An hour later, everything was ready.
Pepper had already arranged the press conference with flawless efficiency, pulling together logistics, security, and media coordination in record time. Since this was Tony Stark's first public appearance after vanishing for three months, the news had spread like wildfire. Every major media outlet that caught wind of it rushed to attend, eager to capture whatever statement he was about to make.
At the same time, under Tony's direct instruction, Pepper had also transferred 1.1 billion dollars into the account Locke had left behind. She didn't question it out loud, even though the amount was absurdly large, because right now, Tony being alive mattered far more than any number on a balance sheet.
Meanwhile, back at the Mutant Academy, Locke sat comfortably in a spacious living room with Polaris and Clarice, watching the live broadcast of the press conference. The room itself was far more expansive than anything he had used before, a direct upgrade that came with his new position as leader of the X-Men.
Compared to his previous quarters, this place felt almost luxurious, with enough space for multiple seating areas and large windows that let in natural light. It was the kind of room that made it easy to forget how chaotic the outside world could be.
"Wes, your mission today was to save that guy?" Polaris asked, her eyes still on the screen as Tony appeared before a sea of flashing cameras.
"Yeah," Locke replied casually, leaning back as if the whole thing had been nothing more than a routine errand.
Clarice, sitting nearby with a bag of snacks, looked confused as she chewed thoughtfully. "Tony Stark? That billionaire playboy everyone talks about? Why would you go out of your way to save someone like him?"
Locke chuckled softly, clearly amused by the question. "I'm technically working as an agent for S.H.I.E.L.D. right now. Rescuing Tony Stark was the mission. And honestly, I should thank them for it."
He grinned, his expression brightening.
"That job just made me 1.1 billion dollars."
"1.1 billion?!" Clarice nearly choked, her eyes widening as she stared at him in disbelief. Polaris wasn't much better, her calm demeanor cracking as the number sank in.
For people like them, money had always been something scarce and carefully managed. Even small amounts required saving over time, especially for anything beyond basic needs. Hearing a number like that wasn't just surprising—it felt completely unreal.
Locke noticed their reactions and couldn't help the faint sense of pride that crept into his expression.
"Don't get too hung up on the number," he said, waving a hand dismissively. "For Tony Stark, that kind of money barely registers. It's pocket change to him."
Hearing that, the shock on their faces eased slightly, though not entirely.
"Even so, that's insane," Clarice muttered, still trying to process it. "You just went out once and came back with over a billion dollars. That doesn't even sound real."
Locke shook his head with a small smile. "That's because this was a one-time situation. You don't run into someone like Stark every day, especially someone willing to throw money around like that."
He didn't bother mentioning that if Tony had known Locke was the one S.H.I.E.L.D. sent, he might have reacted very differently to that price tag.
"Anyway," Locke continued, shifting the topic, "since we've got the money now, I'm planning to upgrade the academy's equipment and expand the scholarship program."
Both Polaris and Clarice looked at him, surprised by the sudden turn.
"How about we make things a little more interesting?" Locke added with a grin. "We'll hold a ranking test. Top ten performers get ten thousand dollars each."
The suggestion immediately sparked interest.
For students who rarely had access to money, a reward like that was incredibly motivating. It wasn't just about the cash—it was recognition, proof of their growth and ability.
"That actually sounds amazing," Polaris said, nodding thoughtfully.
Clarice's eyes lit up as well, clearly excited by the idea. "I'm definitely joining that."
Locke leaned back again, looking thoroughly satisfied.
This wasn't just about spending money. It was about strengthening the academy and giving everyone a reason to push themselves further. And if he was being honest, it felt good to finally have the resources to do something meaningful on that scale.
What he didn't say out loud was that the 1.1 billion dollars was only part of his gain.
Alongside the cash, he had also secured a significant amount of Stark Industries shares—most of them originally scattered across the open market. Compared to that, the billion-dollar payment was almost secondary.
From this point on, he effectively held the position of the second-largest shareholder in Stark Industries.
That kind of influence wasn't something money alone could measure.
Elsewhere, Tony was having a very different experience.
Standing in the villa, he faced Phil Coulson, who had just finished explaining the situation. The moment Tony learned that Locke was the agent S.H.I.E.L.D. had sent to rescue him, his expression darkened noticeably.
For a brief second, there was a sentence forming in his mind that he very much wanted to say.
He held it back.
After all, considering Locke's abilities—the kind of power that could casually stop bullets midair and erase injuries like they never existed—Tony decided it was better not to push his luck.
The money was already gone.
There was no realistic way to get it back.
In the end, he exhaled slowly and accepted it, chalking the whole thing up to bad luck.
…
The next day, Locke was heading to class.
Even though he was now the leader of the X-Men, that didn't exempt him from attending lessons. Storm had made that very clear. He had already missed a significant amount of time, and if he continued skipping, there would be consequences—even for someone in his position.
So, with a mix of mild reluctance and acceptance, he showed up.
"Hey! Wes, over here!"
The moment he stepped into the classroom, Lauren waved enthusiastically and immediately pulled him toward the seat beside her. Her energy was as bright as ever, her cheerful personality practically filling the space around her.
Locke sat down, glancing at her with a faint smile. "How's your ability control coming along?"
Lauren straightened slightly, clearly pleased that he asked. "I've been training really hard lately," she said, a hint of excitement in her voice. "Actually, I've got something to show you."
She placed both hands on the desk and closed her eyes, her expression shifting into focused concentration.
A moment later, something incredible began to take shape.
Right on the surface of the desk, a white stone statue slowly formed, its details emerging piece by piece as if sculpted by an invisible hand. The structure was smooth, precise, and incredibly delicate.
When it was finished, it was unmistakable.
It was Locke.
Every feature had been carefully recreated, from the contours of his face to the subtle details of his expression. It wasn't just accurate—it was refined, almost artistic.
Lauren opened her eyes, clearly proud of what she had accomplished.
"Well?" she asked, looking at him expectantly. "What do you think?"
Locke studied the statue for a moment before nodding with genuine approval. "It's excellent," he said. "You've improved a lot. Being able to manipulate molecular structures this precisely isn't easy."
Hearing that, Lauren's face lit up with satisfaction.
She had spent a long time practicing just to reach this level. Now, hearing his praise, it all felt worth it.
"This is for you," she added, pushing the statue slightly toward him.
Locke smiled. "Thanks. I'll keep it safe."
He lifted a hand casually.
The statue vanished.
Lauren blinked, her smile freezing in place as confusion took over. "Wait… where did it go?"
"Relax," Locke said with a light chuckle. "I put it somewhere safe. Most visible spot in my room, actually. You can come check it out anytime."
He didn't elaborate further, but the truth was simple.
His spatial manipulation wasn't limited to moving himself.
Objects could be relocated just as easily.
....
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