The Xavier Institute for Higher Learning loomed majestically amid the rolling hills and dense forests of Westchester County, New York.

Ivy crept along the stone walls, weaving nature's tendrils through the aged brick like an embrace. Manicured gardens stretched out in all directions, vibrant with the hues of roses, hydrangeas, and wildflowers that seemed to bloom impossibly bright against the deep greens of the surrounding woodland. Gravel paths crunched beneath careful steps, leading to hidden corners where marble statues kept eternal vigil. In the distance, the glistening surface of Breakstone Lake shimmered beneath the fading sunlight, its calm surface reflecting the mansion’s silhouette like a dream half-remembered.

Inside, the mansion was a labyrinth of polished wood, marble floors, and richly textured carpets muffling the steady rhythm of footsteps. High ceilings adorned with chandeliers cast pools of warm light, their golden glow mingling with the cool shadows that crept through the corridors. Ornate staircases spiraled upward, their balustrades crafted with exquisite detail, while oil paintings of ancestors—both human and mutant—hung in heavy frames along the walls.

The room was dim, lit mostly by the soft glow of light from beyond the windows. His jaw was clenched, eyes shielded behind the familiar ruby-quartz visor that cut harsh lines of red across his otherwise calm expression.