Mario stood under Moira's umbrella.
Neither of them spoke as they walked toward the university auditorium. Moira knew he wasn't as innocent as he looked, but as she kept reminding herself, she had no evidence. The only thing she could do was call the cops and report him for sexual harassment, which seemed extreme for umbrella-sharing.
She glanced at Mario, who kept edging closer under the umbrella to avoid the drizzle, taking up more than his fair share of coverage.
"Could you please stop following me?"
Mario raised his right hand solemnly. "The moment I find Professor Xavier, I'll stay far away from you. I swear on my brother's life."
The dramatic gesture made Moira laugh. "You must be very close with your brother."
A flash of nostalgia crossed Mario's face, and he nodded slowly. "Of course."
The ice broken, they started chatting as they walked through the campus.
"Ms. Moira, you seem pretty familiar with this place."
She smiled. "I graduated from here, so yeah, I know it pretty well."
That explained everything. Mario had been wondering why she would fly all the way from America to Cambridge just to find a genetics expert. Sure, Xavier had published that paper on mutant cellular structures, but the real reason was probably that Cambridge was her alma mater.
"What about you, Mr. Mario? Why are you looking for Professor Xavier?"
She was clearly fishing for information, but Mario saw no reason to lie to a regular human.
"I want to ask Xavier whether drawing blood with a needle would negatively affect someone's health."
This was one hundred percent true. For most mutants, he only needed one vial. But for the well-known, high-profile mutants? Sorry, 200cc minimum.
Moira's expression went completely blank. "You flew from Las Vegas to England... to ask that?"
"If you don't want to say what you're really here for, that's fine," she added.
Mario shrugged and turned the question around. "Then what are you here for?"
Standing at the entrance to the auditorium, Moira stopped and replied softly, "Nothing much. Just work."
Mario had a good read on people, and he appreciated that she wasn't lying to him. At that moment, two figures emerged from the auditorium, immediately catching his attention.
Bingo. Professor X and Mystique.
Xavier and Raven walked out together under an umbrella, both looking cheerful. Raven was teasing him with obvious affection.
"So, how does it feel to be a professor?"
"Don't call me that unless I'm teaching a class. I don't want to be addressed as 'professor' all the time."
Xavier was young here, completely different from the iconic bald image Mario knew from the future.
"I know, but it suits you so well..."
"Don't say that. You should be saying, 'Let's go grab a drink.'"
Listening to their banter, Mario deduced that Xavier must have only recently become a professor. No wonder that student earlier hadn't recognized the name.
Professor X looks so young right now. That hair is still so thick...
Whether in anime or movies, anyone who ended up bald was never simple. Just look at Marvel, plenty of powerful people with smooth heads. Of course, the professor wasn't bald yet. He hadn't become powerful enough for that.
Seeing Xavier about to leave, he quickly stepped forward.
"Professor Xavier, my name's Mario. Pleasure to meet you."
That was the truth. He was delighted to have found Xavier. He could feel the syringes in his inventory getting thirsty.
Xavier looked Mario over. He thought for a moment but had no memory of anyone named Mario. Smiling politely, he said, "Hello, Mr. Mario. How can I help you?"
"Just a quick question. If a normal person donates blood without harming their health, what's the maximum amount that can be safely drawn at once?"
Moira, who'd been about to approach, stopped in her tracks. Her expression clearly said, Are you seriously asking that?
Xavier frowned slightly. The question was incredibly basic, but judging from Mario's earnest expression, he wasn't joking. After considering for a moment, he answered seriously.
"That depends on the individual's physical condition. Weight plays a significant role, and there's also the question of whether they have any related medical conditions."
Mario nodded attentively, looking like a diligent student absorbing wisdom.
"Then, for someone with your build, how much blood can be safely donated at once?"
"200cc is ideal, enough to avoid impacting health. Under special circumstances, it could go up to 300cc. As you can see, I'm on the thin side."
Hearing this, Mario looked like he'd just received priceless treasure. Grateful, he said, "Thank you, Professor Xavier. I won't keep you any longer. I'll visit you when I have time."
After saying goodbye, he turned and walked away, already planning his nighttime visit.
Xavier watched him leave.
"Interesting fellow," he murmured.
Raven, clinging to his arm, asked, "You're not going to read his mind?"
Xavier shook his head. "I can't use my powers indiscriminately. If I read someone's mind every time I met them, I don't think I'd be able to stay here much longer."
The two left campus, chatting happily.
Mario walked back to Moira with a satisfied grin.
"Weren't you looking for him? Why are you just standing there? Don't tell me you're actually following me."
Moira rolled her eyes and lifted the umbrella slightly so Mario could step fully under it. "I didn't expect you to ask that question. I thought you were messing with me."
"My moral principles don't allow me to lie," Mario replied.
What he didn't say was that his moral principles were extremely flexible and situation-dependent.
Moira gave him a long look, then pulled a business card from her shoulder bag. It had an address and a landline number printed on it.
"If you have time, you can call me or write to me. I feel like you're probably a very interesting person."
"But I still have work to do. Keep the umbrella. I need to go."
In those days, roads were long and farewells often permanent. Sometimes you parted ways and never met again.
Mario watched her hurry off in the direction Xavier had gone. The light drizzle pattered against the umbrella in his hand.
He memorized the phone number and address on the business card. With a subtle motion of his fingers, the card vanished into his inventory.
---
Night had fallen, and dark clouds still covered the sky. Though the rain had stopped, the atmosphere remained gloomy.
Mario stood on the street, watching Xavier, Raven, and Moira exit a bar together. Clearly, Moira had already persuaded Xavier to help with whatever CIA operation she was running.
Or rather, through his telepathic abilities, Xavier had discovered the Hellfire Club's activities and, eager to find others like himself, had agreed to Moira's request.
As the three climbed into a black car and drove off into the distance, he quietly followed. Soon, he arrived in front of a two-story house in a residential neighborhood.
The building looked somewhat old but was kept fairly tidy. The lawn in the front yard was neatly trimmed, giving the place a well-maintained appearance despite its age.
Xavier parked in front of the garage, stepped out, and spoke to Moira. "Please wait a moment. Raven and I need to pack a few personal items, then we'll head to Virginia with you."
"You can wait in the living room."
Moira nodded and followed them inside.
After making sure no one was watching, Mario walked straight up to Xavier's front door and knocked.
Knock, knock, knock.
Xavier's voice came from inside. "Coming."
Footsteps sounded on hardwood, and soon the door swung open.
Seeing Mario, Xavier's expression shifted to surprise. "It's you? Mr. Mario, what brings you here?"
Standing at the doorway, Mario smiled and pulled out a vacuum blood-drawing device, holding it up for Xavier to see clearly.
"I came tonight because there's something I need your cooperation with."
Seeing the device in Mario's hand, Xavier immediately understood what it was for, especially combined with the questions from earlier. His expression turned wary.
He raised his hand toward his temple.
"Don't bother. Your ability doesn't work on me. So here's the question: are you going to do this yourself, or do you want me to handle it?"
Xavier's face went pale as he activated his telepathy. In the mental realm, he couldn't locate Mario at all. Even though Mario stood right in front of him, he couldn't sense his presence whatsoever.
"You're a mutant? What are you planning to do?"
Looking at the future leader of mutantkind, who at this moment looked like a frightened civilian about to be mugged, Mario's smile grew brighter.
"I'm not a mutant. I'm just an ordinary collector. Professor Xavier, we're both busy people, so let's not waste time. I'll count from three to zero. If you don't agree, I'll do it myself."
"Three..."
Just as Mario began the countdown, Raven and Moira, who'd been in the living room, heard the commotion and rushed over.
"What's wrong with Charles?"
Seeing Xavier's pale face, Raven immediately moved to his side, concern written across her features.
Moira, spotting Mario, looked equally shocked. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here because I need Professor Xavier's help with something. Head back to the living room for a moment. This'll take some time."
He looked back at Xavier.
"Your time's almost up..."
"Two..."
Mario never counted to zero. Holding the syringe, he reached out to grab Xavier.
Seeing this, Raven didn't hesitate, she immediately threw a punch straight at Mario's face.
Her physical strength far exceeded Xavier's. She had the power of several grown men packed into her frame. Unfortunately for her, she was dealing with Mario.
Crack!
Mario moved faster, his other hand intercepting her wrist mid-strike. The impact echoed sharply through the hallway.
"Don't make trouble. You're next on the list."
Raven immediately clutched her wrist and staggered back two steps. She even lost control of her shapeshifting, her skin flickering blue before settling back to her disguised form.
"Don't worry, I'll be gentle."
After dealing with her, Mario used his other hand to grab Xavier by the shirt and pull him closer. Like some creep reassuring a child, he said, "Relax. This won't hurt a bit."
Despite his words, the syringe in his hand showed no mercy as he aimed it directly at a vein in Xavier's inner arm and jabbed it in.
Seeing Mario's actions, Raven, still rubbing her injured wrist, grew even more hostile. Taking advantage of the moment while Mario was drawing blood, she launched a side kick at his ribs.
Thump!
Mario moved even faster, sweeping the supporting leg she was standing on. With a pained grunt, Raven performed an involuntary perfect split on the hardwood floor.
The thick needle pierced Xavier's arm, making him let out a low groan. After all, blood donation needles were much thicker than regular injection needles.
Seeing Raven's miserable state sprawled on the floor, Xavier quickly said, "Stop..."
"I didn't attack her. She came at me. You should warn her, not me."
Though Mario spoke calmly, his expression turned awkward when he noticed the syringe hadn't filled with any blood. Looking embarrassed, he said to Xavier, "Sorry... this is my first time. The first time's always a bit rough. I'm sure it'll go much smoother after a couple more tries."
Xavier shuddered involuntarily and quickly interjected, "Wait! Before drawing blood, shouldn't you use a tourniquet to make the vein swell so you can find it more easily?"
Mario paused, he hadn't prepared one. But after thinking about it for a moment, he decided it didn't really matter. It wasn't his blood being drawn, after all.
"A tourniquet isn't necessary."
As he said this, he pulled the needle out and prepared to stab it back in. Seeing his completely inexperienced approach, cold sweat began dripping down Xavier's forehead.
"No, no, no, let me do it myself! Just help me hold my wrist steady."
Based on Mario's earlier movements, Xavier had already understood that both he and Raven were completely outmatched. More importantly, his telepathy was utterly useless against this man.
He suspected Mario might also be a mutant. At the very least, they could be considered "kin" of sorts.
If that was the case, cooperation was the smart play. Maybe he'd survive this encounter. After all, Mario didn't actually seem intent on killing him.
Mario blinked at Xavier's suggestion, then nodded with an approving expression and handed over the blood-drawing kit.
Only then did Moira fully process everything that had just happened. She stood frozen, unsure what to do. Her eyes remained fixed on Raven, whose entire body had turned deep blue, and her mind went completely blank.
"You're all genetically enhanced individuals? Mutants?"
Watching the syringe slowly fill with dark red blood, Mario's face lit up with satisfaction. Hearing Moira's question, he explained cheerfully, "Those two are mutants. I'm not."
He grinned. "I'm just a battle-hardened warrior who happens to collect biological samples."
Xavier, carefully filling the syringe with his own blood while Mario held his wrist steady, couldn't help but think this was the strangest and most terrifying medical procedure he'd ever experienced.
And judging by Mario's enthusiasm, it definitely wouldn't be the last.
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50 Advance Chapters!
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