Although Polaris Lorna’s stomach felt quite nice to the touch, Roy knew this wasn’t the right time to tease her.
For one thing, more than ninety percent of the school’s students were currently gathered around the basketball court.
Roy might not care much about what other people thought of him, but he still had to consider Lorna’s feelings.
After pressing her stomach a couple of times and giving it a light squeeze, he finally withdrew his left hand.
Because of the angle, distance, and dim lighting, no one else noticed his little movements.
Lorna, however, was directly involved, and her delicate face had become even redder.
Before the match began, Lorna had already mentally prepared herself for the possibility that she might lose to Roy.
What she hadn’t expected was for their spar to end in such a way.
Before long, Cyclops walked over to them and said, “The Professor wants to see you both.
Come with me.” With that, Cyclops turned and walked away.
The students standing around the basketball court had no idea exactly how Roy had defeated Lorna.
But after seeing Lorna standing completely still and no longer controlling the metal spheres, they understood that she had lost.
They hadn’t been able to clearly see Roy’s movements, but Lorna’s reaction alone was enough to explain the result.
Roy and Lorna said nothing and followed Cyclops toward the headmaster’s office.
Storm, meanwhile, began dispersing the students.
The headmaster’s office.
This was Roy’s second time here.
As soon as the three of them entered, Cyclops said to Professor X, “Professor, I brought them.” “Mm.
Take a seat.” Professor X said with a kindly expression.
Once Roy, Lorna, and Cyclops were seated, Professor X maneuvered his wheelchair out from behind the desk and stopped in front of them.
After looking over Roy and Lorna, he slowly asked, “Lorna, do you also want to receive private instruction from Scott and the others, like Roy does?” Professor X hadn’t used telepathy to read Lorna’s thoughts.
Before the match had even begun, the reason Lorna wanted to spar with Roy had already spread throughout the school.
Some students had overheard their conversation in the cafeteria, so word of why they were fighting quickly circulated.
“Yeah.
I want to receive private instruction from Mr.
Scott and the others just like Roy.” “I don’t think I’m inferior to him.” “If he can do it, then I can too.” Although she had just lost to Roy, Lorna still refused to believe she was worse than him.
Or rather, her competitive nature wouldn’t allow her to admit that she was inferior to someone else.
“Private instruction from Scott and the others is different from ordinary training class.” “You may get injured during the process.” “Even so, do you still want to receive their training?” Professor X continued.
“Yeah!” “I’m not afraid of getting hurt!” Lorna answered with a serious expression.
Hearing that, Professor X smiled kindly and nodded.
Then he turned toward Cyclops.
“The children are growing up.
Sooner or later, they’ll have to face the outside world on their own.” “Scott, you’re currently the leader of the X-Men.
Do you think it’s time to introduce practical combat classes?” Cyclops hadn’t expected Professor X to ask for his opinion at this moment.
After thinking for several seconds, he slowly replied, “We’ll have to introduce practical combat classes sooner or later.
If the students are willing, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with starting now.” “While training Roy, Ororo and I have already gained some experience.” “Not every student is like Roy, of course, but basic practical combat training shouldn’t be a problem.” Although Professor X was asking for his opinion, Cyclops knew the Professor had probably already made up his mind.
Asking him was more like indirectly seeking his agreement.
Under those circumstances, Cyclops naturally had no intention of objecting.
More importantly, he also believed that allowing students to take part in a reasonable amount of practical combat training would help them protect themselves better.
Neither the mutant school nor the X-Men could protect the students forever.
Ultimately, if they wanted to avoid being hurt, the students themselves had to become stronger.
“My thoughts are the same as yours.
Appropriate practical combat training can help students better understand how to protect themselves and others.” “However, we shouldn’t allow too many students to participate.” “This is a school, not a military training camp.” “Discuss it with Jean and the others.
Tomorrow, submit a list of students suitable for practical combat classes.” Professor X instructed Cyclops.
“Understood, Professor.” Cyclops immediately replied.
“All right.
That’s everything.” “Scott, Lorna, you two can leave first.
I still have something I want to discuss with Roy in private.” Professor X continued.
Cyclops and Lorna nodded, stood up, and left the office.
On his way out, Cyclops didn’t forget to close the door behind them.
Once only Roy and Professor X remained in the office, Professor X looked at him and slowly said, “I’ve heard from Scott and the others that you’ve been progressing smoothly with the ability you gained from your secondary awakening.” “It’s going fairly well, but I wouldn’t say I’ve completely mastered it yet.” Roy answered calmly.
“Mastering and developing a new ability isn’t something that can be accomplished overnight.” “What you’ve achieved so far is already quite impressive.” Professor X spoke in an even tone.
“I’ll keep working at it.” Although Roy didn’t know exactly what Professor X was planning, he suppressed his curiosity and didn’t ask.
Professor X nodded after hearing his answer but said nothing more.
More than ten seconds passed before he continued, “Roy, what do you think of the X-Men?” What do I think?
How else am I supposed to think about them?
Roy looked at Professor X in confusion, unsure what he meant.
“What I mean is, if I asked you to join the X-Men right now, would you?” Professor X looked at Roy and continued.
Roy didn’t have much emotional attachment to the mutant school, nor did he have any ambition to become some sort of savior of mutantkind.
But from the very first day he arrived in this world, he understood one thing.
No matter what he did, there was no way for him to completely separate himself from mutants.
The reason was simple.
He was also a mutant.
With that unchangeable fact in place, whether Roy saved the world or committed murder and arson, his actions would inevitably be associated with mutants and influence how other people viewed them.
So the only real choice he needed to make was which side he would stand on.
He could side with Professor X.
He could side with Magneto.
Or he could choose neither and establish his own faction.
Under the current circumstances, siding with Professor X was obviously the more advantageous option.
Professor X might be overly softhearted at times, but overall, standing on his side was still better than joining Magneto’s camp.
After quickly thinking it over, Roy gave his answer.