In his previous life, Lockhart had joked with colleagues about ways to make money. Some suggested exploiting information differences, others resource differences, or building a platform like a certain online marketplace. Some even joked about robbing a bank. Lockhart had once quipped that the fastest way to make money was to open a banknote printing factory—if other factors weren't considered, all the money printed would be his. Of course, it was just a joke, but in the Harry Potter world, Lockhart's need for gold Galleons had become more pressing.
He remembered those jokes as his demand for gold Galleons grew. Future plans and ambitions all hinged on having enough money. Without it, everything was just talk, like clouds in the sky—beautiful but ephemeral. Talking about promoting magic and researching truths required substantial funding. In his previous life, he often had to act to gain favor, just like Coulson was doing now. He had spent a lot to buy magic items for safety and given away money, snacks, magic potions, and items to ensure his safety and build relationships.
He even gave gifts to the Ancient One, which slowly opened the doors to Kamar Taj's magic. All this was possible because the original Lockhart left him a significant amount of wealth in the form of gold Galleons. But as he continued to spend, his resources were being depleted. Lockhart realized he needed to find a way to quickly acquire more gold Galleons to sustain his plans.
Having enough gold Galleons would allow him to establish his own power and expand his influence in the Harry Potter world. Success there would benefit his endeavors in the Marvel world, creating a mutually beneficial cycle. However, acquiring Galleons or magical resources was crucial for his plans.
If he followed the idea of exploiting resource differences—purchasing goods in the Harry Potter world and selling them in the Marvel world—the process would be slow and inefficient. He could only travel between worlds once a month, making it impractical for quick gains. He was a wizard-scholar, not a businessman, and wanted a more efficient solution.
Then he thought of printing his own money. In his previous life, this idea seemed like a joke. But in the Harry Potter world, it wasn't entirely impossible. The value of gold Galleons lay in their material—rare magical metal—similar to gold and silver in ancient times. If he could obtain the raw materials, he could potentially mint his own Galleons.
In the Harry Potter world, the goblins controlled monetary sovereignty, a situation Lockhart found absurd. As a wizard, he would eventually confront the goblins to reclaim monetary sovereignty for wizards. To do this, he first needed to master the magic of casting gold Galleons. All other plans depended on having a substantial number of Galleons.
Finding the raw materials for gold Galleons in the Harry Potter world was challenging, but the Marvel world, with its vast resources and advanced technology, might offer substitutes. That's why he enlisted S.H.I.E.L.D. to help find these materials. The Marvel world was full of possibilities, and perhaps someone there could even synthesize the necessary materials.
After chatting briefly with Coulson, who then carefully excused himself, Lockhart began to inspect his book cafe. This was now his territory, a stronghold in the Marvel world. Until he could mint gold Galleons in large quantities, his income would come from this book cafe. He would need to act like a businessman to earn enough Galleons to support his endeavors.
Lockhart thought about the book cafe's potential and remembered the previous owner's words. After a moment's reflection, he took out his mobile phone and posted a job advertisement on New York's largest recruitment website:
"Vientiane Book Cafe is recruiting a store manager. Male or female, no age limit, but a master degree or above is required. The probationary period is three months, with a salary of $8,000/month. The salary will be negotiated upon becoming a regular employee. Recruitment address: Vientiane Book Cafe, 165 Westin Street, Queens."
Lockhart hoped this step would help him manage the book cafe effectively while he pursued his larger goals.