Chapter 82

Mephisto.

The Lord of Hell himself.

The pressure brought by only the name was overwhelming.

But Professor Charles, ever thoughtful, asked, "Mr. Leon, how powerful is Mephisto? If it's the one from Hell, shouldn't the destruction have been far greater?"

He wasn't wrong. The aerial images of the battle were terrifying, but for someone like Mephisto, the damage should have been catastrophic, possibly leveling entire cities. Something didn't add up.

Leon's answer confirmed his suspicions. "For certain reasons, Mephisto cannot manifest on Earth in his true form. What I fought was just a soul projection, much weaker than his actual self."

Suddenly, everything made sense. The relief was almost palpable. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Leon ended the call.

Charles wisely refrained from pressing further. The relationship between the X-Men and Leon was still new and cordial, and he was, after all, a benefactor.

There were answers, but mysteries still lingered—like why Mephisto couldn't come to Earth in his true form and what his true intentions were in sending a soul projection. Was this part of a larger scheme?

These questions weighed on everyone's minds. The X-Men weren't eager to get entangled with Mephisto, but the magnitude of his presence was undeniable. The uncertainty of how this might impact them was unsettling.

Seeing their concerned faces, Charles spoke calmly, easing the tension. "Mr. Leon has already defeated Mephisto's projection, so it seems the Earth is safe for now. However, I'll continue monitoring this situation. Jean, keep an eye on the joint investigation team as well. They might uncover something useful."

"Okay," Jean gave a nod.

At his New York manor, Leon hung up the call with Professor Charles. He wasn't surprised that Charles had sensed something—there were only a few on Earth with the ability to perceive events across the globe.

Though besides the Ancient One, such individuals were rare.

He didn't mind being a bit cryptic; after all, his relationship with the mutants hadn't reached the level where he needed to explain everything.

Casually slipping his phone into his trouser pocket, he adjusted his white shirt, which was neatly rolled up at the sleeves, and glanced down at his outfit—trousers and white sneakers that complemented his toned, straight posture.

Despite the simplicity, he had a look that balanced maturity with a youthful, fashionable edge.

The real reason he was up so early, though, had nothing to do with work. Natasha, dearest, was returning from Russia, and she wasn't coming alone—she was bringing her "family."

The four young ones in the household had already left for school at a private academy. Though the curriculum was flexible, the school day started early, and the family's butler had taken care of their ride, chauffeuring them in a Bentley that emphasized their status.

Leon didn't care much for aristocratic schools, but he understood the importance of appearances in that world.

As he stepped out onto the manor's lawn, the maids greeted him with respect. He strolled forward, enjoying the peaceful morning.

Unlike the bustling heart of New York City, the early morning at the manor had a unique charm. The sounds of birds, cicadas, and the distant neighing of horses from the stables blended into a calming symphony.

It was a setting that brought tranquility and contentment—a perfect moment before the day unfolded.

Leon savored the peacefulness of the moment. In his previous life, the constant rush had been exhausting, but now, in this world, he could finally slow down and appreciate life. Most people never get to enjoy this kind of calm and serenity.

As he waited, his thoughts drifted to those who always seemed bent on destroying the world or wiping out humanity. Sure, many of them had tragic backstories, painful experiences that drove them to extremes. But still, if they had the power for revenge, why not aim it at the real culprits—governments, corrupt corporations? Why target the whole world?

Leon leaned back in his chair, imagining the simplicity of sitting on the porch of a villa, surrounded by nature, watching the rain or snow fall. Why not appreciate this beautiful world instead? When you're tired, grab a juice, coffee, or even a whiskey. He knew he wasn't in a position to judge others, but still, when it came to world destruction, he had one thought: Is it really worth it?

Destroying the world seemed exhausting, a complete waste of time and energy. Worse, you might get taken out by some superhero along the way. And yes, he was definitely thinking about Thanos. Sure, family planning on a galactic scale sounded noble, but really, planning for the entire universe and Earth? It was only a matter of time before someone came after him.

His thoughts were interrupted as he looked up and saw a sleek, black fighter jet descending from the blue sky, its optical stealth system disengaging. The wind from its tail engines swept across the lawn as it landed gently. The jet's perfectly streamlined design would make any military enthusiast drool.

With a hiss, the hatch opened. A metal ramp extended down, and Natasha, clad in her combat uniform, descended gracefully. Following her were Yelena, Melina, and Alexei, all dressed casually.

When Natasha saw Leon, her eyes lit up with joy. "Leon~~!" Her pace quickened as she walked over, arms open wide, and wrapped him in a warm hug. There was something undeniably comforting about her embrace. Round, soft and inviting.

Leon enjoyed the moment, pressing gently against her as her familiar perfume filled his senses. For a brief second, his youthful impulses stirred, but he quickly composed himself, releasing Natasha without making it obvious. She noticed, of course, giving him a playful smile, but said nothing. He turned his attention to Yelena, Melina, and Alexei, offering each a polite hug.

"Hey, welcome to the manor. It's good to see you all," Leon greeted warmly.

Alexei, wearing a red-and-white plaid shirt, looked around with wide eyes. "We're happy to see you too, Leon. Wow, this place is amazing. I mean, this is the kind of rich life people dream about!"

Leon laughed, playfully punching Alexei's broad chest. "Just remember, Natasha's the one holding all the wealth. You might want to be careful with your words—you don't want to offend her."

Alexei chuckled awkwardly, glancing at Natasha. "Come on, Natasha, you know I wasn't talking about you." But the humor in his voice couldn't hide the fact that he knew he'd slipped up.

Natasha smirked, her red lips curving slightly as she shrugged. "You better figure out how to fix that."

Alexei wore a bitter expression, staring at Leon with mock resentment. Leon just laughed, shrugging it off, indicating it wasn't his fault.

Yelena and Melina smiled, clearly enjoying the playful banter. The lighthearted teasing created a sense of harmony, drawing everyone closer. Even though Alexei was the most straightforward of the group, the rest were content, and the atmosphere felt naturally comfortable.

Leon then led everyone to the racecourse, while Natasha went back to the manor to change her clothes. At the horse farm, breakfast tea and fresh fruit had already been prepared by the maids, per Leon's instructions. More than a dozen strong horses wandered leisurely across the spacious fields, occasionally breaking into a run.

The racecourse, part of Leon's luxurious estate, was as grand as one would expect. Equipped with top-tier facilities, it also boasted stunning surroundings. Rolling buildings lined the course, with vibrant green countryside visible in every direction. White grandstands reflected the morning light, adding a clean, elegant touch to the scene.

In the distance, a dense forest framed the view, while the vast, well-maintained lawns could double as a golf course. Not far from the racecourse, a lake with crystal-clear water shimmered under the sunlight.

The private grandstand featured a wide, three-dimensional wooden floor, leading to a two-story structure designed specifically for the estate's owner. This structure was made mostly of transparent glass, allowing for relaxing, dining, and conversation while enjoying the view. The rooftop of the second floor provided a perfect spot to overlook the beauty of the racecourse.

The racecourse was located quite a distance from the main manor, requiring a specialized electric transport vehicle to get there.

Leon and Yelena strolled casually, taking their time and enjoying the surroundings without any urgency. When they reached the open-air rooftop on the second floor, there were no railings around it. The area was furnished with handcrafted wooden tables and chairs, along with neatly tied sun umbrellas.

Alexei sat at a long wooden table, sipping from a tiny cup and pretending to savor the fragrant breakfast tea. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Ah, this is heaven."

Melina, sitting nearby, shared his sentiment. She adored the luxurious estate, thinking back on her past life, which felt like a stark contrast between hell and heaven.

Yelena, on the other hand, was more spirited. She shouted playfully, "If I lived here, I'd become a lazy bum waiting to die!" Her energetic outburst made Leon laugh.

"Of course," Leon said, smiling. "You're all Natasha's most important family, which makes you our family. Treat this place like your home."

Alexei, clearly delighted, patted Leon on the shoulder with a force that could knock over a cow. "I like you, Leon. If you ever need someone beaten up, just let me know. The great Captain Alexei will tear them to pieces!"

Leon chuckled. "I believe you can."

Leon effortlessly deflected Alexei's powerful pat and spoke softly. He truly believed in the strength of the Russian warrior. Alexei, after all, had been injected with the super soldier serum, making him a match for Captain America in terms of combat prowess—just without the famous shield that Steve Rogers was known for. Despite his time in prison taking a toll, a little effort would easily get Alexei back in shape. If he ever truly unleashed himself, he could rival any superhero in New York.

The key difference between him and someone like Rogers was that Alexei didn't hold back. If he considered someone his enemy, he'd be relentless, like a Russian bear tearing into his prey. He had brutally dismembered hundreds of enemies, breaking throats with merciless efficiency.

Leon asked, "What are your plans for the future?"

"I'm still a bit unclear about that," Melina admitted. She trusted Leon because Natasha did, and from what Natasha had said, Leon's character shone through despite his tragic past. He was mature, sincere, and gentle—a person worth relying on.

Yelena, with a polite grin, extended her hand and said, "I want to learn how to beat Natasha here."

It was a goal she was determined to achieve.

Leon smiled and glanced at her. "You'll have to work hard for that. There's still a big gap between you and Natasha."

Just then, Natasha emerged from the stairs, catching her sister's remark and teasing her with a playful jab.

"Believe me, Yelena, it might take you a hundred years to beat me. Actually, there's a good chance you'll never manage it in your lifetime," Natasha teased, overhearing the conversation between Yelena and Leon. She joined Melina's side as she spoke.

"Ugh, whatever," Yelena huffed, unwilling to accept defeat. Though she knew talking back was pointless, inwardly she was determined. She secretly vowed to learn Natasha's methods, push herself harder than ever, and one day, finally defeat her sister. In her imagination, Yelena pictured herself triumphantly pinning Natasha down, a grin spreading across her face at the thought, nearly drooling in amusement.

Neither Melina, who looked on with quiet exasperation, nor Natasha, who gave Yelena a "what is wrong with you?" look, missed her bizarre reaction.

"Wanda and the guys...where are they?" Natasha asked Leon, rolling her eyes at her sister's antics.

Leon, with nothing to hide, answered plainly in front of Melina and the others. "They're off hunting dark races in different parts of the world."

"Oh? Looks like some things have been happening lately that I'm not aware of," Natasha remarked with curiosity.

"Quite a lot," Leon confirmed.

"But Wanda mentioned you had a surprise for me," Natasha said, her eyes lighting up. Her smile widened, her lips curling as she looked at Leon, her beauty captivating. "I'm really looking forward to it."

"A really nice surprise," Leon replied, smiling back. "We'll talk about it later."

Leon smiled but didn't explain further. Instead, he turned to Melina and said, "Natasha mentioned that you were involved in some of Dreykov's classified research and development projects."