# Chapter 20: Xavier's School
Lin Chen sat across from Daisy at their small dining table, watching as she carefully tried to pick up her coffee cup without triggering her newly awakened powers. Her hand trembled slightly, and tiny vibrations rippled through the ceramic before she managed to lift it successfully.
"I did it!" she exclaimed with genuine pride, though the achievement would have seemed trivial just days ago.
"You're making good progress," Lin Chen said encouragingly. "But we need proper training facilities and expertise to help you master your abilities completely."
Daisy set down her cup carefully. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that you don't need to keep working on surveillance and intelligence anymore," Lin Chen explained. "We have more important priorities now—specifically, getting you proper control over your powers before you accidentally bring down a building."
"But boss, the surveillance work is important—"
"Not as important as making sure you don't accidentally trigger an earthquake every time you get emotional," Lin Chen interrupted gently.
Daisy looked uncertain. "So what's the plan?"
"There's a school in Westchester County," Lin Chen replied. "Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. It's run by Professor Charles Xavier, one of the most powerful telepaths on Earth. They specialize in helping people with abilities learn control and develop their potential."
"A school for people like me?" Daisy's eyes widened.
"Exactly. Though technically, you're not a mutant—you're Inhuman. But the principle is the same. You need training, guidance, and a safe environment to practice without risking civilian casualties."
"When do we leave?" Daisy asked.
Lin Chen smiled. "Right now. Go pack a bag with essentials. We're driving up today."
"Driving?" Daisy raised an eyebrow. "Can't you just open one of your portals?"
"I could," Lin Chen admitted. "Sometimes it's nice to do things the normal way. Besides, it's a beautiful drive through upstate New York. We should enjoy it."
---
**On the Road - Highway North of New York City**
Lin Chen's sports car cruised smoothly along the highway, the morning sun casting long shadows across the road. Daisy sat in the passenger seat, watching the landscape change from urban sprawl to increasingly rural countryside.
"So this Professor Xavier," Daisy said after a comfortable silence. "How powerful is he exactly?"
"Extremely," Lin Chen replied, keeping his eyes on the road. "He's one of the strongest telepaths on the planet. With his amplification technology, he could potentially reach every human mind on Earth simultaneously."
Daisy whistled softly. "That's terrifying."
"It would be, if he wasn't one of the most ethical and morally upright people you'll ever meet," Lin Chen said. "Xavier genuinely believes in peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants. He's dedicated his life to proving that people with powers can be heroes rather than threats."
"Is that why he runs a school?"
"Exactly. He finds young mutants who are struggling with their powers or being persecuted for being different, and he gives them a safe place to learn control and acceptance."
Daisy was quiet for a moment. "Do you think they'll accept me? Since I'm not technically a mutant?"
"They'll accept you," Lin Chen assured her. "Xavier's mission is about helping people, not adhering to strict genetic categories."
They drove in comfortable silence for another hour, the landscape becoming increasingly green and peaceful as they left the city further behind.
"Boss?" Daisy asked suddenly.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For everything. For taking me in when I had nothing, for believing in me, for helping me through this transformation. I don't know what I would have done without you."
Lin Chen reached over and squeezed her hand gently. "You don't need to thank me. We're partners. We take care of each other."
Daisy smiled and squeezed back, then settled into her seat contentedly as they continued their journey.
---
Westchester County - Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters - Afternoon
The sports car pulled through the impressive iron gates bearing the school's name. The long driveway wound through beautifully maintained grounds before revealing the mansion itself—a massive Victorian-era estate that looked like something out of a gothic novel.
Lin Chen parked the car in the circular drive in front of the main entrance. As he and Daisy stepped out, he couldn't help but appreciate the sheer scale of the property.
"This is a school?"
Daisy breathed, staring up at the imposing structure.
"Xavier comes from old money," Lin Chen explained. "Very old money. He inherited this estate and converted it into his school."
They approached the main entrance, but before Lin Chen could knock, he felt it—a powerful mental presence attempting to probe his mind.
The intrusion was subtle but unmistakable. Someone with tremendous telepathic ability was trying to scan his thoughts, assess his intentions, determine if he posed a threat.
Lin Chen's enhanced mental power immediately recognized and resisted the intrusion. His mental defenses, bolstered by his exposure to cosmic entities and dimensional magic, were far stronger than any normal human's.
[DING!]
[Detected: Mental Power +39]
[Mental Power +36]
[Now Mental Power: 265.3]
The mental probing intensified, becoming more forceful as the telepath realized Lin Chen was blocking them. The psychic pressure increased dramatically, trying to overwhelm his defenses through sheer power.
He felt the mental assault shift targets—now focusing on Daisy, whose defenses were far weaker.
Immediately, Lin Chen extended his mental barrier to encompass her as well, creating a protective shield that completely blocked the telepathic intrusion.
[DING!]
[Mental Power +33]
[Mental Power +36]
[Dectected! Ability: Mind Reading]
[Now Mental Power: 334.3]
Lin Chen used his newly enhanced mental power to not just defend, but to trace the source of the psychic assault back to its origin. His consciousness followed the telepathic connection like a thread through a maze.
He found the source quickly—a man who appeared to be in his thirties, sitting in a wheelchair in what was clearly an office within the mansion. The man had his fingers pressed to his temples in concentration, his face showing intense focus.
Lin Chen pushed back with his own mental power, not attacking but making his presence unmistakably known.
In his office, Professor Charles Xavier suddenly jerked backward in his wheelchair, his eyes snapping open wide with shock and something approaching horror. Never in his decades of telepathic experience had he encountered a mind so powerful that it could not only resist his probing but trace the connection back to him.
Lin Chen withdrew his mental presence and turned to Daisy. "Stay close to me. The professor just tried to read probe minds, but I blocked him."
"Should we leave?" Daisy asked nervously.
"No," Lin Chen replied calmly. "We're going to have a conversation about proper manners when greeting guests."
He walked confidently toward the main entrance, Daisy following close behind.
---
Professor Xavier's Office - Moments Later
The door to the office burst open, and a large, powerfully built man with blue fur covering his entire body stepped through. This was Hank McCoy—also known as Beast—and his posture was defensive and alert.
"Professor, are you alright?" Hank asked, his voice carrying a cultured British accent that contrasted sharply with his bestial appearance. "I heard some sounds from your office."
Charles Xavier sat in his wheelchair, his expression still showing traces of shock. "I'm fine, Hank. We have... unexpected visitors."
"Shall I alert the others?" Hank asked, his intelligent eyes scanning the professor for signs of injury or distress.
"Not yet," Charles replied thoughtfully. "But stay close. I believe they're coming here."
True to his prediction, footsteps echoed in the hallway moments later. The office door, which Hank had left slightly ajar, was pushed open fully as Lin Chen and Daisy entered.
Hank immediately positioned himself protectively between the newcomers and Professor Xavier, his muscles tensing for potential combat.
"Easy, Hank," Charles said calmly, though his eyes never left Lin Chen. "Let's hear what our visitors have to say before we jump to conclusions."
Lin Chen stopped a respectful distance away, his expression neutral but his posture relaxed. "Professor Xavier, I presume? And you must be Dr. Hank McCoy. I apologize for entering unannounced, but when someone attempts to invade my mind without permission, I prefer to address the issue directly."
Charles had the grace to look slightly embarrassed. "My apologies. It's standard procedure when unknown individuals approach the school. We've had... difficulties with threats in the past. I was merely assessing whether you posed a danger to my students."
"Standard procedure or not, Professor, that's an aggressive way to treat guests," Lin Chen replied evenly. "Especially when a simple 'who are you and what do you want' would have sufficed."
"You're quite right," Charles acknowledged. "Allow me to start over. I'm Charles Xavier, headmaster of this school. This is Dr. Hank McCoy, one of our teachers. And you are...?"
"Lin Chen," he replied. "And this is my partner, Daisy Johnson. We're here because Daisy recently manifested superhuman abilities and needs proper training to control them."
Charles's expression shifted to one of professional interest, his earlier wariness fading. "You're seeking enrollment? We typically work with mutants, but—"
"Daisy isn't a mutant," Lin Chen interrupted. "She's Inhuman—a different genetic branch of humanity created by alien experimentation thousands of years ago. Her genes activated recently, giving her the ability to manipulate vibrations at a molecular level."
Hank's scientific curiosity was immediately piqued. "Inhuman? Fascinating. I've read theoretical papers about potential subspecies of humanity, but I've never encountered concrete evidence. May I ask what triggered her genetic activation?"
"That's complicated," Lin Chen replied. "And not relevant to why we're here. What matters is that Daisy needs training, and your school specializes in helping people develop control over unusual abilities."
"We do," Charles confirmed. "But we also require that our students commit to certain ethical principles and educational requirements. This isn't merely a training facility—it's a school in the fullest sense."
"I understand," Lin Chen said. "And in exchange for training Daisy, I'm prepared to offer you something valuable."
"And what might that be?" Charles asked, his telepathic senses detecting no deception from Lin Chen despite being unable to actually read his thoughts.
"Protection," Lin Chen replied simply. "I know about the threats facing the mutant community. I know that there are groups like Trask Industries developing weapons specifically designed to hunt and kill mutants. I know that government agencies are compiling registries of powered individuals for potential future action."
Charles's expression became more guarded. "And how exactly do you know these things?"
"I have my sources," Lin Chen said vaguely. "What matters is that I can help. I have resources, connections, and abilities that can make a real difference when the crisis comes."
Before Charles could respond, Lin Chen decided to check through his system and scan Professor Xavier, curious about the exact capabilities of one of the world's most powerful telepaths.
[SYSTEM ANALYSIS: Charles Francis Xavier]
Race: Mutated Human (Homo Superior)
Physical Attributes:
├── Strength: 13 kg (severely limited due to spinal injury)
├── Agility: 0.1 m/s (paralyzed from waist down)
├── Physique: 1.6 (weakened by disability)
└── Mental Power: 329.2
Abilities:
├── Telepathy (Omega-Level)
│ ├── Mind Reading (planetary range with Cerebro)
│ ├── Mental Manipulation
│ ├── Psychic Illusions
│ ├── Memory Alteration
│ └── Mental Communication
├── Astral Projection
└── Mental Detection (can sense mutants globally)
Weaknesses:
├── Physical vulnerability due to paralysis
├── Requires wheelchair for mobility
└── Cerebro dependency for maximum range
Lin Chen studied the information with interest. 329.2 mental power—impressive for a human, but still little below my current level of 334.3. And without his legs, he's physically vulnerable.
Charles was silent for a long moment, his powerful mind analyzing every word, every gesture, every implication of what Lin Chen had said.
Finally, he spoke. "You say you have abilities of your own. May I ask what they are?"
"Many and varied," Lin Chen replied. "Superhuman strength and durability, energy manipulation, magic, and mental power that apparently exceeds yours—hence why you couldn't read my mind."
"Magic?" Hank repeated skeptically. "You expect us to believe in magic?"
In response, Lin Chen casually opened a portal beside him—a swirling circle of golden energy that showed a completely different location through its center.
Both Charles and Hank stared in stunned silence.
"Magic is just science we don't understand yet," Lin Chen said, closing the portal. "And I've learned quite a bit of it recently."
Charles leaned back in his wheelchair, his expression thoughtful. "Very well, Mr. Lin Chen. We accept your proposal. Daisy may enroll as a student here, and we'll provide her with the training she needs to master her abilities. In exchange, you'll provide whatever assistance you can when any threats appear."
"Agreed," Lin Chen said, extending his hand.
Charles wheeled forward and shook it firmly.
"However," Charles added. "I would ask that you remain on the grounds as well, at least initially. If great threats appeared someday on mutants, having someone with your capabilities nearby would be... reassuring."
"I was planning to stay anyway," Lin Chen replied. "Daisy will need support during her training, and I want to assess the school's capabilities for myself."
"Excellent," Charles said, a slight smile crossing his face. "Hank, would you mind showing our guests to the available rooms in the east wing?"
"Of course, Professor," Hank replied, though his expression suggested he still had many questions.
---
Xavier's School - Library - Late Afternoon
After getting settled in their rooms, Lin Chen decided to explore the school grounds. Daisy had been taken by Hank for an initial assessment of her abilities, leaving Lin Chen free to wander.
The mansion was even more impressive inside than out. The library in particular caught his attention—a massive two-story room filled with thousands of books on every conceivable subject. The collection included rare texts on genetics, mutation theory, philosophy, and history.
As Lin Chen browsed through the shelves, he noticed someone else in the library—a young woman with long red hair, probably in her late teens, sitting in a comfortable chair by a window. She was completely absorbed in a thick book, occasionally making notes in a journal beside her.
Lin Chen's enhanced perception immediately recognized something unusual about her. The air around her seemed to shimmer slightly. His system activated automatically.
[DETECTED: Jean Grey - Mutant]
[SYSTEM ANALYSIS: Jean Grey]
Race: Mutated Human (Omega-Level Potential)
Physical Attributes:
├── Strength: 47 kg
├── Agility: 4.2 m/s
├── Physique: 2.1
└── Mental Power: 186.8 (suppressed—true potential approximately 800+)
Abilities:
├── Telepathy (Omega-Level potential, currently suppressed)
├── Telekinesis (Omega-Level potential, currently suppressed)
├── Phoenix Force Connection (dormant but present)
Suppression:
"Mental Wall : behind that wall, there is her dark personality, her negative emotions."
Notes: Subject possesses connection to cosmic entity known as Phoenix Force. True power currently locked behind mental barriers created by Professor Xavier to prevent overwhelming the subject's young psyche. When fully awakened, subject will be one of most powerful beings in universe.
Lin Chen's eyes widened as he processed this information. Jean Grey. The host of the Phoenix Force. One of the most powerful beings in the entire Marvel Universe when she fully awakens.
And according to the timeline I know, she and Scott Summers and Wolverine are supposed to have a tragic bond that ends badly multiple times across different realities.
He thought about Scott Summers—Cyclops—who apparently hadn't arrived at the school yet. In most timelines, Scott and Jean's relationship was complicated, painful, and often ended in tragedy or heartbreak.
If Scott isn't here yet, then their relationship hasn't started, Lin Chen thought. Which means the future isn't set. Since the original timeline can't give her a happy life, maybe I can change that. Maybe I can be the one who helps Jean control her power without the tragedy.
He approached quietly, not wanting to startle her. "That looks like heavy reading for a Saturday afternoon."
Jean looked up, slightly surprised but not alarmed. Up close, Lin Chen could see that her eyes were a striking green color, and there was an intelligence in her gaze that went far beyond her apparent age.
"It's a graduate-level text on quantum mechanics," Jean replied, holding up the book to show the title. "Professor Xavier thinks I should expand my theoretical knowledge beyond just practical power application."
"Professor Xavier sounds like a good teacher," Lin Chen said. "Mind if I sit? I'm new here and don't know many people yet."
Jean gestured to the chair across from her. "Sure. I'm Jean Grey."
"Lin Chen," he replied, settling into the seat. "I just arrived today with my partner Daisy. She's here for training."
"Another mutant?" Jean asked with interest.
"Inhuman, actually. Similar concept, different genetic origin. She can manipulate vibrations."
"That sounds powerful," Jean observed. "And dangerous if not properly controlled."
"Hence why we're here," Lin Chen said. "Professor Xavier has a reputation for helping people learn control. What about you? What can you do?"
Jean hesitated, a flicker of something—fear? uncertainty?—crossing her face. "I'm a telepath. And telekinetic. Though Professor Xavier has been helping me... manage certain aspects of my abilities."
Lin Chen sensed there was much more to that story, but he didn't push. "That must be challenging. Having that kind of power at a young age."
"You have no idea," Jean said quietly. Then she seemed to catch herself, forcing a smile. "But I'm learning. Professor Xavier is patient, and the other students are supportive. It's better than being alone with abilities you don't understand."
They talked for another hour, the conversation flowing easily between them. Jean was intelligent, thoughtful, and surprisingly witty once she relaxed. Lin Chen found himself genuinely enjoying her company, not just because of her potential power, but because she was interesting as a person.
As the sun began to set, casting golden light through the library windows, Daisy appeared in the doorway.
"There you are," she said, walking over. Then she noticed Jean and her expression shifted slightly—not hostile, but definitely assessing. "Making friends already?"
"Daisy, this is Jean Grey. Jean, my partner Daisy Johnson."
"Nice to meet you," Jean said pleasantly, standing to shake Daisy's hand.
"Likewise," Daisy replied, though Lin Chen detected a slight edge to her tone.
After Jean left to join other students for dinner, Daisy turned to Lin Chen with a knowing look. "She's pretty."
"She's also a person with interesting capabilities," Lin Chen replied neutrally.
"I saw how you were looking at her," Daisy said, her tone teasing but with an undercurrent of something else. "It's fine, you know. I'm not... I mean, we're partners but I know you have needs that I can't always... that is..."
She trailed off, blushing.
Lin Chen smiled and put an arm around her shoulders. "Daisy, you're important to me. That doesn't change based on who else I talk to. And Jean is just someone I met today."
"I know," Daisy said quietly. "I just don't want to lose you."
"You won't," Lin Chen assured her. "We're in this together. Always."
As they walked back to their rooms for dinner, Lin Chen couldn't help but think about the future. Jean Grey, Daisy Johnson, and himself—all of them connected now by circumstance and choice.
Now timeline is already changing because of me, he thought. And I'm also here with power and knowledge that could reshape everything.
Maybe, just maybe, I can give these people the happy future they deserve.
---
[TO BE CONTINUED...]