Chapter 17: Shut Up!

Opening the door, Phil Coulson walked in with Leo Bright.

There was nothing particularly unusual about the meeting with Nick Fury, humorously referred to as One-Eyed Hard-Boiled Egg. Fury handed Leo some documents, recorded his fingerprints and retina scans, and verified his identity. They then chatted about various topics.

Leo even showcased a bit of his ability.

However, when he offered to help Fury grow hair, the latter declined.

Though, it was clear Fury hesitated before refusing. He seemed tempted, but for some reason, decided against it.

But baldness is its own style. Some people may appear ordinary with hair but transform dramatically without it.

Bald people are not to be trifled with.

So, Leo gave Fury's shiny bald head a polished look.

Nick Fury's head gleamed brilliantly, and the sunlight streaming in from the window made the room seem even brighter.

Sleek and shiny!

The expressions on Fury's face showed his satisfaction, and Leo had won over another "customer."

"The base's training room is located from the 4th to the 8th basement floors. With your Level 6 agent status, the R&D team can tailor an exclusive combat suit for you. The weapons room is on the 9th basement floor. Choose some weapons that suit you. As an agent, you can't defend yourself without a weapon."

Fury rubbed his bald head, enjoying its smoothness, and his impression of Leo brightened.

"Phil Coulson has some other reports for me. You've already met Natasha Romanoff. Since you're unfamiliar with the base, let her show you around. She happens to be on vacation the next two days."

"She should be in the restaurant on the third floor. I'll have her wait for you there, and you can grab some breakfast," Nick Fury said, lighting a cigarette, the glow briefly illuminating his dark, shiny head.

"No problem, you guys carry on," Leo said, holding his ID. He seemed at ease in this new environment.

Retracing his steps, Leo headed to the elevator and aligned his eyes with the scanner.

"Ding... Leo Bright, Level 6 agent."

The identity scan was successful; the sensor light turned green, and the elevator door opened automatically. It was empty inside. Leo stepped in, performed another retina scan, and pressed the button for the third floor.

Only then did Leo realize that his clearance didn't grant access to the tenth basement floor and below. His authority wasn't enough yet. Phil Coulson clearly had clearance for those levels.

It was intriguing, and Leo wondered what secrets they held.

Here, an agent's clearance was crucial, evident in everyday activities.

The agent code Fury gave him only contained general guidelines and some equipment locations; there wasn't much detail.

The elevator moved quickly, and soon Leo arrived on the third floor. The doors opened, and he stepped out.

"Hey, little brother, over here! Didn't expect to see you again so soon," Natasha Romanoff called, waving to him. She had received the order via her communicator.

"The restaurant is huge. I was worried you might get lost, so I came to fetch you from the elevator. Are you touched?" Natasha Romanoff teased with a charming smile.

On her rare day off, she decided to have some fun teasing the handsome newcomer.

Leo rolled his eyes; he was used to the attention from women. It wasn't his fault he was so handsome.

"Thanks, Senior Natasha. Let's eat; I'm hungry," Leo replied in a neutral tone.

"Let's go. I'll show you around after breakfast. By the way, did Fury arrange a place for you at headquarters? If not, consider staying at my place tonight. My bed is huge," Natasha whispered playfully, leaning close to Leo's ear.

"No, no, I have a place. I'll go home at night. I'm just a consultant, so I don't need to stay at the base all the time," Leo replied, a bit flustered, not used to such forwardness.

This woman was quite the tease.

My goodness, how could she be so alluring?

"Hahaha, I'm just teasing you," Natasha laughed, unbothered by maintaining a ladylike image.

Leo's mouth twitched, feeling slightly out of his depth.

He was articulate, but at just sixteen, he was still naïve about matters of romance.

"Alright, I'll stop teasing you, Advisor. Come with me," Natasha waved, leading the way.

Breakfast was a rather awkward affair for Leo. Natasha's occasional laughter drew attention, and he barely touched his milk and sandwiches.

The male agents, eyeing the boy dining with their goddess, simmered with jealousy.

"Who is this pretty boy? How can he eat with my goddess?"

"No idea, he's new. Damn, with those skinny legs, I could break them with a kick!"

"Don't you know? Word is, his name's Robin. He reported today and got a Level 6 agent status."

"Why? Don't all agents start at Level 1, except for Natasha Romanoff and Hawkeye?"

"Apparently, he's close with Phil Coulson and got recommended."

"S.H.I.E.L.D. playing favorites? Impossible. Is he some genius physicist or scientist?"

"No, he supposedly has super abilities and was hired by Director Nick Fury as a consultant."

The revelation stirred more resentment among the agents.

Super abilities?

They loathed those who, without effort, gained such powers.

They trained hard, constantly risking their lives, exerting as much effort as anyone.

But those who gained powers overnight easily surpassed them.

This bred envy and resentment.

Now, a 'kid' barely sixteen or seventeen was above them?

Why?

A chorus of whispers filled the room.

Leo's excellent hearing picked up every word.

Initially, he ignored it. He was new and didn't want to cause trouble. But as the stares grew more provocative, he set down his utensils, deciding not to stay silent.

He tapped the table gently.

"Shut up!"

The skill activated. The command issued, an invisible wave radiated from Leo, enveloping the restaurant.

The command was obeyed. As Leo uttered "shut up," everyone in the hall fell silent, as if under a spell.

"Clink, clink..."

Some dropped their cutlery, others clamped their mouths in disbelief, a few bit their tongues and could only groan silently.

Even Natasha Romanoff, who bumped her teeth, widened her eyes at Leo, wanting to speak but finding herself silenced.

Leo resumed eating, unfazed by the silence.

The agents exchanged bewildered glances, unable to express their frustration, only able to look at Leo and think:

"Monster!"