"Of course you need training."
Alex smiled at America.
"You currently have no control over your ability, right?"
America Chavez opened her mouth but couldn't deny it.
Because… it was true.
If she had even the slightest mastery, she wouldn't have been chased across a dozen universes by Wanda like a cornered rabbit.
"I… don't want to sound useless, but I've been practicing for over ten years.
And even now… I still can't open a portal whenever I want."
America felt genuinely embarrassed.
Was she this much of a failure?
"You know what you've been lacking?" Raven asked meaningfully.
"A proper, experienced teacher.
We have plenty of those here.
Come on—I'll show you around Krakoa."
Raven led America away, and the matter was no longer Alex's concern.
Though Charles had confirmed America wasn't a mutant, Alex believed that the teaching methods of Charles, Emma Frost and the others would definitely help her.
In no time, America would fully master her power and open portals across the multiverse at will.
As for Alex—
He immediately summoned Hank.
Then handed him his hard-earned research results from the DC universe.
Yes—
The technical blueprint for converting Kryptonian fragments into Kryptonite.
"Hank, this tech still isn't efficient enough. The conversion rate is too low.
I need you to speed up the progress."
Alex instructed seriously.
This was precisely why he hadn't converted the Kryptonite mountain back in the DC world.
Far too slow.
According to Oliver's method, converting that entire mountain would take over fifty years.
Too outrageous.
And the final output?
Barely equivalent to one million Origin Points.
Alex found that far from acceptable.
"I understand. I'll give it everything I have."
Hank pushed up his glasses, face solemn.
"I know you will."
Alex trusted him completely.
Hank was as reliable as they came.
But even so—
Alex underestimated the difficulty.
Hank led a research team, working for an entire month—
Analyzing, experimenting—
And made almost no breakthrough.
Converting Kryptonian mineral into refined Kryptonite was not easy.
Even with Oliver's foundation, pushing the tech further was extremely hard.
There was no helping it.
The technological ceiling was simply too high.
"Maybe… I was too impatient."
Alex exhaled.
Scientific breakthroughs take years—
Sometimes decades—
Sometimes a lifetime with nothing to show.
A single month?
That was nothing.
Besides, Hank represented the peak of scientific ability in this universe, easily on par with Tony Stark.
If anyone here could complete the task—
It was Hank.
"Hank, don't overwork yourself.
This is a long-term project. You don't need results anytime soon."
Alex said as he entered the lab and saw Hank still buried in work.
If he weren't a mutant with a reinforced body, he would've collapsed by now.
"I know, I know," Hank nodded… but his hands never stopped.
Alex could only sigh and leave quietly.
He'd had this exact conversation with Hank many times.
It never worked.
Leaving the lab, Alex headed for the X-Men training grounds.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
Even before arriving, he heard the impacts.
America was there, punching the air with serious effort.
"Al—"
Raven spotted Alex and was about to greet him—
But Alex made a gesture for silence.
Raven understood instantly and continued coaching America without reacting.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
Then—
CRACK!
America threw a punch—
And a dazzling star-shaped portal burst open before her.
"I did it! I did it again! Raven, did you see that!?"
America cheered wildly.
Her control was still crude, but far better than her old "random activation."
And it had only been one month.
She'd been stagnant for over a decade.
This was a huge breakthrough.
"Not bad at all, America."
Alex finally walked out from the shadows.
"Alex!"
America jumped in shock—
Then immediately lit up with excitement.
She hadn't expected to succeed right in front of him.
"Look! I did it! I opened a portal!"
"Yes, you did. Very good."
Alex nodded approvingly.
America almost started vibrating with joy.
When she first chose to stay on Krakoa, it was because of a deal.
But after spending a month here—
She genuinely liked this place.
It felt like home.
And Alex—Krakoa's king and her savior—
She admired him greatly.
Getting his praise?
It was overwhelming.
"I'm proud of you."
Alex was about to say more—
But suddenly, his expression froze.
He turned his head sharply—
Eyes narrowing.
Then—
WHOOSH!
He vanished instantly.
Because just a moment ago—
His super-hearing picked up an emergency.
Krakoa was in trouble.
Jean Grey—
The Phoenix—
Had lost control.
If this wasn't handled properly—
It would be catastrophic for Krakoa.
At Alex's current level, there were very few beings in the universe he truly feared.
But the Phoenix Force?
Jean Grey wielding the Phoenix?
She was absolutely one of them.
If her power fully erupted—
Even Alex was not certain he could win.
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