Without a doubt, survival of the fittest exploded.
Even in this era, with Vought's production values, a live-action Teletubbies would be a smash hit, yet survival of the fittest has become something bigger than a mere TV show.
The day after it aired, speakers at African-American rallies across the country recited scenes of discrimination portrayed in the series, winning louder applause than ever before.
Even many neutral listeners found themselves leaning toward the cause.
Because words alone never carried much empathy, but television made it visceral—turning survival of the fittest into a potent weapon for the Civil Rights Movement.
Vought did nothing to stop this; in fact, under Fang Yuan's "suggestion"—ahem, directive—two of Vought Television's sub-channels began looping the series so viewers could catch it any time they tuned in.
After all, this was free publicity.
Simply put, the louder the Civil Rights Movement roared, the hotter survival of the fittest burned.
Not just Vought Television; The Neutralist Daily and The Observer Daily naturally jumped on the bandwagon.
The Neutralist, ever the centrist on civil rights, used survival of the fittest to dissect the consequences of equality in meticulous detail.
The Observer Daily threw restraint to the wind, heaping praise on Darwin, while The Collector Daily countered with its usual anything-you-say-we-say-the-opposite routine.
So Darwin's fame skyrocketed; less than a week later—before episode two even aired—his reputation broke through the Tier-3 threshold!
[Name: Darwin]
[Rank: A+]
[Reputation: 102 (Household Name)]
[Reward Unlocked: Tier-3 (Claimable)]
[Tier-3 Reward: Character Template – Darwin]
[Character Template: Darwin (Grade A+, Development 9%)]
To be honest, this was the lowest development rate Fang Yuan had ever seen—barely 9%.
Even Professor X's template started at 12%; it's now at 16%.
But given Darwin's current adaptation level—he still can't handle Alex's Impact—such a low rate made sense.
The Tier-3 reward didn't raise Fang Yuan's Adaptive Power skill level, but he knew that would change once he pushed the development higher.
Fang Yuan claimed the reward on the spot; the 9% leapt straight to 15%.
After all, his base physical stats far outstripped Darwin's.
Using a Kamar-Taj portal, he stepped onto a desolate cliff high enough to kill him—and jumped.
I'm done being human!
Ahem—just kidding.
Without lifting a finger, half-way down he sprouted wings, flapped twice, and soared.
He wasn't using the Angel template.
These wings were a spontaneous mutation from Darwin's survival power.
He was sure Darwin himself couldn't pull this off—yet.
After landing, the wings retracted automatically, but he could feel the body memory: next time he'd manifest them even faster at altitude.
Once Darwin's power mutates for a scenario, the body remembers and can repeat it.
And the more situations he adapts to, the stronger he becomes—so the best training method is simple: court death.
As long as it doesn't kill you, keep pushing the limit.
But the current climate left no room for suicidal stunts; episode two of survival of the fittest aired, keeping the Darwin craze alive.
In this installment Darwin had become a cabbie, free to roam the city and rush to anyone in need.
From here the show settled into its formula.
One episode per week, each spotlighting a minority struggle—mostly African-American hardship given their momentum—piling on the sorrow until Darwin swooped in to save the day.
African-American viewers and Superhero fans got everything they wanted.
Fang Yuan wasn't worried the pattern would tire audiences; Ultraman ran the same playbook for decades.
Besides, it was only 1963—entertainment was scarce; people were grateful for anything to watch.
Just as Darwin's star blazed brightest, White Queen passed Fang Yuan a message.
Senator Patrick was making a move.
Half a month had passed since the awakened one act was floated. Thanks to X-Men and survival of the fittest, public attention stayed elsewhere, yet plenty of officials were keen.
"Over ten senators now back the bill," Emma said. "Patrick thinks the time is ripe and plans to take center stage himself."
"What will you do?" Emma asked, stepping close to Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan grinned and pulled White Queen into his arms: "First, I'm going to do you."
Emma gave a playful huff, pushed without success, and muttered, "On the couch?"
"Right on the couch!" Fang Yuan flipped over with a wicked smile.
That grin cost us another 12,345 words.
"Hah… hah…"
White Queen caught her breath, then suddenly remembered: "Oh, the person you told me to watch—there's news."
"Bolivar Trask." She spoke the name, turning toward him, her chest pressing into eye-catching curves.
"He was assistant to last year's Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine; now he's joined Senator Patrick's camp."
"Strange that you're watching a researcher. He's not even an Awakened—just a dwarf."
Fang Yuan chuckled softly. "You don't need flashy powers to wreak havoc."
"Never underestimate small men—especially when many eyes are on us. Learn a little reverence," he added, giving a firm squeeze, "reverence for knowledge."
Though Trask is physically weak, his Sentinel program—already sketched out—could end the World.
The dwarf who played the game of thrones became an apocalyptic demon lord in the X-Men World.
But Fang Yuan would never again allow Trask to pitch the Sentinel plan to the government.
However… Vought could certainly use it.
White Queen looked only half-convinced. "Shall we eliminate him?"
Hellfire graduates are nothing if not direct.
Fang Yuan stroked Emma, savoring the softness while shaking his head.
"Kill him?"
"No, that would be a waste. I want him—and Patrick—to turn Vought into a true titan."
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