Graduation Day

Late that night after the Energy Core theft, Li Stark's laboratory was bathed in cold white light, while all manner of precision instruments emitted faint hums. An alarm suddenly blared, its piercing sound shattering the silence, and the armor component Li Stark had been calibrating nearly slipped from his hand.

The signal from the nanotracker showed Hydra activity at an abandoned factory on the outskirts of New York. His fingers flew across the armor's control panel, metal clattering in a hurried, chaotic rhythm. Just as he was about to send a message summoning his companions, the armor's communicator connected automatically, and Tony Stark's projection appeared in the center of the laboratory.

"Kid, stop." Tony's expression was more serious than ever. His armor's faceplate slowly rose, revealing the fine lines at the corners of his eyes and the concern in his gaze. Behind him was S.H.I.E.L.D.'s flickering data wall, its interwoven red and blue light casting an even graver shade across his face. "Hydra's operation this time is far-reaching. S.H.I.E.L.D. has already stepped in. Your task now is to finish your studies properly."

Li Stark clenched his fists, and his metal armor gave a faint scrape as his knuckles whitened from the force. "But those stolen Energy Cores..."

"I know you want to help." Tony cut him off, turning his wrist as a classified holographic file unfolded in the air. It densely documented Hydra's crimes in recent years and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s deployments. "Look. This is a long war. Every impulsive move you make now could put your companions in danger." His gaze swept over the unfinished armor upgrade components on the workbench behind Li Stark. The scattered parts and unconnected wiring seemed to speak of technological immaturity. "Your technology isn't mature enough yet. The enemy won't give you a chance to learn from mistakes."

Scarlet light flashed through Li Stark's mind as Wanda used her magic, along with Claire's agile figure in battle, Jill's calm command, Gwen's focused expression as she checked information, Ashley's profile as she worked diligently through calculations in the lab, and Natasha's crisp movements and sharp eyes. He gritted his teeth and finally lowered his hand slowly, his heart filled with reluctance and helplessness.

The following evening, the library was filled with the distinctive scent of paper, and warm yellow light spilled over the wooden bookshelves. Li Stark sat by the window with a heavy scientific tome spread before him, his fingers unconsciously tracing the edge of its pages. Wanda walked over with a stack of ancient magic books in her arms, her steps slightly unsteady. As she sat beside him, her heart pounded wildly in her chest, nearly bursting through her throat. A thin layer of sweat covered her palms as she tightly gripped the corner of a book, her nails leaving faint marks on its cover. It has to work. She kept encouraging herself. This might be her best chance to grow closer to Stark.

"Little Stark, there's a spell that can make someone... more approachable. I want to try it on you." Her voice was softer than a mosquito's buzz. After she spoke, Scarlet Magic began to curl around their fingers. Wanda felt her cheeks burn, even her ears growing hot, as though she could hear blood rushing through her veins. She waited eagerly for Li Stark's response.

But just then, Gwen suddenly appeared holding up her phone, its livestream camera pointed at them. Her excited voice sounded especially abrupt in the quiet library. "Everyone! Look what I found!" Wanda's heart skipped a beat. Panic instantly drowned all her expectations, and her magic went out of control. Anxious and annoyed, she thought, Why now of all times...? In an instant, the surrounding books seemed to be seized by invisible hands and flew into the air, forming a chaotic tornado of books. Pages fluttered noisily as the other students in the library hurriedly took cover.

Over the weekend, the roar of engines was deafening at the racetrack, and the setting sun dyed the entire grounds golden. Claire had invited Li Stark there under the pretext of thanking him for teaching her motorcycle skills. Wearing a black helmet, she straddled a sleek motorcycle, its engine vibrations traveling through the frame into her legs. After removing her helmet, she tossed back her sweat-dampened hair and moved toward Li Stark with blazing eyes. "Little Stark, I've always wanted to tell you..." Claire drew a deep breath, trying to suppress the tension in her heart. Fearless in Raccoon City, she now felt like a young girl experiencing her first crush. This time, I have to tell him how I feel.

Before she could finish, Jill suddenly shouted from the distance, "Claire! The club's motorcycle broke down again!" Claire's smile froze instantly. She cursed inwardly and stomped her foot in frustration. Seeing Li Stark's slightly awkward expression, she forced herself to remain calm despite her unwillingness. "I need to go take a look. I'll be right back." Then she turned and ran toward the repair area, muttering under her breath, "Damn motorcycle. It picked the worst possible time to break down!"

After drama club rehearsal, Ada Wong invited Li Stark to stay and discuss stage technology. Props and costumes were scattered casually throughout the rehearsal hall, which still carried the lively atmosphere of practice. Wearing an exquisite cheongsam, Ada Wong approached Li Stark with graceful steps, her subtle perfume lingering beneath his nose. "Little Stark, perhaps we could..." Her eyes were gentle, concealing a trace of anticipation. She had carefully chosen this moment, ready to reveal her feelings.

But her words were interrupted by the sudden ring of a phone. There had been a new development in Hydra intelligence. Disappointment flickered in Ada Wong's eyes, but she could only maintain her composure. "What a nuisance. But the mission comes first. Next time, I'll definitely seize the chance." She quickly straightened her cheongsam and headed for the door, the click of her high heels against the floor sharp and hurried.

On a rare leisurely afternoon, Li Stark was resting on a bench by the campus lake. Sunlight filtered through gaps in the leaves, scattering patches of light over him. Natasha appeared at his side at some point. Dressed casually, she had lost some of her usual cold severity and gained a touch of softness. "I heard you've been researching a new armor energy system lately?" Natasha asked softly, her voice like a spring breeze with a gentleness that was difficult to detect.

Li Stark opened his eyes and felt his heart stir slightly when he saw Natasha. He sat up straight and nodded. "Yeah, I've run into a few bottlenecks." Natasha sat down beside him, and their shoulders brushed lightly by accident. "Maybe I can help." As she spoke, Natasha leaned a little closer, her faint perfume drifting into Li Stark's nose.

Just as the atmosphere gradually warmed, Li Stark's armor suddenly emitted a shrill alarm, breaking the peace. "Unknown energy fluctuations detected on the east side of campus!" J.A.R.V.I.S.'s voice sounded. Li Stark stood up helplessly and gave Natasha an apologetic look. "Looks like there's trouble again." Natasha rose as well, returning to her crisp, capable manner. "Go. Be careful." As she watched Li Stark's hurried retreating figure, Natasha sighed softly, a hint of disappointment flashing through her eyes.

Over the following days, similar situations kept occurring. Whenever the heroines wanted to take their intimacy with Li Stark a step further, some unexpected event would always interrupt them. Wanda tried to use magic to conjure exclusive desserts for Li Stark in the cafeteria, only for her magic to go out of control and transform all the food there into strange shapes. Claire asked Li Stark to go on a morning run with her, but they encountered an emergency assembly notice from the campus guard midway through. Gwen wanted to conduct an exclusive livestream interview with Li Stark, but all the equipment suddenly went on strike.

Li Stark gradually grew accustomed to these "thrilling" incidents and devoted more energy to his studies and technological research. In class, he always offered insights that made the professors' eyes light up. In physics, he used a self-made miniature particle collider model to vividly explain complex theories, leaving his classmates amazed. In chemistry, the new material synthesis plan he proposed even drew the attention of experts outside the school.

In the laboratory, he and Ashley worked together to improve the campus security system. After spending a great deal of time repeatedly testing and revising the program, they finally developed an intelligent alarm device that could not only accurately identify danger but also automatically activate the appropriate defensive measures. The device also won the Youth Science and Technology Invention Award. On the day they received the award, Li Stark and Ashley stood on the podium while their companions applauded desperately below, their faces full of pride.

Gwen continued documenting campus life through livestreams, and her channel became increasingly popular. She made entertaining videos revisiting the heroines' failed "intimate moments" with Li Stark, adding humorous commentary that made netizens burst into laughter. Wanda continued using magic to create little surprises. Although her unstable magic occasionally caused small bouts of chaos, everyone had grown used to it and instead saw it as a unique pleasure of campus life. Claire and Jill devoted more time to training the campus guard. They personally demonstrated combat techniques and patiently instructed every member. Through their efforts, the guard's strength steadily improved. Ada Wong busily moved between intelligence work and campus life, often appearing and disappearing mysteriously, yet always bringing crucial information at key moments.

Time slipped away quietly amid busyness and laughter. In the blink of an eye, graduation season arrived, and Li Stark's graduation thesis, "Innovative Applications and Defense of the Multidimensional Energy Core," caused a sensation. To write it, he had spent countless days and nights in the laboratory, repeatedly verifying data, engaging in intense discussions with Ashley, and discarding proposal after proposal. The thesis was not only published in academic journals but also eagerly cited by numerous technology companies.

On the day of the graduation ceremony, the auditorium had been decorated anew with flowers and ribbons. Sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows, casting a dazzling array of colors. When Li Stark stepped onto the stage and accepted his diploma from the principal, thunderous applause erupted from below. He looked toward the audience. Claire held up a handmade banner with the crooked words "Coolest Graduate" and a huge smiling face drawn on it. Jill smiled and saluted him, her eyes full of gratification. Gwen held up her phone and livestreamed the entire event, excitedly introducing this outstanding graduate to her viewers. Wanda's magic sent colorful petals drifting through the air, dreamlike and enchanting. Ashley and Ada Wong smiled as they applauded, joy shining in their eyes. Natasha stood among the crowd, the corners of her lips lifted, her gaze full of pride and blessings.

At that moment, Li Stark suddenly understood that all the failed intimate moments, unexpected incidents, and time spent with his companions over the past two years had become some of the most unique and precious memories of his life.