"Peter Parker!"
The principal smiled warmly and gestured toward Fenric. "This gentleman was once a colleague of your father. Perhaps you two should have a good talk."
Peter blinked in surprise, turning to Fenric.
"Sir, you knew my father? But… you look so young. I don't mean any disrespect, but you don't seem much older than me."
He was still innocent at heart, without suspicion toward Fenric.
Fenric smiled faintly. "Yes, Peter. I've seen Richard Parker's file. While I may not have known him deeply, I still knew of him."
Peter's eyes widened with excitement. Very few people ever mentioned his father. For someone to call his name so naturally meant there was a real connection.
"Sir, can you tell me what kind of person my father was?"
Fenric didn't answer. Instead, he glanced at the principal.
"Mr. Principal, if you don't mind, I'd like to speak with Peter privately."
"Of course, no problem!"
The principal, mindful of Fenric's generous donation, quickly excused himself. With a smile and a nod, he left the office, closing the door behind him.
The moment they were alone, Peter leaned forward eagerly. "Mr.—"
"Just call me Ronan," Fenric interrupted with a calm smile.
"Then… Mr. Ronan, can you tell me more about my father?"
Fenric shook his head. "I'm sorry, Peter. What I can tell you is that your parents were intelligence agents. Beyond that, I can't say more. If I did, it might bring trouble to both of us."
The truth was complicated. Spider-Man's parents had several different versions across different worlds, and Fenric wasn't sure which one applied here. Saying too much could risk exposure, so he chose to remain vague.
Peter's excitement dimmed, replaced by quiet disappointment.
Then Fenric's expression shifted into a faint smile. "Peter, I didn't come here just to talk about your parents. I came to make you surrender to me."
Peter froze, blinking in disbelief. "W-what? Mr. Ronan, I… I don't understand what you mean."
"It's simple," Fenric said smoothly. "Swear allegiance to me, and you'll avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble."
Peter's eyes hardened, his youthful innocence giving way to caution. "Who exactly are you? I'm just a normal student. I don't want to join any organization, and I'm not pledging loyalty to anyone."
"Normal?" Fenric chuckled coldly. "Peter Parker, ever since the day you were bitten by that spider, you've stopped being an ordinary student."
Peter's face went pale.
"What?!" He stammered, panic in his voice. "No—no, that's impossible. I never told anyone. How could you know? Did I talk in my sleep? Mr. Ronan, who—what are you—"
"Enough. Shut up, Peter." Fenric's voice cut like a blade.
He reached for the scepter he had been holding and advanced toward the boy.
Peter instantly leapt backward, alarm flashing across his face. "Wait—what are you holding? Don't come closer! I don't even know you, and I don't want to fight!"
"Wanda," Fenric called evenly.
The Scarlet Witch raised her hands, and crimson Chaos Magic surged forth, enveloping Peter.
"Ugh—?"
Peter froze mid-movement, horror filling his eyes. "Oh my God! What—what is this? Why can't I move?"
"Master, his power is… overwhelming. I can't hold him for long!" Wanda's strained voice came from behind.
Fenric knew it would be difficult. Spider-Man's strength was terrifying. According to official data, Peter could lift ten tons at full potential. In the old films, he had even stopped a speeding train with his bare hands.
Compared to Fenric, Peter's raw strength was already greater. The only advantage now was Wanda's Chaos Magic, though she was far from her peak. Someday she could overpower even Thanos, but at the moment her control was shaky.
Fenric wasted no time. He pressed the glowing tip of the scepter against Peter's chest.
A soft blue radiance pulsed from the Soul Gem, piercing into Peter's heart.
His eyes clouded over, clarity replaced with an eerie calm.
"It is a pleasure to serve you, Mr. Ronan," Peter said in a hollow voice, bowing his head.
The gem's power worked flawlessly, bending his will.
"Peter," Fenric commanded, "swear allegiance to me."
The Soul Gem could be broken free by those with great resistance—or by Wanda herself, who had once released Hawkeye from its grip. But the system's binding contract was absolute. Fenric needed that.
Peter raised his hand obediently. "I, Peter Parker, swear that I will be loyal to Ronan Anderson, and never betray him."
A system prompt chimed in Fenric's mind:
"You have subdued a subordinate. Current task progress: 3/10!"
Satisfied, Fenric nodded. "Wanda, release the scepter's control."
Wanda flicked her hands, releasing a glow of red energy into Peter. His eyes cleared, and he gasped.
"Oh! Master, that thing in your hand is terrifying! Just now, it felt like someone else was living inside me—my body wouldn't listen at all! Do you know how horrifying that was? Master, I never want to—"
"Shut up, Peter," Fenric snapped, already irritated.
The boy fell silent, though his restless energy made him fidget.
"Wanda, Pietro, let's go," Fenric ordered.
Peter hurriedly called after them. "Wait, Master—what about me?"
"You'll continue attending school. Unless I call for you, don't seek me out."
"…Alright." Peter reluctantly agreed.
By the time Fenric and his group left the school, the sun had already set.
As they moved on, Pietro suddenly spoke up. "Master, the Hydra organization just contacted me. They've asked Wanda and me to rendezvous."
Fenric's eyes narrowed. "Oh? Where is the meeting point?"
"The church in Sokovia."
A cold gleam flickered in Fenric's gaze.
He remembered the plot well—this wasn't Hydra at all.