[This Chapter Is Sponsored by Emilio Gonzalez! Everyone, please thank him in the comment!] (9/18)
Inside a fast-food restaurant in Queens.
The place isn't very crowded, especially compared to the daytime.
Sitting by the window, Christine is greedily swallowing big bites of a triple-layer burger and an Orleans chicken leg, reminiscent of the way Bi Xiao ate ravenously when he first enhanced his abilities.
Bi Xiao is sitting opposite her, eating elegantly, bite by bite, which looks more graceful compared to how delicious it is.
Having killed the Blood God earlier, Bi Xiao's life level has once again reached its limit. However, with his magical powers, he doesn't need to eat large amounts to sustain his energy and nutrients for daily activities and his superbrain operations.
So, he is just accompanying Christine, eating things like burgers, which he neither dislikes nor particularly enjoys.
For Christine, who has been wandering for a long time and hasn't had enough food, she is eating what would be considered a meal for a full-grown American.
After eating, she takes a big gulp of cola, and can't help but burp.
"Heh~~" After finishing, she sees Bi Xiao and gives a slightly embarrassed smile.
Bi Xiao doesn't mind. His appetite was far more intense before; he used to want to pour the plate directly into his stomach. Compared to him back then, Christine is quite elegant.
"I was born in Chicago…"
Christine, after wandering for a long time and encountering various situations, trusts Bi Xiao deeply and slowly begins to share her story.
She was born in Chicago and, unlike some mutants with tragic pasts, she had a very peaceful and beautiful childhood.
However, this peace didn't last. At the age of fourteen, she discovered her mutant powers. At that time, mainstream societal views were generally discriminatory and hostile toward mutants. She had heard her parents speak disparagingly about mutants, so naturally, she assumed her parents, like other humans, would reject her as their daughter and decided to run away from home.
She wandered aimlessly for two years, experiencing injustice and bullying. Especially tonight, as she prepared to find a place to sleep on the streets, she was discovered by three brutish policemen who learned of her homeless status, which made them target her.
If it hadn't been for Bi Xiao, she might have been…
Bi Xiao patiently listened and then nodded.
"What is your power?" Bi Xiao suddenly asked.
"I don't know," Christine shook her head: "I only know that when my power is out of control, my strength increases significantly, but I can't control it; it only erupts in times of crisis."
Her powers were unclear to her, and they only manifested occasionally. If she could control them actively, tonight wouldn't have happened.
She could have thrown those policemen ten meters away with a push.
Bi Xiao thoughtfully nodded. He could tell that, at her core, she was just like any normal person; there was no energy within her body. But for a moment, he noticed a change.
The muscle, blood flow, heart rate—everything was vastly different from normal, but it was just a momentary change, so he asked if she was a mutant.
Apparently, it was a strength-enhancing ability.
For Bi Xiao, it was a relatively low-level power. Real strength enhancement involves an overall enhancement of muscles, cells, and bones to augment strength.
In terms of speed and explosiveness, it should also be comprehensive.
The reason it's considered low-level is exactly because it can't endlessly increase strength like the Hulk, whose enhancement is linked to gamma rays and his father. But even with strength enhancement, there's a limit because the physical base is not strong enough.
It's like having a powerful engine, but the other components can't support the energy it emits.
This is a genetic flaw of mutants, as this group of people are just experimental subjects for some.
Bi Xiao doesn't care about the mutant community; he just watched as the girl ate her fill.
Looking at her tattered sweater, old pants, and ill-fitting shoes, he spoke, "I can take you to a mutant academy, a school filled with mutants."
"The headmaster there treats mutants well…" but before he could finish, the girl shook her head firmly, indicating, "I want to stay with you; you saved my life, and I want to repay you."
"First, I saved you purely by chance. Those idiots disturbed my mood, and besides, you can't repay me," Bi Xiao shook his head in refusal.
Right now, he's still immersed in his journey of becoming stronger, and he hadn't thought about having a follower. Moreover, it's not really about repayment; it's more like he's sheltering her.
"I can help you with anything, I can learn combat skills, and work hard to master my power, which is also very strong," Christine urgently said. She had wandered for a long time, and at her most desperate, Bi Xiao had saved her.
She had experienced countless dark moments, and Bi Xiao had become a light in her heart, a light compelling enough for her to chase like a moth to a flame.
"Christine, I'm very dangerous, and the things I'm involved in are also very dangerous," Bi Xiao looked at the girl: "What you consider as darkness, injustice, bullying, in my world, even in the future, are just child's play, do you understand?"
"It's not just about death, even death might just be a wishful thinking."
Bi Xiao cut short, not paying attention to the girl's pleading eyes, and took her to the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters.
On the way, Christine was downcast and silent.
Eventually, they arrived at the Xavier School in Westchester, New York. It was evening, and the large iron gate of the school was right in front of them.
Bi Xiao looked at Christine.
The latter looked eagerly at Bi Xiao, but after a moment of silence, he said, "This place will let you grow, although I don't like that headmaster, at least he's decent towards the kids at the school."
Christine was silent and then asked, "Can I come to find you later?"
"Of course."
Bi Xiao was only hesitant to have someone by his side. While he did not dislike the girl, he did not want her to be near him because he wouldn't be staying in New York for long. He would be traveling around the world hunting, in the process of accumulating life essence needed for his growth during this phase, and wouldn't have time to stay put.
He couldn't possibly take Christine on his erratic journeys.
In truth, the girl was too weak, and he didn't want to carry a burden. There weren't many on Earth who could concern him, but if an encounter occurred, the girl's chance of survival would be slim.
Christine, unaware of Bi Xiao's thoughts, nodded.
She had a plan; she could see that Bi Xiao didn't reject her, but the main reason he didn't accept her was likely her weakness.
So, she intended to grow as much as possible in this school, actively master her abilities, and one day be strong enough to help Bi Xiao so she could openly stay by his side.
As they spoke, the huge iron gate of the school automatically opened, and Bi Xiao, without surprise, drove inside.
He looked around with interest.
It had to be said, Professor X was certainly a hidden rich man, a second-generation wealthy individual; his family's estate was very substantial, and this mutant school was originally based on Professor X's residence, essentially a castle estate.
The neatly trimmed lawns, trees, and a large lake, with the school nestled among the beautiful surroundings, always provided a feeling of openness and peace.
And, beneath this castle, there were also specially built secret places, such as battle rooms, laboratories, and spaces for placing brainwave amplifiers.
In the evening, the calls of birds and insects could be heard.
Driving along the road to the school's entrance, Professor X, in his wheelchair, and members of the X-Men were already waiting to welcome their guests.
Professor X greeted Bi Xiao and Christine warmly, "Welcome to the school, Mr. Bi Xiao, and this lady."
Professor X was smarter than before; he knew why he and Bi Xiao had previously clashed.
Thus, this time, he did not use his psychic powers to probe Christine's memories.
"I really like the atmosphere here," Bi Xiao glanced at the distant dormitory building, hearing the playful laughter of the students and seeing a group of mischievous, curious students peeking through the window glass, wondering who the headmaster and teachers were welcoming.
"This place is always open to you, Mr. Bi Xiao," Professor X spoke unhurriedly but always made people feel unconsciously at ease.
This was somewhat like charisma.
This kind of charisma was somewhat esoteric; indeed, some people possess such charm, and clearly, Professor X was one of them.
But coincidentally, neither Bi Xiao nor Christine were swayed by this.
Bi Xiao had seen through what kind of person Professor X was, and being a telepath, he always maintained a rational distance.
As for Christine, it was simple: Bi Xiao had told her before that he did not like the headmaster, so naturally, she also instinctively carried a sense of vigilance and defense.
"I don't care about your opinion, Professor," Bi Xiao stated bluntly, although his words upset a certain bespectacled young man. He continued, "The things I pursue have never needed others' judgment or opinion, as long as you don't act smart and do something presumptuous."
"Because, as I've told you before, I am very dangerous, and towards enemies, I have only one method: to send them to hell."
Cyclops, Scott, snorted in anger, wanting to speak, but Jean grabbed his arm and shook her head at him, signaling him not to cause trouble.
Scott reluctantly restrained himself.
Professor X didn't show a hint of anger but gently said, "I respect your thoughts, Mr. Bi Xiao, and I believe we won't become enemies."
"I just hope you can maintain a kind of mercy towards the world and other people."
Mercy?
Bi Xiao chuckled silently; he indeed had mercy, but enemies did not deserve his mercy.
However, he didn't argue further with the professor; instead, he patted Christine's shoulder, "This is Christine, the person I unexpectedly rescued tonight, also a mutant."
"So, Professor Charles, will you take her in?"
Bi Xiao didn't use a commanding tone; whether they took her in was their business, he was there simply because Christine was a mutant, and Professor X's ideology was to shelter and enlighten fellow mutants.
"Of course, the mutant school welcomes all, child, you can consider this your home, we will teach you to grow."
Professor X looked at Christine warmly.
She first looked at Bi Xiao, then turned to the professor and nodded quietly, "Thank you, Professor."
The professor was pleased that the school had gained another child, introducing her to other X-Men members, all teachers greeting her kindly.
Including Cyclops Scott, who was displeased with Bi Xiao; he wouldn't take out his frustration on the girl, especially since she was also his fellow mutant.