Marvel's New Magneto

Jean's troubles wouldn't disappear overnight, and Ororo's worries would take time to ease. But as the days passed, with Erik's guidance, they would eventually find a way forward. Time, after all, was the most effective remedy for the wounds of the heart.

During this period, Erik's training sessions for the students were proving highly effective. It wasn't that they had suddenly mastered new skills and could fly freely, but rather, they were learning to use their abilities with greater flexibility. Their powers were no longer just cold, mechanical weapons—blunt instruments for attack or defense. Instead, they had become extensions of themselves, like an invisible hand or a pair of wings, offering them new ways to interact with the world. It was like the invention of the washing machine, which once liberated housewives from exhausting manual labor. Now, these young mutants were discovering that their abilities were not a curse but a gift, something that could enhance their lives rather than isolate them.

Beyond training, Erik made sure to expose them to the world outside. It was often said that modern Americans could live their entire lives with just newspapers and television, highlighting the importance of information. Yet, the students at the academy had unintentionally distanced themselves from society. Even if a major event occurred just five miles from their school, they wouldn't pay much attention to it.

They were like Robinson Crusoe, adrift in an indifferent world, with the academy as their lonely island.

Erik's task was to grab them by the ears and throw them into the ocean.

At first, it wasn't easy. The students longed for adventure, but that didn't mean they knew how to engage with the world. They had been hurt before, cut off from society for too long, their vigilance as sharp as a hedgehog's spines—necessary for survival, yet dangerously isolating. While caution was essential for mutants, too much fear could lead them down a dark path. Erik didn't want them to become bitter outcasts who turned against the world at the first sign of hardship. He wanted them to rise above it, to shine like stars—leaders who shaped the future, not monsters feared by society.

Fortunately, shaping their perspective wasn't too difficult. No matter how flawed the country was, mainstream narratives always favored optimism. If you had enough money, you could enjoy the best life had to offer. It wasn't hard to plant dreams in young minds. Under Erik's guidance, the students began to consider their future—how they could use their abilities to improve their lives, gain social acceptance, and even attract admiration.

Bobby fantasized about gaining his parents' recognition. John was more interested in impressing girls.

Though some of their dreams were naive, they remained, at heart, just ordinary teenagers.

Erik had them watch financial news to develop a basic understanding of wealth and luxury. He had them analyze media reports to see through the bias and manipulation of the press. He even introduced them to stories about people their own age—ordinary kids navigating life, struggling, and succeeding. Though the students pretended to be indifferent, they couldn't help but be intrigued.

"Their bodies may not come from me, but I am their father in spirit," Erik once said.

Selene smiled at his words. Always by his side, she understood just how much effort Erik had put into guiding these young minds, and how many conflicts he had endured with more conservative factions to uphold his teaching methods.

No matter the opposition, the students were growing, maturing rapidly.

One day, during their usual lesson, Erik made an announcement.

"We're visiting someone great today—someone who has created a legend."

His words instantly piqued the students' curiosity.

Without explaining further, Erik and Selene brought out black-and-yellow uniforms, reminiscent of the vintage X-Men suits Hank had once prepared for them. For the first time, the Xavier Institute's students would be stepping into the world not as hidden outcasts, but openly, as representatives of their academy.

On the way, Erik told them about the man they were about to meet.

This man had once been an unremarkable young man, living an ordinary life. But at 23, he lost a leg in a car accident caused by reckless driving. The tragedy left him devastated, and for a time, he considered ending his life. But with the support of his family, he found the strength to fight back. Against all odds, he pursued his dream of becoming a professional athlete.

Unlike those who shaped nations, he hadn't achieved grand political victories. His greatest accomplishment was leading his team to second place in the national league. But his perseverance—playing on the field with a prosthetic leg—captivated the entire country. Even those who didn't follow sports were moved by the sight of him scoring the game-winning goal from 35 yards out.

He had suffered, but he had risen again, carving his story into history itself.

Led by Erik, the students entered a hospital, where the legendary player was undergoing rehabilitation. Though his body was no longer at its peak, he continued to meet visitors from all over the country, sharing his experiences and inspiring others.

"I used to be a dock worker, driving forklifts and moving cargo. I didn't know much about sports," he said, smiling at the students. "But I always imagined what it would be like to be in the spotlight, to have thousands cheering for me."

"After the accident, I thought my life was over. I shut myself in my room for weeks, refusing to talk, refusing to move. I was convinced my future would be nothing but endless misery."

He paused, eyes reflecting memories long past.

"Then, one day, my mother barged into my room, dragged me out, and took me to a nearby field. It was stormy that day—winds howling, rain pouring. But athletes were still out there training, shivering from the cold, chasing after balls that the wind kept blowing away. Their coach screamed at them, but none of them gave up."

"My father held me up and asked them why they kept going despite the conditions. They simply answered: Because we don't want to be losers."

His voice carried warmth and passion.

"That moment changed me. My family spent everything they had to get me a prosthetic leg. I trained with those athletes. Years later, I helped my team win second place in the league."

As he spoke, the students listened intently. They could feel the pain of his past despair. But as his story unfolded—his sweat, his struggle, his triumph—he seemed to glow with life, his words filled with conviction.

"I learned something from sports. A team shares a common goal, and everyone must work together to achieve it. Every player is an irreplaceable part of the whole. The team's honor is your honor. The team's dream is your dream. Every personal breakthrough contributes to the team's progress. We support each other. We push forward together."

"That," he said, his eyes bright, "is what sports taught me: perseverance, effort, growth, and unity."

"Life's hardships don't just test us. They teach us why we must keep going."

The students shook his hand, feeling a sense of honor in meeting him.

As they left the hospital, they were uncharacteristically silent, lost in thought.

They, too, had endured dark times—rejected by families, outcasts from society. Compared to lucky, ordinary people, they were unfortunate. But compared to those who had suffered worse, they were privileged. The academy had given them shelter, a chance to rebuild their lives.

In the past, their suffering had fueled their resentment toward humanity. But now, they wondered—was there another path? Could they, like this man, take control of their fate?

As thoughts swirled in their minds, their eyes gradually turned to Erik.

In their darkest moments, that legendary player's parents had saved him.

And now, perhaps, Erik could do the same for them.

---

Be a patron (The Ultimate Magnet) for advanced chapters & faster updates: patreon.com/KZ478