Tony's Task

"Not a bad idea. This thing really has promising applications. Kid, you've got the same flair I had when I was young," Tony Stark said, giving Peter an approving look.

Pepper Potts also watched Peter with a smile, astonished by the young boy's genius.

As Iron Man's right-hand woman, much of Iron Man's information about Peter had actually come from Pepper Potts.

So Pepper Potts knew no less about Peter than Iron Man did.

He was only fifteen and attended a public school.

That showed that everything he had achieved today had come entirely from his own talent and hard work.

Although Iron Man seemed to pay Peter no mind, he had actually been keeping an eye on him all along.

Especially his school life.

Iron Man knew what Peter had been researching with the school lab equipment under the name of the Stark Internship Program, but he had not exposed him. He had merely donated some money and laboratory equipment to Midtown High.

Unexpectedly, before his donation had even been put into place, Peter had given him a surprise instead.

"I didn't expect you to actually bring something over. Fine, I'll open an account for you with the September Fund. Your research funding and whatever money you earn can go into it, and you can manage it yourself," Tony Stark said casually.

Peter's two research projects were naturally insignificant to the vast Stark Industries.

But Tony Stark and Pepper Potts could see Peter's talent for scientific research in them.

And based on their previous observations of Peter, they also knew that he was kind and had sound values.

After gaining superpowers, his first instinct had been to help others rather than do whatever he pleased.

That alone was enough to reveal a person's character and values.

That was also why Iron Man had previously given Peter a Spider-suit worth nearly ten million dollars.

Yes, nearly ten million, not the few million Peter had assumed.

A few million was merely the cost of the suit and the high-tech equipment inside it.

The artificial intelligence in that suit was an independent AI Iron Man had specially created, not a separate copy taken from Friday.

That AI alone was enough to drive countless people mad with envy.

"Pepper, I'll leave these to you," Tony Stark said, pushing his own set over to Pepper Potts as well.

Pepper Potts picked up the two proposals and their samples, then stood up. "Fine. I guess I'm just doomed to work myself to the bone. You're the BOSS, after all."

She then looked at Peter. "He did it on purpose. We actually knew you were coming the moment you arrived, so don't take it to heart."

Peter hurriedly nodded.

Tony Stark looked at Pepper Potts with some dissatisfaction. "Hey, why'd you say that? The kid needs to know he can't just break into someone's home. He needs to learn his lesson."

Pepper Potts rolled her eyes at him and turned to leave.

Tony Stark tapped the table with his hand, then grabbed a cluster of data from the air and tossed it toward Peter.

Peter had no idea what was going on.

Then the suit on his body flickered a few times.

Tony Stark said, "You're more capable than I expected, so I've unlocked some of the suit's previously locked functions."

Peter chuckled and scratched his head. Being praised by Iron Man felt pretty satisfying.

"However!" Tony Stark paused before continuing, "that's not enough. Kid, do you want to unlock all its functions and truly own this suit?"

Peter nodded heavily.

Of course he did!

Before, he had merely been borrowing it.

But now, according to Iron Man, the ownership would truly be his!

Tony Stark said, "Recently, some people have appeared in Brooklyn carrying weapons that look a lot like the technology used by the Chitauri army that invaded New York a few years ago. We suspect someone is secretly manufacturing weapons of that kind. The special agents are investigating the matter, but I don't trust them much. I can trust you, right, Peter?"

"Yes!" Peter grew excited.

"Good." Tony Stark patted Peter on the shoulder. "Let's see what you've got."

"Leave it to me, Mr. Stark!" Peter said solemnly. This was the first real assignment he had been given. He had to do a good job!

"All right, you can stay here a little longer. There's a holographic game console over there, so you can play for a while if you want. Just remember to get home early," Tony Stark said as he stood up, preparing to leave.

He had actually been quite busy lately.

Because Captain America and Falcon, members of the Avengers, had been deemed criminals along with Winter Soldier for harboring a fugitive. There had originally been some room to maneuver, but after the battle at Berlin Airport, even that possibility was gone. The two of them had been completely expelled.

Hawkeye and Wanda, being part of Captain America's faction, had likewise been put on the criminal list and expelled from the Avengers.

Black Widow had also become a criminal and been expelled for secretly letting Captain America and Winter Soldier go.

As for War Machine, he had been seriously injured by Vision's accidental attack and remained unconscious. Even if he woke up, with his lower body paralyzed, it would be difficult for him to wear the Iron Man Armor and fight again.

As for Thor and Hulk, one had returned to Asgard, while the other had vanished during the battle against Ultron.

Even Vision had been absentminded ever since Wanda was captured, burdened by guilt over accidentally injuring War Machine.

For a time, Iron Man was the only Avengers member left.

What kind of alliance was an alliance of one?

His left hand joining forces with his right?

That was also why Iron Man had approached Peter.

He had originally intended to observe Peter a while longer before deciding whether to formally bring him into the Avengers.

After all, Peter was far too young. He was only fifteen.

But Peter's sharp insight and deductive ability during their first meeting, his battlefield control and adaptability at Berlin Airport, and the exceptional research ability he had just demonstrated—

That series of performances had rapidly raised Iron Man's opinion of Peter.

Only then had he decided to let Peter try something that should not have been entrusted to him in the first place.

He would treat it as a test.

If Peter could truly pass this test, then he would personally invite Peter to become a true Avenger!

"Mr. Stark," Peter called out to Tony Stark.

"Is there anything else? I've been a little busy lately," Tony Stark said, clearly telling Peter to keep it brief.

Peter said, "I was wondering if I could become an intern researcher at one of the biology labs under you. I—"

Tony Stark looked deeply at Peter, raised his wrist, and tapped a few times on the light screen projected from his watch.

"All right. A small biology lab just happened to open up. Go do whatever you want there. Apply for anything you need. You have the September Fund."

"Thank you, Mr. Stark."

"You're welcome. Nothing else?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Then I'm off. See you around." Tony Stark turned and left with his usual flair.