Experience?
What a joke.
There's no way I'll have a check-up in this lifetime. Does he even need a check-up with his current body? It's a joke. To describe it as a body of steel is an insult to steel, and it's an insult to him.
So...
Hawk didn't go.
Besides, he had more important things to do than getting a check-up.
Like finding a law firm for his internship.
The summer internship in the second year of law school is an essential part, even more so for students, it's the golden pathway for employment.
Because most of the large law firms and many medium-sized ones regard this period's internship as a primary source for future full-time lawyers.
In other words.
If you perform well during this period, you will immediately be offered a full-time job at the firm after graduation once the internship ends.
Simply put.
Before you even graduate or obtain a lawyer's license, you already have a job.
The most important thing.
The intern salary is quite generous too.
As everyone knows, doctors and lawyers in the Federation are golden professions. Just talking about lawyers, a ten-week internship can yield a pre-tax total income of about 50,000 US Dollars.
And that's just the base salary, not including housing allowances and bonuses.
That's why Hawk was so determined to study law at the time.
Not only to avenge his sister, but also to secure a perfect future for himself.
Though he already has both now.
As the saying goes.
Stay true to your original heart, and you will succeed in the end.
So...
After the semester started, Hawk seldom ran to the neighboring Imperial University, instead, he gathered with his classmates after class, catching up on the latest first-hand news from leading law firms in New York City.
But even if he wanted to visit Imperial University, he couldn't.
Because Gwen also had her own matters to busy herself with.
While Hawk was scouring for law firm internships, Gwen was preparing for her doctoral defense, scheduled two months away.
Indeed.
Doctoral defense.
While Hawk was painstakingly searching for an internship, Gwen was about to become 'Doctor Strange.'
This might sound absurd, but given that this is the Marvel Cosmos, it's perfectly reasonable.
Bruce Banner, in his twenties, already held seven doctoral degrees.
Tony Stark, creating circuits at 4, building engines at 6, entered MIT at the age of 15, and earned dual bachelor's degrees in physics and engineering by 17.
So compared to others, Gwen getting her first doctoral degree at the age of twenty seems late.
There's just one thing Hawk was curious about.
Leaning against the doorframe, Hawk heard and called out to Gwen, who was sitting in the computer chair, having just finished a video call with Helen Zhao: "How did Dr. Zhao convince Imperial University to hold a special doctoral defense for you?"
Indeed.
Helen Zhao.
Another top genius in the Marvel Cosmos. Not only was she an old friend of Tony Stark, her intelligence was also universally acknowledged to be on par with him.
She's an authority in regenerative medicine, tissue regeneration, biotechnology, and other fields.
Not only an honorary mentor at many universities, but also a special invited tutor at Imperial University.
Thanks to Tony Stark, naturally, Gwen earned the chance to converse with Helen Zhao.
Two years ago, Helen Zhao came to New York City for post-operative observation on Tony Stark, incidentally vying for Tony Stark's sponsorship for her 'Regeneration Laboratory' when Gwen officially met Helen Zhao.
Then...
Helen Zhao became Gwen's mentor, remotely teaching her while formulating an extremely advanced learning plan for Gwen, bypassing all undergraduate senior courses and directly entering doctoral-level research fields.
In Helen Zhao's words.
Geniuses need not adhere to rules. Rules must yield before geniuses.
But...
"Even if Dr. Zhao is an authority in the field of regenerative biology, making Imperial University do this is still unlikely."
"Do you remember Dr. Curtis Connors?"
"I remember."
"I worked as Dr. Curtis Connors' assistant. Although I didn't participate much in the core experiments, I did organize those materials."
"Dr. Connors' wish of lizard serum research was commendable."
"To make limbs regenerate."
"But at the time, Osborn Biotechnology was too capital-centric, and it was also a time of turmoil, so Dr. Connors didn't have the opportunity for more stable, in-depth research."
"Helen's regeneration theory shares similarities with Dr. Connors' theory."
"For the past year, Helen and I, while in Korea, have been researching whether the two can be integrated."
Then Gwen stopped talking there, got up from the computer chair, came up to Hawk, and with a smile, wrapped her arms around Hawk's neck.
Hawk raised an eyebrow, looking at Gwen who smiled warmly and locked eyes with him.
"And then... succeeded?"
"Yes."
Gwen nodded with a smile, kissed Hawk then released his neck and walked towards the computer: "So the university committee is willing to give me a chance, provided I successfully pass the committee assessment for my doctoral defense. Therefore, I need to prepare materials."
Hawk shrugged.
"Alright, I also need to go back to the study to continue checking on law firm internships, so I won't bother you, future Dr. Phoenix."
"Thank you, Mr. Phoenix."
Hawk's mouth twitched.
Gwen noticed this, her face bursting with a smile.
"Oh, Mr. Phoenix, are you jealous I'm about to become a Ph.D.?"
"Hey, we law graduates are also doctorate holders, Juris Doctor!"
"Will others call you Doctor?"
"... Good night."
Hawk took a deep breath, looked at Gwen who was smiling, left a remark, turned around, and walked out of Gwen's study before pulling out his phone to directly text his academic advisor.
He decided that he also wanted others to call him Doctor.
Although he graduated from law school with a Juris Doctor, it was a professional doctorate, not a traditional Ph.D.
Just like Gwen said.
Even when he graduated, people would address him as Mister, not Doctor.
Just think about it.
Next year when he marries Gwen, if they meet someone, others would call him Mister, but wouldn't call Gwen his wife; instead, they would call her Doctor Strange.
This won't do.
How can this be allowed?
So Hawk decided he also wanted a Ph.D.
In short,
A life of Hawk, undaunted by others.
End of March.
Hawk looked at the certificate in his hand, with the classic deep blue and gold color scheme of Imperial University, embossed with the university's emblem and a finely detailed vine pattern border.
"Imperial University
To all concerned:
By the authority of its trustees and the entire faculty of Biological Sciences, this hereby certifies
Gwen Stacy
has successfully fulfilled all requirements prescribed by this university, due to her outstanding academic achievements and contributions in research, she has been awarded
the Doctor of Philosophy
Major: Biological Sciences
Her doctoral thesis represents a significant breakthrough in the field, titled:
'Study on Mechanisms of Cross-species Mammalian Limb Regeneration Based on Arthropod Genetic Templates'
The research not only has groundbreaking theoretical significance but also shows potential for huge transformative medical applications.
We hereby confer upon her all rights, honors, and privileges pertaining to this degree.
This is certified for commemoration.
Chair of Biology Department, Professor, Dr. Miles Warren.
Thesis advisor, Professor, Helen Zhao.
...
Imperial University!
Date of conferral: March 24, 2015.
State of New York, New York City."
Hawk looked at the freshly conferred doctoral certificate in his hand, uttered a sound of amazement, then glanced at Gwen sitting in the passenger seat, smiling and said, "Congratulations."
Gwen beamed with joy, "You already congratulated me in advance yesterday after my defense, it's just a Ph.D., nothing much, let's go, head to the hospital."
Hearing Gwen's words, Hawk laughed outright.
"Nothing big deal, who was the one tossing and turning at home last night, worried something might go wrong."
"That was..."
Gwen raised her eyebrows, thought for a moment, then looked at Hawk who was driving towards Saint Hugh's Private Hospital and said, "Last night my stomach hurt, yes, my stomach hurt."
Listening to Gwen's defense, Hawk burst out laughing.
"Alright, and is it still hurting now, Dr. Stacy?"
"Not hurting anymore, Mr. Phoenix."
"..."
Hawk glanced at his fiancée who stressed the word 'Mister', decisively chose to shut up, and stepped on the accelerator heading to Saint Hugh's Private Hospital.
Last night, Felicia successfully gave birth to a little spider.
Early in the morning, Peter called; Hawk and Gwen were headed to the hospital to visit Felicia.
It's quite strange, according to the expected delivery date, Felicia should have given birth at the end of January, the hospital's check-up results also estimated the end of January.
But the child in Felicia's belly stayed for two more months.
Oddly enough, all the indicators were normal, in the end, Hawk, Peter, Gwen, and Felicia felt it might have something to do with the time flow difference on Skull Island.
Fortunately, both mother and child were safe.
"Peter, congratulations."
"Felicia, congratulations."
Hawk carried a portable crib and walked into the hospital's luxury suite with Gwen, offering congratulations to Peter and Felicia inside.
Peter smiled brightly.
"Where's Aunt Mei?"
"Just went back, Aunt Mei stayed here all night."
"Alright, once again, congratulations."
Hawk hugged Peter briefly, offering his congratulations again.
Sincere congratulations indeed.
After all...
Whether Spider Spirit, Spider-Man, or Technology Spider, their fates were pretty tough.
What is the meaning of crossing realms?
Isn't it ultimately about making up for regrets?
Moreover, Spider Spirit was his friend.
Thus, seeing Peter Parker, who always wore an expression of worry no matter when, now sporting a genuine smile of happiness, Hawk felt sincerely happy for Peter.
Gwen, who had already seen the baby, excitedly called Hawk.
"Hawk, come and see, so cute."
"..."