On top of a towering cliff on the southwest coast of St. Matthew Island, two figures stood in a tense standoff—a middle-aged man and a young man, just a few meters apart.

  Above, the sky churned with dark clouds and below, waves slammed into jagged rocks, sending icy sprays of seawater shooting high into the air. The wind, sharp and bitter with salt, whipped at their cloaks, carrying the raw, wild scent of the sea.

  The younger one gripped his wand tightly, eyes locked on the older figure before him.

  "Go ahead—cast whatever spell you want," Edward said, barely finishing before Maverick's magic lashed out at him.

  Edward raised an eyebrow, unfazed, as the bolt of magic shot straight at him. He didn't even lift his wand. With just a thought, a shimmering shield appeared in front of him, absorbing the hit with barely a ripple. The impact sent rocks scattering across the cliffside in the opposite direction as the shield held steady.

  Edward send a calm, almost amused glance at his student. "Impatient, aren't we?"

  "You told me to treat this as a real duel, teacher..." Without another word, he launched a silent Bombarda and vanished, reappearing above Edward, wand aimed and focused.

  Edward lazily swung his hand, deflecting the incoming spell as if swatting away a fly.

  "Bombarda!" Maverick shouted from above, the spell exploding with force as he shot another one and vanished.

  Maverick kept circling, lunging spell after spell flying from every direction—some loud, and others silent.

  Edward responded effortlessly, raising a casual shield or simply brushing them aside with his bare hands.

  Boom!

  Boom!

  Boom!

  Rocks and debris flew in every direction with a loud bangs. Though the Arch-Magus deflected them, the raw power of Maverick's magic was undeniable, shaking the very ground beneath them.

  Edward observed his students every move intently.

  Just as Maverick apparated, Edward vanished from sight, reappearing directly behind him, a fist swung to the right of his face.

  Maverick's Magical Sense screamed. He saw the fist coming at him like a train, but there was no time to Apparate again.

  "Prote—!" he tried, but the shield barely formed before it shattered under the force. The impact sent him crashing to the ground, dragging the rocky surface as dust and debris flew around him.

  "You're too hasty!" Edward instructed, his voice calm and steady amid the chaos. "Rushing in leaves you open."

  Maverick scrambled to his feet, wiping the blood from the side of his face, his wand gripped tightly in his hand.

  The cliff was now pockmarked with craters, the grass disappeared, leaving only scattered rocks in its place.

  "Go on..." Edward said, brow raised, urging his student to continue.

  Maverick didn't bother to reply. Instead, he raised his wand and pointed it straight ahead with a forceful jerk. The stone floor trembled beneath him, shifting and reshaping itself into something massive.

  His magical energy poured as the ground trembled and shifted, slowly forming the head of a massive crow.

  He stood behind it, wand raised, watching his will come being.

  More rocks and earth lifted until a colossal raven stood ten feet tall. Its stone beak stretched over three feet, ominously opening wide.

  Maverick commanded his creation like a conductor, and it unleashed a powerful flap of its wings. The air surged as it lunged at Edward with fierce intensity.

  The whole thing happened in just a few seconds, but was more than enough time for an Arch-Magus to counter a hundred spells. But Edward stood there, eyebrow raised, clearly amused.

  "Impressive..." he commented, then dramatically raised his hands to summon his own creation.

  With a fierce roar, a lion's head burst from the ground, its stone mane thick, majestic, radiating the raw power of the king of the jungle. The body formed next, growing to match the massive bird barreling toward it.

  The two colossal heads crashed together, smashing apart in a cascade of shattered rock, each piece scattering across the cliff as their fierce clash ended in rubble.

  The clash sent a shockwave rippling outward, hurling stone and dust in all directions. The cliff, the size of a football field, trembled ominously as chaos reigned, threatened to collapse at any moment, like it had just about had enough of the madness going on above.

  The two ignored the chaos as Maverick quickly conjured a shield, bracing against the shockwave and flying debris.

  But Edward didn't give him a moment to breathe. With a casual lift of his finger, he silently cast Incarcerous, thick ropes shooting toward Maverick. Instantly, Maverick countered with Incendio, flames roaring to life and burning away the ropes just before they could ensnare him.

  "Think! Use your movement skills!" Edward urged, launching a series of magic. Taking the advice, Maverick weaved between attacks, shielding himself when needed, and launching his own spells in return.

  He quickly found his rhythm, dodging, casting, and countering Edward's assault. His blood raced with excitement as he unleashed spells faster, each incantation flowing instinctively.

  Before long, he was driven by the need to land a single hit, his magic radiating off him in waves as he dodged and countered, his wand a blur of motion.

  Edward remained rooted to his spot, effortlessly deflecting or dodging Maverick's attacks. When Maverick unleashed a blasting curse at his feet, Edward simply raised the ground with a transfiguration. Cutting curses and piercing hexes followed, but Edward deflected each one with calm precision, using subtle movements and minimal spells.

  The tremors from below intensified, but they remained oblivious. Rocks and boulders began to break away from the cliff, tumbling down into the rocky sea below.

  Time dragged on as the duel between Edward and Maverick raged on. Farther away, atop another cliff, three figures stood watching, unable to pull their eyes from the chaos.

  Simon, Sarah, and Isabella stood close, their gaze fixed on the battle below. Though they were a safe distance away, the sheer power of the fight sent waves of energy rippling through the air. The southernmost cliff—a thousand feet tall and as big as a football field—was crumbling, chunks of rock falling away bit by bit.

  "It's wild to think he's only three years older than me," Isabella murmured, awe and disbelief mixing in her gaze.

  "Yeah, well, the kid's a straight-up prodigy," Sarah replied, shaking her head. "Charms, potions, alchemy, dueling... and that transfiguration? Unbelievable." She trailed off, still stunned by Maverick's skill.

  "Speaking of..." Isabella turned to Simon, curiosity glinting in her eyes. "How's your transfiguration compared to Maverick's?"

  Simon cleared his throat, his expression twitching. "Uh... why ask me? Why not her?" He motioned to his twin, Sarah, hoping to dodge the question.

  "Because you're always bragging that you're better than her," Isabella teased, grinning.

  "Cough. Well, we all have our own... strengths," he muttered, looking away.

  Sarah just shook her head. She knew Simon well enough to see he was trying to play it cool, even though he was clearly embarrassed.

  "Ha! Can't admit it, can you?" Isabella laughed, seeing his embarrassment.

  "By the way, did he ever mention how he did on his OWLs and NEWTs yesterday? The kid never gave us a straight answer," Simon asked, glancing over at Isabella.

  "Uh... he just said it... should be fine," Isabella replied, clearly as in the dark as Simon.

  "Hmph. He better score high in Potions," Sarah scoffed, crossing her arms.

  "His alchemy's improved too. I mean, it wasn't bad before, but the way he's improved in the last five months? It should be enough for a high score on his NEWTs," Simon added his tone mixed with certainty.

  The three of them sighed in unison, sharing a mix of awe and disbelief.

  "Can't believe he's come this far in everything," Sarah murmured. "Five months... and he's already a different person."

  The three stood in silence for a moment, watching the duel until Isabella spoke again, a little quieter this time. "You know... I actually managed to give him a hard time, when he first started his training."

  "Pfft," Simon scoffed, barely holding back a laugh. "You? He was a Magus even then. And you're just a Mage Apprentice."

  "Hey, he was a total noob at dueling back then!" Isabella huffed, crossing her arms. "And I'll have you know I'm about to rank up soon!"

  Sarah chuckled and ruffled Isabella's hair. "Don't let him get to you, Bella. Even we're not sure we could beat him."

  Isabella frowned. "Didn't teacher Simon just say I couldn't fight him because of rank? So shouldn't you two be able to take him down?"

  Sarah chuckled. "Not that simple with Maverick."

  Simon sighed. "His mana control gives him the edge, even over us."

  Isabella blinked. "How? I mean, why?... so he's better than you?"

  Sarah nodded. "If we don't know what to expect, and he takes us one-on-one, then yeah... probably."

  "But how?" Isabella pressed, her brow furrowed.

  Sarah sighed, resting her hand on her chin. "It's all about his mana control. You'll get it more once you're a Magus. Think of it like this: he's got a machete, and we're just holding kitchen knives."

  "Huh?" Isabella blinked, more confused.

  "Okay, picture this: If Maverick and we were non-magical and he had a machete, he'd have a way better shot at taking us out than we would with our little kitchen knives.. See?"

  Isabella nodded slowly, catching the gist even if it didn't all click. She figured it would make more sense once she leveled up.

  As they chatted, gusts of wind and shockwaves from the battle rolled toward them, but their shield spells held steady. At this distance, they felt safe enough... even as the fight ahead raged with growing intensity.

  ...

  Over an hour had passed, and Maverick was throwing everything he had into the fight. Spell after spell flew from him—some silent, some without even a wand.

  He poured raw Magical-Energy into every move, using the fast, brutal techniques he had picked up over the past few months of training.

  He was a blur, dodging, striking, spinning, pushing every trick his teacher had drilled into him. But nothing worked.

  With each failed attempt, frustration grew inside Maverick.

  He was bruised and battered, pain radiating from all over his body.

  He was feeling pain, worn out, but he was determined to land at least one hit. Pushing his body and magic to the breaking point, his attacks grew increasingly desperate.

  Finally, with a flicker in his eyes, Maverick made a gamble. He flicked the finger of his empty hand, sending invisible ripples through the air.

  His teacher had mentioned that one of the conditions to break free from the illusion was knowing you were under it.

  At that same moment, his wand hand too jerked forward, launching a blasting Confringo. Edward effortlessly deflected it like it was nothing.

  But then, Edward's eyes widened as his magical senses screamed a warning, contradicting what his eyes saw. It hit him: he was under his own spell without realizing it. But when?

  He didn't have time to dwell on it before a blast hit him from behind. The Arch-Magus didn't fall, though. In that split second, he broke free from the illusion and slammed his foot into the ground, steadying himself as the momentum nearly launched him forward.

  His previously domineering appearance though, was now marred with dirt and rocks.

  Maverick, now on his knees, panted heavily. 'All that for just a sprinkle of dirt,' he thought to himself with fists clenched in a mix of victory and defeat.

  He closed his eyes, taking deep breaths to let the leftover adrenaline from the duel fade away as he heard Edward's footsteps approaching.

  Edward stood beside him, stretched out his finger, and cast a spell that enveloped Maverick. "Hmm... Two broken ribs, multiple fractures, and your right shoulder's dislocated," Edward said, his voice steady but laced with concern.

  Maverick could only sigh. With that injury, he had only managed to catch Edward off guard once—and all he had done was get his robe dirty.

  At least Edward's healer could fix him up pretty quickly, and be not bed-ridden for a long.

  Edward then sat down next to him, crossing his legs and remaining quiet, just waiting for Maverick's breathing to even out.

  After a moment, he pulled a bottle of water from his storage ring and handed it to him. "That was some clever thinking. When did you cast the illusion?"

  In that instant, Maverick's thoughts shifted to one of the smoothest, overpowered villains from a certain comic, and a smug grin spread across his face.

  "Teacher, when did you get the impression that you weren't under my illusion from the start?" he replied, unable to resist teasing.

  Smack!

  "Ow, ow! That hurt!" Maverick cried, rubbing the bump forming on his head.

  Edward shot him a deadpan look, but Maverick chuckled, savoring the rare moment of having one up on his teacher.

  "It was the last Confringo," he explained, pride creeping into his voice. "I cast the illusion spell simultaneously with my other hand, wandlessly."

  Edward stared blankly at his student, his thoughts a mix of shock and disbelief.

  He had cast two spells at once, one without a wand and without a chant.

  He had mastered his own spell to an unbelievable degree—enough to catch a wizard two ranks above him off guard.

  It was too much to take in—simply unheard of.

  Maverick gulped down the water in deep swigs, noticing that his teacher was still in a daze.

  He shifted to sit more comfortably, or at least as comfortably as one could on a pile of broken rocks. With a weary sigh, he muttered, "You weren't even trying, were you, teacher?"

  Edward came out of his stuper, gave his a long glance then smirked, dodging the question with his usual air of mystery.

  "You know," he said, a hint of admiration in his voice, "it's only been five months, and you've gone from fumbling through spells to... well, to this."

  "But still..." Maverick began, ready to protest.

  Edward raised an eyebrow. "Another 'but'? Are you forgetting who I am again?"

  A reluctant smile crossed Maverick's face. This was a familiar scene —every time Edward bested him, every time he felt crushed and frustrated, his teacher would remind him of the vast difference in their ranks.

  Edward continued, his voice a mix of firmness and encouragement. "Look, you went all out and even managed to sneak an attack on me. Me!" He emphasized by jabbing a finger at his own chest.

  "Your dueling, when you harness your incredible mana control, is better than most Marquis I know. Don't forget, dueling isn't just about flashy moves or a ton of spells. It's about making sure your attack hits and letting it count.

  Your control over mana—its perception and manipulation—that's your edge. And don't forget how good you are with illusions. You even got me! That means you can hit anyone under Arch-Magus. As long as they're unaware, you've got that window for a decisive blow.

  So, be more confident. No Great Magus could handle you in a short duel. They'd have to drag it out to even stand a chance—and soon, even that won't be enough."

  Maverick looked down, letting his teacher's words sink in. The frustration slowly faded, replaced with a flicker of pride.

  'That's right. I've got too many cards up my sleeves that no one expects. But I won't let it get to my head,' Maverick thought, his determination settling in.

  Just then, the ground shook violently, cracks splintering through the rocky cliff. Dust rose, and it felt like the whole place was on the verge of collapsing.

  The teacher and student steadied themselves quickly. Looking around, Edward sighed and took out his wand for the first time that day.

  "I'd better clean this up," he said dryly. "Or MACUSA and the White House will be breathing down my neck."

  "Uh, teacher, are you sure a Reverte can fix all... this...?" Maverick asked, wobbling and wincing as the ground shook even more violently.

  "Hah," Edward chuckled. "Piece of cake." He snapped his fingers, and two constructs of Magical Energy appeared beneath them, forming solid circles of pure mana for them to stand on.

  Powerful wizards can will pure magic into stable physical constructs. The size and durability would depend on the wizard's mastery over Magical Energy Manipulation and the amount of magic they have.

  Maverick slumped down, crossing his legs on the conjured circle while Edward lifted them both about ten feet in the air.

  "Take it easy, just sit back" Edward said, a quick glance at his exhausted student. "After this, we'll head back and get you all healed up."

  Edward then gave a flick with his wand then read the incantation.

  Reverte!

  The wrecked cliff began to shift, almost like time itself was reversing.

  Rumble.

  Rumble.

  The massive, crumbled edges of the southwest cliff—the size of a stadium and nearly a thousand feet high—reformed, piece by piece, rumbling as they settled back into place.

  Rumble.

  Rumble.

  Maverick watched in awe as, within a minute, the cliff stood pristine, as if they'd never battled at all.

  With a satisfied nod, Edward guided the constructs back down to the cliff, which now looked as good as new.

  Just then, the only three spectators Apparated onto the cliff, and Isabella lunged toward Maverick, her eyes filled with concern as she took in Maverick's state. "Ricky!" she exclaimed, squatting beside him.

  "Uh... I'm okay, Bella," Maverick said, trying not to wince as he forced a smile, hoping to ease her worry.

  "Dad, did you really have to go this far?" she said, shooting her father a look and letting out a huff.

  Edward scratched his head. Words with his wife and daughter were battles even the Arch-Magus knew he had no hope of winning.

  "Let's take him to the base infirmary..." Sarah suggested.

  "No. We go home," Edward replied, already raising his wand. "I had a friend prepared, before we came."

  He tightened his grip, eyes sharp with focus, and swiped his wand across the air. Space seemed to tear open before them, forming a pitch-black line that widened into a tall, rectangular gateway.

  "Let's go," Edward said, glancing back. "Apparating in his state wouldn't be very comfortable."

  Maverick watched, mouth hanging open, mesmerized by the sight. He had never seen or even heard of space magic like this before.

  ...

  Garling Residence.

  It was almost noon. The sun was bright, and a cool breeze drifted in from the nearby coast. The trees swayed gently, their leaves rustling like a quiet song, adding a peaceful vibe around the two-story house.

  Then, the air in front of the house began to ripple, and out of nowhere, a tear spread through space, stretching and widening until it formed a shadowy, dark frame.

  Five people stepped through: two men, a woman, a young boy, and a girl. The boy clung to the girl's shoulder, his face pale and his legs unsteady—it was clear he had little choice.

  "This is so much better than Apparition," Maverick muttered, his eyes wide with amazement.

  "Well, don't get used to it," Sarah replied, throwing a half-smile at her student. "Only wizards at the boss's level can do thi—" She stopped, realizing she was talking to a total anomaly. "Uh... never mind."

  The others exchanged knowing smiles, catching her drift and nodding in quiet agreement.

  They headed to the door, with Edward leading the way. Before opening it, he glanced back at his daughter with a sheepish, slightly nervous grin. "Uh, just so you know, if your mother asks... little Rick here had a little... accident, during training."

  "Hmph. Like you'd ever fool Mom," Isabella shot back, rolling her eyes.

  Edward opened his mouth to protest but quickly shut it—she was right.

  Finally, Edward opened the door and stepped aside for his daughter and his student.

  Sure enough, it didn't take long before a yelp rang out. Silvia's voice called, "Maverick! What happened?"

  "It was an acci—" Edward started, raising a finger to defend himself.

  "Dad beat him up during training," Isabella interrupted smoothly, not missing a beat.

  Silvia shot Edward a look that made it clear he was in trouble.

  "I'm fine, Aunt Silvia. Nothing a little magic can't fix," Maverick added quickly, trying to score some points for his teacher—only to get the same stern look from her.

  "Edward..." a man's voice called from the dining area as footsteps approached.

  "Newt, my friend!" Edward said, relief washing over him as he turned to see a man in his fifties, with white hair and a well-trimmed beard, walking toward them alongside a woman.

  "Uh... Tina, you're here too!" His tone wavered slightly.

  "You asked my husband to come ready to treat an injured patient... I thought it might be an emergency, so I came along in case I could help," Tina replied, raising a knowing eyebrow while casting a pointed glance at Silvia.

  Sure enough, Silvia's expression darkened even further.

  "That... wife... I can explain... Besides, what kind of help can she give in an emergency that I couldn't handle?" Edward stammered, looking guilty.

  "Fascinating. You must be young Maverick," Newt said, his gaze fixed on the boy even as he shook hands with Edward. He then stepped closer, examining Maverick's condition with genuine curiosity. "Edward mentioned that someone might need a bit of treatment."

  Maverick stared at the middle-aged man, feeling even more awestruck than when he first saw the crack in space. This was his first encounter with a significant character from the wizarding world, and Newt Scamander was one of his favorites.

  "Right... little Rick, this is my friend Newt Scamander," Edward said, gesturing toward Newt. "He's a magizoologist and a really talented healer and potioneer." He glanced at his student, noticing the dazed look on Maverick's face.

  "Little Rick?" Edward repeated, raising an eyebrow, concern growing as he noticed Maverick's expression.

  "Get him to lie down; he looks like he's in shock," Newt said urgently. Isabella quickly gestured to her friend, who had his arm slung over her shoulder for support, and gently tried to guide him toward the sofa.

  "Ricky... you okay?" she asked, noticing that Maverick hadn't moved.

  "Uh... yeah, I'm fine. Thanks..." Maverick stammered, finally shaking off the star-struck daze that had him speechless.

  "Teacher, can we do the treatment in the room?" Maverick suggested, glancing at Edward.

  "Are you sure? Let Newt take a quick look first..." Edward replied, concern mixed in his voice.

  "Really, I'm fine. I was just... a little shocked to meet Mr. Scamander." He glanced at the man in question. "Mr. Scamander, I'm a huge fan! It's such a pleasure to meet you." He spoke with excitement, trying to raise his hand but wincing instead.

  Edward raised an eyebrow at him. "Kid, why don't you ever show that kind of excitement around me?" he asked, crossing his arms with a playful challenge.

  Maverick shot his teacher a look that clearly said, Why would I?

  "Enough," Silvia called out, grabbing everyone's attention. She turned to her daughter and added, "Hurry up and take Maverick to his room!"

  "Yes, Mom," Isabella replied, glancing at her clearly upset mother. She then helped Maverick up the stairs while the others followed behind.

  ...

  About an hour later, Maverick lay on the bed with his upper body bare, his left hand and chest covered in bandages. He looked more relaxed now and was in less pain. Surrounding his bed were Newt, his wife, Edward, Silvia, and Isabella.

  Now that their student's condition was stable, Sarah and Simon had left through the Floo after exchanging a few reassuring words with Maverick.

  "Nothing serious. His bones are healed; he just needs to take the potions, and he should be up and about in a day or two," Newt explained to the room.

  "Thanks a lot, Mr. Scamander. I really feel a lot better now," Maverick said, his gratitude clear and relief washing over him. Newt's healing skills were impressive—something you'd never find mentioned in J.K. Rowling's books.

  "Alright, Edward Garling, can you explain why he's in this state?" Silvia asked, arms crossed and a pointed look on her face.

  Edward sighed and decided to come clean. "The duel was a final test for Maverick..." he explained, watering down the details and keeping it vague.

  "You call this a little hard time?" Silvia exclaimed, gesturing at Maverick, who watched the drama unfold with amusement. It would be a rare sight to see the Golden Lion being pressed like this.

  "Hmph. I'll tell Ariel and Michael that you beat up their son," Silvia said, crossing her arms as the tip of her right shoe tapped rithemicaly on the floor.

  Edward was speechless, unsure of how to respond to his wife.

  "Uh, Aunt, can you please not? I really don't want them to worry, and this is no big deal. I'll be healed in no time," Maverick jumped in quickly.

  The last thing he needed was for his parents to freak out—they'd never seen him injured like this before.

  "Hmph... you two are so alike," Silvia muttered, inwardly agreeing with him.

  "Well, now that it's all done," Newt said, looking from Maverick to Edward, "I need to have a word with you."

  "Right, let's give little Rick some time to rest," Edward replied, starting to head for the door along with everyone else.

  But Maverick spoke up before they could leave. "Mr. Scamander, is that the suitcase where you keep all your... animal friends?"

  Newt raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Yes, young man. How did you know?"

  "Uh... I read a lot of books," Maverick answered. It was true; he had come across Newt's name and his magical suitcase in several history books.

  "I didn't know you were such a fan of magical animals," Newt said, glancing at Maverick and then at Edward, who looked just as clueless. "I can show you the world inside, after you're healed."

  "Uh, sir... can I touch it, please?" Maverick asked, his eyes pleading. Everyone in the room gave him strange looks.

  He coughed, brushing off the momentary embarrassment.

  He just wanted to check out the suitcase's Extraordinary-Characteristic and its rating—he didn't care about anything else. If it got an excellent grade or higher, he could replicate the Characteristic for himself. After all, he still had an unused point just sitting there.

  Newt hesitated at first; he had never received such a... peculiar request. But he trusted Edward, so he brushed off his worries and placed the suitcase next to Maverick.

  Maverick's excitement was clear as he eagerly patted the suitcase. The others stared at him, exchanging puzzled glances, wondering if he might be one of those people with a strange fetish.

  "Thank you, sir! Can I ask for your autographs and Madam Tina's on my copy of your book?" Maverick asked, doing his best trying to mask his unusual behavior.

  Newt nodded, while Tina gave him a curious look.

  "Oh... why me, little guy?" Tina asked, raising an eyebrow, clearly amused by his request.

  "Uh... well, when I read the books, I figured Mr. Scamander's success had a lot to do with your support," he added, trying to sweeten the comment with a compliment.

  Tina burst into laughter, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Hahaha... I like this little guy!" she exclaimed, clearly charmed by his flattery.

  Everyone gradually left the room until only Isabella was left, standing hesitantly at the door.

  Maverick, feeling a bit confused, said, "I'm fine, Bella. Just a bit tired from all the potions."

  Isabella paused for a moment before responding. "I know... Just get some rest, and I'll bring lunch in a little while."

  "Uh... I can go downstairs. It's not like I'm seriously injured—"

  "No! Don't even think about getting out of bed," she replied firmly, then turned to leave, cutting off any chance for him to argue.

  Maverick couldn't help but think, 'Uh... does she have a weird teenage crush on me or something?' He shook his head and pondered further.

  'She's really beautiful... and an incredible witch. I've known her since we were kids... Crap. Hold up. Calm down, Maverick. She's barely 16...' He quickly reminded himself, trying to push aside the weird, lingering thoughts.

  It wasn't entirely his fault. He was biologically 18, and teenage hormones didn't just skip over him because he was a transmigrator.

  But he wasn't having any inappropriate thoughts; he simply appreciated his longtime friend as potential future wife material. *Cough.* Only time would tell.

  Once Isabella left and the door clicked shut, Maverick finally turned his attention to the system.

  ...

  [ Item: Magical Suitcase ]

  [ Extraordinary Characteristic: Expanded Space. ]

  [ Grade: Excellent. ]

  Sure enough, the grading came back as Excellent, and a wide grin spread across Maverick's face.

  He recognized that prompt—it reminded him of the times he had touched bags enchanted with Undetectable Extension Charms.

  However, all those magical objects, including the storage ring his teacher Edward had given him, only had the Basic grade characteristic.

  [ Do you want to use one Extraordinary Characteristic Point to replicate it? ]

  Without a second thought, Maverick hit [YES], but the system popped up another message.

  [ Unable to integrate Extraordinary Characteristic! ]

  [ Converting Extraordinary Characteristic to an integratable state. ]

  [ Conversion complete. ]

  [ New Extraordinary Characteristic: Independent Expanded Dimension. ]

  [ Replicating Extraordinary Characteristic. ]

  "Wait... Wait... Wait..."

  Maverick was very puzzled by the series of messeges. It seemed the system had somehow altered the Extraordinary Characteristic into something different.

  But when he tried to learn more and mentally commanded the system to stop the action, it had ignored him completely.

  A few seconds later, his status panel popped up, now featuring the new detail.

  ---

  [ Name: Maverick Caesar ]

  [ Class: Wizard ]

  [ Rank: Magus ]

  [ Magical Energy: 837+ ]

  [ Points: 1,649 ]

  [ Extraordinary Characteristic Points: 0 ]

  [ Extraordinary Characteristics: Excellent grade spellcasting, Excellent Grade Independent Expanded Dimension (unfused) ]

  Maverick focused on the "unfused" note, and the expected prompt appeared.

  [ Do you want to fuse the Extraordinary Characteristic: Independent Expanded Dimension? ]

  Maverick gave it some thought. Now that it had been replicated, and he lost the single unit of replication point, there was no point in regretting. And the new modified Characteristic seemed better, with the addition of "Independent.'

  [ YES ] [ NO ]

  Taking a deep breath, he chose [ YES ].

  He waited for the follow-up reaction. And sure enough, that tingling sensation returned, but this time it spread all over him. Maverick was genuinely curious to see how this Extraordinary Characteristic might affect him.

  It didn't last long—barely half a minute. He tried to sense any difference, any new awareness or feeling out of the ordinary, but everything felt completely normal.

  He opened his system panel to get a better understanding, and there it was—the "Independent Expanded Dimension" listed under Extraordinary Characteristics, now fully integrated. He focused on it, and a message appeared, conveniently displaying the instructions, usage, and functions.

  [ Extraordinary Characteristic: Independent Expanded Dimension. ]

  Provides 1,000 cubic meters of space, anchored to the host's Magical-Energy and existing in an independent dimension.

  How to view and use the Independent Expanded Dimension: Focus on the Extraordinary Characteristic to make the space consciously observable. Contents can be freely organized by will.

  Only non sentient materials can be transferred to the independent dimension.

  Materials can be transferred only through direct physical contact, provided they have no attachments or bindings and are in a state of complete rest.

  Can retrieve anytime, anywhere, given that the retrieving space is free from any physical matter.

  Maverick lay on the bed, carefully studying this new Characteristic he had acquired. It reminded him of the typical "System Warehouse" that main characters often received with their systems in the novels and stories he had read in his previous life. Rather than calling it an Extraordinary-Characteristic, he preferred to think of it as a function of his system.

  This "Expanded Dimension" or space functioned much like a storage ring, except it wasn't contained within any object. Instead, it existed in a completely separate, unrestricted dimension.

  The downside of the characteristic, after the system modified it for integration, was that it couldn't store living things—unlike Newt's suitcase.

  But that didn't bother him. He now felt an immense reassurance about his belongings; he no longer had to worry about anyone gaining access to an object he wished to keep secret.

  Any alchemical storage item could be stolen, but his system space was untouchable, as it existed entirely separate from this reality itself.

  In short, Maverick found the investment of one Extraordinary Characteristic Point immensely worthwhile. He now had access to a space entirely independent of any physical, magical, or other force, accessible solely through his consciousness—no need for a medium like a ring or a bag.

  ---

  He then focused on the system panel, reviewing the changes that had taken place over the last five months since he began training with Edward.

  [ Name: Maverick Caesar ]

  [ Class: Wizard ]

  [ Rank: Magus ]

  [ Magical Energy: 837+ ]

  [ Points: 1,649 ]

  [ Extraordinary Characteristic Points: 0 ]

  [ Extraordinary Characteristics: Excellent grade spellcasting, Excellent grade Independent Expanded Dimension. ]

  [ Talents: ]

  [ Magical Energy Manipulation (Advanced +) ]

  [ Magical Sense (Advanced +) ]

  [ Transfiguration (Advanced +) ]

  [ Potions (Intermediate +) ]

  [ Alchemy (Intermediate +) ]

  [ Spells: ]

  [ Aquired Advanced Proficiency: ]

  [ Illusio Lunam Lectorem + | Flipendo + | Bombarda + | Expelliarmus + | Protego + | Finite + Incantatem + | Petrificus Totalus + | Stupefy + | PatronusCharm + | Episkey (Healing) + | Reparo + | Revelio + | Disillusionment + | Wingardium Leviosa + | Occlumency + | Legilimency + | Apparition + | Confundus + ]

  [ Aquired Intermediate Proficiency: ]

  [ .... ]

  Over the past five months, Maverick hadn't used a single point to upgrade his Magical Energy, talents, or even a spell. It is now July 15, 1989, he had saved up 1,649 points.

  The system recognized that his proficiency with the Levitation Charm had advanced, displaying it under Advanced Proficiency, marking it as the only skill he'd managed to master purely through experience.

  His potion-making and alchemy talents remained at Intermediate Proficiency, though he knew his knowledge and skills in these areas had grown significantly beyond what they'd been when he first reached the intermediate level. The system just hadn't acknowledged an upgrade yet. Advanced proficiency, after all, signified that he had reached, or even slightly surpassed, the level of a Hogwarts professor.

  Maverick knew he wasn't quite there yet, so he resisted the temptation to use 100 system points to upgrade these talents. Instead, he wanted to continue earning his advancements the hard way, accumulating real knowledge and experience.

  And his Magical Energy? It had nearly doubled. After some experimentation, he discovered that his own Magical Energy exercises could indeed raise his magical reserves, albeit slowly and with considerable effort. It made sense; other wizards must also have methods for increasing their magical energy; otherwise, ranks wouldn't exist.

  Edward's training had accelerated his growth. When Maverick learned movement techniques and physical exercises from his mentor, his Magical Energy began growing steadily, much faster than it did with his own limited exercises. While it wasn't enough to let him rank up overnight, it was a far more effective method. This was how he had doubled his initial 400+ Magical Energy in just five months.

  He knew, however, that reaching the next rank—Great Magus—would be challenging. He still needed to raise his energy by over 2,000 units to reach 3,000, the threshold for breakthrough. And he suspected that an epiphany or some form of enlightenment would be necessary as he neared that number.

  This was why so many witches and wizards remained stuck as Magus-level practitioners; only a select few managed to achieve the breakthrough required to become Great Magus.

  But Maverick believed he had the talent. In the past months, without the system's assistance, he'd made significant progress. His teacher had praised his comprehension skills, calling him a true genius.

  Still, these were problems ordinary people faced. Maverick, a transmigrator with a system from beyond the fourth wall, had an advantage. He would continue to train hard and follow Edward's plans, but when he hit a bottleneck, he could always "cheat" by using his system points.

  He estimated that he could cross into the Great Magus rank in two years—right on time for the third phase of his plan: joining Hogwarts as a professor.

  Now, you might wonder: what are these phases, and what happened to the first and second parts?

  This was something Maverick had thought through meticulously—a plan for his future in this universe and his ultimate goal.

  Currently, he was still in the first phase, which had begun when his system awakened and he was introduced to magic. This phase was simple: to integrate himself into this world, study, learn, and train. In short, the "getting started" phase.

  The second phase was approaching, and it involved traveling the world. Maverick intended to visit various magical countries, immersing himself in their unique magic and societies. He estimated that two years would be enough to explore most of the major magical establishments around the world.

  After that, the plot of the Harry Potter series would begin. Although he knew this universe was different—very different—he also recognized its core similarities to the original story.

  His plan was to join Hogwarts, a goal he already had a solid approach for, and then observe events from the background. His aim was to follow the storyline and leverage any opportunities that presented themselves.

  Meanwhile, during his two-year journey and throughout the seven years at Hogwarts, he intended to make a name for himself by starting a business in both the magical and non-magical worlds, operating under his own name—and, if possible, under an alias as well.

  His goal was to introduce scientific thinking to the stagnant British magical society, aiming to elevate their awareness and modernize their perspectives. And he believed that the best place to begin this transformation was at their most prestigious school.

  This was essential because the fourth phase would involve other realities mingled within this universe, and he needed the wizarding community to be unified and prepared. Maverick was confident; ten years was more than enough time for him to position himself as a leader—or even the leader—of the global magical community.

  Three days later.

  Maverick, Edward, and Silvia sat around the breakfast table, enjoying the most important meal of the day. The smell of crispy bacon and fresh pancakes filled the air, giving the room a warm, homey feel.

  Maverick was finally back to full health, all thanks to Newt's healing skills. His teacher had been right—Scamander was truly an excellent healer. This whole experience had opened Maverick's eyes; even the characters he had known from the Harry Potter books had layers he never expected.

  For the past three days, Newt and his wife had settled into the Garling home, with Newt checking on Maverick often to make sure he was healing well. When Maverick was strong enough, Newt invited him into his magical suitcase.

  Maverick didn't have words for what he saw. Inside, Maverick was speechless. There were trees, rivers, and magical creatures everywhere—some familiar, others entirely new. The tour lasted half a day, and Maverick took in every sight, his eyes wide with wonder, like he was seeing magic for the first time.

  The night before, before leaving, Newt and Tina gave Maverick a signed copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, with warm wishes written inside.

  They weren't close friends yet, but they were certainly more than strangers now. Tina had even shared their address, mentioned their grandson, and invited him to visit.

  Maverick promised to stop by soon and told them they could always reach out if they ever needed help. They appreciated his words, clearly touched by his promise. They might not know the full extent of Maverick's talent, but as Edward Garling's apprentice, they believed he would become someone truly remarkable.

  "Are you nervous?" Silvia asked, glancing at Maverick as she sipped her coffee, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

  Edward shot him a quick look as well but remained silent. After all, this was his apprentice.

  Maverick paused mid-bite, chewing slowly as he thought. "Uh... I guess I'm a little nervous, but not really worried," he said with a slight shrug and a small, nervous smile.

  Today was the big day. The results for the O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s would be released all over magical Europe and America. For many students, months of hard work—and a lot of sleepless nights—had led to this moment.

  For his O.W.L.s, Maverick had taken eight subjects: History of the Magical World, No-Maj Culture, Arithmancy, Charms, Potions, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Alchemy.

  For his N.E.W.T.s, he focused on just five: Charms, Potions, Alchemy, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Transfiguration. He didn't have the time—or need—to study subjects like History or No-Maj studies for the advanced exams. Those were only useful for specialized jobs, and general knowledge in those areas would be enough to navigate the magical world.

  "Bella should be here soon," Silvia added with a smile. "She's been on edge all morning. I guess even geniuses get nervous when results day rolls around."

  Edward chuckled. "She'll be fine; it's only the O.W.L.s. Two years from now, when it's her N.E.W.T.s, that might be... No, even then she'll be fine." He paused, thinking. He knew just how talented his daughter was, so any worry he had disappeared quickly.

  Maverick, on the other hand, tensed slightly when Isabella's name came up, though he quickly hid it, keeping his usual calm look.

  "She's going to be fine, Aunt. Bella's a very smart witch," he added with a confident nod. Like Edward, he was fully aware of her capabilities.

  Silvia sighed softly. "A mother worries, you know..." she said, smiling gently.

  The table grew quiet for a moment.

  Noticing the tension, Edward glanced at Maverick and changed the subject. "So, little Rick, are you planning to head back today, or will you stay a bit longer?"

  Maverick hesitated, looking down at his plate. "Uh... probably tomorrow, maybe."

  Maverick thought back to the talk he had had with his teacher a few days ago.

  He had shared his plans for the next few years, including his decision to travel the world. When he asked for Edward's advice, his mentor had simply told him that once he felt confident in his training, it would be good to set off and learn through real-life experience.

  Maverick had felt a wave of relief when Edward supported the idea. At first, he had been nervous, worried that his teacher might think he was just leaving after getting what he wanted.

  But Edward had encouraged Maverick's plan. He explained that for Maverick's potential to truly grow, the best path was to step out into the world, test his skills, and learn from new experiences. Edward added that he had already taught Maverick the most important lessons, and that soon he wouldn't need supervision.

  Hearing that his teacher was genuinely proud of him and his progress brought Maverick a true sense of happiness.

  "So, when are you going to tell Bella?" Silvia asked, flashing Maverick a knowing smile as she leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands.

  Maverick blinked, caught off guard, and glanced at Silvia. The look in her eyes told him everything. He knew he was in for a difficult conversation with one particular golden-haired girl—especially after the incident three days ago.

  Let's rewind to the day Maverick integrated his second Extraordinary Characteristic.

  He was deep in thought, fully absorbed in the new ability he had acquired from the system. Time slipped by unnoticed until he was brought back to reality by a gentle knock at the door.

  He dismissed the virtual screens with a wave and called out, "Come in."

  Isabella entered, followed by a floating tray. It held a bowl of brown rice, some grilled chicken breasts, a salad, and a glass of juice—orange or mango by the look of it.

  If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

  She wore a loose white shirt and black leggings, her golden hair spilling freely over her shoulders, catching the light in a way that made Maverick pause. Over the past months, she had changed—not only in looks, but in presence. The last traces of her sixteen-year-old's childish features were now maturing into something more striking.

  Maverick lay there, momentarily speechless, watching as she brought the tray over with casual ease. She set it down and sat on the bed beside him.

  "What?" she asked, arching an eyebrow at his dazed expression.

  "Uh... is it lunchtime already?" he stammered, trying to brush aside the unexpected thoughts running through his mind.

  "You've been resting for an hour," she replied, leaning in a little, her eyes studying him closely. "Everyone else already ate. I told you I'd bring yours up here, remember?"

  "Right... thanks, Bella." He gave her a sheepish smile, still trying to shake off the odd thoughts in his head.

  "Good!" she chirped, standing up and picking up a fork and knife. "Then I'll treat you."

  "I—I can eat by myself," Maverick muttered, his hand twitching as if to stop her, before he remembered his arm was in a sling.

  "Nonsense. Look at you." She nodded toward his bandaged arm. "Sit back, relax. Think of me as your nurse." Her tone was playful, but her cheeks had turned a soft pink.

  Maverick opened his mouth to protest, but Isabella had already cut a piece of chicken, placed it on top of the rice, and added a few broccoli florets to the plate. Resigned, he leaned back, letting her do her thing.

  The room fell into a quiet silence as Isabella finished preparing the plate, carefully mixing the greens and protein.

  Maverick found himself watching her more than the food. Her expression was soft and focused, her cheeks still faintly flushed as she concentrated on the task. He couldn't remember a time when he had seen her like this—so... attractive.

  And it wasn't just that. Lying there, Maverick started realizing that, over the past few months, he had begun noticing Isabella in ways he hadn't before. They had spent more and more time together—training, studying, talking about their magic, and sometimes, just sharing little everyday moments.

  Ever since his system awakened and introduced him to magic, his life had taken a complete 180. He hadn't been the workaholic type, consumed by studying and training like he was now.

  No. Ever since he transmigrated to this world and discovered that his parents were both wealthy and influential, he had always taken life at a leisurely pace. His high grades and genius achievements in school and university were thanks to the memories from his past life, and repeating them was, quite simply, not difficult for him.

  But after the system and magic, it was like he had become a completely different person. The excitement, the discovery of the extraordinary, and the endless possibilities that had only been a dream in his past life were now real. And with all of that, he hadn't even noticed how much he had changed.

  The carefree life—spending time with the opposite sex, playing sports, enjoying simple entertainment—he had pushed all of that aside. So much so that, in the past year, it hadn't crossed his mind even once.

  However, today, without meaning to, the thought finally crossed his mind.

  All that pressure, the obsession with constant improvement, had eased, blending in with a bit of... normalcy.

  It seemed to have happened without him realizing, just from that long glance at Isabella.

  "Stop... staring..." Isabella murmured, her eyes on the plate as her cheeks grew redder.

  Maverick blinked, jolted out of his thoughts. "Sorry. I don't know what came over me. Maybe it's... the potions." He chuckled, trying to brush it off.

  Isabella glanced at him, hesitating as her gaze lingered on him a beat too long. Her eyes drifted, tracing his bruised yet rugged features, his messy hair, the sharp angles of his face—and when she realized what she was doing, her face turned even redder.

  "Are you... okay?" Maverick asked, his voice soft with a hint of curiosity.

  "Fine! I'm fine!" She thrust the plate toward him, her eyes squeezed shut.

  Maverick looked at her, bewildered. 'Wasn't she going to feed me?' he wondered inwardly.

  Realizing her mistake, Isabella opened her eyes and found him staring at her in confusion. "Sorry," she muttered. Taking a deep breath, she inched closer and sat down beside him on the bed.

  Her hands shook slightly as she picked up the spoon. Now, with the silence thick around them, she leaned in closer than before, her gaze drifting to his as she lifted the spoon to his mouth.

  Maverick's heart pounded. He couldn't tear his gaze away, even as his mouth went dry and he momentarily forgot to open it.

  He didn't understand why he felt this way. This wasn't the first time they had been alone together.

  As if in response, Isabella's eyes flicked up, meeting his. They were so close now that they could feel the warmth of each other's breath, and for a moment, the air between them was charged, thick with something neither of them could name.

  Then, almost at the same time, they snapped out of it—Maverick leaning back, while Isabella jolted up from the bed, backing away with the plate of food in her hands.

  A moment of silence hung between them, then both murmured, "Sorry," in unison, which quickly turned into nervous laughter.

  The laughter broke the tension in the room. Maverick leaned back, patting his stomach with his good hand as the realization hit him—he had changed.

  Since magic had entered his life, he had become a different person. No, not completely different, but his emotions—his emotional side—had changed.

  He lay there, reflecting on it.

  He was still a teenager, not even nineteen. Sure, he was a transmigrator—eighteen years of his previous life and another nineteen years in this one.

  He had grown, but not from the eighteen-year-old he remembered from his past. No, the age doesn't stack up. It doesn't work like that.

  He had started over, from scratch. The past life was just that—the past. Memories.

  Now, he was a young man—with teenage emotions, teenage impulses. Then magic had come, turning him into something more like a machine. But today, here he was, rediscovering what he had forgotten: that he could feel, just like anyone his age.

  It was Isabella. Somehow, over the months of spending endless hours together, he had developed feelings. He hadn't noticed it until now, but it was there, clear as day.

  He remembered having crushes, feeling attracted—both before magic and even in his past life. And now, here he was again, experiencing that forgotten sensation.

  He laughed, a deep, relieved laugh that seemed to echo in the quiet room.

  Isabella, now watching him curiously, tilted her head. "What's so funny?"

  "Nothing... nothing," Maverick said, still chuckling to himself. He wasn't about to explain it all to her. She was only sixteen, and he knew better than to act on these feelings—at least, not yet.

  Ever since the system had appeared, his ambition had grown, evolving into an unrelenting desire for power and mastery over magic.

  He had forgotten—no, he had buried all his teenage emotions, impulses, and urges deep inside, making room only for that ambition.

  But lying there, not focused on training, studies, or his system, it was this moment with Isabella that made him realize those familiar feelings again.

  In this life, he was Maverick. Just a teenager. Not someone who had to grow so strong to carry the weight of the world on his back.

  He had time. He didn't need to dedicate every part of his consciousness to training and becoming stronger.

  He could enjoy life too, like any other kid— and not just through magic.

  Maverick gave Isabella a reassuring grin, patting the bed beside him. "Come, sit. Sorry I acted a bit strange just now."

  Isabella raised an eyebrow, brushing off whatever questions crossed her mind as she took a spot beside him. Though her cheeks were still flushed, she steadied herself, carefully scooping a spoonful of food for him.

  Maverick didn't hesitate, taking the bite without any awkwardness. "It's good," he mumbled through a mouthful, nodding in approval.

  Isabella, though still a bit flustered, managed a small smile. Now, she was the only one feeling a bit out of sorts.

  "Relax, Bella," he murmured, noticing her unease. He had sensed for a while that she had feelings for him—a crush, or maybe just attraction—but he had never given it any thought before. Now, though, he couldn't quite brush it off anymore.

  "So... tell me about school. Ilvermorny," he said, trying to ease the tension.

  Isabella's expression softened, her tension easing. "What do you want to know?"

  "Anything, really," he replied. "I've never been to a magic school, so... what's it like?"

  She glanced at him, noticing how comfortable he seemed. Bit by bit, she relaxed too, recounting tales of Ilvermorny—the houses, classes, and daily life. She shared stories of her friends.

  Maverick noticed she didn't mention many friends. Isabella looked frustrated as she explained that most of the boys—and even girls—who would tried to befriend her were only interested in her connections to her father.

  She explained that she had learned early on to read people by paying attention to what they said and did—a skill her parents had taught her well.

  They talked for almost an hour, all tension between them long gone, replaced by an easy comfort.

  "Enough about me," Isabella said, adjusting the pillow on her lap and facing him. "We've spent months together, and you only ever talk about magic or training. Tell me something I don't know."

  "Uh... like what?" he asked, tilting his head.

  "I mean, back before you knew about magic, we were just regular friends, right? Do you have any interesting stories from then? I couldn't really tell you anything back then because I had to keep the magical part of my life a secret."

  "Hey, that was you," Maverick replied with a grin. "I didn't have any secrets. We were friends, true, so I guess you knew more about my life than I knew about yours. I wasn't hiding anything because I didn't even know magic was real back then."

  Isabella paused, then nodded. "True... I had to hide it, and because of that, I couldn't fully be myself around you. That's why..."

  "Stop pouting, Bella," Maverick said with a reassuring smile. "You had to hide that part of yourself, and I didn't need to know back then. But still, to me, you were a good friend."

  She smiled at that, and the room fell into a brief silence.

  After a moment, Isabella spoke up, changing the topic. "So, the exam results come out in three days. Are you nervous?"

  "Nervous?" Maverick raised an eyebrow and leaned back, looking relaxed. "Not really. I'm confident I did well on my OWLs. The NEWTs, maybe not perfect, but still, I should be pretty close. How about you?"

  Isabella flashed a confident smile. "Too easy."

  Maverick laughed. "Well, you are the teacher's first apprentice."

  At the mention of her father, Isabella's expression changed. "Actually, Dad mentioned he's finished supervising your training, that you're ready to continue on your own. So... what's next? Are you planning to work for his company? Or... join MACUSA?"

  Maverick blinked, suddenly realizing he had never told her about his plans to travel for the next two years—plans to leave in just a few days.

  Just as he opened his mouth, a knock sounded at the door, and Newt's voice called from the hallway.

  Before Maverick could answer, Isabella called out, inviting Newt in.

  Newt entered, glancing between the two of them before setting his handy suitcase on the nearby table.

  "Get some rest, Ricky," Isabella said, rising from the bed. "I'll bring dinner tonight..."

  "That won't be necessary, my dear," Newt interjected. "His arm should be fully healed in another hour or so."

  Isabella paused for a moment, her expression dropping slightly before she quickly masked her disappointment, and began clearing the side table.

  Maverick felt a bit down too, though he couldn't figure out why. He even forgot about the serious conversation he had planned to have with her—about leaving soon. It completely slipped his mind.

  After Isabella left, Newt performed a few diagnostic spells on Maverick, leaving him with some additional potions and instructions to rest.

  The clarity Maverick felt after his moment with Isabella made him feel calm, his mind lighter than it had been in a long time. Sleep seemed like a good idea, so he let himself drift off.

  The next two days passed quickly, but there was no moment like before when they were alone together. Even so, things felt different. Maverick was more relaxed, and Isabella seemed happier and more at ease since their talk.

  Back to the Present...

  "Maverick... Maverick! "

  "Huh?" Maverick blinked, pulled from his thoughts by Silvia's voice.

  "Lost in thought, huh?" she asked, noticing as he scratched his head. "Sorry, I just... remembered something."

  "Really...?" She raised an eyebrow, her tone skeptical at first, then playful. "So?"

  "So...?" Maverick replied, looking confused.

  "I was asking if you'd mentioned your travel plans to Isabella—that you'll be leaving soon."

  He hesitated, then sighed. "I'll tell her today... I just sort of forgot to bring it up," he admitted, sounding a bit anxious.

  Silvia raised an eyebrow, but from his expression, he didn't seem to be lying.

  Silvia sighed, her gaze softening. As Isabella's mother, she knew her well and had noticed subtle changes since Maverick moved in, giving her a good idea of what was going on.

  She decided to tease him, a mischievous glint sparking in her eyes.

  Maverick suddenly felt a shiver and glanced around until his eyes met Silvia's. He gulped, sensing something was coming. That look spelled trouble.

  "You and Bella..." she began.

  'Shit... I knew she'd notice something changed, but, why am I panicking? It's not like I've done anything wrong...' Thoughts raced through Maverick's mind.

  "You two seem a little different lately..." Silvia continued, then looked over at her husband, who was buried in his newspaper. "Isn't that right, hon?"

  "Edward!"

  "Huh? Uh... Yes, darling? What's going on?" Edward asked, peeking over his paper, looking a bit dazed.

  Silvia's brow twitched slightly. "I was saying, Mave—"

  But then, both Maverick and Edward turned toward the dining room entrance that led to the living room. They'd sensed a faint ripple of magic coming from that direction.

  Whoosh.

  With a flash of green light, Isabella Garling stepped out of the fireplace.

  Silvia, hearing the burst of flame, realized someone had used their Floo Network—and they were expecting only one visitor. "That must be Bella..."

  Sure enough, moments later, Isabella appeared, hurrying toward them with an excited look on her face.

  "Got it!" Isabella announced, holding up three envelopes.

  Edward put down his newspaper. He wasn't exactly worried, but that didn't mean he wasn't eager to see how his daughter and Maverick had done on their exams.

  Isabella walked straight over to Maverick, taking a seat beside him at the dining table.

  "Did you check?" Maverick asked.

  "No... I wanted us to open our OWLs together," she replied, handing him two of the three envelopes.

  Silvia clapped her hands. "Alright, go on, open them already!" she urged, her voice mixed with impatience.

  Isabella and Maverick gave her a glance, smiled, and both teared open their OWL results.

  Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

  Office of the Headmaster

  Marquis, Agilbert Fontaine

  June 1989

  Maverick Caeser

  Home Schooled

  Teachers: Edward Garling, Simon Walker, Sarah Walker

  Exam Institute: Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

  Dear Maverick Caeser,

  We are pleased to inform you of the results of your Ordinary Wizarding Level (O.W.L.) examinations, which were held during the past academic year. Your performance in these exams has been nothing short of exceptional, and we congratulate you on your outstanding achievements. Below are the results for each of your subjects:

  History of the Magical World: Excellent

  No-Maj Culture: Excellent

  Arithmancy: Excellent

  Charms: Perfect

  Potions: Perfect

  Transfiguration: Perfect

  Defense Against the Da

  rk Arts: Perfect

  Alchemy: Perfect

  Your achievements in the O.W.L. exams demonstrate not only your aptitude for magical studies but also your dedication and hard work despite learning outside the traditional school environment. We are confident that these remarkable results will serve you well in all future endeavors.

  Please ensure you share this information with your tutors, Edward Garling, Simon Walker, and Sarah Walker, to discuss your next steps in academic and career planning, as your exceptional performance opens many doors for you.

  Once again, congratulations on your impressive performance, and we wish you the very best in all your future endeavors.

  Sincerely,

  Agilbert Fontaine

  Headmaster, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

  Maverick read his letter, then glanced over at Isabella, who was doing the same. After a moment, she met his gaze and flashed a bright smile, but she didn't say anything.

  "Stop dragging it out, children," Silvia called, causing both Maverick and Isabella to look her way.

  "All Perfect..." Isabella said, her voice light, making her mother sigh with relief. Her father nodded approvingly, and for a brief moment, Edward also let out a quiet sigh, clearly relieved to hear her results.

  Silvia stood up from her chair, walked over, and gave her daughter a hug. "I'm so proud of you, sweetheart."

  Edward grinned, showing all his teeth, and said, "That's right. I knew our daughter could do it." His voice was full of approval.

  Isabella smiled, soaking in the praise from her parents.

  Then, all three of them turned their attention to Maverick.

  "Uh... First of all, congratulations, Bella," he said, giving her a look that said he was happy for her.

  He then glanced at his letter. "All Perfect, except for History, No-Maj Studies, and Arithmancy. I scored Excellent in those three," he said, his voice much softer than the excited energy of the lioness beside him.

  "Wonderful," Silvia said with a proud smile.

  Edward nodded approvingly, his expression calm but full of pride, showing that he had never doubted his apprentice.

  Isabella gave him a playful, teasing look, and Maverick knew exactly what it meant. She wasn't trying to show off her better scores; it was just her way of saying she had finally beaten him at something.

  Maverick smiled quietly, then shrugged it off as he tore open his NEWTs envelope.

  Dear Maverick Caeser,

  We are pleased to inform you of the results...

  He quickly focused on the scores.

  Here are the results for each of your subjects:

  Charms: Perfect

  Potions: Excellent

  Transfiguration: Perfect

  Defense Against the Dark Arts: Perfect

  Alchemy: Excellent

  It was exactly what he expected. Potions and Alchemy—he could have easily scored Perfect if he had used the system's help, but he had chosen to master them on his own. Still, Excellent was a solid grade, second only to Perfect, with Very Good, Good, Pass, and Fail following after.

  He felt satisfied with the results. They weren't enough to make him a "once-in-a-generation" genius, then draw unnecessary attention to him, but they were more than good enough not to disappoint his teacher. It was the perfect achievement for him.

  He floated the letter to his teacher, which Edward took and read. Edward then glanced at Maverick, pausing for a moment, making Maverick feel a bit nervous.

  Edward smiled, showing all his teeth, proud, just like when he praised his daughter. "Good job," he said, then paused before adding, "You should share this with Sarah and Simon before you leave for your next journey tomorrow."

  "Tell us the scores, you two..." Silvia called, and Maverick smiled, turning toward her.

  "Five subjects, three perfect and two excellent," he said to Silvia, then looked over at Isabella to see her reaction.

  However, he noticed her expression looked unusually confused. Then it clicked in his mind. 'Oh, shit...'

  "Leave?... What journey?" Isabella asked, looking at her father uncertainly.

  Silvia quickly understood. Although Maverick had said he would explain things to Isabella later, she expected him to have at least mentioned something by now, especially since Isabella spent most of her time with him after school.

  But it seemed Isabella had been kept completely in the dark.

  Seeing the confusion and disappointment on her face, Maverick was eager to explain.

  Before he could say a word, Edward cut him off—mercilessly.

  Silvia sighed.

  "Hmm... Well, since he's completed my training program, he'll be traveling to different countries next to learn more—basically gaining more hands-on experience," Edward explained casually.

  The Arch-Magus clearly didn't know how to read the room.

  Maverick glanced at Isabella, her eyes wide in shock—though not the happy kind. He felt sorry for her and worried she might resent him for keeping her in the dark.

  Isabella then turned her head from her father to Maverick. When she saw the apologetic look on his face, she knew it was true.

  For some reason, the news made her heart ache. Without thinking, she followed her instincts and ran upstairs to her room, not saying anything to anyone.

  Maverick wanted to stop her but hesitated. The look in her eyes—the disappointment—made him realize that Isabella truly had feelings for him.

  "What just happened...?" Edward asked, his face showing confusion. He glanced at his wife, then at Maverick, and back to his wife.

  Silvia ignored him, her attention on Maverick. She looked at him sympathetically. "You want me to talk to her?"

  Maverick paused for a moment, then sighed. "No. It's better if I speak to her. Thanks, Aunt." He stood up and walked toward the stairs.

  Edward still wore a bewildered expression, looking at his wife as if seeking an explanation.

  Silvia sighed and explained to Edward the changes she'd noticed in their daughter and his apprentice, not worried about his disapproval—after all, Maverick had been part of their lives since he was a kid, and they knew the kind of person he was.

  ---

  Maverick stood outside Isabella's room, hesitating before softly knocking.

  "Bella, can I come in?" he called gently.

  "Go away..." her voice answered from within, shaky and full of emotion.

  "I just want to explain—"

  "There's nothing to talk about," she interrupted, her voice heavy with frustration. "Just... go away. I'm tired..."

  Maverick sighed and pushed forward. "I'm coming in, Bella..." He turned the doorknob and opened the door.

  "No! Go away, Ricky... go away—" Isabella's voice cracked as she pleaded.

  He saw her sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard, her face buried in a pillow on her lap. He could hear her quiet sobs, and it hurt him more than he'd expected.

  "Bella..." he said softly, stepping closer.

  She didn't answer.

  He sat beside her on the bed and raised his arm to comfort her, but stopped, not sure what to say or do.

  She remained buried in the pillow.

  He lowered his head, struggling to find the words.

  "I... I was going to tell you—"

  "Just leave!" she cried, her voice breaking. "You got what you wanted from my family..."

  Maverick's heart ached. He knew she didn't mean it, and he couldn't blame her.

  "You know that's not true, Bella..." he said, his gaze still down.

  She didn't answer, and her sobs slowly quieted. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it..." She quickly apologized, realizing she had spoken out of line.

  Maverick sat in silence, staring down.

  Isabella slowly lifted the pillow enough to peek at him and saw sadness, hurt, and regret written on his face.

  "I know. You didn't mean it." He paused, raising his head to meet her eyes. "I'm sorry too. Believe me, I never meant to keep that from you..."

  Isabella lowered her head again, burying herself in the pillow. "Then why?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

  Maverick couldn't find the words. His situation was complicated, even for him.

  "It's... fine. We're just... friends. It's not like we need to tell each other everything..." she said, breaking the silence, as if trying to reassure herself.

  "No... that's not it, Bella. I just..." Maverick struggled to find the words. "I didn't tell you because... I got so caught up in magic. I didn't think I had time for anything else, even goodbyes."

  He took a deep breath. "For you, magic has always been part of your life. But for me, it came out of nowhere, just a year ago. After that, it consumed me. There was only magic in my mind, and nothing else. I didn't mean for it to happen. It just did. Until..." Maverick looked into her eyes. "Until you woke me up, three days ago."

  Isabella's cheeks flushed slightly. She didn't fully understand what Maverick was talking about, but somehow, it made her feel less disappointed.

  "What happened three days ago?" Isabella asked.

  Maverick chuckled at her puzzled look. "You made me realize I wasn't being myself. I was too focused on magic and forgot how to feel other things."

  Isabella thought back to their awkward lunch three days ago. She didn't realize anything so important had happened, which only confused her more.

  "How did I... make you realize that?" she asked, leaning back, now a bit more relaxed but more curious.

  Maverick hesitated, but seeing the look in her eyes, he decided to open up.

  "It's... you," he said, lowering his head, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Over the last few months, I started to... like you. Unknowingly! I was so focused on magic that I completely ignored it."

  He paused. "But you woke me up. You made me realize I'd been neglecting my emotions, acting... unnatural..."

  Isabella didn't catch the last part of what he said. Her eyes went wide, her mouth fell open, and her face instantly turned bright red.

  After a moment of silence, Maverick looked up and saw her flushed. As soon as their eyes met, she quickly buried her face in the pillow.

  "Uh..." He didn't know what to say anymore. He had basically confessed.

  "Bella?" he called softly.

  One second. Five seconds. Half a minute passed. She stayed there, her face hidden in the pillow.

  "Bella—"

  "Are you just saying that to make me feel better?" she asked suddenly.

  Maverick paused, then chuckled. "No!"

  She slowly lowered the pillow, and he saw her face was still bright red. He gave her a playful smirk.

  "What?" she said, throwing the pillow at him.

  Maverick caught it, holding it as he looked at her. She crossed her arms, trying to look tough, but with her flushed face, it didn't quite work.

  "So, you turned into this magic-obsessed bookworm, forgot how to have fun, and everything outside of magic... until you started to like—" She stammered, clearly embarrassed.

  "It wasn't forgetting, exactly. I just... got so focused on magic that I pushed everything else away without realizing it. That's the best I can explain."

  "So, do you... really?" she asked hesitantly.

  "Uh?" He blinked, confused, then realized what she meant. "Uh... yeah. I can't say no. It was you who woke me up. My feelings for you... well, yeah." Maverick saw her face turn even redder, but there was a sense of relief in her expression.

  "What about you?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

  As soon as he asked, she snatched the pillow from him like lightning, burying her face again.

  Maverick chuckled.

  "You know I do," she mumbled, her voice muffled by the pillow.

  "I can't hear a thing," he said, leaning closer.

  "I said I do too..." she replied, lifting her head just enough to meet his eyes, now only an inch apart.

  He pulled back quickly, laughing to ease the awkwardness.

  Although he had confessed his feelings, Maverick wasn't planning on starting a relationship with her just yet. She still had two years before graduation, and he was determined to travel the world during that time, with no intention of changing or postponing his plans.

  Her brows relaxed as she looked at him. "I think I get it. Maybe I don't fully understand, but... I trust you." She gave him a soft, forgiving smile. "Apology accepted."

  Maverick felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Thank you..." he said, then laid back on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, his arms stretched out.

  The silence settled again. Maverick's eyes were fixed on the ceiling, while Isabella leaned against the side, her gaze focused on him.

  "You're... still leaving, right?" Isabella asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

  Maverick nodded slowly, still staring at the ceiling. After a moment, he spoke. "Two years. When I get back... if you still feel the same, I'd like for us to be together." He paused, searching for the right words. "But right now, I'm afraid. If we start something now and it doesn't work out while we're apart, it could hurt the friendship we already have. And, Bella... I can't risk losing you as a friend too."

  Isabella gave a small, understanding smile. She looked down, lost in thought for a moment before speaking softly. "I don't want to lose that either."

  Maverick smiled at that, a wave of relief washing over him. He got up from the bed and stretched. "Come on," he said, nodding toward the door. "Aunt and teacher are going to be worried."

  Isabella sat with her legs crossed, a pillow over her knees, leaning against the bed's side, her eyes fixed on him.

  Maverick could see she wanted to say something, but was hesitating. He raised an eyebrow. "What?"

  Isabella blinked and lowered her head. Maverick didn't interrupt, giving her the time to think. He believed it was better to get everything out now rather than hold it in for later.

  After a moment, she spoke, still looking down. "So... for the next two years... what are we?"

  Maverick paused, letting out a thoughtful hum before answering. "Your good friend," he said, flashing a smile that showed all his teeth. "And it's not like I'll be gone the whole time. I can Apparate as easily as breathing, so I'll pop by now and then."

  Isabella finally lifted her head after hearing Maverick's answer. Her eyes were a little teary, but Maverick could tell it wasn't just sadness. Through his Magical-Sense, he sensed relief and happiness mixed in too. He didn't want to press any further, so he again gestured for her to join him and headed downstairs.

  This time, Isabella nodded and got off the bed. Maverick turned toward the door, but then he felt a soft tug from behind. Isabella had wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly, her face buried in his back.

  Maverick hesitated, then decided not to pull away. He allowed her to hold him, though he didn't return the embrace. Instead, he gently patted her arms as they wrapped around his chest, offering what comfort he could.

  "I'll be waiting... and... even if it doesn't work out after two years... I promise I'll still be your good friend," she said, her voice soft but filled with sincerity.

  Maverick felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Good..." he said softly, patting her arms again. His word was simple, but the meaning was clear to her.

  Slowly, Isabella let go. But as she did, she gave him a playful shove, almost making him stumble. "Hey, what's that for?" he asked, turning with a wobble.

  "That's for making me cry." she replied, pouting with a grumpy yet undeniably cute expression. Then, with a swift movement, she slammed the door in his face.

  Maverick couldn't help but smile, shaking his head.

  ---

  Maverick walked down the stairs, getting himself ready for the conversation ahead. He knew that Isabella's mother had likely noticed something about their relationship, but her father—who was also Maverick's teacher—either hadn't noticed or didn't mind.

  He felt fairly confident that his teacher wouldn't mind if his relationship with Isabella went beyond just friendship.

  A few days ago, during their awkward lunch, Isabella mentioned that most men who showed interest in her had one thing in mind—they wanted to get on her father's good side. Getting close to her was just a way to get close to him.

  She mentioned that her parents were furious about it and warned her to be careful, even hiring No-Maj psychology experts to coach her, helping her see through people's motives.

  Maverick wasn't very surprised. Her parents weren't prejudiced against non-magical people—her mother was one, after all.

  Her parents didn't mind her starting a relationship once she turned 15. This wasn't the normal world. Wizards and witches grew up and matured faster than regular people, and many old wizarding families encouraged young relationships.

  The Garling family was no different. Although Edward had a more modern outlook, he was still a wizard. As a speaker at the ICW, his status was equal to, if not higher than, any ancient family patriarch's.

  Edward and Silvia knew their daughter would eventually be approached by the opposite sex, but as her parents, they would obviously protect her from people with ulterior motives.

  Then there was Maverick. His family and Isabella's family had known each other well for years. And since Maverick had shown magical talent, that bond had grown even closer.

  Maverick felt fairly confident that his teacher would see him as a good match for his daughter. Edward obviously trusted him, or he wouldn't have taken him on as an apprentice. He wasn't concerned about Silvia—her approval was clear from her face.

  Still, these were just guesses. Maverick was about to find out if they were true.

  When Maverick walked back into the dining room, he saw both his teacher and Silvia watching him. Silvia looked curious, while Edward had one eyebrow raised, as if saying, explain yourself.

  Maverick cleared his throat and sat down. "She'll be fine. Just a bit upset... but she's alright now."

  Silvia's brow relaxed. "Well, I'm glad you two talked it over."

  But Edward cut in, his tone sharp. "And why, pray tell, was she upset?"

  Maverick stiffened nervously. Edward clearly wanted an explanation, and he didn't have one ready. Thankfully, Silvia stepped in. "Oh, hush. They're young. Let them handle their own business."

  Edward glanced at his wife, then turned back to Maverick, who looked uneasy. Edward paused, studying him closely, and Maverick felt like his teacher could see straight through his soul.

  After a moment, Edward sighed. "You're a good kid, little Rick." His words left Maverick feeling both relieved and a bit confused.

  Just then, footsteps sounded behind Maverick as Isabella walked in, now changed from her school uniform into something more casual.

  She came over and sat next to him without saying a word. Maverick glanced sideways, meeting her eyes, and gave her a nod and a smile, which she returned.

  To Isabella's parents, their behavior seemed a bit unnatural, but they didn't press. Silvia had shared her thoughts with her husband, and now they both had a general idea of why.

  Sensing the tension, Maverick cleared his throat to break the silence. "Uh... so, I was thinking... when I go back to the UK tomorrow, why don't you guys come along too? Spend the weekend."

  "Thats a wonderful idea..." Silvia said, then send a glance to her husband, to which he nodded.

  "Ah... that reminds me," Edward said, turning to Maverick. "We should get you registered with the British Ministry of Magic soon. Your father called about it a month ago."

  Maverick looked at him, puzzled. "Dad did? Why?"

  "He wanted to know when you'd be done with your training. Once you're finished, he wants you registered in Britain, not with MACUSA. Apparently, the Queen advised him."

  Maverick looked even more confused. "How did she know?"

  "Well, he is the current Prime Minister. Having a secret wizard son isn't ideal for a No-Maj leader on paper. We discussed the matter," Edward said, meeting Maverick's eyes.

  "Sorry we didn't tell you earlier," he continued. "Your father asked me not to worry you with it and said he would handle it... We gave the Queen the same story about you that we give anyone else."

  Maverick gave his teacher a thoughtful look. "How did she take it..."

  "Well, since I'm a speaker at the ICW, keeping your wizarding identity private couldn't be questioned—even by the Queen."

  Maverick, along with Isabella and Silvia, listened closely to Edward's explanation.

  "Will there be any issues with magical or non-magical laws?" Silvia asked.

  "No. The law allows ancient families and ICW speakers to take in magicals born from No-Maj families, openly or privately. So we haven't broken any laws," Edward said.

  "Hmm... I think I get it. Politics... Is my dad going to be in trouble... I mean, could he lose his position because I'm a wizard?" Maverick asked.

  Edward touched his chin, thinking. "Not likely. Your father mentioned that the Queen wants to meet you. I think she'd rather you be on their side than on the British Ministry of Magic's—probably because you're my apprentice."

  "Their side?" Maverick asked, trying to understand. "Wizards are wizards, even if they work for No-Maj governments, right?"

  Edward chuckled. "Hah... since World War II and the talks that followed, there's been this quiet tug-of-war for magical talent," he said, glancing at his family and Maverick.

  "This isn't exactly classified—it's more of an open secret. Young witches and wizards are highly coveted by No-Maj governments, and they're offered a lot. So, more graduates are choosing to work for No-Maj government agencies in their countries.

  But No-Maj authorities can only approach No-Maj-born wizards, and only if they agree. So it's limited... and, well, our numbers aren't very high to begin with.

  The Wizarding authorities want to keep magicals close. Most magical societies have dropped, even banned, the old ideas about blood status because of this—though only in some countries," he said, looking at Maverick.

  "Unfortunately, the British and their 'pure-blood' nonsense are still around. Bunch of backward fools..."

  Maverick cleared his throat, smiling sheepishly. He was aware of it, but what could he do? He didn't get to choose which country he was born into.

  "Hey, don't compare Maverick to those bigots," Silvia cut in, glancing at her husband.

  "I'm not saying he's one of those idiots. You think I'd take him as an apprentice if he thought that way?" Edward said, glancing at his wife, then at Maverick.

  Maverick smiled, scratching his head as he continued to listen.

  "I'm just saying... if the British Ministry of Magic doesn't wake up soon, they're going to be left behind by the rest of the world."

  "Ricky can move to America..." Isabella, who had been listening quietly, suddenly spoke up, making all three turn to her. She blushed and lowered her head.

  Silvia smiled, amused at her daughter's comment.

  "Hehe, yeah... if things get bad, I'll just ask Mom and Dad to move to the States," Maverick joked, hoping to ease Isabella's embarrassment.

  Maverick could see a hopeful gleam in her eyes, even as she kept her head down.

  Edward chuckled but didn't comment.

  "Well, then, we'll make the trip," Edward said, making Silvia sit up with a smile. He looked at her, "Give Ariel a call. Tell her we'll be visiting by Floo tomorrow at... let's say nine in the morning, London time."

  Then he glanced at Maverick. "When you visit the No-Maj monarch, I'd like to go with you."

  Maverick nodded quickly. "Yeah, I'd like that... but will she be okay with it? I mean, Teacher, you're not just anybody..."

  "Don't worry. No non-magical monarch or president would turn down a meeting with a speaker. She'll be more than happy to see me," Edward said, grinning.

  "Alright then, it's settled. I'll go call London," Silvia said, then glanced at her daughter. "Sweetheart, could you clear the table after you three are finished?"

  Isabella nodded, still looking down. "Got it, Mom." She was still flustered, but now, it was the thought of going to Maverick's home and meeting his parents.

  It wasn't like she and Maverick were in an official relationship yet, and it wasn't the first time she would be meeting them. But after they'd confessed to each other and agreed on their two-year commitment, she still couldn't act naturally when it involved Maverick.

  ---

  Silvia left to make her call to London, leaving Edward alone with Maverick and Isabella.

  Edward looked at the two sitting there with their heads down, looking nervous. The silence in the room grew heavier with each passing second.

  Some time passed like that, and finally, he couldn't take it. He cleared his throat, and couldn't help but smirk a little seeing the two in front of him visibly tense up.

  "So... you two are now...?" he began, leaving the sentence open for one of them to finish.

  Maverick took a breath, steadying himself. He glanced at Isabella and saw her shaking off the awkwardness as well.

  But Maverick didn't let her speak first; he thought he could explain their situation better.

  "Actually... Teacher," he began, meeting Edward's and then glancing at Isabella, "I think you and Aunt Silvia may have misunderstood."

  Isabella didn't interrupt and let him explain.

  "Misunderstood? You two aren't in some romantic relationship? " Edward asked directly, raising an eye brow.

  Maverick took a moment to better arrange his words. The silence made Edward misunderstand that his student may be afraid to admit, so he spoke up.

  "Actually, i don't mind. In fact, I'm relieved it's you. I can't think of anyone better suited to take care of my daughter in the future." he glanced at both while speaking.

  "Daddy..." Isabella whispered softly, her eyes slightly moist. She didn't cry, but gave him a grateful smile.

  Maverick felt a wave of relief at Edward's words. He was happy and deeply grateful to his teacher, not just for mentoring him, but also for trusting him with Isabella's future.

  He started to have second thoughts. At first, his concerns were about not wanting to disrupt Isabella's education if they started a relationship now. He also assumed Edward and Silvia would feel the same way.

  Maverick's thoughts were influenced by his previous life, but this was a different world. It turned out that Isabella's parents actually encouraged them to commit to a relationship now.

  Of course, there was the issue of being apart for long periods during his travels. But now, as he thought about it, there were plenty of magical ways to stay in touch.

  But he needed to be sure, so he decided to speak his mind.

  "Well, teacher..." he began, glancing at Isabella and giving her a nod before turning to Edward. "Isabella and I do have feelings for each other. But, as you know, I'll be gone for the next two years, and Isabella still has two years until graduation. At first, we decided to wait until then to make it official—if our feelings are still the same by then. But if you and aunt Silvia don't mind, and if Bella here accepts," he met her gaze, "I'd like to ask for your consent to start a romantic relationship with her." He said it all in one breath and again turned back to Edward.

  Isabella stared at him, her eyes wide. After a moment, she blurted out before Edward could respond, "Of course I don't mind..." Her face flushed, and she lowered her head, waiting for her father to speak.

  Maverick smiled and scratched his head, also waiting for Edward's answer.

  "Like I said, I couldn't find a better person to take care of my daughter than you. I know you, my wife knows you, and we've known your family for a long time. But I..." He paused, making the two in front of him tense.

  Edward tried to arrange his thoughts carefully. "Well, you both are still young, and... just be careful. You can start your own famil—"

  "Dad!" Isabella cut in, her face red as a tomato. Maverick looked equally speechless.

  Maverick quickly added, "Teacher, please don't misunderstand what I said earlier. Although we have feelings for each other and are committed to a relationship, we're still young. Isabella will graduate in two years, and I'll be traveling during that time, just as I mentioned when I spoke about my plans."

  Edward gave a sheepish smile, showing all his front teeth. Though Maverick could pick up the subtle shift in his expression that showed he was relieved.

  Just then, Silvia came back after finishing her phone call. She noticed the tense atmosphere and immediately gave her husband a blank look.

  "What... I didn't do anything," Edward said, raising his hands. He knew his wife well enough to understand what she was asking without her having to say it.

  She turned to Maverick and Isabella. "Is he giving you a hard time?"

  "No, Aunt."

  "No, Mom. Dad's just being a super idiot..." Isabella said, glaring at her father.

  "Uh..." Silvia didn't know how to respond. She brushed the worry off and got back to what she had been about to say.

  "I called your mom," she said, looking at Maverick. "I told her we'll be visiting tomorrow, morning London time. She said she and Mike would take the day off..." She finished, her face lighting up with an eager, happy smile.

  Maverick smiled back, then remembered something and asked, "We're taking the Floo, right? I arrived normally, so the Muggle records would still show me here in America..." He looked at his teacher.

  "You can come back and travel normally anytime later... we'll take the Floo, yes," Edward answered.

  "Uh... okay."

  "Wonderful..." Silvia said, then glanced at Edward. "Husband, come with me. I need to speak to you..."

  Edward sighed and stood up. Before leaving, he glanced at Maverick. "Little Rick, come to my study tonight..." he said, not adding any more details. Maverick was left in suspense and could only nod in agreement.

  The adults left, and Maverick and Isabella sat alone. It was quiet, but both of them wore expressions that said they had too many things to say.

  "Bella... Sorry, I didn't discuss this with you first," Maverick began. "When your father gave his blessing, it just relieved me so much that I couldn't help but change my mind right there on the spot."

  Isabella met his gaze, smirking and raising an eyebrow. "So that two-year waiting thing was all because you were afraid Dad would beat you up?"

  Cough.

  "No... well, partially. I didn't want any negative influence affecting your education. I mean, because we started dating early."

  "What dating? You're going to Merlin knows where, and we'll be speaking by letter, at most. My grades are going to be fine, idiot."

  Maverick gave her a sheepish smile before becoming serious. "Bella, are you sure? I mean, we won't be seeing each other often for a long time—"

  Isabella grabbed his collar, pulling him closer and locking her lips with his. It was her first kiss, but impressively executed. Maverick's eyes widened; even his magical sense didn't alert him to her actions.

  They shared a short kiss before separating. Isabella stared down, her face red with blush. "Does that answer you?" she said, not meeting his eyes.

  "Uh... well... yeah..." he answered, feeling embarrassed as well, though not as much as her.

  The room fell into silence again until Maverick spoke after a moment. "You want to do something?"

  Isabella gave him a glance. "Do what?"

  "Well, we've got the whole day."

  "Duel?" she asked.

  "No." Maverick rejected the idea. He didn't want anything to do with magic today. "Let's go visit some Muggle places. Buy some gifts for my parents, go to a restaurant..."

  Isabella's eyes lit up with excitement. "A date?" she asked.

  Maverick smiled. "Sure..."

  And so, they both left after letting Edward and Silvia know, off on their first ever date.

  Time passed as Maverick and Isabella spent their day in the Muggle world, mostly shopping and then going to a restaurant to grab a meal.

  They returned around sunset, each carrying many bags—mostly clothes Isabella had bought for him, along with some gifts for Maverick's parents.

  They spent some more time together before joining Edward and Silvia for dinner.

  After dinner, around nine o'clock, Maverick headed to Edward's private study, where they usually had their evening lessons. He reached the door, and before he could knock, Edward's voice called from inside, inviting him in.

  Maverick opened the door, his expression tense. After all, this was his first one-on-one with Isabella's father since the events of the morning.