At the same moment Rowan Mercer was reshaping fate elsewhere, another version of him was preparing to move within the Wizarding world.
Everything had unfolded according to a plan set in motion long ago.
Using Voldemort as a catalyst, Rowan had allowed tensions between wizards and ordinary humans to escalate into open global war. The conflict tore away centuries of secrecy. Magic was no longer a whispered myth. It became undeniable, undeniable to every person on Earth.
The war did not last.
Rowan ended it personally.
With overwhelming force, he crushed both sides' extremists. Dark wizards like Voldemort were erased. Radical human leaders who sought extermination followed soon after.
When the dust settled, no power on the planet could oppose him.
From that vacuum of authority, Rowan forged something new.
A single, unified world government.
The First Magical Empire.
Rowan was crowned its inaugural emperor.
One of his first decrees reshaped civilization.
A refined meditation discipline was released to the public. Wizards still held an advantage due to innate affinity, but ordinary humans could now awaken magical energy through practice.
Magic was no longer an inherited privilege.
It became a skill.
Intermarriage between wizards and non-wizards was openly encouraged, accelerating the spread of magical bloodlines over generations.
At the same time, Rowan placed no restrictions on scientific advancement.
Technology did not vanish.
It evolved alongside magic.
The modern world became something unprecedented.
Spellcraft powered infrastructure.
Enchanted devices sat beside microprocessors.
Magic entered homes the same way electricity once had.
Even Hogwarts was transformed.
Its name became the Hogwarts Institute of Magitech.
Similar academies spread across continents, training students in both arcane theory and applied technological engineering.
High above the clouds, within a floating golden palace, Rowan sat upon the imperial throne.
To his left stood the Wizard Council, led by Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald.
To his right stood the Human Assembly, composed of newly elected world leaders.
Grindelwald, once imprisoned, had been released and restored. Rowan's intention was simple. Paired with Dumbledore, he became an ideal stabilizing force over the wizarding population.
Reports flowed steadily.
"Meditation training has been implemented in all primary and secondary schools."
"Arcane instructors are being deployed worldwide."
"Wizard participation in technological sectors continues to rise."
"Marriage integration incentives have been finalized."
After listening, Rowan made several adjustments.
Then he waved a hand.
"That will be all for today."
Truthfully, ruling bored him.
Most administrative work was handled by an avatar. Rowan himself spent the majority of his time studying ancient spells, lost rituals, and esoteric magical principles gathered from across history.
The empire's greatest advantage was information.
With the power of an entire planet behind him, Rowan had acquired virtually every recorded spell ever created.
That flood of knowledge had been instrumental in accelerating his growth.
Which meant this world had reached its limit of usefulness.
If this version of Rowan were to advance further, only two paths remained.
Find the world's creator and negotiate.
Or absorb the world itself into his own inner universe.
Either way, first contact was unavoidable.
Once court adjourned, Rowan intended to search the timestream for the creator's sanctuary.
"Your Majesty," a voice called.
The leader of the Human Assembly stepped forward.
Rowan gestured. "Speak."
The elderly statesman cleared his throat.
"The empire is stable. The people prosper. Your Majesty bears the weight of the world alone."
He paused.
"You remain unmarried. Without an heir, the future succession is uncertain. We humbly propose selecting an empress and imperial consorts."
A ripple moved through the hall as ministers on both sides nodded.
The logic was simple.
Rowan was the pillar holding the empire upright.
If he were to fall, everything could collapse.
An established bloodline offered continuity.
Rowan pressed his fingers to his temple.
"So this is the downside of absolute monarchy."
He had chosen an imperial system for one reason.
Speed.
When he issued a command, it happened.
No committees. No endless debate.
But tradition came with baggage.
This body was already an adult.
There was no real reason to refuse.
Especially since, in the distant future, his avatars and main body would reunite. Their partners would never coexist in the same universe anyway.
Rowan raised his hand.
"Begin preliminary selections. I'll choose from the final candidates later."
Relief spread across the chamber.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The court dispersed, ministers departing through enchanted gateways to begin preparations.
Rowan remained seated.
His awareness expanded outward, slipping into the flow of time.
Marriage could wait.
First, he needed to find a god.