Charles

Professor X was advanced in years, with a few wrinkles on his face. His smile was gentle and kindly, carrying a strange charm that could always soothe people's tense, uneasy hearts.

At least, that was how Donnie felt. Professor X's smile relaxed him completely, dispelling the anxiety he had felt moments ago. He had thought it was Professor X's Psionic Ability, but he felt it had more to do with the professor's character.

"Child, welcome to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. I am Charles Xavier," Charles said, looking at this member of his kind with delight in his eyes.

Charles had every reason to be pleased by Donnie's arrival. He had been watching this fellow Mutant ever since Donnie had awakened as a Level Four. Though he had never truly met Donnie, he actually knew quite a lot about him.

Professor Charles possessed formidable Psionic Ability. It gave him powerful senses, as well as the ability to see through people's hearts. Even without delving deeply into someone's mind, he could use his psychic power to discern superficial things, such as a person's character.

By all rights, he should have gone to bring Donnie here long ago, but he had held himself back and waited quietly.

What Donnie had displayed when he awakened had not been rage or hysteria, but emptiness—like a stagnant pool, utterly lifeless. Charles had truly felt a chill then. This fellow Mutant possessed astonishing talent, but he also worried Charles. That deathly calm had unsettled even Professor X, who had seen countless storms and upheavals.

He had quietly watched over Donnie, shielding him from many troubles. He had not shown himself. After sending the invitation, he had merely watched Donnie's choice in silence, doing his best not to directly interfere with the young man as he thought and adapted. He had left Donnie ample room to choose, and had even painfully prepared himself for the worst.

But when he clearly sensed Donnie coming to find him, he was overjoyed. A Level Four Mutant willing to stand before him already showed that Donnie had emerged from the shadow of his earliest days. It proved that Charles had been right not to interfere directly. This young man had not disappointed him.

Charles had spent his entire life working for Mutants. He cherished every one of his people and had met far too many individuals. His wise gaze had seen through it all. Yet when Donnie stood straight before him, Charles's nose truly stung.

"Professor? Donnie is still watching you," Jean reminded him softly. She had followed Charles since childhood and knew exactly what kind of person he was. He was a wise elder, yet sometimes more like an emotional child.

These past years had exhausted him too much.

"Professor Charles, I should also thank you for looking after me during this time." Though Donnie did not know why Charles was being so sentimental, he still expressed his gratitude. He had wanted to thank Professor X for a long time, but only today had he fulfilled that wish.

Professor X had been the first to discover Donnie when he awakened. He had also asked S.H.I.E.L.D. to look after Donnie, sparing him a great deal of trouble. Even so, Donnie had never sought out Professor X, as though nothing had happened and he knew nothing.

Even so, when Donnie had nowhere else to turn and came seeking help, this respected elder had still opened his door and welcomed him with open arms.

Donnie knew that, without realizing it, he had already owed this old man far too much.

If anyone had shown Donnie the greatest kindness after his awakening, it was undoubtedly the unassuming Professor X. This benevolent old man had silently done so much for him.

Charles Xavier—the hero of his people, an outstanding leader, a kind elder, and a guide.

Donnie held Charles in heartfelt respect, though he also feared his Psionic Ability.

"Child, now that you stand before me, I believe you have stepped out of the darkness." Charles smiled, lavishly expressing his appreciation for Donnie and his joy at Donnie coming to see him.

Donnie smiled. "I can only say I've come out of part of it... There's still a knot in my heart that I simply can't untie."

"Because of Hulk? You feel that he killed your parents, that he destroyed your ordinary yet happy family. You believe everything beautiful in your life changed drastically because of Hulk." Charles softly spoke the thoughts in Donnie's heart.

Donnie's expression darkened, and he remained silent. Hulk was not the direct culprit—he knew that—but his parents had indeed died indirectly because of Hulk. Even now, he could not untie that knot.

What would he do in the future, when he faced Hulk? Kill him without hesitation? At the very least, there was no chance they could shake hands and make peace.

"If I had the chance, I think I might kill him. At least, that's what I would choose right now—if I ever truly gain that kind of power." Donnie bared his heart. Professor X had not probed his mind; he was an old man of noble character, and Donnie was willing to reveal the darkness in his own heart.

This knot had weighed on him for far too long. He had never been able to untie it.

He had already killed Abomination. Ross was still imprisoned under heavy guard, so Donnie had no chance to strike for now. Hulk, meanwhile, was nowhere to be found.

Donnie truly did not know what to choose.

In a sense, Hulk truly was a menace. Ever since that monster had been born, every rampage and fit of madness had caused countless innocent civilians to die and countless happy families to be destroyed. Countless people in this world hated him to the bone, wishing they could eat his flesh and sleep on his skin.

Donnie understood that there was basically no possibility of reconciliation between him and Hulk, because he simply could not let go.

"Follow your heart, child. Time will answer everything. Time will guide you to the right choice, and I also believe you can find your answer through your heart." Charles consoled him. He did not try to stop Donnie, only guided him like a mentor.

He knew Donnie was an adult with his own convictions. Though young, he was growing rapidly. The old man believed that Donnie would make a choice that at least did not betray his heart. Time would help this somewhat confused child grow, allowing him to find the guiding light of his own soul through the fog.

That alone was already precious enough.

Charles had Donnie sit down, and Jean quietly left as well, leaving space for the old man and young man to talk.

That day, Charles and Donnie talked about so many things. They spoke of the mischief they had gotten into as children, the setbacks they had faced while growing up, and their dreams and wishes for the future. Amid bursts of laughter, time flew by, and the unfamiliar distance between them shrank away.

Donnie felt as if he had known the professor for many years. Otherwise, how could they talk so happily? It was as though he and the professor had been close friends long ago, though Donnie knew it was only an illusion.

Evening gradually fell, until Jean pushed the door open once more and scolded them for losing track of time and even forgetting dinner.

Charles laughed heartily. He had not laughed so freely in many, many years. At once, he invited Donnie to dinner.

"My students are all very curious about you. They've wanted to meet you for a long time," Charles said with a smile.