Chapter 127: Warning

"Who's he?"

Scott Summers, also known as Cyclops, voiced the question on everyone's minds after Sean left the room...

The first thing they had done upon returning to the school was follow the Professor to the White House for what amounted to a demonstrative conversation.

This was completely contrary to the bald elder's long-held principle of staying hidden and low-key. They felt as though the man who had guided them like a lighthouse had undergone some kind of change, a subtle shift in his vision for the future of mutants.

"His name is Sean Cyphers. If you follow scientific news, you might have heard of him," the Professor explained methodically, "On the surface, he is the founder of Umbrella Corporation, a promising genius from New York. As for his true background... even I don't fully know."

The Professor wheeled himself to the window, where sunlight streamed in. He watched the mutant children running and laughing outside, recalling the fragments of the future he had glimpsed in Sean's memories. If mutants were truly destined to face such a cruel fate, perhaps cooperating with this self-proclaimed time traveler wasn't such a bad idea.

"Erik and his Brotherhood have already fallen into his hands. And as for me and the children here... we were all rescued by him."

Hearing this, the others' wariness toward Sean diminished significantly... though Scott, who harbored deep-seated resentment toward humans, remained prejudiced.

His childhood had been marked by human oppression, and he had nearly become one of Stryker's experimental subjects. Had it not been for the Professor's guidance, the traumatized Cyclops might have long since defected to Magneto's Brotherhood.

"What about Stryker?" Scott asked, his voice thick with hatred.

"As I mentioned at the White House, Stryker and his son Jason were locked in the containment chamber. When the dam was destroyed..."

The Professor's eyelids lowered slightly. In truth, the reality was far more brutal than he let on...

Sean had trapped Stryker and his son, Jason, in a room together. The uncontrolled Master of Illusion had tormented the ruthless colonel like a masterful horror director, subjecting him to unbearable agony before opening the floodgates and obliterating the dam facility, a place built upon the bones of countless mutants...

At the time, the Professor had hesitated over whether to intervene. But every time he met Sean's mocking gaze, he was reminded of the broken Wolverine and the near-extinction of mutantkind. As the young man had said, peace could not be begged for, nor could kindness alone erase humanity's hatred and disgust.

Hearing of his enemy's death, Scott felt an unexpected hollowness. After regaining his composure, he turned to the Professor, "That human isn't trustworthy."

Perhaps due to some instinct, he sensed something in Sean that reminded him of Stryker, an aura of cold calculation.

Neither man was simple... both were scheming and cunning, always plotting their next move. Of course, part of his dislike might also stem from the way Sean had been staring at Jean the moment she walked in.

'Just like that bastard Logan!' Cyclops grumbled inwardly.

The Professor didn't elaborate further on his reasons for cooperating with Sean. These young students had long been under his protection, and revealing the future of mutants to them so abruptly wouldn't be wise.

Moreover, the bald elder wasn't entirely convinced by the sudden appearance of this young man. Doubts and wariness lingered in his mind. Unfortunately, Sean also possessed formidable psychic defenses, preventing the Professor from casually reading his thoughts as he could with others.

After a brief discussion, the X-Men dispersed. Though the school had nearly been wiped out by government forces, life had to go on. They would simply have to be more cautious and vigilant from now on.

"I'll be watching you. Don't even think about pulling anything shady," Scott warned as he passed Sean, who was leaning against the doorframe.

Amused by Cyclops' childish display, Sean shrugged and turned his attention to Jean Grey in her high-necked sweater, "So your power is putting up with him?"

Jean could only sigh at Scott's hostility, quickly steering her sullen boyfriend away. Storm and the others watched the exchange with amusement... it was a familiar scene, especially back when Logan was still around.

Sean observed Jean's retreating figure, catching a glimpse in the psychic realm of a dazzling inferno... a black phoenix spreading its wings, ready to take flight.

"Interesting," he murmured with a faint smile before turning toward the Professor's office.

Closing the door behind him, Sean faced the wheelchair-bound telepath. Without the neural inhibitor controlling his powers, the bald elder seemed to Sean like an unfathomable ocean... a being who frequently navigated the vast seas of human consciousness. In terms of sheer psychic power, few in this world could rival him.

"What do you plan to do with Erik?" Unsurprisingly, the Professor was still concerned about his old friend.

"At the very least, the Brotherhood's leader needs some time to cool off," Sean replied lightly. He had no intention of releasing Magneto to wreak havoc.

As for the other Brotherhood members however, they could be useful. Those radical mutants who had followed Magneto for years were better suited for certain... unsavory tasks than the X-Men.

In Sean's eyes, Charles' well-behaved students were like lambs he had domesticated... untested by blood and fire, their only adversaries being Magneto's Brotherhood, with conflicts rarely escalating beyond skirmishes.

In the original timeline, even Stryker and his elite forces had managed to storm the underprepared Xavier Institute, capturing the young students and mutant children with ease. It was proof of their lack of combat readiness.

Living in a human society filled with hostility and suspicion toward mutants, Charles had neglected to properly train his students in combat. Beyond teaching them to control their abilities, he had done little to develop their potential.

"Professor, you'll soon realize that mutants don't need to hide. If you can reshape your image, you could become as beloved as the Fantastic Four. At their core, they're no different from mutants."

Sean worked to ease the Professor's concerns. Trust had to be cultivated gradually. Mutants were a formidable force in this world, one that could prove to be a valuable asset if properly utilized.

"Do not attempt to get close to Jean!" The Professor's gaze turned stern as he issued a grave warning, "I know you enjoy taking risks, but some things must not be touched, especially those beyond your understanding or control!"

The kindly old man's eyes suddenly sharpened, his immense psychic presence surging like a tidal wave, crashing against Sean's mind.

"Why do you keep her locked away?" Sean asked lightly, "The more you suppress a flood, the more violently it will burst free when released..."

"...Can't you see her suffering, Professor? Enduring nightmares every night, those violent, destructive emotions piling up inside her. When darkness falls, two personalities battle for control... Professor Charles Xavier, can you truly not hear that little girl's cries for help? She wants you to reach out, to free her from this torment..."

Sean paused, his dark eyes glinting with malice, "And yet, the teacher she respects most chose to lock that terrifying persona away in a mental cage. Is it because you fear unleashing a world-destroying demon... or because you're afraid you can't control her?"

"Enough!" Pain flickered in Charles' compassionate eyes as he cut Sean off.

"...I will handle Jean's situation. Until then, you should worry about yourself," the bald elder said coldly, "There are those in this world who hold great hostility toward wanderers of time and space, especially otherworldly souls like yours... Hide yourself well. Don't let them find you."

Sean fell into thought, standing silently for a moment before finally turning and leaving the room...

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