Druid in the Marvel Universe Chapter 60: We Watch You from Hell

Today, Principal Alvin looked quite different. The old-fashioned combination of jeans and a plaid shirt was replaced by an obviously expensive black suit.

Despite the stylish, tailored suit, Alvin still exuded a middle-aged vibe. He had a very youthful face, but no one who knew him would think he was a young man.

When Alvin stood at the school gate, he saw a group of kids wearing the uniforms he designed, laughing and teasing each other about who looked worse in their new outfits.

Alvin was very satisfied with his design because the uniform reminded him of his own school days. Alvin was a nostalgic person. He definitely didn't design the uniforms to make the kids look bad on purpose, just to prevent them from being distracted by relationships.

Today, it was the turn of the 10th to 12th graders and their parents. The younger students were already on vacation, but judging by the eager looks of the lower-grade teachers inspired by this year's ATC exams, it seemed those younger kids wouldn't have a very pleasant summer!

Seeing the kids made Alvin smile, but seeing the parents was less pleasant.

Today was the kids' graduation ceremony. Even if you, as a parent, don't dress formally, at least don't show up looking like a hip-hop artist, covered in scary tattoos, wearing a big gold chain, a gold watch, and even a mouth full of gold teeth. What are you trying to do? You're lowering the tone of the school's graduation ceremony.

Alvin gave Frank a look, and the ruthless head of discipline grabbed the Jamaican drug dealer, Pluto, by the neck and dragged him into the security room.

A dozen bus drivers grinned as they stripped Pluto and dressed him in a security uniform. Pluto's henchmen, seeing Domingo standing outside the security room, didn't even muster the courage to go in and rescue him.

Alexei, who had learned his lesson at the school, came alone in a small car with his wife.

Seeing Alvin at the gate, Alexei jogged over and gave Alvin a warm hug.

Alvin pushed away Alexei, who was wrinkling his suit, and said, "Buddy, you don't look like a mob boss today! But it's good, very pleasing!"

Alexei grinned and said, "Today is Anton's big day. I need to look good. In a couple of months, he's going to Los Angeles, and I want Anna to go with him. I'll stay here with Boris until he finishes 12th grade. This way, they won't have to rely on selling guns anymore."

Alvin knew why Alexei didn't mention himself; because in this line of work, there's no way out unless you're dead.

But today was a good day, so there was no need to say anything sad. Besides, this guy wasn't exactly a good person; he had sent plenty of people to the bottom of the sea.

Waving him in, Principal Alvin was ready to greet the next guest.

New York's underground boss, Kingpin, was very "low-key" today. A golden Rolls-Royce Phantom brought him to the school gate, followed by several SUVs, likely carrying his bodyguards.

As Kingpin got out of the car, Alvin could almost hear the Rolls-Royce sigh in relief.

Watching Kingpin fiddle with his cane as he walked to the gate, another car rudely pulled up beside him.

Chief George got out of the car, first letting his daughter, a beautiful girl with a big hat covering her head, enter the school. He then glared coldly at Kingpin, New York's underground boss.

Kingpin acted like a gentleman, politely nodding to his arch-enemy, Chief George. Without much small talk with Alvin, he walked straight into the school, where he had an office.

Chief George was very unhappy that Kingpin was on the school board. He complained to Alvin, "How can you let this guy on the school board? He's a complete scoundrel!"

Alvin smiled and nodded, saying, "I know, but if someone donates ten million dollars to my school every year, even if he's the devil, I'd let him on the board."

Alvin then comforted Chief George, "George, old buddy, don't worry about why Kingpin is here. If you can catch him and put him in jail, I certainly won't help him."

Today wasn't a good day to discuss such matters, so Chief George didn't say much more. He waved goodbye to Alvin and went into the school to chat with the old gentleman, Professor Wilson, as his daughter's future was in his hands.

Stark, that rascal, arrived at the last minute. This flashy guy drove a golden supercar that Alvin had never seen before, bringing the elegantly dressed Pepper to the school gate.

After getting out of the car, Stark handed the car keys to JJ, who was standing behind Alvin, and slipped him a hundred-dollar tip. In an annoying tone, he said, "Buddy, be careful. This car isn't on the market yet; it's very expensive!"

Alvin resisted the urge to have JJ punch him and said, "Mr. Lightbulb, being late is not a good habit."

Stark nonchalantly replied, "It depends on the occasion, buddy. Asking a billionaire to attend a graduation ceremony for just 63 graduates might be a bit too boring."

Given that Stark was a major donor to the school, Alvin didn't bother with him and signaled him to hurry inside. His speech was about to begin!

...

Alvin stood on the makeshift podium, holding a microphone, looking at the students and parents below.

"I'm Alvin, the principal of this school. You should all know me. I also run a restaurant," Alvin joked with a smile.

The audience burst into laughter!

"I'm very happy to be here today to send off 63 kids to college, rather than watching them get sent to prison."

The audience fell silent.

"I'm very happy that these 63 kids now have the right to choose what kind of life they want to live, rather than having to join gangs, sell drugs, or rob."

There was a light chuckle from the audience; they knew these kids' fates had truly changed.

"Life is harsh for us in Hell's Kitchen, but we can't give up hope. These kids are the future hope."

Alvin looked at a tall Black teenager in the audience and asked, "Dommy, you got into Columbia University. Will you come back to help your dad sell drugs after you graduate?"

The Black teenager stood up straight and loudly said, "No, I will never come back to sell drugs. I will become a lawyer, so maybe I can defend Pluto when he gets caught."

The kid's response, favoring family over justice, was very Hell's Kitchen and was met with cheers!

His father, the drug dealer Pluto, who had been stripped and dressed in a security uniform, kept bragging to those around him, "That's my son."

He even boldly claimed that New York's police were idiots and could never catch him, completely ignoring the dagger-like glare from Chief George nearby.

"Just the other day, a New York Times reporter wrote about our community school. He said it was like a concentration camp, producing only test-taking machines and not providing excellent talent for universities. He hoped the Department of Education would re-evaluate the admission qualifications of these 63 kids."

Seeing the angry parents and students below.

"I wrote him a letter. I told him our kids were born in hell and don't care about concentration camp life. If he keeps talking nonsense in the newspaper, I'll make sure he never speaks again. I never joke. I included a handgun with the letter."

Alvin said, looking at Alexei with a smile, "Thanks to Mr. Alexei for the sponsorship."

The audience burst into relaxed laughter!

"I'm not saying this to boast about my achievements. Anyone in Hell's Kitchen could do this. I'm saying this to tell these kids."

Alvin pointed to the 63 excited kids below, "You were born in hell. Professors Cage and Wilson, and all the teachers, used their bodies to build a human ladder for you to climb out of hell. We in hell are watching you. You are the sons of hell, and we are your strongest support."

He then softly said, "Don't fall back into hell. Don't let everyone down. From now on, you have the right to choose what kind of person you want to be!

You are the seeds of hell sown in heaven. Work hard to grow taller and bigger.

So we in hell can see you more clearly!"