Chapter 102 Saint’s Plan

In the Movie, it was Nick Fury, the Director of SHIELD, who pulled Tony Stark out of the brink and inspired him to create a new element that would lead to the creation of the second-generation Arc Reactor.

Saint couldn’t help but feel a twinge of frustration as he remembered the hazy plot of the movie. He had saved Tony Stark prematurely and the “Mark I” reactor was never born in the cave. SHIELD had never known about the revolutionary invention of the Iron Man suit and had never taken Stark seriously. The future was uncertain and it left Saint feeling uneasy.

“It’s truly unnerving,” he murmured as he flew, “Lamp man can’t die… If he does, who will create the second-generation giant Arc Reactor for me?”

With that thought, Saint returned to his closed restaurant, hid the Dragon Ball in the basement, and headed straight to Colleen’s Dojo. As he pushed the door open, his first sight was of Lorna performing a beautiful shoulder throw and violently taking down Peter Parker.

Saint couldn’t help but inhale sharply at the sight, his jaw tightening. Although the gym had thick elastic mats on the floor, the sight still looked painful.

“Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch…”

“Ugh,” Peter groaned as he hoisted himself up, rubbing his sore arm. “I surrender, I surrender…”

“Peter.” Saint approached, delivering the final blow to the defeated Spider-Man. “Remember, when we’re outside of this gym, don’t go telling people I taught you how to fight. I can’t handle the embarrassment of being associated with you.”

“…” Peter grumbled, getting to his feet. “Boss, when are you going to teach me some new moves? Ronan’s seen through all of my tricks by now.”

Saint shrugged nonchalantly, “When you can stop Ronan from seeing through your moves, then I’ll teach you something new.”

Peter gaped in confusion, “Boss…you’re joking, right? Right?”

“You figure it out,” Saint said with a smirk, turning towards the changing room. “Lorna,” he beckoned, “Come here, I have something to tell you.”

Ronan, expecting an explanation for the dazzling light that had appeared earlier, eagerly jogged over. “Boss, where did you just go?”

Saint smiled understandingly, “Tony Stark. You remember him, right? The one who came to our gym before. The light show was his doing, I just paid him a visit.”

“Tony Stark?”

Lorna’s understanding of this name was still stuck in the realm of gossip and rumors. She looked at Saint with suspicion and asked, “Isn’t he just a playboy? You’re not going to tell me he has special abilities, are you?”

Saint hesitated for a moment before replying, “This is hard to explain, you’ll understand later.”

Changing the subject, Saint asked, “I actually wanted to ask you, how is your ‘Iron Sand Palm’ training coming along?”

Lorna rolled her eyes, “Boss, can you not mention the ‘Iron Sand Palm’? I’ve looked into it, and those who practice it in China end up with swollen hands that look like buns. It’s unsightly.”

Saint couldn’t help but chuckle at her comment before continuing, “Alright, let’s not mention it. In all seriousness, how far have you come in controlling the Iron Sand? Are you able to change its molecular structure? Can you switch it between liquid and solid states at will?”

Lorna thought for a moment before answering, “I haven’t tried changing it between liquid and solid states yet, but I can manipulate a pile of iron sand into a solid iron plate, and vice versa. Does that count as changing its molecular structure?”

Saint considered her words before nodding, “I suppose that does count. Keep up the good work.”

Saint blinked, then offered in a knowing and trusting tone, “You can try what I suggested. If it doesn’t work out, Peter can teach you some physics. It might just be the key to unlocking your mutant abilities.”

“Really?” Lorna asked, a hint of skepticism in her voice as she turned to Peter. “Can he really help me control my powers?”

“It’s not just about Peter,” Saint interjected. “It’s about the science behind it all.”

Saint, who had always found physics to be a tedious subject, confidently added, “Believe me, knowledge is truly power!”

“Boss…I can’t shake off the feeling that you have something else up your sleeve,” Peter said, his tone laced with suspicion.

Saint didn’t try to hide his purpose, “I do have a plan, but trust me, if you can master what I just suggested, not only will you be able to control your mutant abilities better, but there are other benefits that await you. I give you my word.”

Lorna glared at Saint, frustration etched on her face, “Can’t you just come out and say it clearly, boss? What’s the big secret?”

Saint shrugged, “I am being clear. If you can do it, we’ll talk about the next step. If not, then it’s all for naught.”

“Fine…alright, I’ll go back and try it out.”

“Go now.”

Saint gently pushed Lorna, then turned to Peter Parker, “Peter! Are you not going to catch the last train?”

“There’s still time…”

“Hurry up, hurry up.”

Just like Lorna, Saint pushed Peter, “If you miss the train, Lorna will have to drive you home again.”

“…”

“… “

Peter shook his head, still confused by Saint’s rush to get them out the door. Lorna, however, knew exactly what was going on. She gave Saint a disdainful look before leaving. “Pervert,” she muttered under her breath.

“What do you know?”

Saint shrugged it off, quickly locking the door behind them. He then turned and made his way to the living room at the back of the dojo.

“Ah!”

As Saint drew back the curtain separating the bathroom and toilet, he found Colleen, standing under the showerhead, drenched and sopping wet. She let out a scream and without hesitation, punched him square in the chest. She quickly drew the curtain back, her face flushing with embarrassment as she peered out from behind it. “You pervert! Get out of here! Lorna and Peter are still outside!” she exclaimed.

Saint raised an eyebrow, “They left,” he said calmly.

“That doesn’t matter!” Colleen exclaimed, her voice rising.

“What doesn’t matter?”

“It just doesn’t!”

Saint shrugged, “Alright,” he said, “Why are you naked then?”

“I’m taking a shower, what did you think?” Colleen shot back, her voice laced with sarcasm.

“You pervert! I’m going to fight you!” Colleen threatened, her eyes flashing with anger.

Saint smirked, “Bring it on,” he said, his tone daring her to make good on her threat.

Colleen huffed, her eyes narrowed in frustration, but she said nothing more.