The system prompt kept ringing in Russell's mind.
But he didn't care much.
At first, he had assumed it was Professor X in the Cerebro room, but upon entering, he realized it was actually an evil variant of Cable—which immediately made it much less interesting.
After killing so many mutants, he hadn't harvested many abilities he liked.
Aside from discarding several garbage-tier powers that would only pollute his body, he was left with nine new entries:
[X Ability – Elf (Blue)]
Enhances agility, allows flight, and excels at reconnaissance.
[X Ability – Plant Growth (Green)]
Grants the ability to control plant life: accelerate growth, attack enemies, defend oneself, and even communicate with plant minds. Good for environmental awareness.
[X Ability – Cannon (Blue)]
Enables the body to release powerful shockwaves of energy, with considerable offensive and destructive force.
[X Ability – Cloak (Blue)]
Generates darkness that can disorient enemies and impair their sense of direction.
[X Ability – Zero (Blue)]
Produces a unique acidic enzyme capable of partially suppressing opponents' healing factors.
[X Ability – Poison Mist (Green-Blue)]
Generates various poisonous fogs with effects like dizziness, vomiting, unconsciousness, or the breakdown of blood proteins.
[X Ability – Psychic Power (Blue)]
Inherited from Cable. Includes general telepathy and telekinesis.
Note: Psychic ability detected. Slight enhancement upon stacking with previous skills.
[X Ability – Rockfall (Blue)]
Manipulates rocks and earth to create barriers or offensive attacks.
[X Ability – Arc (Blue-Purple)]
Enhances physical strength and endurance. Can emit vibrational energy from the hands to produce shockwaves—or even induce earthquakes.
Honestly, most of these were of little practical use to Russell now—more like bonus tools than game-changers.
The truly valuable X-abilities he sought—like Quicksilver's speed, the Phoenix Force, or Professor X's telepathy—weren't found here at all.
Moss Plains
Underground Cave
A green vortex appeared.
Russell stepped through, carrying a girl with pale skin and long green hair, fast asleep in his arms.
Behind him, the little wolf girl—Laura—followed nervously, her head bowed. Her fingers fidgeted in front of her, like a guilty puppy who knew she was in trouble.
If she had a tail, it would've been dragging across the floor.
She had been so happy when he rescued her.
But now, seeing Russell's dark expression, Laura knew—she'd made him angry.
And she knew it was her fault.
She didn't try to make excuses. She just anxiously waited to be scolded.
Even if it meant being punished by sleeping alone at night... she was ready to accept it.
Russell gently laid the unconscious girl—Polaris—on the bed.
Then he turned toward Laura, his expression stern.
"Do you realize that if I'd stayed on the timeline for even two more days—you'd be gone?"
Laura didn't dare meet his eyes. She replied softly:
"I didn't expect Xavier's School to become the Brotherhood after just three years."
Russell's eyes flared with anger.
"Comics are all lies. The Brotherhood may be hostile toward humans, but they don't attack fellow mutants!"
"And even if that were true, that's not an excuse. If you wanted to go get someone—you could've just asked me."
Laura hesitated, unsure how to explain.
In the end, she was forced to tell the truth.
"It's not that I couldn't beat you... I just couldn't stand watching you look so uncomfortable..."
As she said it, her cheeks flushed a bright red.
Russell froze.
He had thought she simply got bored after a few peaceful days and her motherly instincts kicked in.
Or maybe she missed her old mutant friends.
But he hadn't expected this reason at all.
She didn't want him to lose.
That competitive? That loyal?
Still unable to meet his gaze, Laura muttered in a voice like a mosquito:
"You've been so good to me… I just don't know how else to repay you…"
Russell sighed.
All his anger melted away in that moment.
He pulled her gently into a hug and said reassuringly:
"You don't need to repay me. If we care about each other, don't talk about favors—it's not a transaction."
"RA…"
Laura tilted her head up curiously. "What?"
Russell glanced over at Polaris on the bed—still sleeping soundly—and said with a straight face:
"If you really can't win in a fight, you could always try using a... big trumpet."
"Maybe you'd win that way."
Laura blinked in confusion—then immediately realized what he meant.
Her eyes widened in outrage, and she sprang away with a yell:
"What a dirty move! I'm not learning that!"
"Save it for Lorna! She's not even as good as me in close combat!"
"I'm going to cook! You look after her!"
Russell chuckled as he watched the embarrassed girl rush off.
Still, she had a point.
His body had been steadily evolving, empowered by both the Aesir Godline and Titan bloodline.
Even without using his hands, Laura could no longer beat him in a fight.
In a one-on-one, her defeat was inevitable—she surrendered every time just to end the sparring.
He looked down at Polaris, still asleep.
He had learned her identity when Laura explained everything during the rescue.
Lorna Dane.
Daughter of Magneto.
A variant of Polaris.
She possesses the ability to create and manipulate electromagnetic energy.
For the past two years, she had been imprisoned inside a giant electromagnetic generator, powered by an evil energy conduit.
Although her skin appeared fair, it lacked any healthy color.
Her once-beautiful face had become thin, slightly malnourished.
Russell thought for a moment, then raised his palm and placed it gently over her heart.
He had no ill intentions—just a trace of energy, transformed from his own furnace-like core, flowed into her chest.
Moments later, Polaris's complexion visibly improved, and her heartbeat grew stronger.
Only then did Russell withdraw his hand.
At that moment, her heartbeat sped up noticeably.
In truth, she had already regained consciousness when she was placed on the bed.
If Russell hadn't let his guard down around her, anyone else might have noticed right away.
She had heard everything that had been said afterward.
If it had been someone else, she would've stormed off in anger.
But this man—who had saved her like a god—made her hesitate. Though she wanted to get up and object, she continued pretending to sleep, for reasons even she didn't understand.
When she felt that warm, life-filled energy pour into her heart, her emotions nearly spiraled out of control.
She didn't know if the warmth was spreading from her chest or rising from deep within her soul.
Russell saw her cheeks grow redder by the second and nodded with satisfaction.
Then he turned and went into the expanded kitchen to help Laura—the little wolf girl—prepare food.
Otherwise, there'd be nothing to eat.
An hour later.
After eating and drinking, their usual sparring session began right on schedule!
But today, Laura was defeated in just a few rounds!
She had no chance.
Even though Russell had calmed down from earlier, he hadn't completely forgiven her. So he gave her a good beating—to make sure she'd remember!
Next time, if she encountered such danger again, she might not be so lucky.
Today, neither surrender nor clever tricks worked.
In the end, Laura was forced to use her "ultimate move."
But it was useless.
The difference in strength was simply too great. No technique could bridge that gap.
Frustrated, she almost bit him in anger!
Fortunately, Russell noticed how pitiful she looked and spared her from further punishment.
The next day.
Russell bought a large amount of food and daily necessities, along with two hot breakfasts.
Before leaving, he placed a Mjolnir-forged sword embedded with his spiritual imprint in the house—then left.
It wasn't until noon that Laura finally woke up.
She had no choice. The sparring from the previous night had completely drained her energy.
But instead of eating the now-cold breakfast, she leaped onto Polaris's bed and whispered into her ear with a grin:
"Stop pretending to sleep, Lorna."
"When we shared a bed before, you never slept this well."
Polaris slowly opened her eyes, bloodshot from lack of sleep. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she wrapped her arms around Laura's and said in a trembling voice:
"Laura… Thank you for saving me yesterday. If you hadn't… I might have died in there."
"I don't even know how to thank you."
Those dark, tormenting days had left deep scars on her.
She had believed she would one day die in agony and despair.
There's nothing more terrifying than that.
Laura laughed and gave her a teasing look:
"What are you being so formal for? You took care of me when I first arrived in the void."
"Besides, I wasn't the one who saved you yesterday."
Polaris nodded, her eyes glimmering:
"Mr. Russell… He's truly a good man."
When the machine activated last night, he had appeared like a god to save her. She would never forget that moment for the rest of her life.
Hearing that, Laura's expression changed.
She narrowed her eyes at Polaris, suspicion growing:
"Tell me the truth… When exactly did you wake up yesterday? You even know his name?"
Laura had only mentioned Russell's name once—right after she surrendered during their sparring.
Polaris blushed furiously. Her face turned bright red, and she couldn't say a word.
She hadn't thought it through and accidentally revealed herself.
Laura didn't let her off the hook. She gave her best friend a mock-scolding:
"Didn't you just say you wanted to thank me?"
"You were awake the whole time but didn't come help me! I got beaten so badly because of you!"
"Oh, you heartless girl!~"
Polaris didn't dare say anything. Her heart pounded rapidly.
She, too, had been shocked by Russell's power.
Laura possessed Wolverine's X-gene and still couldn't beat him!
That was terrifying!
"Hmph!"
Laura snorted and launched a surprise tickle attack at Polaris's armpits:
"If you don't say anything, I'll take it as agreement!"
"Next time we fight him, I'll make that smug guy beg us for mercy!"
"I'm not going to lose again!!"
Meanwhile, Russell had no idea about Laura's plotting.
At that moment, a new temporal point had arrived.
July 8, 2011.
Asgard.
Thor had just been exiled, Odin had entered the Odinsleep, and Loki had taken up the Eternal Spear.
This was Asgard's weakest moment.
And Russell's best opportunity.
A glowing orange time-space portal opened, and Russell stepped into a secluded corner of Asgard.
With a faint green shimmer, he cloaked himself in invisibility.
The next second, he turned toward the temple—his gaze cutting through space as if he could see the smug figure seated upon the throne.
A slow smile formed on Russell's lips as he whispered:
"Oh, the great God of Mischief…"
"The most powerful magician in the Nine Realms…"
"The future king of Jotunheim…"
"My best friend in all of Asgard…"
"Mr. Loki Laufeyson—"
"We meet again."
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