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A tall figure strode onto the podium.
Red and blue spandex, a stars and stripes cape.
The once noisy classroom fell silent the moment the students saw who had walked in; they all stood up, letting out a collective exclamation of "Oh my God."
The teacher for the first day of class was actually Homelander!
Homelander stood on the podium, his gaze sweeping gently over the young, worshipful faces below.
He came here today to give the students a PU... oh no, a Character Education Class.
Homelander didn't just come to this class; he would also visit the lower-grade classes in other branch academies.
As the future martial cornerstone of Vought, ideological education had to start from a young age.
"Sit down, children," Homelander said with his signature smile.
The students quickly sat down, their backs straight as a board, for fear of missing a single word from Homelander.
Peter sat in his seat, his hands trembling with excitement.
He really wanted to stand up and tell Homelander on the podium that he was that little boy from back then.
He wanted to tell Homelander that he now possessed power, had made his choice, and vowed to fight alongside him in the future.
But he didn't dare speak.
He was afraid; what if Homelander had forgotten him?
After all, Homelander saw so many people every day and saved the World so many times, while he was just an ordinary poor kid from Queens.
He was afraid his abruptness would ruin this beautiful reunion.
Just as Peter was feeling conflicted and hesitant, Homelander recognized Peter Parker sitting in the middle at a glance.
Looking at this future famous Spider-Man and his cowardly appearance of wanting to be recognized but not daring to, Homelander felt a sense of amusement.
He decided to give this young man a little shock to the soul.
Homelander smiled slightly and said, "Good morning, children. Before we begin this class, I would like to introduce an old friend to everyone."
The students in the classroom turned their heads one after another, searching for the "old friend" Homelander mentioned.
Homelander then pointed toward Peter's seat.
"Student Peter Parker. Please stand up."
Peter's whole body shook as if struck by lightning.
He couldn't believe his ears.
Homelander remembered him! Not only did he remember, but he also called out his name in front of the whole class and referred to him as an old friend!
Peter's face flushed red as he scrambled to stand up from his seat, his legs even trembling slightly.
"Mr... Mr. Homelander," Peter stammered.
The eyes of the entire class instantly focused on Peter, filled with envy.
Homelander strode down from the podium, walked along the aisle of the classroom, went straight to Peter, and gently patted his shoulder.
"Long time no see, Peter."
"It's been a few years; you've grown taller and stronger. That little boy who was desperately squeezing through the crowd with a comic book is finally standing here now."
"Do you still remember what I told you back then?"
Peter's eyes welled up.
He thought he was just an insignificant passerby in Homelander's life.
But he didn't expect that Homelander would not only remember his name but even the details of their meeting!
"I remember, sir! With great power comes great responsibility!" Peter answered loudly. "I've always kept it in my heart!"
"That's right. You coming here shows you've made the right choice," Homelander laughed.
"Welcome to Vought, my friend. On the battlefields of the future, I look forward to fighting alongside you."
"It's my honor, sir!" Peter said excitedly. "I've been working hard to become someone like you!"
Homelander smiled and shook his head. "You aren't becoming me, Peter. You are becoming... a better version of yourself!"
Peter raised his hand to wipe away the tears about to fall and nodded vigorously.
All his hard work and persistence along the way received the highest recognition at this moment.
[Prompt! Gained special popularity value +20,000! (From Peter Parker)]
Hearing the popularity points arrive, Homelander patted Peter's shoulder with satisfaction, gesturing for him to sit back down.
Then he returned to the podium and faced the entire class.
"Now, let us begin today's lesson."
Homelander's smile faded, and his expression became solemn.
"Students. You are sitting here because you are more exceptional than ordinary people. In your genes flows the power to change the World."
"But power does not equal a hero. You must understand one thing."
"The World outside is not always full of sunshine. There are greedy criminals, perverted killers, and alien races attempting to enslave and eliminate us."
"Ordinary people are fragile; they are easily blinded by lies and lose their way in fear, praying for salvation. And we, the heroes of Vought, are their only barrier."
"In this process, you will face doubt, temptation, and even a lack of understanding from people."
Homelander's voice gradually rose as if he wanted to pour his will directly into the souls of these young people.
"But you must remember, a true hero does not fight for flowers and applause. A true hero fights for the continuation of civilization, for the peace and security of all mankind!"
"And only by unwaveringly executing the will of Vought can you transform this power into true justice!"
"Perhaps one day... to protect the peace of the majority, you will have to make difficult choices, and your hands will have to be stained with blood..."
Homelander's expression at this moment seemed to carry a martyr-like solemnity.
"But do not be afraid, do not hesitate!"
"The dirtier your hands are at this moment, the cleaner your soul becomes!"
"Because you bear the sins that mortals cannot endure, in exchange for their right to breathe freely under the sun!"
"This is the destiny of a hero!"
These words, like a magical incantation, were deeply etched into the minds of these inexperienced young people.
They already held Homelander in high esteem, and now, under Homelander's highly provocative brainwashing, even if Homelander one day ordered them to destroy a civilization, they would firmly believe in their hearts that it must be an evil civilization endangering all of humanity.
Homelander is justice; Vought is truth.
"Riiing—"
The bell for the end of class rang.
Homelander immediately stopped his speech and nodded slightly to the students below the podium.
"May you all become true heroes... Class dismissed!"
Thunderous applause immediately erupted from below.
The students clapped desperately, unaware that their palms had turned red from the force.
Many even had fanatical tears shimmering in their eyes, as if they had found their lifelong faith.
Homelander smiled and waved to the students, then turned and walked out of the classroom.
Listening to the applause behind him, he laughed inwardly.
He should teach more of these classes in the future. Influencing them ideologically was far more effective than oppressing them with power.