Chapter 28: [28] Dead Heroes Don’t Write Textbooks
Professor Fox hopped off her desk in a way that reminded Xavier of a cat.
Great, now I’m imagining her with cat ears. Or for her would it be fox ears?
"Now, before we dive into the fascinating world of hunter history, let’s get one thing straight." She paused dramatically, finger raised. "Please call me Belle. ’Professor Fox’ makes me sound ancient, and ’Miss Fox’ is what they called my mother."
Xavier leaned back in his chair, watching her performance.
"Today, we’re going to discuss something special." Belle’s expression shifted, playfulness giving way to something more serious. "The Incident."
A ripple of interest moved through the classroom. Even Kyrie, who’d been feigning boredom, straightened slightly.
"But first—" Belle’s eyes swept the room, "—I want to know what you already understand about our history. Who can tell me when the first hunters appeared?"
Alexander’s hand shot up immediately. "2025, immediately following the Genesis Event at the Global Quantum Research Facility in Geneva."
"Textbook perfect, Mr. Shepard." Belle nodded approvingly. "And what prompted these ordinary humans to become hunters?"
"Necessity," said a soft voice to Xavier’s right. Sayuri Tanaka flushed when all eyes turned to her, but continued. "The gates were opening everywhere. Monsters were pouring through. Someone had to fight."
"Exactly right, Ms. Tanaka." Belle’s smile was warm. "Necessity—the mother of both invention and heroes."