Today was Friday, and the afternoon brought an outdoor cooking class filled with knowledge.
All the students gathered together in the garden, eager to learn the art of cooking, making the atmosphere lively and vibrant.
The younger students, Mutants in elementary school, followed the teacher closely, watching with excitement.
Meanwhile, the intermediate-level students were already adept at handling the cooking tasks, each stationed at their own small kitchen counter, preparing various dishes they had learned recently or in the past – pizzas, salads, burgers, grilled meats, and more.
As for the senior Mutants who had surpassed their early learning stages, they gathered in small groups, engaging in light-hearted conversations and boasting about their culinary skills.
Among them was Carl, a fifteen-year-old junior high school student, who seemed to stand out. He lay comfortably under a large tree, basking in the warm sun.
Under the sunlight, Carl's cells continued to divide, compress, and evolve, making his body stronger with each passing moment. His strength increased visibly, although this transformation remained unnoticed by anyone but himself.
This phenomenon was attributed to the mysterious power of Krypton.
Despite Carl's rapidly increasing strength and extraordinary body density, which surpassed that of ordinary people by more than a hundredfold, these changes went unnoticed by others and had no impact on the outside world.
This was due to the unique biological force field that Carl acquired when he gained his Floating Ability.
This force field created a barrier between Carl and the outside world, constantly adjusting their frequencies to perfectly align, making him appear ordinary to others.
Because it was a biological magnetic field, it didn't emit any energy or mental fluctuations, making it undetectable even to Professor X.
Relaxing under the sun, enjoying the comfort of his strengthening body, Carl couldn't help but release a contented sigh.
He couldn't help but wonder, amidst the chaos and conflicts of their lives, why couldn't they just take the time to enjoy life?
"Carl, there you go again, lying in the sun," a cheerful voice broke his reverie.
Shadowcat, petite and lovely, approached Carl with a smile and sat beside him.
Opening his eyes, Carl's gaze was met by an unexpected sight—two mountains blocking his view as he looked up from below.
Chuckling inwardly at his thoughts, Carl replied, "Kitty, aren't you supposed to be making pizza with the others?"
"It's done, take a look," Kitty said, extending her left hand.
Only then did Carl notice the plate in her hand, bearing a freshly sliced, steaming beef pizza.
Admitting that his attention had momentarily wandered, Carl smiled appreciatively at the sight before him.
"Carl, do you want to try it?" Kitty asked, handing the pizza over to Carlzuitian, her gesture slightly intimate.
As the pizza approached his lips, Carl felt a twinge of confusion at Kitty's sudden closeness.
"Don't you like pizza, Carl?" Kitty inquired, puzzled by Carl's hesitance to open his mouth.
Maybe I'm overthinking this.
Carl met Kitty's gaze with a composed expression, feeling a tad embarrassed before finally taking a bite.
"Hmm, not bad."
After chewing for a moment, Carl's eyes brightened as he nodded in approval. "I didn't expect, Kitty, your pizza is better than what the cafeteria serves."
Kitty was pleased with Carl's praise, a radiant smile adorning her face. "I learned it especially."
With a mischievous glint in her eye, she took a bite from where Carl had just eaten, teasing him subtly.
Ouch!
She's teasing me, darn it, she's actually teasing me.
I'm only fifteen, is she flirting with me?
In that moment, however slow Carl may have been, he realized what was happening. His heart pounded with astonishment because he was being flirted with by a seventeen-year-old girl.
But before he could dwell on it further, Kitty finished her pizza in two swift bites, then shifted her tone, looking at Carl curiously. "Carl, why do you enjoy sunbathing so much?"
"...," Carl was caught off guard by her sudden change, wondering if he had misinterpreted things earlier. He replied, "I find it enjoyable."
"Enjoyable?" Kitty looked puzzled.
Resting his head on his hands, Carl smiled. "Yes, because when I bask in the sun, my mind clears, and I feel connected to nature."
"Whenever I'm in the sun, I sense the vitality it provides. Everything flourishes under its rays, creating a warm and comforting atmosphere."
Kitty blinked, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "How incredible is the sun!?"
Carl shrugged lightly. "It's not the sun itself, Kitty. It's about the personal comfort I feel. What works for me may not work for you or others. Everyone finds solace in different activities."
"For instance, some enjoy daydreaming, others prefer music, and some find solace in exercise, swimming, or exploring culinary arts."
"In essence, these hobbies serve to find a state of mind where one can unwind and find peace for both body and soul."
"Sunbathing, for me, is a pastime that allows me to unwind, connect with life, and embrace its essence," Carl remarked.
"I understand," Kitty nodded in comprehension.
Indeed, this statement holds a grain of truth.
Carl's perspective stems partly from his own encounters with mortality, fostering within him a profound reverence and fascination for life.
This reverence, however, doesn't hinder his resolve when confronting adversaries; rather, it emboldens him to act decisively, undeterred by hesitation.
Yet, the notion of basking in the sun serves as a façade to veil his true motivations, shielding them from the scrutiny of others.
For now, this habit remains unnoticed by many, owing to its subtlety.
But as Carl's prowess and renown burgeon, scrutiny will inevitably intensify, probing into his strengths, lifestyle, and nuances of character.
Eventually, his penchant for sunbathing will come to light.
From this habit, astute observers may infer a correlation between his power augmentation and exposure to sunlight.
Consequently, should adversaries seek to confront him, they will factor in the influence of sunlight.
Carl harbors no doubt regarding the acumen of others.
Hence, seizing the opportunity, he chooses to employ Kitty's voice to disseminate the purported rationale behind his love for sunbathing.
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