Hang returned to his room and locked the door.
The sunset filtered through the blinds, casting neat полос of light and shadow across the floor. He sat on the edge of the bed, closed his eyes, and let his consciousness sink inward.
The power copied from Apocalypse coiled deep within his genes—like a hibernating python, silent and waiting to be awakened.
He could clearly sense its nature: tyrannical, dangerous, and highly invasive. Apocalypse had spent thousands of years refining this ability, turning it into the ultimate tool for controlling others.
But Hang didn't need control.
He needed guidance.
Activating the Law of Mind, he carefully probed into the core of that power. Fragments of information flashed through his consciousness—gene sequence restructuring, forced activation of the X-gene, violent release of latent potential. Every step was efficient, but brutally flawed.
The biggest flaw was the mental imprint.
When Apocalypse amplified others, he planted a seed deep within their souls. That seed would take root, grow, and eventually devour the host's consciousness, turning them into puppets.
Hang opened his eyes and raised his right hand. A faint golden glow appeared in his palm.
It was the Law of Life—gentle, inclusive, brimming with vitality. He infused it into his body, beginning to strip away the mental control embedded within the amplification ability.
It was harder than expected.
The imprint was deeply intertwined with the core mechanism. Forcibly removing it risked collapsing the entire system.
He needed precision. And time.
A knock sounded at the door.
Hang dispersed the light and opened it. Outside stood Scott Summers—Cyclops.
Scott adjusted his red quartz visor, his smile stiff.
"The professor asked me to let you know dinner's ready," Scott said. "And… he wants to talk to you afterward."
Hang nodded. "Got it."
Scott didn't leave immediately. He lingered, hesitating.
"You and Jean…"
"What about it?"
"Nothing." Scott shook his head. "Just… be careful. The power inside her—it's dangerous. Professor Xavier has spent years barely keeping it under control. If you get too close, something could go wrong."
Hang looked at him, easily reading the mix of jealousy and concern in his eyes.
Scott's feelings for Jean weren't a secret. But who she chose was never up to anyone else.
"I'll be careful," Hang said calmly.
Scott studied him for a moment, then turned and left.
Hang closed the door but didn't head to the dining hall right away. He returned to the bed and resumed his work.
The Law of Mind acted like a scalpel, carefully carving away the dangerous aspects of the amplification ability. Sweat slid down his temple, but his hands remained steady.
Fifteen minutes later, he stood and headed to the dining hall.
---
The room was already filled. Students and teachers sat along a long table. Charles occupied the head seat and gave a slight nod as Hang entered. Jean sat by the window. She glanced up, their eyes meeting briefly before she lowered her head, a faint blush crossing her face.
Hang took a seat opposite Charles.
Whispers spread among the students. Curious glances flickered toward him, but he ignored them and ate quietly.
"I heard you went to Egypt again," Charles said suddenly. His voice was calm but carried across the table. "How is that… situation?"
"Still sleeping," Hang replied.
"Good." Charles set down his utensils. "Come to my office after dinner. We need to talk."
Hang nodded.
Dinner ended quickly. As the students left, Jean glanced at him, as if wanting to say something, but ultimately followed the others. Hang could feel the instability within her growing stronger.
---
Charles's office was on the second floor.
"Sit," Charles said.
Hang did.
"I can sense a new power in you," Charles said directly. "Strong—and dangerous."
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"Ability amplification."
Charles's pupils contracted slightly.
"And you intend to use it on…?"
Hang didn't answer.
Charles sighed. "Jean, isn't it?"
"She needs help," Hang said calmly. "Your restraints won't hold forever."
"Do you understand how dangerous this is?" Charles's voice sharpened. "That isn't ordinary power—it's the Phoenix Force!"
"That's exactly why it needs to be guided," Hang replied. "Your method delays the inevitable. Mine solves it."
"I don't agree."
"I don't need you to."
Hang stood.
At the door, Charles spoke again:
"If you truly care about her, you should know—some powers cannot be controlled."
Hang paused.
"I've seen worse than the Phoenix," he said. "And I've seen mortals defeat gods. You underestimate human will."
He left.
---
Late night.
The training room lights were still on.
Hang stood alone in the center.
He had already made his decision—to test the ability on himself.
If he wanted to help Jean, he needed to ensure it was safe.
Closing his eyes, he activated the refined amplification power.
Golden-red light formed in his palm, stabilized by the Law of Life.
Then he pressed it into his chest.
Pain exploded.
His genetic chain was forcibly torn apart. Every cell split, reorganized, evolved. Ten laws surged simultaneously—space, time, mind, reality, life, death, devouring, force, molecular control—
Hang dropped to one knee, gritting his teeth.
The room began to collapse under the pressure. Space warped. Time stuttered.
But he held on.
Using the Law of Mind to stabilize his consciousness.
The Law of Life to repair his body.
The Law of Space to redirect energy.
The Law of Time to slow the process.
Chaos turned to order.
Five minutes later—
The pain peaked.
Hang's eyes snapped open, glowing gold.
A shockwave erupted, blasting apart everything in the room.
Then—silence.
He stood slowly, looking at his hands.
Everything had changed.
The ten laws no longer functioned independently—they had merged into an ocean.
His power had leapt to high-tier Skyfather level.
He had crossed two thresholds.
But the cost was clear.
Energy consumption tripled. His genetic structure, though evolved, was now more fragile—requiring constant stabilization through the Law of Life.
This state could only last 72 hours.
More importantly—
This method was too dangerous for Jean.
Her body couldn't withstand it. And the Phoenix wouldn't cooperate like his laws did.
He needed a safer approach.
A slower one.
More precise.
He released the amplification state—and surprisingly stabilized at mid-tier Skyfather level even without it.
"Further X-gene analysis increased my upper limit," he murmured.
Then—
Creaaak.
The training room door opened.
Jean stood there, pale.
Golden-red light flickered in her eyes. Her breathing was uneven, her body trembling. The earlier surge had awakened the Phoenix within her.
"It was you," she said hoarsely. "That power… what did you do?"
Hang didn't answer.
She stepped closer, glancing at the destroyed room, then back at him.
"You've gotten stronger," she said. "A lot stronger."
"Mm."
"Why?" she demanded. "You're already so strong—why would you—"
She stopped.
Understanding dawned.
"You're going to use it on me, aren't you?" Her voice trembled. "You want me to get stronger… to fight it."
Hang remained silent.
Jean's eyes reddened.
"I don't know if I can handle it," she whispered.
"You can," Hang said, stepping closer. He gently touched her forehead. "But not yet. I need more time."
Jean looked up at him, tears shimmering.
In the end, she simply nodded.
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