My name is Leonardo.
I'm just another office worker with a boring, ordinary life.
Am I an artist?
Artist? Office worker? What am I saying? I'm an artist… or an office worker? Right, office worker. Now I remember. I'm just a regular office worker. I lost my parents before I could even process it with my one-year-old mind. I was orphaned.
You might think my life was hard, but honestly, it was pretty normal. I studied, worked, got an office job. Nothing extraordinary, but enough to survive and have the stable life I always wanted.
Besides that, I had my hobbies. I was a big fan of Marvel—but only the MCU. Honestly, I got into it because of the movies. I thought I'd enjoy the comics too, but when I read them, I realized it wasn't the same. Nothing compares to the thrill of an epic scene on the big screen: a shield clashing with armor, an alien invasion, a cosmic-level snap...
It was definitely one of the things I enjoyed most in life.
Enjoyed? Past tense?
Aaaaargh… Oh, right. Now I remember. I died. I was watching Avengers: Infinity War for the fourth time when I started feeling unwell. Everything began to spin, and then—it all went black.
I feel like I'm about to disappear. I don't know how I know this, I just do. It's like I'm being born again… I won't remember any of this, will I? Damn it. Those movies were really good.
If I could ask for one wish, it would definitely be to remember those films. Those scenes that marked me. But I guess that won't be possible, right?
Ding! Confirming with administrator... Permission granted... Authority delivered.
[Wish granted, but there will be a price.]
"What? Who said that? A price? What do you mean by that?"
...
What was I saying?
Oh, right. My name is Leonardo. Leonardo Valentino. And I'm an artist. I'm 19 years old, and I can confidently say my technique is excellent. Maybe not the best in the country, but good enough to win awards…
If only I had a piece of work.
Ever since I was young, I felt the need to draw grand scenes. I wanted to impress people, to create something that pulled them in, that made them feel what I saw. But that was the issue. Even though I wanted to show those powerful images from my mind, I didn't really know what they were. I just knew they existed. That they marked me. That I wanted to share them. But I couldn't visualize them.
"Not… until now."
I'm not even sure where they came from. Or if they even "came" from anywhere. It feels like they've always been with me. Only now, I can finally see them. I have all these "movies" in my head—scenes I need to show the world.
So now what?
"Now it's time to bring them into reality."
---
~ Six months later ~
"Damn it. I can't believe it took me six full months to finish this."
But honestly, I think it was necessary. I wanted it to be perfect. This is the beginning. And I don't just mean the start of my work. This scene is the one that started everything. A whole era of superheroes began at this moment, and I want that to come across perfectly.
Time to exhibit it.
I hadn't mentioned it before, but I live in a three-story building. The first two floors are art exhibition spaces; the third is my home. It's a pretty big place, if I may say so. My parents aren't exactly rich, but they're well above average. They're artists, with a deep love for art… and for me. Even though I hadn't created anything yet, they knew how passionate I was. They never pressured me to do anything I didn't want to. They gave me this building, the same one where they used to showcase their art when they were younger. They even let me live here alone to seek inspiration.
And now, I've found it.
...
"Done."
The piece is up. It's my first work on display here. Until now, the gallery only featured art by others, but this one is mine. And I can proudly say it's the beginning of something big.
---
Tony was in his workshop, focused on new upgrades for his suit, when he was suddenly interrupted by Jarvis.
'Sir, I have important news.'
Tony frowned. Jarvis interrupting him during work was rare. It usually only happened if something serious was going on.
"It must be pretty important if you're cutting in. What is it?"
'Following your orders, I've been monitoring the media coverage of your upcoming press conference to help shape public opinion. In doing so, I came across coverage of an artwork.'
Jarvis projected an image of a painting. It showed a man at a podium, speaking into a microphone. It looked like he had just revealed something significant. The painting was exquisitely done. You could see the attention to detail, the artist's emotions ~ like it was a moment meant to be remembered in history.
Tony recognized it instantly.
"That's me… the moment I said, "I am Iron Man"."
The piece had something captivating. It wasn't just technically good; it was powerful. Like the artist had been there.
"Gotta say... the guy captured my handsomeness pretty damn well. And the speed...he made this in just three days?"
'That's the issue, sir.'
Tony raised an eyebrow, confused.
"Explain."
'The painting, titled "I am Iron Man", by the artist Leonardo Valentino, has already existed for four months.'
This time, Tony was truly caught off guard. He opened his mouth, speechless, and only managed to say:
"...What?"