TL/N: If you see any mistakes please comment! I will fix them ASAP.
Before now, no one had told Raymond that he would have to make such a choice.
Neither Director Baldy nor Hill seemed to know that joining the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy involved such a choice.
Even in the original owner's memories, there was no information about it. So Weaver's question really took him by surprise.
But he didn't think for long.
A moment later he made up his mind.
"Sorry, Ms. Weaver. I don't want to join either department," Raymond replied.
"Huh?"
Weaver obviously wasn't expecting that answer. She frowned slightly. "Dr. Raymond, would you like to join the Spy Division instead? It's true that psychology can be quite useful there, but there's a lack of serious academic work in that department. Personally, I wouldn't recommend it for you..."
"No, no, Ms. Weaver, you misunderstood me. I just said I don't want to go to the Science or Communications Divisions. I didn't say I wanted to join the Spy Division either," Raymond interrupted her.
"Then... are you saying you want to join the Combat Division?" Weaver was stunned.
She wasn't the only one who was surprised. Even Hill, who had been quietly watching from the sidelines, looked at Raymond with some doubt after hearing his sudden decision.
Weaver didn't know much about Raymond's past. She only thought that he had been abroad and had recently returned.
That was the excuse Director Baldy gave to explain Raymond's sudden disappearance some time ago.
No one looked into it.
But Hill knew the truth—that Raymond's disappearance had nothing to do with going abroad. He had suffered from schizophrenia and had been secretly sent to the Clockwork Psychiatric Hospital for treatment.
From the moment he reunited with Hill after the hospital until now, Raymond had acted completely normal. Since he was a psychology expert himself and said he was almost fully recovered, Hill didn't question it.
And she wasn't the only one who thought Raymond was fine. Director Baldy and Mei obviously thought the same.
Under the circumstances, she had also assumed that Raymond had recovered.
But now that Raymond had suddenly made such an unexpected decision, Hill couldn't help but wonder if he was having another episode. Why else would he want to join the Combat Division?
Hill did not graduate from the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy. She was brought into S.H.I.E.L.D. by the World Security Council, so she was more like an outside hire.
However, as deputy director of S.H.I.E.L.D., she had a basic understanding of the Academy.
Of the four main divisions of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy, the Science Division trained people with technical skills. Most of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s scientists graduated from there.
The Communications Division trains people for intelligence work. Most of the members of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s intelligence team come from this division.
These two are mostly the non-combat, office-type divisions.
The Spy Division and the Combat Division, as their names suggest, focus more on combat.
The Spy Division trains people to be spies.
Although the Combat Division also has some relevant courses, the Spy Division is way ahead when it comes to spy-related skills.
As for the Combat Division, its purpose is simple—it's there to train fighters.
In S.H.I.E.L.D., most of the powerful field agents are graduates of the Combat Division. Even May is one of them.
From Weaver's point of view, Raymond is a well-known psychologist in academic circles, clearly a scholar-type person.
So logically, even if he had officially joined the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy, he would have chosen either the Science Division or the Communications Division—both known for their academic focus and office-style roles.
Even if Raymond hadn't chosen those two, but the Spy Division instead, Weaver wouldn't have agreed, but she wouldn't have found it too strange either.
After all, psychology is a core subject in the Spy Division.
To be a great spy, you need more than just acting and thinking on your feet—you also need to understand people's minds.
In fact, the Spy Division values psychology even more than the office-type divisions do.
But the Combat Division? It has nothing to do with psychology at all.
Just think about it—a division made to train fighters. Why should they study psychology?
Their required courses include hand-to-hand combat, firearms handling, physical fitness, survival training, driving all kinds of vehicles... and so on.
Out of all those, psychology is not part of the list.
Sure, maybe some students choose it as an elective just out of personal interest, but they're very rare.
Everyone has their specialty. Unless you're a true genius, you can't expect to learn everything.
That's why Weaver never imagined that Raymond would choose the Combat Division.
Even Hill, who doesn't know much about the S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy, found it hard to believe and even suspected that Raymond might be having another mental episode.
So it's easy to imagine how shocked Weaver must have been.
However, both Weaver's and Hill's reactions were exactly what Raymond expected.
He smiled calmly and said, "Ms. Weaver, there is no need to be so surprised. I have my reasons for this decision..."
"I'd like to hear them," Weaver made a welcoming gesture and motioned for Raymond to continue.
"If I remember correctly, students in the four main divisions of the Academy can also take electives from other divisions, right?" Raymond asked as he looked at her.
"That's right," Weaver nodded.
"So... if I join the Combat Division, that wouldn't prevent students from other divisions from taking my classes, would it?" Raymond continued.
"That's technically true, but Dr. Raymond, you should know that most Combat Division students wouldn't be very interested in your classes."
Weaver spoke sincerely. "Even though students can take classes across divisions, it is inconvenient and takes more time and effort."
"Of course, I believe that if you join the Combat Division, many students from other divisions will still come to take your classes. But I just don't see the point of making such a choice. With all due respect, I don't think it's a wise decision.
"I don't mean to offend you, but I really hope you'll think about it carefully..."
As she said that, Weaver gave Hill a quick look and quietly asked her to help talk Raymond out of it.
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