Marvel: Trading with Worlds

Meanwhile, Kain's focus remained unwavering. The source of magical power was integral to his control over the culmination of his magical studies. 

It was no simple task, and while he'd tried numerous configurations, none were entirely satisfactory. The current iterations still fell short of perfection, and Kain knew he couldn't afford carelessness in this endeavor.

The more perfectly the source of magic was constructed, the greater the benefits it would bring to Kain in the long run. 

Unlike ordinary wizards, whose magical power hardly increased after adulthood, Kain was different.

Thanks to the effects of the Extremis Virus, his genes were continuously optimized toward perfection, enabling him to absorb natural energy and expand the upper limit of his magical power. 

However, if the source of magic he constructed now was even slightly flawed, it could limit him significantly in the future.

Life at Hogwarts was far from dull, though Kain rarely left his office. Instead, he relied on his clones to teach his classes. 

Despite his reclusive nature, whispers about him continued to grow among the students. Recently, some students had witnessed an incident where Kain confronted the centaurs at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. 

The scene was described as "cold" and became a hot topic of discussion.

At the time, Kain had no intention of negotiating with the centaurs. They had acted aggressively upon seeing him, so he used a Levitation Charm to hurl them back into the Forbidden Forest. 

He issued a clear ultimatum: if they dared to behave arrogantly and try to dominate humans, he would ensure they became an endangered species.

The centaurs were tossed aside, many with broken legs or arms. Hagrid, ever the kind soul, eventually helped return them to their tribe deep within the Forbidden Forest. 

Since that day, no centaurs had been spotted within ten miles of Hogwarts.

The incident divided opinions among the students. Some supported Kain's actions, believing the centaurs had deserved the punishment. 

Others, however, thought his response was too harsh, arguing that the centaurs were Hogwarts' long-standing neighbors and should not have been treated so violently.

Hermione, overhearing someone criticizing Kain, immediately jumped to his defense. She had learned the full details of the incident and knew the centaurs had attacked first. 

While her godfather's methods were undeniably rough, he had acted in self-defense and out of necessity.

Despite the debates, no one dared to discuss the matter openly in front of Kain. Although he was polite and approachable, his reputation as a formidable wizard preceded him. 

Whether it was defeating over twenty Death Eaters or dealing with the centaurs, Kain had become one of the most intimidating figures at Hogwarts.

 In his Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, even the Slytherins listened attentively, not daring to disrupt.

Time passed, and Christmas Eve finally arrived. The students' attention was consumed by preparations for the upcoming party. Beauxbatons, renowned for its beautiful witches, drew much attention, and many students, including Fleur, received invitations from admirers. 

It was a time of heightened emotions and hormonal chaos, with everyone striving to look their best for the evening.

The three schools' styles of evening attire varied slightly, but all were designed to showcase elegance and charm. Kain and Hermione, however, had no such concerns. 

They wore exquisitely tailored evening attire from one of London's finest boutiques, ensuring they looked impeccable for the occasion.

"Godfather."

At the door to the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's office, Hermione appeared, dressed in an elegant evening gown. 

Her hair was styled into a neat bun, and she had applied light makeup. Her transformation was stunning, radiating sophistication.

She had rested well in the days leading up to the party, and although her complexion had improved, the light makeup she applied enhanced her beauty further.

Kain didn't hesitate to compliment her. "You look beautiful today, Hermione, but you should head to the Great Hall first."

Hermione feigned embarrassment and replied, "That might be difficult, Godfather. Lately, I've been so focused on researching the brewing process of Felix Felicis that I overlooked the need for a dance partner. Attending a party like this without one is rather embarrassing for a girl."

"Felix Felicis? Are you already attempting to brew that potion?" Kain asked, his surprise evident. Hermione was delving into one of the most complex and valuable potions known to wizards. 

With such talent and dedication, it was no wonder that even Snape had begrudgingly awarded her out-of-class bonus points for her potion-making skills.

"No dance partner, you say? Then I'll be your dance partner," Kain offered. "Though I suspect this may draw some curious attention."

Over the past few months, Kain's temperament had been subtly altered by the unicorn gene within him, giving him an aura that was difficult to ignore. 

For this reason, he had rarely ventured out. Becoming Hermione's dance partner would undoubtedly attract a lot of eyes. 

According to his calculations, however, once the source of magical power was fully established within his body, this noble and ethereal aura would likely become more subdued.

Hermione beamed with happiness at his reply, but she quickly composed herself, saying, "Thank you, Godfather. I'm grateful."

"Traditionally, I would have sent Filch to deliver this to your dormitory tonight, but since we've already met, I'll give it to you now," Kain said, pulling out a pair of earrings. "This is my third alchemical creation, imbued with defensive enchantments."

Before he could finish explaining, Hermione interrupted excitedly, "Cleansing, recovery, and offensive magic?"

Kain raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "Impressive. You got two out of three correct. The last one, however, isn't an offensive function. This kind of alchemical item isn't suitable for housing attack-based ancient runes. Instead, the final enchantment provides an effect similar to a Disillusionment Charm."

"Thank you, Godfather. I love it!" Hermione replied with a bright smile. Internally, she thought to herself that she had deliberately misidentified the last function to avoid revealing her Animagus secret.

"Come on, it's almost time," Kain said, gesturing for Hermione to follow him. As they walked toward the Great Hall, he recounted a recent incident.

"I think I scared a student recently. Their black cat used to visit me often, and we got along well. After I gave it a nameplate, however, I haven't seen it again. I assume the student locked it away. It's a shame—I was planning to buy the cat."

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