Watson looked at Rogue, who had closed her eyes, and muttered to the system.
"System, why am I not affected by her ability to absorb life force and powers?"
"Ding! Because you have system energy protection, your life force will not be absorbed. Only a symbolic amount of health points will be reduced."
"Your powers are not absorbed because the host's abilities originate from Dragon Clan genes."
Watson nodded in understanding. So that's how it is. But 1% health points... that really is symbolic.
"Wait, System, you said life force and health points are separate? So I'll still grow old?"
"Ding! Currently, the host will age. However, the host's lifespan will increase with the improvement of hunter rank."
"Fusing with Dragon Clan genes will also inherit a portion of the Dragon Clan's lifespan (life force)."
"System, you really are a good system! Awesome!"
Watson turned his head to look at Rogue and asked, "How is it? Can you gradually control it?"
"A little bit. I don't quite understand how to control it. This is my first time having such prolonged contact with someone."
Watson tilted his head back and said, "Close your eyes and feel a power within your body. It's okay, take your time. We're not short on time unless you're very sleepy and want to go to bed ~"
"System, temporarily remove the protection. I want to see how strong her ability is now."
"Ding! Protection has been removed."
Watson watched his health points change every few seconds. It seemed her absorption was very unstable, sometimes more, sometimes less, but it was continuous.
After two minutes, his health points had dropped to 45%. Watson then had the system restore the protection.
Time quickly passed, and the sky began to lighten.
"System, remove the protection."
This time, his health points only fluctuated about every ten seconds, and at most, only 2% was reduced. Many times, it was only 1%. It seemed her progress was quite significant.
"System, restore protection."
Looking at Rogue's bloodshot eyes, Watson suddenly pulled his hand away.
Rogue, who was still trying to control her power, seemed to suddenly wake up and looked up at Watson.
"Alright, there's a saying, 'Haste makes waste,' do you understand?"
Rogue shook her head blankly.
Watson sighed and said, "It means you need to rest now. Concentrating for a long time without results is completely ineffective. And I can feel that you've made great progress, so now you should go to sleep. However, you might not be able to attend classes this morning. I'll ask for leave for you ~"
Rogue nodded groggily and walked towards her room.
Watching Rogue disappear down the hallway, Watson suddenly said, "Professor, I never thought you'd enjoy peeping? Hahaha."
Charles emerged from the shadows nearby and asked, "It seems you have many secrets, child."
"Aren't you the same ~"
Charles was silent for a moment before saying, "Thank you. From the first day Rogue arrived here, the children here were a bit prejudiced against her. Although it's much better now, she still feels very upset. And we've never known how to effectively train her to adapt to and control her abilities, because none of us can have prolonged contact with her."
"It's nothing, just a small favor. I was bored anyway." Watson waved his hand dismissively.
Charles nodded and said, "If you have time, please come and help her more. This is a request between friends."
"No problem."
--- At the entrance of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.
Bobby was the first to speak: "Mr. Watson, when will you come again? I still have many questions I want to ask you. And there's that story of the Snow Queen."
"Yes, and about how to use fire. You said we would learn from each other." This was John.
Watson nodded and said, "Don't worry, I promised I'd come ~ But I can't say exactly when ~"
Watson suddenly saw Rogue standing behind the crowd, so he walked straight over and said, "Hey, I want you to promise me something, okay?"
Seeing Rogue nod and look at him, Watson continued, "Be confident, believe in yourself. Next time I come, I'll continue to help you train."
"En, I will ~"
Giving Charles and the others a meaningful look, Watson turned and got into the car, driving away.
Beep beep ~
Sitting in the car, Watson opened his phone to a text message: "Dearest ~ Get ready for a little surprise tonight ~"
Watson smiled. Every day was a surprise now ~
--- After leaving Professor X's place and driving on the road, he had now made a connection with the mutants. In the future, he'd have to visit Odin's side too, after all, they were the local power. But --- when he did go, he had to have the strength to talk to Odin. That old man wasn't as easygoing as he looked; he had once conquered the Nine Realms with bloody methods and even messed up his own daughter – a real demon father. Oh, right, almost forgot, there was also Earth's biggest power, Ancient One. He was still a bit weak now, so he'd deal with that later.
Ordinary days passed quickly. During this time, Watson hadn't contacted Coulson or his team, other than spending every day with Aunt Leah and Uncle Polk and having deep conversations with the little policewoman who came home every day. He was living quite comfortably.
Saturday, Queens, Forest Hills.
"Hmm --- 3rd row, 4th building, this should be it." Watson looked up at the 'Parker' nameplate and nodded.
Ding dong ~
"Coming ~ Who is it?"
Click, the door opened to a cute little boy. Little Peter looked at Watson with his mouth agape: "You're --- Flame Knight?! It's really you!!"
"--- Yes, it's me. Aren't you going to let me in?"
"No, no, of course not. Ah... I mean... come in quickly. Aunt May!! He really came!"
Just then, Aunt May walked out of the kitchen and said, "Peter, you should be more polite."
"Hey, you're here, young Watson, hahaha." Uncle Ben also walked out of the house and looked at Watson, saying.
"Hello, Uncle Ben. A man's promise must be kept, of course."
"That's right! Haha, dinner should be a while yet. Peter, didn't you say you had a gift you wanted to give to Big Brother Watson?"
Little Peter nodded nervously, looking at Watson.
"You're Peter? Can I see what it is?"
"Of course, follow me, it's in my room."
Watson opened the door and looked at Peter's small room. A typical boy's room ~ And there was even --- my poster on the wall?!
Damn, when did I get a poster?!
"Sorry, it's --- a bit messy here. Oh, right, the gift." With that, Peter took out a model from his desk drawer. It was a model of Watson in his armor.
"I made this myself. It's for you."
Watson took the model in his hand. Aside from the face not inheriting his handsomeness, everything else was quite exquisite. To have such dexterity at such a young age, no wonder he would make his own web-shooters when he grew up. A genius is a genius.