"Where on earth did you find this amazing kid, Abraham? Did he fake his medical report?"
Colonel Chester Phillips rubbed his large nose and stared wide-eyed at Steve Rogers, the first man to finish the combat swim training. The smallest, skinniest kid had once again come in first in a training exercise.
Professor Erskine was polishing his round spectacles with the hem of his shirt. He drew a breath and replied oddly, "I'm just as surprised as you are, Colonel Phillips. He's always said he's strong and just as good as anyone else, but I never believed him. I only valued his determination to enlist and his character."
When Steve first arrived at camp, he'd drawn confused and mocking looks from everyone. His head barely reached the others' chins, and he was on the skinny side, though still fairly well-proportioned.
But despite his build, he consistently ranked near the top under the same load-bearing and training standards as everyone else. He seemed to have an extraordinary amount of stamina, and Steve Rogers was almost never drenched in sweat.
It didn't take long for Steve to attract even more attention, though now the looks he got were far more complicated.
Combat training became a one-man show for Steve. Not a single soldier in the entire camp could last ten seconds against him. One exchange was enough for him to swiftly render an opponent unable to fight, while ensuring he didn't seriously injure them.
"I also think he's the right choice for the project. It's not just his exceptional physical condition and fighting skills. The character he's shown these past few days matters most."
Agent Peggy Carter spoke with a gentle but certain tone and a strong British accent. She wore a military uniform, her hair pinned up, and just a touch