Chapter 87: Chapter 87 The Operation Begins
A few days later, Solomon was once again lying on the couch in the apartment. The Cheshire Cat kept meowing endlessly, hoping for a fish feast, but no one paid it any attention.
"I found out that the Supreme Sorcerer wasn't joking. I'm doomed," Solomon muttered, clutching a document tightly in his hand. "I have no idea where this scholarship came from, but now I have a private dorm and a special little cloak. This means I can return to Kamar-Taj or here every night, as long as I don't get caught by the dorm supervisor."
"Isn't that a good thing?" Jeanne asked. "You won't have to leave the magical world behind."
"I think I prefer a regular high school that lets out at 3 p.m.," Solomon grumbled. "It's more down-to-earth. I just can't imagine myself wearing a black suit for dinner. It's ridiculous."
"A suit is the armor of a mature man. You need to learn how to equip yourself," Bayonetta leaned in, her thick, cloud-like hair cascading over her shoulders. Her warm breath brushed against Solomon's face as she gazed at him with open curiosity. "We've known each other for over a year now, boy, and you've changed quite a bit."
"That's because I'm in the middle of puberty," Solomon replied. "I'm sure I'll outgrow you one day."
"Well, I'll be waiting for that, little one," Bayonetta teased, lightly stroking his chin where fine stubble had begun to appear. "You should learn how to lather up and use a razor. I don't like the idea of you growing a beard."
"Tch!" Jeanne's expression soured as she watched Bayonetta and Solomon's playful interaction. While she had started to accept Solomon's presence, it wasn't something she could fully embrace just yet. Jeanne knew that Solomon was someone Bayonetta would never be able to shake off, as he was both their connection and their prison.
"I was thinking of buying an electric razor yesterday. You know I don't really care much about my appearance," Solomon said. "I figure an electric one works just as well as a blade, as long as I can tolerate the buzzing sound. Technology can achieve the same result without much hassle."
"But I heard Eton College has very strict dress codes," Bayonetta said. "As a late transfer, you'll probably be scrutinized even more closely since some might see you as an outsider."
"It's not that bad, Bayonetta," Solomon replied. "You're right, but do you really think I care about what others think? If they know what's good for them, they'll know who not to mess with."
Eton College certainly wouldn't want to cause trouble, but they were already in for it. When SHIELD learned that Solomon had accepted an interview with Eton, they immediately arrived at the school, searching for any information on him. After Solomon mysteriously disappeared following the interview, and no cameras had captured his whereabouts, SHIELD decided to dig into Eton's records to locate his residence.
This time, Natasha Romanoff led the operation, having taken leave from Pepper Potts. Originally, this was Agent Phil Coulson's assignment, but he was currently under review, as he couldn't explain why he had forgotten about a mission he had participated in. However, given that the target was potentially a superhuman, it all made sense. Natasha believed Coulson, who was a loyal agent, would be cleared eventually, and the review was just a precaution.
Everyone knew that in England, it was the U.S. President who called the shots, not the British cabinet. SHIELD roamed freely throughout the school, causing a stir, and the British government could do nothing to stop them—neither could the headmaster. Even calling influential alumni couldn't halt SHIELD's actions.
The headmaster was extremely nervous, fearing another scandal at Eton College. From the looks of it, this was a big deal.
And indeed, it was no small matter. The danger posed by a superhuman capable of brainwashing an agent was immense. Natasha began to suspect that Solomon's powers might be more than just the fire abilities Coulson had mentioned. She wondered if certain concepts in Coulson's mind had been subtly altered. She even questioned whether Solomon and his accomplices had learned any SHIELD secrets through Coulson.
After reporting this, Natasha received one directive: "Capture Solomon alive. Find out what he knows." Nick Fury was just as tense about Solomon and the "superhuman organization" backing him. Fury now believed this group had SHIELD in its crosshairs, yet he knew nothing about them.
However, this operation led Natasha only to an address. When she arrived in London with her team, they couldn't find the building listed at the address. She assumed it was a fake.
In reality, it wasn't a fake address. After Coulson's previous raid, the London Sanctum had activated a magic similar to the "Muggle-Repelling Charm" from Hogwarts. This spell caused outsiders to fall into a dreamlike state, preventing them from perceiving the temple. To the Sanctum's stewards, Natasha and her team were simply wandering aimlessly around the entrance.
The trail went cold, but SHIELD wouldn't give up—they knew Solomon had to attend school eventually, and they would find him.
"Tell Solomon he's in trouble again," one of the senior stewards at the Sanctum joked. "He'll have to come clean up for us."
"Don't be silly. Hasn't he learned the Unseen Servant spell yet? That's in his spellbook," the Sanctum's guardian said. "He's off to school now. All you'll see are a few invisible servants with rags. You won't find him here. Even Kaecilius and Mordo haven't been able to track him down—he's on a break."
"Hey, do you think Solomon might be…" one steward began.
"It's hard to say. Don't forget the fate of the previous candidates," the guardian replied, looking tense. "Let's not speak of it. If Solomon is worthy, the elder will choose him. The Supreme Sorcerer's will isn't ours to question."
"Then…"
"Shut up!" the guardian barked. "We know nothing. Everything goes according to the elder's plan."
As the last breeze of spring vanished over the Thames, the school term quietly arrived. Solomon hugged Phoenix tightly, waved to Mordo and Kaecilius, who were both dressed in black suits, and changed into his traditional British school uniform. His new tailcoat cost a hefty £700. If converted to the currency of Faerûn, the suit would be worth 150 GP, or about three pounds of gold, and it didn't even have any magical effects—what a waste.
"Excited?" Solomon asked Mordo and Kaecilius, noticing their smiles.
"Of course, Solomon," Kaecilius replied, raising an eyebrow. "You have no idea how happy I am."
"You've fulfilled the elder's orders, and that makes me happy too," Mordo said. "Few students are as obedient as you. I imagine Eton's disciplined life won't be a challenge for you."
"You two are getting excited too soon," Solomon said with a grin. "I've got the sling ring with me, so I can come back here every night."
"The Supreme Sorcerer doesn't forbid that," Mordo said with a smile. "Kamar-Taj is always your home. It's here, not with that witch. I hope you remember that, considering how much time you've spent there…"
"OK, OK." Solomon waved him off, cutting Mordo's nagging short. "How are we getting to school? I can't wait to rule over the offspring of British politicians, Middle Eastern tycoons, and a bunch of nerds. I heard Eton has a strict hierarchy, with older students bullying the younger ones. I can't wait to let them taste my fists."
"You're supposed to learn how to live peacefully with normal people, Solomon," Mordo cautioned. "Don't go looking for trouble…"
"Again with this?" Solomon said impatiently. "Eton's term doesn't leave time for your lecturing, Mordo. Let's just figure out how you're sending me to school, alright?"
"Of course, through a portal," Mordo said. "Did you think Kaecilius would drive you there in that old car?"
"I wouldn't mind, actually, and it would let me scope out some troublemakers," Solomon said. "You can't imagine how impatient I am. If it weren't for the private dorm, I wouldn't even bother going."
"Well, since you insist, I'll send you to school," Kaecilius said with a smile.
"Kaecilius! The elder didn't send Solomon there to…"
"Who cares? I'm not worried about politicians or tycoons. Those rich kids won't dare show off in front of Solomon," Kaecilius said. "You can't call it adolescence without a few fights, right? Am I right, Solomon?"
"Exactly. I can't wait to shove their heads in the toilet," Solomon said, dragging Kaecilius toward the portal. "Don't worry, Mordo. They'll just think it's a dream. I'll get along just fine with the multidimensional germs in their brains."
In reality, the "old car" Mordo mentioned wasn't that old. It had been bought just a year ago, solely for driving Solomon to school. Mordo only disliked it because he thought it was too cheap. Nevertheless, the car had found a new purpose. After months of idleness, its engine
roared to life again, taking Solomon and Kaecilius speeding toward Eton College.
"Target spotted. Reporting… target spotted," whispered a voice from a black sedan parked on the roadside. The car started silently and quickly followed Kaecilius' vehicle.
"Copy… operation initiated."
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