It Was About to Begin

The final semester of senior year at the California Institute of Technology had finally begun.

For most graduating students, the course load was much lighter. They had long since earned the credits they needed, leaving them time for one last push before graduation.

Libraries and study rooms became their battlegrounds as they poured their energy into polishing their theses, attending job interviews, and applying to graduate schools.

Lin Hai, Gwen, Peter, and Harry settled into the same rhythm, though their main focus was finishing their theses.

When it came to job hunting, the four of them had options far beyond those of ordinary graduates.

Lin Hai was the founder of Starsea Studio, which had made a name for itself in New York's creative goods and specialty gifts market and was already growing steadily. If anyone was sending out résumés, they would be sending them to him.

As partners in the studio, Gwen and Harry were already deeply involved in its operations and growth. Neither had to worry about applying for jobs. Harry, moreover, was heir to a major corporation like the Osborn Group.

Peter's family circumstances had kept him from investing enough to become a partner, but he was among the studio's earliest and most important collaborators. He was also Spider-Man.

To the New Yorkers who had bought Starsea Studio's Spider-Man figurines and plush toys, New York's Friendly Neighbor was far better known than the other three.

As for graduate school, the four reached a quick consensus during a casual conversation: none of them needed a master's degree to dress up their résumés.

Lin Hai and Harry had other ambitions. Neither felt driven to spend more years in academia.

And with the knowledge and intellect Peter and Gwen already possessed, ordinary graduate courses were unlikely to teach them anything that