Chapter 28: Mind Power
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Alex was pleased to have made a connection with Charles and learned that Charles lived with only his mother. This realization offered him a glimmer of hope regarding the situation with Raven. Maybe he had a chance with her.
After a day at elementary school, Alex didn't find the academic experience particularly enriching. If it weren't for his budding friendship with Charles and the possibility of meeting Raven, he might have contemplated skipping school entirely. With his exceptional brainpower, he believed he could easily teach himself the material and absorb knowledge at an astonishing rate.
Being seated next to Charles was a bonus, as it allowed them to become acquainted more quickly. Their shared status as mutants certainly helped foster a positive relationship between them.
"Alex, see you tomorrow," Charles said as he picked up his schoolbag.
"Sure, see you tomorrow," Alex replied, watching Charles as he left. He felt a strange urge to take a picture of Charles and show it to him in the future.
As Alex sat in the back seat of the car, his mind was abuzz with thoughts. He couldn't help but ponder the extent of Charles's mental powers. He realized that, with his enhanced mental abilities, he might surpass Charles in psychic prowess.
"Master, how was your first day of school?" Jarvis inquired as he drove.
"It was bearable. I met an interesting individual," Alex replied casually.
Jarvis nodded, understanding the situation quite well as Howard's trusted butler. He was aware of Alex's unique circumstances and the likelihood that the "interesting individual" was also a mutant.
Back at Howard's villa, Alex found himself frustrated with the homework, which he completed in just ten minutes. His sudden return to a student's life after his previous experiences was disheartening. Though his brain effortlessly retained formulas and theories, Alex contemplated the possibility of further enhancing his abilities by integrating Charles's psychic powers.
"Gene gathering," Alex uttered as he entered the bathroom.
"Scanning... successful scanning. Gathering... successful gathering. Strength enhancement detected."
The system's voice responded, prompting Alex to confirm his decision. "Enhance."
"Enhancement initiated... successful enhancement. Would you like to integrate?"
"Integrate!" Alex agreed, ready for the process. In the next moment, his eyes widened, and veins on his hands visibly throbbed as the integration began.
The pain was excruciating, not just the physical agony of being torn apart, but also the mental anguish that felt like his brain was shattering. Despite the suffering, Alex remained conscious and counted himself fortunate to possess the super soldier gene, which had granted him physical enhancements. Without them, the pain would have been even more unbearable.
After what seemed like an eternity, Alex managed to stand up from the ground, and much of the blood had flowed away. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, shocked by the blood. After cleaning off all the bloodstains, Alex felt better than ever.
His mind was clear, his memory and cognitive abilities sharper than before. It struck him that Charles had the power to read minds within a range of about 250 miles approximately 402 kilometers and could create illusions and manipulate thoughts.
Now, Alex's mental abilities had been enhanced, and he realized that his range extended to 300 miles. He knew that Charles had been considered exceptionally powerful at 250 miles, but Alex was confident that he would surpass Charles when he reached his peak potential.
Unfolding his mental power, Alex unintentionally tapped into the thoughts of everyone nearby, inundating his mind with a flood of information that left him feeling somewhat disoriented.
Quickly retracting his mental power, Alex sighed in relief. No wonder Charles rarely used this ability anymore; having everyone's thoughts rush into his mind was an incredibly uncomfortable experience.
After cleaning the bloodstains from his body, Alex lay down on his bed and fell asleep. It was the body's natural way of regulating itself.
Alex awoke early in the morning, feeling refreshed, with a clear mind and heightened mental acuity. Things that had puzzled him in the past suddenly made sense. He realized why Charles had become a professor; mental abilities could significantly boost one's IQ and thinking skills. With his current abilities and self-study, Alex believed he could easily earn a PhD. The combination of super soldier genes and enhanced mental powers felt like an unfair advantage.
In truth, Alex found elementary school to be rather dull given his current capabilities. He could absorb knowledge at a glance. If it weren't for the future events involving Professor X and Mystique, Alex would have little motivation to continue attending school.
(End of this chapter)
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