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

Over the next six weeks, Lynn underwent five accelerated healing treatments. Each one was a tremendous test of his willpower, and each one brought his body a giant step closer to recovery.

The second treatment repaired the fracture in the left leg.

The third treatment healed the rib and lung injuries.

The fourth treatment repaired the rotator cuff tear in my left shoulder.

The fifth treatment addressed all remaining soft tissue damage and internal injuries.

By the end of the sixth week, Lynn was able to get out of the wheelchair. Although he still walked with a limp, his basic mobility had been restored.

But Hank had another suggestion.

“Your injuries have healed,” he said, “but your physical condition is still not what it used to be. Your bones have healed, but it will take time for them to return to their original strength. Your muscles have atrophied and need rebuilding. And, considering the enemy you're about to face—a mind manipulator who can control mutants—you may need even more advantages.”

“What do you mean?” Lynn asked.

“Xavier’s School of the Xavier’s has an intensive training program,” Hank said. “Originally designed for X-Men members, we’ve also opened it to some allies. The program combines advanced physical training, combat skills instruction, and several enhancements.”

What kind of enhancement?

“It’s not drugs, if you’re worried,” Hank clarified, “but rather body optimization using mutant abilities. For example, one student can precisely control the arrangement of muscle fibers, helping you achieve more efficient muscle growth after training. Another student can enhance bone density, making your bones stronger than before.”

“This sounds like some kind of super soldier serum,” Lynn said.

“The principle is similar, but safer and more reversible,” Hank said. “These enhancements don’t permanently change your genes; they simply optimize your existing physical potential. If you stop training and maintaining them, the effects will gradually disappear. But if you persist, you can reach the limits of human physical ability—not the abilities of mutants, but far beyond those of ordinary people.”

Lynn thought for a moment. The offer was tempting, but also somewhat unsettling. He had always believed in improving one's abilities through one's own hard work and training, rather than relying on external forces.

But the reality is, he's not facing ordinary criminals, but enemies capable of controlling mutants. If he wants to protect himself and others, he needs every possible advantage.

"How long will it take?" he asked.

“A comprehensive intensive training program would take eight to twelve weeks,” Hank said, “but considering your situation, I recommend a condensed version—six weeks, high-intensity, focusing on core abilities and combat skills.”

“I’ll do it,” Lynn said. “When do we start?”

“Tomorrow,” Hank said, then added seriously, “but I must warn you, it will be extremely tough. Tougher than any training you’ve ever experienced. Many X-Men trainees can’t even complete the full program.”

“I will do it,” Lynn said firmly.

Lynn was woken up by Logan at five o'clock the next morning.

“Get up, kid,” Logan said gruffly. “Your training begins.”

Lynn changed into the training uniform provided by Xavier's School—a flexible black tactical suit—and then followed Logan to the training facilities underground at the school.

This place, known as the "Danger Room," is a huge, high-tech training space that can simulate various combat scenarios. But today, it's just a simple physical training ground.

“Your body has just recovered and is still very fragile,” Logan said. “So the first week, we’re focused on rebuilding your basic fitness. Running, strength training, flexibility exercises. It’s boring, but necessary.”

For the next week, Lynn's life became purely physical training. She would get up at five o'clock every day, run ten kilometers, then have two hours of strength training, an hour of stretching and flexibility exercises, a short rest followed by theoretical study of combat techniques, more physical training in the afternoon, and restorative physical therapy in the evening.

In the second week, a mutant student named Marcus joined the training—not the Marcus who attacked Lynn, but an upperclassman who could optimize muscle structure.

“My ability is to sense and adjust the arrangement of muscle fibers,” Marcus explained. “Most people’s muscle growth is random and inefficient. But I can guide muscle fibers to arrange themselves in an optimal way, maximizing the effect of each workout.”

With Marcus's help, Lynn's muscle growth was phenomenal. In two weeks, he gained ten pounds—all pure muscle. He could feel himself becoming stronger and his movements more powerful.

The third week began with combat training.

Lynn received basic combat training at the FBI, but Logan's teaching style was completely different—more direct, more brutal, and focused on practical application rather than rules.

“There are no rules in street fights,” Logan said, demonstrating a grappling move. “Your enemies won’t care about fairness. They’ll kill you by any means necessary. So you have to be prepared to use any means necessary to survive.”

Logan was a strict but effective coach. He didn't hold back just because Lynn had just recovered, leaving him covered in bruises after every sparring session. But each time, Lynn learned something new—how to use his opponent's strength, how to counterattack from a disadvantageous position, and how to withstand an even stronger enemy.

In the fourth week, another mutant joined the training—a young woman named Emma, ​​who had the ability to increase bone density.

“Your bones have healed, but they’re not dense enough,” Emma said. “They could fracture again in intense combat. Let me help you strengthen them.”

Emma's ability is to gradually increase the mineral density of her bones, making them stronger. The process is slow—only a little bit each day—but the results are remarkable. By the end of the fourth week, Hank's scans showed that Lynn's bone density had exceeded pre-injury levels, approaching the upper limit of human potential.

Week five is for comprehensive training. Logan begins to use the full capabilities of the danger room to simulate various combat scenarios—from ambushes in dark alleys to gunfights in open areas, from hostage rescues to one-on-many hand-to-hand combat.

Every scenario was a test of Lynn's abilities. Sometimes he succeeded, sometimes he "died"—a holographic enemy in the danger room struck his vitals. But each time, whether he succeeded or failed, he learned and improved.

“You learn very quickly,” Logan said after a particularly tough training session, “faster than most new recruits. That’s because you have real-world experience and know what real danger is like.”

By week six, Lynn had fully recovered and was even stronger than before his injury. His body fat percentage had dropped to 8%, and his muscle density and strength had reached the top level of human athletes. While his fighting skills couldn't compare to those of veteran X-Men members, they far surpassed those of ordinary FBI agents.

Most importantly, his confidence returned.

In the final test, Logan pitted Lynn against a simulated mutant criminal—an enemy with superhuman strength and speed—in a danger room. This simulation was based on analysis of the mutant (Jason) who attacked Lynn.

Lynn failed three times, but on his fourth attempt, he found his strategy. He no longer tried to overpower his opponent with sheer strength, but instead utilized the environment, speed, and timing. He lured his enemy into a confined space, limiting his mobility, and then struck with precise blows to joints and vital points, ultimately subduing his opponent. "Pass," Logan said, a rare smile appearing on his face. "You're ready to return to the field."

After training, Lynn stood in front of the mirror and could hardly recognize herself.

Three months ago, he was a severely injured FBI agent, almost deemed unable to continue active duty. Now, he sees a warrior in peak physical condition—not a mutant, but no longer an ordinary person either.

Hank gave him a final medical check-up.

“Your recovery is astonishing,” Hank said, looking at the test results. “Your bone density is 15% higher than before the injury, your muscle mass has increased by 18%, your cardiopulmonary function has improved by 20%, and your reaction time is 12% faster. Medically speaking, your current physical condition has reached the physiological limits of humanity.”

“How long can this last?” Lynn asked.

“If you maintain your training and healthy lifestyle, this condition can last for years,” Hank said. “But if you stop training, your body will gradually regress to normal levels. Mutant-assisted enhancements are not permanent and require ongoing maintenance.”

“I will keep it up,” Lynn said.

That evening, Professor X visited again.

“Agent Lynn,” the professor said, “your progress here has impressed us all. Hank told me you’re probably one of the most determined patients he’s ever seen recovering. Logan said you’re one of the most focused trainees he’s ever trained.”

“I’m just doing what I have to do,” Lynn said.

“But now, you must make a choice,” the professor said, his expression turning serious. “You are fully recovered, even stronger than before. You can return to the FBI and continue your work. But I also want to offer another option—stay at Xavier’s School as our liaison and advisor.”

"Liaison officer?"

“Yes,” the professor said, “a bridge between the X-Men and law enforcement. You understand how both sides operate, you understand the mutant situation, and you understand the necessity of the law. This understanding is rare and invaluable.”

“And Victor?” Lynn asked, “Have you found any leads on him?”

“Not yet,” the professor admitted, “but we won’t give up. Victor poses just as much of a threat to the mutant community as he does to humans. We will continue our search, whatever your choice may be.”

Lynn thought for a long time.

Staying at Xavier's School of the Rising Sun is appealing—it offers resources, powerful allies, and advanced technology. But his identity is that of an FBI agent, and he is sworn to uphold law and justice.

“I need to go back to the FBI,” he finally said. “My team needs me, and Victor is operating in New York. That’s my city, my jurisdiction. But—” he looked at the professor, “I want to stay in touch. I’ll let you know immediately when we find a lead on Victor.”

The professor nodded, seemingly anticipating this answer: "Of course. And, Agent Lynn, if you need help—any help—the doors of Xavier's School are always open for you. You've proven yourself to be a friend of mutants, and that won't be forgotten."

The next day, Lynn prepared to leave Xavier's School.

Logan drove him to the airport. On the way, the old soldier said, “You know, kid, you’re much tougher than I initially thought. Most people, after going through what you’ve been through, would choose to give up, would choose the safer path. But you’re different.”

“I’m just doing what I started,” Lynn said.

“That’s what I mean by toughness,” Logan said, then pulled a small device from his pocket. “This is for you. A communicator, encrypted, directly connected to the Xavier’s School. If you get into trouble, press the red button, and we’ll be there within an hour.”

“Thank you,” Lynn said, taking the device.

“Don’t thank me,” Logan said. “Just promise me you won’t do anything foolish. You’re stronger now, but you’re still human, not indestructible.”

“I’ll be careful,” Lynn said.

“Lies,” Logan grinned, “but I appreciate them. Go on, catch that bastard.”

It was already evening when the plane landed in New York. Sarah was waiting for him at the airport, and her eyes widened when she saw Lynn.

“My God,” she said, “you look completely different.”

“X Academy has a great training program,” Lynn said, hugging her. “Am I missing something?”

“A lot,” Sarah said, her expression turning serious. “Victor has acted again. We need to talk.”

On the way to FBI headquarters, Sarah reported to Lynn on the progress made over the past three months.

“Victor manipulated at least two more people while you were recovering,” Sarah said, her voice tense. “One was an accountant who was tricked into misappropriating company funds and transferring them to an anonymous account. The other was a municipal engineer who tampered with building permits, nearly causing structural defects in a building.”

“He’s raising funds and building infrastructure,” Lynn said, his mind racing. “That means he’s planning something bigger.”

“And those three mutants—the three who attacked you,” Sarah continued, “they showed up twice more. Once to attack an informant who reported on the mutant hideout, severely injuring him. The other time, they disrupted an anti-mutant group's gathering, causing chaos.”

“He’s building a reputation,” Lynn said, “making the mutant community see them as protectors, not criminals. Very clever.”

“But it also gave us a clue,” Sarah said, pulling a folder from her briefcase. “The tech team analyzed the surveillance footage from both attacks and tracked their movements. Although they were careful, we still found a pattern.”

She opened the folder, which contained a series of maps and photos.

"After both attacks, they moved eastward into Brooklyn. We discovered an abandoned industrial park in the Red Hook borough with several vacant warehouses and factory buildings. According to records from the electricity and water companies, one of the buildings had unusual energy usage over the past two months."

Lynn studied the map carefully. Red Hook was an industrial area in Brooklyn, once prosperous but now mostly abandoned, making it an ideal hiding place—sparsely populated, with little surveillance, and complex building structures. (End of Chapter)