2. What's in your brain brother

At 15, I once again developed a brilliant potion that I named the Spiritual Potion. The idea came to me shortly after I had successfully created the Strengthening Potion. However, the process of inventing this new potion was far from easy—it demanded relentless effort, exhaustive research, and even some risky, illegal transactions.

To begin my research, I started by analyzing medicines that were related to the human brain and nervous system. I spent months pouring over scientific journals, pharmaceutical studies, and medical data. Unfortunately, the results were disappointing. None of the medicines I analyzed showed the potential to unlock the abilities I envisioned. Frustrated but not defeated, I decided to take an unconventional approach.

I was inspired by the Lucy movie, where the protagonist's brain is enhanced by a mysterious substance. Taking a cue from that concept, I began investigating illegal drugs on the black market. It was a dangerous path, but I believed the results would be worth the risk. After weeks of searching and negotiating through anonymous channels, I managed to acquire a variety of substances. Of course, I did all this without Tony knowing—he would have tried to stop me if he had found out.

Once I had the drugs in my possession, I began the painstaking process of deciphering their chemical compositions and cross-referencing them with the research I had already conducted. It was an arduous task that required years of trial and error, but eventually, I succeeded. I had created the Spiritual Potion.

This potion was unlike anything else. The Strengthening Potion I had developed earlier was remarkable in its own right, capable of enhancing muscle and bone strength by roughly 10% of the legendary Super Soldier Serum. However, its effects were limited to physical attributes. The Spiritual Potion, on the other hand, worked entirely on the brain.

When consumed, the Spiritual Potion subjected the user to an intense mental simulation, stimulating dormant brain cells and forcing their activation. This rapid activation resulted in an unprecedented increase in mental capacity and cognitive ability. The only notable side effect was a voracious appetite, as the brain's enhanced activity consumed an extraordinary amount of energy. But beyond that, the potion's effects were groundbreaking.

When I shared my discovery with Tony, his reaction was just as I had anticipated—complete disbelief.

"Brother," Tony began, staring at me with wide eyes, "are you sure your brain is made of normal material?"

I smirked and handed him my research notes, watching as he flipped through the pages.

His expression shifted from confusion to shock as he came across a particular entry. "Wait… is this… NT-20? Did you actually use NT-20? Are you out of your mind? If the authorities find out about this, they'll arrest you and throw away the key!"

"Relax," I replied calmly. "I've covered my tracks. No one knows I purchased it."

Tony sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "Brother, you're going to give me a heart attack one day. Next time you need something like this, just come to me. Don't go sneaking around like this. Anyway, tell me—what exactly does this potion do?"

I launched into a detailed explanation of the potion's effects and its minor side effects. As I spoke, Tony's jaw dropped further and further until he was staring at me with a mix of awe and exasperation.

"Brother, what is your brain made of?" he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.

After a long pause, Tony asked, "So, when can I use this potion?"

"You can use it right now," I replied confidently. "I have another vial ready."

Tony hesitated for a moment before nodding. I retrieved the second vial from a nearby box and handed it to him.

"Cheers, brother," I said, raising my vial.

"Cheers," Tony echoed, and together, we downed the potion.

At first, nothing happened. Tony, expecting a similar experience to the Strengthening Potion, looked at me skeptically.

"I don't feel any—" he started, but his words were cut off as a sharp, unbearable pain exploded in his head.

He dropped to the floor, clutching his head and writhing in agony. Before I could even register his reaction, the same pain hit me like a freight train. My vision blurred, and within moments, I blacked out completely.

---

24 Hours Later

Tony was the first to wake up. Disoriented, he sat up and looked around the room, his mind struggling to piece together what had happened.

"Jarvis," he called weakly, "what's going on? How long have I been out?"

"Sir, you and Mr. John have been unconscious for 24 hours," Jarvis replied in his usual calm tone. "Per Mr. John's instructions, I monitored your vitals, which remained stable. I did not intervene."

"Run a full diagnostic on both of us," Tony ordered.

As Jarvis began the diagnostic process, Tony turned his attention to me. I was still unconscious, lying on the floor with a peaceful expression despite the chaos we had just endured. Tony carefully lifted me and carried me to my room, placing me on the bed. After ensuring I was comfortable, he went to clean himself up.

Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, Tony stared at his reflection. He felt… different. His mind was sharper, clearer, as if a fog had lifted. Just as he was beginning to process this newfound clarity, the mirror in front of him cracked down the middle and shattered into pieces.

"What the hell?" Tony exclaimed, stepping back in shock.

"Sir, your brainwave activity spiked significantly just now," Jarvis reported. "Other than that, no abnormalities were detected."

"Brainwave activity… Is this because of the Spiritual Potion?" Tony muttered, staring at the broken glass on the floor.

Before he could dwell on the thought, Jarvis spoke again. "Sir, Mr. John has regained consciousness. Shall I guide him to you?"

"No, I'll go to him," Tony replied, leaving the bathroom and heading to my room.

When he entered, he found me sitting on the bed, looking around with a curious expression.

"Little John, how are you feeling?" Tony asked, his concern evident.

"I feel amazing, brother," I replied with a smile. "And judging by the look in your eyes, you feel the same."

Tony sighed in relief but frowned slightly. "Yeah, I feel great. But something strange happened. My bathroom mirror just shattered out of nowhere."

"Like this?" I interrupted, raising a hand toward the pen on the desk. With a simple thought, the pen floated into the air, spinning lazily before settling back down.

Tony's jaw dropped. "Telekinesis? Are you kidding me?"

"Not kidding," I replied with a grin. "This is just the beginning, brother. Our brains are capable of so much more now."

Tony rubbed his temples, his initial shock fading into curiosity. "Brother, this could change everything. But we need to test this further—carefully."

I nodded, my smile widening. "Agreed. Let's see just how far we can go."