"Hide who we are?"
Alex knew that Raven had always cared about her true appearance.
In the movie, it was Erik who encouraged her to face herself honestly, accept herself, and take pride in being a mutant. As a result, the innocent Raven fell for Erik and eventually left with Magneto.
Alex smiled, "It depends."
"There's no need to feel inferior because you're different, and there's no need to tell everyone about it either."
"Take me as an example."
"When someone really pisses me off, I don't mind sending him to meet God."
"But I don't want to scare my friend Caitlin, so when I'm with her, I hide my abilities."
It was the first time Raven had heard an answer like that, and she was a little surprised.
Alex leaned back, "You don't think there's a standard answer to life, do you?"
"There isn't, my dear."
"Most of the time, you have to adapt to the situation. But the most important thing is to listen to your heart."
"Be true to yourself."
"Every one of us should live for ourselves."
"As for what other people think? To hell with them. If they insist on coming out and pointing fingers, then make them lie down."
Raven's eyes gradually lit up. Charles had never given her this kind of view, and no one had ever said these things to her.
But now, hearing these words from a powerful mutant, Raven vaguely felt as though she had found the direction for her life.
"I understand."
"Neither hiding nor showing off."
"Do whatever I want and live as I please!"
Raven stood up, bent at the waist, and bowed, "Thank you, Mr. John."
"Thank you very much for listening to me and answering some of my questions."
Alex shrugged, "It's nothing. By the way, since you're here, let me give you some advice."
"You should make good use of your advantage. Your advantage is that you can become anyone."
"So what you should excel at is infiltration, gathering intelligence, assassination, and that sort of work."
"If you're going to train, you should consider focusing on those areas."
"I believe you can become the world's greatest agent. You have an ability unlike any other."
Raven was a little excited. She nodded, then said shyly, "This isn't my real appearance, Mr. John. Would you like to see the real me?"
'Believe me, I've seen it many times already.'
Alex smiled, "Why not?"
Raven took a deep breath and suddenly transformed into her true blue-skinned form.
Red hair, blue skin, black markings, golden eyes.
Just like Mystique in the movie, strange and unusual.
She had originally thought that when Alex saw her true appearance, he would change expression or cry out in surprise.
She had experienced that kind of reaction many times.
The only person who had ever admired her was her adoptive brother Charles.
Only when she was with Charles would Raven show her true self.
Now the man before her, Mr. John, was the second.
She looked at Alex nervously, but she saw no surprise in his eyes. It was as though he had known all along that this was what she looked like.
He even stood up and walked around her once.
Raven could feel his gaze travel over her from head to toe, giving her the feeling that Alex had seen right through her.
"Very beautiful."
[T/N: "I'd smash!", Shakespeare said calmly.]
Alex took a step back and said it sincerely.
He had seen her many times in the movies, but this was the first time he had seen her in person.
Raven's appearance now didn't fit ordinary human standards of beauty.
But someone as well-traveled as Alex naturally wasn't shocked by her blue skin.
In fact, he thought Raven looked even more special like this than when she looked human.
After all, she was one of a kind.
Something unique in itself represented the ultimate beauty.
Raven's breathing became a little heavier, and an indescribable feeling rose in her heart.
The feeling of being admired, praised, accepted, and affirmed made her heart race.
Although Charles also appreciated her, the way this man looked at her carried something different.
It was something Charles never had, and something she had only felt from other men when she looked like an ordinary human.
But when she appeared in her true form, the only person who looked at her this way was Mr. John!
Just as the atmosphere in the room became a little ambiguous, there was a knock at the door. Raven was startled and quickly changed back into her human appearance.
She hurriedly said, "Then, Mr. John, I won't disturb you anymore."
Raven opened the door. Charles was standing outside. He paused in surprise. Before he could ask anything, Raven blushed and hurried away.
"Mr. John, Raven, she?"
Alex sat back down and smiled, "We discussed a few philosophical questions about life."
"Mr. Charles, don't tell me you also happen to have some questions you'd like to ask me?"
Charles laughed, "You guessed right."
"You're also a powerful telepath."
"I'd like to ask you, Mr. John, how should I improve myself?"
Alex shook his head, "You don't need to improve yourself. You're already very strong, Charles. You just haven't realized it."
"Rather than improving yourself, I think you should make use of your nature as a teacher."
"There are many mutants in this world, but they may not understand themselves or accept themselves."
"And there isn't a single school in this world that's open specifically for them."
"Charles, you have money, and you have extensive knowledge. You should guide them and help them do the right thing."
Charles was stunned. He had never considered that before, but after hearing Alex say it, he found himself tempted by the idea.
Alex stopped there.
Planting a seed was enough. As for what kind of tree it would grow into, that depended on the seed itself.
———
[The Next Day]
Inside a bunker that could withstand a nuclear explosion, Alex looked at Alex(Havok) and said, "Your problem is that your concentration is too poor. If you can focus your attention and concentrate your power, not only will it become much stronger, but it will also improve your accuracy."
"Like this."
Golden light blazed from Alex's eyes. A flash lit up the bunker, and a mannequin in the distance exploded into ashes.
Alex(Havok) shook his head, "It's too hard. I've tried before, but I could never do it."
Hank raised his hand, "Maybe I can design some equipment for him."
Alex shook his head, "Power that can only be controlled by relying on equipment isn't real power."
"If he depends too much on equipment, then once he doesn't have it, he's finished."
"So no matter what, he has to understand and master his own power himself."
"You should start by practicing concentration."
Next, Alex had Alex(Havok) practice handstands, progressing from balancing on both hands, to one hand, and finally to one or two fingers.
This would help improve his concentration.