Weaving Chains of Loyalty from Hope

Madelyn raised an eyebrow and opened the folder to read.

"I've carefully studied the company's current hero training model. Isolating the children injected with Compound V, making them train in confinement like venomous creatures bred to devour one another, then putting them on the market once they reach adulthood. That approach is far too wasteful."

Lynn picked up the coffee cup on the table, his tone calm and unhurried. "Since John has already established a perfect young hero image in the public eye, why don't we strike while the iron is hot?"

"You mean putting the other promising children in the spotlight too?"

As Madelyn read the proposal, her eyes gradually lit up.

"Not exactly."

Lynn shook his head. "We create a young hero training camp with John as its absolute center. We can gather children like Annie, with appealing looks and flashy, nonaggressive abilities. Let the public watch them grow step by step in Vanguard Camp under John's leadership. Not only will this greatly expand Vought International's range of IP merchandise, it will also further cement John's persona as a 'leader' and 'mentor.'"

Madelyn was a capitalist through and through. She instantly understood the enormous commercial value hidden in Lynn's words.

A Superheroes idol group that fans could watch grow up was nothing short of a deadly poison for those fanatics willing to empty their wallets for merchandise.

"A perfect business concept, Lynn. President Edgar will certainly love this plan."

Madelyn closed the folder, a trace of genuine appreciation entering her gaze as she looked at Lynn. "Still, gathering all those superpowered brats together-are you sure John can keep them in line? Jealousy among children can be terrifying."

"You don't need to worry about that at all." Lynn smiled faintly.

Four that afternoon, at the underground training ground in Area C.

The place had already been temporarily converted into a dedicated facility for the "Tomorrow's Stars Pioneer Camp."

The walls had been painted a bright pale blue, soft protective mats covered the floor, and surveillance cameras around the room covered every corner without a blind spot.

Six superpowered children between the ages of four and six, personally selected by Lynn, sat on the mats.

Among them were children who could levitate objects and change their skin color, and, of course, Annie, whose palms glowed whenever she grew nervous.

These children had all been undergoing cold, impersonal tests in their respective isolation rooms. Suddenly brought together, they all seemed somewhat uneasy and afraid.

Just then, the training ground's automatic metal door slid open silently.

Eight-year-old John walked in wearing his custom-made Stars and Stripes suit, surrounded by several security personnel.

His blond hair was impeccably combed, and the red cape behind him swayed gently with his steps, making him look like a little king inspecting his domain.

The moment he stepped into the room, the children, who had still been whispering among themselves, instantly fell silent.

They had all watched television and knew that the older boy before them was a Superheroes who could fly through the sky and beat up bad guys.

John walked up to the children, his blue eyes sweeping over these seemingly fragile little ones.

A few months ago, he would have considered these brats, who could not even control their own powers, a bunch of laughable trash.

But now, recalling Lynn's teachings about "faith" and "followers," John's expression became incredibly gentle.

He crouched down to meet the children at eye level and showed them the flawless, sunny smile he had practiced countless times in front of the mirror.

"Hello, everyone. I'm John. Starting today, I'll be training with you."

John's voice was clear and carried a soothing magic. "Here, no one will force you to do things you don't like. We're a team, and I'll protect every one of you."

The children froze.

In Vought International's cold laboratories, they had grown accustomed to orders and reprimands from researchers in white coats. This was the first time they had heard someone say he would protect them.

Little Annie sat in the front row, still holding that worn-out stuffed toy.

She looked at John, her eyes shining with admiration.

Overcome with excitement, her palms once again began glowing gold beyond her control.

The light was somewhat dazzling, and the two boys beside her shrank back in fright.

Seeing this, Annie immediately panicked a little and fumbled to hide her hands behind her back.

"Don't hide them, Annie." John stood up and walked over to her.

He reached out with his fair-skinned hand and gently took Annie's glowing little hand.

Against his superhuman defenses, an energy release of this level did not even amount to a breeze brushing his face.

"This is a very beautiful gift. Don't be afraid of it. Try to feel it."

John looked into Annie's eyes, his tone as gentle as though he were soothing a little sister. "Take a deep breath. Imagine those lights are part of your body, dancing for you."

Under John's guidance, Annie's racing heartbeat gradually steadied.

Miraculously, the dazzling, chaotic light in her palm began to soften, eventually becoming a warm, firefly-like glow that rested quietly on the surface of her skin.

"I... I did it." Annie looked at her hand, then raised her head toward John in delighted surprise.

"You did a wonderful job, Annie." John smiled and patted the top of her head.

In the monitoring room, Lynn watched this scene through the one-way glass.

From where he stood, John had his back to the surveillance camera. Although he wore a gentle smile, his gaze as he looked at Annie held none of the innocence or emotion that belonged to children their age.

It held the satisfaction and scrutiny a child would show when looking at a Lego toy he had just assembled, or a pet that had finally been tamed.

"Learn to manipulate people's hearts and weave chains of loyalty from hope..."

Lynn raised the coffee cup in his hand and took a small sip. "You learn so quickly, little champion."

Lynn knew that, no matter whom the higher-ups wanted to place in the future The Seven, as long as John had personally raised this core team from childhood...

Then, one day, within this Vought tower, Stan Edgar's orders would carry less weight than a single glance from John.

Time slipped quietly by amid a steady, busy routine.

In the blink of an eye, three months had passed.

With Vought International throwing all its resources behind it, the "Tomorrow's Stars Pioneer Camp" project achieved unprecedented success.

As soon as this semidocumentary program following child heroes as they grew aired, it swept through prime-time slots on major television networks across America.

Viewers fell madly in love with this model of watching superheroes grow up.

At that moment, inside Manhattan's Studio One.

In front of an enormous green screen, a shoot was underway for Vanguard Camp's latest promotional poster.

Eight-year-old John stood at the very front of the group, wearing his signature Stars and Stripes suit.

Beside him, four-year-old Annie wore a little sequined uniform and held tightly to John's hand.

With John's encouragement, Annie's palms radiated a soft, warm golden light, making her look like a little angel.

The other superpowered children also stood obediently behind John, striking various energetic poses.

"Fantastic! John, keep that protective smile! Annie, look at your big brother John with a little more admiration!"

The photographer excitedly pressed the shutter, the flashes coming one after another.

Just then, a heavy lighting rig at the edge of the set suddenly let out a teeth-grating sound of snapping metal.

Before the crew members responsible for building the set could react, the steel lighting rig, weighing over two hundred pounds, came crashing down toward several makeup artists who were taking a break.

"Aah-!"

Terrified screams instantly rang through the studio.