17 Chapter 17 : Illegitimate Child?
In the hallway, Storm gazed at the approaching figure of Scott and spoke up, "Scott, I just heard about West awakening abilities similar to yours?"
Scott, advancing with purpose, adjusted his strides and nodded slightly, "Yes, though I'm uncertain if it's truly my ability or perhaps another form of energy projection."
As he was about to move on, Storm's expression took on a curious tint, "Scott, if I recall correctly, you were the one who brought West back, right?"
"Yes, what's the matter?"
Storm's peculiar gaze left Scott feeling a tad bewildered.
Arms folded, Storm mused, "You were the one who brought West back. Both your hair and his are black."
"And you possess the abilities of Optic blast, and now he's awakened a similar ability..."
At this point, Storm's expression added to Scott's confusion.
"What could she be insinuating?" he wondered.
Advancing, Storm placed a reassuring hand on Scott's shoulder and whispered enigmatically, "Scott, is West your illegitimate child from elsewhere?"
"Perhaps you didn't dare to bring him back because of Jean."
"It wasn't until he manifested his mutant abilities that you felt compelled to bring him back to the school."
Scott was taken aback, retorting angrily, "Ororo, don't spread baseless rumors."
"I swear on my mentor's honor, West has no relation to me."
"Furthermore, my hair is auburn, not pure black."
With that said, Scott brushed past her and headed straight for the principal's office at the end of the corridor.
In truth, it wasn't just Ororo; when Carl suddenly manifested abilities akin to Cyclops, rumors began circulating within the school.
Since mutants became widely known, there had never been two individuals with precisely the same superpower, and similarities were exceedingly rare.
Upon knocking on the door and entering Professor X's office, Scott found Carl also present. Both Professor X and Carl turned their attention to him as he stepped in.
A smile graced Professor X's features, "Scott, glad you could join us."
"Professor, West."
Scott gestured towards Carl, a hint of surprise evident, "Professor, Scott mentioned you've awakened a new energy-based ability."
Carl affirmed, "Yes, Mr. Scott. Though my energy projection isn't particularly potent."
"Not potent? What exactly do you mean?" Scott inquired, puzzled.
Professor X interjected calmly, "West's abilities differ from yours. His energy projection likely complements his physical enhancements, hence its perceived lower intensity."
As a person capable of emitting eye rays, when Scott awakened as a child, a powerful laser beam tore through a building, unleashing a terrifying force.
Today, although Carl also awakened the Heat Vision ability, during experiments with Professor X, the range of his rays extended only to about ten meters, with the power weakening beyond that distance.
During the minute-long trial, he could only melt a fist-sized piece of iron, emitting a temperature of approximately 1,000 degrees Celsius, with minimal impact.
In essence, while Carl had awakened a new ability, it currently seemed rather inconsequential, merely on par with abilities possessed by ordinary mutants.
Upon hearing Professor X's explanation, Scott couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. "So that's how it is. It's a shame, West. I thought you had gained another formidable ability."
"It's alright," Carl replied with a smile, not letting disappointment cloud his expression.
Is Superman's heat vision formidable? Undoubtedly so.
The silver or gold superman's heat vision is a terrifying ability capable of obliterating galaxies.
Even in the Bronze Age, Superman's heat vision was immensely powerful, easily capable of demolishing a high-rise building.
As for why Carl's heat vision seemed feeble, it likely stemmed from his lack of strength.
After all, he had only absorbed solar energy for ten days, lacking sufficient evolution and strength.
"Don't lose heart," Professor X interjected, shaking his head gently. "West, your heat vision holds growth potential as it is tied to physical enhancement."
"As your strength increases, your heat vision will naturally grow stronger." With that, Professor X turned to Scott.
"Scott, as a user of heat vision, your experience in controlling such abilities should be beneficial to West."
"Therefore, I'd like you to specifically teach him this knowledge and help him master his new ability as soon as possible. Sound good?"
"Yes, Professor."
With Professor X's directive and Scott's initial admiration for Carl, Scott complied without hesitation, leading him to the training room.
"Yes, the stable ray's energy output is consistent."
Inside the training facility, two intense beams of fiery red light emanated from Carl's eyes, striking the steel wall several meters away.
Under the relentless assault of the heat rays, the steel rapidly heated up, turning red and spewing countless sparks, enveloped in searing temperatures.
"Now, you should start to sense the subtle energy conduits surrounding your eyes, through which the converted ray energy flows," Scott patiently instructed. "Your task is to employ your formidable willpower to gradually close each of these conduits."
"When you've successfully closed approximately 80% of them, you'll gain precise control over the intensity of the ray's power."
With some remaining energy, Carl couldn't resist asking, "Sir, have you mastered control over most of the energy circuits now?"
"...Ahem! Not quite. I'm still refining my control," Scott cleared his throat awkwardly before continuing solemnly, "This level of precision is exceedingly challenging."
"After all, the eyes are delicate organs, and these internal energy conduits are as subtle as fine veins, barely discernible."
"I've managed to master control over most of the energy conduits through decades of diligent effort. You must persevere as well."
Is it difficult?
Carl pondered silently as he sensed one-tenth of the energy conduits closing, a question mark lingering in his mind.
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