Marvel's New Magneto

"Have you heard? Erik disappeared for a few days and came back with a beautiful woman. Ororo was so mad her face almost twisted," John the Pyro gossiped while eating breakfast in Xavier's School cafeteria.

"You should address him as 'Mr.' to show respect," Piotr, also known as Colossus, corrected his friend.

"Why would Ororo be the one upset? Shouldn't it be Jean? She's been zoning out ever since Erik left. I don't think Scott has a chance anymore," Dazzler, Alison, chimed in with interest.

"Our new Magneto is irresistible," John shrugged. "I wish I had his skills. I've always wanted to learn from him, but I never get the chance. I wonder what he'll be teaching today. If I have time, I'll definitely go ask him how he does it."

His words immediately sparked a round of laughter among the students. The boys were more reserved, but the girls, having matured earlier, weren't shy about making bold jokes in familiar company. Even Kitty, usually timid, couldn't resist teasing him.

For these students, who were almost isolated from the outside world, gossiping about their teachers was rare entertainment—especially when it involved complicated relationships and a mysterious new instructor. Their imaginations took flight, soaring to wild heights.

It had to be said—Erik's first lesson had been a great success. Not only did it dissolve any sense of alienation, but it also ignited their curiosity about the world beyond the school. The recent mission against the Serpent Squad had opened their eyes. They now understood that while society had closed its doors to them, there were still secret paths leading to acceptance. Erik had become the key they desperately sought.

For days, they had been hoping for another lesson—one filled with thrilling action, hard-earned victories, and the exhilarating feeling of being needed. For young mutants, who often carried a deep-seated inferiority complex, that experience had been unforgettable.

They were eager to step beyond the school walls again.

They wouldn't be disappointed. Erik had exactly that in mind. But first, he needed someone's help.

---

"I'm on patrol, Erik. There's been a resurgence of anti-mutant activity, so I can't help you lead the team." Ororo declined firmly.

She had been exhausted lately, struggling with sleepless nights. Just as she gathered the courage to talk to Erik after his return, she heard about Selene. That news left a bitter taste in her heart. Erik claimed to be the father of the so-called 'English Rose,' but who would believe such nonsense?

Even Professor Xavier had confirmed that Selene, the pale-skinned woman who walked freely in daylight, was a vampire. Who knew which world Erik had plucked her from?

Father? Could he come up with a more unreliable relationship?

Master? Now that sounded more like the truth.

Wonderful.

Ororo thought she should reevaluate her impression of Erik. His behavior was as reckless as an American playboy from the 1980s. Every time she saw Selene clinging affectionately to him, she had the urge to punch him in the face—to remind him just how powerful Storm really was.

But actually doing so would seem excessive.

After all, this was just one-sided love.

It wasn't his fault.

How pathetic—her feelings had collapsed before she even had a chance to confess. As a simple-minded mutant woman, she didn't even consider the idea of 'competition.' Instead, she wallowed in self-pity, making her even more listless.

"I'm very tired, Erik. Please understand—I can't help you," she wanted to say.

"She's my assistant, and she's very capable. Selene is enough," Erik said instead, openly praising his 'daughter' right in front of her. Was this supposed to be a request for help? Ororo gritted her teeth in frustration.

She was ready to reject him outright. In the name of the Storm, she swore she would not change her mind.

But Erik was a sly one—he wasn't about to let her off so easily.

"You're irreplaceable," he said, stepping closer. His blue-gray eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her heart race. His breath, warm and steady, brushed against her face, igniting a fire in her chest.

"Is that true?" she asked, her resolve weakening.

"I trust you by my side," Erik nodded.

"…Alright."

The words slipped out before she realized it. Then, ashamed of her own weakness, Ororo lowered her head. She felt utterly useless.

---

"Whoooa!"

The students cheered as they rushed into the aircraft. It wasn't their first time flying, but being in this jet for this kind of mission meant only one thing—they were going outside again.

"Are we fighting monsters today? Catching aliens? Soldier John at your service, sir!" Pyro joked, overflowing with restless energy.

"Relax, soldier," Erik smirked. "Today, the world is at peace. No monsters, no aliens, and no damsels in distress needing mouth-to-mouth rescue. We're on a diplomatic mission—Code Name: Friendly Match. Destination: Alkali Lake."

A wave of laughter spread through the cabin.

"Alkali Lake?" Ororo, at the controls, frowned. "Logan just returned from there. It's completely deserted—nothing but rocks and water."

"Our target is underground," Erik explained. "There's a man down there who once terrified the students of this school. It's time we paid him a visit."

"A man… you mean Stryker?"

Ororo's hands trembled on the controls. The students gasped in shock. None of them had expected this to be their lesson.

"Erik, now isn't the time for war! Stryker is backed by the Department of Defense. That place is dangerous—"

"Relax. This is just a visit," Erik reassured her. "Our students need to understand their enemies. This lesson is essential."

"But—"

"No danger. No war. The Professor is watching over us."

Even with his assurances, it took Erik considerable effort to convince Ororo to continue toward Canada.

---

Inside the jet, the once-excited students had grown quiet.

They weren't just nervous—they were afraid.

As a mutant, you could live without knowing who the President was. But you had to know the name William Stryker.

He was a butcher, a torturer, a living Frankenstein. His hatred of mutants had driven him to capture and experiment on them, turning their suffering into weapons.

Stryker was the boogeyman. His name was whispered in mutant circles, his actions monitored in the shadows. If he ever went silent, it wasn't a relief—it was a warning. He was watching, waiting for a single moment of weakness before striking.

To the older generations, he was a terrifying legend.

To these students, he was all too real.

Their school had already suffered one brutal attack. They had seen firsthand what it meant to be hunted. That night had turned their fears into reality.

Even with Erik and Xavier's protection, their anxiety remained. The closer they got to Alkali Lake, the more silent they became.

Ororo, too, was on edge. She knew more about Stryker than any of the students—meaning her pressure was even greater.

Erik glanced at Selene. She sat calmly, flipping through a magazine. Sensing his gaze, she lifted her head and gave him a charming smile.

That was the composure of someone who had been through countless battles.

The young ones still had a long way to go.

But that was his job, wasn't it?

Gently stroking Selene's silky hair, Erik smiled.

---

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