Regarding her parents, even though her heart was already full of scars, Jean couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.
The little girl nodded silently.
As a Master of the Mind, Charles Xavier naturally knew how to win people's trust. Even without using Telepathy, he could easily read her emotions.
He understood the psychology of a young girl like her with his eyes closed. And in this case, it really did involve her.
Before long, the group arrived at a quiet teahouse and sat down.
Leo frowned slightly. Since when did Charles care about tea?
A pot of Bi Luo Chun was brewed. Leo didn't know much about tea, and Wolverine certainly didn't—he only understood vodka. He hadn't expected Charles to actually enjoy tea culture.
Charles rinsed the tea, warmed the cups, then let it steep for five minutes before pouring everyone a cup.
Leo wasn't in a hurry. He took a small sip of the slightly bitter yet sweet tea, closed his eyes, and savored it slowly.
Anyway, Charles had something to ask of him. No need to rush. And it was obviously related to the girl sitting beside him.
Buzz—
At that moment, the six Mind Stones around Leo trembled slightly, a faint golden light flickering like a candle in the wind.
That subtle glimmer instantly blocked an incoming psychic probe.
The anomaly of the Mind Stones couldn't escape Leo's notice. They were his, after all.
"Professor Charles, don't waste your efforts," Leo said calmly. "Without Cerebro, you can't break through my mind. And even if you had Cerebro… it still wouldn't work."
He blew on the tea, completely unbothered.
His soft tone made it clear how little he cared. What was a telepath compared to cosmic-level power? This wasn't some playground duel.
Even a faint spark of cosmic energy was not something Earth-level telepathy could challenge.
"Hehe, I'm sorry my bad habit. Just a habit," Charles said awkwardly, a rare flush rising on his face.
Logan was stunned. This guy is strong… If he can shut out Charles like that, then I'd be screwed in a fight.
Mutants feared telepaths the most—they could kill without lifting a finger. Logan had thought Leo was just some flashy long-range guy.
Now, he was officially on Logan's personal "do not mess with" list.
"Alright," Leo said, setting his cup down. "Tell me. Why are you really here—for me, or for her?"
Charles straightened his expression. "Since you're being direct, I'll be direct too."
"Two days ago, we detected a massive psychic fluctuation in the suburbs."
He slowly turned his gaze to the girl—Jean Grey. His meaning was clear.
Jean froze. She didn't remember anything like that.
"After that eruption, you passed out," Charles said gently, sensing her confusion.
Could… could the car accident have been my fault? Did I cause Mom's death? No wonder Dad wanted to send me away…
The thought shattered her. Tears streamed down as guilt consumed her.
"M-Mom, I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I killed you…"
Leo gently patted her back. "Cry. Let it out. You'll feel better."
He already knew who she was—Jean Grey. The future White Phoenix of the Crown. Host of the Phoenix Force. The girl who could one day reshape entire universes.
Of course, this Jean Grey was still a child, from a movie timeline. But even a fraction of her potential was terrifying.
Charles, however, saw Leo's calm expression and comforting gestures and felt a knot tighten in his chest.
Shit… convincing him to let her go is going to be a nightmare.
He pressed on anyway. "When we arrived at her house, Jean Grey was already gone. I… intruded into her father's mind and learned she'd been kicked out."
"Her awakening is unstable. It comes and goes. That's why I couldn't use Cerebro to locate her right away. There are too many ordinary people—it took time to narrow it down."
He gave a wry smile. "I didn't expect to find her with you."
"Still, I hope Jean Grey can come back with me to the school. To learn to control her powers."
His tone was sincere. Leo didn't doubt Charles's intentions—but good intentions weren't always right.
He shook his head firmly. "I'm sorry, Charles. I can't let you take Jean Grey. If you do… you'll destroy her."
"What?" Logan barked. "We're the X-Man! We protect Mutants! She's family!"
"Logan," Charles said sternly. "Calm down."
Jean, still teary-eyed, looked up at Leo. Right now, she trusted no one more than him.
Charles leaned forward. "Then tell me, Leo. Why?"
Leo smiled faintly. "Charles, do you even know what she's awakened?"
Charles hesitated. "It seems to be a telepathic ability. The psychic fluctuations match that. But we'd need tests to be sure."
"Yes and no," Leo said slowly. "She has awakened telepathy—but that's not all."
"What?" Charles, Logan, and Jean all stared at him in shock.
"A second ability," Leo said.
Even Charles's calm mask cracked. Telepathy alone usually meant a Level 3 or 4 Mutant. A second ability meant she was something else entirely.
Logan exhaled. "Well… shit."
Jean stared at Leo, the weight of her unknown power sinking in for the first time.
Leo's gaze sharpened. And this is exactly why… I won't let you take her.