Zhou Yi's silence didn't dampen Professor Charles's enthusiasm for conversation, but the professor tactfully shifted the subject to something of mutual interest.
"Your abilities are very powerful. Would you be interested in undergoing a systematic evaluation here?"
"Evaluation? What do you mean? And Professor, with all due respect, I'm afraid my abilities aren't what you think—they don't come from an X-gene."Zhou Yi was unused to Charles's warmth. He knew his own body better than anyone. All his superpowers likely had something to do with the things from his previous life.
"Whether you're a mutant is no longer the important point. What matters is that you're a superpowered individual. In the eyes of ordinary humans, you're already no longer the same as they are. And we stand on the same side."Professor Charles smiled, raised a finger, and lightly tapped Zhou Yi's chest, then pointed at himself."You, me, and everyone in this world with extraordinary power—we are on the same side."
Zhou Yi couldn't refute that. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "So what exactly does this evaluation entail?"
"In this regard, I believe Jean has more authority to explain."Professor Charles stepped aside with a kindly smile, giving his prized student a chance to explain.
Only now did Zhou Yi take a close, careful look at Jean Grey, the red-haired beauty.
She was the type of woman who radiated intelligence. Her features were refined and striking; her bright, shoulder-length red hair emphasized her independent, capable aura, while also highlighting the graceful line of her swan-like neck and fair skin. Under her white lab coat was a perfectly fitted women's suit that accentuated her impressive figure, carrying with it an inexplicable, alluring charm.In short, she was stunning.
Jean Grey ignored Zhou Yi's gaze. To her, he was a kid six or seven years younger—a complete little brat. She looked at him as though he were merely a large radish and spoke in an expressionless voice:
"As everyone knows, the purpose of the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters is to help mutants. Mutants are unique. Even with the professor's tremendous power, he can only sense awakened mutants with the help of machinery. As for those who haven't awakened their X-gene, even he is powerless.And if we can't locate the unawakened, we can't prevent tragedies before they happen. Many times, by the time we find them, irreversible consequences have already taken place.So throughout the years, we've been devoted to the study of X-genes, hoping to find the规律 behind their awakening. In doing so, we have developed corresponding methods to assess the magnitude of one's abilities."
"And what does that have to do with me? I said already, I'm not a mutant."Zhou Yi emphasized this point. He didn't take Jean's explanation too seriously. Charles's power was no trivial matter—it might fool others, but it couldn't fool a transmigrator. The strongest psychic in history wasn't someone to underestimate.
"The X-gene alone is too singular a reference. Henry and I believe that having a different kind of superpowered genetic sample to compare with will help accelerate our research. Whether you're a mutant or not, as long as you're willing to participate, it is helpful to us."
"We won't force you to do anything. Everything is on a voluntary basis," Jean concluded.
Zhou Yi thought for a moment. He didn't fully understand the nature of his own abilities.Despite having studied them since his awakening, the only ones he had mastered were his forcefield, telekinesis, and his ever-strengthening physical constitution. The rest were vague and underdeveloped.So he was genuinely curious about what the Xavier School's tests could reveal.
However, he still disliked the feeling of being used as a lab rat. He didn't want to end up like that unlucky superpowered guy who, after being experimented on, suddenly gained thousands of little sisters. One Xia Ruisi was more than enough.
But after considering it, Zhou Yi felt that taking the risk was necessary. Xia Ruisi had joined the Xavier School. If he remembered correctly, the school had plenty of enemies—government agencies like the X-Division, and the Brotherhood of Mutants.No matter what Xia Ruisi's abilities turned out to be, as her older brother, it was unnecessary to let her face danger alone. His role was to protect his family. That had never changed.
With Zhou Yi's agreement, Professor Charles looked genuinely delighted. For him, this was a win for mutantkind. For Zhou Yi, it offered a way to strengthen his abilities. A mutually beneficial outcome.
Professor Charles cheerfully patted the arms of his wheelchair and said:
"My dear Mr. Zhou, I'm very glad you made a choice that benefits us both. I would very much like to accompany you for your evaluation, but unfortunately this thing under me makes that inconvenient.However, I believe having Jean accompany you is far more pleasant than an old man like me. And you needn't worry about Ms. Zhou's safety—we have plenty of time."
Jean Grey stepped forward, her expression cold. "Mr. Zhou Yi, please come with me."
Zhou Yi nodded, stood up, and said to Professor Charles, "I hope you're worthy of my trust, Professor."Then he followed Jean out.
Professor Charles watched him with a gentle smile. His eyes were deep and calm as ever.
Walking along the pathways of the campus behind Jean Grey, Zhou Yi looked around curiously.The Xavier School was built on the foundation of the Xavier estate, expanded into an elite academy.In terms of teaching ability, it rivaled universities with strong faculty.In terms of research, with many high-IQ mutants contributing, the school was far from simple.Even what it publicly displayed rivaled some research-heavy institutions.
And as for living conditions, the school blended the elegance of an old manor with cutting-edge technology—very pleasing, especially to someone like Zhou Yi, who had half the instincts of a parent.
Jean Grey, acting as his guide, was quite satisfied with his expression.As a second-generation student personally taught by Charles, she viewed the academy as her home.Naturally, seeing Zhou Yi appreciate it filled her with pride.Her attitude softened; she dropped her initial coldness and began speaking actively:
"The Xavier School doesn't have a long history, but I believe it's no worse than any other academy, is it not?"
"Of course. The school is great. And the teacher is great too."Zhou Yi chuckled and teased gently, "I wonder if I'd have the honor of inviting this great lady teacher to dinner sometime?"
Jean's expression froze, and she stared down at him from her taller height."I'm sorry. I have no interest—especially not in men whose bodies and minds haven't fully matured."
"All right, Miss." Zhou Yi raised his hands in surrender. "I admit I may not meet your standards now, but given my age and development, I think I'll reach your baseline soon enough."
"Yi Zhou, I really want to try a gamma knife on you right now—just to see how thick your skin is!"Jean gritted her teeth. The psychic pressure around her made the pebbles on the path rise into the air.
"Honestly, after you try it, could we go get dinner and see a movie?"Zhou Yi stepped closer, almost brushing against her. Jean's psychic field was instantly suppressed under his far stronger telekinesis, unable to resist at all.
Realizing she had no way to deal with this shameless behavior, Jean stiffened her face and quickened her pace toward the lab.
Seeing this, Zhou Yi tactfully shrugged and followed quietly. The joke had gone far enough; if he pushed further, she might really explode.
He didn't know what he had done wrong, but even he understood that trying to ask this mutant beauty out was doomed from the start.He could only sigh inwardly—mature, worldly women really were far harder to "conquer" than naive schoolgirls.The tricks that worked flawlessly in school were useless here.
Thoughts aside, his feet kept moving, and soon the two of them arrived at the research wing.
Jean intentionally avoided crowded areas and led him to a high-security lab.She first had her iris scanned, then unlocked a keypad. Using her psychic power, she entered the password in an instant.Finally, she activated a communication panel and said:
"Ororo, it's me. The professor asked me to bring someone in for research."
As soon as she finished speaking, the steel doors before them split open along the shape of an X, revealing a deep corridor behind them.
Seeing this, Zhou Yi couldn't help saying, "I have to say, your security measures might be more complicated than the President's."
"There are many people in this world who target mutants," Jean replied with a slight frown."Not only human governments—there are also extremist mutants. To protect the secrets of the academy, we must take such measures."
Zhou Yi nodded. The school wasn't only home to powerful mutants—there were low-level ones and beginners like Xia Ruisi who couldn't control their abilities at all.If the school lacked hidden defenses and proper security, he'd be taking Xia Ruisi back home immediately.
As the two walked through the corridor, scanning rays swept over them. Zhou Yi could feel multiple instruments analyzing him.To show he meant no harm, he relaxed his telekinetic defenses and let the rays touch him.Instantly, he felt as though he had absorbed something; his powers stirred slightly, becoming just a bit more active.
Great—problems already, and the evaluation hasn't even started.He sighed inwardly and followed Jean into the lab.