X-Mansion.
Student Dormitory.
A few minutes earlier.
"Is she going to help that uncle from before?" Wanda watched Jean Grey's retreating figure and quietly asked Herman.
"Mhm."
Herman nodded. He knew Jean Grey wasn't just a teacher at the academy, but also a scientist with medical expertise who often treated injured mutants.
But… Wolverine needed treatment?
So-called "dire condition"… it was probably only mental. Jean clearly had no idea what kind of mutant Logan really was. She only saw Hank carry back an unconscious man and assumed he'd been gravely injured.
For Wolverine, as long as his head stayed attached, a few hundred fatal wounds were nothing. With his healing factor, he could recover completely within minutes.
"Come on, let's see where you'll be living."
Herman knew this moment lined up with the time when the X-Men had just rescued Logan from Sabretooth after a brutal fight. He had no interest in getting involved in the X-Men's storyline.
What puzzled him, though, was why Beast Hank was the one who brought Logan back instead of Storm and Cyclops, like he remembered. Still, curiosity was just curiosity. There was no need to dig deeper. Maybe after saving Logan, the others had simply gone back to the mansion to take a shower or something.
"Click~"
The door swung open.
Herman led Wanda into the dorm. It was a standard two-person suite, complete with its own bathroom and separate bedrooms. Two bedrooms, one living room, one bath.
It was definitely better than most school accommodations. On the two identical desks sat matching pink laptops.
"Is that my bed!?"
Wanda spotted a bed labeled [Wanda], decorated with string lights and ornaments. She immediately rushed over, grinning from ear to ear.
The bed was neatly made with brand-new sheets and pillows, and a sizable teddy bear sat on top.
Seeing Wanda's joy, Herman thought Professor Charles really did live up to his reputation. After decades of bringing mutant kids into the school, he had an uncanny grasp of what made them feel at home.
"From now on, you'll be called Baby!"
Wanda even gave the teddy bear a name.
"Ah!"
As Herman was helping the excited Wanda unpack her things, a delighted squeal came from the open doorway.
"Homelander!"
Kitty stood there, her face glowing with excitement.
Herman liked her enthusiasm, but her way of addressing him… not so much. Still, what could he say to a kid? He could only force a smile and look at her.
"Long time no see, Betty."
Herman smiled through gritted teeth, deliberately getting her name wrong. But Kitty, too excited to notice, just kept beaming.
"Long time no see! Long time no see!"
Kitty was basically Herman's fangirl. She already knew his sister was arriving today, but hadn't expected to find Herman himself inside the dorm.
The moment she came in, Kitty threw her arms around him in a tight hug. She might've been petite and cute, but her figure was surprisingly… developed.
Don't ask Herman how he knew—he just felt it.
"I've been really good at keeping our secret!" Kitty whispered proudly in his ear, making it tickle.
"You must be Homelander's sister! I've wanted to meet you forever!" Kitty turned and gave Wanda an equally enthusiastic hug.
Wanda was a bit overwhelmed by the sudden warmth, but she hugged back, already sensing this roommate would be easy to get along with.
"Yes, my name is Wanda Chu."
Her public identity was now that of Herman's sister, while Herman's surname here was Chu. Back when he'd been given the [Fallen Director] identity, the [All-Seeing Eye] had already shown its twisted sense of humor.
"Let me help you tidy up."
Kitty was eager to lend a hand. She wanted to make a good impression in front of Herman's sister, hoping Wanda might later put in a kind word for her with Herman.
As for her motives… well, teenage feelings were always like that.
While helping, she began talking about the academy—what teachers were easy to get along with, which ones always wore stern faces, and even how the food in the cafeteria was.
Wanda listened carefully. She knew she might be here for quite some time… Seeing the two girls get along so naturally put Herman in a good mood as well.
"You actually have a personal storage ability! Oh my god, that's amazing!" Kitty's eyes went wide with envy as she watched Herman pull out a pile of Wanda's belongings from an alternate dimension. If she had that power, sneaking snacks into class would be a breeze.
"I'm a special case."
Herman wasn't a mutant at all, but explaining his true situation would be far too troublesome. He had too many abilities. Explaining each one to others was impossible, so it was easier to just let people assume he was a mutant. It wasn't as if it cost him anything.
Besides, who knew? Maybe one day he'd actually draw the identity of a real mutant.
"You must have been favored by God."
Thinking about Herman's many powers, Kitty couldn't help but feel he must've either paid for VIP privileges when he was born or had some special connection to God.
Well… she was a Christian—though not a particularly devout one.
"Maybe."
Herman thought of the [All-Seeing Eye] within his mind as he helped Wanda finish organizing her things, stuffing her wardrobe until it was full.
"Wanda, what's your ability?" Kitty's curiosity burst out. Worried Wanda might feel shy, she quickly added, "Mine is Phasing! I can pass through any object like it's not even there!"
It was a very proud introduction. Her power allowed her body, or anything she touched, to slip through solid matter. With further development, she could even allow others' consciousness to pass through time and space.
"So… that means robbing banks would be super easy for you, right?" Wanda's eyes sparkled as though she'd just discovered something incredible.
"..."
Kitty's smile froze.
"That's wrong!"
Herman quickly pressed a hand on Wanda's head.
"Exactly, that's wrong… So, can you tell me about your ability?" Kitty hurried to change the subject.
"My ability?"
Wanda instinctively looked at Herman. When he gave her a slight nod, she released a flow of crimson energy, lifting a cup into the air.
"Cool!"
Kitty's eyes widened in genuine awe.
At that moment, a voice came from the doorway.
"Looks like you're getting along well."
Jean Grey leaned casually against the doorframe, dressed in leather. Her earlier worry seemed gone, her smile carrying a subtle change that radiated a distinct, captivating charm.
"Huh?"
Startled, Wanda nearly dropped the glass. It started to fall but was instantly steadied midair by Jean Grey's telekinetic control.
"Your power looks unique. I hope you'll use it wisely, and not let it… be tainted by something evil." Jean walked over, gave Wanda a meaningful look, and plucked the floating cup out of the air with her hand.
"Yes, Professor."
Wanda now understood that Jean Grey was one of the academy's teachers.
"Say goodbye to your sister? I think it's time for you to leave." Jean Grey set the glass down on the table and turned her gaze toward Herman.
Her demeanor felt noticeably different from before, though Herman couldn't quite put his finger on it. It was as if she'd suddenly become brighter, more confident. Her attitude toward him had also grown more assertive. Herman found it a little puzzling, but he didn't dwell on it.
"Study hard here. If you need anything, you can always reach out to me. During the holidays, I'll have Quicksilver come and pick you up."
Herman gave Wanda a few more instructions.
"Make sure you come visit me often too!"
Kitty, not wanting the moment to end, spoke with hopeful anticipation. She wanted to spend more time with Herman but couldn't think of any excuse.
"I will."
Herman smiled warmly at her.
With that, he followed Jean out of the dorm, leaving behind Wanda's reluctant gaze.
"Seems you're quite popular with the girls," Jean teased as she walked at Herman's side.
"Maybe I just come across as approachable," Herman replied casually, though he couldn't help noticing how strange Jean was acting.
Before he could ask her about it, they stepped out of the dormitory building and saw Storm, Ororo, walking toward them with a girl at her side.
Judging by the bundle Ororo was carrying, this must be another newly enrolled mutant—a young girl with black hair.
"Jean."
Ororo greeted her, then gave Herman a polite nod in acknowledgment.
"Our new student?"
Jean's crimson eyes settled on the dark-haired girl, making her shift uneasily under the attention.
"You're very beautiful."
Jean smiled as she spoke.
"Thank you."
The girl forced a small smile. She wasn't sure if this woman, who seemed a little flippant, was also a teacher here.
"What's your name?"
Herman suddenly asked. She looked familiar to him, and remembering Logan from earlier, he already had a hunch.
"You can call me Rogue. I don't have a real name."
The black-haired girl hesitated before answering, her voice tinged with self-consciousness. She figured this strikingly handsome man must also be a teacher at the academy. Compared to the woman beside him, he seemed far more reassuring.
"That's a nice name."
Herman praised her with an easy smile. Just as he suspected, the girl before him was Rogue.
This girl carried a dangerous gift: the power to absorb energy and life force, even temporarily stealing the abilities of other mutants.
"Do you two have powers as well?" Rogue asked softly, glancing between Herman and Jean.
"Of course."
Jean answered first.
"My ability is reading minds. For example, right now you're thinking the man next to me is handsome—and exactly your type."
Jean chuckled as she revealed the thought.
Rogue's face turned crimson. Flustered, she darted a glance at Herman, then looked back at Jean with a mix of embarrassment and irritation.
"I think I'm handsome too."
Herman grinned, breaking the awkward tension.
"Would you like to know my power?"
At that, Rogue immediately nodded, her shyness giving way to curiosity.
"I can… fly."
Herman wrapped himself in telekinesis, lifting off the ground for a moment before settling back down. It was just a way to steer the conversation away from earlier, not an attempt to show off.
"And you? What's your power?"
He asked knowingly, though of course he already understood.
Rogue's ability was no secret to him. In fact, he knew it better than anyone present. Her potential was extraordinary—so much so that in a comic he'd once read in his previous life, a version of Rogue from another universe had managed to claim the powers of every mutant on Earth.
"My ability… it makes people afraid." Rogue's expression faltered as she lowered her head, her mood sinking.
"Power is only frightening in the hands of someone who can't control it. You're lucky—this school will teach you how to master yours." Herman's voice was calm as he reassured her. "If you fear it yourself, how could you ever hope to control it?"
Rogue felt his words made sense. She hesitated again before finally speaking in a voice as faint as a whisper.
"I can't touch anyone. Whoever I touch will wither and die."
She lifted her hands, clad in black gloves, her tone already trembling with the edge of tears.
"I can't even remember the last time I felt another person's warmth." Her voice carried loathing for her ability, laced with resignation.
Before she could react, her arm was suddenly lifted. She stared in shock as Herman pulled off her glove.
"Who says you can't touch anyone? Look—can you feel my warmth?" Herman pressed his hand to hers.
Rogue's fear spiked at first, but then her eyes widened in disbelief. His life force wasn't being drained at all.
"This is…"
Even Ororo froze in surprise. She knew all too well just how dangerous Rogue's powers were.
"Remember this: every power can be controlled. Once you find the switch, you'll be able to live like anyone else."
Herman's voice was steady and gentle, and within Rogue's heart, a faint light of hope began to stir.
...
After that brief but encouraging encounter with the Rogue brought by Ororo, Jean Grey led Herman away.
"Is that how you charm girls?" Jean teased as she guided him deeper into the castle.
"Just giving a little encouragement to a discouraged child," Herman replied with a soft chuckle, glancing curiously around.
"Does the Professor want to see me?"
He had planned to leave, but since Jean brought him back inside, that was the only explanation he could think of.
"No."
Jean's voice carried a sly undertone.
She stopped before a door, opened it, and motioned for Herman to enter. Confused, he stepped inside.
This wasn't an office—it was a bedroom. A woman's bedroom. He turned to ask a question.
But then he realized Jean was right behind him, so close their breaths nearly touched.
"I like men like you."
Her voice dripped with seduction as her lips suddenly pressed against his. With a forceful push, she sent him tumbling toward the bed.
Herman tried to resist, but an overwhelming telekinetic grip bound his body, leaving him unable to move.
Telekinesis?
He could have broken free if he wanted, but before he could react, a warm body straddled him.
And in that moment, Herman finally understood why she had seemed so strange earlier…
The woman before him wasn't Jean Grey.
It was her other self—
The Dark Phoenix.