IRON MAN: BROTHER DON'T CAUSE TROUBLE

John and Tony had now lived in Seren Village for more than a year. What once began as a temporary detour into an unfamiliar world had slowly turned into a home—one filled with discovery, study, and personal growth.

In that time, John had thrown himself completely into the art of potion-making. Every morning began with the earthy scent of herbs, the scratch of pestles grinding roots, and the gentle bubbling of cauldrons simmering with colored brews. Under the watchful eye of Elder Elluin, he had advanced swiftly—his powerful soul and natural strength helping him absorb knowledge far faster than any of her previous students. What began as curiosity had grown into mastery.

Now John is able to make all kinds of potions, like the mana recovery potion, which is completely useless to Tony and John because they use origin energy instead of mana. Next, the health potion—it can still be used, but as a low-level potion, both Tony and John don't need it. There are other potions that John can make with a 90% success rate.

Some of them are useful to them, like the Firestorm potion—an offensive potion—and some of them can't be used by them because of their powerful strength. But for the low-level star wizards, all these potions are very useful.

And the most important thing for John is not the potion itself but the method he learned all this while. Now John is confident he can make any type of potion by trying hard enough.

Tony, meanwhile, had taken a different path.

He studied tirelessly, often blending elven inscription techniques with his own knowledge from their original world. His growing understanding of materials led him into blacksmithing, allowing him to forge his own rune-embedded tools and experimental gear.

His hands were almost always ink-stained or soot-covered. He often wandered into the surrounding forests, collecting strange minerals and herbs. Some were useful in smithing, others for potions. His notes filled pages upon pages—schematics, theories, and mistakes.

They had grown in silence and study, yet their bond only deepened. They helped each other when needed, shared meals, laughed during village festivals, and earned the respect of even the most cautious elders. In time, they had become as much a part of Seren as the old trees and winding trails.

Hazal especially had grown close to both—but something subtle had begun to change between her and John. She would linger longer when delivering herbs. Laugh louder at his awkward jokes. And sometimes, when she thought he wasn't looking, her gaze would linger on him with something softer than friendship.

John, of course, was oblivious—his world narrowed to brewing potions and steaming cauldrons.

---

One cool morning, with silver mist curling through the trees and birdsong drifting lazily over the thatched rooftops, Tony stood outside their shared hut.

John stepped out, yawning and stretching. "You're up early."

Tony smiled faintly. "Been thinking. It's time we go home."

John blinked. Then, slowly, he nodded. The Marvel world—they had left it behind for too long. Responsibilities waited. People, too.

"No one here even knows we're not from this world," Tony added, glancing at him.

John chuckled. "Yeah, but it's all right. We can come here whenever we want."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "What about Hazal? She's going to be surprised."

John rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah… we'll have to explain it to her at least."

Tony shrugged. "Let's just say we're going back home. Keep it simple."

"But before going back, I need to check out the Green Lake in depth. Who knows, we might find something interesting there," John said after a while.

"Fine by me." Tony waved his hand, uninterested.

---

The next day, they began their farewells.

The elders—once wary of the outsiders—now stepped forward with blessings and quiet smiles. They had come to admire the two young men who had brought knowledge, humility, and strange but helpful techniques into their peaceful way of life.

And then, there was Hazal.

She stood by the herbal garden, her fingers gently brushing over lavender stems, plucking purple flowers and crushing them between her fingers. The scent floated on the morning breeze.

"So," she said softly, not looking at them. "You're leaving?"

John hesitated, the words heavier than he expected. "Yes. There's… something we need to return to. But I promise—we'll come back."

Hazal gave a small nod, lips curving into a faint smile. "You'd better. I still have more herbs for you to sort."

Tony chuckled, but even he noticed the glimmer in her eyes—the things she wanted to say but didn't. Then he turned to John and shook his head in resignation. 'My brother is really dumb,' he thought.

Without another word, the two turned and walked away, the weight of parting trailing behind them.

---

By the time they reached the path leading to Green Lake, the sun was climbing higher, casting golden beams through the canopy. The chirping birds faded. The deeper they walked, the quieter the world became—until only the soft crunch of leaves and the distant sound of water remained.

Finally, the forest opened.

And there it was.

The lake.

Shimmering in hues of deep green, the water lay still, untouched, like glass. Sunlight streamed through the trees, reflecting and refracting on the surface in glowing patterns. It was silent here—eerily so. No wind, no birdsong—just the gentle, low hum of magic that tingled in the air.

John stepped forward, eyes wide. "It's beautiful… just like last time we saw it."

Tony dropped his pack beside him. " Yup,"

Tony knelt at the edge, pulling out breathing stones and rune-inscribed belts, which could be useful for underwater exploration—but John didn't need them. As a master of Horsalians, John could hold his breath for as long as he wanted.

"You know, you can use the armor, right?" John asked, puzzled by his brother's behavior.

"No can do. Who knows what's underneath," Tony said.

John looked across the emerald waters, his voice quiet. "Alright, let's begin."

And then, the two figures slipped beneath the surface—leaving only ripples behind.