Chapter 24 - Reflection

The brilliance of a new day rose from the horizon, casting a faint white light over an old castle nestled in the northern suburbs of New York. The lush green grass shimmered by a small lake, a tranquil setting amidst the imposing structure.

In the spacious grounds of the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters, students played and enjoyed the morning. However, if any New Yorker happened upon this scene, they would undoubtedly be startled. One student split into three identical versions of himself while playing basketball; a girl ran through obstacles as if they weren't there, passing straight through solid objects; another young man, tall and metallic, stood out among the rest.

This was not just any school; it was a sanctuary for mutants, a place where those with extraordinary abilities could learn and grow.

"Bobby, guess what I got?" John, known as Fireman, called out, waving a comic magazine as he approached Iceman Bobby.

"You got 'Juvenile Jump'? All the bookstores around me were sold out this morning!" Bobby exclaimed, surprised.

John grinned triumphantly. "I was prepared. I met a kid on the way and bought it at double the price."

Bobby chuckled, shaking his head. "Doesn't seem like something to brag about."

"Who cares?" John retorted, slightly miffed. "If you don't want to see it, I'll just keep it to myself."

Both John and Bobby were typical teenagers, and comics were a major source of entertainment for them. However, the pervasive theme of heroism in many comics often left them feeling out of place. As mutants, they were marginalized, seen by society as threats rather than heroes.

The Xavier Institute was a refuge for many young mutants, a place to escape the prejudice and misunderstanding of the outside world. Most of the students had been abandoned by their families, sent away for being different. It was hard to find solace in tales of traditional heroes when they themselves were considered villains.

Saitama from "One Punch Man" was different. His casual attitude towards his overwhelming power, coupled with his lack of moralizing, resonated with John and Bobby. They became instant fans, drawn to his straightforward approach to dealing with threats.

"Man, Saitama's still so strong. I wish I had that kind of power to protect everyone," Bobby mused as they flipped through the pages.

John nodded, then grinned mischievously. "Did you notice? There's someone even stronger in there."

Bobby's eyes widened in disbelief. "Who?"

John pointed to a panel. "The mosquito."

Bobby stared at the page, confused. "The mosquito? Why couldn't Saitama kill it?"

John shrugged. "Beats me."

John had meant it as a joke, but Bobby considered the idea more seriously. How could a being as powerful as Saitama fail to swat a mosquito? It was a funny and paradoxical thought, but it also underscored the absurdity of their situation as mutants—beings with incredible powers yet often seen as insignificant or even dangerous.

Their conversation soon shifted to the other new comics in the magazine.

"There are new series, and they don't seem to be about superheroes," Bobby noted as they moved on to "Attack on Titan."

They read in awe as the story unfolded: a world besieged by colossal giants, with humanity caged within towering walls for protection. The narrative was gripping, centering on Eren Yeager's tragic loss and his vow to exterminate the giants. The stark portrayal of humanity's desperation and the loss of freedom struck a chord with both boys, resonating with their own experiences of marginalization.

After "Attack on Titan," they turned to "Tokyo Ghoul," where the protagonist, Kaneki Ken, was struggling with his transformation into a half-ghoul—a being who needed to consume human flesh to survive. The story was dark and complex, exploring themes of identity, morality, and survival.

"Do you think Kaneki wants to eat human flesh?" John asked, his expression serious.

Bobby shook his head, firm in his answer. "No, he doesn't want to, but he had to in the end."

John's face darkened. "Doesn't that remind you of us mutants? We're marginalized, treated like monsters, and end up sticking together just to survive."

John had always been the more rebellious of the two, often feeling out of place even among other mutants. He longed for a sense of normalcy, for acceptance. Watching Kaneki struggle with his identity as a ghoul, John couldn't help but draw parallels to his own life. Being a mutant wasn't a choice, just like Kaneki's transformation, yet society judged them harshly, pushing them to the fringes.

Bobby was taken aback by John's depth of thought. He hadn't considered the stories that way, but it made sense. They, too, were fighting for acceptance and struggling with their identities.

At that moment, a gentle voice interrupted them from behind. "John, do you really think that?"

They turned to see Professor Charles Xavier, accompanied by Jean Grey. John, usually brash and bold, suddenly seemed meek.

"Professor, I..." John stammered, unsure of what to say.

Professor Xavier smiled kindly. "You speak the truth, John. But remember, we must strive for coexistence with humans."

He glanced at the comic in John's hand and paused. "May I take a look?"

John quickly handed over the magazine, and under Jean's knowing look, he and Bobby scurried away like nervous children.

As they walked away, Bobby couldn't help but ask, "Why'd you freak out? The professor isn't scary."

John hesitated before admitting, "Actually, I lied about buying the comic for double the price. I took it from a kid, but I did pay the regular price."

Bobby laughed, shaking his head. "I never thought you'd snatch a comic from a kid. And here you were talking about mutants not being monsters."

Jean watched them go, then turned to see Professor Xavier flipping through the magazine. Curious, she asked, "Professor, what interests you about these comics?"

Comics were generally seen as frivolous entertainment, especially for someone as experienced and focused as Professor Xavier. Yet, the stories had struck a chord even with him.

"It's just curiosity," Professor Xavier replied, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "I can sense profound themes in Xu Mo's works. There's something there that resonates with the struggles of mutants."

Jean looked at him, intrigued. "Shall I get a copy for you every time a new issue comes out?"

"Yes, please do," he said, smiling warmly. "I think there's more to these stories than meets the eye."

As Jean pushed his wheelchair away, she couldn't help but wonder what insights these comics might hold, not just for their young students, but for everyone seeking understanding and acceptance in a complex world.