First, mutants were not particularly numerous to begin with.
Second, not every mutant child came here to study.
As a result, there were not many people at the Mutant School.
Even including teachers such as Wolverine and Storm, the entire school barely had that many people.
From outside, Karl could only see a few children playing around.
However, things were completely different for the powerful mutants inside the school.
With Karl standing at the entrance, it was as though an enormous sun had suddenly appeared in the middle of a frozen wasteland.
His presence could no longer be described as merely obvious.
In less than a second, the entire school erupted into activity.
A young red-haired woman came down the path, pushing a wheelchair.
Meanwhile, the children hurried inside and pressed themselves curiously against the windows to look outside.
Karl ignored the little ones and waited for the two people to approach.
The man sitting in the wheelchair was naturally the Omega-level mutant known as Professor X.
The woman behind him was no helpless young lady either.
She was one of the three most powerful individuals in the entire Mutant School.
Her power had been so formidable when she was young that Professor X had been forced to place mental restraints on her.
She was Jean Grey, the wielder of the Phoenix Force.
Judging by her aura, however, Jean did not appear to have awakened the Phoenix Force yet.
Otherwise, even Karl would have felt a chill in his heart.
She was a terrifying existence capable of casually killing multiversal beings.
Although her physical body was fragile enough to be killed by a single attack, her power was simply too horrifying.
Fortunately, Jean's current level of power was still manageable.
While Karl studied them, Professor X was also studying Karl and Strange.
When he noticed Strange standing respectfully behind Karl, he could not help raising an eyebrow.
The Sorcerer Supreme was actually standing deferentially behind this man.
Just where had such a terrifying figure come from?
Jean soon pushed Professor X to stand before them.
An elderly yet gentle voice sounded.
"Sorcerer Supreme, who might this gentleman be?"
"Is he the person you brought here to discuss cooperation with us?"
"Professor Charles, you misunderstand. We came here to ask for your help," Strange replied.
"Help?"
"I do not believe our relationship has reached that point yet."
Professor X raised an eyebrow.
After suffering persecution for so many years, he had naturally developed a deep distrust of outsiders.
Even though the Sorcerer Supreme had an excellent reputation, they could not afford to lower their guard.
"Relationships are built over time, are they not?"
"Leaving us standing at the entrance is hardly an appropriate way to receive guests," Karl said.
"And you are?" Professor X asked.
"Karl, the Sorcerer Supreme."
"I come from another universe."
The corner of Professor X's eye twitched.
Another universe?
Was this man actually someone capable of traveling between universes?
Mutants were indeed extremely isolated and rarely communicated with outsiders.
However, they possessed many powerful individuals.
In fact, mutants represented one of the largest concentrations of powerful beings in this world.
Naturally, they knew a great deal about matters beyond Earth.
Professor X understood perfectly well how terrifying someone capable of freely wandering between universes could be.
He immediately felt the pressure bearing down on him.
"In that case, please follow me inside."
Professor X spoke helplessly.
The group entered a reception room, where drinks were served to Karl and the others.
Only then did Professor X speak again.
"Now, can you tell me why you have come?"
"Of course."
"We came here because we need your help."
"We hope you can help us locate someone on Earth," Karl said calmly.
"Locate someone?"
"If you asked me to search within one city, or perhaps several cities, I would gladly offer my assistance."
"But searching the entire planet is beyond my ability."
Professor X spread his hands.
"Professor Charles, there is no need to say such things."
"Do you truly believe I would come here without first learning anything about you?"
Karl spoke calmly as he looked directly at Professor X.
Professor X's expression changed.
"How do you know?"
Unease rose in his heart.
Hidden beneath the school was a powerful machine.
It had been created years ago through a collaboration between him and Magneto.
Cerebro was an immensely powerful psychic amplifier capable of extending Professor X's abilities across the entire planet.
With it, he could easily kill every human or every mutant on Earth.
It was precisely because the machine was so powerful—and inspired so much fear—that its existence was one of the school's most closely guarded secrets.
They would never willingly reveal it to outsiders.
Apart from Magneto and a small number of mutants, very few people outside the school knew about it.
How had the man standing before him learned of its existence?
Could their secret have been leaked?
"Do not worry."
"I am not from this universe, and I have no intention of revealing your secret."
"As for how I know about it…"
"That is naturally because, in my universe, we are friends, Charles."
"Of course I know many of the mutants' secrets."
Karl fabricated the entire story without hesitation.
Professor X would never discover the truth because Karl's explanation had neither logic nor evidence behind it.
Although Charles still did not completely believe him, he nevertheless breathed a sigh of relief.
He was no longer as tense as before.
"Since you already know about it, you should also understand that I cannot use that machine to help you."
Professor X's voice turned cold.
"Charles, you are not Magneto."
"Anything is possible, is it not? Do not be so absolute."
"I know you are extremely cautious, so I am willing to make a trade with you."
"If you help me, I can help you as well."
"For example, I could heal you and allow you to walk like an ordinary person again."
Karl spoke with a smile.
Perhaps paralysis was extremely difficult for mutants to heal.
For Karl, however, it was an easy problem to solve.
If Charles had been born paralyzed, the matter might have been somewhat troublesome.
But his paralysis had been caused by an injury.
That was no problem at all.
Upon hearing those words, Charles suddenly gripped the armrest beside him before quickly regaining his composure.
"Over the years, countless people have said the same thing to me."
"They all claimed that their unusual abilities could allow me to walk again."
"But I will not betray the interests of this school for that reason."
Professor X spoke with unwavering determination.
The Earth of the Main Universe possessed countless powerful forces capable of healing his injuries.
Yet he remained disabled.
That was only because he refused to betray the school or use his abilities to commit evil.
Karl's arrival changed nothing.
Charles would not accept such a trade.
"Charles, your greatest problem is that you are far too stubborn."
"Do not speak with such certainty."
"Anything is possible."
A brilliant smile appeared on Karl's face.
(End of Chapter)
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