join p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr
Godolkin University, the shared alma mater of Supes, and the cradle of Superheroes.
Hughie had heard many rumors about this university; even if he wasn't a Supe himself, he would at least pay attention to the school his former idol, A-Train, had attended.
He knew this place was where Supes were trained to become Superheroes.
But Hughie never expected that he, neither a Supe nor having any relatives or friends at the school, would one day personally come to Godolkin University, and even have the authority to enter it.
Actually, when Butcher said that Kevin wanted to meet him at Godolkin University, Hughie was quite puzzled.
Why would Kevin want to see him? Even though he was now a member of The Boys and had personally killed Translucent, it shouldn't be enough for Kevin to actively seek him out.
After all, The Boys' true leader was Butcher, not him.
Hughie couldn't figure out Kevin's purpose.
But since Kevin was now the 'angel investor' funding The Boys' operations, when the money man spoke, he had to go meet him.
Just as Butcher had said.
Even if Kevin's goal was to make Hughie lie in bed and obediently stick out his butt to be 'done', he would have to grit his teeth and endure it, and then tell Butcher all the details.
To be honest, when Butcher said those things, Hughie had an urge to punch him in the face.
Insulting Hughie himself was fine, but he couldn't insult his idol!
His idol already had a girlfriend, and they were very much in love; how could he do that to Hughie!
This was simply a slander against The Deep!
Although Hughie didn't punch him at the time, he angrily told Butcher these things.
What he got in return was Butcher's extremely strange look.
Afterward, Hughie realized that he hadn't said he hated being 'done' like that...
Oh... a bit disgusting... my sexual orientation is normal...
Hughie walked into Godolkin University, lost in thought.
While his mind was in a whirl, someone approached him; it was a beautiful blonde girl with a pair of black leather gloves and lovely black eyes.
She came up to Hughie, extended her hand, and asked:
"Hughie Campbell?"
"Uh... yes, may I ask who you are...?"
"My name is Cate, Kevin sent me to find you. Please follow me."
The girl named Cate smiled at Hughie, and after shaking hands with him, she turned and led Hughie deeper into the campus.
As he followed the girl, Hughie observed that Cate did not take him through crowded areas, but rather through places with fewer students, being careful not to let anyone see Hughie.
This made Hughie involuntarily nervous, thinking about his identity as a member of The Boys, and then thinking about what Vought had done, even if the person he was about to meet was his idol, The Deep, Hughie still couldn't help but ask:
"Miss Cate... can I ask what The Deep wants to see me for?"
"I don't know."
Cate immediately replied, without turning to look at Hughie or explaining to him: "I'm just responsible for taking you there. As for what Kevin wants you to do, I'm not sure. After I take you there, I still have to go back to class."
Cate seemed completely unaware of Kevin's purpose in calling Hughie.
She was only responsible for taking Hughie, who had no idea of the way, to where Kevin was currently located to meet him.
As for anything else, Cate was not responsible.
Cate didn't know, and Hughie couldn't ask further. He could only follow Cate to a special elevator, enter it with her, and watch her operate it.
Hughie originally thought Cate would take him to an upper floor, which was why they entered the elevator.
But when the elevator started, Hughie felt it descending.
"Uh... are we... going down?"
"Of course, is there a problem?"
...No... no problem.
Seeing Cate's matter-of-fact expression, Hughie couldn't directly say there was a problem. He forced a smile, but in his heart, he guessed some things.
The place Kevin wanted to meet him was probably a secret facility of Vought.
Damn it, now that he knew about this secret facility, would Vought silence him later?
No, no, no, no matter what, the current CEO of Vought is The Deep... The Deep shouldn't do such terrifying things.
Hughie began to fret again, and at the same time, he started to get nervous.
While Kevin might not do something like silencing him, bringing him to a place like this right away suggested that what Kevin would ask him to do next would likely be very dangerous.
And he also didn't know if he could tell Butcher about his experience here after he went back.
He had promised Butcher that he would tell him everything he saw and heard after he returned.
Hughie, lost in thought, no longer paid attention to his surroundings. He vaguely followed behind Cate until she led him to a certain room, and only when he personally met Kevin did he snap out of it.
He was, in fact, woken by Kevin.
"Hughie? Why do you look a bit dazed? Have you gone silly?"
Kevin, who had been waiting for Hughie for a long time, called out to him in surprise.
Hearing someone call his name, Hughie instantly came back to his senses:
"Huh? Uh... no, I just... maybe I didn't rest well last night."
"Why do you always look like you haven't rested well every time we meet?"
Kevin said playfully.
Hughie couldn't answer and could only offer an awkward but polite smile.
Fortunately, Kevin didn't continue to tease Hughie about this. He pointed to the seat next to Hughie:
"Alright, you sit down first. Let's chat, just to relax a bit."
"Okay..."
Hughie answered uneasily.
He rubbed his hands on his knees, cautiously surveying his surroundings.
This seemed to be a private office. The furnishings in the office were not much different from those in a typical office.
Because he couldn't quite remember the way, Hughie didn't know what this secret facility, where the office was located, actually did. Now, in front of Kevin, he dared not ask, so he could only look down at the floor.
After a while, probably seeing the atmosphere was a bit awkward, Kevin spoke to Hughie:
"I imagine you're very curious why I sought you out."
"Yes, are you looking for me to do something?"
"I am indeed looking for you to do something, but before that, I need to confirm one thing."
Kevin's voice paused, his expression slightly serious, making Hughie nervous again.
"What is it? Please ask."
"Do you want to become a Supe?"
...Huh?
Hughie didn't react for a moment; he thought Kevin was talking about something else entirely.
Until Kevin repeated himself.
"Alright, you might not have heard clearly, so I'll ask again: Do you want to become a Supe? If you do, I can help you."
This time, Hughie finally understood.
Kevin brought him here because he wanted him to become a Supe, and then work for Kevin.
Putting aside what kind of tasks would require Hughie, a Supe, to perform, just the idea of an adult ordinary person becoming a Supe... could it really be done?
Hughie wasn't sure, and to be honest, he didn't really want to become a Supe.
With Butcher's daily 'brainwashing' that was like chanting scriptures, Hughie had also started to dislike Supes.
Butcher might be a jerk, but he was right about many things.
Most Supes were jerks. Take the Supes Hughie had met: A-Train, Translucent, Lamplighter, Ezekiel... and many, many more Superheroes or other Supes.
They had all done many infuriating or disgusting things.
Hughie had long since realized that Supes and Superheroes were not as glamorous as people imagined.
So, deep down, Hughie had a resistance to becoming a Supe.
But Hughie also knew that he actually had few choices now.
"If I say I don't want to, will you let me go?"
Trusting The Deep, Hughie boldly asked Kevin.
Kevin chuckled:
"What are you saying? I called you here today just to talk. If you don't agree, you can leave anytime, but... if you want to become a Supe, or even a Superhero, it might not be so simple in the future."
"Wait, a Superhero? Me? You want me to be a... Superhero??"
Hughie's expression was astonished.
After all, he couldn't think of anything about himself that was worth valuing, and he didn't believe he had the qualifications to be a Superhero.
But Kevin had a different idea:
"Yes, I know it might be hard for you to believe, but I do want you to become a Superhero. I think you've seen the news and know that I'm preparing for the Super Hero Association, right?"
...I know.
"Then let me give you a little inside scoop here. The Super Hero Association's selection criteria are very strict. All, and I mean all, Superheroes with a bad record, including those who have used drugs, abused alcohol, used their position for personal gain, or harmed others, will not be selected for the Super-Hero Association."
"Uh, this..."
Hughie's eyes widened at the words.
Leaving aside other things, just the 'drug use' criterion alone would likely filter out at least ninety percent of current Superheroes.
Because most of the current Superheroes come from Godolkin University.
And Hughie had some understanding of the internal environment of Godolkin University.
Many students would try drugs for thrills during their studies, and because of this, ninety percent of current Superheroes have, more or less, tried some addictive substances.
As for other things, like using their position for personal gain or harming others, Superheroes have done even more of that.
If screened according to Kevin's standards, even Homelander would not be qualified for the Super-Hero Association.
Because he had harmed many innocent people, and he had also forced Butcher's wife.
Hughie didn't know that Butcher's wife, Rebecca, had willingly slept with Homelander.
Rebecca hadn't said anything about it, and Butcher didn't know, so Hughie naturally assumed Homelander had forced Rebecca.
If using one's position for personal gain with subordinates was proven, Homelander would be completely out of the running for the Super-Hero Association.
After a moment of silence, giving Hughie time to collect his thoughts, Kevin spoke again:
"The Super-Hero Association will not prioritize power. The primary focus will be on the heart—people with kindness, compassion, and a sense of morality, even if that person is an ordinary human."
"But I... can I really do it? I..."
Hearing Kevin's words, which could be considered praise, Hughie was a little embarrassed for a moment.
But then he became even more nervous.
The Deep didn't know what he had done, but Hughie himself knew very well.
He had harmed others; he was the one who killed Translucent of The Seven, blowing his body to pieces.
So Hughie actually didn't qualify for the Super-Hero Association, at least that's what he thought at the moment.
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr