Nova and Kurt shared knowing smiles before Kurt straightened up, his tail swishing behind him with obvious enthusiasm.
"Come, mein Freund," Kurt said, gesturing toward the rest of the cafeteria. "If you're going to be staying here, you should meet the others properly. We are like one big, dysfunctional family—emphasis on the dysfunctional."
Nova stood, following Kurt as they moved through the cafeteria. The blue mutant seemed to know everyone, stopping at various tables with the easy confidence of someone who'd been here for years.
"This is Bobby Drake," Kurt said, approaching a table where a young man was casually creating ice cubes in his drink by touching the glass. "Bobby, meet Nova Ashbourne—the training potion genius."
Bobby looked up with an easy grin. "So you're the guy with that training potion, huh? The whole school's buzzing. Half the guys think it's a shortcut to abs."
Nova smirked. "Not exactly. You still need to train—it just speeds up the results. Think months into weeks, not miracles overnight."
Bobby whistled low. "Still sounds like magic to me." He tapped the side of his glass, the liquid freezing solid into a perfect dome. "Ice and shortcuts—guess we've both got our gimmicks."
Kurt tugged Nova along before Bobby got carried away showing off. They passed a tall blonde guy folding his wings neatly in close.
"Warren Worthington," Kurt said with a flourish. "Feathers, fortune, and too much conditioner."
Warren rolled his eyes, but his nod was polite. "Ignore him. Welcome to the madhouse."
"Appreciate it," Nova replied, keeping it short.
Kurt continued the tour, introducing Nova to more students. There was Rahne Sinclair, who seemed shy but friendly, her Scottish accent thick as she mumbled a greeting. Sam Guthier, who had an infectious enthusiasm when talking about his "cannonball" ability. Roberto da Costa, who demonstrated his solar-powered strength by casually lifting his chair with one hand.
They paused at a table where several older students were discussing what sounded like advanced physics. Kurt introduced them as Douglas Ramsey, who apparently had the ability to understand any language or code, and Betsy Braddock, whose telepathic abilities complemented her martial arts training.
"Interesting crowd," Nova observed as they moved away.
"Ja, we are quite the collection," Kurt agreed. "Each with our own talents, our own... complications."
Finally, after meeting what felt like half the student body, Nova turned to Kurt with a question that had been building in his mind.
"So do you know who is Jean Grey?" he asked, keeping his tone casual.
Kurt's tail gave a mischievous flick, and his yellow eyes widened with mock shock. "Ach du lieber! Of all the names, you ask about her?" He leaned in close, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Nova, mein Freund, that is not just any girl—you've just asked about the queen of the school. Smart, powerful, beautiful… the whole package."
Nova's brow quirked. "So she's popular."
Kurt grinned, sharp teeth flashing. "Popular? She is the campus belle. Half the boys dream, the other half pretend they don't. And you…" he poked Nova lightly in the chest with a blue finger, "…mein Freund, why are you asking about her? Was it love at first sight? If so, you've got plenty of competition."
Nova smiled but shook his head. "Nothing like that. But even if it was, I'd still score above them. I've got a personal laboratory—and Jean is going to be my assistant."
Kurt stopped in his tracks so suddenly his tail almost smacked a passing student. His golden eyes went wide, then he burst into laughter loud enough to turn a few heads nearby.
"Mein Gott, Nova!" Kurt wheezed between laughs, clutching his stomach. "You do not waste time, do you? The campus belle, the untouchable Jean Grey, and you announce she will be your assistant?!"
He leaned against the nearest table for balance, still chuckling, his tail swishing like a metronome. "Ohhh, if Scott hears this… nein, nein—forget Scott. If the entire school hears this, you will go from mystery newcomer to legend in one lunch break!"
Nova arched a brow, unfazed. "I didn't say I was asking her on a date. Just that she's going to be my assistant."
Kurt's laughter finally eased, though a crooked grin still tugged at his face. He straightened up, wiping at an imaginary tear. "Ja, ja, of course. But you must understand, mein Freund—when a boy says something like that about Jean Grey, nobody hears 'assistant.' They hear, 'I'm trying to get close to her.'"
Nova smirked. "Then let them hear whatever they want. I didn't come here for gossip."
Kurt clicked his tongue, still amused. "Careful, Nova. This school thrives on gossip more than it does on algebra. By dinner, half the cafeteria will be whispering that you have a 'secret project' with Jean."
Nova shrugged. "Good. Maybe that'll keep the boys with abs-and-potion dreams busy speculating instead of bothering me."
Kurt let out another bark of laughter, slinging an arm around Nova's shoulders as they resumed walking. "You are dangerous, mein Freund. Not just because of your potions—but because you talk like this without blinking. I like it. But I warn you, you have just thrown yourself into a game you do not even know the rules of yet."
Nova just smirked, his tone dripping with confidence. "I don't care about games. Rules are for people who don't have the strength to change them. If I want, I can flip the entire board."
Kurt's grin twitched wider, a quick flash of teeth, but he didn't argue. "Ja, ja… very humble of you," he muttered, though his tail was practically wagging with amusement.
Without wasting another beat, he spun Nova toward the far side of the cafeteria. "Then come, mein Freund. If you want to flip ze board, let's place you right at the center of it."
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Kurt guided Nova through the maze of tables until they reached a corner where four girls were gathered. The group had that magnetic energy—the kind that naturally drew attention without even trying. After all, here sat four beauties.
The girls looked up as Kurt and Nova approached, their earlier conversation about Nova's abilities suddenly taking on new relevance now that he was standing right in front of them.
"Ladies!" Kurt announced like a master of ceremonies, spreading his arms wide. "May I interrupt your royal council? I bring with me our newest student, Nova. Treat him well, or he might decide to brew trouble."
Nova gave a small nod, hands casually in his pockets. "Hello everyone, I am Nova Ashbourne. Nice to meet you."
Jean smiled warmly. "I am Jean Grey. Nice to meet you too."
Kitty shot him a quick grin. "Kitty Pryde. You picked the right table—this is where all the fun people sit."
Rogue tipped her chin, her Southern drawl lazy but confident. "I'm Rogue. Don't let Nightcrawler fool ya. He likes making things sound bigger than they are."
"Jubilee," the girl in yellow chimed in, leaning back with a smirk. "New guy, huh? Don't worry, we'll decide if you're cool enough to hang around later."
Kurt gasped, clutching his chest like she'd stabbed him. "So cruel, mein kleine Feuerwerk! He hasn't even finished saying hello, and already he's on probation?"
Jubilee just popped her gum again. "Hey, it's tradition."
Nova smirked slightly. "Guess I'll take my chances."
The girls chuckled, and Kurt, sensing his perfect opening, leaned in with a conspiratorial grin. His voice dropped lower, as though he were sharing state secrets.
"But… speaking of chances… do you all know," his golden eyes gleamed, "that Nova has already made a move on the campus belle?"
That got them. Instantly, the table fell into curious silence, all four pairs of eyes snapping to him.
Kitty leaned forward, practically bouncing in her seat. "Wait, hold up. Which campus belle? You gotta be more specific. There are way too many pretty girls here for you to just drop that like a bomb."
Jubilee rested her chin on her hand, smirking. "Yeah, come on, fuzzy. Who's he after? We talking ice-queen type? Brainiac? Athlete? Spill."
Rogue arched a brow, her lips curling into a sly smile. "Better not be one of the dangerous ones, sugar. This school's full of 'em, and you don't strike me as suicidal."
Jean tried to keep her expression neutral, but her curiosity betrayed her—her green eyes flicked toward Nova, sharp and questioning.
Across the cafeteria, Scott Summers sat with Alex. He didn't turn his head, but the subtle shift in his posture gave him away. His fork paused mid-air, his jaw tightening as his ears tuned into every word.
Back at the girls' table, Kitty poked her straw at Kurt. "Okay, don't play with us. Who's the so-called campus belle he went after?"
Kurt's grin widened, his tail flicking behind him like a satisfied cat. "Ahhh, meine Damen… that would be none other than—"
He drew the pause out dramatically, eyes glittering with mischief, as if waiting to see if Nova would cut him off.
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→ 30 REVIEWS= 3 BONUS CHAPTER's
→ 200 POWER STONES= 1 BONUS CHAPTER
→ 400 POWER STONES= 2 BONUS CHAPTER's
CURRENT PROGRESS:↓
– FIRST OBJECTIVE:- 26/30 REVIEWS
– SECOND OBJECTIVE- 215/200 P.S ✓
– THIRD OBJECTIVE- /400 P.S
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CONGRATULATIONS READERS, AS PER AGREEMENT, THERE IS A BONUS CHAPTER AHEAD.
I HOPE YOU ALL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AND TRY TO COMPLETE SECOND OBJECTIVE TOO THIS WEEK.
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CHAPTER:- [96 - BLINK'S POCKET DIMENSION] IS AVAILABLE ON MY P@TREON