Chapter 361 I have a plan

 Hank's slightly dry voice slowly spread in the room. After a pause, Storm's eyes fell on the wild beast with luxuriant hair and paused for a moment, then she lowered her eyes to look at the professor sitting in the wheelchair.

  Storm didn't know much about the current situation of the lower-level mutants, but she knew that once the antidote began to be popularized without hindrance, the consequences would never be as simple as Hank described, and the Department of Mutant Affairs would not have much influence on the decision-making of the federal government.

  Countless regulations in the past have shown that the influence of the Department of Affairs is quite limited. After all, the purpose of the government to establish it is not to let the other party restrain itself in reverse.

  Hank's starting point for promoting the antidote may be good, but the deadly poison bait is often wrapped in sweet honey. If you swallow it rashly, you may never have a chance to spit it out.

  No matter how much benefit the antidote has at the moment, as long as it is still in the hands of humans, it will sooner or later become a chronic poison for all mutants.

  However, although she still had strong resistance in her heart, since Hank had said so much, it was not appropriate for her to continue to refute. As for how to decide on the antidote? In the end, it all depends on the professor's opinion. When

  the eyes converged, feeling the eager gazes of everyone in the field, the professor did not respond immediately, but first looked at the little rascal who was sandwiched between Storm and Hank, with a somewhat uneasy look.

  Compared with the other people in the room, this girl fits the description of the bottom mutant in Hank's words. Although the little rascal did not become weird, the mutant gene made her unable to touch anyone and lost all her original social relationships.

  She was forcibly abandoned by human society, and her uncontrollable passive absorption ability made her also seem out of place in the mutant society. If she had not been lucky enough to be taken to X Academy and settled down during her escape, her end would definitely be extremely miserable.

  And in this huge federation, how many little rascals are not so lucky? For them, mutant abilities are an absolute curse, and the antidote is the redemption they need. It has nothing to do with loyalty or not, it's just for better survival.

  On the other side, after noticing the professor's gaze, the little rascal shrank his neck unconsciously. She naturally heard the conversation between Storm and Hank just now. Although she didn't fully understand it, she could roughly feel that she seemed to have broken into the scene of some major decision-making. The

  antidote depicted in the live TV broadcast did not seem to be as simple and beautiful as she imagined. The aspects involved behind it were much more complicated than she imagined.

  Especially Storm's tough opposition to the antidote not long ago was like a basin of cold water poured on her head, extinguishing her excitement that had risen because of knowing the efficacy of the antidote. Now the professor's sight suddenly looked over again, and all these changes made her a little overwhelmed.

  "Anna, you don't have to care too much about Ororo's thoughts. The antidote means different things to everyone. The teacher will not impose his own ideas on the students. You just need to be firm in yourself. But before making a major decision, you must think carefully and don't change rashly because of others. Do you understand?" The

  imagined blame did not sound, but the professor's gentle and comforting tone appeared instead. There was no intention of blaming her for rashly intruding.

  Looking at the professor's calm eyes, the various turbulent thoughts in the little naughty's mind began to fade quickly, and her expression gradually changed from panic to calm.

  Even the sullen mood that had accumulated a few days ago because of her boyfriend Iceman and Phantom Cat's too close contact was quietly dissipated. In fact, the reason why she was so excited today was that this sullen mood played a big role in promoting it.

  The closeness of Iceman and Phantom Cat made the little naughty realize again an unavoidable problem. If this passive absorption ability that was like a curse could not be solved, her boyfriend would leave her sooner or later.

  Can a relationship that cannot even be intimate really last long? She does not believe this, as if she is destined to be alone.

  This feeling of despair that the future is already determined is constantly tormenting her, making her mood fluctuate all the time, so after learning about the existence of the antidote, the little rascal is so ecstatic.

  Now, with the comfort of the professor, those boring and complicated thoughts are completely dispelled like ice water melting, and she can also rethink, do I really need to use the antidote to completely get rid of the identity of a mutant?

  "Professor, I will think about it seriously!"

  After he finished speaking, the professor opposite nodded with satisfaction and continued:

  "I know that mutant genes bring you mostly suffering. It deviates from your established life trajectory, but it also allows you to meet some new people and things, such as every student and teacher in this college. Gains and losses are often two sides of the same coin. Think about it carefully, Anna, don't feel burdened, no one has the right to blame you for your choice."

  "The mutant awakening forcibly changed your life without your consent, and now the appearance of the antidote is the second choice the world gives you. Seize this may be the only chance. The purpose of education is to let students see a broader and more diverse path, not to influence students' choices."

  "So, choose your second life carefully, whether it is to get rid of the curse and return to normal society, or to accept your abilities and embrace a brand new future, I will respect your choice."

  The professor's words were as gentle and sincere as always, but the little naughty felt that these words were far more powerful than what the powerful Storm teacher and the sincere Minister Hank said before. She felt the sincere expectations and respect.

  Her eyes quickly swept over everyone in the principal's office, and she pursed her lips tightly. If she chose to inject the antidote, she might be able to get rid of this vicious curse that could not touch others forever, but correspondingly, it also meant that she would have to say goodbye to everyone in this college.

  As memories surged, a faint mist appeared in the girl's eyes. Her thoughts, which had just calmed down, began to become more entangled. Until now, she really understood the meaning behind the antidote, which was not just as simple as suppressing ability.

  "I will choose carefully, professor, thank you!"

  After saying that, the little rascal bowed deeply to the professor, and then ran out of the principal's office quickly. Storm behind him opened her lips slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but she didn't say a word to stop.

  Hank beside him lit up his eyes. He had seen the professor's opinion from the previous conversation, and the other party did not seem to reject the appearance of the antidote.

  "Charles?"

  "Don't worry, Hank. Like I said just now, I think the antidote is a second chance for every mutant to choose, so the academy will not stand up against it. You can rest assured on this aspect. But there is only one thing. The injection of the antidote must be voluntary. Only then can it be considered a choice. Once it is used as a weapon for compulsory use by the government, then..."

  The professor did not point out the rest of the words, but Hank knew very well what the other party wanted to express. It was nothing more than a fight to the death. If that day really came, the mutants would definitely fight back at all costs.

  "That's enough, Charles. I will convey your attitude to the President of the Federation. I am also a mutant. The Mutant Affairs Department will do its best to ensure the autonomy of the antidote and prevent it from becoming a deadly weapon against fellow humans."

  "Sneer~"

  As soon as Hank finished speaking, an undisguised sneer came from not far away. It was from Logan who had never expressed his opinion. Storm, who was beside him, looked at the professor anxiously and said,

  "Professor! We..."

  "It's okay. I know the pros and cons of the antidote. You and Logan go out first. Hank and I have some other things to discuss."

  The words of admonition were interrupted in advance. Storm was silent for a moment, but was still dragged out of the room by Logan.

  Soon the backs of the two were blocked by the closed door. Only Hank, the professor, and Xu Yue, who was standing quietly behind the wheelchair, were left in the room.

  Hank looked at the professor in the wheelchair with some doubts, but the other party just smiled and did not speak. Instead, Xu Yue behind him spoke first.   

  "Minister Hank, do you really think the Department of Mutant Affairs can stop the antidote from being weaponized by the government military?"

  Hank wanted to slam his hand on the table and make a solemn promise, but after meeting Xu Yue's deep eyes and the professor's silent attitude, he remained silent for a few seconds before responding sullenly:

  "...No, but I will try my best to delay its appearance."

  "In fact, what Logan said before was not wrong. With the style of the government military, after confirming that the antidote is effective, their military factories should have already produced the corresponding antidote weapons, and no one can stop this."

  "The government is bound to distribute the antidote. Even if we oppose it, it will only intensify the outbreak of conflict. But at least in the early stage, they will not show their fangs so quickly. The purpose of my lobbying in the academy is just to prolong this relatively peaceful early period as much as possible, so that those lower-level mutants can get the greatest benefit and have a second chance to choose..."

  Hank's narration continued, while Xu Yue on the opposite side quietly glanced at the shiny bald head below. He felt a subtle mental fluctuation spreading, and its effect was likely to allow the target to speak out his truest thoughts without reservation without noticing any abnormality.

  This kind of subtle mental fluctuation has not appeared for the first time. Just now, when Xiao Taoqi's expression gradually changed from cramped to peaceful, it appeared once. The

  most convincing standard for testing whether a psychic power user is powerful or not is not whether the other party can achieve forced manipulation of the mind, but whether he can quietly influence others in a subtle way. The professor is undoubtedly very good at this.

  Since ancient times, those who are good at fighting have no illustrious achievements, and those who are good at medicine have no glorious reputation. Great sounds are silent, and great things are invisible. This subtle method of hearing thunder in silence is the best way to see the level of one's ability, and it also made Xu Yue jealous.

  This ability is not as direct and rough as directly exploring memories, but it is more hidden and calm, and it will not even trigger the battle prompts of the paradise. Whether it is communication or combat, it can play a great role.

  Soon, Hank revealed his thoughts without any concealment, and did not notice anything wrong throughout the whole process. After the story was finished, his deep blue animal eyes also looked closely at Xu Yue in front of him, and quietly waited for his reply.

  The professor's attitude has already shown that this conversation that was deliberately blocked will be dominated by this young mutant. To be honest, he is also very curious about what this professor's student, who has never heard of before, wants to discuss with him.

  "Minister Hank, since you also understand the style of the government military, you should understand that the clarion call of war between our two sides has been sounded since the antidote was developed by humans. Conflict is inevitable, it is just a matter of sooner or later, and the sooner it breaks out, the more beneficial it will be for the mutants. After all, the size gap between the two sides has determined that we can't afford to delay."

  "Burying our heads in the sand like an ostrich for the sake of a brief peace will not solve any problems. It will only make us gradually sink into the quicksand that can swallow everything, and eventually cause our head and the whole body to be completely buried in the yellow sand."

  Xu Yue's words did not cause too many emotional fluctuations in Hank. He just narrowed his eyes slightly, and there was a bit of strangeness in his eyes when he looked at Xu Yue.

  "It's a very familiar statement. Rather than saying you are the professor's student, you are more like another person I know - Magneto."

  "Maybe, but what I am going to say next is indeed related to him. In fact, the academy's attitude towards the antidote can't change the current situation too much. The main obstacle to the release of the antidote will only be Magneto."

  "The other party is not as easy to talk to as the academy. Now that he already knows the existence of the antidote, he will never allow such a dangerous thing to be controlled by humans. Soon, he will fire the first shot of the war, and the government military will certainly not compromise. After all, they have just obtained the best weapon against mutants, and now is the time of complacency. Conflict is inevitable."

  After listening, Hank shook his head slowly.

  "The main forces of the Brotherhood of Mutants are basically tied up on Giyu Island. Magneto alone cannot cause much trouble. Even if he jumps out to openly oppose, he will be quickly suppressed. If an all-out war breaks out, we can't be the opponent of the military now."

  "Alone? Ha, Minister Hank, that's Magneto, one of the bipolar mutants, not some unknown person."

  A slightly sarcastic tone came into his ears, but Hank did not feel angry. Instead, his face changed, and a bad idea quickly grew in his mind.

  "The antidote can indeed serve as a redemption for some lower-class mutants who want to return to society, but among the many mutants who have suffered from the oppression of mainstream society, how many are willing to swallow their anger and return to society? And how many are full of resentment and intend to destroy everything?"

  "Don't be too naive, Minister Hank, believe me, they will definitely prefer destruction rather than wishful redemption. The hatred that has accumulated over the years between humans and mutants cannot be eliminated by a small antidote. It will only become a fuse that completely detonates. As long as Magneto raises his arm and calls, countless resentful mutants will rush to join his army."

  "By then, the war will break out completely, and it won't be too far away. I said that the antidote is a horn that has been blown, and neither you nor I can stop it." As

  he spoke, Xu Yue looked straight into Hank's eyes, and the fiery golden red in his eyes spread rapidly.

  "The war between the two sides is imminent. The tide of the times is rolling in. No one can stay out of it. Minister Hank, should you choose to be loyal to the government's Mutant Affairs Department or to our race?"

  The real purpose is revealed!

  When their eyes met, the dazzling golden red was like a blazing flame, making Hank's vision blurry. At the same time, scenes that seemed real and fake suddenly appeared in his mind and rolled rapidly. After

  a long time, Hank's eyes, which had been closed at some point, suddenly opened. He quickly stepped back a few steps, first looking at Xu Yue not far in front of him in horror, and then set his eyes on the professor who was sitting in a wheelchair with a calm expression.

  "Charles, these..."

  "The memories are all real. These are the future of another timeline, but if we sit and wait for death, it will soon become our "present", Hank, we must make a choice, otherwise we will have no chance."

  "..."

  The heavy breathing sound became more and more conspicuous in the room, and the atmosphere around became more stagnant. I don't know how long it took before Hank's dry voice sounded again.

  "Charles, the mutants now are far from their opponents, especially after what happened three years ago. The cards revealed have lost their deterrent effect. Whether it is your psychic ability or Eric's metal manipulation, they have prepared several targeted plans. Moreover, Trask's sentinels are far more terrifying than those revealed."

  "We don't have much chance of winning..."

  Hearing this, the professor did not speak, but just raised his eyes to look at Xu Yue beside him, and Hank's sight shifted synchronously.

  Facing the gazes of the two, Xu Yue curled his lips slightly and said calmly:

  "The human side has hidden cards, and we certainly don't just have the mutant bipolar that is exposed to the outside world. Minister Hank, I have a plan, a plan that can make mutants truly independent..."

  (End of this chapter)