Chapter 10: Ice cream
Niklaus spent the next two days laying low at the orphanage, taking in the relative calm after the storm.
Despite the tension that had initially filled the air, things returned to normal, or at least as normal as they could be.
He stayed patient, biding his time until the order he'd issued to Jean Grey finally terminated.
And with that, he was finally able to indulge in something as simple as an ice cream.
He took a bite of the cold, sweet treat, the sensation refreshing him in a way that felt oddly symbolic.
The ordeal was behind him now—at least for the moment.
As he sat on a park bench, enjoying the treat, his thoughts wandered back to the altercation with the X-Men.
What truly struck him was the sheer nature of his power, New Order. It wasn't just some ordinary ability; it was a force that rewrote reality itself, molding it to his will like clay in his hands.
In that moment, he realized just how potent it really was—essentially a giant psionic beacon, broadcasting his desires and forcing the world to comply.
The thought made him chuckle darkly, a grin spreading across his face, almost like the Joker's maniacal smirk. Logic? Rules? None of it applied to him when New Order was in play. It was a giant middle finger to the natural order of things, and that sense of absolute control was exhilarating.
Sure, the power had drawn attention, made him a target.
But now, he knew how far he could push it, and what it could do.
The potential was endless.
As the sun set behind him, Niklaus took another bite of his ice cream, relishing the simple pleasure.
"Looks like the rules don't apply to me anymore," he muttered to himself with a smirk, the taste of victory and vanilla blending perfectly on his tongue.
---
Sheila Bennett, a seasoned witch nearing the end of her days, sat in her modest cottage nestled at the edge of a serene forest.
Despite her advanced age, her eyes retained the sharpness of a woman well-acquainted with the mysteries of the world.
The small details of her life were often overshadowed by the grander scope of her magical heritage and the responsibilities that came with it.
Her thoughts drifted to the recent encounter at the orphanage, particularly the boy she had met there—Niklaus.
The name Niklaus brought a smile to her face, and she couldn't help but think that the young man she saw deserved every bit of that name.
He had an aura that suggested he was far more than he appeared, and that intrigued her deeply.
The burning of the forest and the clamor from the chaos left her perturbed.
Such disturbances were not to be taken lightly, especially when they involved forces as potent as those displayed by the young man.
Yet, she understood the nature of power and the turmoil it often brought with it.
It was a part of the world she had navigated for so long, and she accepted it as an inevitable facet of existence.
Her granddaughter, a witch in her own right, had recently graduated and left to seek adventure.
Sheila felt a pang of loneliness but chose not to dwell on it.
The world was vast, and her granddaughter had her own path to follow.
For now, her focus remained on the young boy and the unfolding events.
Sheila was not entirely sure of Niklaus's full potential, but she had seen enough to know that he had the makings of someone extraordinary.
While she was ready to assist him if he needed help, she had no illusions about the scale of the challenge he faced.
Her willingness to help was born out of respect for his potential and a desire to see him succeed.
As she sipped her tea and gazed out the window at the forest, she reflected on the strange turn of events. "Niklaus," she mused softly. "A name that holds promise. Let's hope you find the path that suits you best."
She hoped that the boy's journey would lead him to balance and wisdom, despite the noise which seemed to follow him.
---
In the metal room deep underground, Niklaus surveyed the walls of his newly constructed underground sanctuary. The space was designed for one purpose: to be impenetrable to psychic signals.
The room's metallic walls gleamed in the dim light, their surface smooth and unblemished..
Niklaus closed his eyes and began manipulating his energies with a focused effort.
He crafted a powerful psychic barrier that would completely block any external psionic signals from penetrating the room.
This shield was designed to neutralize any potential threats or invasive thoughts that could breach his sanctuary. And vice versa.
As he worked, the walls seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly energy, confirming the barrier's activation.
The ground beneath him was left open, intentionally configured to allow his energy and desires to flow freely.
Rather than projecting his powers outward and broadcasting them into the environment, they would now bechanneled into the ground, where they would be absorbed and contained.
This setup allowed Niklaus to maintain his control and secrecy while preventing any psychic disturbances from escaping.
With the barriers set and the ground prepared, Niklaus took a deep breath, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
The room was now a fortress, perfectly tuned to his needs.
He could explore and expand his abilities without fear of external interference, secure in the knowledge that his plans and desires would remain shielded from prying eyes.
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