"...In conclusion, when we encounter aliens, we must not judge their likes and dislikes based on the human facial expression system. Body language is also a crucial aspect to consider. However, due to some races having vastly different physical forms from humans, their emotional expressions through body language may also be markedly different. Now, please turn to page 31 of the textbook, and let me introduce you to some of the unique body language used by special races in the cosmos..."
Amidst the rustling sound of pages turning, Jason looked around. To his left sat a Black guy who didn't look particularly strong, certainly not compared to him. The absence of tattoos on the visible parts of his arms and neck suggested he hadn't been involved with the street.
To his right sat a young girl who appeared even younger and somewhat frail, wearing round glasses, feverishly taking notes as if she was copying down yesterday's.
Noticing Jason's gaze, the Black guy lowered his voice and said, "What are you doing? Hurry up and turn the pages."
"I'm just a bit curious, isn't this an agent training class? You guys don't look like you'd be capable agents."
"Haven't you realized that you're the exception?" The Black guy put on his glasses before saying, "You look like you're from the field; did you transfer from the field team?"
"Uh, what's the difference?"
"We're here to be trained as diplomats," the Black guy explained. "Earth will be sending out an expedition to each of the Three Great Empires soon. Though it's for a technical exchange, we also need to gather intelligence; that's what we're here for."
The girl sitting beside them chimed in upon hearing their conversation, "I don't know what your teacher was thinking. With your build, you won't blend in with the expeditions. One look and they'll know you're an agent."
Jason felt a bit embarrassed. It turned out this was a class for spies, but wasn't Captain America a superhero? Why would he be teaching espionage here?
Before Jason had time to ponder further, Captain America at the front had begun the lecture, and soon Jason was engrossed by the various exotic races of the universe. A class passed by without him even noticing.
After class, everyone quickly left. Captain America, standing at the lectern, called Jason over and smiled, "How are you adjusting?"
"It's okay. I find the course interesting. But I have a question, and I mean no offense, but why are you teaching this class?"
"Why couldn't I?" Captain America seemed curious, looking back at Jason, as if realizing something. With a somewhat resigned smile, he said, "Here, being a superhero is like a part-time job. I need to have some work, don't I?"
"Is that how it is for everyone?" Jason asked with curiosity.
"For most, yeah. Some younger ones still in school can devote more time to being superheroes, but for adults who've left school, most have dual identities."
"I don't mean that. Do they all work in the agent division like you?" Jason paused, feeling his question was impolite and added, "What I mean is, it seems a bit inconsistent with the image of Captain America that I heard about. I thought you'd be like a spiritual leader of the human race."
Captain America actually gave it some thought before replying, "Personally, the job is pretty good. The work hours are very regular, the salary is high, and there are various faculty benefits, free coffee, doughnuts, etc."
"From the perspective of being Captain America, during the past wars, I was shaped by the US government as a symbol of American spirit. And that American spirit, at least during that era, was about patriotism, striving, and creating a better future with your own hands. I personally agree with those values, so I was happy to help the government promote them as Captain America."
"However, while I was asleep at the bottom of the sea, the country underwent some changes. Clearly, the US government no longer felt that I, representing the spirit of that era, could continue to be the symbol of American spirit. They didn't want to use me for propaganda, and even thought that the existence of Captain America might influence the public's voting tendencies, giving more benefits to the conservatives. So, naturally, the image of Captain America stopped appearing widely in the media."
Jason listened attentively and nodded along. In some respects, Captain America was more complex than anyone he knew, since he had lived through two different eras in a very unique way.
During World War II, he was the most famous superhero, the greatest hero in the hearts of the American people, but his glory came to an abrupt halt. When he awoke, the entire world had changed.
Jason had met long-life individuals before, but Captain America was different from them because he had jumped forward, skipping an entire era and entering the next, almost as if he had traveled to the future. The psychology of such a person was worth studying.
"I don't think the American spirit that I promoted back then was just some lie forced upon me by the US government. In that era, I, along with many of my companions, truly embodied that beautiful spirit. I don't feel like my past self was in vain."
"Looking at the facts, I accept that this identity and what it represents are no longer suitable for modern times, so I'm not sad that the image of Captain America is fading from people's view."
"The identity of Captain America might not be as dazzling as it was, but I'm still alive. I can't cling to the past and wallow in faded glory. Instead, I should seek new self-worth. That's why I accepted Nick's invitation to take charge of Earth's diplomatic affairs, where I've accumulated some experience, which I can now pass on to the young people."
"At this moment, I am satisfied with everything I'm doing, but I feel I can do even better. Teaching is only a part of my career for now. As Earth's interstellar diplomacy further develops, I believe there will be more opportunities for me, and I can continue to build my new career in this field."
Jason felt that listening to Captain America was quite enjoyable, yet he was also a little puzzled. Was Captain America a bit too practiced in explaining his psyche to others?
It seemed that Captain America had seen through what Jason was thinking, and he smiled and said, "If you had a psychological evaluation once a week, you would have this ability too."
"Once a week, isn't that too often?" Jason said. "That doesn't seem to comply with the professional standards of psychologists, does it?"
"Yes, but our Doctor is a bit special. Whenever he finds the time, he enjoys doing these evaluations. Others might find it annoying, but I don't. I try as hard as I can to clearly express my inner thoughts, and to do it better each time."
"Then he must be a bit too idle," Jason said.
"It's better for him to be idle," Captain America shook his head and said. "Doing psychological assessments for me is much better than doing them for Demon Gods or Abstract Entities."
Alright, Jason thought to himself, I'd like to see how well you've trained, so he asked a sharp question.
"Do you think modern America doesn't deserve Captain America?"
It seemed the question didn't stump Captain America, or perhaps he was just too practiced, having already sorted out all such issues in his heart during countless reflections on psychological evaluations.
"If it were the America that developed into the Golden Age under my influence that rejected me, I would feel that they had betrayed me, abandoned me. But if it's the modern America that developed while I was asleep for 70 years that rejects me, I'd feel it was only fair, since I couldn't contribute anything to this era, just lying in a glacier not doing anything," he said.
"Those who work more get more, those who don't work don't earn anything. Since I haven't contributed to the development of this era, it's only right that they don't accept me or that they forget me."
"Using my merits and faults from the previous era to speculate about what I might be able to do in a new era, and judging my worthiness based on this speculation, is a metaphysical fallacy."
"The truth is, what I was able to achieve in the previous era might not necessarily be possible in the new one. In this tumultuous developing new era, I might not shine as I did before. So what grounds do I have to feel the new era doesn't deserve me?"
Jason found this perspective interesting, and said, "I heard that you defeated Hydra, the most evil organization of World War II. You must be very powerful. Even so, do you also think that if you hadn't been asleep, you might not have done better in the new era?"
"War and peace are two different worlds, but I absolutely cannot say that peace time is definitely better than a time of war," Captain America said, bolder than Jason had expected. "Because the mainstream viewpoint now is to pursue peace. If someone says that a chaotic and turbulent war era is better than a peaceful era, that person would definitely be labeled a terrorist."
But Captain America clearly had a different view, and he said, "Indeed, many sacrifices were made back then, and I mean not just in America, but worldwide. War brought great casualties, but it also reshaped the world's structure."
"In such times, there were plenty of opportunities for advancement. To not exaggerate, the America of that era really could get rich through hard work. As long as you were willing to put in the effort, you could significantly improve your situation over what it was initially."
"But now..." Captain America shook his head and said, "Sometimes I understand why they don't advocate for Captain America anymore, because the American ideals I represent truly can't be achieved anymore. Some people work their whole lives and see no change."
"Class turmoil and class solidification," Jason said after thinking for a moment. "Each has its benefits and drawbacks, depending on what different classes of people hope for."
"Exactly," Captain America said. "If I hadn't been asleep, the contributions I made in the last era would have easily allowed me to become a part of the upper class, and even if the class system later became rigid, I would at least have lived in comfort and luxury."
"But sometimes I think, when I see people who work hard and still can't improve their lot, would I truly be at ease enjoying all I had? And if I felt guilty, what would I do then?"
"Are you worried you would become the architect of chaos and instability?"
"I don't think I'm that extreme, but I might want to help these people more. But you understand, one cannot betray their own class. As a traitor to my class, I probably wouldn't meet a good end," Captain America said.
Jason could almost see a different future, one where Captain America hadn't slept, returned as a triumphant hero, was cheered by the public, and exchanged his fame for wealth and status, living a life of gloss and glamour.
But he was a profound and kind man, so when he would discover the follies of the next era, he would choose to stand up, but without war, his importance would diminish, and the enemy he faced would be the entire upper class.
Those who had elevated him could cast him down into the mire, and those guided by the government to adore and chase after him could also be misled to discard and betray him.
So he felt that even if he had smoothly transitioned into the new era, what awaited him might not be as glorious an end as in the previous era. More likely, it would be the case of an old soldier not dying but merely fading away.
Each era speaks of its own contributions, and if his status in the new era were just as such, then perhaps more people would feel it was the once-hero who wasn't fit for the new era, that it was Captain America who had been abandoned by the times.