Chapter 3

In the principal's office of the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters on Staten Island, New York, the school's principal, Charles Francis Xavier, also known as Dr. X in Zhou Yi's memory, warmly received the Zhou family after learning of their purpose for visiting.

Zhou Yi held a deep admiration and a respectful distance for this mutant spiritual leader who had dedicated his life to the peaceful coexistence of mutants and humans.

The strength of Professor Charles' telepathic abilities was universally acknowledged. This strength was not just a matter of willpower but also described his incredibly powerful psychic abilities. The ability to control life and death with just a glance or a thought was not an exaggeration.

More simply, reading people's memories and controlling their minds were as easy for Professor Charles as eating and drinking.

Therefore, people like Zhou Yi, who had secrets, generally tried to avoid meeting Professor Charles. Although Zhou Yi had confidence in Charles' character and his own innate abilities, he was unwilling to take the risk unless absolutely necessary.

Perhaps sensing Zhou Yi's mental unease, Professor Charles smiled, and a powerful sense of warmth immediately enveloped him. He said with a hint of playfulness,

"Mr. Zhou seems to be quite afraid of me, but don't worry, I'm not some kind of disciplinary head."

"You're joking!" Zhou Yi forced a smile, "I think anyone who knows your name, Professor, would find it hard to be at ease when facing you."

"Mr. Zhou, those you mentioned are people who target us mutants. As a friend who treats us equally, I believe your concerns are unnecessary." Professor Charles wheeled himself slowly in front of the Zhou family and said to Zhou Lan,

"Mrs. Zhou, please rest assured. Our Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters is dedicated to the dream of harmonious coexistence between mutants and humans. Since your daughter has become one of us, we will do our utmost to educate her and help her integrate into this world."

Zhou Lan, with a sad expression, hugged the silent and timid Xaris, kissed her forehead, and said, "Professor, I have faith in you. My poor Xaris, don't worry, you'll have many new friends here, and your mother and brother will visit you often."

Xaris remained silent, only tightening her grip on Zhou Yi's clothes.

At this moment, Professor Charles, who had been waiting quietly, suddenly spoke.

"Mrs. Zhou, I think there are some things I need to discuss with you. This matter is related to your son, Mr. Zhou Yi."

"Yi, what's wrong with him?" Zhou Lan, already mentally weakened by the sudden family incident, raised her voice. She was now very afraid, as she seemed to have guessed something.

"Mrs. Zhou, what do you know about mutants?" Professor Charles did not directly answer Zhou Lan's question but picked up his teacup and slowly explained, "Mutants, strictly speaking, are a species evolved from humans. Compared to humans, mutants have no other changes at the genetic level, except for an additional gene sequence, which we call the X-gene."

"Because of the X-gene, mutants have separated from the human population. It is also due to the X-gene that mutants are stronger, smarter, and more extraordinary than humans. However, it's not true that only mutants who have manifested abilities have the X-gene. In fact, according to our research, the X-gene exists in the genetic sequence of a significant portion of the population. In some people, it is dominant, giving them mature abilities and mutant characteristics, like your daughter, Miss Ferguson."

"And in others, the X-gene is recessive, which means their abilities and X-gene characteristics have not yet awakened, but they are still very different from ordinary humans. Your son, Mr. Zhou Yi, is likely a potential mutant with no visible differences from a normal person."

At this point, the two women in the room had already focused their attention on Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi paused, looked at Dr. Charles, and said, "How did you discover I have superpowers?"

Hearing this, Zhou Lan instinctively covered her mouth, her eyes filled with panic. Clearly, what was happening was completely beyond her imagination.

Zhou Yi, who was about the same height as Zhou Lan, placed his hand on her shoulder and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Mom. I've kept this from you for a long time, but you need to understand that I had my reasons."

Professor Charles then added, "Yes, Mrs. Zhou. Every person with extraordinary abilities must tell some white lies to maintain a normal life. I've seen too many tragedies. Believe me, you are already a fortunate person."

Hearing these words, Zhou Lan's expression became dazed, and she slowly fell asleep in her chair.

In fact, during the persuasion, Professor Charles had used his abilities, which Zhou Yi had sensed as an invisible mental wave. However, Zhou Yi felt that Professor Charles had done the right thing at the right time, so he did not stop him.

He only gave Professor Charles a warning look and said, "I don't want this to happen again, to my mother or Xaris!"

As he spoke, an invisible ripple spread out, as if a ten-thousand-pound hammer had struck the air. The carpet around Professor Charles was visibly crushed into sand-sized particles and scattered on the floor. Clearly, this incredible power was precisely controlled to affect only a specific area, rather than the entire floor.

However, Zhou Yi's actions were still quite significant. The moment he demonstrated his power, two people burst into the room. One of them, a red-haired beauty, extended her hand toward Zhou Yi, and an invisible force acted on him, as if a giant hand had lifted him up.

This was the incredible telekinesis, a superpower that transformed powerful mental energy into physical kinetic energy. Zhou Yi also possessed this ability.

With golden flames burning in his eyes, Zhou Yi's thought transformed into a powerful physical force, like a wall, neutralizing the red-haired beauty's telekinetic hand and forcefully pushing the two intruders against the wall, controlling all their movements.

"Please stop, Mr. Zhou Yi, Scott and Jean had no ill intentions," Professor Charles' voice came, not from his ears but from his mind. His voice was as calm as before, as if he did not care about what Zhou Yi had done. However, it subtly demonstrated his status as one of the world's most powerful mutants.

Zhou Yi had to admit that the old man in the wheelchair was a formidable presence.

The telekinetic force dissipated, and the two people were released from Zhou Yi's control. The man with strange glasses, Scott, and the red-haired beauty, Jean, seemed to have received a mental communication from Professor Charles and did not make any unnecessary movements. They silently walked to Professor Charles' side, guarding him.

However, their expressions clearly showed their displeasure. Of course, Zhou Yi did not care about this. This was the rule in the world of mutants and superpowers: if my power is greater than yours, I can ignore you.

Professor Charles did not pay attention to the emotions of the three people and simply introduced them.

"Scott and Jean Grey. They were once my students and are now teachers at the school. Your sister will be taught by them in the future."

"Scott, please show Miss Ferguson around the school. I need to discuss some matters with Mr. Zhou Yi."

The man with strange glasses nodded, walked up to Zhou Yi, and gave him a threatening look from above, though Zhou Yi might not have seen it. Then he approached Xaris and said in a relatively gentle tone,

"Please follow me, Miss Ferguson. From today, the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters will be your second home."

Zhou Yi patted Xaris on the head and said, "Go on, Xaris. It's just a new school and a new environment. Your mother and I will come to pick you up on weekends."

After seeing Zhou Yi display his superpowers, Xaris, though still somewhat timid, clearly improved in her demeanor. She looked at Zhou Yi strangely and muttered, "Okay, I'll listen to you this time. But you promised to come and pick me up on weekends, don't be late like before!"

Zhou Yi chuckled, ruffled her hair, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, little one. I'll bring you a gift when I come."

Xaris said nothing more and followed Scott out of the office. Only after the door closed did Professor Charles smile and turn to Zhou Yi, saying,

"It's clear that you have a wonderful family, and you love your family very much."

Zhou Yi laughed and said to Professor Charles and Jean Grey, "I believe this is a given, isn't it?"

Hearing this, Professor Charles sighed and turned to look out the window at the passing mutant students.

"I've seen too many families torn apart by the mutant identity, leading to their destruction. And too many mutants have gone astray because of this."

Zhou Yi listened to Professor Charles' lament but remained silent. This topic was too profound. Being a mutant was not just about having extraordinary abilities; a significant part of it involved physical mutations. Transforming from a human into a monster was a huge blow to one's family, society, and mental state. Without proper guidance, these mutants' distorted worldviews could lead them to do anything crazy.

Would the human world allow this to happen? The answer was obvious. In such a situation, the living space for mutants could only be infinitely compressed, and what the future held, Zhou Yi dared not predict. The only thing he was certain of was that it would lead to countless tragedies.

Professor Charles, this powerful mutant, undoubtedly played the role of a saint here. He dedicated his life to expanding the living space for mutants, even though it was like a drop in the ocean. But it was clear that he had been working tirelessly and leading more people on this path. He was a person of great character and high moral standards, and Zhou Yi had no doubt about this.