## Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters - Advanced Biology Classroom, 8:15 AM
The classroom that housed Dr. McCoy's Advanced Biology course looked like what would happen if a university laboratory and a science fiction movie set had a very successful collaboration. State-of-the-art equipment lined the walls—electron microscopes, genetic sequencing apparatus, and several devices that Marcus's enhanced intellect recognized as specialized tools for analyzing mutant DNA samples. The morning sunlight streaming through tall windows illuminated molecular models suspended from the ceiling, creating dancing shadows of complex protein structures across rows of lab benches.
Marcus arrived exactly on time, his body still humming with residual energy from the morning's training session with Piotr. The healing factor was continuing its work on the micro-damage from progressive weight training, and he could feel his enhanced physiology adapting to the systematic stress in real-time. More importantly, his enhanced intellect was already organizing and categorizing the scientific concepts from his late-night reading, preparing to engage with Dr. McCoy's university-level curriculum.
What surprised him was finding Marie already seated at one of the lab benches, engaged in animated conversation with a girl who appeared to be about fifteen with shoulder-length brown hair and an infectious smile. Through their empathic connection, Marcus could feel his sister's genuine happiness—the first uncomplicated positive emotion he'd sensed from her since David Collins had collapsed in her bedroom back in Mississippi.
"Marcus!" Marie called out as he entered, waving him over with enthusiasm that suggested her night had gone significantly better than his cosmic power integration session. "Come meet my roommate!"
The girl beside Marie stood up as he approached, extending her hand with the kind of confident friendliness that suggested she was accustomed to making new students feel welcome. "Hi! I'm Kitty Pryde, but everyone just calls me Kitty. Marie's told me so much about you—it's nice to finally meet the legendary big brother."
Marcus shook Kitty's hand, immediately feeling the system's familiar activation as skin contact established the absorption connection. But what caught his attention wasn't the interface—it was the strange sensation of his hand briefly passing through hers before solidifying again, as if her molecular structure had momentarily become negotiable.
**[CONTACT ESTABLISHED: KATHERINE "KITTY" PRYDE]**
**[ABSORPTION OPTIONS AVAILABLE:]**
- **INTANGIBILITY** *(Phasing through solid matter - Unique defensive/infiltration capability)*
- **ELECTRONIC DISRUPTION** *(Electromagnetic interference during phasing)*
- **ENHANCED REFLEXES** *(Improved reaction time and spatial awareness)*
- **MOLECULAR CONTROL** *(Conscious manipulation of personal density)*
**[WARNING: ACTIVE SLOT CAPACITY REACHED]**
**[ABILITY WILL BE STORED IN INVENTORY FOR FUTURE INTEGRATION]**
**[INTANGIBILITY PROVIDES OPTIMAL STRATEGIC VERSATILITY]**
*Intangibility,* Marcus selected without hesitation. The ability to phase through solid matter would be invaluable for both defensive and reconnaissance purposes, especially given the various threats he knew were approaching.
**[ABSORPTION COMPLETE: INTANGIBILITY STORED IN INVENTORY]**
**[INVENTORY: 4/∞ ABILITIES AVAILABLE]**
"Nice to meet you, Kitty," Marcus said, releasing the handshake before she could notice anything unusual about the brief molecular interaction. "Marie mentioned making friends, but she didn't mention her roommate was practicing advanced matter manipulation."
Kitty's eyes widened with surprise and delight. "You could tell? Most people don't notice the phasing unless I do it obviously. Are you some kind of enhanced sensor type?"
"Just observant," Marcus replied, which was technically true even if it didn't explain the system's ability to analyze mutant capabilities through brief physical contact. "Plus Marie and I have been practicin' our awareness of subtle power manifestations. Helps with control."
"That makes sense," Kitty said, settling back into her seat. "Marie was telling me about your empathic connection—that's so cool that you can help each other with emotional regulation. I wish I had someone who could sense when my phasing is about to happen involuntarily."
Through their connection, Marcus felt Marie's gratitude for his easy acceptance of her new friendship, mixed with curiosity about whether he was planning to absorb abilities from other students. She'd felt the brief spike of focused attention that accompanied system activation, recognizing the pattern from their previous encounters.
*Be careful,* she projected through their empathic link. *These people trust us.*
*I know,* Marcus replied through the same connection. *But I also know what's coming, and we're gonna need every advantage we can get to protect them.*
Before their silent conversation could continue, three more students entered the classroom together, their easy camaraderie suggesting they were already well-established friends within the school's social structure.
The first was a young man who appeared to be about seventeen, with dark hair and the kind of lean build that suggested athletic conditioning. But what immediately caught Marcus's attention were the bone spikes protruding from his knuckles and forearms—not aggressively extended, but casually present in a way that suggested he was comfortable with his mutations even when they were visible.
**[SYSTEM ALERT: ENHANCED INDIVIDUAL DETECTED]**
**[POWER SIGNATURE: BONE GENERATION AND MANIPULATION]**
**[CLASSIFICATION: EVAN DANIELS - DEFENSIVE/OFFENSIVE ENHANCEMENT]**
The second student was perhaps sixteen, with spiky blonde hair and the kind of mischievous expression that suggested he was either the class clown or actively planning to become one. Frost crystals sparkled along his fingertips as he gestured during conversation, and the air around him carried a subtle chill that spoke of temperature manipulation abilities.
**[SYSTEM ALERT: ENHANCED INDIVIDUAL DETECTED]**
**[POWER SIGNATURE: CRYOKINESIS - ICE GENERATION AND CONTROL]**
**[CLASSIFICATION: ROBERT "BOBBY" DRAKE - ENVIRONMENTAL MANIPULATION]**
The third arrival was a girl who looked to be about fifteen, with black hair highlighted with electric blue streaks that seemed to shimmer with their own internal light. Small sparks of what appeared to be concentrated energy danced between her fingers as she walked, creating brief firework displays that were obviously controlled but equally obviously powerful.
**[SYSTEM ALERT: ENHANCED INDIVIDUAL DETECTED]**
**[POWER SIGNATURE: PYROTECHNIC ENERGY GENERATION]**
**[CLASSIFICATION: JUBILATION LEE - EXPLOSIVE ENERGY PROJECTION]**
"Hey Kitty!" the girl called out as they approached. "These the new students you were telling us about?"
"Yep!" Kitty replied with obvious pleasure at playing social coordinator. "Marcus and Marie D'Ancanto, meet Evan Daniels, Bobby Drake, and Jubilee Lee. Guys, these are my new neighbors from the girls' wing."
Evan stepped forward first, retracting his bone spikes with practiced ease before extending his hand. "Welcome to Xavier's Academy for Overachieving Weirdos," he said with a grin that suggested he'd used that introduction before. "Hope you're ready for Dr. McCoy to melt your brains with advanced genetics theory."
Marcus shook Evan's hand, feeling the system activate while trying to maintain casual conversation. "Looking forward to it, actually. I did some reading last night—Beast's recommended materials are fascinating."
**[CONTACT ESTABLISHED: EVAN DANIELS]**
**[ABSORPTION OPTIONS AVAILABLE:]**
- **BONE GENERATION** *(Rapid production of additional skeletal material)*
- **BONE MANIPULATION** *(Control over bone density, shape, and projection)*
- **ENHANCED DURABILITY** *(Increased skeletal strength and damage resistance)*
- **CALCIUM METABOLISM** *(Optimized mineral processing and storage)*
**[ABILITY STORED IN INVENTORY: BONE MANIPULATION]**
**[INVENTORY: 5/∞ ABILITIES AVAILABLE]**
"Advanced reading before your first class?" Bobby asked as he stepped up next, extending a hand that carried a noticeable chill. "Either you're a serious academic type, or you're trying way too hard to impress the teachers."
"Probably both," Marcus admitted honestly, shaking Bobby's cold hand and feeling ice crystals form briefly along his palm before melting. "But when you've got access to university-level materials about genetic mutation theory, it's hard not to get excited about the learning opportunities."
**[CONTACT ESTABLISHED: ROBERT DRAKE]**
**[ABSORPTION OPTIONS AVAILABLE:]**
- **CRYOKINESIS** *(Ice generation and thermal manipulation)*
- **MOISTURE EXTRACTION** *(Drawing water from atmospheric sources)*
- **THERMAL REGULATION** *(Personal and environmental temperature control)*
- **ICE CONSTRUCTS** *(Creation of solid ice objects and weapons)*
**[ABILITY STORED IN INVENTORY: CRYOKINESIS]**
**[INVENTORY: 6/∞ ABILITIES AVAILABLE]**
Jubilee completed the introductions, her handshake accompanied by tiny sparklers of energy that tickled against Marcus's palm. "I'm impressed," she said with genuine approval. "Most of us spend our first week just trying to figure out which bathroom belongs to which dormitory wing. You're already diving into the academic deep end."
**[CONTACT ESTABLISHED: JUBILATION LEE]**
**[ABSORPTION OPTIONS AVAILABLE:]**
- **PYROTECHNIC ENERGY** *(Generation of explosive energy bursts)*
- **ELECTROMAGNETIC MANIPULATION** *(Control over electrical and magnetic fields)*
- **NUCLEAR POTENTIAL** *(WARNING: OMEGA-CLASS POWER CLASSIFICATION)*
- **LIGHT GENERATION** *(Photon manipulation and projection)*
**[WARNING: NUCLEAR POTENTIAL REPRESENTS COSMIC-LEVEL THREAT]**
**[JUBILATION LEE'S FULL CAPABILITIES COULD DETONATE MATTER AT SUBATOMIC LEVEL]**
**[CURRENT MANIFESTATION: SEVERELY LIMITED BY PSYCHOLOGICAL BLOCKS]**
**[RECOMMENDED ABSORPTION: PYROTECHNIC ENERGY - SAFER OPTION]**
Marcus felt his enhanced intellect immediately recognize the implications of Jubilee's power analysis. In the comics, she was eventually revealed to be one of the most potentially dangerous mutants alive, capable of detonating matter at the subatomic level—essentially turning herself into a living nuclear weapon. But her current manifestation was limited to relatively harmless fireworks displays because her mind couldn't handle the psychological reality of that much destructive potential.
*Pyrotechnic energy,* he selected, deciding that absorbing planet-killing capabilities from a fifteen-year-old girl raised ethical questions he wasn't prepared to address.
**[ABILITY STORED IN INVENTORY: PYROTECHNIC ENERGY]**
**[INVENTORY: 7/∞ ABILITIES AVAILABLE]**
"Academic excitement is one way to handle the adjustment stress," Marcus said, completing the handshake while trying not to think about the cosmic-level destructive potential he'd just chosen not to absorb. "Plus, understanding the scientific foundations of what we can do seems like it might help with learning better control."
"That's actually a really mature approach," Evan said with obvious respect. "Most of us just wing it and hope for the best until something goes wrong."
"Speaking from experience?" Marie asked with a slight smile, her first real contribution to the conversation since Marcus had arrived.
"Oh yeah," Bobby said with enthusiastic self-deprecation. "My first week here, I accidentally froze the entire plumbing system in the boys' wing because I had a nightmare about being hot. Dr. McCoy had to use industrial heaters to thaw everything out, and Scott gave me a lecture about environmental responsibility that lasted approximately three hours."
"At least you didn't put bone spikes through your mattress every time you rolled over in your sleep," Evan added. "I went through four beds in my first month."
"And I blew out the electrical systems in half the mansion during my first panic attack," Jubilee concluded. "Turns out pyrotechnic energy and sensitive electronics don't play well together. Who knew?"
Marcus felt genuinely warmed by their casual sharing of embarrassing power-related incidents. It was exactly the kind of supportive environment that traumatized mutant teenagers needed—people who understood what it was like to lose control, who could laugh about the learning process instead of treating every manifestation like a crisis.
"We had our own control issues back home," Marie said quietly. "Marcus figured out how to help me manage mine, but it took some trial and error."
"That's what big brothers are for," Marcus said, squeezing her shoulder reassuringly. "Besides, we're all figuring this out together."
Before the conversation could continue, the classroom door opened to admit another student who immediately captured everyone's attention through sheer visual impact. The newcomer appeared to be about seventeen, with blue skin, distinctive facial features, and a prehensile tail that moved with obvious intelligence and dexterity. But what struck Marcus most was his confident, cheerful demeanor—despite physical characteristics that would have made him stand out anywhere in the world, he carried himself with the easy self-assurance of someone who'd learned to be comfortable with being different.
**[SYSTEM ALERT: ENHANCED INDIVIDUAL DETECTED]**
**[POWER SIGNATURE: TELEPORTATION AND DIMENSIONAL MANIPULATION]**
**[CLASSIFICATION: KURT WAGNER - SPATIAL TRANSPORTATION]**
**[WARNING: TELEPORTATION ABILITIES INCLUDE DIMENSIONAL INTERFACE]**
"Guten Morgen, everyone!" the blue-skinned student said with obvious cheerfulness, his German accent adding musical quality to his greeting. "I apologize for being late—I was helping Professor Xavier with some communications equipment maintenance."
"No worries, Kurt," Kitty said with the casual familiarity of established friendship. "Dr. McCoy's not here yet anyway. Kurt Wagner, meet Marcus and Marie D'Ancanto, the new students I was telling you about."
Kurt approached with the fluid grace of someone whose physical coordination extended far beyond normal human parameters, extending his hand toward Marcus with a warm smile that immediately put any concerns about his unusual appearance into perspective.
"Welcome to our little sanctuary of learning and controlled chaos," Kurt said as Marcus shook his distinctly non-human hand. "I hope you're prepared for Dr. McCoy's enthusiasm for genetic theory—he has a tendency to get carried away when discussing the molecular foundations of mutant abilities."
**[CONTACT ESTABLISHED: KURT WAGNER]**
**[ABSORPTION OPTIONS AVAILABLE:]**
- **TELEPORTATION** *(Instantaneous spatial transportation)*
- **DIMENSIONAL INTERFACE** *(Brief access to alternate dimensional space)*
- **ENHANCED AGILITY** *(Superior coordination and acrobatic capability)*
- **PREHENSILE TAIL** *(Additional manipulative appendage)*
**[ABILITY STORED IN INVENTORY: TELEPORTATION]**
**[INVENTORY: 8/∞ ABILITIES AVAILABLE]**
"I'm looking forward to it," Marcus said honestly. "Understanding the science behind what we can do seems like the best foundation for learning to use our abilities responsibly."
"A commendable perspective," Kurt agreed with obvious approval. "Too many mutants treat their abilities as mysterious gifts rather than biological phenomena that can be understood and optimized through systematic study."
The conversation was interrupted by the sound of the classroom door opening again, admitting a slightly breathless Jean Grey who carried an armload of books and wore the expression of someone who'd been running late despite their best intentions.
"Sorry, sorry!" she called out as she entered. "Professor Xavier needed help with some new student intake documentation, and it took longer than expected." She paused, surveying the classroom and noticing that most of the seats had already been claimed by friend groups. "Marcus, would you like to sit together? I saved you a spot."
Marcus felt his borrowed teenage biology respond to Jean's offer with the kind of nervous excitement that CJ Smith had experienced whenever popular girls had acknowledged his existence. But underneath that predictable hormonal reaction, his enhanced intellect was cataloging the strategic implications of sitting next to someone whose Phoenix connection he'd already absorbed.
*Proximity to Jean Grey could accelerate integration of cosmic abilities,* he realized. *But it also increases the risk of Phoenix-level entities noticing the stolen connection.*
Through their empathic link, Marie projected amused understanding mixed with encouragement. *Go sit with your comic book crush,* she teased. *I'll be fine here with Kitty and the others.*
"That sounds great, Jean," Marcus said, gathering his materials and moving toward the seat she'd indicated. "Thanks for saving me a spot."
As he settled in beside her, Marcus caught the faint scent of her shampoo—something floral and subtle that reminded him of spring gardens and cosmic fires in equal measure. The Phoenix connection in his inventory seemed to resonate with her proximity, humming quietly at the edges of his consciousness like a tuning fork struck in a distant room.
**[SYSTEM ALERT: PHOENIX RESONANCE DETECTED]**
**[PROXIMITY TO JEAN GREY ENHANCING COSMIC CONNECTION]**
**[INTEGRATION POTENTIAL: SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED]**
**[WARNING: ENHANCED PHOENIX ACTIVITY MAY ATTRACT COSMIC ATTENTION]**
"How are you settling in?" Jean asked as she organized her notes for the upcoming lecture. "I know the first few days at a new school can be overwhelming under normal circumstances, and this place definitely doesn't qualify as normal circumstances."
"Better than I expected, honestly," Marcus replied, trying to project casual confidence while cosmic forces hummed in his peripheral awareness. "Everyone's been incredibly welcoming, and the facilities here are beyond anything I could have imagined."
"The academic resources are definitely impressive," Jean agreed. "Dr. McCoy's curriculum is probably more advanced than what you'd find at most universities. Are you planning to focus on any particular area of study?"
Marcus considered the question carefully. His enhanced intellect was already processing scientific concepts at rates that would have amazed CJ Smith, but his real interests lay in understanding the broader implications of mutant abilities and the political forces that threatened the school's peaceful mission.
"Probably a combination of genetics, physics, and strategic analysis," he said finally. "Understanding the science behind abilities seems important, but so does understanding the social and political context we're all operating in."
Jean's expression became more serious at the mention of political context. "That's a mature perspective for someone our age. Most students here focus on power development and control without thinking much about the broader implications of being mutant in a world that's not always accepting of differences."
"Hard to avoid thinking about broader implications when government agents have been hunting you across multiple states," Marcus said quietly, making sure his voice wouldn't carry to the other students.
"Professor Xavier briefed us on what happened with Weapon X," Jean replied with equal discretion. "I'm sorry you and Marie had to go through that. But I'm glad you made it here safely."
"So are we," Marcus said honestly. "This place represents everything we were hoping to find—safety, education, and people who understand what it's like to be different."
Before Jean could respond, Dr. McCoy entered the classroom with his characteristic combination of intellectual enthusiasm and physical grace. His blue fur was immaculately groomed, his formal attire suggested someone who took teaching responsibilities seriously, and his expression radiated the kind of excitement about advanced genetic theory that most people reserved for Christmas morning.
"Good morning, students!" Beast called out with obvious pleasure as he approached the front of the classroom. "I trust everyone completed their reading assignments and is prepared for a stimulating discussion of epigenetic factors in mutant ability manifestation?"
A collective groan arose from several students, though it was the kind of good-natured complaint that suggested they actually enjoyed Dr. McCoy's challenging coursework despite its difficulty.
"Come now," Beast continued with mock disappointment, "surely the molecular mechanisms governing X-gene expression are worthy of at least moderate enthusiasm?"
"Dr. McCoy," Kitty called out from her seat beside Marie, "did you intentionally assign reading materials that require a PhD in biochemistry to understand, or is that just a happy accident?"
"My dear Katherine," Beast replied with theatrical dignity, "if the material were simple enough for casual comprehension, it would hardly be worthy of minds as capable as yours. Besides, Mr. D'Ancanto appeared to find the theoretical foundations quite accessible based on our conversation yesterday."
Marcus felt every eye in the classroom turn toward him, along with the weight of expectation from both his fellow students and the professor who'd apparently decided to use him as an example of successful engagement with advanced material.
"The epigenetic mechanisms were fascinating," Marcus said honestly, his enhanced intellect automatically organizing the complex concepts he'd absorbed during his late-night reading session. "Particularly the way environmental factors can influence X-gene expression patterns across multiple generations. The implications for understanding inheritance of specific ability types are significant."
Beast's face lit up with the kind of professorial joy that suggested he'd found a student capable of genuine intellectual engagement. "Precisely! And what did you make of the correlation between stress-induced epigenetic changes and the timing of ability manifestation?"
Marcus felt his stolen intellectual capabilities engaging fully as he processed the question and formulated a response that would demonstrate understanding without revealing the system's ability to analyze mutant genetics in real-time.
"The research suggests that traumatic stress can accelerate epigenetic changes that trigger X-gene activation," he replied, drawing on both Beast's enhanced intellect and CJ's comic book knowledge of how mutant powers typically manifested. "Which would explain why abilities often appear during adolescence or other periods of high emotional stress, rather than following a predictable developmental timeline."
"Excellent analysis!" Beast exclaimed with obvious delight. "And how might this understanding inform approaches to helping young mutants develop control over newly manifested abilities?"
It was exactly the kind of question that required integrating scientific theory with practical application, the sort of complex synthesis that Marcus's enhanced intellect was designed to handle.
"If stress triggers manifestation but also interferes with control," Marcus said, working through the implications as he spoke, "then the optimal approach would focus on stress reduction and emotional regulation as much as technical training. Create stable, supportive environments where students can explore their abilities without fear of judgment or consequences."
"Which is exactly why Xavier's School exists," Jean added quietly, her voice carrying personal understanding of how environmental factors affected ability development.
"Indeed, Miss Grey," Beast agreed with warm approval. "The correlation between emotional security and power development is one of the foundational principles underlying our educational approach."
As Dr. McCoy launched into a detailed explanation of the molecular mechanisms governing mutant genetics, Marcus found himself genuinely engaged with material that would have been incomprehensible to him just days earlier. His enhanced intellect was processing complex biochemical pathways, recognizing patterns in genetic expression data, and drawing connections between theoretical principles and practical applications at a rate that felt almost supernatural.
**[ENHANCED INTELLECT INTEGRATION: 2.7%]**
**[COMPLEX INFORMATION PROCESSING: ACCELERATED]**
**[ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE: SIGNIFICANTLY ABOVE BASELINE]**
**[WARNING: EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE MAY ATTRACT UNWANTED ATTENTION]**
But more importantly, he was beginning to understand the scientific foundations of everything he'd absorbed through his selective system. The healing factor operated through accelerated cellular regeneration triggered by genetic modifications to DNA repair mechanisms. Enhanced physiology resulted from optimized protein synthesis and improved metabolic efficiency. Even the cosmic-level abilities in his inventory could be understood as interfaces with fundamental forces that governed reality itself.
*Knowledge is power,* he thought as Beast continued his lecture, *and understanding the science behind abilities makes them infinitely more useful than just treating them as mysterious gifts.*
Through his peripheral awareness, Marcus could feel Jean's telepathic presence monitoring the classroom's general emotional state, ensuring that no students were becoming overwhelmed by the advanced material. Her Phoenix connection resonated faintly with his own stolen version, creating harmonics that he hoped weren't noticeable to anyone with enhanced sensory capabilities.
Meanwhile, Marie was fully engaged with Kitty's quiet explanations of the more complex concepts, her natural intelligence allowing her to follow the discussion despite having no prior exposure to university-level biochemistry. Through their empathic link, Marcus could feel her growing confidence as she realized she was capable of understanding material that most people would consider impossibly advanced.
*This is what we were meant for,* he realized as the class continued. *Not just developing our abilities, but understanding them well enough to use them responsibly for protecting people who need protection.*
The question was whether they would have enough time to develop those capabilities before the threats he knew were coming finally arrived.
But for now, surrounded by friends who accepted their differences and teachers who challenged them to exceed their own expectations, Marcus allowed himself to simply be a student learning about the scientific foundations of what it meant to be extraordinary.
Even if his version of extraordinary included cosmic reincarnation, stolen abilities, and the weight of comic book knowledge about futures he was determined to change.
---
Dr. McCoy's lecture on epigenetic factors had concluded with what Marcus could only describe as intellectual satisfaction. His enhanced intellect had processed concepts about X-gene expression patterns, environmental triggers for mutation manifestation, and the biochemical pathways governing ability development at a rate that would have amazed CJ Smith. More importantly, he'd begun to understand the scientific foundations underlying his own selective absorption system—the way his powers interfaced with other mutants' genetic structures to temporarily or permanently acquire their capabilities.
Students were gathering their materials and preparing for the transition to their next classes when Dr. McCoy approached Marcus and Marie's section of the laboratory.
"Miss D'Ancanto, Mr. D'Ancanto," Beast said with his characteristic blend of formality and warmth, "Professor Xavier has asked to see both of you in his office at your earliest convenience. Nothing concerning, I assure you—simply some administrative matters regarding your enrollment and placement assessments."
Marcus felt his enhanced intellect immediately begin calculating possible reasons for the summons while his comic book knowledge supplied context about the kinds of "administrative matters" that typically required personal meetings with Professor Xavier. Telepathic evaluations, power assessment interviews, background verification discussions—none of which seemed particularly comfortable given his cosmic origins and stolen ability collection.
Through their empathic connection, he sensed Marie's spike of anxiety at being called to the headmaster's office on their second day. Her mind was probably cycling through worst-case scenarios involving government agents, deportation back to Mississippi, or discovery that they weren't actually qualified to attend a school for gifted individuals.
"Of course, Dr. McCoy," Marcus replied with more confidence than he felt. "Should we head over there now?"
"At your convenience," Beast repeated with an encouraging smile. "Though I suspect the Professor's schedule tends to be somewhat more flexible in the early afternoon, before the advanced placement students arrive for their individual tutorials."
As they packed their books and prepared to leave, Jean Grey approached from her seat at the adjacent lab bench, her expression carrying the kind of helpful concern that had probably made her invaluable for helping new students navigate the school's social and administrative complexities.
"First meeting with Professor Xavier?" she asked with understanding sympathy. "It can be a little intimidating at first, especially when you're not sure what to expect."
"Is it obvious we're nervous?" Marie asked with a slight smile that didn't quite hide her underlying tension.
"Only to someone who's been through it herself," Jean replied reassuringly. "I remember my first formal interview with the Professor—I was convinced he was going to discover that I didn't belong here, that my abilities weren't significant enough to warrant a place at the school."
Marcus felt genuine curiosity about Jean's early experiences at Xavier's school, partly because CJ's comic book knowledge suggested her journey had been more complex than most students', and partly because his absorbed Phoenix connection seemed to resonate more strongly when she discussed emotional experiences related to power development.
**[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]**
**[PHOENIX RESONANCE: ENHANCED DURING EMOTIONAL DISCUSSIONS]**
**[JEAN GREY'S MEMORIES AND EXPERIENCES STRENGTHENING COSMIC CONNECTION]**
**[WARNING: PROLONGED PROXIMITY MAY ACCELERATE INTEGRATION]**
**[RECOMMENDATION: MONITOR FOR SIGNS OF COSMIC ENTITY AWARENESS]**
"How did it go?" Marcus asked, genuinely interested in both the answer and the way it might help him prepare for his own interview with the world's most powerful telepath.
"Better than I expected, but more intense than I was prepared for," Jean said honestly. "The Professor has a way of understanding what you're capable of even when you don't understand it yourself. It's not invasive or uncomfortable, but it is... comprehensive."
"Comprehensive how?" Marie asked, her voice carrying the kind of careful neutrality that suggested she was thinking about her own uncontrolled absorption abilities and how they might be evaluated by someone with Professor Xavier's experience.
"He doesn't just assess what your powers can do," Jean explained as they moved toward the classroom door. "He evaluates how you think about them, how you feel about having them, what kind of person you want to become as you learn to use them responsibly. It's more like counseling than testing."
That description was both reassuring and concerning from Marcus's perspective. Professor Xavier's inability to read his thoughts would make the telepathic assessment portion impossible, but it might also raise questions about why a sixteen-year-old possessed complete resistance to psychic contact. And any discussion about personal goals or future plans would have to carefully avoid mentioning cosmic reincarnation, stolen abilities, or knowledge of future threats that hadn't occurred yet.
"Would you mind showing us where his office is?" Marcus asked as they entered the hallway outside Dr. McCoy's classroom. "We got a bit lost yesterday during the initial tour, and I'd rather not spend twenty minutes wandering around looking for the right door."
"Of course!" Jean replied with immediate helpfulness. "Professor Xavier's office is in the main administrative wing, near the entrance to Cerebro's access corridors. It's actually not too far from here, but the route involves some turns that aren't obvious if you're not familiar with the mansion's layout."
As they walked through corridors that managed to feel both elegant and functional, Jean maintained the kind of casual conversation that helped nervous students relax while providing useful information about what to expect from administrative processes.
"The Professor usually starts these meetings by asking about your background and how you ended up at the school," she said as they passed a series of portraits that Marcus's enhanced intellect recognized as depicting historical figures who had contributed to mutant rights and education. "Then he'll want to discuss your abilities—not just what they do, but how they developed, whether you've had any training or control issues, that sort of thing."
"What about placement assessments?" Marie asked. "Dr. McCoy mentioned those specifically."
"Academic evaluation, mostly," Jean explained as they turned into a corridor that featured more sophisticated architectural details and what appeared to be enhanced security measures. "The school offers everything from remedial education through graduate-level coursework, so they need to figure out where you'll be most challenged without being overwhelmed."
Marcus nodded thoughtfully, though his enhanced intellect was already processing academic material at rates that would probably place him in advanced undergraduate or graduate-level courses despite his apparent age. The question was whether demonstrating that capability would raise questions about how a teenager from rural Mississippi had developed such sophisticated intellectual abilities.
"Jean," he said carefully, "hypothetically, if someone tested significantly above their expected grade level, would that create problems or opportunities?"
"Opportunities, definitely," Jean replied without hesitation. "The school is designed to help students develop their full potential, whether that's academic, social, or power-related. If you're capable of handling advanced coursework, they'll make sure you have access to it."
"But," she continued with a slight frown that suggested she was thinking about potential complications, "they'd also want to understand why your intellectual development exceeded normal parameters. Not because it's problematic, but because understanding the factors that contributed to accelerated learning can help them optimize your educational experience."
"Makes sense," Marcus said. "Personalized education requires understanding individual capabilities and learning styles."
Through their empathic connection, Marcus felt Marie's mixture of anticipation and anxiety about the upcoming meeting. She was looking forward to having her abilities properly evaluated by someone with Professor Xavier's experience, but she was also worried about potential judgment regarding her lack of control and the trauma associated with her power manifestation.
*It's going to be fine,* Marcus projected through their connection, trying to share some of his confidence despite his own concerns about telepathic evaluation. *Professor Xavier has been helping mutant students for decades. He understands that everyone's journey is different.*
*Easy for you to say,* Marie replied through the same mental channel, though her response carried affection rather than criticism. *Your abilities are already under control. Mine nearly killed someone.*
*And now you've got people who can help you make sure that never happens again,* Marcus projected back. *Plus gloves that let you interact safely while you're learning proper control techniques.*
Jean glanced at them with mild curiosity as they walked, her telepathic senses probably detecting the emotional exchange even if she couldn't access the specific content of their empathic communication.
"You two have a really strong connection," she observed with genuine interest rather than intrusive questioning. "Is that something that developed alongside your individual abilities, or has it always been part of your relationship as twins?"
It was an insightful question that demonstrated Jean's understanding of the complex ways that mutant abilities could interact between family members, particularly siblings who had grown up together and shared similar developmental experiences.
"It got stronger when our powers manifested," Marie said honestly, which was true even if it didn't explain the full complexity of their situation. "Like we could suddenly feel each other's emotions more directly, understand what the other person was experiencing without having to talk about it."
"That's actually pretty common among siblings with compatible power sets," Jean said with encouraging understanding. "Shared genetics sometimes create natural interfaces between related abilities, especially when the manifestation timing is close together."
They had reached a section of the mansion that was clearly designed for administrative functions rather than residential or academic purposes. The corridors were wider, the architectural details more formal, and the general atmosphere suggested this was where serious decisions about the school's operations were made on a daily basis.
"Professor Xavier's office is just around this next corner," Jean said as they approached an intersection where multiple corridors met. "The door with the nameplate and the comfortable chairs outside for waiting."
"Jean," Marcus said as they walked, "can I ask what your meeting with Professor Xavier was like? I mean, if you're comfortable sharing the experience."
Jean was quiet for a moment, apparently considering how much personal information would be appropriate to share with new students she was still getting to know.
"It was the first time I'd talked to someone who really understood what it was like to have telepathic abilities," she said finally. "Up until then, I'd been managing on my own, trying to figure out how to block out other people's thoughts and emotions without any guidance or training. Professor Xavier showed me that having these capabilities wasn't something I had to bear alone."
Through her words, Marcus caught glimpses of the isolation and confusion that had marked Jean's early experiences with her developing powers. The constant intrusion of other people's thoughts, the guilt about accidentally accessing private mental content, the fear that she was becoming something fundamentally different from the people she cared about—all challenges that resonated with his own experiences of cosmic reincarnation and borrowed abilities.
"That sounds like exactly what Marie and I were hoping to find here," Marcus said sincerely. "People who understand what it's like to be different, and who can help us figure out how to use our abilities responsibly."
"You'll find that here," Jean assured them with absolute confidence. "Whatever challenges you're dealing with, whatever questions you have about your abilities or your future—Professor Xavier and the other faculty members have probably seen similar situations before. You're not alone in this."
As they rounded the final corner and Professor Xavier's office came into view, Marcus felt the weight of the coming conversation settling on his shoulders like a familiar burden. Somewhere behind that door marked with a simple brass nameplate reading "Professor Charles Xavier, Headmaster," one of the most powerful telepaths in the world was waiting to evaluate two teenage mutants who carried more secrets than any sixteen-year-old should have to manage.
But surrounded by Jean's genuine warmth and support, walking beside his sister who trusted him completely despite the cosmic impossibility of their situation, Marcus found himself looking forward to the challenge rather than dreading it.
*After all,* he thought as they approached the door, *if Professor Xavier really could understand what people were capable of even when they didn't understand it themselves, then maybe he'd see past the complications to the person Marcus was trying to become.*
*Someone worthy of the power he'd been granted, and the trust that people like Jean and Marie were placing in him.*
Even if explaining that without mentioning cosmic reincarnation was going to require some creative conversation skills.
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