Chapter 170: Magic to Restrain the Hulk

George didn't intervene in the emergence of Abomination. His goal was to ensure the Hulk would reappear, allowing Bruce Banner to completely abandon his illusions about returning to a normal life. At the same time, Abomination could serve as a strong and capable gatekeeper for the academy.

While Abomination lacked the Hulk's unique ability to grow stronger as he became angrier, his overall strength wasn't inferior. Moreover, Abomination had a distinct advantage: he could switch freely between his monstrous form and human form as Emil Blonsky, without suffering from split personalities or behavior changes.

That said, George wasn't entirely idle. When Abomination sent Samuel Stern flying, George made sure the replicated Hulk blood samples didn't spill onto Stern's head, thus preventing the creation of the Leader.

After Abomination leapt out of the experimental building, George returned to the lab and cast a memory-erasing spell on the unconscious Stern:

"Obliviate!"

The spell erased all of Stern's memories related to Banner and the green gamma genes. George then moved Stern and the unconscious soldiers out onto the street before setting the building ablaze:

"Fiendfyre!"

Blue flames erupted from his hand, engulfing the entire lab. George didn't want the military getting their hands on Hulk's blood samples, which could lead to even greater chaos. The fiendfyre burned so intensely that even non-flammable materials like steel and stone turned to ash in mere minutes.

With the laboratory reduced to a pile of smoldering ruins, George extinguished the fire and turned his attention to the nearby street.

On the battlefield, two hulking figures—one green, one yellow—were locked in fierce combat.

While George had been busy cleaning up the lab, Banner had jumped out of a plane, transforming into the Hulk to stop Abomination's rampage.

"Time to wrap this up," George muttered.

As he watched the Hulk pummel Abomination, only to be kicked away in retaliation, George spread his wings and descended between the two. Enhancing his voice with a spell, he shouted:

"Both of you, stop fighting! At this rate, you'll destroy the entire street!"

The sudden amplified voice stunned both combatants, along with the soldiers and General Ross observing from a helicopter.

"Who is that?"

"He's George, the headmaster of Superhuman Academy!"

Betty Ross, who had met George earlier, recognized him immediately. His feats of turning water into coffee and disappearing into thin air were still fresh in her mind.

"Superhuman Academy? Never heard of it," Ross grumbled, though he was more concerned about whether George was a friend or foe.

Back on the ground, Abomination roared:

"Who's this winged freak? Stay out of my business!"

Fueled by rage, Abomination lunged at George.

"Temper, temper," George quipped, pointing a finger at the incoming brute. "Levitation Hook!"

A red magical beam struck Abomination, flipping him upside-down and suspending him mid-air.

"What the...?" Abomination flailed helplessly, unable to comprehend what was happening. His massive hands clawed at empty air, but his strength was useless against the invisible force holding him aloft.

After a few seconds, the spell wore off, and Abomination crashed to the ground.

"You should really consider losing some weight," George joked.

Abomination, enraged at being humiliated, grabbed a nearby car and hurled it at George. But with a simple gesture, George split the vehicle into two halves, sending them harmlessly to either side of him.

Landing on the ground, George cast another spell as Abomination charged toward him:

"Leg-Locking Curse!"

Abomination's legs froze mid-stride, causing him to faceplant and skid to a stop right at George's feet.

Before Abomination could recover, George bombarded him with a flurry of stunning spells:

"Stupefy! Stupefy! Stupefy!"

Unlike the hundred stunning spells it had taken to subdue the iron dragon Gajeel, Abomination succumbed after just thirty. The massive brute fell into a deep sleep.

"Big guys like him are so easy to deal with," George remarked, brushing imaginary dust off his hands. "No special attacks, can't fly, and all brute force—a bigger target than the trolls in the wizarding world."

With Abomination neutralized, George turned to the Hulk.

The Hulk wasn't mindless—just temperamental. By nature, he wasn't malicious; he avoided harming others unless provoked. After seeing George effortlessly take down Abomination, the Hulk hesitated. He glanced at Betty in the helicopter before preparing to leap away.

"Wait a moment!" George called out, zipping to the Hulk's side and swiftly slicing off a lock of his hair with a magically controlled blade. He stored the hair in his inventory space before the Hulk could react.

Angered by the intrusion, the Hulk swung a massive fist at George, but the wizard dodged effortlessly.

"You can calm down now," George said with a grin, pointing at the Hulk again. "Tickling Charm!"

The spell took effect immediately, and the Hulk's furious expression softened as uncontrollable laughter erupted from him. His body began to shrink, returning to Bruce Banner's human form.

The Hulk's strength came from his anger; without it, he reverted to his normal self. George's tickling charm was the perfect counter.

To ensure Banner's dignity, George repaired his tattered clothing with a quick spell:

"Reparo!"

"So," George asked, flashing a friendly smile, "are you interested in joining our Superhuman Academy now?"

Banner, now fully clothed, stood up and looked George in the eye. After a moment of silence, he nodded firmly.

"I'll join."