In the old gymnasium.
Although Hawk's Little Cosmos had already awakened, the habit of punching ten thousand times a day for a thousand consecutive days wasn't something that could be abandoned overnight.
So, these days, he was still maintaining the habit of punching ten thousand times daily.
After all, it's something to do while idle.
Moreover, with daily practice these days, Hawk could feel another star in his Little Cosmos faintly glowing.
Although it wasn't lit yet, he estimated that if he kept it up for a month, it would indeed be lit.
Clearly, fighting isn't the only way to light up the stars.
At the very least, fighting isn't the only option, but compared to the efficiency of a month of consistent ten thousand punches to light up the stars, it's the only shortcut.
But that's not important.
Hawk doesn't care.
First, he doesn't see himself as a violent maniac, let alone becoming someone who wakes up with Extraordinary Power and turns into 'I don't eat beef' the next day.
For a thousand consecutive days, punching ten thousand times daily not only honed his strength but also his temperament.
He controls the power, not the other way around.
Secondly, he hasn't even gathered the materials needed to forge the Holy Armor, so he's not in a hurry to light up his constellation.
It's well known.
Saint Warriors without Holy Armor and those clothed in it are two different species.
Uh...
At least, for the most part.
After a while.
After a shower and changing into a new T-shirt and pants, Hawk took his shoulder bag and walked out of the old gymnasium, heading toward the school gate.
The independent hearing he applied for was scheduled at three-thirty in the afternoon today.
At this time, catching a bus at the school gate and then transferring twice should get him to the court by three o'clock.
Sitting at the bus stop at the school gate, Hawk was munching on a sandwich while waiting for the bus.
Watching the various vehicles coming in and out of the school gate from time to time, Hawk began to ponder whether he should buy a car too.
Of course, before buying one, he should get his driver's license.
Yes.
Compared to nearly every peer having a driving license, he didn't have one.
After all, Hawk had never really thought about buying a car before.
But now, he has this idea.
Before his Little Cosmos awakened, he didn't think about it because he needed to consider his future. After adulthood, there wouldn't be any Federation subsidies; he'd have to cover rent on his own and might even have to handle college loans in the future.
The visible life pressures of the future almost made him unable to breathe. Play with cars?
Is he worthy?
He isn't worthy; he might not even be able to pay the insurance premiums after buying a car.
But now it's different.
If there's one feeling Hawk has after the awakening of the Little Cosmos, it's a significant release of pressure about the uncertain future.
He has completely let go of the pressure about the unknown future.
After all...
After awakening his Little Cosmos, barring any surprises, there are only two choices for his future.
To live comfortably and live more comfortably.
In fact, if he were more sinister, relying on his awakened Little Cosmos and forging the Holy Armor, he could live an emperor-like life where those who comply with him prosper and those against him perish.
Strength equals power.
Power equals fists.
Unfortunately.
His fists are already supersonic, and in the future, they will surpass the speed of light.
But he doesn't have that thought, nor does he have the 'I don't eat beef' mentality.
At least not now.
However, after letting go of future pressures, Hawk feels he can improve his quality of life a bit.
Not to mention, he still has five Chitauri alien weapons in hiding, waiting to find the opportunity to sell.
Even if he sells an alien weapon for a mere twenty thousand US Dollars, adding them all together, it's a hundred thousand US Dollars.
So...
Buying a car and improving his life doesn't seem impossible.
As Hawk was thinking this, just when he wondered why there's no sign of a bus after waiting so long, a yellow Toyota Corolla with a personalized license plate 'GW521' drove up to him.
The car window rolled down.
With her blond hair casually tied up, her delicate face, and a pair of blue eyes that seemed to see through one's heart, Gwen appeared in Hawk's view.
"Get in."
"..."
Looking at Gwen waving at him, Hawk paused for a moment, "No need, I can just wait for the bus, thanks."
Gwen smiled.
"Are you sure you won't come up? The buses aren't running today."
"Not running?"
Hawk was momentarily taken aback.
"Since when? Why?"
"This afternoon."
Gwen said with a smile, "The New York drivers' union is striking today. Haven't you noticed there's no one at the bus stop?"
Hawk instinctively looked around.
Indeed, at the entire bus stop, he was all alone.
Dammit!
Hawk took a deep breath, looked toward Gwen, who was smiling at him inside the car, thought for a bit, got up from his seat, grabbed his backpack from beside him, walked to the front of the car, opened the passenger door, and sat inside.
"Thanks for the trouble."
"You're welcome."
Said Gwen, and once Hawk was in the car, she hit the gas, zooming forward with Hawk heading toward the Queens County Court.
"By the way."
While driving, Gwen remembered something, glanced at Hawk in the passenger seat, "The judge handling your independent hearing has changed to Judge Bros, and the time has been moved up to three o'clock."
"?"
Listening to this, a question mark slowly appeared over Hawk's head as he instinctively looked at Gwen.
Gwen smiled slightly, "You left the school's contact number. The advisor couldn't find you. I saw you heading to the old gym at noon, so I guessed you might be waiting for the bus here."
Hawk finally understood and nodded.
After a while.
He snapped back to reality, looked at Gwen driving, and thanked her once again.
"Thank you."
"Once again, you're welcome."
Gwen smiled in response, looking at Hawk, "I'm the grade student assistant. Helping students is part of my job."
That's the truth.
At Midtown High School, Gwen, the eleventh-grade student assistant, was recognized as a person of beauty and kindness.
Gwen was very patient in helping students who came to her with questions about difficult topics.
Like Jessica.
Even Flash Thompson, when he occasionally came to her, would get patient responses.
Gwen would also step up when seeing a student being bullied.
Like Peter.
Even when she saw a girl student, Maria, being bullied by the cheerleading captain, she'd step up to protect Maria and scold the captain.
Most importantly.
Gwen had excellent grades.
So...
Beautiful.
Kind-hearted.
Good grades.
This is Gwen Stacy!
...