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Gwen nodded her head, her large, bright eyes glowing under the sunlight, as if they were radiating light.
She looked extremely obedient.
So… this is what having a younger sister feels like?
Charles sighed inwardly, and the smile on his face softened even more.
She seems… fun.
With that thought, he stretched out his hand and said, "Hand over the candy, and I'll tell you."
Gwen shrank back a little and said, "Then I don't want to hear it!"
"No way!"
Charles grinned, and it felt as if an invisible tail behind him was swaying playfully.
"If you don't give it to me, I'll tell Dad."
Gwen's eyes widened in disbelief as she puffed up her cheeks, glaring at Charles.
Charles: (ω)
So cute.
Sure enough, teasing his little sister was way too much fun.
Wait, no—that's not right...
He wasn't like this back at Xavier's School, so why did he change the moment he got home?
Because… this is home?
Yes, because this is home!
He gave himself a quick but serious self-reflection and then…
Childish brat!
He scolded himself in his mind—before immediately continuing his childish behavior.
He stretched out his hand again.
With a pout, Gwen reluctantly handed over a small bag of candy.
Charles nodded in satisfaction and began explaining the world of mutants to Gwen.
Gradually, Gwen was drawn in, her attention completely absorbed, and she occasionally let out sounds of amazement.
Time slipped by unnoticed until Mike called them for lunch, and the two finally snapped out of it.
Gwen still seemed reluctant to stop.
Charles, on the other hand, quickly got up and headed outside.
It had been a long time since he'd had a home-cooked meal, and he was feeling nostalgic.
"Here, take two."
Charles took out two pieces of candy and handed them to Gwen, patting her on the head as he said seriously, "Kids shouldn't eat too much candy—it's bad for your health and will rot your teeth, understand?"
"Oh!"
Gwen nodded obediently and tucked the two candies into her pocket.
Charles slipped the small bag of candy into his pocket and headed downstairs.
Listening to the fading sound of footsteps, Gwen closed the door, picked up the little pig plushie by her bedside, unzipped the back, and looked at the small stash of candy hidden inside—her face lit up with joy.
Good thing she didn't hand over all the candy earlier.
That mean brother!
But… Charles was doing it for her own good.
She appreciated the thought—but as for these adorable candies, she was keeping them!
Gwen nodded firmly to herself.
Skilfully slipping the two candies inside the stash, she carefully zipped it back up and happily hummed a tune as she ran downstairs.
At the dining table, Gwen, who hadn't been using chopsticks for long, clumsily tried to pick up food, while Charles didn't pause for even a second.
After being away from home for so long, tasting these familiar flavors again was like being wrapped in warm nostalgia.
"Slow down, no one's stealing it from you."
Mike scolded him lightly, but the smile on his lips betrayed his amusement.
Charles mumbled a reply with his mouth full and finally slowed down a bit.
With Erik and Clark both gone, there wasn't even anyone to compete with for food. So lonely…
Charles sighed inwardly.
A delicious lunch came and went quickly, with the three of them finishing their meal in no time.
While Mike went to wash the dishes, Charles and Gwen played for a while. Once Mike came back out, Gwen was sent upstairs for a nap, while Mike and Charles sat on the sofa and chatted casually.
When the conversation turned to Xavier's School, and Mike learned that Charles had already taken on two students, he was momentarily surprised.
"Two students?"
Charles replied with a smug grin, "Didn't expect that, huh?"
Mike nodded and said, "I thought you'd wait until the school officially opened before recruiting students."
"It wasn't really recruiting. It just happened by chance," Charles replied, taking a sip of green tea, exhaling in satisfaction, and smiling. "They're both talented kids."
"They?"
Mike raised an eyebrow.
"Two adorable girls," Charles said with a smile. "Jean and Ororo. I'll introduce them to you when there's a chance."
Mike was inwardly surprised.
Those two?
Well, fate really works in mysterious ways—some encounters are just destined to happen.
"How's Erik doing?" Mike suddenly asked.
Charles' hand paused slightly as he set down the teacup. He looked at Mike and replied, "He gave us an important piece of intel. We're waiting for the right moment. During our next operation, we plan to move against the Black Queen."
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"So soon?" Mike was a little surprised.
Charles' expression darkened. "Dad, you wouldn't believe how cruel and ruthless the Black Queen really is."
"She's been having the Hellfire Club spread chaos and commit massacres, all because she's using them to collect life force for herself!"
"She's not doing this for mutants—she's doing it for her own gain! The Hellfire Club has completely become a tool for her selfish desires!"
Mike took a slow sip of tea and said calmly, "What's coming next will be critical for you all. Do you need any help? I assume you and Fury don't have enough manpower."
"Fury said he's brought in two old friends to help, and S.H.I.E.L.D. has a few capable people too."
At this, Charles smiled and asked, "Did Fury not ask you to help this time?"
Mike gave Charles a sidelong glance and said dryly, "Does he need to?"
This was about Charles and Erik—whether Fury asked for his help or not, Mike would've gotten involved anyway. Still, he was curious about Fury's two 'old friends.'
Could it be… those two?
A thought rose in Mike's mind.
"Dad, since you've already moved house, and I've had a good meal, why don't we start tonight… digging out the underground space?"
Mike gave Charles another flat look and let out a soft snort.
Charles grinned, flashing a sheepish, placating smile.
…
Late at night, Mike and Charles quietly arrived at the X-Mansion estate.
Aside from Charles, only two others were currently at the school.
Ororo and Hank McCoy. Jean wasn't around—she'd gone home for a few days to be with her parents.
Mike and Charles' arrival didn't disturb anyone.
Charles used his powers to scan the two and, seeing they were both fast asleep, revealed a satisfied smile.
Tomorrow… they're in for quite a surprise.
"Charles?"
"Hmm?"
Charles snapped out of his thoughts.
Mike paused in thought, then asked, "Do you have the blueprints for the underground space?"
"I do!"
Charles nodded and said, "Hang on, Dad, I'll get them."
With that, he quickly walked into the castle-like building in front of them.
After a few minutes, Charles returned with the blueprints in hand. He handed them to Mike and asked, "What do we do next?"
"Just watch."
Mike replied casually, and a card appeared in his hand.
Name: Ōnoki
Character Description: The Third Tsuchikage, wielder of the Kekkei Tōta 'Dust Release.' Exceptionally powerful, he is a great shinobi devoted to his village, fiercely protective of its people, and committed to safeguarding its interests.
The card dissolved into glowing particles.
Behind Mike, a short, elderly figure appeared—a small old man wearing a Tsuchikage hat, with a red nose and white beard. The spectral image flashed briefly before disappearing into a burst of light that surged into Mike's body.
(End of Chapter)