"Erik, you're back?"
Raven was the first to speak when she noticed him approaching their table. She had joined the CIA alongside Charles and had known Erik longer than most of the others here, so her tone carried a familiarity the rest of the group didn't dare use.
"How did it go?" she asked, leaning forward with interest. "Did everything go smoothly?"
That morning, Charles and Erik had left the base to recruit another mutant. According to Charles, the person they were searching for possessed genuine combat experience and might become an important addition to their team.
Raven had been quietly looking forward to it.
The others shared that curiosity. Anyone Charles and Erik personally sought out had to be special.
"Other than him telling Charles and me to get out, everything went perfectly," Erik replied dryly as he shrugged.
The memory of the man still annoyed him slightly. The cigar-smoking brute had been unbelievably rude.
Raven merely laughed and leaned back in her chair. "That's fine. There are plenty of mutants in the world, aren't there?"
She didn't seem bothered at all by the failed recruitment.
"That's true," Erik admitted, though his expression turned more thoughtful. "But the reality is we don't actually have much time."
His gaze shifted across the table and landed on Ryan.
"Ryan, can you come to the office later?" Erik asked calmly. "Charles and I have something we'd like to discuss with you."
Ryan blinked in mild surprise.
He couldn't quite figure out what Charles and Erik would want from him.
Based on what he remembered of this period, the mutants brought to the CIA base had very little to do. Most days consisted of eating free meals, chatting, and occasionally exploring the facility.
Their real training wouldn't begin until later—after Sebastian Shaw's attack on the base wiped out most of the CIA personnel stationed there.
Before that event, there shouldn't have been any major responsibilities assigned to them.
That was actually one of the reasons Ryan had chosen to stay here.
The base provided a safe environment where he could quietly train and explore his abilities without unnecessary distractions.
Still, Erik wouldn't ask him to come to the office without a reason.
"I'm finished anyway," Ryan said after a brief pause as he pushed his tray aside and stood up. "Let's go now."
He wasn't being polite. He really had finished eating.
Erik nodded once and turned toward the cafeteria exit. Without another word, the two of them walked out together.
At the table behind them, the remaining mutants watched their departure with growing curiosity.
"What do you think Erik wants with Ryan?" Sean asked.
"No idea," Angel replied, tilting her head thoughtfully. "But Ryan definitely isn't like the rest of us."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sean asked.
Angel glanced at him as if the answer should be obvious. "Simple. Can you control your abilities as perfectly as he does?"
That question immediately silenced the table.
Everyone here knew the answer.
Ryan's powers were frighteningly precise.
While most of them were still learning how to control their mutations without causing accidents, Ryan moved with effortless confidence. His strength, flight, and heat vision were handled with such accuracy that it almost felt unnatural.
Raven and the others exchanged uncertain looks.
Even after discussing it for several minutes, none of them could come up with a convincing explanation.
Meanwhile, Ryan and Erik had already reached Charles' office.
"Ryan, please sit down," Charles said warmly as they entered. He gestured toward a chair across from his desk. "Coffee or tea?"
The professor's smile carried a natural warmth that instantly put people at ease. Everything about him—his posture, his voice, even the way he spoke—radiated a quiet elegance.
He had the unmistakable air of an old European aristocrat combined with the refined charm of an academic scholar.
Standing beside him, Erik created an entirely different impression.
Where Charles was gentle and composed, Erik seemed sharp and restrained, like a blade hidden within its sheath. His presence was calm, but the intensity beneath the surface was impossible to ignore.
"Thank you, Professor," Ryan said politely as he took the offered seat. "I'm fine like this."
Charles nodded approvingly and folded his hands together.
"Are you adjusting well to life here?" he asked kindly. "Is there anything that feels uncomfortable or inconvenient?"
His tone resembled that of a caring mentor checking on a student.
"Everything's been great," Ryan answered honestly. "This place is actually pretty comfortable."
"That's good to hear."
Charles smiled with visible satisfaction.
Ryan waited a moment before getting to the point. "Professor, Erik said you wanted to talk to me about something."
"Yes," Charles replied thoughtfully.
He leaned back slightly in his chair and studied Ryan for a moment before speaking.
"Ryan, I've been observing you for some time now. You're different from the others here."
Ryan raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"You're far more mature than they are," Charles continued calmly. "Sometimes I even forget you're only sixteen. In many ways, you carry yourself more like someone Erik's age—or mine."
Ryan gave a faint smile but didn't interrupt.
Charles wasn't wrong.
Mentally speaking, Ryan had already lived nearly thirty years in his previous life. It was impossible for him to behave exactly like a teenager.
"But maturity isn't the only reason you stand out," Charles added.
"You're also the only one here who can control your powers perfectly. Not just adequately—perfectly. Even Erik and I struggled with that when we were your age."
Erik nodded slightly from where he stood with his arms crossed.
Charles continued carefully.
"Considering all of that, Erik and I believe it's time for you to understand something important."
Before Charles could elaborate further, Erik stepped forward.
"Ryan, do you know the real reason we gathered all of you here?" he asked directly.
Ryan tilted his head slightly. "I assumed it was so mutants could stick together."
That was the explanation Charles had given everyone.
Erik shook his head.
"That's only part of the reason," he said. "In fact, it's just the first step."
Ryan watched him quietly.
Erik's expression grew more serious.
"The truth is, we're verifying identities," he explained. "After confirming someone is a mutant, we intend to train them and evaluate their abilities. Eventually, we'll need to eliminate those who aren't suitable."
"Erik," Charles interjected gently, "that isn't quite the right way to phrase it."
Erik sighed slightly but allowed him to continue.
"We're not recruiting agents," Charles clarified. "At least not in the traditional sense. What we need right now are mutants with combat potential—individuals capable of handling certain… special tasks."
He paused before adding, "These tasks involve confronting enemies that ordinary humans simply cannot deal with."
"This arrangement is temporary," Charles continued. "And even if someone isn't chosen for those missions, they're still welcome to remain here."
Ryan nodded slowly.
"So you brought me here today to test me early?"
Charles shook his head with a smile.
"No. In your case, there's no need for a test."
Ryan looked mildly surprised.
"You've already passed," Charles said. "In fact, Erik and I consider you someone who doesn't require evaluation at all."
Erik nodded in agreement.
"Your control over your abilities speaks for itself," Charles added. "And your strength is more than sufficient."
Ryan leaned back slightly in his chair.
"So what exactly do you want me to do?"
Erik answered this time.
"Charles has a lot on his plate right now," he explained. "Tracking down mutants, dealing with the CIA, and investigating Shaw's activities. He doesn't have enough time to personally handle every recruitment."
Ryan could already see where this was going.
"So," Erik continued, "we'd like you to assist me with the next stage of mutant recruitment."
Ryan blinked.
"You want me to help recruit mutants?"
"Exactly," Erik said.
Charles nodded encouragingly. "We believe you're more than capable of handling the responsibility."
Ryan thought about it for a moment.
To be honest, living here for free while doing nothing did feel a little strange. If they trusted him enough to help, refusing outright would seem unreasonable.
"Alright," Ryan said after a brief pause. "If you trust me with it, I'm willing to help."
"Thank you for understanding," Charles said warmly.
He opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a thin file before sliding it across the table.
"This will be your first target."
Ryan picked up the folder and opened it.
The photograph clipped to the first page immediately caught his attention.
He stared at the face for a moment, his expression shifting with faint surprise.
The person in the picture looked very familiar.
Ryan was certain he had seen him before.