The nights at the X-Men Academy are very quiet, with only a few rooms still illuminated.
"What is this place?"
The dim lighting made the Electro feel terrified, as he kept glancing around, as if a wild beast might suddenly leap out from somewhere.
"Calm down, Electro. You're a middle-aged guy for goodness' sake—stop acting like a helpless little girl," Ye Hai teased.
"You damn bird-man, where have you brought me?" Electro looked at the somewhat old castle and said, "Look at this decrepit castle; is there some ancient monster living inside, like a vampire or something?"
Ye Hai laughed heartily, "If you say that about Professor X, he might get angry, even though he usually has a good temper."
"This brother is just not used to unfamiliar surroundings yet," Professor X's gentle voice came through.
The castle doors opened, and Jean pushed Professor X's wheelchair out slowly. The professor looked at Electro with a warm gaze that seemed to reach into his soul, instilling a sense of calm and comfort that immediately quieted Electro down.
The professor shifted his focus from Electro to Ye Hai and said, "Dr. Ye, thank you for bringing us a wonderful mutant brother."
"He's a mutant?" Ye Hai said in surprise. "Professor, are you sure?"
"Yes. I can sense that he is indeed a mutant," the professor affirmed.
Ye Hai glanced at Electro and said, "Alright then. I thought he was just a product of genetic mutation, a very good subject for my experiments. Professor, he is dangerous and needs to be contained."
Electro's face changed dramatically, and the blue light around him began to flicker violently.
The professor shook his head, "He is our brother; we cannot treat our brother like this." He turned his gentle gaze back to Electro and said, "I can sense your fear, but you don't have to be afraid. There are many friends here; you can consider this place your home. You've become one of us. Max, that's your name, isn't it? You are lucky, Max. The electricity has awakened your latent genes, allowing you to become an exceptional mutant."
The professor's magnetic voice was like a father telling a beautiful story to his child—so tender and filled with love. Electro felt a surge of gratitude, a wave of peace, and a growing sense of belonging to the professor, wishing to engage further with him.
Jean looked at Ye Hai's strong physique and joked, "You look very manly right now."
"Jean, do you like strong men like me?" Ye Hai asked, surprised.
"No," Jean shook her head, "I still prefer the way you used to look. You now seem like an actor, meant only for performances."
"Alright." Ye Hai shrugged helplessly and used his mental power to control his body cells. In no time, his physique shrank back to its original state.
"You're Dr. Ye?" Electro gasped, staring at Ye Hai. "You're also a mutant?"
"Yes," Ye Hai smiled, "So now you can relax, I mean you no harm."
"Unbelievable," Electro could only shake his head. The changes he experienced today were overwhelming, completely overturning his understanding, and he felt the need to sit and think quietly.
Ye Hai went on, "Max, I can help you revert to your original appearance, but in doing so, you would still be ordinary—a common middle-aged man. Max, do you want to be someone unnoticed by society? Look at today; you died, and no one cried or mourned for you."
"Indeed, I am an insignificant person," Electro said gloomily, waving his glowing hands, he shouted in excitement, "But I am still a person! But now, look at me…"
The professor chuckled, "Child, there's no need to panic. You look beautiful. No one here will mock you. They will only be amazed by your superpower; your ability is remarkable."
Professor X had completely adapted to his identity as a mutant; in his eyes, all mutants, no matter how bizarre, were like his children. Generally, parents do not disdain the ugliness of their children, and Professor X possessed this quality, which earned him the respect and love of the mutants.
Ye Hai rolled his eyes and said, "Electro, I can make your appearance revert to that of a regular human while retaining your superpower; of course, if you do not accept your identity as a mutant, I can also help you eliminate your superpower. It's your choice."
Electro found himself caught in a dilemma, distressed as he said, "I don't know how to choose. I don't want to be ordinary. I want to be someone like Spider-Man, respected and envied by others, but I'm also afraid…"
He spoke passionately, and the blue light around him began to flicker again.
The professor soothed his agitation, speaking as if it were a lullaby, "You need to think carefully now; you need to be calm…"
Electro slowly quieted down and, as if he had exhausted all his strength, collapsed onto the floor and fell asleep.
Ye Hai was stunned. The old man's mental ability was truly terrifying; this kind of ability was invisible and intangible, making it hard to guard against.
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