Marvel's New Magneto

"Erik, could you come over for a moment?" Ororo knocked gently on the door. "Professor wants to see you."

Erik handed the TV remote back to Selene, giving her the freedom to switch to her favorite vampire romance drama.

"What's it about?" he asked Ororo, but she wasn't sure. She was just passing along the message and had other duties—watching over the younger students—so Erik made his way to the professor's office alone.

As he walked, he speculated about what this could be about. If it was regarding the shooting incident, he had nothing to hide. That had never been his original plan—just an unexpected event. His memories would prove everything—if the professor decided to delve into them.

That was the thing about Charles. He had principles. He wouldn't pry into someone's mind unless it clashed with his moral boundaries. As long as it didn't, he refrained from using his abilities—a rare display of self-restraint.

Of course, one shouldn't mistake his restraint for weakness. Charles Xavier wasn't a pushover. When he realized his peaceful approach might not be enough to keep mutants safe, he tacitly allowed Erik's actions. But that didn't mean he was willing to support any and all means. Between Erik and the professor, the unspoken rule was clear—no unnecessary deaths. And as long as that line wasn't crossed, Erik wasn't planning to test the old man's patience.

The professor's office door was open. Jean stood at the doorway, speaking with someone inside.

Since their last incident together, things between Erik and Jean had taken a strange turn. Her inner psyche had been shaken, and the already fragile mental barriers within her had started to crack. Now, her emotions were harder to suppress, and her personality fluctuated between two extremes. The upside was that she wasn't suddenly lashing out and hurting people. The downside? Her behavior had become unpredictable.

More than once, Erik had heard soft footsteps pacing outside his door late at night—lingering for a long time before finally retreating.

Ororo had even complained about waking up one night to find someone stroking her face. She had jolted awake to see Jean sitting at her bedside, whispering nonsensical words—only for Jean to have no recollection of it the next day.

Scott had it the worst. Their once stable relationship had turned into an unpredictable mess. Jean's mood swings left Cyclops utterly confused, and even Logan got dragged into the chaos.

When the professor learned of these changes, he didn't reinforce Jean's mental barriers like before. Instead, he reduced her responsibilities, giving her more time to rest without leaving her idle enough to overthink.

As a result, Jean had spent most of her days alone in her room, silently confronting the battle within her mind. Occasionally, Erik would visit her. They'd sit together, sip tea in silence, and then part ways just as quietly.

But today, Jean looked… different.

For the first time, Erik saw her dressed up. Gone was her usual white lab coat. In its place was a deep-red outfit that hugged her figure, accentuating her curves. Her crimson hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her eyes shimmered with a sultry confidence. She was far from the reserved, soft-spoken woman he knew—every movement oozed an intoxicating allure.

"Hey, Erik." She greeted him with a playful smile.

"You look beautiful today." Erik reached out, intending to brush a stray lock of hair from her face. But before he could, a hand shot out and stopped him.

"Easy there, pal," Scott said, his grip firm.

The commotion at the door caught the professor's attention. "Erik, come in," Charles called from inside.

Jean smirked as she brushed past Erik, her ample chest grazing his arm. The soft sensation lingered.

Inside the room, Charles sat with Hank and two women. One was a refined, middle-aged lady, and the other was a striking blonde in a fitted business suit. The three older individuals chatted like old friends, while the younger woman listened with keen interest.

"Come, Erik, let me introduce you." Charles gestured to the blonde. "This is Christine Everhart, a journalist. She wants to interview you about what happened at Duncan Elementary."

Miss Everhart rose to shake his hand.

"Moira, let's give them some privacy," Charles said, addressing the middle-aged woman. "Let's take a walk around campus, shall we?"

Moira smiled knowingly and wheeled Charles out of the room.

Erik watched them go, noticing the rare, almost awkward expression on the professor's face. It was… amusing. He wasn't acting like his usual composed self—more like a flustered young man in front of an old flame.

"That's Charles' special friend," Hank murmured with a mischievous grin. "Came all this way just for her niece. You can't refuse this interview, Erik—so don't mess it up."

"Henry!" Charles called back, clearly having overheard. His expression turned exasperated.

Hank laughed heartily. Catching Erik's bewildered look, he patted him on the shoulder. "Good luck," he said before stepping out.

Now, only Christine Everhart and Erik remained.

The journalist studied the man before her. He had brown hair, piercing blue eyes, and a calm yet undeniably strong presence. From the moment he entered, she recognized him as one of the mutants who had saved the children during the school shooting.

Her colleagues had been focusing on the more flashy heroes—the bulletproof Piotr, the angelic healer Marie, and the two teenage boys who controlled fire and ice. Even the young female mutants had gained attention simply for their looks.

But Erik had deliberately avoided the spotlight.

Christine had reviewed the footage countless times. During the chaos, he had been on the front lines, deflecting bullets alongside Colossus. Yet he had positioned himself just behind his allies, staying out of the camera's direct view. When the dust settled, he had subtly directed the young students, ensuring they stayed quiet in front of nosy reporters. Then, somehow, he had managed to slip the entire group away from the media circus unnoticed.

This man wasn't just another mutant—he was someone important. Christine was sure of it.

Experience told her that once she got someone like him to talk, the real story would unfold.

For years, the government had worked tirelessly to vilify mutants, painting them as a lurking threat. And yet, the public had always remained morbidly fascinated by them—both fearful and curious. If she could tap into that curiosity… this could be huge.

Who cared about the billionaire playboy she was originally assigned to cover? That guy made headlines just by sneezing. His time in the spotlight was running out.

But mutants?

They were the next big thing.

Excitement surged through her. She gripped her notepad and recorder tightly, her heart pounding.

"Christine, this is your chance. Your breakthrough. Don't let it slip away. Just one explosive exclusive—please, let there be something groundbreaking here."

With a dazzling smile, Christine reached out and clasped Erik's hand.

"Shall we begin?"

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