Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics Chapter 5731 - 4745: X Royal Family: Fierce Battle (21)

"Stephen! Stephen!" The Iron Man from the main universe was flying towards Strange. Strange, at this moment, was observing the Magical Defense Network in low Earth orbit. This universe also possessed a Magical Defense Network; while not as formidable as the one in his own universe, it still offered some efficacy. He was engrossed in contemplation on how to enhance it further.

"Why are you here?" Strange’s gaze upon the Main Universe Iron Man was far from friendly. To be blunt, it resembled looking at a pile of refuse. In truth, at this particular moment, everyone appeared to him as refuse, differing only in magnitude.

The Main Universe Iron Man seemed somewhat intimidated by this look. He instinctively retreated a short distance before stating, "I understand you’re upset, Stephen. I am truly sorry; my apologies are sincere. Those words spoken outside the hospital room were out of line. Stress isn't an excuse. I promise I won't..."

Strange had already departed.

Undeterred, the Main Universe Iron Man continued his pursuit, muttering as he went. Strange eventually halted his movement and turned to face him, inquiring, "Don’t you have anything more important to attend to?"

"My primary objective currently is to apologize and earn your forgiveness. We are teammates, and your feelings were genuinely wounded by my previous remarks. I need to..."

Strange raised one hand and then asked, "What exactly did you say outside the hospital room?"

The Main Universe Iron Man paused, surprised. He pursed his lips and replied, "Stephen, you’re doing it again. I know you favor grand pronouncements to fit your mage persona, but surely we don't need this charade between us, do we?"

"Now, repeat what you uttered at the hospital entrance."

Again, the Main Universe Iron Man was taken aback, exclaiming, "Stephen, what is wrong with you? Why are you acting so..."

The Main Universe Iron Man struggled to find the right words. In any case, Doctor Strange had never addressed him in such a manner before. However, given Strange's known anger when provoked, and recalling his past as a surgeon with a potentially sharp temper, a change in demeanor was perhaps understandable.

The Main Universe Iron Man concluded his mumbling. Consequently, Strange’s expression towards him grew even more disdainful.

"You intend to recruit a physician from New York to supplant me? Whom do you have in mind? Stark Group’s medical consultant? Good heavens. Are you unaware that your medical team consists of mere parasites who leech off medical funding? Do you think they possess any genuine academic achievements? If you requested proof, they’d vanish instantly! They are simply deceiving you, a colossal pushover, with their esteemed qualifications and inflated CVs. You're actually placing your faith in these outsiders. You'd best focus on maintaining your armored suit, or you risk succumbing to a common cold or fever. Should you perish on the operating table at the hands of these charlatans, I assure you, I will not grace your funeral!"

The Main Universe Iron Man was rendered somewhat speechless by this tirade. However, his initial reaction was to question, "My medical team are parasites?! How is that even possible? They are meticulously chosen medical elites..."

"Do they only attend to you?"

"Uh, I cover their expenses."

"How frequently do you fall ill annually?"

"My health is generally robust."

"Then they haven't treated a genuine patient in years. And you still place your trust in them to treat you?" Strange regarded the Main Universe Iron Man with that same patronizing gaze and continued, "Whether it pertains to internal medicine or surgery, the paramount attribute for any physician is experience. Without practical, frontline application, where does such experience originate?"

"However, they also hold positions within several prominent hospitals," the Main Universe Iron Man rationalized.

"Indeed? Have you personally witnessed them performing their duties? Are there any surgical records?" Strange rolled his eyes, retorting, "With the exorbitant salary you provide, who would bother with the actual demanding work of surgeries? They merely occupy positions in these esteemed institutions to extort more funds from you."

"But...but surely there are still competent doctors in New York? I was merely concerned about your capacity to manage, so..."

Strange ceased his movements, turned to meet the gaze of the Main Universe Iron Man, and stated, "You genuinely believe that after my hands sustained injury, I was so incompetent that I couldn't even outperform interns who struggle to differentiate surgical instruments, forcing my departure in disgrace, don't you?"

The Main Universe Iron Man considered asking,

Main Universe Iron Man seemed rather distracted, taking a seat on a solitary sofa without bothering to remove his battle armor. After a brief period of rest, Thor, whose wounds had largely mended, emerged. He observed Iron Man briefly before passing him by and settling onto the opposite end of the sofa. "It appears things didn't go as planned?" Thor inquired.

A jolt seemed to bring Iron Man back to reality. He abruptly stood and turned towards the exit. Captain America, peeking out from a nearby room, called after him, "Aren't you going to eat?"

"Save the sandwich for me," Iron Man replied, "I'm heading next door."

He wasn't referring to Clarkia Island, but rather the Avengers headquarters within this particular universe. Although the local Avengers weren't exactly rolling out the welcome mat, they did permit his entry.

"Stephen," Main Universe Iron Man called out, "Or rather, Doctor Strange. I have a question for you; could we speak in private?"

Doctor Strange's brow furrowed, a hint of suspicion suggesting a potential ploy. However, he also recalled Strange's maneuvers in low Earth orbit and their prior discussions about collaboration. He ultimately followed Main Universe Iron Man outside.

"I have a question," Main Universe Iron Man began, "I understand bringing up past events might be sensitive, but..."

"Enough!" The local Doctor Strange raised a hand, halting him. He continued, "I harbor no expectations of you, therefore nothing you say can possibly offend me."

"Did you... after your hand was injured, were you truly unable to perform any surgery at all? I mean, absolutely no operations? Not even... not even the most basic kind?" Main Universe Iron Man gestured extensively, but his grasp on the intricacies of neurosurgery was clearly limited.

The local Doctor Strange regarded him with an air of disbelief, as if he were foolish. After a pause, he asked, "Are you referring to an appendectomy?"

"Wait, that's not neurosurgery, is it?"

A sneer touched the local Doctor Strange's lips. "There isn't a significant disparity between those 'simple' neurosurgical procedures you envision and such a task."

"So, you could..."

"Why do you ask?" the local Doctor Strange interjected.

Main Universe Iron Man lapsed into silence. The local Doctor Strange let out a sigh and stated, "Leaving the operating table was entirely my own choice."

Main Universe Iron Man appeared somewhat perplexed. The local Doctor Strange felt compelled to elaborate: "Had I possessed no perceived value, the hospital would have simply dismissed me. I wouldn't have had any alternative. Do you comprehend?"

"So you still can," Main Universe Iron Man asserted, "You are capable of performing surgery."

"Yes. However, compared to the operations I once conducted, these cannot truly be classified as surgery," the local Doctor Strange clarified. "It's akin to the difference between knitting a scarf and constructing an automobile."

"So you departed because you were unable to perform those highly complex surgeries?"

"Tony Stark, is your brain entirely non-functional?" the local Doctor Strange exclaimed. "I am a physician; my hands possess value beyond just my personal use. Numerous individuals seek my expertise as their final recourse following catastrophic extreme sports accidents, and their financial resources often eclipse yours. My surgical proficiency is not something that can be readily discarded. Even with the slimmest possibility of recovery, they would exhaust every avenue to save my hands."

"Under such specialized treatment, even if full restoration isn't possible, I could at least regain substantial functionality. Furthermore, the very procedures those individuals depend on me for, I could still execute. If not for these circumstances, how could I have departed with any semblance of dignity?"

Main Universe Iron Man felt a profound sense of astonishment. Prompted by Strange's earlier statement, he realized that individuals are willing to invest immense resources in their medical teams because nothing surpasses the value of life itself. If he possessed a surgeon of such caliber, he too would spare no expense in their recovery should an accident occur, as it directly impacts preserving his own life. The affluent never exhibit frugality when it pertains to life-saving interventions.

Under these conditions, even if complete recovery of the hand remained elusive, an eighty percent restoration should be feasible. With eighty percent functionality, it should not impede essential actions.

"But you mentioned earlier that your hands would shake..." Main Universe Iron Man hesitated, recalling a private conversation with Stephen.

"It's largely psychological," the local Doctor Strange replied, pursing his lips. It was evident that revisiting this topic was difficult. "When I doubt my ability to perform flawlessly, I find myself incapable of action."

Main Universe Iron Man gazed at him intently. This declaration perfectly mirrored what Strange had previously articulated: "I am only defeated by my own pursuit of perfection." Therefore, he wasn't incapable of surgery or of being a doctor; he simply couldn't return to being the preeminent surgeon he once was, unable to achieve the perfect operations of his past. This realization led him to choose his departure.

"My mentor once imparted the wisdom that precisely because I possess the power of 'belief,' I would excel as a mage." The local Doctor Strange mused, "If I believed I could, perhaps I might have returned to the operating table. But now, that belief is gone. The car accident truly fractured my self-confidence."

The Iron Man from the Main Universe clenched his fist, guilt washing over him like a relentless tide. He needed to grip the wall just to remain upright. Stephen was at a pivotal moment in his quest for confidence, and he had been mocking him from outside the door.

More significantly, he had never truly grasped the essence of Stephen Strange. He was aware of Stephen's traumatic experience, but he failed to realize that Stephen's true defeat stemmed only from confronting the pinnacle of his own past self.

The Iron Man of the Main Universe had to concede that his lack of understanding had fueled his worry, compelling him to rush to the operating room door and utter those ill-fated words. When a friend, once considered exceptionally close, fails to understand or even know you, wouldn't anyone feel heartbroken?

The Main Universe Iron Man felt utterly depleted, as if his Battle Armor had merely supported him as he stumbled into a bar, collapsing onto a table in a daze. Vaguely, a voice reached him, "Iron Man? Iron Man? Tony Stark?"

A drink was placed beside him. Instinctively, the Main Universe Iron Man accepted it and downed it in one go, barely regaining his senses. Just as he let out a long, shaky breath, a plate bearing a burger was offered again, accompanied by Professor X's visibly concerned face.

"Are you alright? Tony? You appear somewhat hypoglycemic; would you like me to call for a doctor?"

Grasping the burger, the Main Universe Iron Man felt a lump in his throat. He took a sizable bite, chewing as he shook his head, "No, I'm fine."

"You don't seem fine at all. Your brainwaves are in disarray. What transpired? Can you share with me?"