Chapter 6

"I am Professor Charles Xavier from the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters in New York. I'd like to speak with your parents."

Professor X offered a gentle smile again.

At that moment, the voice of Hawking's father, Oleg, came from the living room:

"Hawking, who is it?"

"Two gentlemen, they say they are professors from a school in New York."

Hawking called back loudly.

Upon hearing this, Oleg and Irena immediately paused the TV and came over.

As soon as Professor X saw Oleg and Irena, he initiated his telepathic abilities to read their memories. It was standard procedure for him to check the parents' memories whenever he approached potential students.

If the parents were fearful or hostile towards mutants and unaware of their child's nature, he would not reveal his identity as the head of a school for mutants, instead posing as a representative from a normal school.

For instance, years ago in Boston, he recruited a student who could release frost. After sensing the parents' attitudes through telepathy, he chose not to disclose the full truth to them.

If parents were aware their child was a mutant or were not hostile towards mutants, he would be open about his school's nature.

"It seems there are three, no, it's not entirely certain yet."

After reading Oleg and Irena's memories, Professor X's expression showed surprise again. He had thought there was only one mutant child here, but it turned out there were three, two of whom were particularly unusual.

Pietro, the confirmed mutant, was the one he had detected with the cerebral enhancer. Pietro's sister, Wanda, did not show the usual mutant brainwaves under his scan but possessed abilities like telekinesis, making her status as a mutant uncertain.

The third child, Hawking, was an adopted son the couple had taken in over two months ago. He too could not be conclusively identified as a mutant. However, Professor X was inclined to believe he was, given characteristics typical of mutants.

Firstly, the young boy had a tail, a trait seen in many mutants with partial animal characteristics.

Secondly, his physical capabilities were extraordinary, capable of intercepting missiles and unleashing powerful energy attacks—traits of potentially powerful mutants who hadn't yet mastered their abilities.

Lastly, and most importantly, the boy could passively shield his mind from telepathy, which made it impossible for Xavier to sense his brainwaves—again, a typical mutant trait.

Wanda was an anomaly; though Xavier could access her memories, she should exhibit distinct mutant brainwaves if she were a mutant, but she did not.

If she weren't a mutant, then according to her memories, which lacked any manipulation, experimentation, or other special experiences, her powers arose naturally.

Regardless of their mutant status, he decided to recruit all three children to his school.

Especially Hawking, who possessed a variety of combat-suited abilities and was mature for his age, could be a good candidate for his X-Men if guided properly.

If misguided, and lured away by the likes of Magneto, it would cause Xavier significant trouble.

"That's the situation. Our school specializes in protecting and guiding mutant children," Professor X explained the nature of his school and the purpose of his visit in the living room.

Oleg and Irena hesitated after hearing his explanation. According to Professor Xavier, his school for mutants was indeed the most suitable place for the children to study.

They had always worried about the children's safety in Sokovia, particularly if their mutant identities were exposed.

Moreover, Charles Xavier had provided many similar examples. They did not feel that Professor Xavier would deceive them, partly because they inexplicably felt a trust towards him upon meeting.

What really made them hesitant was that the school was in New York, a different country entirely. It was too far, and they would only see the children a few times a year, which was hard to accept.

"Professor Xavier, we..."

After much deliberation, their concern for the children's safety overcame their reluctance, and they decided to let the three children go to New York to study.

However, just as they were about to speak, Hawking, who had been listening quietly, interrupted:

"Dad, Mom, may I have a moment alone with Professor Xavier?"

"Of course, no problem."

Oleg and Irena paused, then nodded. They treated Hawking differently than Pietro and Wanda, seeing him not just as a child but as someone mature who had once saved their family. They respected his opinions on relevant matters.

Professor Xavier, interested in the highly potential and telepathy-resistant Hawking, also agreed to the private conversation.

The elderly professor and the young boy moved from the living room to the basement.

"Do you have something you want to discuss?"

"Professor, you must be aware of the situation in Sokovia. It's not safe, and even though the war has ended and there's temporary peace, no one knows when the next conflict will erupt.

I'm very concerned that my parents might be in danger while my siblings and I attend your school. I hope you can help them immigrate and find suitable work in New York."

Hawking spoke earnestly to Charles.

Attending the school for mutants seemed like a good choice for him. Lying low in Sokovia was safe but slow for his development and not truly safe given the war, Hydra, and the potential future destruction of Sokovia.

The school for mutants wasn't entirely safe either, but at least it had the X-Men as a buffer. Xavier's ideals were too idealistic for Hawking's taste, but such a person made a good ally who wouldn't sacrifice him for personal gain.

Could Xavier manipulate him? Hardly, as Xavier couldn't read his mind.

Certainly, it was better than Magneto, who, although right from a mutant perspective, might sacrifice his own for the greater good of mutants.

Mystique was loyal and close to Magneto, but when necessary, she could be ruthlessly sacrificed.

And for Hawking, not even being a mutant, along with Oleg, Irena, and Wanda, who were also non-mutants, only Pietro was a mutant, making his stance align more with Xavier's: neither wanted complete annihilation of either mutants or humans.

(End of Chapter)