Chapter 169: A Forced Hand is Not Sweet

"If you think it's magic, then let's just call it magic," George said with a smile as he gestured toward the four cups. He cast a Transfiguration Charm, turning the plain water into coffee instantly. The cups floated gracefully to the trio in front of him.

"Coffee it is," he added, smiling.

The three of them—Bruce Banner, Betty Ross, and Dr. Samuel Sterns—picked up their cups and sniffed. Once they confirmed it was genuine coffee, they began scrutinizing George more closely.

While some magicians might use sleight of hand to perform tricks like turning water into drinks, the technique always relied on hidden mechanisms or chemical additives. However, the paper cups were ordinary, and the coffee's rich aroma proved it was genuine.

They examined George, wondering if he had hidden some sophisticated gadget, but his simple outfit didn't seem capable of concealing anything.

"Let me introduce our school," George began, sipping his coffee. "The Superpower Academy is a school for individuals with extraordinary abilities. We recruit both students and teachers who possess unique powers."

He paused briefly before continuing, "Bruce Banner, you perfectly meet our standards for a teacher with exceptional abilities, which is why I'm here today."

George deliberately avoided using the term "mutants." Since the government had downplayed the existence of mutants, and society largely viewed them as fictional characters from comic books, he saw no reason to revive the label and risk reigniting tensions with ordinary people.

Instead, everyone at the Academy—students and teachers alike—was referred to as a "superhuman," emphasizing that they were still human, just gifted with extraordinary abilities.

"Superpowers?" the three echoed, exchanging puzzled glances.

"Mr. George," Banner said hesitantly, "let's set aside whether what you're saying is true or not. Even if it is, I'm not some superpowered individual. My condition is the result of a biological experiment gone wrong."

"And how would Mr. Banner define superpowers?" George asked calmly.

Banner thought for a moment. "I suppose it's something like controlling fire, ice, or magnetic forces. You know, like the mutants in comic books."

George smiled. "Not quite. We define superpowers as any ability that surpasses ordinary human limits. It doesn't have to be manipulating elements. Enhanced strength or amplified voice could also qualify.

"Whether the power is innate or acquired doesn't matter. Your ability to transform into the Hulk is a superpower, even if it's the result of an experiment. That makes you an excellent candidate for our teaching staff."

Banner waved his hand dismissively. "Even if everything you say is true, I'm not interested in teaching at your school. Besides, today I'll be eliminating the Hulk gene from my body. Once I'm back to being a normal person, I'll live a normal life."

He believed that once Dr. Sterns injected the serum he had prepared, the Hulk gene would be neutralized. With that, he could finally escape the pursuit of General Ross and S.H.I.E.L.D., returning to a quiet life at Culver University with Betty.

"No problem," George replied, unfazed. "Our school never forces anyone to join. If you're not interested, then I wish you well. Perhaps we'll meet again."

Without further persuasion, George smiled and vanished on the spot with a flick of his wand.

The sudden disappearance startled the trio. In their hearts, they began to believe that the Academy George spoke of might truly exist. As top-tier scientists, they understood that such instantaneous teleportation was far beyond current technological capabilities.

Hovering invisibly above the lab, George remained nearby.

"Trying to force someone to join only makes it worse. I'll let Banner figure it out on his own," he thought.

Banner still clung to the hope of a normal life. He believed that neutralizing the Hulk gene would end his troubles. But George knew better. When Banner realized the serum wouldn't permanently remove his transformations—or when General Ross caught him again—he would understand that the Academy was his best option.

As dusk fell, the trio entered a prepared laboratory to begin the experiment. Watching from the window, George saw Banner strapped to the table and injected with the serum. The transformation began: the Hulk emerged, rampaged briefly, and then reverted to Banner's normal form thanks to a secondary injection.

"Here it comes," George murmured.

Outside, the military swarmed the campus. Students and staff were evacuated while snipers armed with tranquilizers took positions on rooftops. Inside the lab, the trio remained oblivious to the approaching danger as a heated argument erupted.

It turned out Dr. Sterns had been secretly replicating Banner's blood samples to develop what he claimed was a universal cure for diseases. He dreamed of winning a Nobel Prize and gaining fame.

Banner, however, was furious. He knew the Hulk's genes weren't a cure—they were a blueprint for creating monstrous superweapons. Once the military got its hands on them, global conflicts would escalate uncontrollably.

As the argument reached its peak, a tranquilizer dart shattered the window, striking Banner square in the back. He froze and collapsed. Moments later, Emil Blonsky kicked down the lab door, shoving Betty aside and seizing Banner.

Blonsky, thirsting for revenge after his earlier defeat at the hands of the Hulk, roared in frustration when Banner didn't transform. Despite injecting himself with an unstable super-soldier serum, he wanted the thrill of battling the Hulk again.

As the military restrained Banner and hauled him away, Blonsky forced Dr. Sterns to inject him with a sample of the Hulk's replicated blood.

George, watching it all unfold from above, made no move to intervene.