"Aiden, you cannot do that again. It's too dangerous."Charles's voice was stern, the usual warmth in his tone replaced with the sharp edge of reprimand.Sitting on his bed, Aiden forced a wry smile and nodded. "I understand, Professor."What else could he say? Even if he didn't truly agree, arguing now would do him no good.This time, he had been lucky. Jean was still young, her abilities not yet fully matured. The Phoenix Force within her was only a seed, dormant, not yet the cosmic inferno it would one day become. That was the only reason he had fainted rather than being incinerated on the spot.If he had faced Jean in the future—when the Phoenix had fully awakened—a single burst of her power could have reduced him to nothing but ash."It's good that you understand," Charles said, studying him carefully. "The strength of your abilities is tied not just to talent, but to physical fitness and mental resilience. As you grow older, your powers will naturally develop. There's no need to take risks like that. Not again."Aiden lowered his gaze and gave another small nod.Charles lingered a moment longer, then turned his wheelchair and left the room, his presence fading down the hallway.As soon as the sound of wheels receded, Aiden exhaled softly and glanced at Danny."Hey, Danny. I'm starving. Can you grab me some food?"Danny, ever eager to help, puffed out his chest proudly. "Leave it to me!" He darted out the door without hesitation.Aiden watched him go, then turned back to Jean, who sat silently by his bedside, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap."Jean," Aiden said quietly, "I need you to do it again. Use your power on me. The same way you did before."Her head shot up, eyes wide. She shook it furiously, like a drum beaten too fast."No. Absolutely not. I don't want to hurt you again.""Jean, listen to me." Aiden leaned forward, his voice earnest. "I'm fine now. Look—my power has already grown because of what happened. It's all thanks to you."He raised his hand, and a pulse of energy spread outward. The air shimmered around him as his telekinesis surged. His body lifted gently off the mattress, floating several inches above the bed as if gravity no longer bound him.Jean gasped softly, her eyes widening with surprise. She hadn't seen him exert this much control before.But even so, she shook her head again, her lips pressing into a stubborn line."No, Aiden. If the Professor finds out, he'll be furious. More than that—I don't want you to suffer because of me again. I won't do it."Her sapphire eyes were filled with determination. There was no room for persuasion.Aiden stared at her for a long moment, then sighed. He couldn't force her—not without risking everything. Not only could it backfire and damage their friendship, but worse, it could trigger the Phoenix within her. That was a risk he couldn't afford to take.And asking Charles for help was useless. For all the Professor's mastery, his telekinesis didn't carry the same oppressive force as Jean's. It lacked the raw, instinctive weight of the Phoenix. Only Jean's psychic pressure pushed Aiden to his true limits.Suppressing his disappointment, Aiden forced a smile. "Alright. I respect your decision. But… I still want to thank you."Jean blinked, startled. "Thank me? But I—""How could I blame you?" Aiden interrupted gently. "I was the one who asked for it. It wasn't your fault—it was just that I wasn't strong enough yet. And through it all, you've stayed by my side. That's what matters. So… thank you."Jean's throat tightened, her eyes growing wet again.Her parents were gone—killed in an accident caused by her own uncontrolled power. That guilt had followed her, festering, making her feel like a curse to everyone she touched. Even here, among mutants, she had been an outcast, her overwhelming strength alienating the very people who should have understood her best.But Aiden… he was different.He didn't recoil. He didn't blame her. Even hurt by her power, he still reached for her, still called her his friend.Something stirred in her chest then—a fragile, new emotion."Aiden, the food's here!"Danny's cheerful voice rang out as he barged into the room, balancing a platter stacked high with food. Crab claws, abalone, lobster—it was a feast, and the plate wobbled precariously in his small hands."Perfect timing, Danny!" Aiden grinned, immediately grabbing a crab claw. "I feel like I'm starving to death!"Danny set the plate down with a relieved sigh, then launched into chatter about the latest happenings around the school. Jean, quiet but thoughtful, began peeling shells for Aiden without a word.The three of them sat together, and for a little while, the heaviness of power and responsibility faded, replaced by the simple comfort of companionship.---Time passed.Like grains of sand slipping through fingers, the days blended into months, and months into years.The Xavier Institute, despite Aiden's memories of comic and film timelines, was not constantly besieged by enemies or destroyed every other year. Reality moved at a slower pace. Great events—the kind that shook the world—were separated by long stretches of calm.Six years swept by quietly.It was now the spring of 1982. More than a year remained before the shadow of Apocalypse would loom over the world.And Aiden was sixteen.He stood tall now, his body lean but strong from years of training. Over 1.75 meters in height, he carried himself with confidence. His face, shaped by his mixed Eurasian features, had grown striking. Red lips, white teeth, dark brows over sharp eyes—his boyish softness had been replaced by a maturity that made heads turn when he walked by.With his easy smile and calm demeanor, he was every bit the image of a bright, sunlit youth.But beneath that exterior was a steel honed by relentless discipline.For six years, he had never stopped training. Every day was a cycle of reading, physical exercise, meditation, and telekinetic practice. He had pushed his limits until his power was no longer the fragile spark it once was, but a roaring flame.And yet, he knew he was only at the beginning.---On this particular day, Aiden stood outside Charles Xavier's office, knocking politely on the heavy wooden door.Knock, knock, knock."Please, come in," Charles's calm voice called from inside.Aiden opened the door to find Charles at his desk, writing notes with a fountain pen. At the sound of his footsteps, the Professor set the pen down and wheeled forward, his familiar kind smile on his face."Aiden," Charles greeted warmly. "Is there something you need?"Aiden met his gaze directly. "Professor, I'd like to go out for a while."The smile on Charles's face faltered just slightly. His blue eyes narrowed in thought. "Go out? And what do you plan to do outside the school?"Aiden's answer came smoothly, rehearsed. "I've read all the books in our library. If I want to keep improving, I need access to more knowledge. I'd like to visit larger libraries outside."Charles's brows furrowed faintly. He folded his hands together, studying Aiden closely."I could have the books you want procured and delivered here," Charles said after a pause. "There's no need for you to leave the safety of the school grounds."His tone was gentle, but there was steel beneath it.Aiden knew the Professor's worry wasn't baseless. Out there, beyond the peaceful lawns and protective walls of the Institute, the world was not kind to mutants. Fear and hatred festered in the hearts of ordinary people. Even one slip could bring disaster.But Aiden also knew he couldn't stay sheltered forever.The path ahead of him stretched far beyond these walls, and if he wanted to walk it, he would need to step into the world sooner or later.He drew in a quiet breath, steadying himself."Professor… I have to go."
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