A College Life That Has Turned Sour

May and Daisy practiced for two hours, giving her learning abilities a "qualified" label before departing confidently.

There was no talk of studying with her every week, nor did she receive any secret manual.

May's arrival was abrupt, and her departure was unusual, as if it were a chance encounter, a few words of guidance exchanged when they met.

Needless to say, Daisy was certain that Egghead was behind this; otherwise, why would May find her agreeable to instruct? Were all people of Chinese descent appealing to her? The S.H.I.E.L.D Academy also had individuals of Chinese origin; had Melinda finished her training and decided to spar with her?

Taking advantage of the cafeteria still being open, she grabbed two slices of pizza before returning to her room.

The time had transitioned into evening; in a city, eight or nine o'clock would be the height of revelry, but while S.H.I.E.L.D Academy wasn't militaristically regulated, most individuals had returned to their rooms to rest.

Having eaten her fill, Daisy took a hot shower and went to bed.

Over the next few days, she gradually adapted to life here, and her relationship with Sharon Carter warmed. They both believed the other was monitoring them, so they intentionally catered to each other to make their superiors comfortable, developing an almost gossip-like closeness.

S.H.I.E.L.D Academy had no formal opening ceremony; once you were here, you began studying. However, the instructors proceeded with their lectures according to their own pace, unaffected by anyone else's progress.

Didn't catch that? Didn't understand? Apologies, and learn on your own!

Daisy found her studies challenging; most here had university degrees, while she, a high school dropout, was a fish out of water, facing immense pressure.

Thankfully, her previous knowledge and the slight enhancement from the Terrigen Crystal helped her somewhat; she could grasp some of the classroom knowledge.

After spending more time together, Daisy realized that Sharon Carter's grandiose claims, such as being a polymath, were more exaggerated than she thought.

At least for many questions Daisy asked, Sharon often didn't have a clue.

"I saw you nodding in class, I thought you understood!" Daisy glared at her "friend."

Sharon Carter looked a bit embarrassed, scratching her blonde hair. "Quantum mechanics... it's not very practical. I haven't really studied it, so, sorry..."

She couldn't fathom why someone as wild-looking as Daisy would study quantum mechanics! Weren't those topics for older folks?

Her enhanced intellect did help Daisy somewhat; she could memorise many purely theoretical concepts and, in her room, combine them with her abilities, finding common ground.

The modification of the handgun also became a task. Daisy obtained a Zhiyapa Rhino revolver from logistics after signing and swiping her card.

She entrusted the modification task to another familiar yet unfamiliar person, Leo Fitz. Currently, he was a new student like her, but from the Science Division.

Fitz seemed a bit awkward. When Daisy visited, he was tinkering with some machine. Upon hearing her purpose, he cast a curious glance her way.

"This weapon has poor combat effectiveness and isn't suitable for women. Its recoil, magazine capacity, and firearm failure rate are significant issues. Shouldn't you consider switching to a smaller-caliber firearm?" When it came to weapons and engineering machinery, the curly-haired young man seemed authoritative and confident.

Daisy had anticipated this. She spun a story about learning a breathing technique from a master since childhood, and concluded that her natural strength made the handgun work flawlessly.

"I see..." Fitz wasn't eager for this modification task, but he didn't know how to refuse, so he silently took the revolver.

Daisy pulled out a tablet; she had sketched a design for the Rhino revolver. It closely resembled Harley Quinn's "Love and Hate," with a white handle and a black barrel. On the left side of the cylinder was the Latin word for "love," and on the right was "hate."

However, she didn't need two kinds of bullets or inscriptions; she was going for a cool factor.

With Fitz's help for the firearm, Daisy continued immersing herself in her intensive studies.

...

One month later.

"Hurry, let's go to the tactical demonstration classroom. They say a famous new student has arrived today." On a day when Daisy was deeply engrossed in analysing wave functions and applications, Sharon Carter pulled her out of the library.

"Who is it, someone more famous than you?" Daisy asked.

Sharon chuckled self-deprecatingly and avoided the question.

Upon entering the classroom and seeing the woman in the center of the crowd, Daisy was taken aback: Maria Hill. Wasn't she Nick Fury's right-hand woman, groomed by him personally? Why was she here attending classes?

Hill wore the same combat uniform as them, her hair in a single ponytail, her pale blue eyes focused on the teacher's lecture.

Her demeanour wasn't that of an icy beauty. On the contrary, she engaged with anyone who spoke to her, polite and courteous. Yet, a subtle sense of distance made people hesitate to approach her.

Daisy and Sharon whispered to each other on the side.

"Do you know her?" Sharon asked.

After a month of learning, Daisy couldn't play the role of the novice anymore. She nodded. "Maria Hill, right? Wasn't she Fury's deputy?"

Sharon had a hint of glee in her eyes. "Maybe she got demoted."

Daisy didn't think so. In her memory, Hill had been Fury's deputy for a long time, even acting as the Deputy Director and Acting Director for a while.

In another timeline, the two of them had interacted significantly. At the time, Daisy was the director of SHIELD, and Hill had succeeded her after Daisy was suspended for assassinating the A.I.M chairman.

Despite Fury promoting Hill, she hadn't always obeyed his orders. She was a strong and determined woman.

Hill's arrival at the academy became a minor distraction from the rigorous academic routine. High-level personnel changes were irrelevant to the average student population; they cared only about the present.

Daisy felt the same. Hill's matter was quickly pushed aside, and even if Fury appointed Tony Stark as his deputy, Daisy didn't care. She delved back into her physics studies.

But on the third day of Hill's presence at the academy, Daisy lost her composure.

A seemingly friendly Phil Coulson had joined as an instructor. While his role was to teach combat experience, Daisy felt he was conducting a patriotic education campaign, passionately narrating the historical significance and glorious achievements of SHIELD.

"WE are the SHIELD that stands between the real world and the unknown. A legacy passed down through generations, until today. Protecting and preserving the truth, offering ordinary people a healthy and peaceful environment."

Phil Coulson was devoted, and it was clear this was his true conviction.