After the briefing, they were shown their dormitory rooms. Simple but comfortable, with basic furniture and storage for their personal gear.
Once they unpacked, Matt and Kora headed back to the training area. The exercises were standard—combat drills, tactical challenges, and teamwork tasks. They pushed themselves, but everything stayed within normal limits, just like any other recruit.
By the end of the day, Matt was tired or acted tired but satisfied. Kora smiled. "We made it through the first day. Though it's a pity we didn't make any friends," she said, and Matt's lips twitched.
He had clearly noticed some boys trying to hit on her, but Kora had responded fiercely. She told them that if they could beat her, they could have a chance—and the outcome for those boys wasn't pretty.
They all ended up bruised and battered. Matt wondered if the next day would be filled with more black-and-blue marks. As for the girls, none dared to approach Kora after seeing her display. And if any girl tried to come near Matt, they quickly received a death stare from Kora.
It created a situation where no one could interfere with them or their space—everyone kept their distance, either out of fear or respect.
The next morning, Matt and Kora woke early, they were curious what would be . Breakfast in the cafeteria was quiet; most recruits were busy talking in small groups, while Matt and Kora kept to themselves, exchanging only a few words.
Once they finished, they headed back to the training grounds. Today's focus was more on endurance and coordination. Obstacle courses, timed sprints, and team-based challenges filled the morning. Matt and Kora moved efficiently, helping each other when needed but maintaining the appearance of normal teamwork.
A few recruits tried to test them again, subtly pushing in drills or attempting to outpace them. But after Kora's sharp warnings and Matt's quick reactions, none dared press further. Slowly, word spread among the others: messing with them wasn't worth the trouble.
By midday, they were exhausted but satisfied. They had survived another round, proved their skills, and continued to grow stronger. Walking back to the dorms, Matt glanced at Kora.
"Not a single scratch from the other recruits today," he said.
Kora smirked. "That's because they've learned their lesson. You want to keep it that way?"
Matt nodded. "Absolutely. Let's keep our edge sharp."
A whole year passed, and Matt and Kora settled into the rhythm of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy. Days were long, structured, and intense. Their training covered everything from physical endurance and combat drills to tactical strategy and team coordination.
Over the months, they honed their skills steadily. Matt's body continued to adapt, and his high-level human physiology allowed him to push further than most recruits. Even exercises that would exhaust a normal person left him able to recover quickly. Kora kept pace beside him, her own skills sharpening with each day.
The Academy wasn't just about fighting. They were taught how to handle firearms, how to plan missions, and even how to endure interrogation and controlled torture simulations. For Matt, these tests were relatively easy—his enhanced physiology allowed him to tolerate pain that would incapacitate others. Still, they followed every protocol carefully; nothing was allowed to go too far.
Sometimes the instructors would push them, testing mental resilience or putting them in uncomfortable scenarios, but Matt's body and mind adapted quickly. Kora, with her sharp instincts, supported him, and together they met each challenge.
Despite the intensity, the Academy wasn't cruel like HYDRA or the ruthless training you might see in movies. It was demanding but designed to build strength, endurance, and resilience in recruits, not break them.
By the end of the year, both Matt and Kora had grown significantly. Their physical strength, mental focus, and tactical skills were far beyond what they had when they arrived. They knew how to anticipate threats, respond to challenges, and work together seamlessly.
Walking through the Academy grounds one evening, Matt glanced at Kora.
"Can you believe it? A whole year gone," he said.
"We both are Level 2 agents now," she replied with a smile, pointing to the badges on their uniforms.
Over the past year, they had also been assigned real missions. One mission had them working together—taking down a local drug dealer operation. Another mission had them working separately: Matt assisted a Level 7 agent in a high-risk extraction, while Kora went undercover to steal important data from a foreign agency.
In the end, both of them succeeded in their missions. Their performance earned them Level 2 badges, while most of their classmates were still at Level 1.
Matt looked at Kora, impressed. "Not bad, huh? We're ahead of everyone else."
Kora smirked. "Told you we could handle it. Level 2 looks good on us."
Matt and Kora walked through the quiet hallway toward the Academy director's office. They had been called in that morning, and neither of them knew why.
Kora glanced at Matt. "Think we did something wrong?"
Matt shook his head. "If we did, they would've called us yesterday. It must be something else."
They stopped at the large door with the S.H.I.E.L.D. emblem on it. Matt knocked once.
"Come in," the director's voice called.
They stepped inside. The director, a calm but serious woman in her late forties, sat behind a desk filled with files and a digital screen. She looked up at them.
"Agents Matt, Kora. Take a seat."
They sat down, keeping straight backs like they had been trained.
The director studied them for a moment before speaking. "You two have shown excellent performance over the last year. Your training scores, field results, and evaluations have all been strong. More importantly, you've shown good discipline."
Matt and Kora exchanged a quick glance.
The director continued, "As Level 2 agents, you're now being considered for more serious assignments. Missions that require trust and reliability."
Kora leaned forward slightly. "Are we being assigned something now?"