In the dim glow of his desk lamp, Lockhart watched the light blue text flicker across the system's display:
Character recognition: Thor Odinson (70/100)
A slight smile played at the corners of his mouth. He had not been particularly eager to deepen his relationship with Thor initially, because he knew an emotional downturn loomed in Thor's future. A strategic nudge during this vulnerable period could significantly boost Thor's perception of him as a true ally.
Lockhart's previous interactions with Thor were casual, meant only to maintain a cordial relationship rather than to win him over completely. They exchanged words occasionally, nothing more. Lockhart had bided his time, waiting for Thor's moment of greatest need. Providing even minimal support during such a time could magnify Thor's gratitude exponentially.
The announcement of Thor's desire to stay on Earth indefinitely was the signal Lockhart had been waiting for. He knew the time to act was now. With just a little effort, he had rapidly increased Thor's recognition score. This, Lockhart mused, was the art of friendship: the most effective way to forge a strong bond was to offer support when someone was at their most vulnerable.
Lockhart reflected on the power of timely generosity. Whether dealing with a Muggle, a wizard, or a god, the key is always make the right move at the right time. The impact of an action could be amplified immensely if it came when it was most needed.
As a wizard, Lockhart knew the importance of not just power but also intelligence and restraint. By maintaining composure and choosing the optimal moment to act, he could succeed spectacularly with seemingly little effort.
Content with his strategy, Lockhart reviewed his actions and found no errors in his approach. He then turned his focus back to the character recognition scores.
Before today, Thor's recognition of him had been around 20. Jane, Daisy, and Eric had recognition scores of about 35, with Daisy's slightly higher at 40, likely charmed by Lockhart's appearance. Yet, these scores were insufficient for the reputation draws that Lockhart aimed for.
Lockhart understood that the system's recognition was distinct from mere favorability. High favorability naturally led to high recognition, but high recognition could also arise from respect or fear, as evidenced by Voldemort's grudging respect for Dumbledore's prowess.
Recognition scores could dip into negative numbers, indicating disdain or outright hostility, akin to how some pure-blood wizarding families viewed Muggleborn. Conversely, a positive score indicated at least basic acknowledgment of another's humanity.
The threshold for conducting a reputation lottery was a recognition score of 50, which signified that the individual took Lockhart seriously and considered his suggestions carefully. Once the score reached 60 or 70, it meant that the individual trusted Lockhart deeply, would think carefully about his actions, and not dismiss his ideas out of hand.
Lockhart's plan had worked perfectly with Thor, rapidly elevating his recognition score from 20 to 70. Even if this level of excitement might taper off over time, it would likely remain above 50, qualifying Thor for the reputation lottery. Lockhart could potentially gain access to Thor's knowledge, abilities, or even unique talents.
As he contemplated these possibilities, Lockhart's smile broadened. This strategic move had positioned him to potentially tap into the wealth of Asgardian knowledge and power, an opportunity he was determined not to squander.
Thor, sitting on a stool outside, marveled at the magical barbecue across from him. The barbecue platform was a spectacle: meats, fruits, and vegetables skewered and floating in the air, rotating slowly as they cooked. Seasonings like pepper, chili powder, and cumin periodically sprinkled themselves over the food.
Lockhart, along with Jane and others, sat nearby, each enjoying various delicacies. Thor's admiration broke the casual dining atmosphere, "Lockhart, you are far superior to any magicians I've encountered. Honestly, Asgardian chefs could take a leaf out of your book—this food is delicious."
Lockhart, taking a bite of his beef skewer, responded with a grin, "Haha, thank you, Thor. During my travels, I perfected my barbecue skills. I even developed a magical spell specifically for barbecuing to ensure every meal is exquisite."
Lockhart's culinary magic was a testament to the original Gilderoy's genius in crafting spells for everyday pleasures, especially gourmet cuisine. It was unfortunate, Lockhart reflected, that the original's obsession with fame led him astray.
Turning to Eric, he suggested, "Eric, try this enoki mushroom—it's my favorite. They're quite tasty." As he spoke, a skewer of enoki mushrooms floated from the barbecue to Eric, who eagerly sampled it and nodded in approval, "It's delicious, truly. I've had enoki mushrooms before, but none as flavorful as these."
Jane and Daisy, encouraged by Eric's reaction, hurried over to grab some skewers, returning with praises for the flavors. Lockhart, pleased with the reactions, explained, "Aside from the quality ingredients, a key factor in enhancing the food's taste is the regular application of magical energy. It boosts the freshness and flavor. You should try more; I often enjoy a barbecue like this after a day's research to unwind."
Indeed, in his previous life, Lockhart often used food as a way to alleviate stress, though he acknowledged the potential for weight gain—an issue easily managed with magical potions and spells in the wizarding world.
Later, as he conjured up chilled drinks for everyone, the positive feedback continued. Food, a universal language, seemed to bond them even further. Lockhart glanced at the system's character recognition interface, noting Thor Odinson (65/100)—a slight dip from before, but still significant.
The barbecue was partly to bolster his recognition with Thor, important for the reputation lottery, but the results were somewhat disappointing. Lockhart's numerous draws yielded mostly combat skills and minor magical affinities, not particularly useful to him. He surmised that many of Thor's more valuable abilities were inaccessible due to Thor's current weakened state.
Back at SHIELD's base, Coulson watched the barbecue from a screen, his expression contemplative. The floating food and casual display of magic troubled him. He turned to Barton, who stood nearby, "Barton, what do you think about all this?"
Barton, adjusting his bow, replied indifferently, "Don't ask me. I'd say we report this to Director Fury and await further instructions. I'm just here for security."
Coulson, rubbing his temples, muttered to himself about the recent surge of extraordinary events—from Iron Man to the Hulk, and now aliens and wizards mixing together. "What's happening to this world?" he sighed.
Recognizing the complexity of the situation with an Asgardian prince and a wizard professor possibly entwined with large, influential communities, Coulson knew this was beyond a simple field agent's pay grade. The implications of interfering with either could be diplomatic or even cosmic in scale.
Lockhart, unbeknownst to Coulson, remained a figure of fascination and frustration. The wizard's potential ties to a larger wizarding community suggested a well-established civilization with its own structures and politics. This interaction wasn't just a casual meet-up; it was a convergence of worlds that could have vast repercussions.
Coulson felt the weight of his role acutely, realizing that any misstep with either Thor or Lockhart could trigger a chain reaction of events impossible to retract. As he pondered his next move, the complexity of his job seemed to expand exponentially, almost enough to make him wish he could join Barton in the simplicity of just handling security.
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