65: Chapter 65 Scott

She had indeed changed quite a bit.

Her height was now close to one meter seventy-five, her figure had become slender, and her hair had finally grown long, reaching the middle of her back.

"How are they treating you?"

"Don't say things like that. Once you get to know them, you'll realize it's not that bad."

She stepped forward to hug Peter, whispering into his ear, "I really missed you and Felicia."

Peter's face heated up, and he released the hug. "Yeah, right."

He glanced at Felicia; her face was also flushed.

Damn Jean, she moved fast.

"So, Jean, show us around!" Liz Allan grabbed Jean's arm.

"Alright Liz Allan, give me a second."

Jean smiled and led everyone into the mansion.

The front doors stood wide open, revealing a breathtaking interior.

"Wow," Mary Jane looked around, "this is amazing."

"How many rooms are there here?" Felicia asked.

"I can't even say, maybe a hundred?" Jean shrugged.

Peter looked around.

The place was indeed pretty cool.

But what he was really interested in was actually the Danger Room, though he probably couldn't just ask someone to take him to see it directly.

Wait... could he? ... Never mind.

"Jean, what has the old bald guy been teaching you lately?" Peter asked as he followed her.

"I really wish you wouldn't call him that anymore. He's genuinely upset about what he did."

"Remember what I told you?" Peter raised an eyebrow.

"He's a man with the ability to brainwash. Around him, everything you feel should be questioned."

"Stop it, Peter, you're way too paranoid." Jean rolled her eyes.

"That's exactly what someone who's been brainwashed would say." Felicia added with a smile.

Peter narrowed his eyes and dropped the subject.

"Whatever, anyway, I've made sure he can't read our minds this time."

Jean was stunned.

"What? How did you do that?"

Peter pointed to his earlobe, where a black hoop earring was clipped on.

"This is an upgraded version of the power-suppression helmet I designed for you before. I made one for all the girls too."

Felicia gently touched the matching earring she was wearing, while Jean and Liz Allan each pointed to the headbands on their heads.

"No wonder I couldn't sense you." Jean realized.

" 'Sense' us? You mean you wanted to read our minds?" Felicia asked alertly.

"No, not like that. It's like a psychic version of sight; I couldn't feel your 'presence', as if you weren't there at all."

"Interesting. Learned a lot from that old man?" Peter asked.

"Yeah, he's taught me a lot, Peter, and—"

Jean was suddenly interrupted.

"Jean? Who is this?" A new voice chimed in.

Everyone looked up and saw a young man wearing a blue knit vest and khaki pants walking down the stairs.

He had brown hair and wore a pair of red goggles that completely covered his eyes.

Peter recognized him at a glance—Scott Summers.

"Scott, these are my friends, that bunch from Midtown High School." Jean introduced them with a smile.

"Guys, this is Scott, another student."

"So you're a Mutant too?" Liz Allan asked excitedly.

Mary Jane groaned.

"Liz Allan, you can't just go around asking people if they're a Mutant!"

Scott blinked.

"They all know?"

"Of course, dummy," Jean giggled.

"You go to a Mutant school, and they're not stupid."

Peter stepped forward with a smile and extended his hand.

"Peter Parker, nice to meet you."

Scott froze for a second before shaking it.

"Scott Summers."

"So Scott, what is your power?" Peter asked.

"Uh, that's a bit inconvenient to talk about?"

He seemed a bit nervous.

Peter nodded.

"I understand. Anyway, can you show us and the girls around the place?"

Scott shrugged and walked side by side with Jean at the front, leading them around the massive mansion with over a hundred rooms.

Peter had to admit that Xavier did have taste.

The place was both elegant and unpretentious.

Every room looked like it was prepared for VIP guests, and there were a few classrooms on the first floor, though they weren't in use at the moment.

The library looked large enough to rival any noble prep school.

"And then there's the garden."

Jean led them to the back, showing off the expansive courtyard.

There was a swimming pool nearby, along with a basketball court.

Further in were rose bushes and a structure that looked like a maze.

"Ah, you all really came to see Jean." A familiar voice rang out.

Everyone turned around and saw Xavier emerging from the bushes, with Ororo pushing his wheelchair.

He smiled and nodded.

"It's wonderful to know Jean's friends haven't forgotten her."

"We haven't forgotten you either, Xavier." Peter tapped his psychic shield.

"Don't even think about it."

Xavier sighed.

"Peter, I am deeply sorry for what I did. But you must understand, I did that to prevent you from becoming a murderer."

"He broke into my friend's home and threatened to kill her. In my eyes, the moment he thought he could get away with it, he was already a dead man."

"Peter," Jean gently placed a hand on his shoulder, "please."

Peter sighed and lowered his eyes.

"Sorry."

He turned to Xavier, letting out a long breath.

"You've got a really nice place here. Makes me want to join."

Xavier smiled.

"You can come anytime, Peter. From what Jean tells me, you're fully capable of teaching a few classes."

Felicia rolled her eyes.

"I'm sure you've told him a lot more than that."

"Hey, I don't just talk about Peter! You guys are my friends too!" Jean protested.

"Uh-huh." Mary Jane and Liz Allan both giggled, turning Jean's face bright red.

"Don't laugh, she really talks about you guys all day long," Scott laughed as well.

"She even told me about you guys trying to be superheroes."

"Yeah, thinking about it now, it really was pretty stupid." Liz Allan muttered.

"I told you so," Peter drew out his words.

"Alright, alright, no need to keep repeating it." Liz Allan pouted angrily.

"However, the suits you guys made back then gave me a great deal of inspiration," Xavier took over the conversation.

"I've already had Jean design a similar set."

Peter raised an eyebrow.

"Suits? What for?"

"As you yourself said, Peter, we must let the world see that Mutants are not a threat, but beings who can work side by side with humans."

Xavier made a gesture, signaling Peter to follow him.

Ororo pushed his wheelchair, and the three of them stepped into the hedge maze together.

Peter sighed and turned back to tell the girls, "I'll be right back."

They didn't say much, except for Felicia, who shot him a warning look.

Seriously, sometimes she worried way too much.

To be honest, Peter wasn't very happy.

He and Xavier were alone—well, not quite alone, there was also a female bodyguard who could shoot lightning out of her butt following them.

"What do you want to talk about?" Peter asked as they walked through the maze.

"I... I've been thinking about what you said earlier," Xavier explained.

"Oh? Which part?"

"The part about me abusing my powers."

"Got it."

Peter didn't press further, even though he really wanted to.

"So?"

"You said that Eric and I are no different. He uses his powers to hurt others, and I... I also use my powers to get what I want, ignoring the free will of others."

Peter nodded, following him to the center of the maze, where a fountain was waiting for them.

"Yeah, and then?"

"I want to apologize to you. I understand you don't trust me, I'm well aware of that. But I don't regret what I've done."

Peter took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

"I get it, really... You're not ordinary people, you guys are an entirely different species. But what is natural to you guys is different for us."

Xavier nodded.

"I'm glad you understand."

"Anything else?"

Xavier smiled.

"Yes. I originally wanted to invite you to join the school as a faculty member, perhaps just on weekends. But considering your recent public appearances as an Avenger, your schedule must be extremely tight."

Peter shrugged.

"It's actually no big deal, we don't have meetings every day or anything... By the way, do you want to join?"

Xavier was stunned.

"Me?"

Peter shrugged casually.

"Why not? You're a smart guy, and your heart isn't bad."

He turned to Ororo again.

"Same goes for you, Storm. We already have a Thor, but adding a thunder goddess wouldn't be bad either."

Ororo smiled.

"You really have a way with words, Peter. Thank you, but I think my time is better spent here."

Peter nodded and looked back at Xavier.

"And you?"

Xavier looked thoughtful.

"I must admit... that idea is tempting. But I'm afraid I can't stop a war the way you do."

"I don't need you to do that," Peter told him.

"We need more members. Stark might not admit it, but we almost lost that battle. And next time—trust me, there will definitely be a next time, I will never leave victory or defeat to luck again. When that time comes, can I count on you and your team?"

Xavier nodded.

"It would be my honor. Seeing Mutants fighting side by side with Earth's mightiest Guardians would be immensely beneficial to our cause."

"I think so too."

"Tell me, is this the real reason you came?" Xavier smiled.

Peter chuckled.

"No, it's just a really nice bonus. I really missed Jean, plus I just got a new car, so it's a good excuse for a long road trip."

"Then I won't keep you any longer." Xavier nodded.

Peter turned and walked briskly out of the maze, waving at them without looking back.

Xavier looked up at Ororo.

"What do you think of him?"

"He's... very smart, but also extremely complex."

Ororo watched Peter's receding figure with a scrutinizing gaze.

"I don't doubt his loyalty to his friends, but his anger... I'm afraid it will become his downfall."