Hah, Mortals!

"So, if my father plans to take revenge, could he be in danger?"

Skye still wanted to find them, but Feeney clearly didn't want her investigating the matter right now. An Evil Organization capable of transferring its consciousness into a computer couldn't be simple.

"Don't worry. So many years have passed—he's not that impulsive. Unless he finds you or is sure he can win, he won't do anything irrational."

Feeney continued, "So if you go looking for them now, you'll only make things more complicated. More importantly, there's no way to resolve this right now. It's better to leave things as they are for the time being."

Skye fell silent. All these years, she had never met her biological parents. It wasn't as if they were close. She had originally searched for them only because she wanted answers.

After learning from Feeney that they had given her up for a reason, she wanted to see them and tell them that she had actually been doing pretty well all these years.

She had never expected things to be so complicated.

Feeney sighed softly. He didn't know whether telling Skye the truth had been the right thing to do, but she had a stubborn streak. If she didn't learn the truth, she would definitely keep investigating.

If she accidentally uncovered something about Hydra, the trouble would be enormous.

"Then when can I go find them?"

In the end, Skye chose to trust Feeney. After all these years together, they trusted each other, and she was certain he wouldn't hurt her.

"Give it a little more time. It won't be long."

Feeney said thoughtfully. With Captain America's return, Hydra would soon be exposed. And even if Captain America wasn't involved, Feeney was. When the time came, he could take the opportunity to bring Skye's revenge-seeking father over to their side.

As for her mother, if the Mind Stone Scepter didn't work, they could try the Golden Great Deduction Technique again. Failing that, Hydra had Brain Control methods.

"Okay."

Skye nodded dejectedly, feeling empty inside. Ever since graduating, she hadn't gotten a job. She had been working tirelessly to learn computer skills. Partly, it was because Feeney was there, so she didn't have to worry about making a living. But she had also wanted to solve the mystery of her birth.

Now that she knew the truth, she felt lost. With her parents in this state, what could she do to help them return to normal?

As if he had seen what was on Skye's mind, Feeney reached out and patted her head, saying gently, "Don't worry. I'll take care of everything. You just need to keep being yourself."

"Thank you, Feeney!"

Skye was moved. She felt that the luckiest thing that had ever happened to her was coming to this family and meeting Feeney.

And that was indeed the truth!

Without Feeney's Golden Great Deduction Technique, Skye's life would never have been as peaceful, happy, and fulfilling as it was now.

After chatting a little longer, Feeney sent Skye off to rest. Left alone in the room, he quietly wondered how he could get the important Obelisk from S.H.I.E.L.D.

And that wasn't all. It seemed he also needed to go somewhere to perform a ritual.

Feeney scratched his head in frustration. He couldn't remember where the ritual had to take place, but at least he had the Compass. He should be able to use it to find the location.

Given how much he wanted to take Skye to the place where she could awaken her powers, the Compass ought to be able to help.

Should I get in touch with them?

Feeney pondered quietly. At this point, S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra were practically indistinguishable. The most you could say was that Hydra knew its members were part of S.H.I.E.L.D. as well as Hydra, while S.H.I.E.L.D.'s agents only knew they worked for S.H.I.E.L.D.

After mulling it over, Feeney still couldn't decide. He had never intended to avoid S.H.I.E.L.D. forever, but right now he wasn't confident he could keep himself safe under the thumb of such a behemoth.

Early the next morning, Skye was still feeling down. Their conversation the previous night wasn't something she could easily put behind her. Feeney couldn't do much about it except give her time to recover.

The problems with Hulk and Abomination still needed to be dealt with, and Feeney was extremely busy. Even during class, he secretly studied Spirit Body magic. Once the spell succeeded, ordinary people wouldn't be able to see spirits anyway, so they wouldn't notice anything unusual.

In the blink of an eye, February arrived.

Feeney had made no progress beyond a vague understanding that was completely useless. Comparing himself to Kassilius, who had started showing talent not long after arriving, only made him feel more frustrated.

Kamar-Taj.

"Kassilius really is talented, Feeney. At this rate, it won't be long before he surpasses you."

Mordo was back to his usual praise, utterly oblivious to Feeney's darkening expression.

"Hmph. What's so impressive about that? I just haven't shown him what I can really do."

Feeney stubbornly defended himself. He might not be good at Kamar-Taj Magic, but he was no slouch when it came to other kinds of "magic"—like Sumire's Fried Chicken Roll and the Golden Great Deduction Technique.

"You should learn to see yourself clearly, Feeney!"

But Mordo clearly didn't agree.

"Fine. A month's worth of fried chicken rolls, or admitting his talent is better—which do you choose?"

Feeney glanced at Mordo without expression, seeing his own position clearly. Yes, as the one who fed him, why should he have to reason with the creature he was raising?

"..."

Mordo stiffened. He wanted to show some backbone and resist, but in the end, he couldn't withstand the temptation.

"You're actually pretty talented, too!"

Mordo lowered his proud head and betrayed his conscience for the one-of-a-kind Sumire's Fried Chicken Roll.

Hah, mortal!

Feeney lifted his chin and curled his lip in disdain. Watching Kassilius diligently train in the Training Ground, he still felt a little irritated.

Just then, Tony called. Ever since the Iron Monger incident, Tony had stopped hiding his number. Perhaps he felt there was no longer any need.

"Hello!"

Feeney answered the phone irritably, and, as expected, he heard Pepper's sweet voice on the other end.

"Hi, Feeney, it's Pepper. Are you free? Tony has something he'd like your help with."

"I am not. I don't. Don't make things up."

Feeney faintly heard Tony's triple denial in the background and immediately became curious. "So that guy actually needs my help? Hold on a second."

With that, he hung up. He didn't want to hear Tony's objections.

Just as Feeney had expected, Tony had snatched the phone away, ready to argue, only to find the call had already ended. He was left with a bellyful of anger and nowhere to vent it.

"I've got something to take care of. I'll be off!"

After telling Mordo, Feeney returned to his room and opened a portal to Tony's house. After a few visits, the place was almost as familiar to him as his own home.

"Let me make one thing clear: Pepper got it wrong. I don't need your help."

As soon as Feeney stepped through the portal, Tony's arrogant, infuriating voice reached him.

"Then should I head back?"

Feeney raised his eyebrows and glanced at the still-open portal, looking ready to turn around and leave. He wasn't about to indulge Tony just because money was involved.

If he hadn't felt responsible—and didn't want to keep watching Kassilius at Kamar-Taj—he wouldn't have come.

"Even if I don't need your help, there are some things I'd like to discuss with you."

It seemed he really did have something on his mind. Tony spoke reluctantly. If it had been anything trivial, he wouldn't have given in so easily. At the very least, he would have had Pepper ask Feeney to stay.

Sigh, Iron Man is an important character throughout Marvel, so it's inevitable that I'll write scenes involving him. Maybe the way I've written things has made people misunderstand. He'll be somewhat important in the early part, but that's just setup—not me sucking up to anyone. There are only a few chapters left before the Fifth Skill. Here's another hint: "Red Eyes." Ugh, that hint is way too obvious! So please vote and send gifts!