S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy has actually been around longer than S.H.I.E.L.D. itself.
During World War II, the academy was originally part of the Strategic Scientific Reserve (S.S.R.), which was one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s predecessors. However, back then, it had a different name.
One thing that has never changed is its purpose—continuously training top military talents and supplying its main organization with fresh recruits.
Today, most students who graduate from the academy automatically join S.H.I.E.L.D. A small number choose other paths, such as staying at the academy as instructors or joining organizations and departments with strong ties to S.H.I.E.L.D.
However, these career choices require approval from the academy.
Since S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy does not charge tuition, all of its funding comes exclusively from S.H.I.E.L.D. Those who wish to study here must sign a strict contract, which clearly states that their post-graduation employment must be approved by the academy.
If they break the contract, the academy has the right to hold them accountable.
Some have questioned whether this policy is too strict, but with S.H.I.E.L.D. backing the academy—an international semi-governmental organization supported by world governments—who would dare challenge it?
For an organization like S.H.I.E.L.D., not using its power to suppress others is already rare enough. Anyone who willingly picks a fight with them over this must not be thinking straight.
Weaver led Hill and Raymond into her office.
"Coffee or tea?" she asked as soon as they sat down.
"Coffee," Raymond shrugged.
In North America, "tea" usually meant English-style black tea. He was more used to coffee.
"Just a glass of water for me," Hill smiled.
"Emily, please bring two coffees and a glass of water. Thank you," Weaver said into the desk phone.
"Got it," her assistant replied instantly.
Weaver then got to the main topic, looking at the two of them. "Originally, after Director Fury contacted the academy, Principal Dugan planned to welcome you both personally. But he's currently in Europe, and something urgent came up, so he couldn't make it. He asked me to pass along his apologies."
"Principal Dugan is too polite. He's someone all agents should look up to. If he had come to greet us personally, we might have felt a bit uncomfortable," Hill said with a smile.
Raymond simply nodded in agreement without immediately joining the conversation.
He was busy processing the memories of Weaver and Principal Dugan from his body's original owner.
In those memories, he had only met Dugan once—when he was first granted the title of guest professor at S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy.
S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy had four main divisions: Science Division, Operations Division, Communications Division, and Espionage Division.
Weaver was the head of the Science Division and the only dean who also held the position of vice principal. Above her was, of course, Principal Dugan , whom she had just mentioned.
The original owner of Raymond's body didn't know much about Dugan , except that he was a senior agent and that they had only met once.
However, Raymond recognized the name immediately—Dum Dum Dugan.
The original owner might not have known his significance, but Raymond did.
A founding member of S.H.I.E.L.D., one of the oldest agents, with a history tracing back to World War II's Strategic Scientific Reserve (S.S.R.). He had fought alongside Captain America and Agent Peggy Carter.
If Black Widow and May were considered legendary, then Principal Dugan was an outright living legend.
"No wonder Hill said he's someone all S.H.I.E.L.D. agents should learn from… That's not an exaggeration at all," Raymond thought to himself.
At that moment, Weaver turned to him and asked, "From what Director Fury said over the phone, Dr. Raymond, does this mean you're officially joining the academy now?"
"That's right. I'll be in your care from now on, Ms. Weaver," Raymond nodded.
Fury had already spoken to him early that morning about how they were presenting his return to S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy.
Of course, Fury hadn't told the academy the real reason. The Tahiti Project was classified even within S.H.I.E.L.D., let alone the academy.
Perhaps Fury had privately informed Principal Dugan about the true situation, but other than that, even Weaver probably didn't know the details.
Raymond didn't mind. Whatever cover story they had come up with, he would just go along with it.
Hearing his confirmation, Weaver smiled. "That's wonderful news! I had thought about inviting you to join the academy before, but I never expected it to actually happen."
"With an expert like you joining, we can finally hold our heads high when it comes to psychology!"
"If you keep praising me like that, Ms. Weaver, I might start floating off the ground," Raymond joked.
"I'm just stating the truth," Weaver chuckled before continuing.
"I'll have the paperwork handled shortly. You just need to sign, and everything will be settled—it's a simple process. But..."
She hesitated slightly.
"If there's anything, just say it, Ms. Weaver. I don't mind," Raymond said directly.
Weaver nodded, organizing her thoughts before speaking again.
"Since you were previously a guest professor, you could teach in any division without restriction. But now that you're officially joining, you'll need to be assigned to a specific division."
"Would you prefer the Science Division or the Communications Division?"
"Of course, as the head of the Science Division, I would love to have you join us. But I won't say too much—otherwise, those guys might accuse me of using my position to poach talent," she joked.
"The Science Division or the Communications Division?"
Hearing this, Raymond narrowed his eyes slightly, deep in thought. He didn't answer right away.
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