Chapter 53: The Magic of Kamar Taj

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"Mr. Lockhart, let's stop here. I still have things to deal with in the library."

"Okay, Master Morin. Let's discuss Kamar Taj's magic next time."

"Alright, we'll talk next time."

Soon, Lockhart watched Master Morin use the Sling Ring to create a spark portal to Kamar Taj. Master Morin stepped through, and the portal flickered slightly before disappearing. Lockhart gazed at the spot where Morin had vanished, a trace of envy flashing in his eyes.

Kamar Taj's portal magic was incredibly convenient—safe to use and capable of covering long distances. While Apparition in the Harry Potter world was also impressive, its distance was limited but it was very flexible. Unfortunately, Lockhart hadn't mastered either magic. The original Lockhart never learned Apparition, and he himself had only studied it for less than half a month. Using it would require more training. In the early stages, improper use of Apparition could result in severe injuries or even death.

Lockhart decided it would be better to wait until he returned to the Harry Potter world to learn from a professional or perhaps obtain it through other means. A thoughtful look crossed his face as he recalled his recent conversation with Master Morin about Kamar Taj's magic. He was extremely interested in their magical practices and had borrowed many books. However, he found that most of the spells were closely tied to the power of Vishanti. Techniques like out-of-body experiences, portals, and mirror spaces required this power.

Without the power of Vishanti, it felt like a key piece of the puzzle was missing. He always failed when trying to substitute his own magic power. For a moment, Lockhart felt frustrated but quickly adjusted his mindset. If he was missing the power of Vishanti, he would just have to supplement it. Despite his reservations about relying on external forces, he was not one to give up easily.

Kamar Taj had been using the power of Vishanti for thousands of years. Surely, others had considered the risks. Understanding Vishanti would undoubtedly help him practice Kamar Taj's magic. From his conversation with Master Morin, Lockhart learned that borrowing power from other dimensions was common and accepted. The only consequence mentioned was that, after death, the user's body would return to the dimension as the price for their lifelong use of the power.

This notion made Lockhart hesitant. If paying the price after death was the only risk, he might accept it, given the many ways to extend life in both the Harry Potter and Marvel worlds. However, he feared there might be greater risks. Lockhart decided to leave the New York Sanctuary and head to his next appointment.

Vientiane Book Cafe

Vientiane Book Cafe, a combination library and coffee shop, was located in Queens. The owner had decorated it meticulously and hired a specialized designer. The cafe perfectly blended the intellectual charm of books with the casual atmosphere of a coffee shop, resulting in substantial daily profits. However, due to urgent financial needs, the owner had to sell the book cafe.

Coulson had arranged for Lockhart to consider it at 4 o'clock that afternoon. If everything was satisfactory, they could sign the contract and transfer ownership. Despite making a reservation, Coulson arrived early, wearing a suit and chatting with the shop owner like a realtor.

As it neared 4 o'clock, Coulson spotted Lockhart approaching and quickly greeted him. "Good afternoon, Professor Lockhart. The bookstore is right in front. You can go in and have a look. If everything is fine, S.H.I.E.L.D. will handle the rest."

Feeling Coulson's enthusiasm, Lockhart nodded slightly and said gently, "Mr. Coulson, I'm sorry for troubling you. After everything is settled, I have prepared a gift. I hope you will accept it."

Hearing about the gift, Coulson smiled and led Lockhart towards the book cafe's entrance. The shop owner, waiting for the buyer, greeted them. As Coulson introduced him, Lockhart quietly surveyed the Vientiane Book Cafe.

The overall feel of the cafe was excellent, with a simple yet elegant design. The scattered desks and pre-placed coffee, combined with the carefully arranged bookshelves, created a peaceful atmosphere that Lockhart appreciated.

He had already envisioned the role of this book cafe. First, it would serve as a public contact point. Future meetings would take place there instead of at his home, providing a layer of isolation from unnecessary troubles. This choice stemmed from a habit in his previous life, where he enjoyed visiting book cafes to relax with tea and a good book.

Secondly, the cafe would host guests, including sorcerers from Kamar Taj. Lockhart needed a better environment to receive these guests. Visiting the New York Sanctuary once or twice was fine, but frequent visits made him uncomfortable. Communicating and trading on his own turf felt more natural.

As he toured the book cafe with the owner, Lockhart grew more satisfied with the exquisite environment. He turned to Coulson and said, "Coulson, I am very satisfied with this book cafe. Please handle the rest. Just let me know the final cost, and I'll transfer the money."

Lockhart didn't want S.H.I.E.L.D. to pay for it. If they did, the cafe would belong to S.H.I.E.L.D., not him. He wanted to avoid entanglements and believed that any trouble solvable with money should be handled with money. This way, everything would remain neat and tidy without future complications.