When Tony returned from Afghanistan and announced the closure of Stark's weapons division, he soon discovered that the weapons he himself had designed were still being sold illegally.
From that moment, he knew something was wrong with the company. He became particularly suspicious of the words Obadiah had said to him on the day of the party, which awakened Tony's distrust towards him.
That's why he asked Pepper Potts to go to the company and find evidence of Obadiah's criminal activities. However, Potts didn't return; instead, Obadiah appeared.
The man who had been by Tony's side since he was a child incapacitated him without hesitation and admitted to all his crimes.
He confessed that he had been involved in his kidnapping, that he had been pulling the strings behind the scenes and supporting the terrorists.
What shocked Tony even more was the discovery that Obadiah had managed to copy his first prototype armor, the one he had invented in the cave to escape captivity.
The only thing he hadn't been able to replicate was the small arc reactor that powered the suit and kept Tony alive.
Now Obadiah had come for the finished product, determined to take it by force. Tony was worried about Pepper, but in his current situation, he couldn't do anything. While he was in that desperate state, a man appeared before him, resembling an angel.
Although Tony had been an atheist all his life and believed only in science, at that moment, seeing that figure, he wished to believe it was truly an angel coming to his aid.
"I'm not an angel," Alaric said calmly, shaking his head.
"Eh…" Tony couldn't utter anything coherent, only letting out hoarse sounds from his throat. Yet Alaric understood his thoughts without any difficulty.
Telepathically, he could read not only the thoughts but also the memories of anyone he wished.
Thus, he began speaking directly to Tony, not with his lips, but inside his mind.
"I am the one who can save you."
"Help! Hey… hey! Can I… can I talk to you?!" Tony was shocked when he realized he could respond to this mysterious man, even though he couldn't move his lips. When he tried to speak, he heard only his own muffled voice inside his head.
"I'm speaking to you through your mind," Alaric explained calmly.
"You're not an angel… so what are you then?!" Tony asked in his thoughts.
"You can call me the Lord of Magic," Alaric replied, opening a white-colored fan in his hands.
On the white side of the fan were inscribed the words "Lord of Magic." Alaric had chosen this title so that others could more easily recognize and know who he was. He believed that the power he possessed suited this title more than the simple name "mage," which sounded too plain and monotonous to him.
To make the title sound dignified and striking, Alaric had thought for a long time and found inspiration in the names of famous Marvel heroes such as Doctor Strange, Scarlet Witch, and Moon Knight.
He wanted a name that would evoke respect but also curiosity. He believed that his magic, in its essence, was no weaker than the miracles and enchantments attributed to ancient deities in myths.
In a world where there were Asgardian gods and other supernatural forces, his name and power needed to sound equally dignified and awe-inspiring.
"That… I don't know Chinese."
Tony looked at the four large characters on the fan, indicating that he had no idea what it said.
"…Hm, careless of me. Wait."
Tony's comment struck him.
Wasn't it too foolish to have a grand title that others couldn't even understand?
Imagining how awkward that could become in the future, Alaric frowned and tried to recall an appropriate English title that would sound dignified enough.
Tony just rolled his eyes.
He was sure this man was neither an angel nor a god.
He looked like an ordinary con artist pretending to be a spirit or a supernatural being.
But as he lay motionless, he felt his life slipping away.
"For the love of the world," he thought desperately, "let him stop philosophizing and save me!"
Tony opened his eyes and looked at Alaric, who was floating in the air, carefully examining the fan as if inscribing a new title.
He was astonished and, at the same time, felt as though he could die any moment.
"Don't worry," Alaric said in a calm tone, responding to Tony's thoughts. "You won't die while I'm here. Even if you pass away, I can pull you back."
"You can… know what's going on in my head!?" Tony was shocked.
"I'm not a god," Alaric said with a slight smile, "but my abilities aren't bad. Alright… now you understand?"
He turned the fan towards Tony.
Beneath the four large characters that represented his old title, there was now an additional line in English. The font was smaller, but Tony could read it without any trouble.
"'Lord of Magic'… I understand!"
Tony fell silent for a moment, then spoke in an almost pleading tone.
"Please, save me!"
"Alright," Alaric said, covering half his face with the fan and looking at him with a slight smile. "And what price are you willing to pay?"
At that moment, Alaric thought that Tony's gratitude might bring him some sort of reward. If nothing else, this billionaire could surely pay for the help.
In Tony's eyes, Alaric at that moment looked like a demon from countless movies and books, one who appears at the most desperate moment and offers salvation… but demands a terrible price.
Such demons often took people's souls in return and sent them to hell, condemned to eternal suffering.
"…"
Tony cursed inwardly.
"I knew it! He's not just a con artist, but also a demon!"
"If you want my soul, that's absolutely impossible!" he suddenly shouted, angry and scared at the same time.
"…"
Alaric was momentarily speechless and shook his head.
"Who even wants your soul?"
Tony tried to get up, feeling his strength slowly returning after long paralysis.
But as soon as he moved, he immediately lost balance and fell to the floor.
He thought to himself that maybe it was better to try saving himself rather than signing any pact with "demons."
"Hey, hey, hey!" Alaric shouted, slightly alarmed that Tony might hurt himself in that state.
"You don't have to do that! I don't want your soul! I just want something else… let's say a few million dollars! That's enough for me. I'll save you right away!"
Tony gaped for a moment.
"You…"