Woosh!

A fist shot toward Maverick's chest.

Maverick sidestepped, the punch missing by inches. He spun on his heel to dodge the next swing, then hopped back lightly onto the platform.

"Almost had me there, Wilson," he said, a teasing grin on his face.

Wilson grunted, both frustrated and annoyed. His silence made it clear this wasn't their first time fighting. Without a word, he lunged again, faster and more aggressively than before.

He closed the distance and unleashed a rapid flurry—a jab, a hook, an uppercut. Maverick moved fluidly, ducking and weaving, always staying just out of reach. Every strike from Wilson came close but missed, as if Maverick could read his moves in advance.

Undeterred, Wilson pressed harder, his fists flying with speed and power. Maverick calmly blocked a jab with his forearm, sidestepped a hook, and countered with a light shove that sent Wilson stumbling back.

"Stay... still!" Wilson snarled, throwing a wild, heavy punch.

Maverick's expression showed no concern as he waited for the perfect moment. Then, with a swift leap, he vaulted over Wilson's head and landed gracefully behind him, his balance flawless.

Wilson spun to face him, but Maverick was already moving. A sharp kick to the back of Wilson's knee dropped him to the ground. Before he could recover, Maverick pressed a firm hand to his shoulder, pinning him flat.

It was over in seconds. Maverick stepped back, relaxed, while Wilson stayed on the floor, catching his breath.

"You sure you didn't use magic?" Wilson grumbled as he accepted Maverick's outstretched hand and got to his feet.

"Not really..." Maverick said, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Magic's more like a sixth sense to me... I can't help it."

Indeed, his Magical-Sense, honed to advanced proficiency, made dodging instinctive—like a passive skill. Coupled that with Edward's movement exercises, even the peak of human agility was no contest—unless it crossed into superhuman levels.

"Alright, that's enough..." a sharp voice called out.

Maverick and Wilson turned to see a bald man with a sharp face and a lean, athletic build. Dressed in a fitted black shirt and brown combat pants, he stood with his arms crossed over his chest, radiating a commanding presence. With a brief gesture, he motioned for Maverick and Wilson to approach.

...

They were in a large, square room that resembled a training hall. In the center stood a platform where the fight had just taken place. One wall held a rack neatly displaying sharp weapons like knives and daggers, while a few punching bags were scattered in each corner of the room. There were no windows, only a single steel door for entering and exiting. Bright white light from ceiling panels illuminated the entire space.

Aside from Maverick and Wilson, three others stood near the platform, all dressed in identical combat gear: black shirts and brown pants.

The bald man was Philippe, an African American and the most senior member of the group, as well as Maverick's primary instructor.

The other two were Justin, a middle-aged Caucasian man with blond hair similar to Wilson's, and Lee, a younger woman with jet-black hair and an Asian complexion.

The three, Wilson, Justin and Lee were members of the queens Double Zero Squad, who were at the moment without a mission, and hence tasked with accelerating Maverick's training.

The facility they were in was vast. In addition to the training hall, it featured sections for firearms practice, driving simulations, and a cutting-edge gadgets lab equipped with state-of-the-art carry-on weapons technology, all supported by the UK's top military science and engineering teams.

The day after Edward's family returned to America, Maverick's father took him to this secret base somewhere in London for his brief orientation with the Double-0 Squad—an elite unit under the queen's direct command, which Maverick had previously agreed to join, but only under very strict conditions.

Initially, Maverick planned a two-week timeline for this, but a month and a half has passed. It wasn't that the training was overwhelming, in fact, he had very quickly demonstrated exceptional skill in nearly all the practical exercises, including hand-to-hand combat and firearms training.

His advanced Magical-Sense talent was practically a cheat, and combined with the reflexes he had honed from the movement exercises he did while training with Edward, he was able to grasp everything pretty quickly.

What ultimately compelled Maverick to extend his training with the Double-0 Squad were the extensive skills they offered in covert operations, including infiltration, intelligence gathering, and a range of strategic elimination methods.

In addition to gathering intelligence, Maverick also learned advanced skills in human psychology and reading microexpressions—skills that were not only useful in the moment but could also remain important as he became stronger in the future.

Therefore, delaying the start of his two-year journey by a month had been far from a waste. His instructor, Philippe, along with the three other members and the regular agents at the base, had trained him hard in every part of their craft. This training had turned him into a skilled and disciplined operative, and even without magic, he had become a strong and capable individual, much like a well-trained soldier.

....

"Wilson nearly had me there, Serge..." Maverick said, walking over to the rest of the team.

"Bulshit... you weren't even breaking a sweat," Wilson retorted.

Maverick scratched his nose, offering a sheepish smile. It really was no contest, and everyone there knew it.

"Alright, let's wrap up," Philippe said, turning his head to look at everyone in the room before his gaze settled on Maverick. "Double-0 Six, are you sure you don't want to extend your training a bit longer?"

Maverick gave a confident nod. "I think I've got the important stuff down," he said, then paused for a moment. "Dad's picking me up later tonight to meet with Her Majesty."

"I see..." Philippe replied with a slight nod. "Well, if you ever need anything, you know where to find us."

"Don't forget your promise, little man," Lee, the sharp-eyed, Asian-looking woman, chimed in with a smile. "We're all counting on you in the future."

"That's right, Caesar," Wilson added, smiling as he gave Maverick's shoulder a tug. "You never know when we mortals might need a little saving."

Maverick chuckled. "I've got your backs..." he said confidently. There was no need for modesty; his tone carried an unspoken understanding that these seasoned agents knew exactly what he was capable of.

Though his time with them had been short, Maverick had grown quite fond of the team over the past few weeks.

First, there was Lee, a Muggle-born genius who had graduated from Hogwarts and was now in her early thirties. She had answered the Queen's recruitment request and become a magical member of the Double-0 Squad, following the loss of two others a decade ago in the chaos caused by Voldemort. Maverick was now the fourth magical member, the most recent addition to their ranks.

Wilson and Justin were a few years older than Lee, but they were regular humans. They didn't typically involve themselves with the extraordinary, but that didn't mean they took on easy tasks.

Maverick had gone through the records of the missions they'd completed, studying the dangers they'd faced, and he couldn't help but admire how they constantly risked their lives to keep the country safe.

Beyond all that, they were genuinely nice people. His Magical-Sense told him as much. There were no signs of negative emotions like jealousy, resentment, or the bitterness that usually followed when a younger, less experienced person joined a seasoned team. From day one, they had all welcomed him, and treated him with proper respect.

"Let's go grab some shots before Caesar heads off," Justin suggested after everyone had their say.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"The kid's not old enough to drink, Double-0 Three," Philippe reminded him with a raised eyebrow.

Justin rolled his eyes. "The kid's old enough to have a license to kill. Besides, he's a magical..."

"He's right," Lee chimed in with a shrug. "Muggle liquor doesn't do much to us anyway."

Philippe hesitated, eyeing Maverick for a moment. But considering it was his last day training with them, he finally relented. "Alright. Let's meet on the roof after a shower?"

"Uh, no need," Maverick grinned, snapping his fingers. A gust of wind whipped through the group, followed by a sudden rush of water. In seconds, their sweat-covered bodies and gear were spotless.

"Honestly... I really envy you magicals," Justin muttered, shaking his head. "You make everything look so easy."

The group collectively sighed, even Lee. Though she was much older and a genius in her own right, she still relied on a wand and chanting, unlike Maverick, for whom it was as simple as breathing.

"Well, looks like we've got more time now," Wilson said, shrugging as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

Later, Maverick—code name Double-0 Six—joined Wilson (Double-0 Four), Justin (Double-0 Three), Lee (Double-0 Nine), and their instructor Philippe on the compound's rooftop for drinks and lighthearted conversation. The group exchanged stories, jokes, and some laughs, strengthening their bond in a rare moment of downtime.

Just before wrapping up the gathering, Maverick glanced around at the team with a sincere expression. "I just want to say thanks to all of you for the guidance and support these past few weeks. You've all been incredible. And just so you know, I've got your backs—always. If you ever need anything, even outside of work, don't hesitate to reach out." He spoke sincerely and with confidence.

The entire team smiled, a shared sense of trust, gratitude, and respect filling the air as they clinked their glasses together one last time before Maverick made his departure.

....

A few hours later, Michael arrived to pick Maverick up for his meeting with the queen, officially marking the end of his brief orientation with the Double-0 Squad.

Before the day's sun had fully set, they arrived once again at Buckingham Palace. Maverick and Michael entered the same room where they had met a few weeks ago. This time, however, Jacob and Joanna were no longer hidden under Disillusionment. They stood at the queen's left and right, who sat at the same table as before, her dignified presence unchanged.

Maverick and his father took their seats across from the queen. On the table, a collection of gadgets and weapons were neatly arranged.

The queen glanced at Maverick, meeting his eyes with a small smile before getting straight to the point. "Well, I take it you've been briefed on everything by now?"

Maverick nodded. "Yes, ma'am." This was how the Squad members addressed the queen, rather than using the usual royal title.

"Instructor Philippe and the rest of the team have walked me through everything I needed."

Michael, sitting beside Maverick, remained silent. He was simply there to accompany his son.

"Good," the queen said, her gaze shifting to her right. "Double-O Two..."

At the queen's signal, Jacob stepped forward, offering a brief nod of respect before focusing on Maverick. "Double-O Six," he began, getting straight to the point. "These are the standard weapons and gadgets issued to every member of the Double-O Squad."

He picked up the rifle first. Sleek, matte-black, and incredibly imposing, it radiated power. "AW85 sniper rifle," he began, his voice steady, "chambered in .50 BMG, 12.7mm caliber. It has a range of 1.5 kilometers, with a box magazine that holds 5 rounds." Jacob turned the rifle slightly, showcasing its streamlined design, then met Maverick's eyes. "This is not a toy. Keep it in your storage ring unless you need to use it. You'll be provided with enough ammo for the job."

Maverick nodded, absorbing the details before waiting for the next item.

Jacob set the sniper rifle down and picked up a sleek handgun, giving another brief but thorough explanation. He followed this by presenting several sharp weapons, each one designed for efficiency. Finally, he reached for a collection of electronic gadgets.

"Now," Jacob began, holding up a phone-like device, "we both know that magic and electronics don't mix well."

Yet, Maverick could clearly see the device was active, its screen glowing despite the usual interference magic would cause.

"However," Jacob continued, noticing Maverick's attention, "elite Great-Magus like myself can make it work." He paused, studying Maverick's unsurprised expression before nodding with a hint of approval. "To prevent magical interference... I'm guessing you've heard of it, maybe from Speaker Edward?"

Maverick nodded in response. Edward had indeed mentioned it, and Maverick had tested it himself.

Moreover, his mastery of magical energy manipulation and magical sense had already been shared with the queen and the Double-0 squad members, so he had no intention of hiding it. "Yes, sir. Suppressing magic while in contact with electronics prevents interference, allowing magicals to use electronic equipment," he replied calmly, meeting Jacob's gaze.

Jacob nodded. "Exactly... So, apart from me and Double-0 Eight here, you are the third magical who can act solo on missions. Other witches and wizards within the British Muggle government all have a Muggle partner because they can't use phones or other electronic communication devices."

He paused before continuing. "But even so, remember, highly concentrated magical locations or magically extended spaces will still interfere with any electrical signals." With a flick of his wrist, Jacob levitated the phone above his hand, and its light immediately flickered before going out.

The phone floated over to Maverick, who took it without hesitation.

"Turn it on," Jacob instructed.

Maverick did as told, and the gadget powered back on. His magical energy had been suppressed instinctively, so there was no need to concentrate on it.

Jacob's eyes gleamed momentarily as he observed Maverick. He knew Maverick was good, but seeing it firsthand—the ridiculous control he showcased at such a young age—still surprised him.

"Keep it on with you at all times," he said flatly, outwardly showing no emotion, and moved on to the next gadget.

Maverick nodded, then paused as a thought occurred to him. "What about places like Hogwarts? Will I be able to use it there?"

Jacob shook his head, his expression neutral. "Probably not. Hogwarts sits atop a highly magic-concentrated area, and there are wards and altered spaces all over. You might catch a signal in a few open areas, but for the most part, it won't work."

Maverick nodded again, already suspecting the answer.

One of his earliest and main goals had been to find a way for wizards to use electronics. He had even discussed the issue with his teacher and already gathered a few ideas on where to begin his research.

After all, apart from himself, only those at the Great-Magus rank and above possessed the ability to manipulate magical energy enough to suppress their magic. This meant that more than 99% of the world's witches and wizards were unable to use electronics in their daily lives.

Finding a solution would not only resolve a critical issue for the wizarding world but also earn him fame and fortune, key pillars for his future ambitions.

Jacob continued presenting a few more gadgets before finally reaching the last item. He paused and stepped back, signaling that the queen would take over from here.

—————————

Author's Note:

Just a quick update — up to Chapter 73 is already available on P AT r30n!

PAT r30n [.] com / RyanFic