9. In Need Of Maditation Method

"So, brother, this is the piece of art you've been creating for the last two weeks. It's really impressive."

Looking at the silver-colored armor, John touched it with his hand. He could feel the smoothness of the armor. John never thought that one day he could touch the real Iron Man armor.

John could still remember when he watched the Iron Man movie. At that time, he wanted to wear the Iron Man suit himself. But now, with the extraordinary path ahead of him, John had already lost interest in this kind of armor.

Without wasting more time, John started to draw a rune in midair. Tony, standing nearby, noticed John's behavior but didn't disturb him.

When John finished drawing the rune, he called out to Jarvis.

"Jarvis, scan these runes and save them in the Eye of Truth file. Other than my brother Tony and me, no one is allowed to review it."

"It's already done, Master John. Anything else I can assist you with?"

" That's all Jarvis, thank you."

Turning to Tony, John explained, "Today, I discovered three new runes. One of them is very suitable for you, brother. Just look into it, and you'll understand. By the way, engrave that rune into your spiritual sea as soon as possible. It will be a great help to you."

Tony was a little surprised, but he didn't ask for details. He knew John well enough to know that John wouldn't explain further if he didn't want to.

"Alright, I'll look into it. Anyway, give me some advice about the color of this armor. I think gold would suit to my liking, but I'm not sure."

"What's so difficult about it? If you like golden colour, then use it. It's your invention anyway. As for my favorite color, it's silver. So, it's up to you to decide."

"Okay, I'll be going now. I need to meditate for a whole month this time, so don't look for me unless it's important." Saying this, John turned around and left.

Tony watched John's retreating figure and shook his head slightly. Then he started reviewing the new rune John had just mentioned.

---

A Month Later

John, inside his lab, slowly opened his eyes and shook his head slightly.

"Even though my mental power is still increasing, it's slower than before. There has to be another way."

"I'm equivalent to an intermediate wizard apprentice now, and the previous method of meditation is losing its effect. Once I become a senior wizard apprentice, this method will become completely useless."

During this month, John did nothing except meditate. As for inscribing the new runes, John tried but couldn't succeed. He thought about what might be lacking and concluded that it must be his mental power. So, he began practicing drawing meditation.

Even though the progress was slow, in the end, John's hard work bore fruit, and his mental power reached 6.5, which was enough to inscribe one of the runes.

---

In Afghanistan

In a tent somewhere, emblazoned with the Ten Rings flag, Raza calmly smoked a cigarette and observed two of his flunkies trying to piece the Mark I armor back together. It was a difficult task, considering the broken-down nature of the thing.

At this moment, outside the tent, Obadiah Stane stepped out of his car, surrounded by his own black-clad armed men. He was no captive or supplicant. This was a meeting between acquaintances, if not outright allies.

Stane, looking distinct in a simple suit, walked up to Raza, towering over the man with all the gravitas he was known for. He gave Raza's scars an appraising look but waited for the Ten Rings leader to break the silence, maintaining an air of superiority.

"Welcome," Raza said, gesturing to his face. "Compliments of Tony Stark."

"If you'd killed him when you were supposed to, you'd still have a face," Stane replied nonchalantly.

Raza said nothing for a moment, perhaps annoyed by Stane's attitude, but relented.

Stane was ordered to leave his guards outside while the two men had a private conversation inside the tent.

Raza's tent was a ramshackle affair—broken wood, rags, and a battered Ten Rings flag—but Stane had eyes only for one thing:

The Mark I, reconstructed as well as it could have been.

"His escape bore unexpected fruit," Raza said with a pleased expression.

"So this is how he did it," Stane remarked, inspecting the Mark I more closely.

"This is only a crude first effort. Stark has perfected his design," Raza added.

Stane, still focused on the armor, didn't seem to be listening, circling it and admiring its construction.

"He has made a masterpiece of death. A man with a dozen of these could rule all of Asia. And you dream of Stark's throne," Raza continued.

Raza misjudged Tony's intentions behind designing the suits. However, his last remark caught Stane's attention.

Raza poured a drink, acting far more cordial than usual.

Meanwhile, Stane inspected the hole where the arc reactor would go. It was empty—a crucial missing piece, the "golden egg."

"We have a common enemy," Raza said. "If we are still in business, I will give you these designs as a gift. In turn, I hope you'll repay me with a gift of iron soldiers."

Stane stepped closer to Raza, giving him a pat on the shoulder. Then he slipped a small device out of his hand. It glowed red and emitted a shrill tone.

Blue glowing earplugs lit up in Stane's ears as Raza suddenly froze, paralyzed, wheezing, and unable to move. Strange blue patterns emerged on his face. Stane leaned in and spoke in a low voice.

"This is the only gift you shall receive."

"Technology—it's always been your Achilles' heel in this part of the world. Don't worry. This will only last for 15 minutes. That's the least of your problems."

Stane gave the horrified Raza a condescending pat on the head before departing.

Outside, he surveyed the changed situation, leaving the paralyzed Raza to his fate.