In the Marvel Universe: I can summon items from all dimensions.

"No...this...ah?"

Lorna was completely bewildered by what he said.

She had considered many possibilities from her own perspective, but she never expected that he would offer a pledge of allegiance after only a few words. What's more, his words didn't seem like a lie, and she couldn't detect any malice in Mason.

What's going on here?

"How about it? I'm very sincere!" Mason said. "You know, I'm an academic genius who's been on MIT's scholarship list for four consecutive semesters, and I became a Level 4 agent with ease. Other organizations would have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to poach me, but with the X-Men, I'd even pay to work for myself—how about it? If you miss this opportunity now, you'll never have another chance. Help me get in touch!"

The reason he said this was partly because he genuinely liked the X-Men, and partly because it seemed much easier to obtain energy and biological materials there than at S.H.I.E.L.D.—didn't Old Wolf say that the Brotherhood and Hellfire Club were planning something? The X-Men would definitely step up in that situation, so could I find a way to fish in troubled waters?

Opportunities, all opportunities!

"Okay, okay."

Lorna's eyes twitched a few times: "Fine, I'll introduce you to someone, okay?"

"Yay!" Mason cheered, then his tone suddenly changed: "Speaking of which, weren't you very reluctant to go back to the academy? Is this what you mean by this?"

"I had no choice," Lorna scoffed reluctantly. "Am I supposed to run away in front of S.H.I.E.L.D. and make them even more aware of the problems between me and the Academy? I can always go back first and find another chance to slip away!"

"So what exactly is the problem...?"

"If you want to know, go ask the professor." Lorna's tone suddenly turned cold. "I'd like to see what kind of explanation he's going to come up with."

"I see."

It seems this is not something that can be figured out right now.

Realizing this, Mason changed the subject: "We should keep acting—to make it real, you'd better do some actual action scenes. Although I don't like being hit in principle, it's a different story if we agree to fix the fight."

Thanks to the efficiency of our telepathic communication, that string of words only took about five or six seconds, which fits the tense atmosphere of holding each other by the collar. But if it had lasted any longer, it would have seemed a bit fake.

"Is...is that so?"

Lorna's voice suddenly softened, sounding like she was reacting to accidentally attacking Natasha earlier.

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, it's just that I... don't really like violence."

"You were pretty quick when you hit that ninja with the clock."

"Isn't that because he was planning to attack me?"

"Alright, alright, stop wasting time. If you don't take on the role soon, you'll be exposed."

"...I'm sorry then."

She apologized to Mason with some trepidation, and then turned to the material world, where the effect was quite different.

"No one would believe you!"

Lorna yelled, pulling Mason off the sofa while still holding him by the collar, and then shoved him hard backward.

Perhaps because mutant abilities always have some degree of physical enhancement, she was more than half a head shorter than Mason, but her strength was considerable. Mason, who could only support his body on one leg, almost had both feet lifted off the ground and fell to the ground in a sorry state.

"Wait! It's not what you think! Let me explain!"

Seeing Lorna about to rush up and stomp on him again, Mason quickly waved his hand and shook his head, saying, "We've fought together before, can't you even give me this much trust?"

"..."

Lorna paused, catching her breath, before suddenly letting out a cold laugh: "Fine, so you wanted to come to the academy with me? Then let the professors pry open your head and see what's inside!"

..............................

"Isn't doing this a bit too much?"

In another room, Natasha frowned as she watched the footage on the security camera, muttering to herself, "If we want to conduct targeted personality analysis, all we need to do is send someone to follow them. Why risk the lives of our agents?"

At the other end of the monitoring room, a seemingly mild-mannered bald man with glasses was sitting there—if Mason were here, he would recognize him at a glance as the ostensibly a Level 2 agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., but actually a Hydra undercover agent, Sitwell, who was kicked off the roof by Natasha in the movie "Captain America: The Winter Soldier".

Of course, at this point in time, his identity had not yet been exposed. To others, Agent Sitwell was a veteran in the industry who had been active on the front lines for many years and had made outstanding contributions. He was highly respected by newcomers in the agency.

"Agent Romanoff, this is a necessary sacrifice," Sitwell said calmly. "Since the beginning of the 21st century, the mutant problem hasn't eased with progress; on the contrary, it's become increasingly acute—in fact, the Brotherhood and the Hellfire Club have recently begun planning new operations. Who can guarantee that the X-Men won't one day change course and join them?"

"Hmph... The fact that we can still sit here and discuss this kind of topic is solid proof that the X-Men are still maintaining a friendly attitude, isn't it?" Natasha clicked her tongue. "Do we really have to go to great lengths to provoke them and push them into the enemy's position before we feel at ease?"

Sitwell did not refute, but simply said, "Agent Romanoff, the order to send Agent Sisel to Xavier's Academy of Geniuses was given by Minister Pierce. Neither you nor I have the right to disobey orders."

"..."

Natasha rolled her eyes and stopped talking.

Sitwell continued to stare at the monitor screen, his seemingly calm gaze concealing a deep malice.

X-Men... Ha, just a bunch of experimental animals that will be locked up in concentration camps sooner or later.

Despite their immense power, these animals also have obvious weaknesses. By exploiting their excess humanity and kindness, they can be easily subdued at minimal cost. The Empire will then uncover their secrets, devour them as food, and gain the great power to rule the world in this new century.

As for the fate of Hydra member Cecil Lee Mason?

I wonder if Hydra's underlying concept is that if you cut off one head, two more will grow back? In other words, losing one or two heads doesn't matter. After all, Cecil is just a rookie. Wouldn't it be perfect to use him to test a member who seems to have access to a huge secret about the X-Men?

For example, Lorna Dane has already revealed an obvious weakness: she has an overreaction to "betrayal." Once her abilities are understood, it will be easy to set targeted traps, whether to capture or kill her.

What? Does anyone really think that an evil organization like Hydra could have any brotherhood? Don't be ridiculous.

Make the most of your abilities, Agent Cecil. You might just make a huge contribution in this mission and get a super-promotion.

And so, malice slowly spread.

..............................

"this……"

Mason swallowed hard, displaying a subtle and fleeting panic, as if he had realized his secret had been exposed and was quickly trying to cover it up.

"What is this? Aren't you scared?"

Lorna's smile took on a sinister and menacing tone: "It's alright. Although the professor doesn't like hurting others, there are more than one psychic in the academy. I believe Jean or Emma would be happy to help me with this."

Emma? The White Queen? Is there such a person in the X-Men of this world?

"No... I just..." Mason tried hard to recall the terrifying memory of being seen by a teacher through the window while playing on his phone in school. He tried to turn as pale as possible, then shook his head vigorously and said, "You can't... you can't do this—"

Just then, a long engine sound suddenly came from outside the window, and it quickly grew louder, as if a large aircraft was approaching.

"Hehe, here you are."

Lorna looked up and said, "Let's go together then, Agent Mason."