Herman thought to himself with full confidence as he activated his X-Ray Vision. He didn't actually look at Skye's sensitive areas.
After all, she was only seventeen. Herman had his bottom line; he knew what it meant to respect the opposite sex and abide by laws protecting minors.
Besides, he had already talked her into staying here. It was only a matter of time before he got what he wanted. He wasn't in a hurry—it didn't matter if it took a year or two.
He briefly scanned Skye's abdomen and realized his X-Ray Vision wasn't what he expected. It wasn't like those colorful stories where you could see through clothes.
Instead, it cut straight through to her bones and muscles. Powerful as it was, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
X-Ray Vision?
Can't see bikinis, can't see curves—how is that even X-Ray Vision?
Soulless!
"Where's the money? If you want something fancy, you'll have to buy me one too!" Skye had no idea that in Herman's eyes, she looked like a pink skeleton.
She thought for a moment.
Considering today's investor was clearly a sucker, maybe it was worth celebrating a little. After all, Herman would soon have money to pay her salary.
"Cover it for now... We'll have cash soon. I'll pay you back with interest." As a down-and-out director, Herman obviously didn't have a Franklin to spare.
He said it as if it were only natural.
"What the hell? It's one thing to have me cover meals for you, but now I've got to pay for your coffee too?"
"Who's the boss here, huh?"
Skye looked at him like he'd just performed some kind of miracle.
Inwardly, she was thinking that if it weren't for the free place to live and the fast internet, she'd have ditched this so-called boss long ago.
As expected.
Without a deep bond of "friendship," things were always this shaky. Reading her thoughts, Herman sighed inwardly.
Outwardly, he kept a serious tone. "The investors are already lined up. Do you really think I won't have the money to pay you back?"
Hearing that, Skye also thought today's investor looked like a fool—probably about to get completely duped by Herman. She made her decision on the spot.
"We agreed—nine out, thirteen back. You owe me interest." She pulled out her wallet and headed for the door.
"Starbucks?" she asked before stepping out.
"Not even a dog would drink that crap."
Herman smiled as usual, answering without hesitation.
"You want something better? Keep dreaming! I'm buying Starbucks. Take it or leave it!" Skye rolled her eyes at him in exasperation.
Before leaving, she reminded him to hurry and meet the investor. If she came back upstairs and didn't see him in the reception room, she'd pour the coffee straight down the toilet.
"You think I can't handle convincing a rich guy?" Herman shook his head helplessly. Clearly, Skye didn't understand how American investors worked.
Anyone willing to come in person was already interested in his script. As long as there was profit to be made, no one would get impatient waiting.
"It is getting late. Time to meet this sharp-eyed investor." Herman adjusted his clothes.
He slipped into a proper suit.
These days, he didn't even need to change clothes by hand. Telekinesis was enough—though his control over the ability wasn't precise yet, meaning he still needed plenty of practice.
It was a perfectly reasonable excuse for his laziness. He adapted quickly, likely thanks to the All-Seeing Eye.
And honestly, that excuse made sense.
When experimenting with his abilities, he'd also discovered one of the flaws noted by the All-Seeing Eye: even the slightest emotional surge risked sending his powers spiraling out of control.
That loss of control always came with a sharp headache. It was still bearable, but far from ideal.
It was clear that if Herman's emotions ever went from agitated to fully unstable, the mental strain and resulting power surge would be far more severe.
This was probably because his power had come on so suddenly. Even though his body had strengthened, fully adapting to it couldn't happen overnight.
The description from the All-Seeing Eye had been completely accurate. If this had happened to an ordinary film director, they wouldn't just be nervous.
Sleepless nights.
Constantly worsening mental health.
Which would only intensify the negative side effects of their powers.
That would inevitably spiral into a vicious cycle.
Fortunately, Herman wasn't just an ordinary director. He was a transmigrator with foresight and perspective. He knew there was no need to worry too much.
He figured he only needed to quietly train and adapt, while avoiding the use of his abilities in front of others. That way, S.H.I.E.L.D. wouldn't have the chance to drag him off for research.
Herman could sense it clearly.
His body showed no signs of breaking down from the extraterrestrial crystal.
He had simply gained immense benefits, ones too vast to digest all at once. He only needed time to adapt—and then he'd be able to complete his identity mission.
"In a way, this mission is actually simpler than the one for the down-and-out director," Herman sighed to himself.
Indeed.
If he hadn't been a hardcore fan of American TV dramas, watching his favorites dozens of times over, he never would have been able to plagiarize a smash-hit from his past life to complete the task.
For someone who had only acquired some directing skills, creating a blockbuster show entirely on his own was practically impossible.
By comparison, the mission tied to his Hidden Superpowered Being identity was much easier.
All it required was time, patience—
And… a little bit of luck.
That last part was something Herman only realized after stepping out of his office to meet the investor in the reception room. He had almost exposed himself right after gaining his new identity!
"It's him!?"
Herman had just resolved to maintain the steady composure of an "old-school cadre," giving his unstable powers no chance to spiral out of control.
But who could have expected—
The moment he saw the investor's face, his mental defenses shattered.
He nearly lost control then and there, on the verge of a full-blown power meltdown.
It wasn't his fault his composure slipped.
The man had a shiny bald head, sat in an electric wheelchair, and wore a warm, spring-breeze smile.
Herman had long known this Marvel Universe included mutants.
So this man's identity was obvious.
Professor X.
Charles Francis Xavier.
The absolute last person Herman ever expected to see!
Are you kidding me?!
I'm trying to produce The Boys, and Professor X himself shows up to invest? Herman's thoughts were thrown completely into chaos!