Chapter 47: The Kingsman Academy
Arthur, the leader of the Kingsman. William had seen the movie *Kingsman*, so he knew that this seemingly peaceful old man was actually a ruthless character. He was immediately on alert as Arthur approached him.
Arthur smiled. "William, I don't know if you know who we are, but I can see in your eyes that you do, am I right?"
Arthur stopped and stared into William's eyes.
William was no match for these lifelong veterans at mind games. He couldn't think of a good reason to feign ignorance; he certainly couldn't say he'd seen them in a movie. So, he could only remain silent.
"I suspect Henry may have told you about us. He might even have left you my file. Otherwise, I can't explain how you seemed to recognize me the moment you saw me," Arthur said with certainty.
Ha! William was relieved. This was a perfect excuse; he didn't have to think of one himself. Arthur had handed it to him on a silver platter.
William nodded at Arthur. "I know about you, as well as Harry Hart and instructor Merlin."
"Ha, so M was right. That old fox, Henry Winston Devinshire, really did leave you many of England's secret files."
Arthur's smile turned cold, his eyes staring at William as if he wanted to devour him.
William said, "No, I only saw the file on the Kingsman academy. Henry had considered arranging for me to study there, so he left some introductory materials about the academy."
"No, William Devinshire, you are lying," Arthur said. "Merlin only joined the academy eight years ago. How could Henry have left you that information ten years ago, William?"
He was tripped up by the movie's timeline. The film came out more than a decade in the future; how was he supposed to know when Merlin had actually joined the academy?
Now that he couldn't explain himself, William decided to shut up. The more he said, the more mistakes he would make. He was no match for these old pros.
However, William noticed a strange look in Harry Hart's eyes—a mix of what seemed to be pleasure, appreciation, and... affection? *What the hell?* The word 'care' came to mind.
William was puzzled by Harry Hart's expression, but when he looked closer, Harry's face had returned to normal.
William's mind, enhanced by the system, was racing. Could it be that this Harry Hart was once a member of Group W, under his grandfather, Henry Winston Devinshire? William was startled by his own thought.
He remembered his grandfather's warning in the letter: trust no one. Henry must have anticipated that former members of Group W might seek William out. But after more than a decade, no one could guarantee what these former members had become. What they might want from him, only God knew.
Even though this was a world of movies, it was also the real world. William didn't dare trust anyone casually. Even if someone seemed friendly now, it didn't guarantee they wouldn't have ill intentions later.
"Forget it. We've been guessing for a long time what that old fox Henry might have left you, but we were never sure. Now we are," Arthur said. "William, you've survived for almost ten years on your own wits; it must have been Henry's training. He must have exhausted himself teaching you. I don't know what Henry taught you, but I hope you will consider coming to our academy for further study. It would be good for you."
What good could that possibly do? They just wanted to observe him in their academy. He had no desire to go to the Kingsman academy just to get tortured. He already had all the agent knowledge he needed in his mind. Why would he go get abused for training he didn't need? He had no masochistic tendencies.
William rejected the offer. "No, Arthur, I don't have time to go to the academy right now, and I'm not interested. My favorite thing to do is make money. I'd rather spend that time earning more. If Henry wanted me to inherit his career, that's too bad. I have no interest in being an agent, or in Group W for that matter. Things are different now. This isn't Henry's time; a decade has passed since the 90s."
"Stupid boy. If I can guess that Henry left you files, so can others. And they won't be as pleasant as I am," Arthur sneered. "Do you think you have what it takes to subdue a 007 and guarantee your own safety? It's not ten years ago. Technology and techniques have changed. What Henry taught you a decade ago is obsolete and no longer applicable."
"And William, you have to consider your mother. Your mother is an ordinary person."
Hearing Arthur threaten his mother, Lina, William's entire demeanor changed. Arthur, Harry Hart, and Merlin suddenly felt as if they were being stared down by a ferocious predator, like a lion or a tiger. A cold sweat broke out across their bodies, and the hairs on their arms stood on end.
Seeing the harmless-looking young man suddenly transform into a beast ready to devour them, Merlin, despite being a seasoned instructor who had faced countless dangers, was terrified and took several steps back. He pointed a trembling finger at William and stammered, "You..."
Arthur and Harry Hart weren't much better. Though they didn't retreat, they were just as panicked as Merlin.
The pressure William exuded was too much for ordinary people to bear.
William retracted his aura slightly and gritted his teeth. "I don't care who it is. If anyone disturbs Lina, I will kill them all. I mean what I say. And don't think I believe you, Arthur. If I didn't have something up my sleeve, do you think you would have waited so patiently for ten years without touching me or Lina? Henry must have left behind some failsafe that scares you. So, Arthur, tell those who want to cause me trouble not to mess with me. When I go crazy, even I'm afraid of myself. I won't care about any rules. If they touch Lina, I don't mind killing their entire family."
After William retracted his spiritual pressure, the three men could finally breathe again. Arthur let out a long sigh. "Passed."
Merlin looked at William in horror. He had felt that William truly wanted to kill them. Even now, he was frightened when he met William's gaze. He secretly vowed never to see this monster again if he could help it. This was the same person who, just a few days ago, had taken on 007 and three elite agents with guns, using only his bare hands, coins, keys, and a rope.
Harry Hart looked at William with surprise. As far as he knew, Henry wasn't skilled in combat. He could only assume that Henry had left something for William that allowed him to train so well while in hiding for ten years.
Arthur, befitting his role as the leader of the Kingsman, composed himself and said to William, "William, your best bet now is to prove that you are one of us. That way, at least we old-timers won't move against you, and neither will the English government. This mission is a good opportunity. Think of it as an initiation fee, William. If you want to join a group, you have to prove your worth. Understand?"
Tch. Isn't this just like the loyalty test from *Water Margin*? An act to prove my allegiance. Who doesn't know how that works?
William said to Arthur, "Tch. How I do it is my business. But don't worry, Arthur, we're already on the same side. I'll do something to prove I'm more than capable."
There was an unspoken threat in his words. Arthur heard it and said with a smile, "That's for the best. We're waiting for your performance, William. Don't let us down."
*Waiting to see my performance?* William thought unhappily. *You old fox, if you ever betray me, I'll kill you.*
William also smiled. "You'll see, Arthur. Maybe you'll be surprised the next time we meet."
*The next time we meet, I might just kill you,* William thought. *I'm authorized by the Security Council now. If I need to investigate a mole, I'll start with whoever I want. Don't let me find out it's you, or it'll be your doom.*
Arthur suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, a sense of unease in his heart. He didn't know what it was, but his years of experience as an agent told him that something bad was about to happen.
Arthur shook hands with William to say goodbye. William then shook hands with Merlin and Harry Hart. After the three of them left, William walked back to the corner of the bar. He thought of the note his grandfather had left him, the one that said, "Trust no one."
Damn it, this is so complicated. Of course, I don't trust anyone. Not even you, Harry Hart. Trusting you would be like believing a pig could fly.
---
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