American comics: I am full of martial virtues and I love to be kind to others.

David looked at Alyssa, a complex expression in his eyes. "You're young, you still believe in justice and fairness. But in this world, we mutants have never truly experienced fairness."

“You can’t think like that,” Elisa approached him. “I know you’re in pain right now, but don’t let despair consume your hope.”

"Hope?" David smiled bitterly. "Do you know what I'm facing right now? Losing Merlin not only took my heart, but everything I had."

"What do you mean?" Lynn asked.

David walked to the window, looking at the street scene outside. "After Merlin passed away, I took three months of bereavement leave to handle the aftermath and process my emotions. The company was outwardly sympathetic and gave me ample time."

“That sounds reasonable,” Elisa said.

“Yes, but when I was ready to go back to work, I found that all the projects I was in charge of had been taken over by other colleagues.” David’s voice was filled with anger and disappointment. “They said it was to avoid delaying the schedule, but now these projects have entered a critical stage, and I’ve been completely excluded.”

Lynn frowned. "This could legally constitute workplace discrimination."

“Maybe, but I can’t prove it’s because of my mutant identity.” David turned around. “On the surface, their reasoning is sound—I’ve been on leave for too long and am unfamiliar with the current state of the project, so for efficiency reasons, they’re letting me start over with a smaller project.”

“But what about in reality?” Elisa sensed his resentment.

“In reality, my career is basically over. Success on those important projects would have brought promotions and raises, but now I can only do peripheral work.” David’s voice became pained. “The professional standing I built over ten years was all gone in three months.”

"Have you considered changing jobs?" Lynn asked.

"Given my current state?" David chuckled self-deprecatingly. "What will my recommendation letter say? 'David Chen, an emotionally unstable mutant who has just lost his wife; his work performance may be affected'?"

Elisa sensed the deep despair in David's heart, a feeling of being abandoned by the entire world. "There must be another way."

“Yes.” A dangerous glint flashed in David’s eyes. “There is indeed a very simple way.”

Lynn immediately became alert. "What method?"

David remained silent for a moment, seemingly hesitant about whether to speak. In the end, he decided to confess.

“My ability is emotional manipulation. If I want, I can make my boss and colleagues feel guilty, sympathetic, or even fearful,” David’s voice deepened. “I can manipulate their emotions to get projects back to me, to get promotions and raises, and to make me the most popular employee in the company.”

Alyssa felt a chill. "But you didn't."

“Not yet,” David answered honestly, “but every day, the temptation grows stronger. When I see my mediocre colleagues getting recognition for taking over my projects, when I see my bank account balance dwindling, when I think of Merlin dying to help others while I can’t even keep my own job…”

"You've considered using your abilities to solve these problems," Lynn said, getting straight to the point.

“I didn’t just think about it, I even devised a detailed plan.” David’s voice was filled with painful struggle. “I know each of my colleagues’ weaknesses, and I know how to influence their emotions. I can make Smith feel guilty because he knows that project was originally mine. I can make Johnson feel fear, worried that bad things will happen if I don’t get the chance. I can make the boss feel compassion, feeling that he must help this poor widower.”

Elisa listened to these words with mixed feelings. She could understand David's pain and despair, but at the same time, she was worried about the darkness in his heart.

“But you controlled yourself,” she said softly.

“I’ve barely managed to control it.” David sat on the sofa, burying his head in his hands. “But I don’t know how much longer I can hold on. Every night, I imagine the wonderful life I’ll have after using my powers—regaining respect, the financial hardship disappearing, and even avenging Merlin.”

“Revenge?” Lynn immediately seized on this key word.

“Yes.” David looked up, his eyes burning with rage. “I can find those members of the ‘Pure Humanity’ organization and make them experience the fear and pain Merlin felt before his death. I can turn their lives into hell and make them taste the bitterness of despair.”

Elisa sensed the rage burning deep within David's heart, a hatred that threatened to consume everything. She understood that if David were to use his powers for revenge, the consequences would be unimaginable.

“David, I understand your anger, but revenge brings no true relief,” Elisa said. “Merlin wouldn’t want to see you become a man driven by hatred.”

"How do you know what Merlin desires?" David suddenly burst out. "You've never seen her, you've never loved her!"

The emotional energy in the room became unstable again, and Elisa felt a strong shock. But this time she did not back down; instead, she looked firmly at David.

“You’re right, I’ve never met Merlin. But from your description, I know she’s a kind person, someone who uses her abilities to help others.” Elisa’s voice was calm yet firm. “If she could see you now, do you think she would want to see you use your abilities to hurt others?”

David's anger vanished abruptly, replaced by deep anguish. "I just...I just don't know what to do anymore. I have this ability, but I can't use it. I face so many difficulties, yet I have to endure them like a normal person. Sometimes I really wish I'd never had this ability, so I wouldn't feel this sense of loss."

“Disparity?” Lynn asked.

“When ordinary people face difficulties, they can only rely on their own efforts and the help of others,” David explained. “But I knew I had an easy solution, one that could change everything with just a flick of my finger. This temptation tormented me every moment.”

Elisa suddenly understood David's true pain. It wasn't just the grief of losing his wife, nor just the difficulties at work, but the moral constraint of being a mutant who couldn't use his powers.

“You’re feeling guilty about having this ability,” she said.

“Yes,” David nodded. “Merlin used her abilities to save lives and bring hope. My abilities, however, can only manipulate and deceive. Every time I try to use them, I feel like I'm betraying her memories.”

“But you can also use your abilities to do good,” Elisa said. “You can help those who are depressed feel hope, and help those who are angry find peace.”

“Under a regulatory system?” David smiled wryly. “Any use of one’s abilities requires prior reporting and approval. And even if it’s to help someone, manipulating their emotions without permission is considered a violation of their free will.”

Lynn realized the complexity of the issue. While the mutant regulatory system was intended to protect public safety, it also restricted mutants' freedom and self-actualization. "Have you considered applying for a legal license?" Lynn asked. "The government has exemption procedures for special circumstances."

“I’ve tried,” David shook his head. “The application process takes six months to a year, and the approval criteria are extremely strict. Someone with my emotional manipulation abilities would have almost no chance of getting a license.”

"Why?"

“Because it’s considered a ‘high-risk ability,’” David explained. “Unlike Merlin’s healing abilities, which are clearly beneficial, emotional manipulation is easily abused. The regulatory policy is 'better to err on the side of caution than to let the innocent go free.’”

Alyssa felt a pang of sadness. She began to understand why so many mutants chose to hide their identities, and why they preferred to suppress their talents rather than expose themselves to a regulatory system.

"So now you're faced with a choice: either use your abilities illegally to solve the problem, or endure all the hardships like an ordinary person?" she concluded.

“That’s it,” David nodded. “And over time, the first option becomes increasingly appealing.”

Lynn stood up and paced around the room. “David, I want to ask you a direct question. Are you having suicidal thoughts right now?”

David remained silent for a long time, and Elisa could sense his inner struggle. Finally, he answered honestly, "Sometimes. When the pain becomes unbearable, I think that perhaps joining Merlin is the only relief."

“But you haven’t taken any action yet,” Elisa said.

“Not yet. But not because I’m particularly strong, but because I haven’t found a way that won’t hurt anyone.” David’s voice was filled with deep despair. “If I die in a state of emotional breakdown, my abilities could affect many innocent people. I don’t want others to feel despair because of my death.”

These words deeply moved both Elisa and Lynn. Even in the darkest of times, David was still thinking of others.

“David, you need professional help,” Lynn said. “We can arrange for a psychotherapist for you, an expert who specializes in helping mutants deal with this kind of predicament.”

“I’ve seen three different therapists,” David replied. “They’re all very professional, but none of them truly understand the struggles of being a mutant. They just repeat the standard advice: accept reality, find new goals, connect with support groups.”

“Didn’t those suggestions work?” Elisa asked.

“It might work for ordinary people. But they can’t understand how frustrating it is when you have the ability to easily solve all problems but can’t use it,” David’s voice was bitter. “It’s like having delicious food in front of a hungry person, but being told they can’t eat it.”

Alyssa suddenly realized something. "Perhaps what you need isn't a regular therapist, but rather the understanding and support of other mutants."

"What's the meaning?"

“At Xavier Academy, we have a support group specifically for students who are confused about how to use their abilities,” Elisa explained. “Perhaps what you need is to talk to other mutants who have had similar experiences.”

A flicker of interest crossed David's eyes. "But I'm not in the Institute system; I'm an independent mutant in society."

“That doesn’t matter,” Alyssa said firmly. “I believe the professor would be willing to help you. Every mutant deserves understanding and support, wherever they are.”

Lynn nodded in agreement. "Furthermore, I will reopen the investigation into your wife's case. If a hate crime truly occurred, the perpetrator should be brought to justice."

"Are you really willing to do this?" David's voice held a glimmer of hope.

“Of course. Everyone has the right to justice, whether they are ordinary people or mutants,” Lynn promised. “I need you to give me all the investigative materials, including the private investigator’s report.”

David walked to the desk and took out more files. "This is all. I hope you can find any clues I might have missed."

Elisa sensed a subtle shift in the atmosphere of the room. David's despair, though still intense, was no longer as overwhelming. Seeds of hope were slowly sprouting within him.

“David, I want to tell you something,” Elisa said. “Having great power is indeed a burden, but it’s also a gift. The key is to find the right way to use it.”

"Have your abilities ever troubled you?" David asked.

“Of course.” Elisa nodded. “Feeling others’ emotions and pain isn’t always a pleasant experience. Sometimes I want to turn this ability off and live like a normal person. But I’ve gradually come to understand that this ability exists for a reason.”

"What's the reason?"

“Help others, understand others, and offer support when needed.” Elisa’s voice was full of warmth. “Like now, if I didn’t have the ability to perceive, we might never understand your true situation.”

David pondered Elisa's words. "Perhaps you're right. But I'm not ready to embrace my abilities again."

“That’s normal,” Lynn said. “The important thing is that you haven’t given up, that you’re still looking for the right path.”

“I will contact Professor Xavier and arrange an opportunity for you to interact with other mutants,” Elisa promised. “In the meantime, please feel free to contact us if you need to speak.”

Tears welled up in David's eyes, but this time they weren't tears of despair, but tears of gratitude. "Thank you all. I haven't felt understood by others in a long time."

Just as Lynn and Elisa were about to leave, David suddenly called them back.

“Wait.” He walked to the kitchen and took a photograph from the refrigerator. “This is a picture taken the last time Merlin used her abilities. I want you to see what kind of person she was.”

In the photo, Merlin is in a hospital's children's ward, her hand gently stroking a little girl's forehead. The little girl's pained expression is turning peaceful, and Merlin wears a warm smile. Most remarkably, the other children around her are also smiling, as if Merlin's healing power has not only healed their physical ailments but also the sadness filling the entire room. (End of Chapter)