Inside the laboratory,
A hint of unease flickered in Andrew's eyes, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the edge of the experiment bench: "If...if it really changes my genes, will I turn into a monster?"
Hank was about to answer when the laboratory door suddenly slid open.
Xiao Han's figure appeared at the doorway, the black battle armor already back on his body.
"Genetic mutation isn't necessarily a bad thing." Xiao Han walked into the laboratory, his gaze falling on Andrew.
"The key is how to control it."
Matt pushed up his glasses: "Mr. Xiao, that alien fragment Magneto mentioned, can it really rewrite genes?"
Xiao Han didn't answer directly, but extended his right hand.
A sphere of faint blue energy light appeared above his palm, the energy absorbed from the crystal.
"This energy does possess gene-editing properties." He gazed at the sphere.
"But its mechanism of operation is far more complex than Magneto imagined."
Hank was immediately drawn in, leaning closer to observe: "Incredible... this energy structure completely defies known biological principles!"
"Because it comes from the depths of the Universe."
Xiao Han retracted the energy sphere, "Perhaps it's the research of some alien empire."
Steve's eyes widened: "Wait, you're saying aliens actually exist?"
Xiao Han's lips curved slightly: "Far more than You imagine."
Andrew suddenly looked up, a strange light flashing in his eyes: "Then, can it make me stronger?"
The laboratory fell into a brief silence. Hank and Xiao Han exchanged a look.
"Theoretically, yes."
Xiao Han answered with a smile, "But this kind of gene editing carries risks. We need more research."
Andrew's fists clenched and then loosened: "I'm willing to try."
"No!" Matt sharply interrupted.
"Andrew, have You forgotten what happened last night when You lost control? This energy is affecting your emotions!"
Steve also placed a hand on Andrew's shoulder: "Brother, calm down. We need to figure out what this thing is first."
Xiao Han gazed at the three young men, then suddenly spoke: "You need a mentor."
He turned to Hank, deliberately asking: "Is Xavier's School willing to take them in?"
Hank understood immediately, then pushed up his glasses: "Charles has agreed. However..."
He hesitated, "Considering Magneto's interest in this energy, they might need special protection."
"I'll handle it."
Xiao Han nodded, "Also, You need to learn to get along with the people at the school, if You want to be superheroes."
Andrew's eyes lit up: "Of course! Of course we want to..."
His words were interrupted by Xiao Han raising a hand: "But not now. I have other matters to attend to."
"You stay here for now. Hank will help You control your abilities. If there are any abnormal situations, notify me immediately."
Andrew wanted to speak but stopped, eventually just nodding.
"Good luck." Xiao Han said to Hank, then turned and walked towards the window.
The next second, he transformed into a black stream of light, disappearing into the night sky of New York.
Stark Tower Laboratory
Xiao Han's figure appeared silently in the center of the laboratory, the golden patterns on his black battle armor gleaming coldly under the lights.
Tony Stark was buried in a holographic projection, his fingers rapidly swiping, adjusting the parameters of the nanostructures.
The coffee cup beside him was already empty, clearly indicating he had been up all night again.
"You're back?" Tony didn't lift his head, his tone casual.
"How are things with the Mutants?"
Xiao Han walked up to him, his gaze sweeping over the data stream on the holographic projection: "More complicated than expected."
Only then did Tony stop his work, turning around with a raised eyebrow: "Oh? There's something even the famous Superman can't handle?"
"Magneto interfered, but I scared him away."
Xiao Han explained briefly, "He was after that alien crystal, believing it could rewrite Mutant genes."
Tony's expression instantly turned serious: "Rewrite genes? Does that thing really have that function?"
"Yes, but the risk is extremely high." Xiao Han nodded.
"I've completely absorbed it, so there's no longer a possibility of it spreading."
Tony stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled: "So You not only stole Magneto's target, but also absorbed it? I bet he's furious."
"More or less." Xiao Han's lips curved slightly.
"But he's temporarily retreated, and Professor X will handle the follow-up."
Tony raised an eyebrow, turning back to tinker with his holographic model: "Alright, You always manage to handle trouble anyway. But next time, remember to notify me in advance. I don't want to find out from the news that You and Magneto have torn down half of New York."
Xiao Han didn't respond, instead walking to the laboratory's floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the night view of New York.
After a moment of silence, he said: "Tony, I might need to leave for a while, the duration is uncertain."
Tony's fingers paused, and he turned around: "Where are You going?"
"To find a quiet place." Xiao Han's gaze was directed towards the distance.
"I need to attempt a new way of using my power."
"magic?" Tony reacted immediately, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes, "The Kamar-Taj stuff?"
"Mm." Xiao Han nodded, "Their magic requires the use of Sling Rings and artifacts, but I want to try if I can directly use the energy within my body as a medium."
Tony put down his tools, crossing his arms: "Sounds like trying to forcibly merge technology and magic, that's not a simple matter."
"That's why it requires time."
Xiao Han turned around, looking at Tony, "If successful, it might open up a completely new path."
Tony was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly grinned: "Alright, geniuses always have the right to be willful. But..."
He pointed to the ceiling, indicating Jarvis's presence, "If there's any progress, remember to notify me immediately. I don't want to miss a breakthrough of this level."
Xiao Han chuckled: "I will."
As his words fell, his body began to float.
"See You in a few days, remember my battle armor."
The next second, Xiao Han completely disappeared from the laboratory, transforming into a black stream of light and soaring into the sky.
Tony stood rooted to the spot, staring at the place where Xiao Han disappeared, shaking his head after a long while and muttering to himself: "This guy is getting more and more outrageous..."
He turned back to his workbench, the holographic model of the nanostructure still slowly rotating.
Tony's fingertips gently tapped the desktop, and he suddenly showed a sly smile.
"Jarvis, pull up all theoretical research on the combination of magic energy and technology."
"Sir, the relevant data is very limited." Jarvis responded.
"Then let's start from Zero. Research the technology part first, and I'll learn the magic part after I find Xiao." Tony's eyes sparkled with the light of challenge.
"After all, I can't let him hog all the spotlight."
"Sir, You need a codename."
"Let's call it... Anti-magic Armor!"
Outside the window, the lights of New York were still brilliant.
And Xiao Han, had already begun to fly at high speed in the darkness.