Laboratory
A flicker of unease crossed Andrew's eyes as his fingers unconsciously traced the edge of the lab table."If… if this really changes my genes… will I become a monster?"
Hank was about to answer when the laboratory door slid open.
Xiao Han appeared in the doorway, his black battle armor already back on his body.
"Gene mutation isn't necessarily a bad thing." Xiao Han walked into the lab, his gaze fixed on Andrew."The key is in how you control it."
Matt pushed up his glasses."Mr. Xiao, that alien fragment Magneto mentioned… can it really rewrite genes?"
Xiao Han didn't answer immediately. He extended his right hand.
Above his palm, a pale blue energy orb floated—the energy absorbed from the crystal.
"This energy does have gene-editing properties," he said, staring at the orb."But its operating mechanism is far more complex than Magneto imagines."
Hank leaned in, drawn to it."Incredible… its structure completely defies known biological principles!"
"Because it comes from the depths of the universe."
Xiao Han retracted the energy orb."Perhaps it's the research of some alien empire."
Steve's eyes widened."Wait… you're saying aliens really exist?"
Xiao Han's lips curved slightly."More than you can imagine."
Andrew suddenly lifted his head, a strange light flickering in his eyes."Then… can it make me stronger?"
A brief silence fell over the lab. Hank and Xiao Han exchanged a glance.
"Theoretically, yes."
Xiao Han smiled."But gene editing carries risks. We need more research."
Andrew clenched his fists and then relaxed them."I'm willing to try."
"No!" Matt's voice cut sharply."Andrew, have you forgotten what happened last night? That energy is affecting your emotions!"
Steve pressed a hand to Andrew's shoulder."Bro, calm down. We need to figure out exactly what this thing is before doing anything."
Xiao Han studied the three young men, then spoke."You need a mentor."
He turned toward Hank, deliberately asking,"Will Xavier Academy take them in?"
Hank understood immediately and adjusted his glasses."Charles has already agreed. But…"
He hesitated."Considering Magneto's interest in this energy, they might need special protection."
"I'll handle it."
Xiao Han nodded."Also, you'll need to learn to get along with people at the Academy—if you want to become superheroes."
Andrew's eyes lit up."Of course! We absolutely want to—"
Xiao Han raised his hand to interrupt him."But not right now. There's something else I need to take care of first."
"Stay here for now. Hank will help you control your powers. If anything unusual happens, notify me immediately."
Andrew opened his mouth, then finally just nodded.
"Do your best." Xiao Han said to Hank, then turned to the window.
The next moment, he became a streak of black light, disappearing into the New York night sky.
Stark Tower Laboratory
Xiao Han appeared silently in the center of the lab. The golden patterns on his black battle armor glimmered coldly under the light.
Tony Stark was hunched over a holographic projection, his fingers flying as he adjusted the nanostructure parameters.
The coffee cup beside him was long empty—another all-nighter.
"Back?" Tony didn't lift his head, speaking casually."How are the mutants doing?"
Xiao Han walked beside him, scanning the data streams on the hologram."More complicated than expected."
Tony finally paused and turned to him, raising an eyebrow."Oh? Even the great Superman can't handle something?"
"Magneto interfered… but I scared him off."
Xiao Han gave a brief explanation."He was targeting an alien crystal, thinking it could rewrite mutant genes."
Tony's expression stiffened."Rewrite genes? That thing really can do that?"
"Yes. But the risks are extreme." Xiao Han nodded."I've absorbed it completely—there's no chance of further spread."
Tony studied him for a few seconds, then laughed."So you not only stole Magneto's target… you absorbed it yourself? I bet he went crazy."
"Something like that." Xiao Han smirked slightly."But he's temporarily retreating. Professor X will handle the follow-up."
Tony raised an eyebrow and returned to fiddling with his hologram."Alright, you always get things done. But next time, let me know beforehand. I don't want to wake up one day to a news headline saying you and Magneto tore half of New York apart."
Xiao Han didn't respond, instead walking to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at New York's nightscape.
After a moment of silence, he said,"Tony, I may need to leave for a while. Time is uncertain."
Tony paused and turned."Where to?"
"Somewhere quiet." Xiao Han's gaze drifted far away."I need to experiment with a new way to use my power."
"Magic?" Tony's eyes lit up with excitement."Like Kamatachi's method?"
"Mm." Xiao Han nodded."Their magic relies on rings and magical tools. I want to see if I can use my internal energy directly as a medium."
Tony put down his tools and crossed his arms."Sounds like forcing a fusion of tech and magic—not easy."
"That's why I need time."
Xiao Han turned to Tony."If it works, it could open a completely new path."
Tony was silent for a few seconds, then grinned."Alright, geniuses always have the right to be reckless. But…"
He pointed to the ceiling, indicating J.A.R.V.I.S."Any progress, notify me immediately. I don't want to miss a breakthrough of this level."
Xiao Han smiled lightly."I will."
He began to float."See you in a few days. Remember my armor."
The next moment, Xiao Han disappeared from the lab, a streak of black light shooting into the sky.
Tony stood, staring at where he vanished, shaking his head after a long moment."This guy… keeps getting more insane…"
He turned back to the workbench. The nanostructure hologram continued to spin slowly.
Tony tapped his fingers on the desk and a cunning smile spread across his face."J.A.R.V.I.S., pull up all research on combining magic energy with technology."
"Sir, relevant data is extremely limited," J.A.R.V.I.S. replied.
"Then start from scratch. Begin with the tech. I'll handle the magic part once Xiao learns it." Tony's eyes glinted with determination."I can't let him have all the spotlight."
"Sir, we need a codename."
"Call it… Anti-Magic Battle Armor!"
Outside, New York sparkled as ever.
And Xiao Han was already racing through the darkness at top speed.