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

“Daniel’s case is unique,” ​​Eileen began, explaining her assessment. “In terms of ability type, he belongs to the electromagnetic manipulation mutant category. This ability is not uncommon among mutants, but the way it manifests and its intensity vary from person to person. Daniel’s characteristic is that it has a large area of ​​influence, but its destructive power is relatively small.”

"Not very destructive?" Lynn asked, somewhat doubtfully. "The electromagnetic interference he caused affected the entire neighborhood."

“Yes, but please note that he only caused a temporary equipment malfunction, not permanent damage,” Eileen explained. “This means his ability isn’t inherently destructive, but rather more like interference or shielding. This is actually a good thing, meaning his ability is easier to control and safer.”

“Furthermore, from a psychological assessment perspective, Daniel’s personality traits are also very favorable,” Erin continued. “He has a strong sense of responsibility and is unwilling to harm others. This inner moral constraint is very important in training. Some mutants have difficulty training their abilities not because of the abilities themselves, but because they have an inner resistance or fear of using their abilities. Daniel is different; he is willing to learn, willing to improve, and able to rationally view his abilities.”

"So what advice do you have for his future?" Lynn asked.

“I recommend another two weeks of intensive training,” Eileen said. “By then, he should be able to fully control his abilities and avoid any further accidents in his daily life. After that, he can choose to continue his studies—for example, by joining the Xavier’s School to further develop and refine his abilities—or choose to return to a normal life, maintaining only basic control.”

Lynn noticed that Daniel's eyes lit up when Eileen mentioned "returning to normal life".

"What did Xavier's school say?" Lynn asked.

“They’re very interested in Daniel,” Erin replied, “but they respect his own choice. Professor X has always emphasized that abilities are gifts, but how to use those gifts should be a personal decision. Not every mutant has to become an X-Men member or a superhero.”

“Of course,” Lynn agreed, then turned to Daniel, “What do you think?”

Daniel paused for a moment, seemingly organizing his thoughts, "To be honest, I've been thinking about this a lot. These past few days of training have taught me a lot, not only about controlling my abilities, but also about myself."

“Tell me about it,” Lynn encouraged.

“I realized that my ability is a part of me, but it’s not everything,” Daniel said slowly. “Before discovering this ability, I had my own life, my own dreams. I love programming, I love solving technical problems, and I love creating useful software. These are the things that truly make me happy.”

“Your abilities have changed your life,” Lynn said understandingly.

“Yes, and in a way I wasn’t prepared for,” Daniel nodded. “Suddenly, I became a ‘special’ person, someone who had to worry about accidentally ruining everything. For the past few months, I’ve lived in fear—fear of hurting others, fear of being discovered, fear of losing control.”

“But now you have control,” Dr. Chen pointed out.

“Yes, and I am very grateful for your help,” Daniel said sincerely, “but controlling an ability and wanting to use it are two different things. I think I prefer to see it as something I need to manage, rather than something I want to pursue or develop.”

Lynn completely understood Daniel's meaning. He had seen too many people changed by special abilities or circumstances—some embraced the change, seeing it as a mission or an opportunity; others hoped to maintain their original lives as much as possible. Neither choice was right or wrong.

"Have you ever thought about what you could do with your abilities?" Dr. Chen asked curiously. "For example, in the technology field, your abilities might have unique applications."

“I’ve thought about it,” Daniel admitted. “Theoretically, I could contribute in cybersecurity or digital forensics. I could use my abilities to detect unusual electromagnetic signals, and perhaps even track certain types of hacking activity. But…”

"But what?" Lynn asked.

“But I’m not sure I want my abilities to be part of my career,” Daniel confessed. “I’m worried that once I start doing that, I’ll be defined as ‘the capable person’ instead of ‘the good programmer.’ I don’t want my abilities to become my label.”

This statement brought a brief silence to the rest area. Lynn could sense Daniel's inner struggle—he wanted to return to his normal life before the incident, but he also knew he had changed and could not completely go back to the past.

“You know,” Lynn broke the silence, “there’s one thing I’ve learned from working at the FBI for so many years—everyone has the right to choose their own path, as long as that choice doesn’t harm others.”

Daniel looked up and listened intently.

“I’ve met many people with special skills or experiences,” Lynn continued. “Some choose to join law enforcement and use their expertise to serve the public. Others choose to stay away from all that and live ordinary lives. Both choices are legitimate and deserve respect.”

“But won’t society expect me to do something with my abilities?” Daniel asked, voicing a question that had been troubling him. “I mean, I have this ability, and other people don’t. Does that mean I have a responsibility to do something special?”

“This is a very profound question,” Erin interjected. “Many mutants face this moral dilemma. I can tell you Professor X’s perspective on this issue—abilities are a resource, but like all resources, how they are used depends on the values ​​and desires of the possessor.”

“In other words,” Lynn added, “if someone is born with musical talent, is he obligated to become a professional musician? If someone is physically gifted, must he become an athlete? The answer is no. Talent and ability can be the foundation of a profession, but they should not be an obligation.”

“But my abilities are different,” Daniel countered. “They could impact public safety. Wouldn’t it be a waste if I didn’t use them properly?”

“Let me put it this way,” Lynn considered her words, “you’ve chosen to learn to control your ability and ensure it doesn’t accidentally harm others. That’s a responsible choice in itself. As for whether you want to further develop and utilize this ability, that’s entirely your personal decision.”

“Lynn is right,” Eileen agreed. “Daniel, you owe no one anything except ensuring your abilities don’t cause harm. Everything beyond that basic responsibility is a choice you can make, but not a choice you have to make.”

Daniel seemed deeply moved by these words, his eyes sparkling with thoughtful reflection.

“I want… I want to be a normal programmer who can control my abilities,” he finally said, his voice filled with relief. “I want to go back to my normal life, do the work I love, and have normal friends, without worrying that my abilities will suddenly spiral out of control. I want to treat this ability as a part of my life, not my whole life.” “That’s a good goal,” Lynn said sincerely, “and it’s entirely achievable.”

“But I also want to say,” Daniel continued, “if someone in the future really needs my help, really needs my abilities to solve a problem, I won’t refuse. I just don’t want it to become a label for me.”

“That’s a very mature attitude,” Eileen said approvingly. “You’ve found a balance between your abilities and your life.”

Dr. Chen had been listening quietly, and now he spoke, “From a technical standpoint, I understand your thinking, Daniel. Ability is just a tool; the tool itself doesn't define the user. You can absolutely maintain a normal life while keeping your ability as a backup resource.”

"So, regarding the legal aspects," Daniel asked with some concern, "will I be sued again?"

Lynn had anticipated this issue. “I’ve communicated with the prosecutor’s office multiple times. Considering your cooperation, the special circumstances, and your positive performance in training, the prosecutor has agreed to the lightest possible sentence—six months of probation, 200 hours of community service, and continued capacity building and counseling until experts determine you have full control over your abilities.”

"Won't there be a criminal record?" Daniel asked nervously.

“After your probation period ends, if you behave well, the record can be sealed,” Lynn explained. “This means that in most cases, it won’t appear in background checks. It won’t affect your future job search.”

Daniel visibly relaxed. "That's great. I was worried I'd have a criminal record and wouldn't be able to find a job later."

“We understand your situation,” Lynn said. “This isn’t a typical crime case; it’s an accidental loss of control over a special ability. The justice system needs to adapt to these new realities and learn to distinguish between malicious acts and accidental situations.”

“I will do my community service diligently,” Daniel assured. “I want to do something meaningful, maybe use my programming skills to help a nonprofit or a community center?”

“That’s a good idea,” Lynn agreed. “I’ll help you connect with some suitable organizations.”

“So for the next two weeks, I’ll continue training,” Daniel said, clearly having a clear plan for the future. “Then I want to go back to my apartment and back to my job. I’m freelancing at a software company, and I had to put all my projects on hold because of this. I need to start over.”

“Regarding work,” Eileen cautioned, “you may need to consider how to explain these past few weeks to your employer or clients.”

“I would say I have personal health issues to deal with,” Daniel had already decided. “That wouldn’t be a lie. In a sense, the ability to lose control is indeed a health problem.”

“And now that he has received treatment and is under management,” Lynn added, “that’s a reasonable explanation.”

The conversation continued for a while, mainly about the details of the training plan and future arrangements. Eileen and Dr. Chen were both satisfied with Daniel's progress, believing he would be fully independent in another two weeks.

“Oh, right, there’s one more thing,” Lynn suddenly remembered, “Although you’ve decided not to join the FBI or any other law enforcement agency, I still want to ask—if there are mutants in similar situations who need help in the future, would you be willing to share your experience? As someone who’s been through it, your story and advice might be very valuable to them.”

Daniel thought for a moment, “I’m willing. If my experience can help others feel less afraid and less alone, then I’d be happy to share. But I hope to remain anonymous, or at least keep a low profile.”

“Of course,” Lynn assured him, “we can keep your information confidential and only allow you to communicate with other people in need, when necessary and with your consent.”

“That’s fine then,” Daniel smiled. “To be honest, if someone who’s been through something similar told me, ‘Everything will be alright,’ during my most helpless moment, I would feel a lot better.”

“You’re the kind of person who can tell others ‘everything will be alright,’” Lynn said, “because you’ve been through the worst, but you’ve come out stronger.”

After the break, Eileen reminded Daniel that it was time for afternoon training. Lynn and Dr. Chen left the training room and returned to the observation area.

“He’ll be fine,” Dr. Chen said through the observation window. “I’ve seen many cases, and Daniel is one of the most adaptable I’ve ever seen.”

“Because he knows what he wants,” Lynn commented. “That’s important. Many people don’t know their goals, so they feel lost when faced with choices. Daniel is different; he knows very well that he wants to return to a normal life.”

"Do you support his decision?" Dr. Chen asked curiously. "I mean, from the FBI's perspective, a mutant who can control electromagnetic fields would be a huge resource if they were willing to cooperate."

“Of course I support it,” Lynn said without hesitation. “The FBI has no shortage of resources, but everyone should have the freedom to choose their own life. And a person forced or reluctant to serve is never as effective as someone who serves voluntarily.”

“That’s why you’re a good agent,” Dr. Chen said. “You understand human nature.”

Through the observation window, they watched Daniel continue his training under Eileen's guidance. This training was more complex—the room contained over a dozen different types of equipment, and Daniel needed to selectively affect other equipment while keeping some running. This required extremely high concentration and precise control.

Looking at Daniel's focused expression, Lynn recalled their first meeting. Back then, Daniel was filled with fear and despair, unsure of what to do, believing his ability was a curse. Now, while he still didn't see his ability as a gift, he had at least learned to coexist peacefully with it.

“Humans are truly amazing at adapting,” Lynn said softly.

“Yes,” Dr. Chen agreed, “with the right support and guidance, most people can overcome seemingly impossible difficulties.” (End of Chapter)