Chapter 344

Outside the real-world Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters, Beijixing dragged a reluctant Surge toward the school gate; Surge struggled briefly, wrenching free from the arm gripping him, and stood at the entrance saying, "Don't drag me in—I don't want to see that annoying Scott!"

"Isn't he your brother?"

"Then Quicksilver's your brother too—don't you hate him?"

"Fine, but you're coming in with me." Beijixing turned to look at Surge.

Surge helplessly ran a hand through his hair. "Lorna, what's gotten into you? A few days ago you were complaining about how boring class was—why are you suddenly dragging yourself here?"

Beijixing looked at Surge, her tone serious. "Didn't you hear Professor X? Those new mutants—almost ten years younger than us—just brought back an alien spacecraft!"

Beijixing sighed. "I remember we barely knew each other back then, and now years have passed. We're not kids anymore—you, me, Iceman, Rogue, and Shadowcat—we're no longer the newest generation of mutants."

"So what?"

Beijixing tilted her head, lowered it, her face devoid of any smile. Surge sighed. "Lorna, I know you've always felt you're the leader of the new mutants, the strongest among our generation..."

"Even if you don't say it, I can feel it—being Magneto's daughter has crushed you with pressure, and you've always believed you're responsible for the future of mutants."

"But now, it seems mutants won't need me anymore." Beijixing bent down and kicked a pebble beneath her foot, then straightened up instantly, hands on hips, exhaled sharply, and said, "Come on, Alexander—we can't let them leave us behind. Let's go to class."

Saying that, she grabbed Surge's arm and pulled him inside; before he could react, she dragged him in—but as soon as they entered, they ran into Colossus, who was walking out. Colossus paused, startled, and asked, "What are you two doing here?"

"Can't you tell? We're here to enroll." Beijixing told him.

Colossus was even more confused. He scanned Beijixing from head to toe, lingering on her green hair, smoky makeup, and lip piercing. "... onestly, I can't tell."

Beijixing tucked her green hair behind her ear. "Forget that—don't you take students here? Myself and Alexander want to enroll."

Colossus had a good temper—he didn't say anything about Brotherhood members being barred.

He, Beijixing, and Surge were all part of the new mutant generation, though he was slightly older and preferred a normal life, so he rarely hung out with these second-gen mutants.

He scratched his head. "I know Charles teaches you in dreams, but in reality... never mind. Go ask him yourself—but don't use your powers recklessly. There are very young children here—you have to..."

"Alright, alright, I got it." Beijixing waved her hand and pulled Surge inside. Once they were gone, Colossus pulled out his phone and called Charles to explain the situation.

Thus, Beijixing and Surge received a warm welcome in Charles's office.

When it came to Xavier Institute's admissions, Charles had endless grievances. This school didn't recruit like others—just set up a website and post an announcement.

Every teacher here, beyond teaching, had one overriding duty: scour the world for oppressed mutant children, resolve their current crises, convince their parents, erase the memories of ordinary humans affected by mutant activity, and only then bring them to the school.

Several famous new mutants arrived this way—but the most exhausted by it all was Charles himself. Just handling the messes these young mutants caused kept Charles working nonstop.

And so far, not a single mutant had ever shown up on their own to enroll. Even Angel, whose family was wealthy and whose power posed no threat, was brought here only after his father sought out Charles.

Seeing Beijixing and Surge walk in of their own accord, Charles was nearly moved to tears. What did this mean? It meant the Xavier Institute had finally entered a new era.

Even more joyous to Charles: Beijixing was Magneto's daughter—the youngest, most cherished. Though Magneto was emotionally reserved, Charles knew he deeply believed Beijixing would inherit his legacy, for their abilities and personalities were nearly identical.

If the new generation of mutants could all become classmates, united and working together, many problems would become far easier to solve.

For example, the Glory Plan included mutants—but when Charles negotiated with human representatives, he always lacked Diqi, because mutants were split in two. He could only represent half.

If not for his side's retrieval of an alien warship—something that gave him immense prestige—the mutant position would've been extremely weak. Negotiation tables don't care about friendship; whoever holds more leverage holds the advantage.

Charles looked at Beijixing 's face and remembered Erik when he was young—a quiet, powerful, solemn, and stubborn youth.

Now, on Beijixing 's face, he saw more vitality and joy. Perhaps that was precisely why Magneto hadn't stopped her from coming to Charles—parents always want to give their children what they themselves never had.

He spoke to Beijixing with utmost seriousness. "I assume you know something about me, Lorna. Studying isn't fun—at least, not compared to your former free-spirited life. It's dreadfully dull."

"Even I, when studying psychology, education, and social engineering, was deeply frustrated. These complex subjects aren't learned overnight. If you wish to dive into the ocean of knowledge, it's a path with no end."

Beijixing crossed her arms, staring into Charles's eyes. "I thought you'd brag about the school's facilities or lecture me endlessly on the importance of learning..."

Charles shook his head. "Lorna, you're no longer a child. You already understand every Daoli I could tell you. Everything I can't say, your father has already taught you."

"I didn't come here just because I'm afraid of being surpassed by the new generation." Beijixing kept her gaze locked on Charles. "When we were on Mercury, that billionaire Stark looked at us with such contempt—I hated it."

"I know what he was thinking—he believes we have Detianduhou advantages but refuse to use them, that we're wasting our gifts, wasting our lives. But he never considers that society gives mutants few opportunities..."

"How am I supposed to go to school? Live in a dorm, dream casually and wreck every piece of steel? Tell my classmates I'm a mutant, then get doused with water?"

"If I dare resist, use my powers to teach them a lesson, they'll scream that mutants are societal pests—and you righteous types will stop me mid-punishment?"

"Alright, Lorna, I know you were bullied at your community school, but..."

"I'm not here to talk about the past." Beijixing cut him off directly. Charles froze—he hadn't been interrupted in years. Every new mutant, regardless of allegiance, deeply respected Professor X—for his power, and his kindness.

Beijixing 's expression was stubborn; every gesture reminded Charles of Erik.

"I want to prove to ordinary humans that mutants aren't inferior in any field—in any way. We are a naturally superior race, in every aspect." Beijixing lifted her chin.

Charles opened his mouth. To him, the person before him might as well have been young Erik—he'd said nearly identical words to Charles once.

"Uh, so... can we enroll?" Surge broke the silence. "I mean, I'm not good at studying, but I've got nothing better to do..."

"Of course." Charles snapped back to reality, pulled out two forms from his drawer. Beijixing glanced at them and said, "Can I have more?"

Surge turned to her. "Why so many?"

"You'll find out soon."

The next morning, Iceman stood at the classroom door, staring at a group of black-clad figures outside. He stepped back half a pace, tensed his body, wary. "Lorna! What are you doing?!"

"Even Magneto never dared attack this school! Are you trying to start a war among mutants?!"

"Why are you so tense? I'm here to enroll."

Iceman's eyes widened. He looked behind Beijixing —at Blink, whom he knew, and several other mutants he didn't recognize, all roughly her age—likely new members of the Brotherhood.

They stood at the school gate, Beijixing at the front, the others forming a triangular formation—the Brotherhood's most common tactic, though previously led by Magneto himself.

Whenever they appeared in this formation, it meant a brutal fight was coming. Iceman reacted instinctively, freezing the floor beneath them. The mutants behind Beijixing tensed—but she remained calm. "What? Are Xavier students always this dramatic?"

"Or are you afraid you'll fail my exams and embarrass your school?"

"Impossible! I'm top of my class! You... wait, I graduated."

"You haven't. Bobby. Because the Dream Mutant Education Program succeeded, we're launching university-level courses in reality. You only finished high school—you're going to college now." Charles rolled his wheelchair into view at the classroom door.

Behind him came Cyclops and Colossus. Colossus shrugged. "Don't think you're special—we have to attend too. Just one grade ahead, and we're studying education, not math or physics..."

Iceman noticed everyone staring at him. He sighed. "Fine. Guess I'm back in school. At least this'll make me feel younger."

Once everyone entered the classroom, Charles wheeled in. He looked at the packed room, deeply satisfied.

On the left sat most original Xavier students—like Iceman, Rogue, and others. On the right sat a group of black-clad figures—mostly Brotherhood members, the best young mutants Magneto had gathered across the nation.

The Xavier Institute hadn't been this lively in years. Charles nodded approvingly. Then Stark and Banner entered. Stark didn't even glance at the students, his expression reluctant. Banner, however, nodded to them.