"Step two," Skynet continued, "applicants must fill out an online psychological test consisting of five hundred questions written by me."
"My algorithm will accurately map out each individual's psychological profile by analyzing their social media posting history, consumption records, and browsing habits, combined with the logic of their questionnaire answers."
"The focus will be on screening for those with stable personalities and a deep-seated concept of obedience within the system. At the same time, we look for people who subconsciously hold admiration or even faith in Homelander."
"Any applicant showing strong rebellious spirit, excessive independent thinking ability, or tendencies toward bad habits will be eliminated in this round."
Homelander's lips curled up repeatedly as he listened.
He wasn't afraid of his subordinates' lack of ability, but rather their disobedience; he didn't need anyone to tell him how to do things.
A Hero Academy full of fanatical worshippers was exactly what he wanted.
"Step three, we will require applicants who pass the first two rounds to go to designated medical points established by Vought around the world for health check-ups."
"In reality, this is for blood and DNA sample collection."
"I will cross-reference the collected samples with the Terrigen Crystals reaction model."
"From this group of people, I will identify those individuals who possess recessive Inhuman genes."
"Only those who meet these three conditions simultaneously will receive an official admission letter from Vought Academy."
Hearing this third step, Homelander frowned slightly.
Although he didn't know exactly how many people in the population carried Inhuman genes, it certainly wouldn't be many.
And this threshold would undoubtedly ruthlessly eliminate a large number of ordinary people with excellent conditions simply because they lacked that specific gene.
He couldn't rely solely on the Inhumans to expand his base.
"Skynet," Homelander asked, "how is Baron Strucker's progress on replicating Compound V?"
"It is currently still in the final stage of in-vivo clinical risk screening, sir."
Skynet projected an experimental data report in the air.
"It is currently still in the final stage of in-vivo clinical risk screening, sir." Skynet projected an experimental data report in the air.
"More batches of experiments are needed for fine-tuning; the current consumption rate of experimental subjects is much faster than expected."
"Go urge him to speed up the progress. I don't have the patience to wait for him to dawdle here."
Homelander said without a trace of emotion.
"If the lab doesn't have enough live subjects, keep looking for them. Dig deeper down the list of descendants of war criminals."
"Once the Class A descendants are gone, look for Class B. Once Class B is gone, look for Class C."
"Until the potion reaches the standard of a perfect replica, this flight of death is not allowed to stop."
"Understood, sir," Miss Skynet nodded respectfully.
...
On the distant other side of the starry sky.
Asgard, Royal Palace.
The light of the Bifrost Bridge struck the receiving disk of Heimdall's observatory.
As the light dissipated, a tall figure stepped out.
The eye patch over his right eye made Thor look more mature and steady than before.
In front of the main hall of the Royal Palace, Queen Frigga had already been waiting for a long time.
As Thor approached, Frigga's gaze immediately fell on his right eye socket covered by the eye patch.
Frigga's heart tightened; she hurried forward, her fingertips lightly touching Thor's cheek.
"Thor... my son." Her eyes were full of heartache. "Midgard must have made you suffer a lot."
"It's nothing, Mother." Thor forced a relaxed smile and placed his hand over the back of Frigga's hand.
"Just a small souvenir of battle. Besides, don't you think this makes me look more like Father?"
Frigga shook her head, her eyes slightly red.
"The recent upheavals in the Nine Realms have left us with no time to pay attention to what's happening in Midgard. This is my failure, Thor. I failed to protect you," she said self-reproachfully.
"No, Mother. This is my own battle." Thor withdrew his smile and said seriously, "So, you called me back from Midgard in such a hurry, what exactly happened?"
"Yes, Thor. During this time, Asgard has been overwhelmed by what's happening in the other major realms."
Frigga sighed and began to explain the situation to Thor.
"During this period, the Nine Realms have fallen into a rare state of turmoil. We are overwhelmed."
"The remnants of the Dark Elves have somehow gained a new leader. They are moving through secret passages, wandering all over the Nine Realms, spreading chaos."
"They incited the Frost Giants of Jotunheim and the Fire Trolls of Muspelheim; these two realms have openly rebelled against Asgard's rule."
Thor's brow furrowed, and he said, "These old enemies have always been restless, but I believe our army can conquer them once again."
"If it were just them, indeed we could." Frigga's expression became extremely complex. "But the most fatal threat comes from another place."
"They have secretly provoked Vanaheim, and they are planning to gather their strength to reclaim supreme rule over the Nine Realms."
"Vanaheim?!" Thor was greatly shocked. "That's impossible! Aren't they Asgard's strongest allies? Mother, that's your homeland!"
The Vanir and the Aesir had been on good terms for generations; Thor truly couldn't understand why Vanaheim would betray them at this time.
"In politics and power, there are never permanent friends, Thor."
Frigga explained slowly, "In the distant past, Asgard and Vanaheim fought a long and bloody war for control of the Nine Realms. That war lasted for hundreds of years."
"Eventually, both sides grew weary of the endless slaughter..."
Frigga fell into memory, "Finally, the marriage between me and your father, Odin, brought about a reconciliation between the two realms and maintained peace for all these years."
Listening to this history, Thor looked puzzled and said, "If that's the case, why are they tearing up the alliance now? You're still here, Father is still here, how do they dare?"
"Because..." Frigga's lips trembled slightly; she turned her head away and didn't continue, a look of sorrow appearing in her eyes.
"Because of what? Mother, tell me!" Thor took a step forward, eager to know the answer.
"Because... I am about to die."
Just then, an old but still majestic voice came from behind Thor.
Odin was standing in the shadows of the corridor. This All-Father, who once conquered the Nine Realms and was invincible, now looked desolate, like a hero in his twilight years.
"Father!" Thor walked over quickly.
Odin raised his hand, stopping Thor from approaching.
"My time is running out, Thor." Odin's voice was calm, as if he were talking about something unrelated to himself. "Though the lifespan of Asgardians is long, it eventually comes to an end."