Oh yes, very hard, and for a very long time. (He smiles proudly.) I studied genetics, specifically genetic mutation, although in general spent a great amount of time in a science lab with my beakers and microscopes.

( Charles does in many ways miss that part of his life. It might be dull to others but to him it was always fascinating and a passion project. He wanted to understand what was happening to him and Raven, and then discovering all the other mutants in the world was proof of his own theories. The only thing that could get him out of the lab and his books was finding his own kind and becoming the head of the school he founded.)

I founded a school as headmaster though, so I shifted to a different type of teacher.

( That feels so far away from him now. Infinitely far than where he felt before when back home.)

I ... see. I have heard about the mobile telephones. It's extraordinary.

( Charles is years from those becoming a reality and many years away from it becoming commonplace. It will take him time before he understands how to text properly. He can't afford a phone yet, but eventually he will try his best.)

If you have any, I'll take it. The water at the motel is ... questionable.