You're Different from Everyone Else

"Erik, you're back?"

Raven had joined the CIA with Charles earlier than anyone else and had also known Erik the longest, so she was much more casual with him.

"How did it go? Smoothly?"

Raven could not help asking again.

That morning, Charles and Erik had gone to recruit another mutant. According to Charles, that mutant was very likely a true warrior.

Raven had been quite looking forward to it.

The others also wanted to see what kind of person the mutant Charles and Erik thought so highly of was.

"Other than him telling Charles and me to get lost, nothing went wrong." Erik shrugged, sounding somewhat helpless.

That cigar-smoking guy had been incredibly rude!

"It's fine. There are far more mutants in the world than just these, aren't there?" Raven shrugged, not taking the matter too seriously.

"That may be true, but the fact is, we don't have that much time." Erik shook his head.

Then he turned his gaze to Rorschach. "Rorschach, can you come to the office later? Charles and I have something to discuss with you."

Rorschach was slightly surprised, unable to figure out what Erik and Charles could possibly want with him.

According to his memories, during this period, the mutants Erik and Charles had brought to the CIA did nothing but chat, fool around, and freeload every day.

They did not even truly begin Charles's special training until after Black King Shaw's attack, when nearly all the agents in the base had been slaughtered.

Before that, there should have been nothing for people like them to do.

That was also why Rorschach had chosen to follow Charles to this base: here, he could train and develop his abilities without distraction.

"I'm done eating, Erik. Let's go now."

After a brief moment of thought, Rorschach put aside his thoughts and stood up.

It was not that he was being polite with Erik. Rorschach really was more or less finished.

Erik nodded without saying much and led Rorschach out of the cafeteria.

"What do you think Erik and the others want with Rorschach?"

"No idea, but Rorschach is obviously not the same kind of person as us."

"Then what kind of person is he?"

"Guys, can any of you control your abilities as perfectly as Rorschach can?"

Raven and the others watched Rorschach and Erik leave, unable to stop themselves from discussing why Erik had come looking for Rorschach.

But no matter how much they guessed, they could not come up with anything concrete.

While everyone was deep in discussion, Rorschach had already arrived at Charles's office.

"Rorschach, have a seat. Coffee or tea?"

Charles smiled and gestured for Rorschach to sit, giving off the feeling of a warm spring breeze.

He was a man with the air of a British aristocrat, exceptionally handsome, and possessed the particular refinement of an intellectual, all of which gave Charles a special charm.

Erik, standing casually to one side with his arms crossed, gave off an entirely different impression.

There was something wild and unruly about him, like a sword hidden in its sheath. Though he concealed his edge, he was still impossible to ignore.

"Thanks, Professor. I'm fine like this."

Rorschach sat down across from Charles.

"Have you gotten used to life here? Is there anything you're uncomfortable with?" Like a gentle elder, Charles asked after Rorschach with concern.

"Everything is great. This is a wonderful place." Rorschach nodded, speaking honestly.

"That's good." Charles nodded with great satisfaction.

"Professor, did you call me here for something?" After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Rorschach got to the point.

"Rorschach, I've been paying attention to you. You're different from the other children. You're far more mature than they are. Sometimes, I even subconsciously forget your age and treat you as someone like Erik and me."

"Of course, it isn't just psychological maturity. You're also the only one among them who can perfectly control your abilities. I don't even know how you manage it."

"When Erik and I were your age, neither of us could reach this level."

"Considering these facts, I think it's time you knew certain things."

Charles chose his words carefully and explained everything to Rorschach in an unhurried manner.

"Rorschach, do you know our true purpose in bringing you here?" Erik interjected from the side.

"Wasn't it for mutants to band together for warmth?" Rorschach asked matter-of-factly.

That was precisely the reason Charles and Erik had given when recruiting those mutants.

"That's only one of our goals." Erik straightened up, his expression turning serious. "Or rather, it's only the first step: verifying identities."

"After verifying your identities, we also intend to train and test you. In the end, some who fail to meet the requirements will be eliminated."

"Erik, I don't understand."

Based on the plot in his memories, Rorschach actually knew perfectly well what Erik meant, but he could only pretend to be ignorant.

"Rorschach, we're recruiting agents! Special agents made up of mutants." Erik explained again.

"No, Erik, we're not recruiting agents."

Charles immediately corrected Erik from the side. "At this stage, we merely need some mutants with combat aptitude to carry out special missions and fight certain special enemies. And that conflict is only temporary."

"There are no qualifications or disqualifications. Even the mutants we don't choose can stay."

"So, Charles, you called me here this time to test me in advance?" Rorschach raised an eyebrow.

"No, you've already passed the test. Or rather, like Erik, you don't need to be tested."

Charles smiled. "As I said, you can perfectly control your abilities, and your strength is considerable."

"Rorschach, Charles has more important matters to handle and truly can't spare the time. So from now on, you and I will be responsible for recruiting mutants. What do you think?"

Erik explained their purpose from the side.

"Since you trust me, I have no objections."

After thinking for a moment, Rorschach agreed.

After all, he had been living here for free for so long. It was only right to contribute when appropriate.

"Thank you for understanding, Rorschach."

Charles nodded with great satisfaction, then searched through his desk and pulled out a file.

He handed it over. "This is your next target."

Rorschach took the file and looked it over, feeling slightly surprised.

The portrait in the file looked very familiar. He had definitely seen it before.