"The outside world mostly believes that the X-gene is a mutated gene segment, but we don't see it that way."
"In our academy's study of X-genetics, the X-gene is a key, a fulcrum that leverages the laws of the world. X-abilities are the results of leveraging these laws through the X-gene..."
At the end of the lecture, Ian posed a question: "Anna, why are most mutants unable to control their X-abilities?"
"Because their abilities and willpower have not reached a state of balance!" Rogue answered instantly. Having struggled with her uncontrollable powers for so long, she had deep knowledge on this subject.
"What is the principle behind the Law Runes?"
"They anchor X-abilities to the soul, freeing them from the limitations of the X-gene and creating a relative balance!" Rogue responded quickly.
"Ian, why is it that after condensing a Law Rune, the strength of an X-ability becomes fixed and can no longer change?" Rogue asked.
"This is exactly what I want to discuss today," Ian replied, instead of giving a direct answer, he posed another question:
"If you add a weight to a balanced scale, what happens?"
"The scale loses balance!"
"That's right, the scale loses balance!" Ian explained. "Only by achieving absolute balance can we continue adding weight!"
"And since abilities and willpower only form two points, they cannot create a completely stable state, making further growth impossible!"
"I am the third point?" Rogue immediately grasped something.
"The key to the third point lies in you. Your X-ability is the key to finding it!" Ian affirmed.
Instead of being discouraged by Ian's confirmation, Rogue became curious and asked, "What is the third point?"
"Energy," Ian answered.
"Energy?" Rogue was puzzled.
"Not ordinary energy like wind, fire, electricity, or light, but the energy consumed when leveraging the laws of the world.
This energy cannot be detected by instruments, cannot be consciously felt during use, and has no direct evidence of existence!" Ian explained.
Ian had been researching the energy consumption of X-abilities for a long time but had made no progress.
Many X-abilities seemed to have no consumption at all—Cyclops' optic blasts could be fired continuously, Wolverine's healing factor was always active, and there were many similar examples.
Even when mutants occasionally felt exhaustion, it was more mental than physical.
Only when Rogue absorbed their abilities did they seem genuinely drained.
Ian solemnly told Rogue, "I call this energy 'Law Energy,' and you are the only one who can find it!"
Ian was certain of the existence of Law Energy because his study of X-genetics had been stuck at a bottleneck, unable to reach level five.
"Ian, I will definitely help you find Law Energy!" Rogue promised firmly.
"I believe in you! From now on, you will lead the experiments, and I will fully support you!"
Ian held Rogue's hand, releasing the self-protection of his Law Rune, allowing her to absorb his abilities smoothly.
After condensing her Law Rune, Rogue had gained precise control over her X-ability, but analyzing the absorbed Law Energy remained a massive task, requiring repeated experimentation.
For over six months, Ian allowed Rogue to absorb his ability at least ten times a day to aid her research.
Fortunately, Rogue only absorbed the Law Energy from Ian, not his life force, or he might not have survived it.
"After condensing a Law Rune, Law Energy is carried by the rune itself. Before that, Law Energy is most likely carried by life force!" Ian speculated.
He had tried using others as substitutes, since Rogue only needed to analyze the Law Energy rather than the specific abilities.
However, he soon realized it didn't work—the weaker the absorbed ability, the harder it was for Rogue to perceive Law Energy, significantly slowing down the research progress.
Thus, Ian had to do it himself!
Fortunately, their efforts paid off after more than half a year. Rogue finally produced complete findings.
Even though it was only a preliminary result, it was enough!
As soon as Rogue completed the final piece of theory, Ian's study of X-genetics naturally advanced to level five.
[Law Observation]
A new ability gained from reaching level five in X-genetics.
It not only allowed Ian to observe his own Law Rune in greater detail but also enabled him to directly perceive the external laws of the world.
A tangled mess, utterly chaotic!
That was Ian's first impression when observing the external laws.
The laws of the outside world were interwoven and mixed together, making it impossible to distinguish individual laws.
The only clear sensation was their "activity"!
The laws on Earth were extremely active, yet the energy was extremely dormant, making it easier to manipulate laws than to control energy.
Leveraging laws was based on chance and was mostly non-replicable, whereas mastering energy was universally applicable.
"No wonder so many superheroes and supervillains are born!"
Ian quickly shifted his focus back to himself, carefully observing his own Law Rune.
Previously, in Ian's perception, a Law Rune was composed of personal willpower and X-ability.
Now, under the Law Observation ability, Ian could finally discern the truth:
X-abilities were formed by the fusion of information and energy!
"No wonder Rogue can absorb and use others' X-abilities!"
She didn't need to add anything extra—simply separating Law Information from Law Energy created two fundamental points.
Adding personal willpower formed a stable triangular structure.
As soon as the triangular structure was established, the Law Rune instantly became stable.
[Elemental Sovereign LV4 (99%)] naturally advanced to [Elemental Sovereign LV5 (1%)].
Although it seemed like just a small improvement, the difference between level four and level five was qualitative.
Both the precision and range of control had increased by an entire tier.
Additionally, reaching level five as an Elemental Sovereign had given Ian a new ability:
[Elemental Furnace]
This ability was simple yet incredibly powerful.
Elements with proton numbers lower than iron could undergo complete fusion reactions, directly synthesizing iron while releasing massive amounts of energy.
Elements with proton numbers higher than iron could undergo complete fission reactions, directly breaking down into iron while also releasing massive energy.
True nuclear bomb creation by hand!
Of course, this was just the most basic application. Synthesizing other elements was just as possible—turning stone into gold or water into oil was no longer a fantasy.
Ian extended his hand, grabbing a handful of water and breaking it down into atomic clusters of hydrogen, oxygen, and other elements.
Then, releasing energy, the atomic clusters transformed into a small iron bead.
The iron bead absorbed more energy and turned into pure silver; absorbing even more energy, it became pure gold...
Ian couldn't directly control the energy released in nuclear reactions, but he could confine it within a specific range and indirectly utilize it.
This confined range was likely what was called the "furnace"!
Feeling the boundless energy within the Elemental Furnace, Ian couldn't help but think:
"This Elemental Furnace isn't just for creation—it has world-destroying destructive potential!"
The power of nuclear bombs was self-evident, and high-energy particles were just as lethal!
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(End of Chapter)