cinderella would meet, or the kind of witch Sleeping Beauty would encounter?"

"Now that's a great question. I want to know too," Tony said, suppressing a smile as he turned to Abel.

"..."

Abel felt exasperated; the tension of battle was slipping away in the midst of their banter.

Just as the atmosphere lightened, Vanke could no longer contain himself. With a crack of electricity, he swung his high-voltage whip toward them. Tony instinctively shielded Abel, raising his arms in defense, but Vanke's strike sent him crashing against the concrete.

As Tony struggled to rise, Obadiah unleashed another rocket, which struck him squarely in the chest. The impact was catastrophic, damaging more than half of his armor, and Jarvis's warnings flooded Tony's earpiece.

Just as he was about to dismiss Jarvis's alerts, another message chimed in.

[Sir, the Mark Ω test model has been remodeled and assembled. Will it be delivered immediately?]

Tony's expression lit up with excitement. "Yes! Teleport it to my coordinates—150 meters behind me!"

[Understood! Initiating transport now!]