Chapter 145: Stark's Attention
"I think that kind of love is limited to you, Ned," Peter said, exasperated.
"While I hate to rub it in, Peter, you don't even seem to have a girlfriend," Ned said, hitting Peter right where it hurt—the fact that he didn't have a girlfriend.
"Oh~ F*ck~" Even Peter couldn't help but curse.
Silas comforted him. "Take it easy, Peter. You have to believe in yourself."
"Right! I'll definitely find my other half," Peter cheered himself up.
"No~" Silas shook his head and said, "You have to believe in yourself that you definitely won't find a girlfriend."
Peter's face instantly darkened. "This is the worst high school life ever."
"No, no, no~ Peter, this place is beautiful, but it just doesn't welcome you," Ned added another sting.
"I think the school is going to have another holiday," Misty said, going to the window and looking at the aftermath of the fight below. The planted trees were badly damaged, and the teaching building had over a dozen large holes smashed into the second and third floors.
"That's too bad. I really enjoy this learning atmosphere," Ned said, clutching his chest sadly.
Silas teased, "This kind of atmosphere is very conducive to sleep, isn't that right, Ned?"
"Yes, it is," Ned replied.
"Why do you think it's conducive to sleep?" Peter said, completely unable to understand him.
Ned put his hand on Peter's shoulder and spoke earnestly, "Your state of mind hasn't reached my level yet, Peter."
"Why?" Peter was completely bewildered.
Suddenly, the loudspeaker announced, "All students, please assemble on the field. The Principal has something to say."
"See? He's probably going to give a big, heartfelt speech, announce the holiday, and then start recruiting students," Misty said with an 'I-knew-it' expression.
"Have you thought about where you want to go tomorrow during the holiday?" Silas asked, putting his arm around Misty's shoulder.
"Hehe! They haven't even announced the holiday yet!" Peter thought Silas and Misty were jumping the gun.
The School Field
A middle-aged man with a receding hairline walked onto the stage. The moment he stepped up, Silas noticed something wasn't right.
"Hello, students. Because of the disturbance caused by the Rhino Man... yes, you heard right... we have to take another holiday," Principal said from the podium.
"Yes!"
"I'm going to finish Cat Mario this holiday!"
"Good job, Rhino Man!"
"The student who said 'Good job, Rhino Man,' please write three reports during the holiday period," a teacher below the stage shouted upon hearing the comment.
"I think the Principal looks familiar," Peter whispered to Silas, confused.
"Familiar?" Silas also felt the man looked familiar, but he couldn't recall who it was at the moment.
"Yes, I feel like I've seen him somewhere." Peter bowed his head and thought for a moment, then his eyes widened suddenly. "I remember, Silas!"
"Who is it?" Silas asked quickly.
"Do you remember the Battle of New York?" Peter described, "I was rescuing people, and I saw the Principal from a tall building. As I was about to save him, I saw him holding a weapon that instantly cleared out some enemies."
"Weapon?" Silas immediately thought of one person: Phil Coulson. But that wasn't possible. According to the timeline, wasn't Coulson killed by Loki? Even if it was faked, he shouldn't be in New York.
"Things have changed," Silas thought of himself and instantly understood. He, the butterfly, had ultimately influenced the timeline. No wonder Barton hadn't been fully cured when he was in New York. Something must have happened that Silas didn't know about.
"This holiday will last for one week. I hope students can use this time to restore peace of mind," Principal Coulson said. He gave a nod to a person standing nearby and stepped down from the stage.
Just as Peter was chatting with Silas, a teacher walked over and said, "Peter, the Principal asked to see you."
"Me?!" Peter couldn't believe it. The Principal didn't know him, so why would he call him out by name? "Wait, Teacher, did the Principal really call for me?" Peter found it unbelievable.
"Peter, did you manage to charm the Principal's daughter?" This was Ned's first reaction. After all, Peter wasn't the type to cause trouble, unless he really did manage to woo the Principal's daughter.
"Stop talking nonsense." Peter glanced at Silas and walked toward the Principal, who was standing in the shade of a tree, smiling as he watched him approach.
In the Shade
"Principal... hello..." Peter said awkwardly.
Coulson patted Peter on the shoulder. "That's not exactly the demeanor of our superhero."
"Huh!" Peter instantly stared at the Principal in shock. He understood exactly what the Principal meant.
"Don't worry," Coulson smiled. "We are people on the same front. Don't forget, we were teammates during the Battle of New York."
"To be precise, we are all on the side of humanity," Coulson said, pulling out a business card from his chest pocket. "Let's reintroduce ourselves. My name is Phil Coulson."
"Uh... Peter Parker, as you know," Peter said, taking Coulson's business card.
"Of course, you're a student at my school," Coulson said. "That guy Stark specifically asked me to look out for you."
"Mr. Stark!" Peter was surprised that Tony was still thinking of him.
"Yes, it was him." Coulson was slightly surprised by Peter and Stark's relationship; they seemed to be quite close. "He said, 'I'll always be watching you, Peter.'" Coulson relayed Stark's exact words.
"Cool~" Peter was visibly excited at the thought of Mr. Stark paying attention to him.
"Sorry," Peter quickly apologized, realizing he was too emotional.
"It's fine," Coulson said. "That's the kind of energy young people should have."
"Then, Principal, who exactly are you?" Peter guessed that Coulson's identity was certainly more than just a school principal.
Coulson looked around. "The environment isn't quite right. I'll tell you next time we have a chance."
"Okay," Peter said, calming his excitement.
Coulson was about to turn and leave, but Peter couldn't help staring at Coulson's retreating back. He ran up and whispered, "Did Mr. Stark say when he'd let me join the Avengers?" After the Battle of New York, Peter thought the organization was incredibly cool and felt that joining the Avengers was the mark of a true superhero, like the difference between a vigilante and a real police officer. Tony had responded to him at the time with: "Kid, remember, you're not mature enough yet."
"I believe you can do it," Coulson encouraged him. He didn't confirm whether Stark had said anything, but he changed the subject with this phrase, giving Peter hope just as he was starting to feel disappointed.
"I will," Peter said, stopping his steps, full of confidence. He was Spider-Man, after all!
Dormitory Rooftop
"Speak! Who are you!"
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