"Professor! Can't this wait until after school? We're in the middle of class—you can't just barge in like this!"
Jean Grey entered the classroom, pushing a wheelchair-bound Charles Xavier.
Professor X smiled, his expression calm yet firm. "I just wanted to check in on you, Lin Mei. You caused quite the commotion last night—you gave a lot of people quite a scare."
"Really? I didn't think it would draw that much attention. My apologies for worrying you, Professor," Lin Mei said, putting on an appropriately apologetic look.
Xavier shook his head. "It's nothing to be concerned about. I came today simply to see for myself that you're safe. That alone puts my mind at ease."
Lin Mei silently closed the book in her hands and looked at the professor with a thoughtful expression.
"Actually, Professor, there's something I've been meaning to ask you for a while now."
Xavier's interest piqued. "Go ahead."
Lin Mei's gaze sharpened. "There are new mutants being born every day, all over the world. But for some reason, you seem particularly focused on me. Don't you think you're paying too much attention to me? Why is that?"
Charles smiled knowingly, his expression unreadable.
"It's true—there are many mutants in the world. And yes, I do pay special attention to you."
Lin Mei waited for him to elaborate, but instead, the professor simply gave him a mysterious smile.
"As for why... I can't tell you yet. But after you experience certain things, you'll understand."
Lin Mei sighed, throwing up his hands. "Ugh, keeping secrets again? Fine, whatever."
Xavier glanced at the book on Lin Mei's desk and smiled.
"It looks like you're a little bored with the curriculum here. What do you think? Would you consider attending Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters?"
Lin Mei was about to reject the offer outright—until he suddenly remembered what his father had told him that morning.
After a brief moment of consideration, he smirked. "Fine. But you'll have to request leave on my behalf. I'm a model student, after all—skipping class would be irresponsible."
Xavier chuckled, tapping his temple with a finger.
"Consider it done. As far as everyone here is concerned, you officially have the day off."
Lin Mei raised an eyebrow. "Telepathic persuasion? That's way too convenient," he muttered.
It was a frightening ability when one really thought about it. Thankfully, it belonged to someone as noble as Charles Xavier. In the wrong hands, the world would be in chaos.
As Jean pushed Xavier's wheelchair toward the door, Lin Mei suddenly remembered something.
"Professor, do you have any photos of your school? Or maybe some landmarks nearby? I'd rather not take public transportation."
Xavier's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Ah… So you dislike traveling the conventional way."
He pressed his fingers to his temple and activated his telepathy.
"Lin, the professor is transmitting an image to you. I've checked—it's safe. Do you want to see it?" A voice echoed in Lin Mei's mind.
"Yeah, show me."
Almost instantly, the entire layout of Xavier's School, along with its exact coordinates, formed in his mind.
Smirking, Lin Mei reached into his pocket, pulled out a ring, and with a simple flick of his wrist—
A shimmering portal appeared before them.
Jean gasped. "Oh my god!"
On the other side of the portal was a familiar sight—Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.
Lin Mei couldn't help but gloat a little. "Well, Professor? Aren't you going to invite me in?"
Xavier studied the portal thoughtfully, a nostalgic look flashing across his face. Then, he smiled.
"Jean, push me through. That is indeed our school."
He turned to Lin Mei. "Let's go. I think you'll like it there."
Lin Mei shrugged. "We'll see. That's my decision to make."
The three of them stepped through the portal, which closed behind them.
Meanwhile, Back at the School
The moment Lin Mei and the others vanished, the classroom returned to normal.
Students and teachers, previously frozen in place, resumed their activities as if nothing had happened. It was as if time itself had skipped forward, erasing any memory of Xavier's visit.
Almost.
Sitting at her desk, Gwen Stacy blinked in confusion. She stared at the book Lin Mei had left behind—Voyage with Vampires.
"Huh? Lin Mei was here today, right? Or… was he not?"
She furrowed her brow.
"But I swear I introduced him to my dad this morning… Didn't I?"
A sudden headache pulsed through her skull.
"The bald man… the red-haired woman… and that glowing door…?"
Gwen clutched her head as fragmented memories swirled in her mind, just out of reach.
Then, the school bell rang.
As if flipping a switch, Gwen's mind cleared, and she returned to normal. She absentmindedly grabbed Lin Mei's book and put it in her bag, unaware of the strange encounter she had almost remembered.
Arrival at Xavier's School
The sudden appearance of a portal at Xavier's School didn't go unnoticed.
In a matter of seconds, Storm, Beast, and Wolverine arrived at the scene, their senses on high alert.
"Professor, what's going on?" Storm asked, narrowing her eyes at the now-fading portal. She had caught only a glimpse of what was on the other side before it vanished.
Xavier let out a small sigh and gestured to Lin Mei.
"Let me introduce you," he said with a smile. "This is Lin Mei… and he's one of us."
"Tsk, tsk… As expected of Professor Charles," Lin Mei mused internally. "Not only is he a master of emotional intelligence, but his way with words is impeccable. Every phrase is deliberate."
Charles had chosen his words carefully. First, by stating outright that Lin Mei was a mutant, he subtly established Lin Mei's place among them. Second, he phrased it in a way that fostered a sense of familiarity, bridging the gap between Lin Mei and the rest of the group.
As expected, his introduction immediately drew attention.
Storm, Beast, and Wolverine all turned their gazes toward Lin Mei, a mixture of curiosity and scrutiny in their expressions. Their postures were welcoming, but also cautious—assessing him.
Among them, Wolverine's reaction stood out the most. His gaze wasn't just evaluative—it was familiar, as if he was looking at someone he hadn't seen in a very long time.
"Lin Mei, welcome to Xavier's Academy," Professor Charles said warmly. There was something in his tone—an inexplicable intimacy, like he was welcoming a long-lost family member.
He gestured toward the towering, blue-furred figure beside him.
"This is Hank, my dear friend and one of the academy's brightest minds."
The beastly figure, covered in blue fur with a pair of glasses perched on his face, extended a hand. His nickname was 'Beast'—a fitting title, given his imposing yet oddly refined presence.
Next, Charles turned to a strikingly tall woman with white hair and deep brown skin.
"And this is Ororo, one of our academy's esteemed teachers."
She stepped forward, offering a firm handshake. Storm, as she was known, radiated quiet strength and authority.
Charles was about to continue with the introductions when—
Step.
Before he could speak, Wolverine took a step forward, his intense gaze locking onto Lin Mei.
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Long time no see, little witch."