4 Chapter 4 : Mystery of Life!

Mutation is the genesis of evolution.

It propelled us from single cells to rulers of the earth.

Yet this journey spans millennia, perhaps even eons.

Throughout the tapestry of life's evolution, cycles of mutation emerge every few hundred thousand years, refining species and elevating them to greater heights...

Afternoon masculinity seeped through the glass, bathing the library in a drowsy haze.

Carl sat by the window, basking in sunlight. Every cell in his body absorbed its energy, evolving and fortifying itself ceaselessly.

That's the source of Superman power.

Clutching a book titled "Mutant Genetic Theory," Carl immersed himself in its pages.

Whether due to evolution or not, his cognition and comprehension had notably sharpened, allowing him to delve into such profound literature.

Having absorbed the dense fundamentals of genetic theory, Carl had garnered a basic grasp of the X-gene and the evolving Kryptonian cells within him.

Closing the book, Carl's gaze narrowed, his thoughts deepening.

He perceived that Mutants, like Superman, derived strength from their genes.

However, unlike Superman's unbounded cellular evolution under sunlight, the X-gene in Mutants had an apparent cap.

Characters like the formidable Magneto, Professor X, Storm, and Iceman, in comics, were merely planetary level entities.

Their on-screen movie portrayals were even less impactful, incapable of altering large-scale conflicts.

Hence, comic depictions couldn't be taken at face value; Mutants were undoubtedly not as potent.

Otherwise, global Mutants wouldn't live in such dire circumstances, with humanity enslaved.

Regarding Phoenix, though labeled the supreme Omega, she wasn't truly a Mutant.

Her powers stemmed from the Phoenix Force, not Mutant abilities, which were psychokinetic.

Despite her devastating displays, she lacked control, causing only destruction and harm, devoid of purpose.

Thus, possessing power without control, regardless of its magnitude, held little significance (according to Carl's analysis).

Contemplating this, Carl felt a pang of disappointment.

Although he sensed his cells strengthening under sunlight, it remained a vague intuition.

He couldn't distinctly perceive individual cellular changes, let alone the intricacies of chromosomes, DNA, and genetic sequences.

If, one day, he could comprehend his body's cells and their genetic evolution, he might unlock life's mysteries.

In the endless irradiation of the sun, evolution knows no bounds, even Superman, mightier than a God, seems excessively powerful.

Carl's thoughts scattered as he glanced up from across the table.

There sat a girl, adorned in a black skirt with long, flowing black hair, quietly engrossed in a fairy tale book, her ears plugged with earphones.

Clarice arrived early.

Carl had noticed her upon her arrival, but he was engrossed in his own book at the time, so he merely nodded in acknowledgment and emitted a low growl.

It seemed that this girl felt isolated at Mutant School, hence their casual acquaintance during lunch and her subsequent decision to sit across from him in the afternoon.

Yet, he vaguely recalled from the comics that Blink's adoptive father was Sabretooth, a follower of Magneto.

Though she would eventually clash with the X-Men in future, in the current timeframe, she should still be attending Magneto's elementary school.

Indeed, reality often diverged from the portrayals in movies and comics.

With a headache looming, Carl rubbed his temples, grappling with the discrepancies between his foreknowledge and reality.

Observing his discomfort, the girl opposite him lifted her gaze and softly inquired, "Carl, are you feeling unwell?"

Her cautious demeanor betrayed a fear of rejection, evoking a pang of sympathy.

"No, I just have a slight headache," Carl replied, surprised by her concern, a faint smile gracing his lips.

Then, changing the subject, Carl asked curiously, "By the way, Clarice, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm from Buri, Mexico. And you?"

Clarice hesitated before murmuring, "I'm from Arizona in the United States."

"Arizona, near Mexico, right? It must be somewhat tumultuous there," Carl remarked, mentally locating the region on a map.

The girl pursed her lips, nodding in agreement. "Yes, it's quite chaotic, and the locals aren't particularly friendly to anyone other than white people and the impoverished."

From her composed tone, Carl sensed her disdain for the place.

"Clarice, how did you end up here?" Carl's inquiry seemed to stir something within the girl, a hint of sorrow etching onto her features.

Just as Carl began to regret his abrupt question and contemplated offering solace instead, the girl spoke softly, her voice laden with sadness.

"That day, there were many bad people in the house. They killed my adoptive father, and then..."

In Clarice's retelling, she had been residing with her adoptive father on the outskirts of the city, leading a modest existence, until a fortnight ago when a group of assailants stormed into their home.

Amidst the ensuing chaos and violence, her adoptive father fell, and in a surge of Mutant power, she found herself spontaneously teleporting away to safety.

After two days of hiding within the city, hunger driving her desperation, she was discovered by the X-Men and subsequently taken to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.

Upon hearing her account, Carl hastened to offer his comfort, simultaneously dispelling any lingering suspicions he might have harbored.

It appeared he had been mistaken in his assumption of her being an undercover agent within Professor X's domain—an impossibility he now acknowledged.

****

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