Chapter 24

Sitting at the desk, Abel began writing down the tasks he needed to address next in his notepad.

At the top of the list was the second step of his plan with Tony. The second item was re-mastering and applying the Extension Charm.

Abel had accumulated more magical items recently—whether it was materials, experimental notes, or other things—so hiding them all under his bed wasn't feasible anymore. He needed a proper place to store them, and the Extension Charm was the best solution.

The Extension Charm could increase the internal space of any container without changing its outer appearance. As long as something could be classified as a container, it would work. However, Abel had a more ambitious goal for the Extension Charm. He wanted to create a secret, portable laboratory where he could conduct experiments and store important items.

For example, in his previous life, he had met Newt Scamander, the famous author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Newt's briefcase, which housed an entire world inside, was a prime example of the Extension Charm's potential. Abel wanted to build something similar—a secret lab where he could carry out his magical research.

After writing down the Extension Charm, Abel listed the third item: magic.

Initially, Abel thought he could slowly increase his magical power with age. However, after his recent confrontation with Stan's Iron Monger, he realized his strength was still lacking. Most of the magic he had learned in his previous life was designed for fighting people. Even the Unforgivable Curses required a direct hit on the target to be effective.

Considering this, Abel recognized the value of Transfiguration as an excellent form of combat magic. But Transfiguration required immense magical power to be useful in battle, something he didn't currently possess. Even if he could use Transfiguration effectively, it wasn't a guaranteed way to defeat opponents. Transforming an object required a deep understanding of both the original and transformed state, making it complicated in a high-stakes fight.

Furthermore, Abel noticed that the magical effects he knew from his previous life, such as the Levitation Charm, had changed in this world. The Levitation Charm here allowed him to leap and dash through the air, which was different from the original spell's intent. Similarly, Transfiguration had its own quirks. Stronger objects, or those with higher energy, resisted transformation, making magic like changing the Iron Monger's armor nearly impossible due to the immense magical cost.

Ultimately, his lack of magic power was the core issue. Wizards with powerful magic had countless ways to defeat their enemies, but those with insufficient power faced constant limitations.

In his previous life's magic system, most magical power was innate and typically increased with age. While there were ways to enhance magical power, they were rare and often ineffective. The only reliable method Abel knew was through the creation of Horcruxes, as Voldemort had done. Horcruxes not only made Voldemort nearly immortal but also significantly boosted his magical strength.

However, the consequences were severe. Horcruxes made their creator cruel and unstable. Voldemort, once a brilliant and strategic mind, had turned into a bloodthirsty maniac. Power came at the cost of sanity, and Abel was well aware of that.

Of course, while his previous world didn't offer a safe way to enhance magical power, it didn't mean there were no methods in this world. At the very least, Kamar-Taj likely had ways to augment magical strength. Abel also considered learning Kamar-Taj's magic to draw power from other dimensions, which could help mitigate his current limitations.

Just like his partnership with Tony, these matters would unfold gradually.

Abel was suddenly interrupted by the sound of the front door opening. He quickly placed his notes back on the desk, slipped his wand into his pocket, and walked out of his room.

In the living room, Abel saw Sharon walking in with Treya. He glanced at Sharon and asked his mother, "Mom, how did you and Sharon get together? Are you two back in touch?"

"Sharon came to New York to take care of some things. It was late, so she called and asked if she could stay for the night. I finished work early and picked her up," Treya explained.

"Oh, I see. Let me make some hot coffee for you both."

"Thank you very much, dear," Treya said.

Sharon smiled and nodded. "Thanks, Abel."

Shaking his head, Abel replied, "It's nothing."

He headed to the kitchen and started boiling water. He took out Treya's hand-ground coffee, carefully preparing cups for both of them.

As Abel worked, he couldn't shake the feeling that Sharon's visit wasn't as simple as it appeared. He had always found Sharon's closeness to his family somewhat unusual, but Treya seemed happy with her presence, so Abel hadn't said anything. Still, when Sharon arrived with Treya earlier, Abel felt a vague sense of danger, which made him subconsciously wary of her.

After preparing the coffee, Abel brought the cups to the living room, placing them in front of Treya and Sharon. He excused himself, mentioning he had homework to do, and returned to his room.

Sitting back at his desk, Abel tapped his fingers lightly on the surface, deep in thought. If it was all just his imagination, that would be fine. But if his suspicions were correct, it was time to consider some precautions.

With that in mind, Abel deliberately left his notes on the desk, stood up, and walked into the bathroom.