When Ryan Cross returned to Xavier Manor, the atmosphere felt as warm and lively as ever.
Across the grounds, young mutants were busy training their abilities under the guidance of Charles Xavier. Some practiced control, others experimented with newly discovered powers, and a few simply tried to avoid accidentally breaking something.
From a distance, Ryan spotted two familiar figures standing together in a corridor ahead.
Charles.
And Eric.
Eric had one hand raised in front of him, repeatedly making small gestures in the air as if he were trying to grasp something invisible.
Ryan walked over casually.
"What are you doing?"
"Ryan, you're back," Charles greeted him with a smile.
He seemed genuinely pleased to see him.
"The two of us were just talking," Charles continued. "Everyone has improved a lot during this training period—especially with your… guidance."
His tone carried a hint of amusement.
"But even with that progress, there's still a noticeable gap between you and the others."
Charles tilted his head thoughtfully.
"To be honest, I've always been curious about something. How are you able to control your abilities so perfectly?"
Ryan shrugged slightly.
"I guess it's just a natural talent."
Eric finally lowered his hand and snorted.
"Ryan, Charles has lost his mind."
He pointed toward the distance.
"He actually wants me to move that thing."
Ryan followed his finger.
Several kilometers away stood a massive signal receiver. From this distance it looked like a giant metal bowl flipped upside down.
Its diameter was easily close to a hundred meters.
Compared to the enormous structures Magneto would move in the future—football stadiums, bridges, and other colossal objects—this receiver wasn't especially impressive.
But for Eric at his current stage?
It was ridiculous.
He had never attempted anything that large before.
And certainly not from that distance.
Even though Eric had improved during recent training, this was still asking a lot.
"No, Eric," Charles said seriously.
"With your potential, I'm absolutely certain you can do it."
"I have no doubt."
Eric rolled his eyes.
"Come on, Charles. I'm not one of the younger kids like the Siren."
He shook his head dismissively.
"Your motivational speeches don't work on me."
"Eric, Charles is right," Ryan said calmly.
He crossed his arms and looked toward the distant receiver.
"In fact, I believe your potential goes far beyond that."
"If you truly unleash your power, moving that thing would be trivial."
Ryan paused.
"You could even move the Golden Gate Bridge."
Eric burst out laughing.
"The Golden Gate Bridge? Ryan, now you're exaggerating."
He assumed Ryan was joking.
Ryan glanced at Charles.
"Charles, you have telepathy. Why don't you tell him whether I'm joking?"
Charles sighed and rolled his eyes.
"You know my ability doesn't work on you," he replied dryly.
Then he turned to Eric.
"But Ryan does have a point."
"You once tore apart a cruise ship with your powers."
"You should believe in your own potential."
"That was different," Eric said.
"I was furious at the time."
"Then use that anger properly," Charles replied.
Eric hesitated.
For a moment he studied Charles carefully.
Despite their growing disagreements about mutant philosophy, the two of them were still close friends.
Eric trusted him.
Finally, Eric sighed and focused again.
He extended his hand toward the distant receiver and attempted to move it.
Nothing happened.
The enormous structure didn't even twitch.
Eric lowered his arm with a frustrated expression.
"I can't do it."
Charles shook his head.
"When I said to use your anger, I didn't mean letting it control you."
He spoke gently.
"I mean you should control it."
"There has to be a balance between calmness and anger."
He raised a hand slightly.
"Do you mind if I…"
Eric understood immediately.
Without hesitation, he nodded.
Charles placed two fingers against his temple and activated his telepathy.
For a brief moment, Eric's mind drifted.
Memories surfaced.
Fragments he hadn't thought about in years appeared clearly in his thoughts.
Not painful memories.
Warm ones.
Memories filled with happiness he had nearly forgotten.
Eric's eyes slowly filled with tears.
"Charles… what did you just do?" he asked quietly.
"What did you show me?"
Charles lowered his hand.
"I entered the brightest part of your memories," he said gently.
"It's a beautiful place."
He smiled.
"Thank you for letting me see it."
Eric wiped his eyes and laughed softly.
"I didn't even realize I still remembered those things."
"There are many memories buried deep inside you," Charles said.
"Eric, your heart doesn't contain only anger and pain."
"There are good things there too."
He looked directly at his friend.
"And when you accept all of it… you'll become unstoppable."
Eric took a deep breath.
"Let's try again."
This time his posture was different.
His expression was calm.
But beneath that calmness, a powerful determination burned.
Eric extended his hand toward the distant signal receiver once more.
He focused.
He reached out with his power.
He felt the metal structure across the distance and grasped it with his ability.
"Come on…!"
Eric gritted his teeth as his body trembled slightly.
Then—
The giant signal receiver moved.
Slowly at first.
But it definitely moved.
The enormous metal structure began rotating.
Eric's eyes widened in disbelief.
He had actually done it.
"Hahaha!"
He burst into laughter, unable to contain his excitement.
Ryan watched him closely and couldn't help smiling.
That expression.
That laugh.
It was unmistakable.
The future Magneto had just taken another step forward.
Eric turned toward them, practically glowing with excitement.
"Charles! Ryan!"
"I did it!"
Ryan nodded calmly.
"Of course you did."
For the future Magneto, this was only the beginning.
Charles was equally thrilled.
"Well done, Eric."
Just then, a familiar voice called out from above.
"The president's speech is about to begin!"
Moira leaned out of a nearby upper-floor window and waved toward them.
Ryan glanced at her.
When he left earlier, Moira had been out investigating Sebastian Shaw's whereabouts.
Since she had returned so quickly, it seemed she had indeed found nothing—exactly as Ryan expected.
Still, her timing was perfect.
.....
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