46 Chapter 46 : Last Stand?

When Carl returned to school, he was unaware that Scott had ventured to Lake Alkali.

After finishing supper, settling his digestion, and taking a bath, Carl dove back into the virtual battlefield to face off against the formidable middle-aged opponent once more.

Having perished seven times the day before, Carl sensed he was on the cusp of a breakthrough, nearing the point where he could harness his power throughout his entire being.

Perhaps with enough effort today, success could be within reach.

"I refuse to accept this. How can I, even against a foe of similar one-star caliber and attributes, fail to emerge victorious?" 

With a fierce cry, Carl emanated an overwhelming aura within the virtual space, fiercely clashing with his adversary.

Crack!

Upon the 63rd strike, Carl was met with a devastating blow, succumbing to a fatal punch as his strength waned.

Growling with frustration, Carl, panting heavily, reopened his eyes, then closed them once more to reenter the virtual battlefield.

After over ten minutes, Carl, persisting until the seventy-first strike, once again opened his eyes, briefly resting before diving back in...

For the third time, the fourth time... as Carl relentlessly struck 280 times with all his might, he had now perished eight consecutive times.

"Roar! What's happening?"

In the darkness, Carl gasped, his pale face now reflecting astonishment.

Because during his seventh demise, he had succeeded in channeling the strength throughout his entire body.

With each punch thrown, power surged from beneath his feet, fists gathering along the spine, unleashing a forceful blow that resonated throughout his entire being.

In that moment, the force behind his punch had quintupled, unleashing substantial transparent shockwaves with each strike, a testament to its newfound potency.

Yet, even with this enhancement, he remained no match for the relentless middle-aged foe.

Despite mustering all his strength to combat, he continually found his power slightly lacking, unable to match the condensed might of his opponent's fist.

Ultimately, succumbing to hundreds of retaliatory strikes, he fell, his spirit shattered by a single blow.

"What's the issue here?" Carl pondered, his brow furrowing in perplexity.

Indeed, in just two days, Carl had achieved what many boxing masters in the East had taken 20 years to accomplish, and this rapid progress was already formidable.

However, he remained unsatisfied. Despite his fast improvement, he had to pay for it with his life.

If only he could defeat his opponents sooner, then perhaps he would have to die one less time.

Dying was too uncomfortable, too painful.

Lost in thought, Carl eventually fell into a deep slumber.

Eight deaths had nearly drained his mental strength, leaving his spirit exhausted long ago.

...

The following day dawned bright and sunny, lifting Carl's low spirits slightly.

In the morning, Carl found a well-situated lawn, comfortably reclined, and soaked in the sunlight.

Feeling his body growing stronger under the sun's rays, Carl expressed satisfaction: "Indeed, in this cold and harsh world, the warm sunshine can bring a sense of comfort."

After some time, Clarice approached with a brand-new comic book featuring a fresh cover.

Observing Carl enjoying the sunshine with closed eyes, the girl refrained from disturbing him. Instead, she settled beneath the shade of a nearby tree, quietly flipping through the comic book.

Such a serene moment lingered.

However, at that moment, two high school students descended the stairs in the distance.

A faint rumor circulated that Mr. Scott had left. It was said he had ventured afar and wouldn't return soon.

Initially in a daze, Carl hadn't fully comprehended this information.

Yet, a few seconds later, he abruptly opened his eyes, sitting up with a startled expression on his face.

Noticing his sudden alertness, Clarice looked over with concern. "Carl, what's wrong?"

Carl didn't respond immediately but spoke hesitantly, "Clarice, I think I just heard someone mention that Mr. Scott is away."

Clarice nodded in confirmation, "Yes, I heard that too."

Carl furrowed his brows, "If it's true, do you know when he left?"

"I don't know," the girl shook her head.

Under normal circumstances, it wasn't unusual for a teacher to leave, even in mutant schools. Everyone had personal matters to attend to.

However, what wasn't normal was that this individual was Cyclops, and shortly after Wolverine's return.

Carl recalled the events of the third X-Men battle. Not long after Wolverine's return, Scott had departed for Lake Alkali due to a reminder.

Then he was 'consumed' by Jean Grey, who had been presumed dead for over three years and suddenly resurrected from the lake.

In truth, Carl's wisest course of action would be to disregard the impending third battle and continue developing quietly.

After all, only a few mutants would perish in the end, and the world wouldn't be destroyed, nor would it affect him.

Moreover, with his current strength, intervening in the third battle would prove exceedingly challenging.

He couldn't prevent the United States from passing the Mutant Cure and the 'curing' Mutant Act, nor could he suppress Magneto and the reawakened Jean Grey.

After spending some time at Xavier's School, Carl found the atmosphere there quite conducive to his personal development. He appreciated the tranquility it offered during this initial phase and wished to maintain it without disturbance.

Moreover, he deeply valued the guidance and support he received from teachers like Scott and Professor X. They had been instrumental in his journey so far.

Despite considering himself neither wholly good nor entirely bad, Carl saw himself as an ordinary individual with his own share of grievances. With this in mind, he resolved to prevent Scott from venturing to Lake Akali, fearing the potential danger it posed.

However, his plans took an unexpected turn when, just two days after Logan's return, Scott decided to venture out. Carl found himself caught off guard by the sudden turn of events during an outing to Alkali Lake.

PS: Stay tuned for more updates. I noticed a comment suggesting the protagonist's slow progression in strength. In this regard, let's draw parallels with the cinematic depiction of Superman's journey upon arriving on Earth.

Just as Superman didn't become invincible overnight, Carl's growth will follow a gradual process, akin to absorbing sunlight to enhance his abilities. After all, where's the thrill if the protagonist is invincible from the start? 

Rest assured, I won't rush the protagonist's development. The upcoming chapters will mark the beginning of his journey to shine, and it won't involve any nanny's mothers.*

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