Chapter 171: The Principal's Strength

At this moment, Banner finally understood that even as a regular person, he could never lead a normal life with Betty.

Just moments ago on the helicopter, Thaddeus Ross had informed him that if the Hulk within him were removed, he would face a lifetime of imprisonment.

In truth, he couldn't rid himself of the Hulk. Dr. Stern's research couldn't eliminate the Hulk's genes from his body.

Given this, Banner decided to join George's superpowered school.

On one hand, George could easily help him revert from the Hulk form, meaning he no longer had to worry about hurting civilians as the Hulk.

On the other hand, not joining the academy would mean continued wandering, constantly hunted by S.H.I.E.L.D., General Ross, and any faction coveting his genetic material.

"Excellent. Then let's return to the academy. From now on, you'll be responsible for teaching physics, which will lighten Charles' workload significantly."

Seeing Banner agree, George nodded and walked over to Abomination.

"Wingardium Leviosa!"

With a levitation spell, Abomination slowly floated upward. George planned to take both Banner and Abomination back to the academy.

Although he could now apparate with another person, taking multiple individuals—especially one as large as Abomination—exceeded the limits of apparation.

"Wait! You can't leave!"

At that moment, the helicopter landed. Ross, along with Betty and his soldiers, approached to block their path.

The soldiers who had previously scattered to avoid the Hulk and Abomination now regrouped and surrounded them, aiming their weapons.

"This must be General Ross," George said, eyeing Ross with a smile. "What seems to be the problem?"

"Everything here belongs to the military. You cannot take them. Additionally, you are required to come with me for an investigation," Ross declared, signaling his soldiers to aim their guns at George.

Ross was determined not to let the Hulk or Abomination slip through his fingers. With these specimens, he could create a legion of true super-soldiers, far surpassing Captain America and dominating the global stage.

As for George, with his strange abilities, Ross assumed he might be an overlooked mutant worth studying.

"Father, what are you saying? He saved us, and now you're doing this?" Betty exclaimed in disbelief. Furious, she pushed past the soldiers blocking her and joined Banner's side.

George ignored Ross and turned to Betty with a smile.

"Dr. Betty, our academy happens to need a biology teacher. Would you be interested?"

"Yes, I'd love to be a teacher at your school," Betty replied, glaring at her father before grabbing Banner's arm.

Seeing this, Ross gave a signal to his guards.

"Escort Betty back home. Detain the others and bring them to the base."

With Ross' command, his guards advanced toward George and the group, while surrounding soldiers raised their weapons, ready to prevent resistance.

George shook his head with a sigh.

"You people never learn, do you? You're even worse than Nick Fury. At least that guy wouldn't provoke me without absolute certainty of success.

"Despite seeing how effortlessly I handled the problems you couldn't solve, you still dare try this with me. Do I look like someone easy to push around, or do I seem brainless to you?"

With a flick of his hand, George activated magnetic control. Every soldier's weapon was forcibly torn from their grasp and turned to aim at their own heads.

"From now on, get on the ground, hands behind your heads. If you weren't related to one of my school's teachers, I'd have you suspended naked in the air for a day just to teach you some shame!"

George was genuinely frustrated by the blind arrogance of certain national leaders, driven by their own self-assured authority.

Nick Fury wasn't much better, but at least he exercised more caution.

Without superheroes repeatedly saving the world, these so-called leaders would have let the Earth fall to villains long ago, before Thanos ever appeared.

If not for the need to leave a good impression on his two new teachers, George might not have shown Ross such restraint.

With the power George now wielded, few individuals or organizations posed any real threat to him—except perhaps beings like the Ancient One, Odin, or Captain Marvel.

Ross, realizing George could control all weapons, tried a new approach.

"Sir, I advise you to remain calm. Your actions could make you a national fugitive. Even if you don't care, your family and friends might suffer the consequences.

"Let's make a deal: you can leave, and I won't pursue you, provided you leave the others behind."

George laughed at Ross' feeble attempt at intimidation. With a casual flick, he cast a spell.

"Dentia Elonga!"

Ross' front teeth suddenly grew rapidly, extending to his collar and forcing him to shut up.

"Go ahead, issue a warrant for me. Whoever signs it, I'll visit them that very night for a friendly chat. Trust me, it will be a most enlightening discussion."

George knew Nick Fury was too preoccupied battling Hydra to bother him. Any other department that dared target him would learn the hard way about his capabilities.

In truth, those agencies might not even locate his academy—they lacked S.H.I.E.L.D.'s technology.

"It's time to leave!"

With all the soldiers, including Ross, now on the ground with their hands over their heads, George cast a disillusionment charm on himself, Banner, Betty, and Abomination. Spreading his wings, he flew them toward the academy.

As they ascended, Betty turned back and called out to her father:

"If you care about me at all, please don't come after us again."

Ross stood in silence, staring at the empty sky with a complicated expression.

A minute later, the soldiers' weapons clattered to the ground, freed from George's control. Ross rose, took a moment to collect himself, and instructed his communications officer in a rather funny voice:

"Get me Nick Fury. I need to know who this guy is. And call a dentist."