Aaron pondered for a moment, and devoured one of Mystique's hairs.
[Seventy-Two Transformations: Detected similar abilities (Free Transformation, Form Alteration, Super Simulation, Transformation Art). Fusion completed. You now possess the ability to transform freely, becoming large or small, not limited to object forms, able to change freely between human and non-human, possessing all of the target's physical and chemical properties, while also possessing a portion of its special properties.]
As the flowing light surged in, Aaron realized this ability was actually quite good.
Once used, he not only completely matched the appearance of the transformed object, but the aura was identical as well. He could even transform into parts that shouldn't exist and possess some of the target's abilities.
Aaron did not delve deeply into researching this ability but instead gifted Raven the characteristics of her ability without any flaws.
Raven's eyes widened, looking at Aaron as if he were a deity.
"My ability... disappeared?"
Raven didn't know what had just happened, but her blue skin had turned to a white color.
This was not a mutation ability transformation, but her true appearance.
The nightmare that had plagued her for ten years, keeping her trapped in fear, insecurity, and anxiety, rapidly faded away like a shadow meeting the blazing sun on the very first day she met Aaron.
Aaron watched her with a faint smile.
"How does it feel?"
"Amazing!"
"Big brother, are you an Angel descended from heaven?"
Raven tilted her head back, looking at Aaron, who was bathed in sunlight.
He looked so dazzling, so tall and holy.
Just after speaking, she shook her head.
"No, you're not an Angel. After all, I'm a demon. How could an Angel help a demon?"
"You must be Santa Claus. I heard that Santa Claus grants one wish to little children."
"But... isn't Santa Claus an old Grandpa? And Christmas is still several months away."
Hearing this, Aaron considered that the concept of Time Travel was only just emerging in this era, and Raven wouldn't understand things like time manipulation.
So he chuckled and said, "If that makes it easier to understand, then this is a welcome gift."
"A welcome gift?"
Raven repeated the phrase, and as she smiled, tears suddenly streamed down her face.
"I can actually still receive a gift... I mean, this is the best gift I have ever received."
Aaron patted her head. "Alright, Raven, shouldn't today be a day worth celebrating?"
Raven nodded heavily. "Of course."
But then, Raven touched her pocket and said shyly, "I'm sorry, you gave me such an important gift, but I don't have anything to give you."
As she spoke, Raven felt increasingly uneasy and more insecure.She was abandoned as a demon because of her Mutant abilities.
To survive, she had to be self-reliant from a young age, using her abilities to transform into others and "scrounge for food."
Living hand-to-mouth
Although Raven never went to school, she understood the principle of reciprocity.
The gift Aaron gave her was incredibly precious yet she was so poor that she didn't even have anything decent.
In her pocket, there was only half a loaf of bread left, stolen from a luxurious private Villa belonging to the Xavier family in Westchester, which she had already eaten part of.
Originally, she planned to eat the bread for dinner but now...
Raven awkwardly took out the half-eaten bread from her pocket. "I'm sorry, I only have this."
Her only shred of self-esteem made Raven quickly put the bread back.
With a serious expression, she said, "Can you give me one day? I want to give you a gift."
She made up her mind to find a way to earn some money through legitimate means and then buy a gift. Although this gift would certainly be ordinary, at least it would contain her sincerity.
Seeing this, Aaron couldn't help but sigh softly.
His understanding of these characters before his transmigration remained superficial. Only after personal contact would he discover their truest sides.
Who would have thought that Mystique, who killed without batting an eye and did everything for the future of Mutants, couldn't even produce a normal gift when she was little?
Aaron said nothing else, reaching into Raven's pocket and taking out the half loaf of bread.
"This will do."
In front of Raven, Aaron bit into the bread without any hesitation.
Raven's face immediately turned red, and she whispered, "But... but I stole it..."
"But it's all you have, isn't it? This gift is very precious."
"Or... you don't want to give it to me?"
Aaron raised an eyebrow, emphasizing how precious this gift was.
Of course, this gift was indeed very precious, at least to Raven at this moment, it was all she had left.
Raven shook her head repeatedly, then quickly nodded.
She really wanted to make some promises. But thinking of her experiences over the years, she suddenly felt unable to make any guarantees.
She had already fallen to wandering around, stealing food. No matter what she said now, it would just be castles in the air.
"Al... alright."
Seeing that Aaron had already eaten most of the bread, Raven could only agree.
Watching Aaron eat the bread heartily, Raven felt her stomach protesting.
For sustainable development, Raven always stole only a small portion of food each time.
For places like the Xavier Manor, which were premium clients, she needed to be especially careful to maintain the relationship. This also meant she rarely felt full.
Now, seeing Aaron finish the bread in a few bites, Raven felt hungry again. However, she pretended not to care and glanced away.
Aaron noticed her unusual behavior but did not share the last bite of bread with her. Instead, after finishing it, he led her to a nearby restaurant.
"Huh? I'm not hungry." Raven was a little flustered.
Aaron said unequivocally, "You're not hungry, but I am."
"Oh."
"Wait, you ordered too much."
"No problem, I have a big appetite."
"Oh no, I can't finish it, can you help me out?"
"Ah? Me?! This... isn't that good... Gulp..."
"If I can't finish it, then I'll just throw them away?"
"Wait, you adults are too wasteful with food, leave the rest to me."
"Hiccup! I can't eat anymore, I'm stuffed."
Raven slumped in the chair, stroking her round belly with a happy smile.
***
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