"Master Morin, I'm sorry to trouble you with this matter."
"As long as there is no problem with your potion, I promise to keep my word."
Although Master Morin's tone was a bit cold, Lockhart was quite satisfied when he heard that Morin agreed to his request. He immediately walked out of the library.
After exiting, he walked down a long corridor. Spotting Kaecilius in a short robe not far away, he quickly approached him with three books in hand and said gratefully, "Excuse me, Master Kaecilius. If you need anything later, and if you need my help, just ask."
In response to Lockhart's friendly words, Kaecilius smiled. Although he had never fought Lockhart, he could sense that Lockhart's strength was considerable. Additionally, he was quite curious about Lockhart's identity from another world, so his attitude was naturally more welcoming.
After briefly looking at the books Lockhart had borrowed, Kaecilius said, "Alright, Master Lockhart, now that you have the books, is there anything else you want to do? If not, we can return to the New York Sanctuary. I remember you lived in New York before, right? You can come back whenever you have time."
Lockhart pondered for a moment and then nodded. "Okay, thank you!"
He had come to Kamar Taj, met the Ancient One, gained her recognition, and borrowed some books. His original goal was achieved, so there was nothing left to do. Although Lockhart was a bit greedy, he could control his desires. Future plans surrounding Kamar Taj could be developed slowly over time.
Lockhart watched as Kaecilius used the Sling Ring to open a circular portal with sparks. Looking at the portal, Lockhart sighed softly. It was practical magic, but a pity.
Following Kaecilius through the portal, Lockhart returned to the New York Sanctuary. He glanced at the gate in the distance and observed the scattered sorcerers around, some communicating and others practicing magic. Then he focused on Kaecilius next to him.
"What's the matter, Master Lockhart?" Kaecilius asked, noticing Lockhart's gaze.
"It's nothing serious. I just want to learn about a sorcerer from you," Lockhart replied. Seeing Kaecilius's somewhat surprised look, he added, "It's the librarian—Master Morin. I want to know what kind of person he is so that I can communicate more easily when I borrow books later."
Kaecilius pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "I am not very familiar with Master Morin. But I know that he is a typical ascetic, and his love for magic is deeply ingrained in him."
Seeing Lockhart's thoughtful expression, Kaecilius added, "Although Master Morin is a bit cold, he is a good person. As long as you don't make any big mistakes, he will overlook them."
Lockhart nodded in agreement. An ascetic, like-minded friends, and likely interested in the Dream Soul Potion. Improving their mental strength, even with some side effects, was not hard to accept. Lockhart thanked Kaecilius and gave him a carefully prepared gift, then walked towards the New York Sanctuary door.
Queens, New York City
Queens, though not as prosperous as Manhattan, is a very beautiful part of New York City. Its name suggests nobility and beauty, and it is the most diverse district.
Lockhart knew New York well from his previous life. Before the 20th century, Queens and Brooklyn were known as poor areas. But in the 21st century, Queens developed and became prosperous, even one of the richest districts in New York. The environment was much better than other districts, so Lockhart chose Queens as his settlement location early on.
As for the famous Hell's Kitchen in the Marvel universe, Lockhart didn't even consider it. As a professor and researcher, he prioritized quietness and privacy, followed by a good environment. Hell's Kitchen had poor environmental quality and high crime rates.
Lockhart had previously purchased a villa on Queens Street in Queens. The funds for the villa largely came from S.H.I.E.L.D. support. His potions, aside from their practical value to S.H.I.E.L.D., had considerable research value.
He hailed a taxi and directed the driver to his villa. After a short ride, he saw the villa he bought. After paying the fare and tip, Lockhart walked towards his villa.
Walking through the streets of Queens, Lockhart observed the surrounding shops and pedestrians, sighing softly. With his keen mental powers, he detected the abnormal behavior of some pedestrians and salespeople nearby. These S.H.I.E.L.D. agents really cared for him.
Although he had told them he cast a spell that they couldn't get close to, they chose to watch from the side. Lockhart didn't mind, but he was a bit unhappy. Deciding not to bother about these agents, he walked directly into the villa that they could not approach.
Trident Building, S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters
Coulson sat in his office, carefully reviewing the recent mission records. As a confidant of S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury, he had the authority to review these records. Every month, he compiled the information into a document for Nick Fury's desk.
Suddenly, the phone rang. Coulson frowned slightly but picked it up. Generally, ordinary calls didn't go directly to his office, only important matters did.
"Is something wrong?"
"Report, sir. We found that the target went out and returned to the maze. What are the next instructions?"
The maze referred to the villa where Lockhart cast the spell. Agents sent to enter found themselves unable to get close, as if stepping into a fog. It earned the name "The Maze."
After hearing the agent's report, Coulson pondered for a moment and asked, "Keep monitoring. Also, what did the target do before? How is your investigation going?"
An apologetic voice replied, "Sorry, sir. We tried to follow him before, but we couldn't find him. If he hadn't returned, we would have thought the target was still in the maze."
"Check where the target came from," Coulson instructed. "What kind of transportation was used? When and where? Check the surrounding cameras and trace his steps back."
"Okay, sir!" Coulson hung up and began to think again. The director had ordered an investigation into the wizard forces or civilization behind Lockhart. With a sigh, Coulson returned to the mission report in his hand. There was still work to be done. It was almost the end of the month, and he needed to compile the latest task report for the director.
Time passed slowly, and Coulson finally completed the latest mission report. He stretched out in his chair when suddenly the phone rang again, snapping him back to attention.
"The wizard professor is calling!! The wizard professor is calling!!"
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[More Chapter available at p@treon.com/goldengaruda]
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