Chapter 176: The School's New Gatekeeper
"Tony, I'll leave this guy for you to handle. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll head back first. By the way, make a few more sets of those alloy models for me—I'll pick them up tomorrow morning."
George used his magnetic control to hand over Ivan Vanko, now encased in a model shell, to Tony.
He had come out this time primarily for the Hulk's hair—helping Tony was just a side task. Now that the mastermind had been captured, his role here was done.
"No problem. A few sets? Even dozens are nothing."
Tony grabbed Ivan Vanko and assured George.
Those alloy materials were extremely expensive—for ordinary people, at least. For him, it was pocket change. Anything solvable with money was no issue for Tony Stark.
However, just then, Ivan Vanko, who had remained silent until now, suddenly revealed a sinister smile.
"You think you've won? Let's all die together!"
In an instant, Ivan Vanko's body exploded. The violent blast engulfed George, Tony, and Rhodes. Tony, who had been holding Vanko, was closest and took the brunt of the damage.
It turned out that after seeing his drones easily neutralized, Vanko had sensed impending failure. Since he was already resolved to die, he had swallowed a high-powered mini-bomb before setting out. The moment Tony grabbed him, he detonated it without hesitation.
"Protego!"
George waved his hand, casting a Shield Charm in front of himself. Still, the force of the explosion sent him flying back over a dozen meters. Tony and Rhodes were blasted out of the sky entirely, crashing violently into the square below.
"This guy... really went all out."
George dispelled the Shield Charm and stared at the scattered remains of Ivan Vanko, speechless.
Was this really necessary?
You had to know a suicide bomb would only injure Tony, not kill him.
George couldn't understand it. Live to fight another day—if he hadn't blown himself up, he'd just have gone to prison. There would've been chances to escape later.
Now? Completely dead.
Shaking his head, George descended to check on Tony and Rhodes.
Rhodes was relatively fine. Having been slightly farther away, he'd managed to shield himself with his arms. Though dazed from the impact, he wasn't seriously hurt.
Tony, however, was in trouble. Caught off guard at point-blank range, his Iron Man suit had been torn open at the chest, leaving a gaping wound that bled profusely.
"George, I might need you to call me an ambulance."
Lying on the ground, Tony gasped weakly but still managed to joke:
"Didn't expect the guy to have a bomb *inside* him. Wasn't he worried about constipation if he won?"
"No need for an ambulance. With me here, this little wound won't kill you."
George pointed at Tony's injury:
"Episkey!"
A white healing spell enveloped the wound, and the torn flesh visibly regenerated.
The Fairy Tail world's Holy Light magic didn't include healing spells—Master Makarov had explained that true healing magic belonged to the lost Sky Dragon Slayer magic.
Fortunately, the Harry Potter world had healing spells. While learning the counter-curse for Sectumsempra ("Vulnera Sanentur"), George had also spent considerable time mastering basic healing charms.
Amy, being an Auror, was particularly skilled in healing magic, and under her guidance during the summer, George had made significant progress.
Though his healing magic wasn't yet at Amy's level—who could reattach severed limbs—nor Madam Pomfrey's near-miraculous proficiency, treating wounds like Tony's was well within his capabilities.
"Tony!"
Pepper came rushing from the exhibition hall and immediately threw herself onto Tony, frantically checking him for injuries.
"Are you okay? Did you hurt anything when you fell?"
Watching Pepper fuss over Tony, George and Rhodes exchanged a glance before simultaneously looking up at the sky.
"Time to go."
With everything settled, George had no interest in sticking around for the couple's display. He Apparated back to the school.
After releasing Banner and Betty from the box and handing them over to Professor X for orientation, George took the still-unconscious Abomination to the underground training room.
"Enervate!"
Reviving the Abomination with a Reviving Spell, George watched as the disoriented brute tensed, ready to attack again. Without hesitation, George activated his **Giant Magic**, growing to nearly nine meters tall, and slammed the Abomination into the ground with one palm.
Grabbing the Abomination's head, George said coldly:
"Calm down now, or I won't hesitate to crush your skull."
His Giant Magic now allowed him to reach heights where the Abomination only came up to his waist. Even in pure physical combat, George could overpower him effortlessly—especially with his enhanced physique from cross-world accumulation, granting him several times the Abomination's strength.
Thoroughly cowed after just two strikes, the Abomination—with his skull on the verge of cracking—gasped:
"F-Fine! I'm calm!"
"Now, two choices:
1. I beat you to death right here—very painfully.
2. You serve as my school's gatekeeper for five years. After that, you go free."
George released his grip and spoke matter-of-factly.
"I don't want either option," the Abomination thought—but one look at George's expression killed any protest. Reluctantly, he nodded.
"Seems I have no choice. Hope you keep your word."
"I always do. And don't even think about pretending to agree just to escape later.
Let me make this clear: My abilities include tracking down anyone in this world. If you run, I will find you—and then I will beat you to death. Very painfully."
George patted the Abomination's shoulder, shrinking back to normal size. Before leaving the training room, he added:
"Stay here for now. Once you can control your transformations and revert to human form, you can come out. No need to scare the kids."
With Professor X at the school, George wasn't worried about the Abomination causing trouble.
Though the Professor's psychic powers had diminished to Level 3 (preventing large-scale mental manipulation), controlling a single mind—especially one as straightforward as the Abomination's—was no challenge.
Moreover, the Abomination wasn't stupid. After experiencing George's strength firsthand, he knew exactly what lines *not* to cross.
Crucially, George understood that the Abomination wasn't inherently evil—just overly competitive. Given time, even redemption was possible (*as seen in later events*). For someone like him, Professor X's guidance would work wonders.
Who knows? After five years, the Abomination might not even *want* to leave.
(End of Chapter)