Chương 75: Chapter 75: On the Importance of High-Quality Workers

Hearing Tony's regretful tone, Lockhart shook his head. "For you, it's almost impossible. The magic I practice has strict bloodline requirements. Additionally, practicing magic requires an open mind. For a genius like you, who has achieved so much in science and technology, this is difficult to achieve. Even if you could practice magic, the conflict between your scientific mind and magical principles would render it ineffective."

Tony nodded helplessly but wasn't too discouraged. He believed technology was as powerful as magic. Moreover, he was confident that, even if someone mastered magic, he could still outdo them with his technological prowess.

Lockhart couldn't read Tony's thoughts, as he hadn't mastered Legilimency to the level of Dumbledore where he can just see into Tony eyes to read his mind. However, Tony's question had made Lockhart ponder deeply. How could a genius like Doctor Strange, who firmly believed in the material world, quickly master Kamar-Taj magic and become the Sorcerer Supreme? Part of it was due to Strange's innate magical talent. Another part was the drastic change in his life after his hands were severely injured, rendering him unable to perform surgery. This pushed him away from science and fully into the realm of magic.

Lockhart suspected that the Ancient One had a hand in Strange's fate. Otherwise, it would be difficult for such a gifted person to abandon his achievements in science completely. If someone wanted to combine science and magic, it wasn't impossible. Figures like Doctor Doom from the Marvel universe were prime examples. However, Lockhart believed in the purity of magic and chose to focus solely on it, using science only as a supplement.

Lockhart and Tony continued their conversation, discussing various aspects of magic and science. Lockhart's knowledge from past lives allowed him to keep up with scientific discussions. Time flew by, and soon it was noon. Before Lockhart could invite Tony for lunch, Tony asked to leave, saying he had a date.

As Tony Stark left the book café, Lockhart asked May to see off the guests. He began to clean the study, using his wand to make the debris fly back to their places. Closing his eyes slightly, he reviewed the valuable information he had obtained from their chat.

During the conversation, Lockhart had shared some basic magical theories with Tony. He believed that Tony's pride would keep him from divulging this knowledge. Additionally, with these magical theories, Tony might research interesting things that would eventually benefit Lockhart.

Lockhart could have taught Tony to learn magic through Kamar-Taj's methods, despite Tony's lack of a magical bloodline. Talents and cognitive barriers could be adjusted through magic. But Lockhart saw no value in this. There were many types of workers, and while he knew many top geniuses in magic, he knew very few in the field of science and technology, with Tony being the top one. This made him reluctant to let Tony delve into magic.

Underground Base

Alexander Pierce, the head of Hydra, looked at the tall, thin figure in front of him, especially noting the metal-like right arm. Hesitation flashed in his eyes. Next to him, Sitwell, a Hydra agent, asked respectfully, "Sir, do you need to dispatch the Winter Soldier this time?"

Pierce remained silent, contemplating the situation. Sitwell, noticing his hesitation, did not press further. Suddenly, Sitwell's phone buzzed. He glanced at it, and his expression changed. He approached Pierce and whispered, "Director, there's news from SHIELD. The target's abilities have been updated. It appears he has the ability to control people's consciousness and memory."

He showed Pierce the information on his phone. "After investigating the collective evacuation of the Vientiane Book Café, it was determined that all personnel had their memories altered and received strong psychological suggestions to keep everything that happened a secret. The wizard professor is suspected of having memory and mind control abilities. It is recommended to treat this with caution and cease all monitoring to prevent him from accessing SHIELD-related information."

Pierce was silent for a moment, then ordered the Winter Soldier to withdraw and return to cryostasis. His strategy had been to let SHIELD test the wizard professor to gather information without revealing Hydra's involvement. With Nick Fury ordering the probing to cease, Pierce's strategy was no longer viable. Yet, he wasn't willing to let the wizard act freely.

Curious about the magic mentioned by Nick Fury, Pierce planned to have someone test it. He hesitated to send his ace, the Winter Soldier, knowing the risks of mind control. Instead, he decided on a different approach.

Pierce made up his mind, considering the need to investigate the wizard professor thoroughly without endangering Hydra's assets.

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[More Chapter available at p@treon.com/goldengaruda]

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Chương 76: Chapter 76: The Reluctant Spider-Man

Early morning, Auburn Apartments.

"Peter, get up quickly. We have to go to the hospital for a physical examination today. You can't stay in bed any longer," May shouted loudly as she pushed open Peter's bedroom door.

Peter, who was lying on the bed, lifted the blanket, exposed his head, and said helplessly, "Aunt May, let me sleep a little longer. The hospital won't start physical examinations until 9 o'clock. Besides, I didn't want to go for this physical examination."

After hearing this, May walked to the bed expressionlessly, reached out to grab the blanket, and pulled hard. Looking at Peter lying on the bed, she said, "If you sleep any longer, I will pour water on you."

Feeling that his Aunt May was getting angry, Peter immediately woke up, stood up quickly, and ran towards the bathroom, shouting as he ran, "Aunt May, okay, okay. I'm already up, don't rush me anymore."

Seeing Peter's act, May nodded with satisfaction and walked out while shouting angrily, "This is such a rare opportunity. The boss gave us free physical examinations and allowed us to bring our family members. You told me that you didn't want it, were you looking for trouble?"

Peter, who was washing his face, also replied loudly, "I know, I know, Aunt May. I won't repeat it again. I'll go take the examination too."

After hearing Peter's reply, May nodded with satisfaction, then walked to the kitchen and started making today's breakfast.

Peter, who was washing his face, had a trace of anxiety in his eyes. In the past two days, specifically the day after he met his idol Stark, he couldn't sleep well at night. He often wakes up in the middle of the night, as if he had a dream, but he doesn't remember anything, which makes him a little confused. When he thought of this, he quickly washed his face again to wake up.

None of these things are important; the most important thing is today's physical examination. He wondered why Aunt May's boss did that. It even said that all employees, including their family members, would be given free physical examinations. Although it is only limited to 2 people, it can be said to be a very good benefit for those employees. But for him, it is undoubtedly a hidden danger.

He knew what was special about his body. He didn't talk about anything else but his appetite. Every time May finished cooking, he wasn't full, so he had to buy some food from outside. His physical strength, intuition, speed, etc. are all different from ordinary people. He can control his body to act normal but not his blood. It can be said that anyone who gets his blood will more or less be able to detect problems. Therefore, he has always refused to do physical examinations.

But there was no other way. This was what his Aunt May had asked for, and she was even a little angry about it. How dare he refuse? Regardless of anything else, just make his Aunt May happy first. As for the physical examination, he can think about it later. Well, although it is said that Spider-Man cannot steal things, no one stipulates that Spider-Man cannot get back his own things.

After breakfast, May took Peter out of the apartment, walked to the nearest bus stop, and waited quietly. After a while, the bus that May was waiting for arrived. She quickly took Peter onto the bus, found a seat, and waited quietly for the bus to drive to its destination—the Metro General Hospital. Although the Metro General Hospital is not a large hospital, it is close to Vientiane Book Cafe. Therefore, Lockhart decided to do the examination there, so that it would be easier for him. Well, he's quite interested in Spider-Man's transformation.

Of course, the most important thing is that recently he has also been researching methods of body strengthening. Kamar Taj has a good way of exercising, and he is practicing. But if there is another better way, he will not refuse. Although he is a novice in the field of potions, he knew a top potion master in the Harry Potter world, and he has a cooperative relationship with him. Just get some blood and let him test it. If it helps, they can have a good chat later. If it doesn't, it doesn't matter. In short, it doesn't take much effort, so why not do it?

"Hi May, you're here."

"Alice, you're here so early. These two next to you must be your parents. This is my nephew Peter Parker, who has been smart since he was a kid."

Peter watched helplessly as his Aunt May and her colleague began to show off. Although he was somewhat used to this, he still felt a little embarrassed. He could only smile awkwardly. Soon, two other clerks came with their relatives. After May saw the number of people gathered, she waved and shouted loudly, "Okay, everyone, line up and prepare for the physical examination."

Following May's order, everyone lined up in a long line and walked towards the hospital. After entering the hospital, May followed the doctor and took several people to do blood pressure, height, weight, electrocardiogram, and other tests. Of course, there was also the most important blood test. After the blood was drawn, Peter memorized the test tube containing his blood and where it was placed. He would take some time to leave Aunt May later and conveniently steal back the test tube containing his blood.

Well, since Peter knew that he would not be able to escape the medical examination, he borrowed some blood from his good friend Ned and had already stored it, waiting to be used at this moment. But May saw Peter suddenly turning his head and looking back and asked with concern, "Peter, are you feeling uncomfortable ? If you feel uncomfortable, we happen to be at the hospital and can ask a doctor."

Hearing Aunt May's caring words, Peter shook his head, indicating that everything was normal and there was nothing uncomfortable. He suddenly turned his head, but his intuition told him that someone was following him. But after turning his head, he found that there was nothing unusual. Everyone was busy with their own things, and no one was watching him. This conflict between intuition and vision made him feel very confused.

At this moment, Lockhart was not far away, looking at Spider-Man Peter Parker with interest. He was a little amazed at Peter's keen intuition. He now cast the Disillusionment spell on himself, plus a slight Muggle-repelling charm. Therefore, no one would see him, and they would actively avoid the area where he was. The Spider-Man in front of him might be able to pick on his location with his Spidey sense.

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[More Chapter available at p@treon.com/goldengaruda]

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