The boy stared at Herman in shock, unable to figure out how he had uncovered his secret.
"As for you."
Herman didn't bother explaining. He turned to the girl, who looked no more than fourteen or fifteen, tapped his temple as if thinking it over, then made his decision.
"I'll find you a great school. Once you've made something of yourself, you can repay me then."
With that, he brushed the potato chip crumbs from his hands, stepped up to the siblings, placed a hand on each of their shoulders, and said with a smile,
"Alright, to celebrate my two new employees officially joining, I'm treating you to a real meal. Snacks don't fill you up."
"Did I mention that on the next street there's a Chinese restaurant with incredible food? Their hand-shredded chicken is heavenly."
His words made both siblings swallow instinctively. At their age, no kid could resist the pull of good food.
"Oh, and go change into something nicer. Don't worry, I'll pay."
Herman pulled out several Franklin bills and tossed them onto the counter. He wasn't a paragon of justice, but he was definitely a man of order.
"Huh?"
The kids were a little slow to react, but still did as Herman said, finding clean, warm clothes to change into.
The older brother put on a leather jacket and a pair of sunglasses he pushed up onto his forehead, giving him a punkish street vibe. The girl chose a pretty red dress that highlighted her delicate features, giving her a striking charm despite her young age.
When she showed off her new outfit, her expression turned timid again, her small fists clenching unconsciously. She was clearly nervous and shy.
"They look perfect on you both."
Herman gave them a heartfelt compliment.
"You're so sure we'll agree to this?"
The girl's unease was plain, her eyes still filled with doubt.
"Hah."
Herman's smile was bright as he ruffled her hair. Leading them out of the shop, he cheerfully replied,
"Wanda, if you think I'm handsome, just say it out loud. No need to keep it to yourself. Let everyone know you've got good taste."
He had called her name outright. The girl's inner thoughts, spoken aloud, made her blush instantly.
Lowering her head in embarrassment, her gem-like eyes flickered as she realized the deeper meaning behind Herman's words.
This handsome young man… had the terrifying ability to read minds. Wanda felt a shock beyond words.
Yes.
The two people Herman had roped into his company were none other than the Scarlet Witch Wanda and her troublesome brother, Quicksilver Pietro.
By skimming their surface thoughts, Herman realized this version of the siblings wasn't the one with a grudge against Tony Stark.
This Marvel Universe had mutants, and the siblings were among them. Their origins were anything but ordinary.
Quicksilver was strikingly handsome, and Wanda, even at such a young age, was already stunning—likely the version descended from Magneto.
"You still haven't told us why you're helping us," Quicksilver pressed. Being older, he was naturally more cautious.
And seeing Wanda blush had only pushed his protective instincts to their peak—the typical reaction of any big brother.
"Can't I just be a nice guy who likes helping people?"
Herman raised an eyebrow.
He led them to the edge of the empty street. With a light wave of his hand, his telekinesis lifted the barricades set up by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.
"If all these years have taught us anything, it's that there's absolutely no such thing as a free lunch in this world."
Quicksilver spoke with solemn gravity.
Wanda turned her head, her expression serious as she looked at Herman. Not knowing his true intentions, she felt a twinge of unease deep inside. No one would be kind to them for no reason.
"Alright, you two smart alecks, you're right. There's no such thing as a free lunch."
Herman smiled as he ruffled both their hair. He led them along the street, finding no sign of police. They smoothly blended into the unblocked street on the other side. The commotion on the adjacent street did little to dampen the bustling activity here.
"What I want is your loyalty."
Herman pushed open the restaurant door for the two youngsters, waiting for their decision.
"Loyalty?"
Both children froze. Clearly, they hadn't anticipated such a response from him.
"Yes. I'll give you the life you desire and a respectable status. But in return, I demand that you stand firmly by my side, no matter what happens in the future."
Herman's gaze grew intense as he looked at the two children. He didn't know what choices he would make in the future, nor whether he might one day oppose the superheroes. That was why he needed his own loyal team.
This was Herman's truest thought. Of course, there was also a grander ambition, though whether it could be realized remained uncertain.
Odin could become God King.
Zeus could become God King.
He, too, was a god.
He should have that opportunity as well.
Herman had long sensed an inexplicable connection—the divinity within him, nurturing its power, was profoundly linked to this very notion.
"A very reasonable… request."
Wanda snapped out of it faster than Quicksilver. Her gaze was earnest.
"This is the loyalty we owe."
Staring at the man before her—the only one in this strange, cold land who offered her and Quicksilver refuge, without any pretense—the young Wanda nodded firmly. Despite her age, she possessed a maturity beyond many adults.
"Alright! Whoever you want us to fight, we'll fight!"
Quicksilver, a straightforward boy, found Herman's request not unreasonable. Merely becoming someone's enforcer—if it meant a better life for his sister, he'd even make a deal with the devil.
"Then here's to our future working together."
Herman watched the two children enter the restaurant, his smile growing broader. He followed them inside.
The waitstaff greeted them warmly, leading the trio to a private room.
Having wandered since childhood, Wanda and Quicksilver had never eaten in a restaurant, let alone such an upscale Chinese establishment. Their reactions were like country folk suddenly stepping into Buckingham Palace."
When the waitstaff served the dishes, presenting traditional Chinese cuisine, the siblings showed no hesitation. They dug right in, devouring the food with gusto.
After sampling a couple of bites, Herman pulled out his Nokia phone. He intended to have Skye meet them at this Chinese restaurant.