Druid in the Marvel Universe Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven: The Old Professor and the Supercomputer

The ex-Columbia math whiz, Alvin, took over the school and "hired" his first teacher, Nicolas Cage.

This old dude, who shares a name with a Hollywood star Alvin knew in his past life, looks rough and overweight, with the vibe of an old-school cowboy. He wasn't too keen on coming at first and even put up a fight, but after Alvin "invited" him a few times, his love for teaching sparked back up. According to him, the school's system might not churn out an Einstein, but it'll definitely produce a bunch of math whizzes.

He's totally into the school's hardcore system: kids who skip homework get double the punishment, those who disrespect teachers get a lesson from the disciplinary office, and the ones who mess up big time will regret it in the small dark room that used to be a storage closet.

This place, which looks more like a prison than a school, is seen by the old guy as the best spot to shape students and the fairest place for their future.

No class differences here; everyone gets treated the same, and heroes are judged by their grades.

Unlike other schools, where class distinctions sneak in during the learning phase.

Kids from regular families study and grow happily, while rich kids go to fancy schools but face huge academic pressure and have to learn extra stuff like art in their spare time.

When it's time to apply to colleges or face the real world, rich kids have a way higher starting point and an easier time than regular kids.

But here, all the kids are on the same level. Even the basketball, baseball, and football team members have to pass their exams to join practice.

Alvin doesn't buy the crap about not having a talent for learning. If you can play sports and get tactics, you can pass exams.

In his past life, Alvin's son's classmate had an IQ of just 85 but was taught to pass every subject by their teacher.

So here, Alvin doesn't believe in tears; he only believes in grades.

"Damn it, Alvin, you dragged me here to teach, and I came. But what the hell did you do? You spent the money on raising the walls and even added electric fences!

I don't mind what you did, but can you at least buy the teaching gear I asked for first? I don't even have a decent computer. You jerk, if I don't see the computer I want this week, I swear I'll—"

Alvin stared at the old guy, waiting for him to say he wanted to leave so he could agree and send him home to retire.

The old man wanted a multimedia teaching center, and Alvin agreed, but asking for a supercomputer was too much.

Even if the whole school could use it, even a retired supercomputer costs millions.

Where could Alvin find that kind of cash? Should he take a few big dogs to rob Stark Tower and steal a supercomputer?

Cage thought for a moment. His late-career work was here, and he couldn't bring himself to say he wanted to leave. After holding back for a long time, he said, "I'll complain to the Department of Education about you!"

Alvin shook his head in disappointment and said, "Professor Cage, you gotta understand, our school isn't loaded! What can you complain about to the Department of Education? Our students are only up to 12th grade; what use is that thing?

Look, Principal Nelson is so worried about the school's budget that his hair's turned white. You're an old professor; you should get it, right? Don't worry, we'll get the supercomputer. We're just going through a rough patch now, but once things get better, we'll get right on it."

There's a saying in China that fits Professor Cage to a T: "a stone in a latrine, both smelly and hard." Hearing Alvin's words, Cage just looked at him with disdain and said, "You clearly haven't had a higher education, you bastard. Do you know how many top math and physics brains in America are waiting in line to use a school's supercomputer to verify their experiments?

If you had one, do you think top talents wouldn't be breaking down your door to apply? You ignorant fool, you only know how to build walls and buildings but don't get that talent is the key to a school."

Alvin felt a sting from the old professor's words. Sure, he hadn't gone to college, but he knew talent was crucial. Did Cage really have to rub it in his face like that?

Even though Alvin was tempted, he just shrugged and said, "No money, what can I do?"

The old man, full of fire, shot back, "No money? Hit up the Hell's Kitchen gangs for contributions. Their kids all go to school here; shouldn't parents chip in when the school needs it?

From what I know, there are over 20 gangs in Hell's Kitchen. If each one kicks in $100,000, that should be enough. I have an old buddy in the materials department at Columbia University, and they're looking to offload a supercomputer. I can get a good deal."

After saying this, the old guy winked at Alvin, looking like he had some serious connections.

Alvin took a deep breath after hearing Cage's words. Is this guy a professor or a bandit? Who's the real gangster here? How did he survive to his seventies in the cutthroat world of Marvel with this bandit nature?

However, snagging a supercomputer for $2 million is a steal. But asking gangs for money? That's a stretch.

These small gangs aren't like Kingpin, who has a big business and wouldn't mind a little cash. These small gangs, if you take a dollar from them, they'll find a way to get five dollars back from somewhere else. Alvin would never do such a thing.

Asking gangs for money can't be called asking for money; it has to be a voluntary donation. This depends on the school's teaching quality and graduation rate this year.

With a good graduation rate, letting these gang leaders know their kids can take a different path, organizing a fundraiser would be easy, but not now.

Alvin rubbed his nose, thinking about whether to ask Kingpin for help, but squeezing too much out of one sheep would drive it crazy.

Alvin looked helplessly at Professor Cage and said, "Professor, asking gangs for money is the worst idea and definitely can't be done. You go ahead and talk to them. If it doesn't work, I'll take some from the budget for the new teaching building and have Nelson try to get a loan.

But this semester has to go well. We can't just muddle through without a supercomputer. No high school in America dares to get a supercomputer."

Alvin had no choice. He had tricked a big shot into coming here. This big shot was incredibly capable but had a terrible temper and loved to lose it, which was unbearable.

The old man was very satisfied with Alvin's low posture. He straightened his tie and said proudly, "It's my responsibility. There are several good kids in the 12th grade. I can write them recommendation letters to try for Columbia University.

I talked to Professor Wilson. For this year's ATC exam, half of these kids can score over 22. Ha, bastard, the only thing I like about you is your teaching system. You can't tame a horse without a whip."

Then the old guy's tone changed, like a loan shark collecting a debt, and he said, "Hurry up and get the money. The supercomputer has to be brought in first. Let Nelson get a loan for the building. I can introduce a few banks to him; their heads are all my students."

The old man looked like a loan shark forcing someone to sign. Alvin and Nelson nodded quickly in agreement.

The old man was pleased with Alvin's agreement and patted him on the shoulder, saying, "You won't regret it!"