There was no way that any unusual spatial fluctuations on Earth would go unnoticed by the Ancient One, the supreme guardian of the planet. So, when Lin Mei first activated his mutant ability to traverse the dimensional wall, the anomaly immediately caught the Ancient One's attention.
Now, as Lin Mei returned to this world, his presence naturally drew the focus of the Ancient One once again.
"If this young one can master such a complex energy, he may become a strong candidate for the next Sorcerer Supreme," the Ancient One mused, observing the boy from afar.
After spending years seeking potential successors to the mantle of the Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One had only managed to find two promising candidates. Yet, to his surprise, Lin Mei showed even greater potential. Not only did the young boy exhibit extraordinary talent, but his youth made him an even more malleable candidate for learning magic.
If only he had more time, the Ancient One thought wistfully. He would have personally taken Lin Mei under his wing at Kamar-Taj, guiding him through the mystical arts. But with time slipping away, he could only watch from a distance for now.
After spending a long time on the plane, Lin Mei finally returned to the United States, his energy almost entirely drained from the interdimensional journey. Upon arrival, Tony Stark, who had been overseeing his well-being, handed him over to his trusted secretary, Pepper Potts.
Pepper observed the groggy Lin Mei with a mix of curiosity and concern. As Tony Stark's most trusted assistant, she had long since learned to pick up on subtle cues in her boss's behavior. And something about the way Tony treated Lin Mei felt... off.
It was no secret that Tony Stark, billionaire, playboy, and genius, had his own brand of arrogance. He rarely dealt with children, much less took a personal interest in them. For Tony to take such an active role in Lin Mei's affairs meant there was something special about the boy.
However, before Pepper could dwell on her suspicions for too long, she soon found herself face-to-face with Lin Mei's mother and an elderly man in a wheelchair.
In a grand, lavish villa, Lin Mei slowly stirred from his deep sleep. The exhaustion from crossing the dimensional wall, combined with the heavy toll of using Dragon Slayer Magic and enduring a long flight, had left him completely drained.
The moment his eyes fluttered open, a loud voice rang through the house.
"Young Master Lin Mei is awake!"
Before Lin Mei could fully process his surroundings, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway. In no time, a beautiful blonde woman with striking blue eyes, whose facial features closely resembled Lin Mei's, burst into the room.
"Oh, my baby! You finally woke up! You almost scared your mother to death!"
The woman was Melissa, Lin Mei's mother—a formidable businesswoman, an accomplished investor, and a name that commanded respect on Wall Street. Yet, for all her influence and power, she was, first and foremost, a mother who adored her son.
Despite her strength in the corporate world, Melissa's heart had been captured years ago when she met Lin Mei's father while traveling in Long Country. Their whirlwind romance had led to Lin Mei's birth.
Without hesitation, Melissa threw her arms around her son in a tight embrace, her voice trembling with emotion.
Lin Mei, however, immediately felt suffocated.
"Mommy! Are you trying to love me to death? My small body can't handle your 'hug of love'!" he gasped dramatically, flailing his arms in exaggerated distress.
Melissa quickly released him, laughing as she wiped away a few tears. She gently stroked his head, her eyes filled with motherly affection.
"Seeing you so thin breaks my heart! I need to have the kitchen prepare some nourishing food for you. You must be starving after that long flight!" she fussed.
Lin Mei rolled his eyes internally. Thin? Me? I just fought off terrorists! I think I'm doing just fine!
But instead of voicing his thoughts, he simply grinned. "Alright, Mommy's special meal sounds great! How about steak, lobster, and a giant bowl of ice cream?"
Melissa playfully flicked his nose. "You wake up and immediately start thinking about heavy, hard-to-digest foods! You'll upset your stomach."
She sighed, but her eyes sparkled with indulgence. "Fine. You can have the steak and lobster, but no ice cream until you're fully recovered!"
Lin Mei saluted dramatically. "As you command, Lord Mommy!"
With a chuckle, Melissa left the room, calling out orders to the kitchen as she disappeared down the hall.
The moment Melissa exited, an elderly man in a wheelchair silently entered the room. His presence was calm yet commanding.
Lin Mei immediately recognized him and sat up straighter in bed. "Professor Charles," he greeted respectfully. "Thank you for your help. I know I wouldn't have made it back so quickly without your efforts."
Professor Charles Xavier, founder of the X-Men and headmaster of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, smiled warmly. "I'm simply glad to see you awake, Lin."
After exchanging pleasantries, Charles cut straight to the point. "After everything you've been through, I believe you now have a deeper understanding of your mutant abilities. That being said, I would still like to invite you to study at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters."
Lin Mei didn't even hesitate. "I appreciate the offer, Professor, but I must decline."
Charles arched an eyebrow. "May I ask why?"
Lin Mei took a deep breath before answering. "Precisely because I understand my abilities better now. I know that my path is different from what the X-Men stand for. My powers don't align with being part of a mutant team fighting for equality or against threats. My battles are on a different scale. My journey will take me to places beyond what the X Academy can offer."
Professor X studied him carefully, his expression unreadable. Then, after a long pause, he nodded. "I see. You have already decided your course."
Lin Mei nodded firmly. "Yes."
Charles exhaled deeply, a small smile playing on his lips. "Then, all I can do is offer you my support. No matter where your path leads, know that you will always have allies at Xavier's School."
Lin Mei's lips curled into a grateful smile. "Thank you, Professor."
With that, Charles nodded and quietly wheeled himself out of the room, leaving Lin Mei alone with his thoughts.
The young Dragon Slayer Magician lay back against his pillows, staring at the ceiling. He knew that his path would be anything but ordinary. With the Ancient One watching, Tony Stark involving himself, and Professor Xavier acknowledging his choice, Lin Mei was stepping into a world that would challenge him like never before.
And he was ready.
Charles frowned, puzzled by Lin Mei's refusal. He couldn't understand why the young mutant was so adamant about rejecting his offer, especially since he didn't fully grasp the extent of Lin Mei's mutant abilities.
Still, Charles strongly believed that Lin Mei would benefit from attending Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. There, young mutants could receive the education they deserved, learn to control their abilities, and avoid persecution from external forces.
Lin Mei took a moment to gather his thoughts before addressing Charles.
"First, Professor, I understand my own mutant abilities better than anyone. As long as I don't actively expose them, there is no need for me to use them."
"Second, to be completely honest, I prefer staying out in the world rather than being confined to X Academy. Think about it—how old am I? Do you really think I would be content staying at the school?"
"Lastly, while I have lived in the United States for most of my life, don't forget that my father is from Long Country. I have always identified as Chinese. On top of that, I am well aware that a certain high-ranking military official in the U.S. has been closely monitoring your school. If anything were to happen to X Academy, mutants like me would undoubtedly suffer the consequences."
Lin Mei's eyes locked onto Charles, his gaze unwavering. "Am I wrong, Professor?"
Charles wanted to argue. "I don't believe there's anything inherently wrong with X Academy," he said, his voice firm.
However, as a man deeply versed in psychology, Charles keenly observed Lin Mei's expression—one filled with certainty and conviction. And in that moment, he understood.
Lin Mei had already made up his mind, and Charles had no guarantees to offer in return.
The harsh truth was that Xavier's Academy housed a large number of mutants, making it a constant target for external threats. Lin Mei was right; being associated with the school would inevitably draw unwanted attention from powerful forces.
With that realization, Charles's perspective on Lin Mei shifted ever so slightly.