Wong and Mordo looked utterly defeated.

They had completed five years of curriculum in just six months—an incredible feat. Yet standing beside Tony Stark and Banner, their accomplishments seemed to fade.

Both of them had strong magical foundations and natural talent, easily outpacing most wizards. Unfortunately, they just happened to be studying alongside two even more extraordinary individuals.

Malrick couldn't help but chuckle. "You two really got wrecked by Stark and Banner, huh?"

Wong and Mordo looked dejected. They hadn't just lost confidence—they were worried Malrick might see them as weak or untalented.

Not so long ago, they'd been the ones with experience. Mordo had even thought about guiding Malrick when they first met. Wong remembered seeing Malrick as a bold novice who ignored magical taboos.

Now, barely a month later, Malrick had become the Sorcerer Supreme.

His mastery of magic had advanced so far that he could easily surpass all Kamar-Taj sorcerers. Even the newcomers Malrick had brought back from Hogwarts had more potential than them.

"I think you're both doing great," Malrick said, encouraging them. "You passed the standard wizard exams with near-perfect scores in half a year—that's more than impressive. The Ministry staff practically popped their eyeballs reading your transcripts."

"Just look at Hogwarts—plenty of students don't even pass after five years of study."

Their frowns began to ease a little.

It wasn't just failure they feared—it was disappointing Malrick. Especially for Mordo, whose pride had taken the biggest hit. In some realities, his pride even turned him into a villain.

"But… compared to Tony and Banner, we still fall short," Mordo muttered.

"Why even compare yourselves?" Malrick clapped both of them on the shoulders. "One's obsessed with armor, the other with magical animals. You two are the ones who truly love the art of magic."

"Talent only gets you so far. It's persistence that really matters."

He gave them both a look of mock seriousness. "You're my Sleeping Dragon and Phoenix Chick—you're essential."

"You're the ones who'll help spread the new magical system across Kamar-Taj. That's a big responsibility."

Wong blinked. "That's… an honor?"

Something about that line made him feel like his workload had just doubled, but he still nodded with conviction. "Understood."

Mordo also straightened up, eyes bright with renewed purpose. "We won't let you down."

"Good!" Malrick smiled, clearly pleased. "I want a proposal from both of you soon on how to teach the new magic."

Then he turned to Banner. "You still need to study soul magic, so stay here for now. If you run into anything weird, just message me."

Banner nodded. "Got it. Are you leaving Kamar-Taj?"

"Yes," Malrick said. "There are more urgent matters I need to take care of."

As Sorcerer Supreme, his duty was to guard the Earth from dimensional threats. Day-to-day management of Kamar-Taj, however, could—and should—be handled by capable hands like Wong and Mordo.

He opened a portal. "I'm trusting you both to hold things down here. I believe in you."

And with that, he stepped through the portal and vanished.

The portal closed behind him, and silence settled over the courtyard.

Under the pale moonlight, Wong sighed.

"Mordo, is it just me, or has our workload tripled since Malrick became Sorcerer Supreme?"

Mordo frowned thoughtfully. "More work means he trusts us. Are you trying to get out of something?"

"No," Wong replied quickly. "I just… never mind. I probably didn't sleep well last night."

Wong scratched the back of his head awkwardly, quietly backing away toward the dorms. Something told him this conversation might go on all night—and end with both of them working until morning.

---

Los Angeles – Stark Industries

Malrick stepped through the portal and arrived at Stark Industries in Los Angeles.

After catching up briefly with Pepper Potts, he teleported to his apartment in Brooklyn. It was mid-afternoon in New York, and the apartment was quiet.

Sherry was still on summer break, but she wasn't home. Natasha and Yelena were likely still out at the site where Hulk and Tony had clashed weeks earlier.

Malrick strolled into the kitchen, pointed his finger, and let the appliances come alive on their own. Pots, pans, and utensils began to move as if possessed, preparing dinner from a recipe without anyone lifting a hand.

He'd learned this from the house-elves at Hogwarts—an incredibly efficient technique for mass cooking, and just plain fun.

Two hours later, Sherry burst through the door like a rocket and practically tackled him.

"Malrick!" she cried, hugging him tightly. "I missed you soooo much!"

Natasha and Yelena followed behind, amused.

"We thought you'd be gone for another month," Natasha said, smiling.

They all sat down for dinner, catching up on Malrick's magical studies and Sherry's summer.

"So, Sherry's starting middle school soon," Natasha said. "We're enrolling her at Midtown School of Science and Technology in Queens."

Malrick raised an eyebrow. "Public school? Why not private?"

"We talked it over," Natasha said. "She'll meet more people at a public school. It'll help her open up more."

Yelena nodded in agreement. "She's already smart enough for private, but she needs friends—real ones."

Malrick nodded. "Then I agree. Let her go where she'll grow the most."

"And speaking of school," Natasha said, "you're starting at Columbia University in a couple of weeks, right?"

"It's more symbolic than anything. Pepper insisted I experience college life," Malrick said, shrugging. "I doubt I'll learn anything new, but I'll go."

"And your plan?"

"Finish fast, graduate faster," Malrick replied with a sly grin. "Let's give those professors something to talk about."

Yelena leaned forward. "How about a movie tonight?"

Malrick narrowed his eyes. "Please don't tell me it's another one of your superhero flicks."

---

Three Hours Later

Superhero Company's latest blockbuster, Iron Man and Superman Origins, finally ended.

Malrick's expression was unreadable as he dropped Yelena onto the couch by her collar, steam practically rising from her head from being noogied.

"Come on, Sherry," Malrick said, turning away. "Let's go read a bedtime story. That movie was a disaster."

"Yay!" Sherry clapped excitedly. "Can we read Léon: The Professional again?"

"You've already heard it seven times... but sure. Anything for you."

After reading to her for half an hour, she finally fell asleep peacefully.

Malrick returned to his room and closed the door behind him.

A warm breath brushed against his neck in the dark.

"You've been gone too long," Natasha whispered.

A hand slid across his chest.

"She wasn't the only one excited to see you."

He leaned in close, his voice low. "You're more than excited. You're setting me on fire."

Breaths quickened. The room filled with quiet, muffled moans. Then—

BAM! The door slammed open.

"Boss!" Yelena's voice rang out. "You left me behind! I'm excited too, you know—haha!"

Malrick groaned. "Yelena. Seriously?"

Natasha rolled her eyes. "The house is going to collapse one of these days."

---

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