S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy.
Operations Division, Director's Office.
"Agent Weaver, you're not seriously joking with me, are you?"
The speaker was a burly middle-aged man built like a polar bear. His name was Leonid, a Russian and the current Director of the Operations Division.
Unlike Director Weaver of the Science Division, Leonid hadn't always been stationed at the Academy.
Ten years ago, he was one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s most formidable field agents, with the codename "White Bear," a name that carried just as much weight as Agent May's "Knight."
But like May, he had stepped away from active duty due to personal reasons and joined the Academy as an instructor. Two years ago, when the former director stepped down, he took over the position.
In fact, this was common.
Every Director of the Operations Division had previously been a renowned S.H.I.E.L.D. field agent. Without such a background, one couldn't command respect.
After all, in the field of espionage and combat, training alone meant nothing. Only those who'd survived blood and fire earned the right to teach others.
The same principle applied to the Intelligence and Communications Divisions. Most instructors and directors had prior field experience with S.H.I.E.L.D., with very few exceptions.
Only the Science Division was different.
Scientists didn't need to fight in the field. They could conduct research anywhere, which is why many of the Academy's science instructors had simply stayed after graduation.
"Agent Leonid, I didn't come here just to pass the time. Director Fury personally discussed this matter with me multiple times. Please show some respect for my work," said Weaver, clearly trying to keep her composure in the face of Leonid's disbelief.
"This isn't about respect, Weaver! You're turning the Operations Division into a joke!" Leonid retorted. "Has Fury lost his mind? Since when does the Operations Division need a psychology class?"
"I think you've misunderstood. While Dr. Raymond is indeed a psychology expert, he's not here to teach psychology," Weaver replied calmly.
"Then what is he here to teach?"
"He'll be teaching a course on Integrated Combat Tactics."
BANG!
Leonid slammed his palm on the desk, enraged.
"Integrated Combat Tactics? Are you kidding me?! Do you people think this place is a playground?!"
"Agent Leonid, this is an order, not a negotiation."
"Screw your order! I don't agree!" Leonid shouted, his face flushing red. "I'll report this to Principal Dugan. There's no way he'll let you tarnish this Academy's reputation like this!"
"You'll be disappointed. I've already reported this to Principal Dugan and received his approval," Weaver responded with a faint smile.
"Impossible!"
Leonid instinctively rejected the notion. But then he realized—lying about something like this would be pointless. A single phone call could expose it.
Weaver wasn't the kind of person to make such a foolish mistake.
In other words, she had really received Dugan's approval.
A directive from S.H.I.E.L.D., backed by the Academy's Principal—there was nothing left to argue. Even as Director, Leonid had no authority to oppose it.
As this realization hit him, his face darkened.
Knock, knock, knock—
The awkward silence was broken by a knock at the door.
"Come in," Leonid said with a disgruntled tone.
To his surprise, the person who walked in was the very man at the center of their argument — Dr. Ray.
He recognized him immediately. Ray had served as a guest lecturer at the Academy before, so he wasn't a stranger.
Weaver was also visibly surprised. "Dr. Raymond? What brings you here…?"
"I was looking for you at your office, Director Weaver, but you weren't there. Your assistant said you came here, so I followed," Ray replied with a smile.
"From what I overheard, it sounds like you two were arguing about me?"
Put on the spot by Ray's direct question, even Leonid—still seething a moment ago—felt a bit awkward. But staying true to his principles, he explained:
"Dr. Raymond, don't get me wrong. I have no personal issue with you. I respect your achievements in psychology… but the standards for the Integrated Combat Tactics course are extremely high. Even most of our own instructors aren't qualified to teach it."
"I completely understand," Ray nodded in agreement.
The Integrated Combat Tactics course was unique to the Operations Division. In theory, any student from the four divisions could apply, but in practice, it was limited to a small elite.
To qualify, students needed a recommendation from one of the division directors. That requirement alone eliminated 99% of applicants.
After all, unless you stood out in your division, you wouldn't be recommended.
On the flip side, the course demanded the best of the best in terms of instructors.
Only elite agents with mastery over multiple forms of combat and strategic versatility were allowed to teach it.
Leonid himself had taught the course before. He understood better than anyone how strict the criteria were.
Currently, even counting himself, only two people in the Operations Division were qualified to teach it.
Since taking the role of director, he had mostly stepped back from teaching. As a result, only one Integrated Combat Tactics class remained active — and was always in high demand.
Given the Academy's massive student population, there were still plenty of elite trainees eligible, but only a few ever made it through the selection process.
Leonid, of course, wished more instructors could teach the course.
But the standards were non-negotiable. Lowering them just to add more slots would only tarnish the division's reputation.
As for Ray?
Frankly speaking, Leonid didn't think he was qualified to teach any course in the Operations Division —
let alone something as demanding as Integrated Combat Tactics.