Chapter 150: The Illuminati is Established!
Training Room,
Beast Hank set the ability-activating device down with a thud. After connecting various cables to Logan's body, he meticulously began to analyze his physical data.
Soon, Logan's condition was confirmed.
The ability-stimulating device had indeed induced a secondary mutation, slightly enhancing his mutant powers.
He was now almost immune to ordinary attacks and could control his pain sensation, causing it to temporarily fail.
This newfound capability would undoubtedly grant him unprecedented advantages in battle.
Not everyone has the ability to isolate themselves from pain!
"Orion."
"I continued to debug."
"It should be possible now to use it on the twins."
"Who will go first?"
Beast Hank turned his gaze toward the twins.
The Maximoff siblings exchanged looks, and then Pietro rose. As the elder brother, he naturally assumed the responsibility.
Like Logan before him, Pietro walked away with a mixture of anticipation and fear. The energy shockwave that Logan had endured had nearly been fatal, and the test scene had been terrifying.
"Do not worry."
"There is no problem."
Orion nodded reassuringly.
The next second, under the incredulous gazes of the crowd, Beast Hank took control of the ability-stimulating device and emitted a brilliant purple ray.
The power gem ray, as thick as a water pipe, struck Quicksilver precisely. His aura changed drastically, and the dormant X-factor in his body was unleashed.
Under this human intervention, it was instantly activated!
His figure began to distort and blur, vibrating at an incredibly high frequency. He took a step forward in a panic, leaving a shimmering afterimage in the air!
"Moving at high speed?"
Storm and Phoenix's beautiful eyes flickered with astonishment.
The experiment was a resounding success!
Even Professor X's face showed a rare hint of relief.
With Wanda and Pietro added to their ranks, Academy X's overall strength would undergo a qualitative transformation.
"Pietro."
"That's your name, isn't it?"
"How does it feel?"
Professor X asked with genuine concern.
"I…"
"It seems to be changing very quickly."
"It's the same with thinking."
"As for other changes, I can't really say."
Pietro looked at his hands, his eyes alight with excitement and ecstasy. Had he truly gained extraordinary power?
If he faced the Echo Scorpion Squad again, he would not flee.
Instead, he would defeat all the special forces members with his own abilities.
Yet, he never forgot that these changes were thanks to Orion!
Though he did not vocalize it, he had already etched this favor into his heart. Even if he stayed at X Academy to further adapt and master his abilities, he would never forget his benefactor.
"After testing…"
"Your physical strength and movement speed have been greatly improved."
"I suggest you stay at X Academy."
"I will tailor a training plan for you."
Beast Hank confirmed Pietro's assumptions with his scan.
He then turned his attention to Wanda, whose natural beauty shone through despite the lack of makeup.
Since Pietro had mutant abilities, according to the basic theory of genetic biology, Wanda must also possess the X-factor!
Her ability level was certainly not weaker than Pietro's!
"Wanda."
"Go ahead."
"Prepare for your new life."
Orion's eyes held a note of appreciation as he encouraged her softly.
"Good."
Wanda took a deep breath, composed herself, and, like Pietro, stood at a distance, awaiting the irradiation of the ability-stimulating device!
Buzz!
The device emitted a brilliant ray that enveloped Wanda's figure, making her delicate face appear momentarily bewildered.
Suddenly, a mysterious silhouette emerged within the boundless light.
Dignified.
Sacred.
Adorned with a noble crown.
In an instant.
The figure vanished. Wanda's eyes widened in shock as crimson energy surged from her body, nearly tearing the surroundings apart! As this crimson energy erupted, it radiated with remarkable magical fluctuations, swirling around Wanda and imparting an air of nobility to her presence!
At the same moment, a voice notification from the entry system sounded, causing Orion to smile.
[Due to your actions, the fate of the Maximoff siblings has changed significantly, and you will be awarded 500 points of luck.]
"Nice!"
Orion's inner satisfaction swelled.
500 points of luck! It seems that intervening in the course of history is the real way to gain rewards!
By altering Wanda's destiny in advance, he secured himself endless benefits.
Allowing X Academy to temporarily oversee the Power Gem was considered a complete withdrawal on his part, and the [Guilt of Possessing a Treasure] entry was effectively removed.
Once he established the Illuminati, neither Tony Stark nor Professor X would have any reason to refuse him.
This was his core purpose!
However…
In the shadows, he sensed a lingering gaze. Who was hiding behind the obstruction? Who was observing the entire research with a cold stare?
Orion frowned slightly.
He turned toward the source of the gaze and spotted a young man appearing furtive.
But when he saw the entry panel labeled 'Boy,' a strange look crossed his face!
[Name]: Raven Darkholm
[Identity]: Mystique
[Entries]: Lofty Ideals (green), Natural Charm (green), Excellent Gun Skills (green), Ever-Changing (blue).
[Lofty Ideals] (Green): She longs to create an Eden exclusively for mutants. To achieve this, she will stop at nothing and swear to use any means necessary.
[Natural Charm] (Green): She is alluring and passionate, adept at using her beauty, and has an exceptionally flexible body. The most formidable hunters often appear as prey.
[Excellent Gun Skills] (Green): She is a rose with thorns, a deadly flower. Proficient with various firearms, she is ruthless and cruel to those who cross her.
[Ever-Changing] (Blue): She can control her cells and tissue structure, transforming into any appearance she desires. It is nearly impossible for ordinary people to detect her true identity.
"Mystique?!"
"Mystique actually infiltrated X Academy with such audacity?"
"Are all X-Men merely complacent?"
Orion's eyes looked strange, So Mystique had been tailing her all along!
She had witnessed the power of the ability-stimulating device firsthand.
Clearly, she would never relinquish her pursuit and might even use her transformation abilities to try and seize the device covertly!
She could transform at the genetic level, altering irises, skin texture, fingerprints, voice, and even gender!
Originally, Mystique had been part of the first generation of X-Men, but due to ideological differences, she left Professor X and aligned herself with Magneto!
Orion recalled the general plot.
Magneto had developed a mutant converter capable of emitting powerful radiation through electromagnetic force to transform its target into a mutant.
In the story, Congressman Robert Kelly underwent a conversion ceremony…
Then.
The aftermath was grim.
The gene chain shattered under the mutant converter's side effects, turning him into a pool of thick fluid and causing his death before Storm's eyes.
To prevent the mutant converter from draining his life force, Magneto even kidnapped Rogue, hoping she would replace him and activate the device.
What stage had the plot reached now?
From Nick Fury, he learned that Senator Robert Kelly had vanished. Did this mean the global summit was imminent and Magneto's plan was nearing execution?
Orion's eyes narrowed.
He could temporarily entrust the Power Stone to X Academy for safekeeping, but he could not let it fall into Magneto's hands.
Who knew what Magneto would do with the Power Stone? If news of it reached Sanctuary and Thanos's ears, it would spell trouble…
The four Black Orders might arrive on Earth ahead of schedule!
Orion understood the thoughts of the Ancient One and Odin. As long as the three major temples were unscathed and Asgard was uninvolved, these two superpowers would remain inactive.
And he was not ready to ignite the Infinity War just yet.
"Orion?"
"What are you pondering?"
"Are you considering the ownership of the ability-stimulating device?"
Beast Hank's voice was tinged with hesitation.
The ability-stimulating device had proven its worth!
If it remained at X Academy, it would be invaluable.
However.
The core medium and key materials had all been provided by Orion!
Orion could reclaim the Power Gem, and the X-Men could not stop him.
Thus…
The issue of ownership of the ability-stimulating device required careful consideration.
"Orion."
"Please trust the X-Men. We will never misuse the ability-stimulating device, nor will we allow the outside world to know about it."
The Phoenix Girl's lips curved into a smile, and a bright light flickered in her beautiful eyes.
She wanted to keep the ability-stimulating device.
Only this way could they artificially intervene in the awakening of the X-factor, allowing mutants' abilities to undergo a secondary mutation and achieve ultimate sublimation.
The mutants were growing stronger and forming a system. Under Professor X's leadership, they would surely rewrite history!
"Orion."
"Don't forget, you are also a mutant. You understand the situation of mutants."
Storm's tone was persuasive and kind.
Her stance was clear.
"I understand what you mean."
"Rest assured."
"I am willing to cooperate with you."
"I will leave the ability-stimulating device at X Academy for now. This is my sincerity."
"To be honest…"
"I plan to take the lead in establishing a secret organization that will include all superheroes. When faced with a major cosmic crisis, we can work together to find a suitable solution."
"This organization…"
"I call it the Illuminati".
Orion saw that the time was right and proposed his idea at the perfect moment. The Illuminati.
Bringing all the major forces in the universe under his command.
For the sake of the ability-stimulating device, Professor X and the X-Men had to think twice and give him some consideration.
Really.
After he proposed the Illuminati, all the X-Men fell silent, their smiles immediately freezing. They vaguely sensed something was off.
"Incorporate all superheroes into the organization…?"
"The Illuminati?"
Professor X and Hank the Beast exchanged glances, their smiles taking on a self-deprecating tone.
It seemed…
From the beginning, this mystic Sorcerer had bad intentions!
It turns out that the ability-stimulating device was merely a means to introduce the Illuminati.
As the saying goes,
A man who eats someone's food is soft-hearted, and a man who takes someone's money is grateful.
Even though Professor X and Hank knew they were being tricked, they felt too embarrassed to refuse immediately.
Because… if you refuse, Orion might take back the Power Stone!
Without the power gem, could an ability-stimulating device still be considered an ability-stimulating device?
It would be just a pile of scrap metal!
"That's right."
"The Illuminati."
"Charles, Hank."
"The universe is in danger, and disaster is imminent."
"Both humans and mutants will perish. The original purpose of establishing the Illuminati is to address this problem!"
"Tony Stark and the Ancient One will both join this organization, and Asgard's Thor has also been a member of the Illuminati for a long time."
"The major forces in the universe need to unite, and I am willing to shoulder this mission."
Orion's face was full of seriousness.
Actually,
He was lying without thinking.
Tony Stark, the Ancient One, and Thor didn't even know about the existence of the Illuminati, so how could they join?
Because of this information gap, Professor X believed it!
Since the Ancient One had joined,
It didn't seem like a waste of talent for him to join this organization.
"But…"
"What danger do you mean?"
"Both mutants and humans are going to perish?"
Professor X frowned.
Even the X-Men were confused.
Everyone was skeptical.
"This is a secret that only a member of the Illuminati can know."
"Charles."
"What is your decision?"
Orion smiled.
"It's as if you're not giving me any room to refuse."
"All right."
"I choose to join the Illuminati."
Professor X forced a smile, his expression slightly bitter.
However, the disaster mentioned by Orion really touched people's hearts!
He couldn't just sit back and watch the Earth be destroyed.
Orion had no reason to fabricate such a colossal lie!
End of chapter