Nine months flew by like a single day. Richie felt like he was in Groundhog Week. Not a day, because each week was the same, only the tasks that needed to be completed changed.
Study - first according to the program of the last year of secondary school, then acquisition of knowledge for both years of high school.
Madam Marchbanks remained true to her teaching methods. The old woman continued to teach Richard new spells she deemed useful, but only after the young wizard had mastered the previous ones. Furthermore, during her young charge's training, she was not silent; she told interesting stories, enlightened Richie about the realities of the wizarding world, spoke of great wizards and significant historical events, and devoted particular attention to her own experiences.
Richard wasn't exactly a genius in the magical arts. He was a talented and tenacious artisan, capable of silently conjuring a dozen and a half spells, the most complex of which was duplicating an object. But compared to his peers, according to the elderly sorceress, young Rich was very talented. This is understandable: few children can cast spells until they drop without getting distracted or throwing tantrums. Richie's arsenal of wandless spells remained the same-a small selection of levitation, summoning, and destruction. Basically, all the techniques he'd devised himself back when he considered himself a mutant.
The wizarding workshop under Arthur Weasley's leadership continued to function smoothly and produce artifacts of remarkable functionality, most of which were sold to British intelligence agencies at enormous expense. Documented, this was described as a technical modification shop, something like a tuning shop for airplanes and cars.
If not for the funds from MI6, Richard would have been forced to sell some of his shares to pay taxes on the profits from the 1990 stocks. As it was, everything was done with minimal effort, and what's more, a substantial sum allowed him to replenish his stock portfolio and make other investments.
By May, thirty young wizards were already working in Richard Rich's wizarding office. The selection criteria were strict: creativity, a good command of spells, and minimal racism toward ordinary people. These were primarily Muggle-born and half-blood wizards who lived among ordinary people.
The first thing the mages did was create ways to quickly travel to and from work and home. First, a portal fireplace was installed in the office. Second, each employee was enchanted with a portal from their security pass. Richard also acquired several portals. Now he could easily travel between the magical office, his home in London, and Eaton Hall, or to any of these locations from anywhere in the world.
Having passed all his exams, Richard felt an indescribable sense of joy. He had finally graduated! Euphoria overwhelmed the young Rich. He wanted to do something out of the ordinary, to get into mischief, to get a change of scenery, to breathe deeply of freedom.
At the moment, Richard was not at all worried that his freedom was rather illusory, because in just three months he was going to Hogwarts, where he would have to study for at least another five years, and ideally all seven.
Richie decided to give up on everything and have a good rest while the opportunity arose.
Upon returning home, the boy found his father and immediately addressed him:
- Dad, remember we agreed that when I finish school, you would consider me an adult and give me a certain amount of freedom?
"The conversation was a little different, but let's say so. Do you want something, Richie?"
- I want to go on a trip, see the world.
"What's stopping you? I remember just a year ago you were traveling the world freely."
"I want to do this on my plane, and for this I will need Steve as a pilot and security guard.
"And John as an escort," Mr. Rich remarked.
"But there's a complication," Richard hesitated. "Dad, my plane was enchanted by wizards. It can fly at five thousand miles an hour, is extremely safe, and can become invisible to both visual and military radar. But that's not all; it can also instantly travel to a point it's already been to. For example, I could fly to Australia in a couple of hours and return to Britain in an instant."
"That's a problem. Is the plane really safe?" Gerald asked worriedly. "You're my only son, I wouldn't want to lose you."
"Safer than any airliner. Dad, not only is my plane enchanted to the nines, but it's also equipped with a parachute-style escape system. I can travel around the world discreetly and quickly, but not with John. He doesn't know about magic, after all."
- If my memory serves me right, you have a four-seater plane, right?
- Yes.
"Then take Scott Potter with you. Scott and Steve together can protect you. And since Scott can't leave his nephew alone, grab your friend Harry."
- Great idea! At least now I won't be bored.
- Richie, what about your lessons with the magic tutor?
- Pfft! Dad, it's only a couple of days a week. I can put a plane in my pocket and travel to Madame Marchbanks from anywhere in the world, and then return home or continue my journey from where I left off.
"I just can't get used to the possibilities that magic gives," Gerald shook his head.
"Magic can do anything!" At least, that's what my mentor said. And you know, Dad, after I learned that wizards can do things with matter and space that are only theoretically and mathematically possible, I'm starting to believe it.
- What about your business?!
"Nonsense!" Richard dismissed the matter. "If it weren't for Hogwarts, I'd be focusing on investments, but as it is, I've done everything I can to avoid even thinking about work for the next seven or eight years. I think I've invested my capital very well."
"Successful?!" Gerald asked sarcastically. "And I was told that some shady people came to you and you gave them money. Mmm... Something like twenty million pounds."
"Dad, you don't understand!" A wry smile crossed Richard's face. "This isn't a handout, but venture capital investments in promising businesses. These aren't just people off the street, but programmers, engineers, and scientists with brilliant ideas. They've used the money they invested to create their own companies, in which I own a significant stake. Computer games and programs like antivirus software, a browser for a graphical operating system, a social network for communicating with people, an internet search engine, and much more. All of this will bring me enormous wealth. You'll see-in seven or nine years, these companies will be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Considering I've invested no more than a million pounds in them, the profits are expected to be astronomical. Dad, I'll be richer than you!"
- Ha-ha-ha!
Gerald had something to laugh about, because at the moment the Richs are the richest people in Britain, even richer than the royal family.
- I will be glad, son, if something like this happens.