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As soon as Ororo spotted Mark and the two children, her expression softened, and she smiled warmly, raising a hand in greeting.
"Welcome to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. I believe you'll come to love it here."
After offering her greeting, she promptly turned to carry out Professor Xavier's instructions and went to gather the other instructors.
Mark, recognizing her name and distinctive features, quickly identified the teacher.
"Storm." A top-tier, Level 3 mutant capable of localized weather manipulation, able to summon lightning, storms, and arctic elements as offensive tools.
(note: should i continue with this type of classification or the comic ones?)
In the established classification, mutants are categorized into five tiers, with Level 1 being the weakest and Level 5 the most powerful. Typically, a mutant's potential level is determined at birth, though most cannot initially manifest their full capabilities. Development and training are required to access their complete power.
For example, a Level 2 mutant may only demonstrate Level 1 abilities at first. With time and proper training, they can reach their designated maximum, though never surpass it. However, a lower-level mutant can occasionally outmatch a higher-level one. This depends on various factors, the nature of the ability, mental resilience, and combat experience.
A support-type Level 3 mutant may not prevail in battle against an offensive-type Level 2. Likewise, a Level 3 mutant with no combat experience could easily be defeated by a battle-hardened Level 2 mutant.
"Piotr, could you help these three youngsters settle into their rooms and familiarize them with the school?"
With Ororo now gone, Professor Xavier summoned a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old student and entrusted him with the task of guiding Mark, Wanda, and Pietro.
The school building had seven floors. Aside from classrooms and rooms adapted for specific uses, the rest served as dormitories. Due to the school's unique nature, it enrolled only young mutants, the student population was relatively small. Including faculty, the institution housed just thirty-four individuals.
Even with each student assigned a private room, there were still numerous vacant accommodations. Upon graduation, students could either integrate into society, remain as faculty, or join the X-Men. Professor Xavier had explained these options during their journey.
"Piotr, what's your ability?" Mark inquired casually as the group toured the building and selected their rooms. He sought to gain a deeper understanding of the school and its residents.
He had seen the X-Men films, though years had passed since, and while he remembered major plotlines and nicknames, much of the detailed content had faded. He easily recognized renowned figures like Magneto, Professor X, Wolverine, and Phoenix. However, the real names of others, like Ororo, were less familiar.
"Me? I can transmute my body into a steel-like substance, enhancing my strength, durability, and resistance."
As he spoke, Piotr activated his ability, his entire body transforming into a metallic, steel-colored form.
"Wow, that's so cool!" Pietro exclaimed, his eyes shining as he eagerly touched Piotr's arm. Wanda, still holding onto Mark's arm, leaned in curiously to observe more closely.
"My dream is to become an artist, like Picasso. If there's time, I'd love to paint portraits of the three of you."
Unbothered by Pietro's curiosity, Piotr responded good-naturedly.
'So this is Colossus' Mark noted to himself, letting his gaze momentarily linger at Piotr's midsection.
'The hardest man among mutants.'
"We'll take these three rooms," he decided, noting they were adjacent. After setting down their belongings and briefly organizing the rooms, the group continued their tour.
The school's amenities astonished Mark: classrooms, labs, a cafeteria, gardens, swimming pool, basketball and football fields, even horses and a stable. The school's wealth was unmistakable.
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While Piotr led the new students through the school, a high-priority meeting convened in the headmaster's office.
"I believe it was Magneto who orchestrated the attack on the president," declared Cyclops, Scott, with conviction.
Beside him, Jean Grey shook her head in disagreement.
"Scott, I don't think that's the case. While Erik does possess the capacity to coordinate such acts from prison, it goes against his goals for mutant ascension," she argued.
Professor Xavier nodded, clearly aligned with Jean's assessment.
Across the room, Storm raised her hand in concern. "Wonderful. Now the government will likely resurrect the Mutant Registration Act."
"To uncover the truth, we must first find the mutant responsible for the attack," Xavier concluded. "Jean, Ororo, you're to retrieve him. Scott and I will visit Erik in prison."
With that, the meeting concluded with clearly designated roles.
~~~~~~~
Evening School Cafeteria
"Is the food here free to eat?" Mark asked, eyes gleaming as he observed the students lining up for their meals.
Piotr smiled warmly. "Of course. All meals, drinks, and daily supplies are provided freely by the school. Eat as much as you like."
At this moment, he had yet to grasp the potential consequences of that offer.
"You all go ahead," Mark said with a wave of his hand. "Piotr, take Pietro and Wanda through the line first. I'll eat later, after everyone else."
"There's no need for that," Piotr replied. "The kitchen always prepares ample food, and Chef Yog possesses the ability to instantly process large quantities of ingredients. Supplies are ordered in bulk, enough to feed the entire school for three days. There's no risk of running out."
Knowing the trio had come from the war-ravaged Sokovia, Piotr assumed Mark's hesitance stemmed from food scarcity, a common trauma in conflict zones.
The school employed numerous staff members, all of whom were also mutants. These were often alumni whose abilities, typically support-oriented and lower-level, lacked combat effectiveness and thus left them ill-suited to life among humans. Instead, they chose to stay and serve the school as chefs, gardeners, janitors, technicians, and more.
Given Professor Xavier's immense wealth, all employees received excellent compensation.
"You don't understand," Wanda chimed in, grinning as she gestured.
"Mark eats a lot. He's like a big bad wolf!"
Mark chuckled and playfully tickled her side.
"If I'm the big bad wolf, then you must be Little Red Riding Hood. Better be careful, or I'll gobble you up in one bite."
Wanda broke into uncontrollable laughter.
Beside her, Pietro nodded solemnly in agreement, explaining to Piotr, "I swear, it's like he has an entire universe in his stomach. I've never seen him full. Maybe that's his mutant ability."
Piotr, ever compassionate, was immediately moved.
"How tragic… Don't worry. Go ahead and eat as much as you like," he said, placing a hand on Mark's shoulder and leading the trio to join the line.