Marvel: Randomly Load a Protagonist Template - Chapter 65

At 10 p.m., finishing his training half an hour early, Hawking arrived at Professor X’s office.

“Professor, I think we can start now!”

“Alright, I will immediately register a new company and start the promotion according to your plan,” replied Professor X, agreeing.

Over the past month, with Hawking’s relentless efforts, the reaction from most humans in New York had been positive, as expected.

This confirmed that Hawking’s plan was viable, allowing for increased investment and recruiting more mutants.

However, Hawking shook his head:

“Professor, my idea is this: the company should not be registered by you, and ideally, other mutants shouldn’t be involved in the early stages. We should wait until the company has grown to a certain size before gradually involving more mutants.”

“Why should it be this way?” Professor X asked, puzzled, as this seemed to deviate from the original plan.

Hawking explained further, “Professor, I’ve realized humans’ deep prejudice against mutants during this time. Even without revealing my mutant identity, attitudes change once people suspect I’m a mutant, and they start voicing various conspiracy theories.

You must have seen this on the news and online.

If you were to fund and develop this company, it would eventually confirm those conspiracy theories when exposed, leading people to believe that the company’s emergence is a way to absolve mutants.

Also, SHIELD might start taking action.”

“But Hawking, you are also a mutant. Once your identity is exposed, you’ll face the same issues,” Professor X said, voicing his concerns but not upset by Hawking’s explanation.

Hawking sighed, “Professor, I’m sorry, there’s something I haven’t told you.

That is… I’m not a mutant. My powers come from an unknown entity.”

With this, Hawking confessed his true identity to Professor X.

If he were dealing with Magneto, he would never reveal his identity since Magneto only trusts mutants.

But Professor X is different. Even if you’re not a mutant, he will trust you if you are sympathetic towards mutants.

Of course, that wasn’t the main reason for his honesty.

The main reason is that his non-mutant identity would eventually be publicized. If the Avengers’ enterprise is to grow globally, being a mutant would be a significant hindrance.

For the human elites, a company founded by mutants, attracting a multitude of mutants and extensively infiltrating various industries, raises the question: What are they trying to achieve?

Are they trying to control all of humanity?

But that’s a different story if his identity is human, akin to an Avenger who gained special abilities due to extraordinary circumstances.

So, it was bound to come out eventually; it was better to tell Professor X early, easing his mind somewhat.

After all, before going public, apart from Hawking himself, the whole world would know he’s not a mutant through Professor X.

“So, you aren’t a mutant!” exclaimed Professor X, initially stunned, then showing a hint of disappointment.

He had always suspected Hawking’s mutant status because he couldn’t sense the unique brainwaves exclusive to mutants, and Hawking’s abilities exceeded his understanding of mutants.

In his heart, even if Hawking indeed wasn’t a mutant, as long as his heart was with the mutants, it didn’t matter.

Of course, some disappointment was inevitable; he had hoped that someone as strong and capable as Hawking would be a mutant.

“But don’t worry, Professor, even if I’m not a mutant, my ideology aligns with yours.

“My brother and sister are mutants, my friend and teacher are mutants, and my adoptive parents are humans.

I also hope that mutants and humans can live together peacefully and that mutants can be recognized and accepted by humans without prejudice.

However, under the current circumstances, it is necessary to distance ourselves from mutants initially so that the company can develop. Once stable, we can gradually bring mutants into the company for promotions, helping everyone slowly accept them.”

Seeing a hint of disappointment on Professor X’s face, Hawking explained again.

Professor X then looked into Hawking’s eyes: “Hawking, if I’m not involved, how will you establish a company and navigate the early stages of development? Creating a company like the one you’ve planned is not an easy task.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Hawking replied with a smile. “A friend of mine, whose father is the chairman of Stark Industries, is willing to collaborate with me, so the initial phase shouldn’t be a problem.

Once the company has developed, you can use your family’s influence to help, and no one will be able to criticize.”

Today, he had come specifically to talk to Professor X, explaining so much patiently, which was mostly true, but the core point was this:

The control of the Heroes Alliance company he planned to create would be in his own hands, not those of Professor X and his family.

Professor X was better suited to being a headmaster, effectively running the mutant school, teaching more excellent mutants to join his company, and then becoming superheroes recognized by the public.

Whether Professor X had seen through Hawking’s core intention or thought of something else, he fell into deep thought.

For a moment, the headmaster’s office was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

After about a minute, Professor X seemed to have resolved something, and his face broke into the familiar smile:

“Alright, Hawking, you’ve always had your ideas, so go ahead and do it your way.

If you encounter any trouble or need help, come to me anytime. This school will always be your home, and everyone here will always be your family, regardless of whether you are a mutant or not—none of this will change!”

“Professor, thank you for believing in me!” Hawking internally breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Professor X’s response.

Having spent three years here, it was impossible to say there were no emotions involved, but some things had to be clarified early to avoid more complications later.

“The next step is improving your skills and developing the company.

Recruiting more clean-slated civilian heroes like Peter and Jessica would be best. The more heroes we have, the faster the company will develop!”

Leaving the headmaster’s office, Hawking returned to his room to get ready and headed to Queens as usual to meet Peter.

Meanwhile, aboard a Life Foundation spaceship orbiting Earth:

“Life One to Foundation Control Center, sample collection complete, returning to base.”

“Received, Life One, prepare for re-entry.”

“Understood, initiating re-entry protocols, coordinates zero point four one zero three point—oh hell, what is this thing? Close the hatch! Ahhh, help!!!”

“Signal unstable, Control Center to Life One, please respond, please respond.”

“Beep beep beep”

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