Marvel: Master Of Role-Playing

Inside Jean's room.

After throwing Scott out of the window, Jean gradually calmed down. When she turned around, she realized Reid had somehow appeared again, quietly picking up the objects scattered across the floor due to her telekinetic outburst.

Jean, unable to recognize Reid as an illusion, didn't notice that his actions of picking things up were actually the result of her subconscious use of telekinesis.

Even the tangible sensation she felt when she hugged the illusion of Reid was a byproduct of her mind simulating the scene through her abilities.

If Jean could fully control her powers, she wouldn't be so lost in distinguishing between illusion and reality.

"I'm sorry, Reid. Did I scare you just now?"

In Jean's eyes, Reid was an ordinary human. Her use of such powerful abilities must have frightened him, she thought.

"No... If anything, I should apologize for troubling you, Jean."

Reid's response surprised Jean. The illusion didn't display any fear, only a faint look of guilt.

"Because of me, you've had a falling out with your friend. I don't know why your friend dislikes me so much… or why he resents humans. Did I do something wrong?"

Hearing this, Jean felt a pang of unease. It was as if, if this conversation continued, Reid would leave her. Without hesitation, she rushed forward and embraced him tightly.

"No... It's not your fault. It's Scott who's wrong. He's so completely, utterly wrong. You're wonderful, Reid. You've done nothing wrong."

Hearing this, the illusion of Reid returned the embrace, gently comforting her troubled heart. But in the space where Jean couldn't see, the corner of Reid's mouth curled into a sly smile, one as difficult to suppress as a loaded AK.

As the two separated, the illusion of Reid once again showed a conflicted and uncertain expression.

"But your friends... your family... they all reject humans. They reject me. What should we do? I just want to stay with you forever."

Reid's words struck a chord within Jean.

Yes, she knew very well what her companions thought of humans. Facing her own heart, she had to admit the truth—apart from Reid, she didn't truly care about the lives of ordinary humans.

This was indeed a problem. She had to find a way to make her companions accept Reid.

"It's okay. I'll think of something. They'll accept you, Reid. So please, don't leave me, alright? I want to be with you forever too."

The illusion of Reid nodded, embracing her once more before slowly fading away.

Moments later, as Jean returned to her senses, she realized the weight of the issue. If the people around her couldn't accept Reid, he might eventually leave her. She had to prevent that from happening.

"Then I'll start with Scott. I'm closest to him. If I talk to him properly, he should be able to accept Reid."

Having made up her mind, Jean decided to start by observing Scott, looking for an approach to convince him.

Over the next few days, Scott didn't come to see her. Instead, it was Jean who stayed hidden, secretly watching his behavior, trying to determine the best way to change his mind about Reid.

But gradually, Jean noticed something was amiss.

Scott seemed to be investigating something.

She, Scott, and Ororo were among Professor Xavier's earliest and most trusted students, naturally gaining access to certain resources and responsibilities within the academy. However, Scott appeared to be using the academy's internal systems to dig into information about Reid.

This discovery unsettled Jean, stirring an uneasy suspicion she couldn't ignore.

As days passed, her telepathic abilities began to pick up on Scott's emotions. The hatred and anger festering within him grew more pronounced, sharper, and harder to dismiss.

Unable to endure the tension any longer, Jean made the decision to directly read Scott's mind.

What she found shocked her to her core.

'It's time. That damned human. He has to die!'

This was the clearest and most resolute thought in Scott's mind.

'How could this be?'

Her closest friend was plotting to kill the one she loved most. The realization shattered Jean, leaving her dazed as she stumbled back to her room.

As always, the illusion of Reid was waiting for her by the bedside.

"Jean, did you have a good day? But unfortunately, I'm afraid I have to leave soon."

Reid's illusion, being a reflection of Jean's own subconscious, was aware of what she had learned. And so, it spoke those words, subtly guiding her emotions.

"No! Reid, don't leave me!"

Just as the illusion predicted, Jean immediately assumed that Scott was the reason Reid was about to leave her.

"But..."

The illusion of Reid put on a troubled expression.

"If I stay, you're bound to have conflicts with your friends."

"There won't be any conflict! No, he's not even my friend!"

Jean's voice trembled with desperation, her mind clouded by emotion.

With just a slight nudge, Jean completely abandoned the idea of ever reconciling with Scott.

She tightly held Reid's hand, her voice trembling as she begged, "Don't leave. Please wait for me here, okay? I'll be back soon, I promise. Nothing will go wrong."

Jean's resolve hardened. Nothing and no one would stop her from being with Reid—not even Scott. Anyone who dared to stand in her way would become her enemy.

"Jean..."

Hearing her plea, the illusion of Reid leaned closer, and Jean instinctively moved toward her imagined lover.

Their lips met in a tender kiss, though in truth, it was her subconscious telekinetic power creating the sensation.

After a long moment, they parted.

"Reid, wait for me. I won't allow anyone to come between us."

With those words, Jean left the room.

She was determined to follow Scott and uncover what he planned to do to her beloved Reid.

Later that night, after Charles and the others had gone to rest, Scott quietly started his new motorcycle and left the academy, heading straight for New York.

Jean, without a vehicle of her own, wasn't deterred. She used her telekinetic powers to fly after him, though her speed was no match for Scott's bike.

...

As the illusion of Reid, or rather the virus at the mutant academy, was causing chaos, the real Reid was completely unaware.

Reid had no idea what Jean was seeing under the influence of the virus, nor was he aware of the hatred it had drawn toward him.

Unknowingly, he had become Scott's sole target, enough for the man Charles himself had marked as his successor to disregard everything else. Scott was now singularly focused on reaching New York and killing Reid

At this time, Reid sat in his rented apartment, completely oblivious to the chaos brewing in his name. Instead, he was preoccupied with a dilemma of his own.

"Which company should I try to take over first?" he muttered to himself, ruffling his hair in frustration.

Finally, he flopped onto his bed with a sigh. "Forget it. I'll figure it out tomorrow. Life first, plans later. Time to sleep."

With that, Reid pulled the blanket over his head, blissfully unaware of the storm headed his way.

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