If someone asked how the dinosaurs, the rulers of a bygone era, had gone extinct, one of the most likely answers would be that Earth had suffered a massive celestial impact, which then triggered a chain of catastrophic consequences.
This alone demonstrated just how terrifying Wade’s potential could become.
If his abilities continued developing normally, he could eventually reach a level that surpassed even the Earth itself.
Fury said, “I know you want to raise him yourselves, but doing so will only put mutants in an even more awkward position.
You’ll become a target for everyone.”
Charles replied, “Nick, that isn’t an excuse, and you know it.”
“Erik and I alone are already capable of creating a threat no smaller than Wade’s.”
“Your argument is merely an excuse—a legitimate reason for you to take control of him.”
Fury gritted his teeth.
“Believe me.
His importance is greater than that of any mutant we’ve encountered before.
Greater than almost anyone we’ve ever dealt with.”
Charles shook his head.
“I won’t let you do that.”
“If you’re worried about our mutant community influencing him, then I can simply guarantee his safety without interfering with his life.”
“I can accept those terms.”
Fury said, “This kind of power would obviously be safer in S.H.I.E.L.D.’s hands.”
Charles suddenly fell silent.
Coulson’s mouth opened slightly, as though he wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.
Jean and Ororo looked at Fury with icy expressions.
Mutants weren’t merchandise.
They weren’t tools.
And no one had the right to decide where a mutant belonged except the mutant himself.
Several seconds later, Charles finally spoke.
“So that’s what you really think.”
Fury froze for a moment.
His dark expression immediately turned grim.
“You used telepathy on me?”
“I didn’t invade your mind, did I?”
Charles’s voice remained calm.
“I simply received an honest answer.”
“Don’t blame me for not warning you, Nick.”
“S.H.I.E.L.D.
isn’t as safe as you think.”
“The organization you consider the shield of this country contains far more darkness than you realize.”
“And you don’t even know about it.”
Charles’s eyes were calm and unfathomable.
S.H.I.E.L.D.
was no longer what it had been in its earliest days.
On the surface, it still appeared to be the same organization.
But internally, it had already been infiltrated and corrupted by HYDRA.
Even Fury’s own superior was secretly a member of HYDRA.
If Charles hadn’t once used his telepathic abilities to investigate S.H.I.E.L.D.’s internal situation, few people would have known the truth.
And fewer still would have believed it.
The room fell silent once again.
“Sorry, but can I share my thoughts?” Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
Wade, who had remained quiet until now, finally spoke.
“As for where I go or who I stay with…
shouldn’t that decision belong to me?”
Wade’s expression remained calm, but he was far from relaxed inside.
In fact, he was rather annoyed.
“When I was living my life normally, none of you came looking for me.”
“And now, Mr.
Fury, you suddenly show up here, come straight to me, and tell me that I should leave with you.”
“Don’t you think that’s a little ridiculous?”
Fury looked somewhat embarrassed.
Well…
He wasn’t exactly wrong.
“From a rational perspective, Director Fury, I understand everything you’re saying.”
“As for where I go in the future, I honestly don’t care that much.”
“All I need is a stable environment and enough space to grow normally.”
Wade was genuinely speaking from the heart.
Nearly a decade of life in the slums had taught him more than enough about the warmth and cruelty of human society.
If he could make his family feel safe and live his own life however he wanted, that was already enough happiness for him.
Wade spoke softly.
“But there’s one thing you don’t understand.”
“I don’t have a particularly strong sense of belonging to this country.”
“Because what this country has given me has been too much injustice, poverty, and discrimination.”
Fury replied, “I can solve those problems.”
“Everything.”
“Even your grandmother’s situation.”
“You can’t solve that, sir.”
Wade smiled at Fury.
“As long as I’m not a true-born American, won’t I face the same problems wherever I go?”
“…”
Wade continued.
“As for my grandmother, I believe I can take care of her myself.”
“Through legitimate means.”
“I just need to work harder.”
Fury’s brows furrowed slightly.
“So you’re rejecting my proposal.”
“Then you intend to stay here?”
“For now, I think this place is pretty good.”
“But if you stay, you may have to deal with military pursuit and the attention of countless other factions.”
“You’ll also bring trouble to this school.”
“If you come with me, I can use far greater resources to protect you.”
“Heh.”
A pleasant smile appeared at the corner of Wade’s mouth.
“Respect and status are things you earn yourself.”
“They aren’t things someone gives you out of pity.”
“And I don’t think I need anyone to protect me.”
“…”
Fury looked seriously at Wade.
“You know, before coming here, I had you thoroughly investigated.”
Wade raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?”
“As you said, your environment was terrible.”
“Discrimination, poverty, and injustice were part of your everyday life.”
“And yet you managed to maintain a fundamentally decent and righteous character.”
“That’s not easy.”
Charles nodded.
That was also one of the reasons he valued Wade so highly.
Generally speaking, by the age of twelve, a child’s basic personality was already beginning to take shape.
The personality they developed during childhood would greatly influence the way they conducted themselves as mutants in the future.
Magneto—Erik—was the most obvious example.
If Wade had been an evil person, neither Fury nor Charles would have been nearly this accommodating.
“So, from our perspective, your threat level isn’t particularly high.”
Fury began putting his gloves back on.
“I can’t force you to come with me.”
“And I have no intention of provoking or becoming enemies with an Omega-level mutant.”
“So all I can do is wish you luck.”
With that, Fury turned and began walking away.
Coulson gave everyone a slight bow.
“Goodbye, everyone.”
“Oh, right.”
Fury suddenly turned around.
“After some time, I’ll have someone send over a report detailing the city’s losses.”
“Although the military bears a significant portion of the responsibility for this incident, Wade, your actions also caused New York’s losses to increase considerably.”
“So, Charles, your school will also need to take some responsibility for the damage caused to New York.”
Charles replied with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Although I doubt the government is short on money, I’m still happy to contribute my small share.”
“Good.”
Fury waved his hand and left them with nothing but his tall silhouette.
Hmm…
Wade hadn’t expected Fury to compromise so quickly.
Charles glanced at Wade and gave him a small wink.
For some reason, Wade felt there was something rather sinister about that expression.
Jean couldn’t help asking,
“So you’re really going to stay here?”
Wade shrugged.
“Otherwise, what am I supposed to do?”
“My house got wrecked.”
“Might as well stay here and freeload for a while.”
“But I have two conditions.”
“Keep me well-fed!”
“And take good care of my grandmother!”
The smile on Charles’s face grew even wider.
“No problem!”