Listening to Hawking passionately discuss the bright future for mutants, Professor X’s heart began to waver.
He had similar ideas but always harbored reservations, fearing a misstep could worsen outcomes, and there were many factors to consider.
First was the issue of abilities; not all mutants had stable powers. For instance, Jean’s powers were too unstable and could increase humans’ fear of mutants.
Moreover, not all mutants were friendly towards humans. Ororo, due to her childhood experiences, wasn’t fond of humans. Forcing her to help could backfire.
Lastly, intelligence played a crucial role. Being accepted as a superhero by most humans requires intelligence and emotional intelligence. A lack of flexibility could complicate many things.
Initially, the goal was to change human perceptions of mutants, but it might make humans more fearful and even drag the currently stable school into conflict.
This included the somewhat rigid Cyclops and the naturally free-spirited Wolverine, both unsuitable.
After much thought, there were few suitable among the school’s current teachers, and the newly joined X-Men were still growing and not yet ready for such a role, which is why he hadn’t considered this direction before.
“I understand what you’re saying, but…”
Professor X shared his concerns with Hawking.
Hawking, however, just smiled:
“Professor, what do you think about me?
My powers are pretty strong, and unlike Professor Jean and others, I’m not too busy with classes.
We could start with me as an experiment. I could initially help people in New York City under my name, and once we see some results, we could gradually reveal my identity… then…”
Listening to Hawking’s logical and feasible plan, Professor X fell into deep thought.
“It might be worth a try. If it doesn’t work out, as long as Hawking doesn’t reveal his mutant identity, it shouldn’t have any negative impact.”
He realized that Hawking might indeed be the perfect candidate.
He is powerful and skilled in combat, intelligent, adaptable, firm in his convictions, unaffected by external influences, and has a kind heart.
“Still, you’re just a child, which could be dangerous. I think we could wait a few more years.”
The only reservation was that his belief that sending a child on such a venture contradicted the school’s founding purpose.
Hawking sensed this and immediately took a moral high ground:
“Professor, the sooner we start, the sooner we see results, and the better life will be for mutants facing discrimination in human society.
I’ve never seen myself as just a child, and to be honest, even if you disagreed, I’d proceed slowly on my own because this is for the school and all mutants.
I, Hawking, am willing to take some risks!”
“Alright… if that’s the case… let’s do as you suggest. If you need anything, you can tell me.”
Finally, Professor X nodded and moved.
A fifteen-year-old child with such noble thoughts touched him deeply.
Even if this endeavor failed, he believed that with people like Hawking, the future relationship between humans and mutants would eventually become as he hoped.
“There’s nothing I need now, but if possible, you might consider acquiring a media outlet. I think the Daily Bugle would be a good choice.”
Seeing Professor X agree, Hawking’s face lit up with a radiant smile.
He might not have been so pleased if Professor X could read his mind and know his accurate plans.
However, Hawking felt his plan genuinely benefited both humans and mutants.
The world is never just black and white; being overly idealistic without considering practicality can make it hard to achieve desired outcomes.
…
The next night, as the lights in the windows went out one by one and the teachers and students gradually fell asleep, Hawking leaped from an upper window and made his way to the woods behind with a few jumps.
To earn justice points, it was better to choose the night since, although various incidents also occurred during the day, they were more frequent at night.
Nighttime activities were also more convenient.
So, he planned to adjust his schedule, mostly venturing out at night and returning to school daily to eat and rest.
“This tree will do.”
He casually picked a tree of suitable thickness, jumped up to snap off a manageable length, and took it in his hand.
“Hmm… this direction should be about right.”
Facing south, he estimated the distance in his mind. His right arm muscles bulged, and with a burst of strength, the cylindrical tree trunk shot out like a rocket.
At the same time, his legs forcefully pushed off, disappearing from the spot and reappearing on the flying tree trunk.
Traveling by tree trunk, a technique he could now perform effortlessly without loading any character templates.
He could have used fiery arrows or the Flying Nimbus, but those required loading Harry Potter and Goku templates.
After returning from S.H.I.E.L.D. three years ago, he tried summoning the Nimbus while loaded with the Goku template, and it appeared.
And because he had the Goku template, he could ride the Nimbus without falling due to impure thoughts.
But now, under normal circumstances, he refrained from casually loading the main character templates.
Each template could significantly enhance his combat or magical abilities, but they could only be used for an hour each day; using them again required waiting until the next day.
If he used it carelessly and suddenly faced a formidable enemy, he couldn’t defeat with his abilities, he would be in a difficult situation.
In the dangerous Marvel world, one should never gamble with their luck.
However, tree trunk flying might be too conspicuous; ordinary people might not notice, but large organizations like S.H.I.E.L.D. with satellite surveillance indeed could.
But what of it? He probably had been on the watchlist of significant organizations for three years; now, flying on a tree trunk was nothing.
Besides, he wasn’t going to the city to cause destruction but to do good deeds, with Professor X’s tacit approval.
“Is that even possible?”
In the school’s security room, Cyclops stared at the screen showing Hawking disappearing on the tree trunk, completely stunned.
Although the school was covered by Professor X’s telepathy, making it virtually impossible for anyone to infiltrate silently, a teacher stayed in the security room every night for the students’ safety.
Because while Professor X could sense living beings, he couldn’t detect specific high-tech mechanical devices.
Today, it was Cyclops’ turn to watch the security room, so he witnessed the entire process of Hawking’s tree trunk flight.
After snapping out of it, he immediately informed Professor X of what he had seen.
But upon hearing Cyclops’ report, Professor X was unsurprised:
“You don’t need to worry about Hawking; I know all about it.”
…
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