Chapter 65 : Terrifying Carl?

The peculiar demeanor of Carl caught Professor X's attention, prompting a subtle shift in his gaze.

Suddenly, a gentle voice echoed within Carl's mind: "Carl, did you anticipate my demise this time?"

"Don't speak aloud, just convey your thoughts mentally."

"...Professor," Carl hesitated.

"Indeed, you anticipated it," Professor X, seated across from Carl, replied with a faint smile, his voice resonating within Carl's mind, reflecting admiration in his eyes.

Though unable to intrude upon Carl's consciousness to peer into his memories, communicating with him through the power of the mind posed no challenge for the professor, as they conversed through spiritual fluctuations.

Just as he could discern certain emotional shifts in Carl through the mental emanations, Professor X's voice echoed within Carl's mind, expressing: "Carl, you possess remarkable qualities—strength, intelligence, and responsibility."

"If only you had emerged twenty years prior."

Carl shook his head slightly, his spiritual essence fluctuating as he responded, "Professor, you honor me too greatly."

Professor X's smile widened slightly. "No, I'm not one to overlook people's flaws."

"Although you typically operate solo, avoiding conflict and leadership roles, your compassion and sense of duty are undeniable."

"Recall when you suspected something amiss with Scott, hastening to seek my counsel."

"You foresaw trouble with Scott and predicted Jean's rampage. You understood the risks of intervening but did so regardless."

"Then there's the Chris Institute incident. You exhibited no mercy towards those who harmed mutants, displaying lethal prowess despite it being your first skirmish."

"Particularly on the fifth sub-level, witnessing the plight of captive mutant children and encountering Edith Lace, your resolve to end the atrocity only intensified."

"Each armed personnel or researcher you encountered met their end by your hand, regardless of gender."

"Upon learning of your bloodthirstiness, Logan implored me to intervene, fearing you'd become consumed by it."

"...This," Carl blinked, gazing at Professor X, at a loss for words.

Was he truly that virtuous?

Professor X continued, "However, I believe such intervention is unnecessary."

"If a person remains indifferent and unempathetic upon witnessing the mutilation of their own kind, they can no longer be considered human," Professor X asserted. Carl could only acquiesce to the professor's statement.

With the professor's declaration, Carl ceased his pretense and mentally queried, "Professor, are you truly committed to this course of action? Can you guarantee the success of the consciousness transfer?"

A smile graced Professor X's lips as his voice resonated within Carl's mind, "Indeed, Carl, you have discerned correctly."

"I..." Carl's eyes widened in sudden realization.

He had been deceived by Professor X. It dawned on him that the professor wasn't certain at all. His apparent confirmation earlier had been nothing but a ruse.

Growing old and evading death was a sly game indeed, Carl thought bitterly.

Simultaneously, this incident served as a reminder for Carl to be more cautious in his dealings with the professor in the future. He couldn't risk being duped again.

Meanwhile, Professor X fell into a brief silence before his voice echoed once more in Carl's mind, "You likely deduced my intentions from our previous discussions on consciousness transfer."

"...Yes," Carl affirmed with a nod, opting to keep his words to a minimum this time.

Sometimes, silence was the best strategy. If the professor enjoyed guessing, then let him speculate. Carl preferred to keep his thoughts to himself.

Professor X continued, "In truth, I'm not entirely certain about the success of the consciousness transfer. There's a possibility that this might be the end for me."

Carl frowned, taken aback by Professor X's admission of uncertainty. He had assumed the professor had meticulously planned every aspect of this endeavor.

However, Professor X shook his head reassuringly, his smile unwavering. "Certain things are inevitable," he remarked. "Though I may not be completely confident in the consciousness transfer, I am 70% certain."

"With 70% certainty, I believe it's a risk worth taking for the original consciousness of Jean to transcend its instincts and evolve into a true Omega Mutant."

Observing the professor's unwavering resolve, Carl couldn't help but think that the professor had gambled and lost. Despite the successful transfer of consciousness, Jean had failed to overcome her instincts this time, and she would inevitably go rogue on Devil Island.

As he pondered, Carl found himself at a loss for words.

"Are you suggesting the Professor was mistaken?"

"Indeed, he sacrificed himself once for all of this."

"Is Wolverine's stance incorrect?"

"Not entirely. At that moment, aside from ending Jean's life, there was no alternative to preventing her from wreaking havoc."

"And what about the other personality of Jean?"

"She's not entirely mistaken either. She awakened a latent psychic mutant ability, unaware of the Phoenix Force dormant within her."

"If she erred, it's in her lack of strength."

"Had Jean's psychic powers been robust enough to contain the Phoenix Force, many subsequent events might have been averted."

In silence, the journey continued, the car traversing the city before venturing onto a desolate road.

After driving for dozens of kilometers, they arrived at a town adorned with British-style houses, each a single-family villa.

Professor X spoke gently, "Orolo, turn left at the upcoming intersection and proceed to the end of the street. That's where Jean used to reside. Will you join us?"

Carl took a deep breath.

Following the professor's directions, Storm eventually parked the car by the roadside.

Carl stepped out of the vehicle, assisting the professor out of his wheelchair.

Surveying the familiar surroundings, Professor X reminisced, "Erik and I were here over 20 years ago, retrieving Jean. I never imagined returning here after two decades because of Jean."

A voice, aged and wise, resonated from a distance, "Life's twists are unpredictable; none can foresee tomorrow."

Magneto, draped in his cape and helmet, emerged not far off, accompanied by several mutants.

Storm and Wolverine tensed at his arrival, wary as if facing a formidable foe. However, the professor remained composed, addressing Magneto calmly, "What brings you here?"

Magneto smirked, "Simply paying a visit to an old acquaintance, much like yourself."

The professor regarded him intently, "I'm not inclined to indulge in pleasantries today."

"Fair enough, I've no intention of stirring up trouble." With a gesture akin to that of an old friend, Magneto beckoned, "Shall we proceed inside, Charles?"

Looking at Magneto, who was clearly awaiting him, Professor X spoke gently to Wolverine: "You remain outside; I'll proceed alone."

"What?" Storm exclaimed in surprise.

Carl raised his brows, about to interject, when the professor's voice echoed in his mind once more: "Carl, don't hinder me. I know what I'm doing. And it's imperative, given our limited time."

"Take a glance at Orolo and the others outside. This time, Erik's cohorts are formidable. I fear they'll face hardship."

With a sigh in his heart, Carl, unsure of what to say, had no option but to nod in agreement.

After briefing Carl, Professor X's wheelchair pivoted, heading toward the small structure where Jean was held, and calmly addressed Magneto: "I've come to retrieve Jean this time. Do not obstruct me."

Confronting the professor, who seemed to be ignoring him, Magneto chuckled softly. "Charles, do you not find your words a tad amusing? In this manner, you think of yourself as her parents?"

With that said, the two entered the courtyard.

At this juncture, Magneto turned and cast a glance at the three Wolverines trailing behind him. He instructed a few of his subordinates, "Guard outside. Do not permit anyone to disturb me."

Among the four who promptly followed Magneto, the hulking Juggernaut, donning a distinctive belt and brandishing a large iron helmet, looked at Carl and his companions with contempt.

Simultaneously, the other three wore malevolent expressions.

This demeanor irked Wolverine, and Storm furrowed her brow, her gaze icy.

And Carl, even more brusquely, remarked, "You bald creep, wipe that repugnant smirk off your face, or I won't hesitate to teach you a lesson."

Carl's words surprised Storm and Wolverine.

Carl, behaving in this manner, starkly contrasted with the composed and understated teenager they knew.

And Juggernaut hadn't anticipated the audacity of the other party to provoke him.

Gazing at Carl, tall and handsome in white casual attire, Juggernaut's face contorted with rage. "Dare to call me a pervert, boy? I'll shatter you to pieces later."

As soon as the burly man finished speaking, the diminutive youth behind him stepped forward disdainfully. "What, itching for a fight?"

As he spoke, he puffed out his chest, and numerous black thorns, ranging from ten to twenty centimeters in length, sprouted from his body, resembling a humanoid porcupine.

Meanwhile, Callisto, with a tattoo adorning her face, approached, her gaze fixated on Carl with ill intent. "Hey handsome, you seem a tad cocky."

"Let's see if you can back it up..."

With that, Callisto employed her ability to gauge the powers and capabilities of Carl and his companions.

But in an instant, astonishment flickered in Callisto's eyes as she regarded the black-haired boy.

In her perception, the white-haired woman possessed formidable mutant abilities, controlling the weather with considerable strength, but manageable.

The middle-aged man with a full beard, capable of self-healing and sporting sharp claws, was of average level, posing little concern.

Yet this black-haired boy, though not high-level in her estimation, wielded energy control.

However, facing him, Callisto inexplicably felt a sense of dread.

As though some terrifying power lay dormant within him, ready to unleash destruction when provoked.

The oppressive feeling in her heart surpassed even that evoked by their leader, approaching the coercive aura emanating from the formidable mutant inside the building.