Chapter 72

Regarding the things at hand, what Eric has created is something that current human technology finds hard to surpass. The control of metal through magnetism allows him to manufacture machinery with zero error, a feat that human technology finds difficult to match.

Error, no matter how much you try to correct it, can never be completely eliminated. Machines, by their very nature, cannot be perfect. They are confined by the constructs of physics and mathematics, and fundamentally, there is no perfect data that can stand up to scrutiny.

Eric has created many things: Professor Charles's mind amplifier, his steel city at sea, and the mutant creation device right beside him.

This device, which twists human DNA through strong magnetic fields to forcibly awaken the X-gene, has been proven feasible through his experiments. However, this device has a fatal flaw: it requires an operator to make it function.

This high-precision device cannot even be powered by energy, as the electromagnetic force inherent in energy sources could cause errors in the device. The only way to achieve 100% efficiency is for a magnetic manipulator to operate it fully, using magnetism to make the device's instruments move at sub-light speeds.

There is only one person in the world who can control magnetism to this extent: Magneto, Erik Lensherr.

However, even with Magneto's immense power, activating this device requires a tremendous amount of mental effort. To expand the device's influence range would require him to use all his strength, which for a mutant, is equivalent to death. Their power comes from their body cells, and exhausting their abilities is like draining every bit of their life.

Erik is not afraid of death, but his cause is not yet complete, and he has not yet seen the light at the end of the tunnel. This prevents him from dying at this moment. He had already planned to seal the device, keeping it as one of his last cards. However, the appearance of Rogue gave him a new idea.

Unlike Professor Charles, Erik does not mind sacrificing a mutant's life to create a favorable situation for mutants. In his eyes, Rogue is undoubtedly an excellent sacrifice, a valuable one to make the future of mutants brighter.

Although Charles's students have disrupted his plans, he is confident that he can regain control. For this, he has dispatched his most capable assistant. He is waiting, waiting for good news from this assistant.

After not too long, Erik received a message from his assistant.

"Erik, are you there?" The voice from the communicator was a hoarse, mature female voice. Such a voice gives the first impression of a woman with many experiences.

"Of course!" Erik opened his eyes and responded. "Please speak, Raven. I can't wait to hear your good news."

"It might not be good news," the woman named Raven replied calmly. "I've searched the entire school, but I haven't found any information about the target. It seems our old friend has moved her."

"Raven, time is running out. We need that girl," Erik emphasized, trying to convey his urgency through his tone.

"Alright, give me some time. I need to take a risk," Raven responded lightly. This seemingly casual tone, however, reassured Erik. He knew that when Raven spoke this way, it meant she was confident.

"I await good news!" Erik turned off the communicator and closed his eyes again. Meanwhile, in a small forest near Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, a strange-looking woman began to move.

This woman had red hair, brownish-yellow eyes, and a figure that was both alluring and peculiar. Her body was covered in a layer of blue, including her limbs and face. This was not paint but a skin-like substance. Even on key parts of her body, there were scale-like coverings.

To explain this, she was not wearing any clothes. Yes, no clothes, this is important, so it's worth repeating.

She was not wearing any clothes, which exposed some of her key parts to the sunlight. Despite the strange skin, one could still discern some details upon closer inspection. However, she did not show any signs of embarrassment, walking naturally as if it did not bother her at all.

And indeed, it did not bother her. Perhaps it had been an issue long ago, but being with Erik, she no longer let it trouble her. Mutated and proud, this had become her life motto.

However, with her appearance, even walking among the mutants at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters would attract many gazes. She seemed unconcerned about her appearance, as it soon underwent a startling transformation.

It was as if a wave was rippling across her skin, and the transformation occurred with this wave-like movement.

Her body began to shrink, her red hair turned into a thick, flaxen student hairstyle, and her curvaceous figure became a short, thin, and flat one. At this point, she was unrecognizable, having completely transformed into someone else.

A short, thin boy with large glasses, wearing slightly oversized clothes, and looking no more than seven years old.

This was a student in the young class at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Because of his young age, he always received the most comprehensive care, both from the teachers and older students.

In essence, they were like a family, and this child was the youngest brother. As the youngest brother, he always had certain privileges.

From the forest to the garden, and then quietly into the interior of the mansion, she moved with great familiarity, needing no directions or guidance. She relied on her instincts to find what she was looking for.

Seeing the small boy who had wandered in alone, Scott, who was grading assignments, looked up, surprised.

"Alex, what are you doing here? Is there something you need?" Despite his less-than-pleasant mood, Scott patiently spoke to him. He did not want to bring his emotions to the youngest student.

"Teacher Scott!" Her voice had completely changed, sounding just like a six- or seven-year-old child. "Do you know where the new sister went? She said she would watch TV with me."

"The new one, you mean Marie?" Scott approached, crouched down, and gently touched the child's hair. "I'm sorry, Alex. The new student has some matters to attend to with Ms. Ororo and won't be back until after Christmas. You can wait or have other older students keep you company."

"Is that so?" She appeared disappointed, as if truly let down. "She promised me. I'm sorry, Teacher Scott, for disturbing you."

With that, she ran off. Scott watched Alex's actions, puzzled. He did not understand what had just happened, only wondering why the girl named Marie had become so close to the most reclusive student so quickly.

However, with his own troubles, he did not dwell on the question. He shook his head and returned to his work, still frowning. He had much to grade, and his bad mood had led him to increase the students' workload, which in turn increased his own.

Before he had graded much, another person entered. This time, it was a woman, and her status was special. She was not a student but a parent.

Not everyone rejects their child becoming a mutant. Some, out of parental love, accept their child's transformation and send them here for a safe environment. The woman before him was one such parent.

The teachers at the school were very familiar with these parents, as there were not many who could accept their children. So, Scott quickly stood up to greet her.

"Mrs. Hald, what brings you here? I'm sorry, I had no idea you were coming and had no preparation at all," Scott said apologetically. The woman, a single mother from New Jersey, had to work hard to support herself and her child, yet she still loved her child deeply.

From any angle, she was a respectable mother. Because of her great maternal love, Scott was willing to welcome her with the utmost sincerity.

"I'm sorry to bother you," Mrs. Hald said apologetically, pulling at her slightly old coat and sitting down on the chair Scott pulled out for her. "I need to speak with Ms. Ororo. Is she here?"

"Oh, I see. I'm really sorry," Scott replied apologetically. "Ms. Ororo is currently out of the school and won't be back for a while. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"I'm really sorry," Mrs. Hald pursed her lips, looking apologetic. "You know, some things are not convenient to discuss with you. Could you tell me when Ms. Ororo will be back? It's not easy for me to make the trip here."

"I understand," Scott nodded, knowing Mrs. Hald's difficult life. He did not want to waste her time, as it would only make her life harder. So, he clearly said:

"Ms. Ororo went to Paris yesterday and won't be back until after Christmas. If you'd like, I can have her contact you or visit you when she returns, okay?"

"Thank you, Mr. Scott!" Mrs. Hald stood up, bowed slightly, showing good manners. She was always a woman of dignity, poor but not lowly, both in character and heart, truly noble.

"No problem, ma'am. I'll see you out!" Scott escorted her to the school gate and helped her onto the bus to New Jersey. When he returned to the school, he did not feel anything was amiss, as everything seemed normal. His work continued, and he expected it to last until late at night.

On the other side, the well-mannered Mrs. Hald got off the bus to New Jersey at the next stop.

She walked alone to a secluded forest, and waves of ripples began to ripple across her body. Soon, Raven's appearance replaced the woman's, and she stood in the forest, having obtained the information she needed.

"Paris, huh?" Raven frowned. "That's a long way away."

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