58: The Wind Rises... The Waves Are Stormy

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The X-Men teaming up with Iron Man to destroy the Alkali Lake base undoubtedly caused a massive sensation.

Naturally, it drew the attention of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Thw response time of S.H.I.E.L.D. is much quicker than that of the White House and the military.

However, Nick Fury didn't dispatch anyone to the scene. Instead, he ordered his agents to activate all available S.H.I.E.L.D. satellites.

For one purpose only: To track down the new Xaviers Academy's location by following the Blackbird that the X-Men used.

"Director, while mutants have been causing quite a stir lately, they haven't posed a direct threat to global security..."

In the S.H.I.E.L.D. air base, Commander Maria Hill stood before a large screen, her brow slightly furrowed. "This doesn't seem to fall within our jurisdiction, does it?"

"I don't intend to engage with mutants."

A gleam flickered in Nick Fury's one good eye. "But an invisible Xavier Academy, a group of unseen mutants... it just makes people feel uneasy."

"Understood."

Hill knew the director's temperament well and nodded. "We don't need to intervene, but it's important to be well-informed about their situation, just in case..."

She didn't complete her sentence, watching the rapidly moving red blip on the screen.

"SHIELD is responsible for safeguarding the Earth, and we should monitor any potential threats."

Nick Fury half responded, half murmured.

Hill's gaze trembled slightly. As she was about to speak, her expression changed abruptly. "Where are they headed? The Pacific Ocean is in that direction..."

Before she finished speaking, the red blips on the screen suddenly vanished.

"What?!"

Nick Fury's voice deepened. "What's happening?"

"Director, the target signal has disappeared"

A group of agents deftly manipulated computers and swiftly reached a conclusion. They exchanged bewildered glances as one of them reported, sounding almost incredulous. "The jet didn't show any signs of slowing down, indicating they haven't landed. Instead, they just... abruptly disappeared"

"It's... gone again?!"

Just hearing those three words gave Nick Fury a headache.

Last time, the Academy vanished from its location; Now, the Blackbird soaring high speed... Could it also disappear like this?

"Could they have advanced stealth technology?"

Hill's mind immediately jumped to that possibility. The S.H.I.E.L.D. air base could become invisible rapidly as well.

But then she dismissed the idea. "Likely not. It takes at least some time for a large fighter to transition into stealth mode. Instant disappearance is improbable, unless their stealth tech surpasses ours..."

Considering the Daily X that couldn't be deleted, she found the notion not entirely implausible.

Nick Fury shook his head.

"My gut tells me their flight direction isn't towards the X Academy's location at all..."

He didn't know what crossed his mind, but his gaze intensified. "Perhaps the X Academy possesses some kind of long-range space travel technology..."

"Space technology?!"

Hill was taken aback, her thoughts instinctively turning to the blue-skinned teleporting mutant.

"The Cosmic Cube research needs to accelerate!"

Fury's disposition plummeted after making such a conjecture.

Nevertheless, he ordered in a steady voice, "Coulson is on a mission in the southwest. Hill, lead the team to the target's location and see if any clues emerge."

"Understood."

...

On the Blackbird

The hundreds of mutants who escaped from the Weapon X base watched as the plane passed through a cloud. The next moment, the scene outside the window transformed completely.

It was like stepping into another world. Yet, no one showed surprise.

Because they had experienced this incredible phenomenon upon boarding the fighter plane—

Though the fighter's interior wasn't particularly spacious, it certainly wasn't large enough to accommodate so many people.

Still, at this moment, over a hundred individuals occupied the space without feeling cramped at all. This was clearly not ordinary.

"Alright, everyone..."

Storm's voice broke the silence. "Welcome to Xiaviers Academy For Gifted Youngsters. From now on, this is your home!"

A ripple of excitement ran through the crowd.

Through the windows, they beheld a massive island suspended in the air. It featured mountains, water bodies, forests, and even roads, signs...

The island seemed as though it had emerged directly from the ground.

"Is this... the mutant academy?"

The group exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued about their future long-term abode.

The Blackbird touched down on the X Academy's auditorium.

Cyclops and Phoenix led the way, with Wolverine supporting a middle-aged man who was the most severely injured. The others followed closely behind.

As they scanned the scene, Professor X had already assembled the other students of the school, waiting for their arrival.

"Welcome..."

Professor X's voice caught in his throat, surprised. Then, an exclamation escaped his lips. "Sean?!"

"Hey Charles, been a while..."

The middle-aged man, helped by Wolverine, greeted him with effort. His mouth was nearly destroyed, with a clear scar from intubation on his throat. Needle marks covered his body.

It was the original X-Men member, Banshee. His ability: Ultrasonic Vibrations.

"I thought you were..."

Tears welled in Professor X's eyes. The guilt he felt was profound. Professor X clasped his hand, then looked up toward the top of the fighter. "Lynn?"

All eyes followed his gaze to a figure atop the Blackbird.

"When did he..."

"Could he have come with us..."

The mutants exchanged glances.

"Don't worry, everyone. It'll make sense soon."

Lynn nodded at Professor X. He raised his right hand and pressed his palm gently downward.

The brilliant green light suddenly bathed the entire auditorium, its ethereal nature rushing towards all of them.

The mutants who had just emerged from their captivity tensed instantly. Had Lynn not spoken first, many of them would have instinctively wanted to activate their superpowers to fight and escape.

But soon, a collective sense of relief swept over them.

The green light entering their bodies caused no harm; instead, it transformed into gentle currents, mending their wounds one by one.

Even the decay in the mouth of the severely injured sea monster gradually vanished.

Not to mention the wound in his throat.

"Wow…"

Comfortable sighs filled the air, followed by heartfelt cries.

This sensation of physical well-being... They hadn't felt it in a long time!

"Remember this feeling because from this day forward, the pain you've endured will be a thing of the past"

Lynn watched the scene silently, feeling oddly melancholic.

Among these individuals, the older ones, like the sea monster (since many mutants' X-genes can delay aging), and the younger ones no more than middle school students, had all suffered inhumane tortures.

For Professor X, these people's ongoing psychological struggles would be the most challenging aspect Uninterrupted, the crying continued for a while.

As the mood slightly lifted, one face after another turned toward Lynn, their expressions serious. "Can we really live like normal people from now on?"

"Absolutely!"

Lynn responded without hesitation. "Not only you, but all mutants will thrive in the sun. They can come here to study, acquire knowledge, master their abilities, and in the future... become the dazzling stars that capture the world's attention"

Amidst the mutants' looks of astonishment and confusion, Lynn smiled and directed his gaze to the Shadowcat at the edge of the crowd. "Katie, are you ready?"

"I can't wait!"

PShe laughed and pulled out her phone, projecting a video of Xaviers Academy's enrollment information for everyone to see.

And then, on the mutant channel of the Daily X—

...

This day was destined to be etched into history.

Early in the morning, in New York City, a grimy and disorderly mixed neighborhood.

"Boom!"

A loud noise reverberated from a distant street, accompanied by gunshots and cries that sharply cut through the air.

However, the neighboring residents showed no inclination to rise and observe the commotion.

Robberies, gang clashes, extortion...

Similar occurrences were daily fare, and the residents had grown accustomed to them.

But what these people were unaware of was that this time, the situation was slightly different. It wasn't gang members brandishing guns while robbing a homeless man. Instead, it was retaliation—the homeless man fighting back after being robbed.

"I'll give you three seconds to produce all the money!"

The voice belonged to a girl of about fifteen or sixteen. Her short green hair was striking, and the malicious expression on her face was equally attention-grabbing. "These damn thugs aren't choosy, huh? That old man Harrison is in his sixties, a homeless tramp just like me. Can't you let him off?!"

Seven or eight gang members lay on the ground, quaking.

They couldn't help but tremble.

Directly above them, metal bars hovered in the air, as if they might plummet any second, causing their heads to explode!

The girl before them was, in fact, a mutant.

"Three…"

The countdown commenced, and the gang's leader shouted, "Forget the countdown, forget it! The money's under the TV cabinet. Get it yourself..."

"You guys get it now!"

The green-haired girl nodded approvingly and approached the TV cabinet.

Passing a cluttered table—cigarette butts, spilled flour, beer bottles... even a few used condoms—her brow furrowed deeply, her fierceness fleeting.

Suppressing her urge to eradicate these scumbags, she swiftly uncovered the money from beneath the TV cabinet. She turned, preparing to leave.

However, at that moment, the sound of morning news emanated from the TV that hadn't been turned off all night.

"The latest news just in: The X-Men have released a statement on the mutant channel, announcing their intention to establish their own mutant academy. They seek to prevent more mutants from falling victim to individuals like William Stryker. Enrollment begins today…"

"The address of the academy is the Xavier Manor on the outskirts of New York City..."

"Any mutant intending to enroll, regardless of age, can report directly..."

"However, our reporter's investigation reveals that Xavier Manor has vanished, replaced by a massive sinkhole..."

"This development has caused quite a stir, prompting an overnight meeting at the White House to discuss countermeasures..."

The green-haired girl turned her head in disbelief.

"The X-Men's academy... open enrollment?!"

"Challenging the White House publicly?!"

"A magnificent gift, no doubt!"

After her exclamation, she fell into a contemplative silence.

Having hidden herself for many years since her superpowers emerged, she had never encountered something like this before, and for a moment, she was dazed.

But then... An unprecedented surge of excitement welled up from the depths of her soul!

A mutant academy? Maybe... I'm Lorna Dane... Should I go take a look? !

...

California, outside a prison.

Amidst the roar of vehicles, several police cars surged at high speed, pursuing their target.

However, every time they attempted to close in, a luminous halo materialized in front of the target.

The target leapt, only to reappear hundreds of meters ahead.

"Dammit! That girl's toying with us!"

Curses, raw and furious, emanated from the police car. Headlights illuminated a handful of irritated faces.

Chasing relentlessly, they soon entered town.

The group's complexions worsened, but they suddenly froze in place. The target halted when passing a square.

On the large screen in the square, the news was being broadcast.

"After all this running, she probably can't use her ability..."

Ecstasy crossed the faces of all the prison guards. They disembarked from their cars swiftly, approaching with firearms. "Clarice Ferguson, you've escaped from prison and assaulted police officers. We're here to apprehend you..."

Before he could finish speaking, the familiar halo emerged.

Clarice, the target, slipped into it and vanished once more. This time, however, she vanished beyond their line of sight.

Faintly, a prison guard with keen hearing caught a whisper: "Once I get into Xavier's Academy, I won't be arrested again because of my powers..."

"Academy?"

The prison guard shook his head, eyes lifting to the large screen.

A few seconds later. He gasped, unable to contain his surprise.

"Mutants are really shaking things up..."

...

Similar incidents unfolded simultaneously in various locations.

In a Las Vegas casino, a middle-aged man possessing unmatched poker skills paused upon seeing the news. Subsequently, a sly grin curved his lips.

"I heard Logan's at that Academy. Could he be behind this?"

...

Sheriff George Stacy's home.

Gwen Stacy, about to leave for school, passed by the living room and glimpsed the news her dad was watching.

Her eyes froze.

"Mutant academy? It seems only those with the X-gene are considered mutants. What about people like me, who gain superpowers from a spider bite... Am I a mutant too? Should I check it out?"

A gust of wind suddenly surged. The waves roiled..

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