Spiderling’s New Battle Suit

The September Fund was the student aid foundation established by Avenger Iron Man, Tony Stark.

Students’ ideas and ways of thinking were always wildly imaginative, full of endless possibilities and creativity.

While the vast majority might be impossible to realize, or utterly impractical even if realized, there were undoubtedly always some truly brilliant proposals among them.

However, many projects were absolutely beyond what students could accomplish with their financial means, so they would think of getting loans or seeking sponsorship to obtain funding.

Many major corporations and individuals would also invest in or establish foundations to support these ideas, hoping that a few successes would bring generous returns.

But when Tony made a move, the scale was naturally extraordinary.

Six hundred million dollars—an unprecedented student aid fund. This was Tony’s money-powered way of discovering promising young talents.

However, unlike the original September Fund, which had been open unconditionally to MIT students, Tony did not feel guilty over the Sokovia incident this time, so this was a very serious academic foundation.

Only projects reviewed by Stark Industries’ professional team and deemed at least feasible and beneficial would qualify for approval and receive sponsorship.

Accordingly, the well-funded September Fund was not limited to MIT.

High school and college students across the United States were eligible to apply for funding to support research projects they believed were uniquely creative.

So Tony was once again buried beneath countless grant applications.

Although he had a powerful professional team and the reliable Jarvis, he still had to personally review the very best proposals.

Even though 99.9 percent of projects would be eliminated in the first round, how many high school and college students were there in the entire United States?

Even faculty members were pretending to be students and secretly submitting applications…

After layer upon layer of screening, one project finally landed on Tony’s desk.

"Applicant: Harry Keener…"

Fifteen years old, a freshman in high school, the same age as Peter Parker.

After having Jarvis pull up the various competitions and research projects Harry had participated in over the past few years, Tony rested his chin on one hand, and his eyes gradually lit up.

"Hey… turns out I do have a good eye… What a great kid!"

While Tony was using his money-powered abilities to uncover the younger generation’s talent, Oaks also felt that Peter’s homemade Battle Suit was indeed far too crude.

When it came to science-based armor technology, Oaks was naturally nowhere near Tony’s level.

But he knew magic-based armor technology!

And wasn’t Peter’s greatest concern his inability to conceal his Spider-Man suit?

Peter Parker received a call from Oaks and came to the Little Rainforest after school.

"Mr. Oaks, you were looking for me?"

Ever since Shaun had stayed in China, Peter had felt that life had become much less fun—

Fortunately, through the Benevolence Society branch Portals, people from the divisions across the five continents would regularly meet aboard the Nature Guardian or in Avalon.

Peter had never been to Avalon, but he had visited the Nature Guardian plenty of times.

Still, after meeting his good brother Shaun’s younger sister, Xialing, he had become a little tongue-tied. As a result, when he sparred with her, she gave him a thorough beating.

Xialing mocked him by saying that even Shaun’s disciple was nothing special, leaving Shaun with no choice but to put Peter through brutal training to save face.

Shaun, who now possessed the Dragon Force, was no longer someone Peter could handle when he had had his abilities for less than a year.

But precisely because of that, Peter had once again gained enough pressure, and he had made considerable progress in both martial arts and his abilities.

It was just that his tailoring skills were truly terrible.

"Ahem, Tony found out about all those good deeds you’ve been doing—you really thought no one could recognize you just because you wore a one-piece pajama suit?"

Oaks ruffled Peter’s hair into a bird’s nest. Although Peter had tried his best to dodge, his abilities were simply incapable of saving his hairstyle from Oaks’ hand.

"Mr. Stark?"

Peter was startled the moment he heard that name. Although the fact that he was learning martial arts from Shaun had become more or less an open secret by now, he had not told anyone about Spider-Man.

Not even Oaks.

"Ah… Mr. Oaks knew too…"

Peter sat down dejectedly, then looked up and emphasized earnestly.

"Um, that isn’t pajamas. That’s my custom-made Spider-Man suit! I’ve never been recognized while wearing it—

"It’s just… I made it in secret, and the materials and craftsmanship aren’t very good…"

He scratched his head. Although he had felt a little embarrassed at first, once a fight started, he did not care about it anymore.

But thinking back on it now, it really was a little…

"Your web-shooters are pretty good, and the composition of your web fluid is even more impressive. Not only is it incredibly adhesive and absurdly strong under tension, it also dissolves automatically after two hours—

"As expected of a kid from the Benevolence Society. Your environmental awareness is excellent.

"But have you really never considered some modifications? It isn’t impossible to synthesize that web fluid inside your body…"

Oaks’ gently persuasive voice made Peter’s face turn pale, then red.

"Uh… what I have now is enough for the time being. As for modifications… let’s put that off for now…"

No matter what, shooting white stuff from his body…

That was way too weird!

Even if it could only be fired from his wrists… it was better as a tool. At most, mixing web fluid would be a little troublesome.

"All right… But that suit of yours… fine, I’ll reluctantly call it a Battle Suit. It’s still a little too crude."

"Uh… it’s only because my senses became too sensitive after I got my abilities, and I receive too much information."

Peter scratched his cheek awkwardly.

"I asked Matt, and he suggested that I try blocking my vision so I could concentrate better. Once I got used to it, things would improve."

Oaks nodded. Matt had taken years to adapt, so he truly had plenty of experience.

"Tony came to me before because he wanted to invite you to join the Avengers, but you still need to attend school, so I turned him down for you—

"If you want to join, I can call him."

"Uh, no, no, no!"

Peter hurriedly shook his head.

"I just want to quietly be an ordinary high school student… Thank you for understanding, chairman. That really is what I think, and if I became an Avenger, Aunt May and Uncle Ben would go crazy. If they go crazy, I’m finished!"

"Mm, that’s true. But you’re still not going to stop this… well, fighting crime and helping people?"

Oaks understood Peter’s mindset somewhat. After all, the other boy was still just a child.

Come to think of it, Oaks himself had not been as good as Peter at that age. At least he had not put on a mask and gone out to fight criminals.

"Yes, chairman!"

Peter was silent for a moment, then nodded heavily.

"I thought about it carefully. If… I have this ability and choose not to act, then if something bad happens afterward, it will be my responsibility."

"…Very good. It seems you deeply understand the meaning of that saying now."

Oaks nodded in satisfaction. This kid had absorbed that moral lesson quite well.

He stood up and took an Acorn Necklace from his pocket, tossing it to Peter.

"Smack!"

Without even blinking, Peter caught the fast-flying Acorn Necklace. Delight appeared on his face.

"An Acorn Necklace! President, with this, I won’t have to worry about not getting enough sleep!"

Although Peter had an Acorn Bracelet as a member of the Benevolence Society, this necklace, exclusively for leadership and research personnel, was the highest-grade model.

"…That’s only one aspect of it."

Oaks gave a light cough and flicked a finger. A ball of green light flew into Peter’s forehead.

"This is…"

Peter’s eyes slowly widened. In disbelief, he put on the necklace, then slapped it with his hand!

"Whoosh—!"

A classic comic-style Spider-Man suit appeared on him!

"Whoa!"

Peter stared incredulously at the living-looking Spider-Man suit covering his body. Even through the mask, it was obvious that his mouth hung open and his eyes were wide.

"Th-this is incredible!"

"Ahem. The Natural Spider Suit is made entirely from magical plant fibers. Its defense is comparable to steel plating, minor injuries can recover in real time, severe injuries can be life-saving, and you can communicate with Malorne anytime.

"It is breathable and waterproof, while also possessing top-tier life-support functions—

"You can even breathe freely underwater or in sealed spaces while wearing it."

Oaks proudly introduced his masterpiece to Peter.

"It also has an automatic repair function. If it gets damaged, just soak it in water and keep it exposed to light, and it will grow back on its own… That’s right, you can think of it as a plant.

"Most importantly…"

"Snap!"

He snapped his fingers. A flash of green light passed, and the Spider-Man suit reverted to the Acorn Necklace!

"It can be stored away at will. This is technology even Tony’s armor hasn’t achieved yet. Although he already plans to use nanotechnology to make armor, that will take at least a year or two.

"With magic, this is mature technology—

"This Acorn Necklace of yours came directly from Malorne and contains an inexhaustible supply of Natural Magic. I already gave you my Magic Mark just now. You can control putting it on and taking it off with your thoughts."

"…"

With wild delight on his face, Peter repeatedly tested putting it on and taking it off several times before throwing himself forward and hugging Oaks.

"Thank you, chairman! Haha, now no one will ever know my identity!"

"As expected, kids all like big toys."

Oaks peeled Peter off him and messed up his hair again.

"So, kid, go do what you want to do… Oh, right. Let me tell you one more thing."

"What?"

"This one of yours is the Zero Prototype. If you use it well, give me plenty of feedback. This technology will be applied to Benevolence Society work uniforms in the future. Of course, they won’t need to cover their faces… but their working conditions are harsh. You understand what I mean?"

"I understand!"

Peter’s expression could not help turning serious. So he was a tester too?

Indeed, if this technology were used in work uniforms, then the safety of Benevolence Society members working in all kinds of harsh environments could be greatly ensured!

"Don’t worry, chairman. I’ll definitely make good use of this Battle Suit!"

"Mm. Go on."

Watching Peter leave happily, Oaks rubbed his temples and sat back down on the sofa.

"There shouldn’t be anything major happening anytime soon, right?"

"Brother."

Malorne’s voice rang out, sounding somewhat strange.

"The Wakandan Envoy requests an audience."

"…"