Before, Charles had always regarded Lin Mei as a mere child. However, after just a brief conversation, he realized that Lin Mei possessed a mind as sharp and wise as any adult. This revelation unsettled him, prompting him to use his telepathic abilities to probe deeper into Lin Mei's mind.
"Lin Mei, this old man is being rather dishonest. He's trying to invade your mind with his thoughts! Do you want me to tear his will apart while he's distracted?" A voice echoed in Lin Mei's head.
The voice belonged to a dragon—a very special one. It was not only a manifestation of Lin Mei's abilities but also the essence of the Dragon Destroying Magic he wielded.
Lin Mei, aware of the dragon's presence, quickly warned, "Don't act recklessly. If something happens to him, I can guarantee that a whole army of mutants will come knocking at my door tomorrow."
"But he's getting close to uncovering something important in your memory!" the dragon protested.
Lin Mei's eyes flashed with a knowing glint. "Then let's give him a little warning."
"Understood!"
A silent yet thunderous dragon roar resonated through Lin Mei's consciousness. At that moment, Professor Charles, who had just begun to access key memories, felt a tremendous force pushing him out of Lin Mei's mind.
His face paled as he immediately withdrew his telepathic intrusion, realizing too late that Lin Mei's willpower was far stronger than he had anticipated. It wasn't just resistance—it was a deliberate counterforce, something Charles had rarely encountered before.
A complex emotion flickered in Charles's eyes—a mixture of surprise and admiration.
"Lin, your abilities are far more intricate and powerful than I had imagined. It seems I have underestimated you," Charles admitted, his voice tinged with both awe and caution.
His tone became more solemn as he continued, "But please understand, I had no ill intentions. I only sought to understand you better so I could offer help when needed."
Lin Mei chuckled lightly. He knew Charles had no malice toward him. "Professor, I appreciate your concern and kindness. But everyone has their secrets, don't they?"
He met Charles's gaze with unwavering confidence. "As long as we maintain trust and mutual respect, I believe we can face any challenges that come our way. Isn't that right?"
Charles studied him carefully before nodding. He understood that he couldn't force Lin Mei to accept his offer. The boy was independent, strong-willed, and wise beyond his years.
"Since you're so resolute, I'll respect your decision," Charles said. "However, should you ever change your mind, the doors of Xavier's Academy will always be open to you."
"Thank you, Professor. I'll remember that," Lin Mei replied sincerely.
With that, Charles took his leave, disappearing into the night.
As soon as he was gone, Lin Mei let out a long sigh of relief. "Finally, I got rid of him. If he had really uncovered my memories, things could have taken a disastrous turn."
The biggest secret Lin Mei carried was his identity as a time traveler.
Unlike other time travelers blessed with systems or overpowered advantages, Lin Mei had nothing but his own wit and a mutant ability that only awakened when he was eight.
Back then, when his mutant powers surfaced, Professor Charles had sensed him through Cerebro—even while Lin Mei was in the Dragon Kingdom. At that time, the Divine Spear Bureau, an emerging force in the Dragon Kingdom, had already begun monitoring mutant activities. Despite this, Charles personally visited the Lin family, informing them that Lin Mei was a mutant and offering to take him to Xavier's Academy for protection.
Charles likely saw this as an act of goodwill, but to the Lin family, it was nothing short of an insult.
The Lin family was one of the most ancient and prestigious in the Dragon Kingdom. Their ancestors had trained in Kunlun, and some had even wielded the legendary Iron Fist. To suggest that their descendant needed to be sent away for protection was preposterous.
The head of the Lin family was furious. He outright refused Charles's offer, sending him back to the United States in shame. Had Charles insisted, he would have likely found himself facing both the Divine Spear Bureau and the warriors of Kunlun.
Lin Mei had remained in the Dragon Kingdom for years, immersing himself in rigorous training. However, due to his father's obligations, he was eventually required to undertake a trial in Kunlun—one that Lin Mei suspected was meant to shape him into the next Iron Fist.
At the same time, his mother, Melissa, had to return to the United States to take over her family's business empire. And so, fate had drawn Lin Mei back to the land he had once left behind.
Upon returning to the United States with his mother, Melissa, Lin Mei found himself navigating a world vastly different from the one he had grown up in. However, what set him apart from most people wasn't just his upbringing—it was his mutant ability, which was as unique as it was mysterious.
Unlike conventional mutant abilities that manifest in the form of enhanced strength, telekinesis, or elemental control, Lin Mei's power was tied to space itself. He had the ability to break through dimensions and traverse into entirely different worlds. It was not an offensive ability, nor did it pose a direct threat to others, which led Professor Charles to classify him as a Delta-level mutant.
Delta-level mutants are often indistinguishable from ordinary humans, either because their mutations do not alter their physical appearance or because their abilities are too subtle to be easily noticed. In fact, some Delta mutants go their entire lives without even realizing they possess special abilities. Their powers are generally considered minor—such as phasing through thin walls, influencing small temperature changes, or enhancing physical endurance slightly beyond human limits. While not as formidable as Alpha- or Omega-level mutants, Delta mutants still enjoy physical advantages that place them above regular humans.
Lin Mei fit this classification well—or so it seemed.
That changed when he finally used his ability deliberately for the first time. The night before, within the safety of his home, he tore through the fabric of reality and stepped into an entirely new world—one teeming with dragons and magic.
It was only after stumbling into this realm and encountering an ancient, powerful dragon that he understood the true nature of his ability. He had entered the world of Fairy Tail.
At first, his arrival was far from fortunate. He had unknowingly landed in a dragon's nest—a place that could have easily become his grave. However, fate had other plans. The dragon ruling over the nest was not a ruthless beast but a wise and benevolent entity known as Alexila Reli, a Dragon King with a deep connection to human beings.
Lin Mei knew little about Alexila Reli's true nature or elemental alignment, but one thing was certain—the Dragon King possessed the ability to glimpse into the fabric of fate itself. And when she gazed upon Lin Mei, she recognized something extraordinary in him.