Back at Xavier's Mansion, the atmosphere was just as lively as ever.
The mutants were all immersed in their respective training routines.
Down a hallway not far ahead, Alex spotted Charles and Erik standing together.
Erik was holding out his hand, making focused gestures at the empty air in front of him.
"What are you guys doing?"
Alex walked over casually, eyeing Erik with curiosity.
Charles greeted him with a warm smile. "We were just talking about how, despite everyone making remarkable progress—especially with your... incentives—there's still a clear gap between them and you."
"I've always been curious," Charles added. "How are you able to control your powers so perfectly?"
"I suppose it's just my unique gift," Alex replied with a slight smile.
"Alex, Charles has lost it," Erik cut in, gesturing ahead with a frustrated look. "He actually wants me to move that thing."
Following Erik's pointing finger, Alex saw—several kilometers away—a massive satellite dish, shaped like an upside-down steel dome.
Its diameter had to be close to a hundred meters.
Sure, compared to what Magneto would later move—football stadiums, the Golden Gate Bridge—this was nothing. But to the current Erik, it was a behemoth.
He had never tried moving something so huge.
Especially not from such a long distance.
Even though his training had shown results, a structure like that was still overwhelming.
"No, Erik, you can do it. I truly believe in your potential," Charles said with conviction.
"Oh, come on, Charles. I'm not one of those young bloods like Siren. Your motivational speeches don't work on me," Erik shook his head, unconvinced.
"Actually, Erik—Charles is right,"
Alex stepped forward, equally serious. "In fact, I think your potential goes far beyond this."
"If you truly unleash your powers, moving that dish will be a walk in the park. You could probably lift the Golden Gate Bridge."
"The Golden Gate Bridge? Now you're just exaggerating," Erik laughed, thinking Alex was joking.
"Charles, tell him—use your telepathy. Let him see I'm not joking."
Alex glanced at Charles.
Charles rolled his eyes. "You do realize my powers don't work on you... But Erik, remember that cruise ship? You destroyed that thing. You should believe in your own strength."
"That was different. I was consumed by rage back then."
"Then learn to use that rage!"
Seeing that neither of them seemed to be joking, Erik said nothing more.
He took a deep breath and focused once again on the satellite dish.
Nothing happened. The dish didn't so much as tremble.
Erik muttered in frustration, shaking his head. It was just too much.
"Erik, when I say 'use your anger,' I don't mean let it control you—I mean you control it."
"I think the key lies somewhere between rage and serenity."
"Do you mind if I...?"
Charles raised a hand, asking for Erik's permission.
Erik didn't hesitate. Despite their ideological differences, the trust between them was real—they were friends, through and through.
Charles placed his fingers against his temple and activated his ability.
Erik's mind blurred for a moment—long-buried memories floated to the surface.
Memories he'd forgotten. But they were warm. Gentle.
Tears welled up in Erik's eyes without him realizing it.
"Charles... what did you just do?"
Erik looked at him, visibly shaken.
"I reached into the brightest part of your mind," Charles said softly. "It was beautiful. Thank you for sharing it."
"I didn't even know I still remembered that," Erik chuckled through damp eyes.
"There's so much in you you've forgotten, Erik. You're not just pain and anger—you hold so much more. I can feel it."
"When you recall it all—you'll be unstoppable."
With Charles' guidance, Erik quickly regained his focus.
He turned once more toward the distant satellite dish, hand outstretched.
This time, something felt different.
And he reached out with his powers—grasped it from afar.
Erik let out a fierce cry, pouring every ounce of strength into his magnetic grip. His body trembled with effort.
The dish began to move.
Slowly at first, but unmistakably—it turned!
Erik stared in disbelief. He had actually done it.
He burst into laughter, ecstatic.
Alex's eyes widened as he watched. There it is—the birth of Fassbender's Magneto.
That grin, that aura—it was iconic.
Damn, Alex thought. I should've recorded that.
"Haha! Charles! Alex! I did it! I really did it!"
Erik shouted in pure joy.
"I told you—you had it in you," Alex said with a smug smile.
This is just the beginning. Magneto's true strength is far greater than this.
Charles cheered, genuinely thrilled for his old friend.
"The President's speech is about to begin!"
A familiar voice called out. Moira poked her head out of a window on the floor above.
She had been out investigating Sebastian Shaw while Alex was away. From the look of it, she'd returned empty-handed—just as Alex had predicted.
But she'd returned at just the right time.
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