The fifth year after the Infinity War
Many people across the world have forgotten about that catastrophic war entirely. But the heroes of the past are still active and visible in people's sight, continuing to protect humanity.
In five years, many things have changed dramatically. Some people have grown old and weary, some have matured into their roles, some have grown up into adulthood, and some have been born into this new world.
Tony Stark held his precious daughter Morgan Stark on the top floor of Stark Tower, carefully adjusting the new generation of armor with one hand. Pepper Potts brought breakfast for the three of them on a tray. The three of them sat down together and started eating peacefully. At least during mealtime, Pepper was undoubtedly the eldest and most authoritative in the Stark family, regardless of Tony's genius or wealth.
"Morgan, eat your broccoli," Pepper instructed firmly.
Pouting at her mother with an exaggerated expression and winking playfully at her father for support, four-and-a-half-year-old Morgan still reluctantly ate the broccoli on her plate after receiving no help from Tony.
After finishing her meal quickly, Morgan immediately left the table to go play with her toys. Pepper glanced at her daughter walking away, smiled happily at how much she had grown, and said to Tony with warmth, "Morgan has grown up so much. I thought Morgan was still so little just yesterday, and now she has become a picky eater who tries to negotiate her vegetables."
"Yes, it has been five years since that terrible crisis," Tony replied thoughtfully. "Although there have been some big and small problems in these five years, we have all gotten through them without any major incidents or catastrophes. This kind of peaceful life is actually not bad at all."
"By the way, Tony, your Illuminati is having its annual gathering tomorrow, right?" Pepper asked curiously.
After thinking for a moment, Tony nodded and said, "That is correct, it is tomorrow. But this year is a little different from previous years in terms of membership. Sebastian's Hogwarts will not be sending a representative to the Illuminati anymore. They will officially withdraw from the organization, and instead, representatives will be nominated by the Magical Guild, which is composed of the three major magic schools, Kamar-Taj, and other magical forces throughout the world."
"Magical Guild?" Pepper asked with interest.
"That is right, it is Sebastian's doing again," Tony explained. "He really did not waste those five years at all. First, he helped Doctor Doom and Loki build two complete magic schools from nothing, then he reconciled with Kamar-Taj and ended their ancient conflicts, and recently he formed the Magical Guild to unify magical education. Fortunately, all of this is ultimately good for us and beneficial for Earth's safety."
"So, who will replace Hogwarts as a representative... no, who will represent the Magical Guild in the Illuminati?" Pepper inquired.
"That wizard from Kamar-Taj," Tony answered with slight distaste. "I personally do not like him much. He is far too arrogant and self-important for my taste."
Pepper blinked, looking at Tony with amusement, and laughed, "Tony, are you absolutely sure you are not talking about yourself?"
Shaking his head and chuckling at the accurate observation, Tony said to Pepper, "That is precisely why I do not like that guy at all. One Tony Stark is enough for the world, is it not?"
Hogwarts
Hogwarts, the world's premier magic school and the most prestigious magical institution on Earth.
The second batch of graduating five-year students received their diplomas and gathered at Hogwarts to take graduation photos together on the castle grounds.
Graduation certificates from Hogwarts, and even from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons, were far more valuable than they appeared to be on the surface. Only graduates with these certificates were qualified to study at Sebastian Shaw's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which was located within the magical dimension itself. The certificate served as a passport to enter the magical dimension, making it incredibly important and highly sought after.
In the five years since the Infinity War, not only have Durmstrang School of Magic and Beauxbatons Academy of Magic been established successfully, but Hogwarts itself has also undergone tremendous changes and expansions.
The campus has become more expansive and secluded than ever before, and the number of teachers has reached an all-time high in the school's history. The latest class of students numbers over one thousand two hundred, even after Durmstrang and Beauxbatons diverted a significant portion of their student body to their own institutions.
Naturally, anyone with a choice and some understanding of the magical world would choose to join Hogwarts, the school with the most powerful faculty and the best resources available.
It is also worth mentioning that Hogwarts' current headmaster is Kaecilius, and the deputy headmistress is Selene. Sebastian and Wanda no longer hold any official positions at Hogwarts whatsoever. Aside from the office that has been permanently left for Sebastian to use whenever he wishes, there are no other visible traces of them in the daily operations.
Priya, dressed in her wizard robes, walked down the school corridors with confidence. She was smiling and nodding politely to the students who greeted her respectfully as she passed. She quickly arrived at the Dimensional Tower, intending to visit her teachers in the magical dimension and inquire about the invitation she had received from the newly formed Young Avengers team.
Priya was seventeen years old now, yet she had already been a professor of Defense Against Magic at Hogwarts for three years. At fourteen years old, Priya, Ram, and Kaito had graduated early from Hogwarts due to their exceptional abilities. Priya stayed at Hogwarts to teach the next generation, while Ram returned to the X-Men world to spread magical knowledge and lay the foundation for magically gifted students there who had both mutant and magical abilities.
As for Kaito, he returned to Atlantis and established a small magic school on an island in the sea. The school was specifically designed to receive children with magical aptitude from Atlantis and other underwater kingdoms and islands. Now, with Namor's deliberate cooperation and political support, Kaito has become a member of the Atlantean Council of Elders. He was gradually improving the living environment of the mixed-race children who had long been discriminated against.
Entering the spatial tower, a mark belonging to the magical dimension appeared glowing on Priya's hand. The spatial tower immediately activated in response, sending Priya directly into the magical dimension through the portal.
Stepping out of the mirrored tower within the magical dimension, Priya breathed in the magically infused air deeply and let out a satisfied sigh. "I really wish I could stay here forever," she said wistfully.
"Then settle here permanently," Beta Ray Bill replied from where he stood nearby. "You can always leave if you want to return to Earth."
Turning to face the speaker, Priya smiled warmly and said, "Uncle Bill, it is not that you do not want to guide me in my studies. I am just sharing my thoughts and feelings. I cannot stay idle for too long. Besides, I still have classes at Hogwarts that I am responsible for teaching. If I really abandoned my studies and responsibilities to settle here, Headmaster Kaecilius would definitely come after me and take me back forcefully. I do not want to face Headmaster Kaecilius's wrath under any circumstances. That is absolutely terrifying."
Bill nodded in agreement, saying, "Since becoming headmaster, Kaecilius has become much more serious than he was before. But that is not without its advantages for the school. At least those mischievous students will not dare to be lazy in their studies anymore. Otherwise, no one could withstand Kaecilius's... what was that look called again?"
"Headmaster Kaecilius's disapproving look!" Priya supplied helpfully.
"That is right, that is it exactly," Bill confirmed.
At this point, the two of them laughed together and chatted about various things happening at Hogwarts and in the magical dimension. Priya then bid farewell to Bill politely and left the spatial tower, officially entering the magical dimension proper.
Walking along the edge of the lush forest, her feet sinking into the soft grass beneath her, Priya looked up at the dragons and phoenixes flying overhead in the sky. She called out with her magic, and a hippogriff flew from the nearby woods immediately. It landed in front of her and lowered its body respectfully. Once Priya sat securely on its back, the hippogriff soared into the sky at tremendous speed, flying towards the towering Magic Source Tower that pierced through the clouds above.
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