"Thank you for taking care of Clarice?"
After hearing Richard's offer, Professor X's expression registered surprise.
Though Richard's proposal was unexpected, Xavier quickly weighed his options. One fact stood paramount: Richard possessed extraordinary power—exceeding the combined strength of Cyclops, Storm, and Wolverine. If he volunteered to help contain Jean, this represented an invaluable asset.
Xavier saw no reason to refuse.
"Your willingness to help contain Jean would be tremendously beneficial," Xavier responded directly, foregoing any attempt to discern Richard's underlying motivations.
"As I said, consider it repayment for your guardianship of Clarice," Richard replied smoothly.
He certainly couldn't reveal his primary objective: to defeat Dark Phoenix and claim the system's mission reward.
Though Xavier wondered if Richard harbored additional motives, he tactfully refrained from further inquiry. Simultaneously, the idea of recruiting Richard into the X-Men resurfaced in his mind.
How remarkable it would be if he joined the X-Men!
Xavier sighed inwardly, but quickly dismissed the unrealistic notion.
For most mutants, X-Men membership represented a coveted honor—an opportunity they would embrace without hesitation. Unfortunately, Richard belonged to the minority who showed no interest in the team.
Moreover, Xavier suspected Richard might be more aligned with Magneto's Brotherhood of Mutants. This suspicion had intensified when, the day after Magneto departed with Wanda and Pietro, the self-proclaimed "Master of Magnetism" had called Xavier specifically to boast about his newly discovered children.
While explaining that Wanda and Pietro had been rescued by Richard from the Hellfire Club's research facility, Magneto's underlying message hadn't escaped Xavier. After decades of friendship and rivalry, Xavier recognized Magneto's true purpose: beyond flaunting his newfound paternal status to a solitary old man, Magneto was subtly indicating his rapport with Richard, implying the possibility of eventually recruiting him into the Brotherhood.
Neither Xavier nor Magneto had abandoned hope of securing Richard's allegiance, though neither had discovered how to accomplish this.
"I never perceived you as inherently malevolent, Richard," Xavier observed thoughtfully. "Though some of your actions strike me as excessive. But let's not dwell on philosophical differences. Since you've offered your assistance with Jean, I'll defer to your judgment in this matter."
"I'll do everything in my power," Richard affirmed with a nod.
After discussing Phoenix, they conversed about more casual topics for over ten minutes.
"As this is your first visit to the school," Xavier suggested with a smile, "perhaps Clarice could provide a tour of our facilities."
"I'd appreciate that," Richard replied readily.
"You needn't be so formal," Xavier assured him. "Though you aren't a student here, you're welcome anytime. Should you wish it, we could even arrange permanent accommodations."
Despite Xavier's diplomatic phrasing, Richard recognized his persistent recruitment efforts. This was perfectly understandable—no leader would willingly relinquish the opportunity to acquire exceptional talent.
Richard had expected Xavier to summon Clarice telepathically. Instead, the Professor retrieved a mobile phone from his pocket and dialed Jean Grey.
The call connected quickly. "Jean, please ask Clarice to come to my office," Xavier requested.
After ending the call, Xavier turned to Richard. "Does my approach seem unnecessarily convoluted? Why employ a more cumbersome method when telepathy would suffice?"
"Somewhat," Richard acknowledged.
Xavier nodded. "Mutant abilities provide undeniable convenience, but relying on them exclusively fosters dependency and potential abuse. Furthermore, frequent power usage inevitably provokes envy."
He leaned forward slightly. "The general population's prejudice against mutants stems partly from our different appearances, but primarily from jealousy regarding our abilities. Envy is a fundamental aspect of human nature—affecting not only ordinary humans but mutants as well."
Minutes later, Jean arrived with Clarice. Though Clarice's physical appearance remained largely unchanged from months earlier, she now carried herself with noticeably greater confidence and vitality.
"Clarice, you and Richard are old friends," Xavier said. "Would you please show him around the school?"
"Of course, Professor," Clarice agreed immediately.
"I won't keep you any longer, Professor," Richard said, rising from his seat.
"Enjoy your tour," Xavier replied warmly.
Richard and Clarice departed the office together.
"Have you adjusted to life here?" Richard inquired as soon as they were alone.
"Yes," Clarice replied brightly. "Everyone's been incredibly welcoming, and Dr. Grey and the others have taught us so much." Her delicate features brightened with anticipation. "By the way, I can now create spatial gates extending up to one hundred kilometers!"
Her expression clearly communicated, "Aren't you impressed?"
"That's excellent progress," Richard praised sincerely. Though her advancement seemed modest by his standards, her achievement deserved acknowledgment.
Clarice beamed at his recognition, then proceeded to guide him through the school with enthusiasm.
She led him through all the school's facilities—classrooms, library, basketball court, cafeteria, dormitories, gardens, garage—excluding only the X-Men's underground headquarters.
During their tour, Richard and Clarice predictably attracted considerable attention from the student body. Even without employing telepathy, Richard easily detected the jealous glances from male students.
Though Clarice possessed distinctly Asian features and lacked the voluptuous physique typical of Western girls her age, she exemplified a universal truth: when beauty reaches a certain threshold, aesthetic preferences converge completely.
Noticing the envious looks from male students, Richard decided to tease Clarice. "Evidently, your recent months have yielded not only extended teleportation range but also numerous admirers."
"That's not true!" Clarice protested, immediately flustered like a startled cat. "I don't have any boyfriend here. I'm completely single!"
She fixed him with her large, pale green eyes, silently challenging him to dispute her claim.
The changes are remarkable, Richard thought.
Three months ago, Clarice would never have displayed such spirited indignation. Having spent years alongside Sabretooth, constantly relocating to avoid capture, she'd had minimal opportunity to interact with peers, let alone develop close friendships.
After three months among contemporaries at Xavier's School, she had blossomed into the vibrant young woman she was meant to be.
Regarding Clarice thoughtfully, Richard adopted a serious expression. "If you truly have no suitors, then I face a dilemma."
"What do you mean?" Clarice asked, puzzled.
Meeting her gaze, Richard replied deliberately, "It would reflect poorly on me—suggesting either a fundamental flaw in my aesthetic judgment or an inexplicable attraction to a woman others find unappealing."
What?
Clarice froze momentarily.
Then, a delicate blush suffused her fair, oval face.
Though inexperienced in romance, Clarice had been drawn to Richard from their first encounter, just as he had been captivated by her. At her age—the threshold of first love—it would have been unnatural not to feel stirrings of attraction toward a handsome, powerful young man, particularly one who had saved her life.
Though technically her capture had resulted from their meeting, which exposed her location, she clearly didn't hold this against him.
"You... like me?" she asked shyly.
Observing Clarice's blushing countenance, a thought crossed Richard's mind: Few truths in this world exceed the eloquence of a woman's blush.
Though aware of the answer Clarice sought, Richard couldn't resist teasing her further. "No, you've misunderstood. I merely observed that no one pursues unattractive girls."
Unattractive?
Clarice, who had anticipated an affirmative response, stared in momentary shock before puffing her cheeks indignantly.
"I am NOT unattractive!"
After approximately an hour at Xavier's School, Richard teleported back to Emma Frost's apartment.
He hadn't brought Clarice with him, nor had he engaged in typical romantic activities with her at the school.
Though Clarice had evolved considerably over the past three months, Richard, as with Wanda, had no intention of pursuing intimacy prematurely. Whether with Clarice or Wanda, the timing wasn't yet optimal.
A skilled hunter requires patience above all.
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