Proceed with Caution

Garen’s jab left Howard with no way to retort. It seemed that aside from having a good brain, he really was rather useless at everything else. Still, Howard was not worried. Since Josh had come looking for him, it meant there had to be something Josh valued in him.

Josh readily admitted that, because it was the truth. After all, in one future timeline, Tony Stark had a path that could lead him to become the Sorcerer Supreme. As Tony’s father, Josh truly did not believe Howard lacked talent. If he really did, then it could only mean that his wife possessed that talent.

And so, for many days afterward, Howard studied with Master Ancient One in Josh’s library. Perhaps because Howard and Master Ancient One came from the same world, Master Ancient One was not stingy and properly taught Howard quite a bit of knowledge. Of course, much of it had come from Josh’s library.

Ancient One later specifically spoke with Josh, saying that she had discovered Howard did indeed possess considerable magical talent. This delighted Josh greatly. It seemed that Tony, in another future timeline, would also have quite impressive magical talent. Josh even wondered whether he should send Tony to Hogwarts to study for a while when the time came.

"Uh, forget it. If Iron Man disappears and turns into some flashy wizard instead, that would be no fun. We’ll talk about it after he becomes Iron Man."

After thinking it over, Josh decided against it. If he really made Iron Man disappear, there would be much less fun to be had. Although Josh had always been dedicated to spoiling plots and rewriting stories, there was no need to ruin all the entertaining parts.

"Anyway, Howard has already been arranged for in advance, so he won’t die. Tony will think his father is dead, then I’ll go play with him properly before telling him his dad isn’t dead. Now that will be truly interesting." Josh thought with malicious delight.

The next few days passed rather peacefully. Construction had not yet begun on his castle, and Frank had been patrolling for an absurdly long time. Still, he had heard Frank would be back soon. This time, however, Josh could not be bothered to wait for him.

After writing out his plans in advance and handing them to the captain of his guards, he prepared to return to Hogwarts. This time, since the timing was no longer fixed, he made preparations beforehand. Otherwise, anyone would find it strange if he vanished for one or two months without explanation.

More seriously, they might even suspect he had died. When his guard captain heard that Josh planned to travel and study abroad, he immediately objected. However, after Josh stated that someone would be protecting him, the captain reluctantly agreed. Then, after Josh casually used a rather offensive spell, the captain finally gave in.

"What element of magic was that, Your Highness? I don’t believe I’ve ever seen it before."

The guard captain looked at the destruction Josh had caused and asked with a baffled expression. He was happy that Josh had suddenly gained the ability to wield Magic elements, and even wondered whether he should report it to Augustus IV. Yet he could not make sense of what element Josh had used.

"You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll tell you all about it someday."

Josh felt rather awkward as well. He suddenly realized that perhaps he had been showing off too much. Although the Muya Continent did not reject dark Magic elements, and even necromancy was not particularly disliked—necromancy here belonged to the summoning school—a completely unknown element would inevitably draw attention. Even if he was a prince.

If others learned of Josh’s magical abilities, he would likely face enormous trouble. Unless he never returned to the Muya Continent, the moment he appeared, all manner of high-ranking mages would probably set their sights on him. Even his ninth-rank father might become very interested.

"Looks like I need to find a way to deal with this."

Josh had become sufficiently wary, but he did not want to be treated as trash for the rest of his life. To be honest, he had not suffered much during those days, but aside from the royal family, the other nobles had all given him varying degrees of disdain. Put simply, they looked down on him.

"Who would have thought? I originally believed the royal family was the most heartless, but it seems no one in the royal family has treated me too badly. Those nobles, on the other hand, are all painfully genuine."

It had long been an established fact that Josh’s body could not attract other Magic elements. There was simply no way to change it. At this stage, Josh had no solution, so he could only keep the matter in mind and properly carry it out once he found a way in the future. With that in mind, Josh set off with Garen, Howard, and Natasha.

As for Master Ancient One, she had already discussed it with Josh and left the Muya Continent, returning to the Marvel Universe. The alternate dimensions of the Marvel Universe were no joke. If she did not keep watch over them, something might very well go wrong.

After a flash of silver light, the group passed through the Void Gate once more. This time, Howard and Natasha had prepared themselves and were not quite so disheveled. Once they recovered a little, they discovered that they had appeared in a room that looked ancient yet carried hints of modern style.

"So this is Hogwarts? That magic school you mentioned?" Howard got to his feet, looked around, and spoke.

"Of course, but this is only my room. If you want to see anything else, you’ll have to go outside."

"Is that so? I heard your castle is going to be built based on this place?"

"Of course. This place is very well built, so it is worth considering."

Just as Josh and Howard were chatting nonsense, Josh’s door suddenly opened. They immediately stopped talking. Josh turned his head curiously. To be honest, he was rather curious who it could be. When the visitors entered, Josh understood—it was Crouch, Hermione, Harry, and Malfoy, the four little ones.

Come to think of it, if it had been Dumbledore and the others, they would never have casually come to his room. But as his student, Hermione came by from time to time, and she was also responsible for cleaning and such. Most importantly, she had a key to his room.

"Oh, Merlin’s beard, you’re back, Professor! Oh, and Professor Garen! Hello."

"Yes. Is that strange?"

"Don’t you know you’ve already missed the opening feast?"

While Crouch did not dare say a word, Malfoy and Harry were rather proactive. Hermione, however, seemed to have a somewhat nasty attitude. Especially after she saw Natasha standing beside Josh, she became even more displeased. She seemed to recall what Josh’s maids had whispered about back in Constantinople.

"So what if I missed it? It’s no big deal."

Josh did not care in the slightest, as though he had not noticed Hermione’s poor attitude. Even if he had, he would not have cared much. What could such a young girl possibly understand? Besides, it was only an opening feast. Missing it was nothing.

"Crouch, is my timetable out?"

"Of course, Professor. Your timetable was issued long ago, but since you had not returned, Professor Dumbledore arranged substitute teachers for all your classes. That would be Professor Snape."

"Is that so?" Josh nodded. Although Snape always wore a deadpan expression, he was extremely reliable when it came to getting things done, and Josh fully acknowledged that.

"Could you notify Professor Dumbledore for me? Tell him I’m back, and that I brought a few people with me. I may need him to arrange several rooms for them. There’s no way they can all stay here."

"No problem, Professor. I’ll go right away."

Crouch immediately turned and left. Malfoy and Harry exchanged a glance, then promptly bid Josh farewell as well. To be honest, Hermione had dragged them over to help clean. Now that they had found Josh here, they intended to leave too. Who knew when those two former enemies had become so close?

"You two, don’t be in such a hurry to leave. Since you’re here, help out. Who knows how long it’s been since this place was cleaned."

Unfortunately, Josh had no intention of letting the two leave. Since they were already here, why hurry away? Besides, the two little ones were holding cleaning tools, so Josh directly told them to finish what they had come to do.

"Who is she?"

Ignoring the two miserable students, Hermione kept her eyes fixed on Natasha, the girl who looked about the same age as herself. She was starting to wonder whether Josh really had some unusual preference. Otherwise, why was this girl so young too?

"You mean Natasha? She’s from another world."

Josh walked over to his desk and flipped through the textbooks on it. Unfortunately, a cloud of dust rose up, irritating him. He had no choice but to put the books back. After casually casting a Cleaning Spell, he nodded in satisfaction.

"That feels much better. Oh, right. She and this fellow—Howard—come from the same world. They came here to study, so just treat them as ordinary students."

"Study here?" Hermione curiously examined Natasha, but the girl had not glanced at her even once. She could only turn her gaze to Howard. "He’s so old and still wants to learn magic? Are you sure he can manage it?"

"Hey, miss. I’m a famous genius in my world, all right!" Howard said unhappily. Anyone would be unhappy about being underestimated.

"He really is a genius." Josh was certain of that. There was nothing to hide, and Ancient One had said he possessed the talent of a mage, so it was inevitable. Josh was therefore very confident in Howard.

"Hermione, I think you should warn your classmates and upperclassmen in advance. This guy is extremely thirsty. He’s like a stud horse in Josh’s stable. I’m sure no one wants some messy nonsense happening in this school, right?"

Howard’s smug expression instantly darkened upon hearing that. There was no need to think about it—Garen had said it. Even Josh was surprised. Since when had this brute become so sharp with his mockery? Had he learned it from Josh?

Still, Josh nodded. Howard was only in his twenties, handsome, and immensely talented. Although he had not yet come into contact with magic, Josh believed he would not learn it slowly once he started. It was best to give the people at the school advance warning.

"That’s right, Hermione. Remember to tell your upperclassmen and classmates—stud horse on the loose. Proceed with caution."