"You little brat, where did you learn so many tricks? Maybe you should go try them on soone your age."
Hearing Kurogai's teasing, Jean's face flushed with embarrassnt. She glared at him, indignant. This brat actually had the nerve to flirt with her? How annoying.
And what did he an by calling her old? She was barely in her twenties! Yet in Kurogai's mouth, she'd sohow turned into an "older woman chasing after a younger man." Jean rolled her eyes. Her appearance and charisma were praised by many, but in this kid's eyes, she was just an old cow eyeing young grass. Hmph. Maybe she should show Kurogai just how charming this "old woman" could be.
Jean's thoughts began to wander down dangerous territory, and as her imagination ran wild, her cheeks flushed even redder. She quickly forced those thoughts away and focused on checking Kurogai's vitals to ensure he hadn't suffered any aftereffects from his transformation.
"All internal systems look stable. No damage to your limbs or organs. Are you feeling any discomfort?" Jean asked calmly after her examination, trying to suppress her flustered state.
"Yes, actually. My eyes are acting up," Kurogai said seriously, locking eyes with her.
"What do you an? Be specific," Jean asked, suddenly concerned, leaning in to examine him more closely.
"My eyes… they can't see anything else anymore," Kurogai said with a straight face. "I can only see you."
Jean blinked. Then froze.
A second later, crimson rushed to her cheeks, flooding up to her ears. She dropped the instrunts she was holding and practically fled the lab.
Kurogai burst into laughter. "Cheesy lines still work," he grinned. "Didn't expect her to run off like that."
His playful expression gradually faded as he began to reflect more seriously. "Is this just the bond between and the Phoenix Force? Or is it sothing else—sothing psychological?" he murmured to himself. Maybe it was a mix of both. Either way, he didn't hate it. Watching Jean get that flustered was oddly satisfying.
He straightened his posture, gathered his focus, and summoned a portal with a wave of his hand. Through it, he retrieved a clean set of clothes from his personal quarters and calmly began to dress.
In truth, when the azure fla had returned to his body earlier, Kurogai could have imdiately retrieved clothing. But he hadn't. Maybe, influenced by the Phoenix, he had wanted to ss with Jean a little longer. Either way, it was done.
By the ti he stepped out of the lab, Jean was nowhere in sight. The halls of the Xavier Institute were eerily quiet—no students, no chatter. Unbeknownst to Kurogai, his earlier transformation had once again caused the staff to evacuate the students into a secured underground passage. A precaution they were starting to take very seriously.
Rather than linger in the silence, Kurogai made his way straight to Charles Xavier's office. The Professor had been expecting him.
"Professor, I'm here," Kurogai said as he casually took a seat across from him.
Professor X gave a patient smile, though his eyes were intense. "Ever since you arrived at our school, I've had the distinct feeling you're hiding sothing. Can we speak openly now? I assure you, I an no harm."
Despite being unable to read Kurogai's thoughts, Xavier had a keen sense for people—and Kurogai had never sat right with him. Especially not after today, when he released that powerful energy and ignited those otherworldly flas.
It was clear Kurogai hadn't co to the Institute simply for guidance.
Kurogai's smile faded. He leaned forward, his expression serious. "Looks like you're not interested in wasting ti. Fine. Let's talk."
Professor X nodded, his tone sincere. "I truly wanted you here. You must have felt that. I believe you belong among us. But I'd like to understand why you ca here in the first place. Can you tell that?"
"I ca here for two reasons," Kurogai said bluntly. "One, to understand and stabilize my powers. Two, I need mutant blood."
Xavier's expression imdiately darkened.
Kurogai continued, unbothered. "That was my goal from the beginning. I didn't say anything earlier because I needed your resources to better understand what I've beco. Now that I have answers, I don't need to pretend anymore."
Xavier's hands tensed slightly on the arms of his chair. "Why do you want mutant blood?"
"That's none of your concern," Kurogai replied coolly. "But if you must know, it's for my own power's evolution. I'm not trying to hurt anyone."
Mystique's past ca to Xavier's mind—how her DNA had been exploited. The implications of mutant blood in the wrong hands were dangerous. For a mont, he seriously considered calling for backup, rallying the staff and students to subdue Kurogai.
But he hesitated.
Because when Kurogai awakened earlier, his power had shattered the Professor's psychic defenses with ease. If he wanted to, he could end this conversation violently. That much was clear.
"I understand your concern," Kurogai added, sensing Xavier's inner conflict. "But don't worry. I am a mutant. I just walk a different path. I'm not your enemy—unless you force to be."
Xavier's gaze hardened. "And what if I try to stop you?"
Kurogai slowly t his eyes. "Then, Professor… you'll fail."
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