Marvel: Starting as a Time Criminal, Stealing Powers

The next day.

At 10 a.m., there was a knock on the door.

After a few seconds, a somewhat anxious female voice called from outside:

"Mr. Russell, are you awake? Your class is about to begin!"

As the voice echoed, a golden portal lit up in the otherwise empty room—Kamar-Taj could be seen on the other side.

Russell stepped out, casually tossing a crystal ball up and down in his hand.

A simple-looking head poked out from behind the portal with a conflicted expression.

"Master Lilia really didn't want to lend this to you. She only agreed after you promised to return it intact within three days."

"Please don't break it."

Russell waved dismissively.

"Relax, it's safe."

"Now go back quickly, Wong. Don't get your head snapped off."

Wong flinched and retreated.

He wanted to argue, but the portal closed before he could get a word in.

Russell adjusted his clothes and opened the door.

Storm stood outside, peeking into the room with curiosity.

"I thought I heard voices. Is someone else in there?"

Russell pushed the lingering head of magical energy back in and shut the door.

"No one. You heard wrong."

"And has no one told you it's rude to peek into a man's room?"

Storm raised an eyebrow, feigning interest.

"Was that a love letter I heard crumpling in there? Then I must stop by next time."

Of course, she wasn't really interested. The school was simply being cautious about this S.H.I.E.L.D. envoy.

As for sneaking around using tech, it would only complicate matters.

Russell smirked.

"You'll be disappointed."

"Unless... you'd prefer to keep chatting? I could ask for the day off."

Storm finally remembered her job and quickly pulled him downstairs.

She was worried he'd get lost.

In the science classroom on the first floor—

Teenagers between the ages of ten and sixteen sat together. Although the bell hadn't rung yet, most students were already in their seats.

A black-haired girl blew a bubble with her gum and turned to the red-and-white-haired girl across the aisle.

"Anna, do you really think someone's X-gene makes it so they don't need to eat? Isn't that a bit too convenient?"

Anna Marie—aka Rogue—twirled the pen in her hand and said indifferently:

"Why do you care so much, Jubilee? It's a 'free' class. That means it'll probably be easy."

Jubilation Lee sighed, slightly disappointed.

She actually liked diving into knowledge. It helped her escape her mental burdens.

At that moment, a sarcastic voice came from behind them.

"If you ask me," Pyro muttered, "the school just felt bad for this guy. He's probably here to mop floors."

"Professor X is great, but he's too soft. He lets just anyone into this place."

Iceman, sitting nearby, rolled his eyes.

Seriously, why does Professor X let this fire-obsessed jerk stay here?

Then the bell rang.

A man in a brown casual jacket walked in, and the classroom instantly fell silent as all eyes turned to him.

The moment Jean Qin'ou—who loved academics—saw him, her eyes lit up.

Suddenly, knowledge didn't feel as important. Maybe she could take a visual break now and then.

Rogue turned to her friend and whispered, surprised:

"He's so young... and hot. Finally, the principal made a good call."

"How could we not pay attention with a teacher like that?"

Iceman was visibly annoyed.

He already hated this guy who "didn't need to eat," and now he had to watch every girl in the class practically drool over him.

Russell glanced around and recognized a few familiar faces—Rogue, Jubilee, Sunspot, Pixie, Iceman, and Pyro.

He didn't remember the rest well, but that was fine—as long as Magneto didn't show up as a student.

That guy was already on Russell's "target acquisition" list.

He set the crystal ball on the table and said:

"I'm sure most of you heard about me yesterday, so let's skip the boring introductions."

Outside the classroom, Storm facepalmed.

"Heard of you?" She had watched at least a dozen students look completely confused.

But now wasn't the time to barge in and explain.

Russell kept talking:

"Before I got here, the professor told me to just play movies and music for you all."

"And honestly... that's insulting!"

"What? One of you said he runs the school?"

"Okay, fair. But still—my salary is $10,000 a month. That's a lot of money just to babysit!"

Storm's eyes widened. $10,000?! Last night, Professor X had said he'd get the same pay as Logan—just $5,000.

And she was only making $6,000!

Inside, the students grew excited.

Most didn't care about boring classes—if the teacher was interesting, that was all that mattered.

Russell raised his hand to quiet them, then picked up the crystal ball.

"Let's have a divination class today."

"This crystal ball was borrowed from a 400-year-old witch. Hand Minister, to be exact."

"With just a little magic, it can reveal glimpses of the future."

Rogue raised her hand. After being called on, she asked with wide eyes:

"Teacher... are you a necromancer?"

"Tch. Ridiculous."

Pyro scoffed, arms crossed.

"There's no such thing as necromancers. That's all scam stuff. Rogue, you're too naive."

This little brat is getting on my nerves... Russell's gaze locked onto him.

A faint flash of blue light passed through the depths of his pupils.

Just as Pyro was about to mock again, he suddenly sneezed—violently—and started trembling.

"Robert, what the hell?!" he turned to Iceman, his voice shivering.

Iceman held up his hands, clearly annoyed.

"I didn't do anything! Why are you freaking out?"

Pyro kept shaking, his teeth chattering.

"Then why... why am I freezing!?"

He sneezed again, snot dripping from his nose.

He looked like he'd caught the worst cold of his life.

The students around Pyro instinctively moved away, covering their mouths and noses.

Outside the classroom door, Storm frowned. She didn't quite understand how a cold could hit so suddenly.

But she didn't sense any power being used, and only Pyro seemed sick—no one else showed symptoms—so she didn't think much of it. She simply stepped inside and helped escort the sneezing student away.

Russell said calmly:

"Everyone, try not to imitate students who speak without thinking. Who knows, he might've been cursed by witchcraft."

"If you looked closely, you'd have seen a black shadow pass through his eyes just now!"

The students gasped. Some of the younger ones even showed a trace of fear in their expressions.

Russell paused for a moment, keeping a serious face… then suddenly burst into laughter.

"Just kidding. Maybe he was punished by the gods instead."

The mood in the room shifted again. Students groaned and rolled their eyes—"We're not falling for that again" was written all over their faces.

Rogue (Anna) clutched her chest and made an exaggerated gesture of betrayal.

The classroom filled with laughter and playful energy once more.

Russell wore a nostalgic expression, then snapped his fingers—instantly silencing the room again.

"Alright… time's short. Let's skip the warm-up."

"Who wants to know their future?"

Several students eagerly raised their hands, looking excited.

Russell scanned the room and said:

"You, Robert."

Iceman blinked. He clearly hadn't raised his hand, but didn't argue. He walked to the front of the class.

"Just place your hand on the crystal ball," Russell said, gesturing to it.

Iceman shook his head, sighed, and placed his palm gently on the crystal.

He didn't believe in this divination stuff—just like Pyro, he figured this "teacher" was just doing tricks to amuse the class.

But the moment he touched the crystal ball, a burst of intense flame swirled inside it.

Startled, Iceman jerked his hand away—it felt like he had touched a hot iron plate.

He glanced at his palm… no burns. Completely fine.

The class erupted in awe. Even he was surprised by what he'd just seen.

Russell raised an eyebrow.

"Huh… didn't expect the crystal to actually show something."

He looked at Iceman thoughtfully and then patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't be afraid. This means you're destined to become famous."

"If you ask me, you should change careers and become an actor. Guaranteed blockbuster success!"

Iceman was briefly shaken, but as soon as he heard that, he relaxed.

He assumed there must be some projector inside the crystal ball. That "heat" must've just been psychological.

He remembered what Mr. Summers (Cyclops) once said: "The eyes can deceive the brain."

He returned to his seat, letting the next student take a turn.

Russell pointed at Rogue, figuring if he didn't call on her soon, she might jump onto the desk. He didn't want Professor X walking in and docking his pay—he had worked hard to negotiate that raise.

Rogue bounced up excitedly, took off her gloves without being told, and placed both hands on the crystal ball.

A white halo burst forth from within.

Russell was stunned again.

That's… my own divine energy.

Why is my power being reflected in her reading?

Could her future… be connected to me?

Rogue looked disappointed. Iceman's vision had been way cooler.

All the other students took turns touching the ball. Most saw visions of water, wind, or fire—illusions Russell created himself.

Only Iceman and Rogue had triggered real readings.

He had originally borrowed the crystal ball from a fortune-teller in Kamar-Taj just for fun, not expecting it to actually work.

Soon, the lunch bell rang.

Some boys bolted out like starving animals.

After most students had left, Kitty Pryde and Jubilee lingered behind and approached Russell.

Kitty asked curiously:

"Teacher, does that thing really work?"

Russell leaned down and whispered:

"Nah, it's fake. There's a switch at the base."

He pressed it, and an image of flames appeared inside the crystal ball.

Kitty smirked smugly.

"I knew it. Can't even fake an X-Gene properly, huh?"

Russell jumped a little and glanced around nervously.

After confirming no one else was around, he whispered:

"Keep it down! Only you two know about this."

"Between us… I'm not just pretending not to eat—my real identity is a Daywalker, a vampire hunter!"

"You know, like Blade."

Seeing their skeptical faces, he added:

"If you don't believe me, come to my room tonight. I'll show you my weapons."

Midnight.

Kitty and Jubilee didn't show up.

But someone else did.

There was a knock at the door.

Russell peeked through the peephole and raised an eyebrow.

Only the second day and they're already making a move? These people are getting impatient.

But that suited him just fine.

The more anxious they were, the less time the ones hiding in the shadows had left.

He opened the door in pajamas, put on an expression of appropriate surprise, and said:

"Ms. Darkhölme, is something wrong this late?"

His eyes noticed her outfit. The view was… impressive. The white stockings especially stood out.

Mystique smiled charmingly.

"So formal. Just call me Raven."

"By the way, I heard your class today was quite the hit. A divination class?"

"You know, I've always been curious about the mystical arts since I was a child. Never had a chance to learn."

"Would you mind telling me a bit about it?"

She batted her eyelashes, looking genuinely eager.

Russell swallowed and stepped aside.

"Of course. Want to come in and talk?"

Mystique smirked to herself. She knew he'd been tempted that night she'd "accidentally" fallen on him.

But tonight wasn't for flirting—it was part of the plan.

She made a slightly conflicted expression and said:

"Well… we could talk inside. But it's a full moon tonight. Wouldn't it be more… mysterious to walk in the woods instead?"

"Don't you think that would set the mood better?"

Perfect timing.

She had been struggling to find a way to lure him outside—now fate handed her the perfect excuse.

Russell didn't answer right away.

Instead, he leaned in and whispered into her ear:

"Will there be a surprise?"

Mystique felt a strange shiver down her spine and quickly stepped back.

But she recovered instantly and replied coyly:

"Of course there will be… just don't be scared when it happens."

Russell's smile deepened.

"How could I be? I'm already looking forward to it."

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