His arm transformed into black-and-white liquid as he partially activated Upgrade Transformation. He connected himself to his advanced phone and began copying everything he had gained from the template.
He had been doing this with every temporary template.
Even if the template disappeared after twenty-four hours, he would still have a digital record of its knowledge, theories, and experiences to study later.
"Using this chance, I should build myself a hidden base."
He thought about the magical expansion charms used in Hogwarts.
"Those spatial expansion spells would make it much easier."
The wizarding world had many useful spells besides combat magic.
There were enchantments that could automate cleaning, cooking, repairing, and many other everyday tasks.
Some spells could even make objects move and work on their own, almost like simple robots.
"Though... will they disappear after I lose this template?"
He wasn't sure.
If the magic remained after being cast, then this template would be far more valuable than it first appeared.
"First, I need a way to store magical energy."
"If I can preserve magic itself, I might still be able to use it even after the template disappears while I continue learning on my own."
With that thought, Zayden headed down to his garage.
Transforming into Upgrade, he began building a special device.
With Dumbledore's knowledge guiding him, he knew exactly how magical energy behaved and how it could be contained.
Combining advanced technology with magical theory, he started designing a machine capable of storing magical energy for future use.
Several hours passed.
Pieces of metal, wires, circuit boards, and tools were scattered across the garage.
Even with the Upgrade Transformation, the work was much harder than he had expected.
Upgrade could greatly improve existing technology and combine different machines into something better.
However, it could not create completely new materials or invent something from nothing.
To store magical energy, he needed a material that could naturally conduct and contain it.
That was something Earth technology simply didn't have.
After several failed attempts, Zayden stopped working.
He returned to his human form and let out a tired sigh.
"So even Upgrade has its limits."
He looked at the half-finished device on the workbench.
The design itself was correct.
The problem was the material.
None of the metals he had could safely capture and store magical energy.
He leaned against the table and began thinking.
"There has to be something..."
Different metals from the Marvel Universe came to mind.
Adamantium.
Uru.
Carbonadium.
Then another name appeared in his thoughts.
"Vibranium."
It was one of the most extraordinary metals on Earth.
If any known material had a chance of holding magical energy, Vibranium was probably the best candidate.
"But..."
Zayden frowned.
"I don't even know if Vibranium can do something like that."
It was only a guess.
Without testing it himself, there was no way to know whether it could contain magic or not.
"And even if it can..."
He smiled helplessly.
"Where am I supposed to get Vibranium?"
"I don't even know if, at this point in time, Klaue has successfully stolen Vibranium from Wakanda yet," Zayden muttered.
For now, he gave up on trying to build a device to store magical energy.
"The Marvel Universe has real magicians. Maybe I'll be able to learn magic later."
That was his best option for now.
Hopefully, the magical knowledge he had copied from the Dumbledore Template would help him understand and learn magic in the future.
If it didn't, there wasn't much else he could do.
"Or maybe I should try to find Kamar-Taj someday and compare their magic with the spells from Hogwarts."
It was an interesting idea.
"But for now, I should take care of school."
After getting dressed, Zayden walked into the garage.
Instead of taking the Rolls-Royce, he chose his upgraded Lamborghini Gallardo SE.
A few minutes later, he arrived at Midtown High School.
As the Lamborghini pulled into the parking lot, many students turned their heads.
"Isn't that Zayden?"
"No way..."
"Where did that junkie get a Lamborghini?"
Whispers spread through the parking lot as students watched him step out of the car.
Zayden ignored all of them.
According to the original owner's memories, the only people he had ever called friends were other drug addicts.
Some of them spent every day getting drunk or high, while others cared about nothing except parties and drugs.
The original Zayden had wasted his life following them.
Zayden had no intention of doing the same.
He couldn't change the original owner's past, but he could decide how he would live from this day onward.
Zayden walked straight to the principal's office.
He knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Zayden opened the door and walked inside.
The principal, a middle-aged man, looked up from his desk.
"Mr. Walker. Thank you for finally coming after all this time."
Zayden already knew there was little point in making excuses.
Instead, he placed a large duffel bag on the principal's desk.
The principal looked at it with a raised eyebrow.
"What is this?"
Without saying a word, Zayden unzipped the bag.
Bundles of fresh cash filled the inside.
"$500,000," Zayden said. "I'd like to donate it to the school."
"As for why I haven't been attending classes..." he continued, "I was in the hospital. I had been in a coma after an accident."
The principal looked at Zayden, then back at the money.
After a few moments, he quietly zipped the bag shut and placed it beside his desk.
"That is certainly unfortunate, Mr. Walker."
He smiled warmly.
"But the important thing is that you've recovered."
"I believe everyone deserves a fresh start."
Zayden nodded.
"Thank you, sir."
"As for your attendance record," the principal continued, "I'll have the office update it based on your medical situation. Since you were hospitalized, we can work something out."
"I appreciate it."
The principal stood up and extended his hand.
"Welcome back, Mr. Walker."
Zayden shook his hand.
"I'll do my best from now on."
"I'm glad to hear that," the principal replied with a smile. "Now go back to class and try not to miss any more days."
"I will."
With that, Zayden left the principal's office and headed toward his classroom.