In Tony’s slightly narrowed eyes, Lorien said sothing that hit him harder than expected.
After hearing those words, Tony straightened in his seat, adjusted his clothes, and reached out his hand.
"Tony Stark. Looks like I overestimated myself."
Lorien smiled back and extended his hand.
"Lorien Su. A psychologist with a bit of a unique touch."
Yes—unique.
Since Stephen would eventually beco the Sorcerer Supre anyway, Lorien suggested they all introduce themselves.
"Stephen Strange. A surgeon."
And that was that.
Once the introductions were over, Stephen realized Tony’s main reason for coming here was to see Lorien. It had nothing to do with him. Besides, it was almost ti for his surgery.
"I have a surgery at noon, so I should get going."
Lorien nodded. "Safe travels."
Tony gave a small wave. "Then I wish you a smooth operation, Doctor."
With that, Stephen left, and Lorien’s business with Tony officially began.
Lorien didn’t bother ntioning his rates. There was no need—this guy had money. Not that Lorien intended to overcharge him; he simply didn’t need to bring it up.
"Alright, we can take our ti, but where do you want to start?"
Once Stephen was gone, Tony removed his sunglasses and looked directly at Lorien.
Lorien took a sip of his milk tea. "Let’s just go in order from before. First—Bruce Banner."
Tony nodded for him to go on.
"The news on Bruce Banner is simple: I don’t know either. The last ti we t and talked was late last year, so it’s been months. But I did see in the news that Banner took part in the Sokovia operation. Logically speaking, you guys should be the ones who know best. So... where is he now?"
Tony stayed silent for a mont before exhaling.
"Alright... actually, I don’t know either. After the Battle of Sokovia, Hulk and a Quinjet disappeared at the sa ti. We searched for a long while and still ca up empty."
With Tony’s level of technology, finding soone on Earth wasn’t difficult. So if even they couldn’t find him, there was only one explanation.
"Hulk took the Quinjet and went into space."
Tony let out a sigh, closed his eyes, and nodded. Clearly, he had co to the sa conclusion.
"Second question—your concerns about the Avengers aren’t sothing I should be discussing. What you’re really worried about is your own place in the Avengers, isn’t it?"
At that, Tony glanced at Lorien with mild surprise, nodding in agreent. "Yes."
The Avengers’ internal affairs weren’t for outsiders to ddle in, and Lorien had no reason to solve them. This second question was about Tony’s feelings toward the Avengers—not about Lorien dissecting the team itself. Those were two very different matters.
Lorien thought for a mont before shaking his head.
"The Avengers’ problems can’t be solved overnight. Whether you exist or not, people will still talk. There are too many people in this world, each with their own opinions and emotions—you can’t satisfy everyone. If you’re trying to force the Avengers to change in order to change the current situation, it won’t work. All you can do is go with the flow, watch for the right opportunity, and then make your move. And that takes ti—and strength."
Lorien was a psychologist, but not one who spouted empty platitudes. Most psychological issues ca from real-world problems. Solving those problems was the best form of counseling.
Tony put his sunglasses back on and thought it over, while Friday quietly ran calculations in the background.
"Sir," Friday’s voice sounded in his earpiece, "based on analysis, the probability of the Avengers imdiately changing the current situation is 0.16%. Following Dr. Lorien’s advice: doing less ans fewer mistakes, doing more ans more mistakes, and doing nothing ans no mistakes at all. Sir, this suggests you should continue upgrading your armor until the right opportunity cos."
Friday’s tone was cool, and its conclusion was even colder—don’t act rashly. Focus on upgrading the armor and wait.
After hearing that, Tony removed his sunglasses and set them on the seat beside him. Leaning back in his chair, he picked up the milk tea on the table.
"Well, looks like there are tis when I can’t push forward even if I want to."
He shook his head helplessly and took a drink.
Lorien didn’t waste ti. "Then the third question—"
"Wait!"
Tony cut him off, eyes widening at the milk tea in his hand. He took another sip, then looked at Lorien.
"What’s this called? Milk tea, right? Do you have the recipe? Or do you sell it? I’m confident I could replace thirty percent of Arica’s coffee market within a year."
Lorien: ...
Tony, you son of a—
...
(80 Chapters Ahead)
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