Early the m.

  Gee dropped Peter and Gwen off at Midtown Tech High.

  The two stepped out of the police car, drawing quite a bit of attention.

  Especially Gwen—tless guys wao ask her out.

  In parisoer ractically invisible.

  But retly, Peter had bulked up, grown taller, and, most importantly, ditched the gsses that had been hiding his looks.

  Now, he was catg the eyes of many girls.

  In the past, whether in css or school clubs, Peter had always been the unnoticed one.

  But now, things were pletely different. Just yesterday, during lunch, a girl had approached him, asking for his tafo.

  Though, under Gwen's almost threatening gre, Peter hadn't given it out.

  In the schoolyard, a guy with a buzz cut, a muscur build, and a baseball unifred at the two with a sour expression.

  There were only two people iire school who sported this look.

  One was Fsh Thompson, and the other was him—Dice Duke.

  As a rich kid who had transferred from Gotham, Dice had fallen head over heels fwen the moment he saw her.

  But despite his efforts to pursue her, Gwen never gave him the time of day.

  Even her father had had a "friendly chat" with him.

  So, he could only admire her from afar.

  The persoed the most iire school eter.

  Being so close to his goddess—who wouldn't feel annoyed?

  But Dice hadn't taken it too seriously.

  After all…

  Peter was too sy. Aside from being good at academics, he had no redeeming qualities. Plus, his family oor, still paying off their me.

  So, Dice had never seeer as a real rival.

  But now, things were different. Peter's demeanor had ged dramatically.

  He seemed to be quite popur with the girls.

  The more Dice watched, the angrier he got. In a fit e, he picked up a baseball bat and aimed a ball straight at Peter's head.

  If Peter was gone, no one would pete with him fwen.

  Dice was excellent at baseball, almost never missing his target.

  Peter and Gwen were chatting and ughing as they headed toward the school building.

  "Did you hear? A uy professor is ing to give a lecture today."

  "Yeah, he's a big name in trolled nuclear fusion."

  Just then, both Geter's spider-seingled!

  Bang!

  Peter caught the ining baseball mid-air and hurled it back with force.

  Dice, caught off guard, was hit square in the face, dazed and disoriented.

  Clutg his eye, he spat out a threat.

  "Just you wait, Peter, you broke loser!"

  "My dad makes half a million a year!"

  "You 't pete with me, Peter!"

  Peter rolled his eyes and, right in front of Dice, took Gwen's hand, interg their fingers.

  Gwen was momentarily stunned, her face flushing red, but she quickly leaned into Peter, pying along.

  Men and their stupid petitive instincts…

  Dice turned pale with anger and stormed off.

  Peter let go of Gwen's hand.

  "Peter, you always take advantage of me."

  Gwen pouted.

  "What do you mean 'always'? Besides, I was helping you."

  "Helping me?"

  Peter nodded.

  "Helping you get rid of Dice's harassment."

  Gwen: "Do you think I'm an idiot? I don't buy it."

  The two had a great retionship.

  Their daily bickering was more like pyful banter between a couple.

  When they ehe , it was already packed.

  This was aive course, and the students at Midtown Tech High were eager for knowledge.

  But when the bell rang, it wasn't Otto Octavius who walked in.

  Instead, it was the middle-aged, balding principal.

  The principal looked ecstatic, as if he'd just wotery.

  "Students, Dr. Otto had to cel today's lecture due to unforeseen circumstances."

  The room visibly defted with disappoi.

  But then the principal's tone shifted, his voice brimming with excitement.

  "However, I have another piece of good news!!"

  "Stark Industries, led by the renowned businessman Tony Stark, has decided to i in Midtown Tech High!"

  "One million dolrs of that iment will be awarded to the school's top-perf student!"

  The entire css turo look at Peter.

  Almost everyone in the school khat Peter had beeop student for three years straight. He had even peted in math Olympiads, bringing honor to the school.

  "Peter, e up here!"

  The principal called out excitedly.

  Peter was pletely stunned.

  He hadn't expected this turn of events at all!

  What? How?

  Last night, he had only mentioned his school to make Tony apologize and humble him a bit.

  But he never expected Tony to refuse the apology and ihrow a million dolrs at him!!!

  This was pletely beyoer's expectations.

  "e up, Peter!"

  The principal urged enthusiastically.

  Peter, still in a daze, walked up to the podium.

  The principal tinued:

  "Now, let's give a warm round of appuse to wele… Tony Stark!!!"

  The studeed into cheers and appuse as Tony Stark, dressed in a casual suit, walked into the .