What Drex Valen had explained to Tony Stark was, in essence, cosmic energy.
The concept had already been discussed before, so there was no need to repeat the fundamentals.
Still, Drex was curious.
If someone with Tony Stark's intellect truly discovered how to manipulate cosmic energy… what kind of monster would that create?
A cosmic-energy-powered Iron Man?
Honestly, Marvel reality was bizarre enough that people could probably stuff universe-level energy into a metal container and call it a battery if they tried hard enough.
Scientists in this world had a frightening ability to brute-force logic into submission through sheer confidence.
From Drex's perspective as a materials scientist, though, the idea remained absurd.
In his original world, even controlled fusion technology constantly slammed into the same problem:
There simply weren't enough materials capable of containing that level of energy safely.
And yet here?
People built gods in garages.
…
Later that evening, Drex went out with Tifa.
There was no elaborate preparation involved.
No hour-long outfit selection.
No dramatic date planning.
Once they decided to go out, they simply left.
To Drex, this barely qualified as a date anyway. It felt more like an evening walk after dinner. Something like a movie or an amusement park would've matched his mental image of dating far better.
Then again, as a former member of the Lonely Bastard Hall of Fame, romantic experience wasn't exactly his area of expertise.
Most "date scenarios" from anime and novels had always felt too scripted to him.
Too artificial.
But Tifa was different.
Relaxed.
Quiet.
Elegant without trying to be.
Walking beside her now created a strangely comfortable feeling.
When he turned his head slightly, he found her smiling at him.
Her outfit was simple tonight.
A fitted short-sleeve shirt exposed smooth pale arms, while dark shorts and black stockings emphasized the long curves of her legs. Short boots clicked softly against the pavement as she walked beside him with easy confidence.
Honestly?
Those legs were lethal.
Tifa had always been beautiful, but the experiences she carried gave her a kind of mature composure that most women her age lacked.
Without the regal dresses and formal styling she sometimes wore, she lost some of that untouchable queen-like aura.
In exchange, something even more dangerous emerged.
Warmth.
Charm.
A mature femininity that felt impossible to ignore.
Amazing what changing clothes could do.
"Enjoying the view?" Tifa asked after catching him staring for far too long.
Drex didn't even bother pretending innocence.
"Can't help it," he said casually. "Some things qualify as universal truth."
Living while constantly worrying about saying the wrong thing sounded exhausting.
Sometimes honesty was easier.
Tifa laughed softly.
"Lately, it feels like you've had something you wanted to tell me."
"It's important," she admitted. "But compared to the things you're dealing with, it can wait."
She reached over and pulled his arm down naturally, wrapping herself against him the way couples did without thinking.
Then she rested her head lightly against his shoulder, eyes carrying a faintly playful glint.
"I think this kind of behavior deserves bonus points."
"Fair argument."
Drex didn't deny it.
There was something calming about Tifa's quiet confidence.
No pressure.
No performance.
Just comfort.
Then Tifa lifted a hand and pointed ahead.
Under the glow of neon lights, the massive Ferris wheel stood out against the New York skyline.
"I want to ride that," she said with a smile.
"With you."
It wasn't really a suggestion.
But neither was it a demand.
She left him room to refuse.
"I'll come with you," Drex answered easily.
It wasn't exactly a difficult request.
"Thanks, Drex."
Somewhere along the way, she had naturally started calling him by a shorter nickname.
Seeing him accept it so casually made her smile widen slightly.
This wasn't bad at all.
The amusement park itself sat just outside Manhattan, funded by a Japanese entertainment corporation. It had become surprisingly famous across New York despite opening relatively recently, making it a popular destination for couples looking for nighttime dates.
Most of the attractions were already closed for maintenance at this hour.
Only the Ferris wheel still moved slowly against the night sky.
Which was exactly what Tifa wanted.
Not the rides.
Not the crowds.
Just somewhere high above the city where she could spend quiet time alone with him.
"You know," Drex said while looking up at the massive wheel, "I've actually never ridden one of these before."
Tifa looked surprised.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Back then, I used to think riding one with someone special would probably feel nice."
Tifa's smile brightened immediately.
"Then does this count as fulfilling an old dream?"
A staff member nearby waved them toward the boarding platform.
"Right this way," he said enthusiastically. "Since there aren't many visitors tonight, we slowed the rotation speed a little. You'll have more time up there."
His expression practically screamed I totally get what kind of night this is, which made Drex want to roll his eyes.
Tifa, on the other hand, seemed highly amused by it.
"Thank you," she said politely before stepping into the cabin first.
Then she looked back at Drex, who finally climbed in after her.
"Come on already."
"Yeah, yeah."
The Ferris wheel began to rise slowly.
As the cabin ascended, New York's sea of neon lights spread out beneath them like a glowing electric ocean.
Drex glanced sideways.
Tifa was still holding his arm.
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"To answer your earlier question," he said, "this doesn't completely fulfill the old fantasy."
Tifa raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?"
"Because back then, I imagined coming here with a girlfriend."
Tifa's eyes narrowed slightly.
"And?"
"And at the time, I was also wondering things like where she was, what kind of person she'd be, whether she was doing okay…"
Tifa looked deeply unimpressed.
"So bringing your wife doesn't count?"
Drex blinked.
That sounded dangerously loaded.
Then Tifa suddenly laughed softly and squeezed his hand tighter.
"Alright. Relationship counseling session over."
She shifted closer until she found a comfortable position against him, resting her head on his shoulder again.
"Let's just enjoy the moment."
Their hands intertwined naturally.
Drex could feel a faint trace of sweat in her palm.
Nervousness.
Cute.
"You know," Tifa murmured lazily, "normally the guy is supposed to take the initiative during dates."
Then she tilted her head slightly and smiled.
"You really are hopeless sometimes."
…
Eventually, the Ferris wheel completed its slow rotation and descended back toward the platform.
Tifa walked out still pressed tightly against Drex's side, clearly reluctant for the ride to end.
The employee who had helped them board earlier watched the two leave with a complicated expression.
Such a waste of my professional support efforts, he thought silently.
Meanwhile, Tifa still felt unsatisfied.
Honestly, she wished the ride had lasted another half hour.
Being alone together in that quiet cabin, talking casually while the city lights stretched beneath them…
It had worked far better than all the relationship advice articles she'd looked up online recommending restaurants, movies, or luxury hotels.
Though admittedly…
That last option might still have been pretty effective too.