The sun had already dipped toward the horizon by the time the X-Jet touched down on the mansion's landing strip. The sky was a blend of gold and deep blue, the last rays of daylight stretching across the massive estate. Mark stepped out behind the others, taking in the sight of the towering school lit by the evening glow. It was bigger than he expected—older, too—with an aura that felt like history and secrets layered over decades.
He followed Professor Xavier, Storm, Wolverine, and Cyclops through the garden path. The fountain at the center of the courtyard glimmered under the fading sun. Students could be seen inside the mansion windows—reading, talking, or walking the halls. It already felt like a world of its own.
Xavier slowed, turning slightly toward Mark.
"Mark, I think it's best if we let you rest for today. We can talk tomorrow morning. Logan will take you to your room."
Mark nodded. "Alright."
Logan jerked his thumb. "C'mon, bub. I'll show ya the way."
As the two walked deeper into the mansion, behind them, Xavier stopped. Cyclops turned to him, arms crossed, and Storm stood quietly at his side.
"Charles," Cyclops said quietly, "you felt it too. He's dangerous."
Storm nodded reluctantly. "If he ever loses control… even for a moment…"
"He could erase us," Cyclops finished, jaw tightening.
Xavier's face was grim. "His power is still growing. And the emotional instability of youth… it only takes one moment of anger."
Storm pressed her lips together. "So what do we do?"
"We make him feel safe," Xavier said. "He needs to feel like this is home. And we must help him control his abilities as soon as possible."
Cyclops frowned. "If he actually can control them."
Xavier didn't respond. He looked out toward the darkening sky, concern etched across his face.
None of them knew that Mark already had full mastery over his powers—perfect mental stability, perfect control. Thanks to the system, his ability obeyed him fully. But to them, he looked like a dangerous, unpredictable anomaly.
They had no idea what he truly was.
Mark and Logan reached a hallway lined with wooden doors and soft lighting.
"Here," Logan said, stopping at one. "You can find someone tomorrow morning to show you around. Breakfast starts early."
He didn't wait for a reply. "Get some rest," he muttered, then walked away.
Mark pushed open the door and stepped inside.
It was simple. One bed. A small bathroom. A dresser. No kitchen. But there was a balcony—wide, clean, with a beautiful view of the garden fountain.
He walked toward the balcony door and opened it. Fresh, cool night air rushed in, carrying the scent of grass and flowers. The fountain glowed softly under mansion lights.
He breathed out slowly.
"This isn't bad," he murmured.
He took a long, hot shower. The water felt like a reset button after everything that happened today.
When he stepped out, exhaustion hit him all at once.
He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
"A new world… new start… Let's see where this goes."
He closed his eyes and slept.
At dawn, sunlight slipped through the curtains and fell across Mark's face. He woke up feeling refreshed, calm, and focused. He showered again—he always felt clearer afterward.
Once dressed, he used his ability.
Reality Warp: Change clothing.
His pajamas shifted into clean jeans, a fitted black shirt, and a light jacket.
He smirked. "Convenient."
He stepped out into the hallway and began wandering. The place felt like a maze—hallways looping around, stairs leading to different wings, paintings of old X-Men hanging on some walls.
As he turned a corner, someone's head popped out of a wall.
"Hi!"
Mark jumped a little. "Whoa."
Kitty Pryde phased all the way through the wall and smiled brightly. "Sorry! Didn't mean to scare you."
"It's okay," Mark said, chuckling. "I'm Mark."
"I know! Everyone heard about you." She practically sparkled with friendliness. "Do you need help finding anything?"
"Well, I am kinda lost."
"Perfect! I love giving tours. Walk with me!"
They walked down the hallway together, Kitty chatting nonstop about classes, mutant drama, cafeteria food, and which students caused the most explosions.
A blue puff of smoke suddenly filled the air beside them.
Bamf!
Nightcrawler appeared with a grin.
"Guten Morgen, friend!"
Kitty waved. "Kurt, this is Mark!"
Nightcrawler bowed dramatically mid-air. "A pleasure."
Mark smiled at their energy. "Nice to meet you both."
Kitty clapped her hands. "Okay! First stop—the library!"
But before they reached it, a familiar presence approached. Jean Grey walked toward them gracefully, her telepathic field warm and calm.
"Good morning," she said. Her eyes lingered on Mark—too long to be coincidence.
Mark felt it again. Something burning inside her. Something old and powerful. A being capable of creation… and destruction. A force beyond anything in this mansion.
The Phoenix.
Jean saw the way he looked at her, and a faint tremor passed through her expression—like she felt danger for a second.
But she brushed it off.
"Beast is looking for you," she said. "He wants to run some tests."
Kitty chimed in, "We can take you there!"
Together, they headed to the lab.
Beast was hunched over a table covered in microscopes, chemical vials, and high-tech consoles. He looked up the moment they entered.
"Ah! Mark, good morning!"
"Morning," Mark replied.
Beast approached with a syringe in hand. "I would like to collect a small sample of your blood—just a few milliliters—"
"No."
Mark didn't even let him finish.
Beast blinked. "I… beg your pardon?"
"No blood samples." Mark's voice was calm but firm. "Not now. Not ever."
His blood wasn't something anyone could be allowed to study. It held infinite potential. Infinite danger.
Beast stared for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Very well. I won't pressure you."
He motioned toward a medical bed.
"Please lie down. I will only perform an external scan."
Mark complied, lying back as the metal scanner rings lit up overhead.
"This device reads energy signatures generated by the X-gene," Beast explained. "It allows us to understand a mutant's potential. Though limited, it can read even lower Omega classifications."
The machine hummed.
Lights pulsed.
Kitty and Jean watched quietly.
But then—
The monitors glitched.
The scanner lights flickered.
A red message flashed across every screen:
ERROR — CANNOT READ TARGET
Beast froze.
Jean's eyes widened.
Kitty gasped beside her.
Beast whispered, almost reverently:
"This… shouldn't be possible."
Before he could say more, Xavier's voice echoed telepathically in his mind.
Hank… let Mark come to my office. Immediately.
Beast swallowed hard.
"Mark… the professor would like to see you."
Jean and Kitty followed him out of the lab and down the hall.
At Xavier's door, Jean placed a comforting hand on Mark's arm. "We'll wait outside."
He nodded and stepped in.
Professor Xavier waited behind his desk, hands folded.
Mark took the seat across from him.
Before Xavier could speak, Mark began.
"Professor… I want to be honest with you. The only reason I came with you is because I need protection, for now. A place to stabilize until I'm strong enough. And once I am, I won't need your help anymore."
Xavier raised an eyebrow but didn't look offended.
Mark continued, "But I'm not someone who takes without giving. If you ever need my help… I'll give it."
Xavier exhaled softly and smiled.
"Mark, I am not keeping any student against their will. You may leave whenever you wish. But until then, you are welcome here."
He leaned forward.
"But I called you here for another reason. Your powers… they are extremely dangerous."
Mark stayed silent.
"I have only known one individual with similar abilities," Xavier continued. "His powers reach far beyond imagination. Reality itself bends around those gifts."
Mark said quietly, "I don't need your help to control my ability."
Xavier stared at him for a long moment.
"No one here can help me more than I can help myself," Mark added. "All I need is a private training room."
Xavier smiled gently.
"We have four training grounds. You may choose one to be yours. If you ever need guidance, you know where to find me."
Mark nodded, stood up, and left.
Outside, jean, Kitty and Nightcrawler were waiting eagerly.
"How did it go?" Kitty asked.
Mark shrugged. "Fine. I need to train. Can you guys take me to the third training room after breakfast?"
Kitty beamed. "Of course!"
They ate together in the cafeteria. Students whispered about Mark, glancing at him with curiosity, fear, admiration—everything in between.
After finishing, Kitty and Kurt guided him through multiple hallways and metal doors until they reached the training ground Mark chose.
A huge room.
Filled with weapon racks, training dolls, obstacles, reinforced walls, and automated systems.
Kitty looked disappointed.
"You sure you don't want us to stay?"
"I need to be alone," Mark said calmly.
She nodded, understanding.
Kurt bowed. "Good luck, my friend."
When they left and the door closed behind him…
Mark exhaled.
The silence settled.
He looked around the room, eyes sharp, power stirring faintly in the air.
"Alright…"
He raised his hand.
A faint golden glow rippled around his fingertips.
"It's time to get to Level 2."