Just as Aiden was lying on the grass in the garden, still sulking from Jean's overwhelming psychic display earlier, a flicker of movement at the edge of his vision caught his eye.
Charles Xavier and Hank McCoy were leaving the main building, walking together toward the school's front gate.
Aiden's brow rose in interest.
From their purposeful expressions, it was clear they were going to welcome someone. A guest, perhaps? Or maybe… a new student?
He immediately sat up. His instincts told him this was worth seeing.
> "Where are you going?"
Jean's voice broke in as she followed his gaze.
"Over there," Aiden replied, pointing toward the gate. "The Professor and Hank are waiting for someone. Whoever it is, it must be important. Let's go take a look—better than sitting around with nothing to do."
Jean hesitated only a second before nodding. Curiosity gleamed in her bright eyes. "Alright, let's go."
Together, the two children walked toward the entrance, the gravel crunching softly beneath their feet.
---
When they reached the gate, Charles turned his head at the sound of their approach. A knowing smile touched his lips.
> "It's you two. Perfect timing. Aiden, I was about to introduce you to your new roommate."
Aiden blinked in surprise.
Roommate?
So that was it.
He had half expected someone from the stories he remembered—perhaps a younger version of Mystique, or even Magneto in his youth. Instead, it seemed a new student was arriving. Aiden's heart stirred with curiosity.
Minutes later, the distant sound of an engine reached their ears. A sleek, black vintage car appeared on the road, rolling smoothly through the gates before coming to a stop in the courtyard.
The car doors opened, and two figures stepped out—one tall and dignified, the other youthful and refined.
Father and son.
Both wore immaculately tailored black suits, their movements graceful and deliberate. Their polished manners and the air of quiet nobility about them made it clear: this was no ordinary family. They were wealthy, educated, perhaps even aristocratic.
The elder man, with his calm smile and elegant demeanor, stepped forward first. He looked every bit the cultivated gentleman, his very posture radiating refinement.
"Hello, Mr. Xavier," he greeted warmly, extending his hand. "I am Edwin Jarvis, with whom you've been in contact. This is my son, Danny."
Charles clasped his hand firmly, smiling with genuine warmth. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Mr. Jarvis. And this must be young Danny."
At his father's introduction, all eyes turned toward the boy standing quietly at his side.
Danny Jarvis looked to be around Aiden's age, perhaps slightly older. His features were delicate, his dark hair combed neatly, his suit perfectly fitted. But what drew attention was not his clothing—it was the way he carried himself. Calm, polite, every movement precise.
When everyone's gaze fell upon him, Danny stepped forward. He placed one hand across his chest, the other behind his back, and bowed slightly in a refined, gentlemanly gesture.
> "It's a pleasure to meet you all."
Charles's eyes twinkled with approval. "A very polite child indeed. Thank you for your trust, Mr. Jarvis. I assure you, I will teach him well and help him control his abilities."
He glanced back at Aiden and waved him closer.
> "Aiden, come meet your new roommate."
Aiden started slightly, having been momentarily distracted. His gaze had lingered on Edwin Jarvis, a strange emotion stirring in his chest. Jarvis. The name was familiar from his past life's knowledge of Marvel lore, but not in this context.
Catching his son's eye, Edwin gave Aiden a slight nod and a gentle smile, as if to encourage him.
Snapping out of his daze, Aiden returned the gesture politely. He stepped forward, extending his hand to Danny.
> "Hello. I'm Aiden, your roommate."
Danny's lips curved into a small smile, his eyes shining with genuine excitement. He grasped Aiden's hand firmly.
> "Hello. I'm Danny Jarvis. It's an honor to be your roommate."
Jean stood slightly behind them, observing quietly until Charles gestured toward her.
> "And this is Jean, in the same grade as you both."
Danny turned to her, extending his hand with perfect manners.
> "Hello, Miss Jean. A pleasure."
Jean hesitated for a heartbeat, then glanced at Aiden, almost as if seeking his reaction. Finally, she extended her small hand, her cheeks faintly pink as they shook.
Seeing the three children interacting, Charles's smile deepened. There was relief in his eyes.
> "Good. Aiden, since you're here, would you mind showing Danny around? Hank and I need to speak further with Mr. Jarvis."
Before Aiden could reply, Charles was already turning, leading Edwin toward the school.
Aiden exhaled softly, then turned to Danny with a smile.
> "Come on, I'll give you a tour."
Danny nodded eagerly, lifting a small suitcase in one hand. Jean, curious as always, trailed along beside them.
---
The tour followed the same path Hank had taken Aiden on days before.
They passed through the grand classrooms on the first floor, where students studied under ornate chandeliers. The cafeteria, bustling and warm, was next, followed by the dormitories, library, infirmary, and recreation halls.
Danny's eyes widened at each stop, brimming with curiosity. Though polite and reserved in demeanor, he couldn't hide his excitement.
At last, they reached the dormitory room on the third floor.
Aiden pushed the door open. "This is our room. I sleep on that bed, so the other one's yours."
Danny smiled lightly. "That's fine. I don't mind at all."
He immediately placed his suitcase by the bed and began to unpack and arrange his belongings with neat precision. His movements were efficient, practiced.
Jean wandered about the room, her curiosity barely contained. "So this is the boys' dormitory, huh? It doesn't look much different from ours…"
The room was simple. Two beds, two desks, wardrobes, and a few basic furnishings. It was clean but plain, lacking any personal touches. Aiden had no money, no decorations, nothing but the bare necessities.
Still, he smiled faintly. "It's more than enough. Compared to where I lived before, this is paradise."
Jean blinked at him, confused. "Where you lived before?"
Danny paused mid-motion, turning curiously as well.
Aiden's smile softened. "I'm an orphan. Before this, I didn't have a home. Any place with a roof to keep out the rain—that was where I lived."
The room fell silent.
Danny's polite composure cracked, replaced by a look of genuine guilt.
"I'm sorry, Aiden. I didn't mean to…"
Jean lowered her gaze, biting her lip, her eyes filled with remorse for pressing the question.
Aiden waved a hand casually, chuckling. "It's all in the past. Now I have a home—and more than that, I have friends. Isn't that what matters?"
Jean lifted her eyes, her expression softening. Danny nodded firmly, his voice filled with conviction.
"Yes. From now on, we're all friends. We're family."
Aiden's chest warmed at the sincerity in their voices. That night, the seeds of their friendship were planted.
---
Later, as they settled in, Aiden leaned back against his bed, curiosity flickering in his gaze.
"Oh, by the way, Danny… what's your ability?"
At the question, Danny's eyes lit up. He stood, his posture tightening with focus. Slowly, he raised both hands.
The air before him shimmered faintly, rippling like disturbed water. Then, with a soft crackle, a golden, thumb-sized sphere of energy appeared, hovering in the air.
It glowed warmly, pulsing with strange power.
Jean gasped softly.
Aiden leaned forward, intrigued.
But within moments, the sphere winked out, vanishing like a bubble popping.
Danny lowered his hands, panting heavily. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
"Hoo… my ability… it creates this golden energy field. But I don't know exactly what it is. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. And every time, it drains me almost completely. Just forming that small sphere just now nearly made me collapse."
Aiden rubbed his chin thoughtfully. His memories of the Marvel universe ran through his mind, flipping like pages of a comic book. But he couldn't place Danny's ability anywhere. No character, no reference, no similar powers came to mind.
> So… a new variable. A mutant ability not seen in the stories I remember.
Far from alarmed, he found himself fascinated.
This world wasn't identical to the one he knew. It had its divergences, its parallel branches. And Danny Jarvis—this polite, golden-eyed boy—was proof of that.
Aiden smiled faintly.
> "Interesting…"
For the first time since arriving in this world, he truly felt the pull of the unknown.
And in that unknown, opportunity.
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