The retired professor from the Department of Mathematics at Columbia University, Nicholas Cage, was the first teacher Alvin "hired" since taking over the school.
This old man, who shared the same name as a Hollywood star Alvin knew in his previous life, was crude and obese, with the traditional personality of a Western cowboy.
Although he was initially reluctant to come, even fiercely resisting, after being "invited" to visit the school by Alvin repeatedly, his passion for teaching was reignited.
According to him, the school's system might not produce an Einstein, but it would certainly cultivate a large number of mathematical talents.
He absolutely loved the school's teaching system: students who didn't do homework were punished doubly; students who disrespected teachers were taught a lesson by the disciplinary office; and students who made major mistakes would regret it for life in the small dark room converted from the warehouse.
This place, which looked more like a prison than a school, was considered by the old man to be the best environment for nurturing students and the fairest place for their future.
Here, there were no class differences; all students were treated equally, and heroes were judged by their scores.
It was unlike the schools outside, where children were quietly sorted into classes during their learning phase.
Children from ordinary families studied happily and grew up happily. Children from wealthy families attended prestigious schools but faced immense academic pressure, and in their spare time, they had to study other subjects like art.
By the time they started applying for college or facing society, children from wealthy families would have a much higher and easier starting point than those from ordinary families.
Here, all children were the same. Even members of the school's basketball, baseball, and football teams at all levels had to ensure their exam scores were passing to participate in training.
Alvin didn't believe in nonsense like a lack of learning talent. If you could play sports well and understand tactics, then you could pass exams.
In his previous life, a classmate of Alvin's son, with an IQ of only 85, was painstakingly taught by their teacher to pass every subject.
So here, Alvin didn't believe in tears, only in results.
"Damn it, Alvin, you kidnapped me here and asked me to teach students, and I came. But what have you, you scoundrel, done? You used the money to raise the walls, and even added electric fences, damn it!
I don't object to you doing that, but damn it, can you please buy the teaching materials I wrote to you first? I don't even have a decent computer, damn it. You scoundrel, if I don't see the computer I want this week, I'll just—" Alvin glared, waiting for the old man to say he was leaving, so he could readily agree and send him home to retire.
The old man wanted a multimedia teaching center, and Alvin agreed, but asking for a supercomputer was excessive.
Although all the teachers in the school could use it if it were bought, even a decommissioned supercomputer would cost several millions.
Where could Alvin find so much money? Should he take a few big dogs to rob Stark Tower and steal a supercomputer?
Old Man Cage thought for a moment. His late-life career was here, and he couldn't bring himself to say he wanted to leave. After a long pause, he said, "I'll just—complain about you to the Ministry of Education, damn it!"
Alvin shook his head in disappointment and said, "Professor Cage, you have to understand, our school isn't wealthy! What can you complain about to the Ministry of Education? Our students go up to 12th grade at most, what use would that thing be?
Look, Principal Nelson's hair has turned white from worrying about the school's meager funds. You're an old professor, you should understand, right? Don't worry, there will be a supercomputer. We call this 'bitter before sweet.' Once the school's situation improves a bit, we'll immediately start on this matter."
There's a saying in China, "a stone in a latrine, both stinky and hard," which describes people like Professor Cage.
After hearing Alvin's words, Professor Cage was unmoved. He looked at Alvin with contempt and said, "You clearly look like a scoundrel who hasn't received higher education. You want to run a good school, aren't teachers important?
Do you know how many highly talented people studying mathematics and physics in America are desperately queuing to use the supercomputers in universities to verify their experimental results?
If you just had it, believe it or not, the highly talented people seeking jobs would break down your door! You ignorant fool only knows how to build walls and buildings, but you don't know that talent is the key to a school."
Alvin was stung by the old professor's words. Although he hadn't gone to college, he had heard that talent was the most important thing. Is it really okay for you to openly despise me like this?
Although Alvin was tempted, he spread his hands helplessly and said, "No money, what now?"
The old man, with a grand gesture, pointed to the world and said, "No money? Go to the Hell's Kitchen gangs. Their children all go to school here. The school needs it, shouldn't the parents contribute?
From what I know, there are over 20 gangs, big and small, in Hell's Kitchen. If each family contributes 100,000, it should be enough. I have an old friend in the Columbia University supply department, and they're looking to transfer a supercomputer. I can get a very good price."
After saying that, the old man even winked at Alvin, giving off an air of having connections.
Alvin gasped when he heard Professor Cage's words. Was this a professor or a bandit? Who was the real gangster? How did this thuggish personality survive to over seventy in the dangerous world of Marvel?
However, buying a supercomputer for two million was a very good deal. But asking the gangs to contribute money was a truly outlandish idea.
These small gangs weren't like Kingpin, who had a huge enterprise and for whom a little money didn't matter much. If you squeezed one dollar out of these small gangs, they would try to get five dollars back from somewhere else. Alvin would absolutely not do such a thing.
Asking gangs for money couldn't be called asking for money; that title definitely wouldn't work. They had to donate voluntarily. This would depend on the school's teaching quality and college acceptance rate this year.
With a good acceptance rate, letting these bosses know that their children could follow a different path than themselves, organizing a fundraiser would be simple. But right now, it really wasn't possible.
Alvin rubbed his nose, wondering if he should try to get some money from Kingpin again, but constantly milking the same cow would drive it crazy.
Alvin looked at Professor Cage helplessly and said, "Professor, asking gangs for money is the worst approach, and definitely cannot be done. You talk to them first. If it really doesn't work, I'll take a portion from the budget for the new academic building, and then let Nelson try to get a loan.
But this semester must be done well. We can't just muddle through without a supercomputer. No high school in all of America dares to have a supercomputer."
Alvin was at his wit's end. He had tricked and lured a demanding old man here. This old man's abilities were beyond reproach, but his temper was terrible, and he was always getting angry, which was unbearable.
The old man was very satisfied with Alvin's humble attitude. He adjusted his tie and said proudly, "This is my responsibility. Several of the 12th-grade kids are quite good. I can write them recommendation letters to try for Columbia University.
I've talked to Professor Wilson, and half of these kids can score over 22 on the ATC test this year. Ha, you scoundrel, the only thing I like about you is the teaching system you set up. You can't train a horse without a whip."
Then the old man's tone changed, like a loan shark collecting debt. He said, "Hurry up and get the money. The supercomputer must be brought back first. Let Nelson take out a loan for the building. I can introduce him to a few banks; the people in charge there are all my students."
The old man's face was ferocious, like a loan shark forcing someone to sign. Alvin and Nelson nodded submissively, quickly agreeing.
Seeing Alvin agree, the old man happily patted his shoulder, "You won't regret it!"