IRON MAN: BROTHER DON'T CAUSE TROUBLE

Inside his dimly lit lab, John sat cross-legged on a soft mat, his eyes closed in deep meditation. A faint golden aura surrounded him, pulsating softly like a heartbeat. His expression radiated excitement, his lips curving into a subtle smile as though he had uncovered a hidden treasure.

The lab was cluttered with tools and stacks of books. Complex diagrams and runes were etched across the walls, a testament to John's relentless pursuit of knowledge.

It had been a week since he and Tony decided to rename the cultivation system to "Star Wizard." This change was symbolic—a declaration of their commitment to explore this uncharted path. Three days ago, John had returned to his lab after a brief two-day rest. The rest had been necessary, for the discovery of a new element by Tony had left John brimming with ideas. His hands itched to inscribe a rune tied to this new element, and the moment he returned, he dove straight into work.

As a 3rd-stage Star Wizard, inscribing runes had become second nature to John. He moved with precision and confidence, tracing intricate patterns in the air with mental power and particle energy. Yet, what happened next defied all logic and expectations.

The rune, instead of taking its usual place in the starry sky within his spiritual realm, descended into the core of his spiritual sea. The shift was both unexpected and alarming. As John watched in astonishment, the rune began to expand, drawing vast amounts of mental power and particle energy from his body.

The sensation was excruciating. His veins felt like they were being drained dry, and his vision blurred as his complexion turned ashen. For a moment, he thought he might die. Just as panic began to set in, the suction abruptly ceased.

Hovering in his spiritual sea, the rune now stood like a colossal structure, radiating energy. It had grown to the size of a ten-story building, its intricate patterns glowing with an ethereal light. Suddenly, pure energy, far more potent than anything John had experienced before, surged from the rune and flooded his body. The overwhelming power revitalized him, filling his veins with strength and clarity.

---

Fascinated by this phenomenon, John wasted no time. He began meditating in front of the rune, drawing on its energy to cultivate his mental power and particle energy. Day by day, he felt his strength growing. The rate of increase was unprecedented—so much so that he calculated he would reach the peak of the 3rd stage within two months.

He couldn't explain how he knew this; it was as though the knowledge had been etched into his very soul. His intuition whispered that this rune was a gateway to untold power, and John was determined to explore its mysteries.

As the days passed, his dedication bordered on obsession. The looming specter of the New York War added urgency to his efforts. He didn't know when it would begin, but he could feel its approach like a storm on the horizon.

---

One month later, John's meditation was abruptly interrupted by a sudden surge of energy fluctuations. His eyes snapped open, glowing faintly as he attuned his senses to the disturbance. The unique signature of particle energy was unmistakable, and only one other person besides him could wield it—Tony.

Curious and slightly concerned, John left his lab and headed to Tony's workshop.

The workshop was alive with activity. Sparks flew from machinery, and the air hummed with energy. In the center of the room stood Tony, his hands outstretched as he manipulated a block of metal. The metal twisted and turned, morphing into various shapes—a sword, a shield, and a sleek arrow.

John observed quietly, noting the fluidity of Tony's movements. Despite having only recently started practicing, Tony's control rivaled John's own.

"Interesting... His affinity for metal must be exceptionally strong," John thought.

As he watched, a faint shimmer appeared in front of Tony's palm—a rune, barely visible, flickered into existence before vanishing. John blinked, unsure if his eyes were playing tricks on him. Shaking his head, he focused intently on Tony's movements.

Moments later, the rune appeared again, more distinct this time.

John's heart skipped a beat. "I'm not imagining this."

He strode forward, his curiosity piqued.

"Brother, what were you just doing?" John asked, his voice sharp with urgency.

Tony, startled, turned to face him. "What? Oh, I was just practicing my metal ability. Why?"

"Show me again," John asked hurriedly, his tone brooking no argument.

Though confused, Tony complied. He extended his hand, channeling his energy. Once more, the rune appeared, glowing faintly before fading away.

John's eyes narrowed as he analyzed the phenomenon. "Don't stop. Keep going."

Grabbing a notebook and pen, John began sketching the rune with precision. After a few minutes, he held up the finished diagram—a rectangular shape filled with intricate, interwoven lines.

Tony watched silently, his curiosity growing.

"What is it?" Tony asked.

John examined the rune, his brow furrowed. "It looks like a rune, but it's... different. Less complex than elemental runes, yet it's not something random either."

"So what does it do?" Tony pressed.

"There's only one way to find out."

John stepped back and extended his hand. With a focused mind, he used his mental power and particle energy to recreate the rune in midair. The lines glowed with a golden hue, and the room filled with a faint hum.

Suddenly, the metal block in front of them floated into the air, morphing rapidly into different shapes—a sword, a square, a sphere, and more.

Tony's jaw dropped as he watched. "Incredible..."

John, however, remained focused, analyzing every detail. After a moment, he muttered, "This path is extraordinary, but we've barely scratched the surface. There's so much we don't understand."

Tony nodded, his excitement mirrored in his eyes. Both men realized they were standing at the edge of a vast, unknown frontier.