"Judgment?" Ryuuto's lips twisted into a grin. "Loki wants to conquer Earth and turn everyone—mutant or otherwise—into slaves. If Odin just stands there doing nothing, then he's not worthy of being called the All-Father. So if he wants to judge me, fine. I'll reason with him. But if he's as thick-headed as his son Thor…" He cracked his knuckles. "…then I'll reason with my fists."
Natasha crossed her arms. "I'm not sure who's worse—him or you. But Odin's power is absolute. What if he brands us traitors?"
"Traitors? To who, exactly?"
"The Earth's one of the Nine Realms," she reminded him. "That technically puts us under his rule."
Ryuuto chuckled. "Natasha Romanoff, remember what I told you back at school? You could never decide whether to join the Avengers or the X-Men. I told you then—listen to your own voice. Don't let anyone else steer your fate. Same rule applies now. Even if Earth's one of the Nine Realms, even if Odin once saved humanity, that doesn't give him the right to chain us. Gratitude doesn't mean servitude."
Natasha sighed. "...You're right. I hate that you're right."
Before the mood could sink, Ororo broke in. "Ryuuto-kun, what are you planning to do with that scepter?"
"Take it back to the school first," he said.
They walked in silence for a while until Ryuuto suddenly stopped. His tone sharpened. "Don't look back."
Before either woman could react, he slammed his hands together.
"Summoning Technique — Ten Thousand Snakes!"
A massive serpent erupted from the earth, scales gleaming like obsidian armor, eyes shaped like broken prisms. It hissed, staring straight at the charred corpse of Pyro.
"You brat!" the serpent roared. "You think I'm your personal trash disposal?"
Its tone was grumpy, but the laughter that followed betrayed amusement. Even dead meat had its uses, it seemed.
With one monstrous gulp, Ten Thousand Snakes devoured the corpse whole—and vanished.
Ryuuto exhaled. "Still the best cleanup crew I've got."
But the memory of being reverse-summoned into the Snake World still made his skin crawl.
That place… gods, it had been nothing but endless coils and scales—black, white, green, every color imaginable. And the day he'd arrived just happened to be their "Great Council of Serpents." The entire ground had moved like a living ocean.
If he hadn't appeared on the head of the Great Snake itself, he probably would've fainted from sheer horror.
Back at Axville Mutant School, Ryuuto went straight to Professor Charles's office.
"Come in," the telepath's voice echoed before Ryuuto even knocked.
Ryuuto stepped inside, bowing slightly. He respected Thor's strength, sure—but Charles was different. The man had raised him since he'd first crossed into this world, treated him like a son. In Ryuuto's heart, Charles was family.
He laid the scepter on the desk. "Professor, take a look."
Charles lifted the staff, eyes narrowing on the crystal embedded at its tip. The moment his fingers brushed the azure jewel, he flinched, dropping it as if burned.
"What's wrong?" Ryuuto asked.
Charles frowned. "That gem… it's alive. When I touched it, something pushed into my consciousness. Like someone walking straight into my mind and rummaging through my thoughts. It felt almost like telepathy—but inverted. No wonder Loki can control people with it."
Ryuuto folded his arms. "Makes sense. It's alien tech. Earth science can't measure this stuff."
Charles chuckled softly. "The galaxy's vast, and we're still toddlers trying to play god. I'd love to study it more—but I dislike the feeling of someone invading my mind. You'd better keep it for now, Ryuuto-kun. You're strong enough to handle it. Just make sure no one touches the crystal. It might not end well."
"Got it."
Charles turned toward the window, eyes distant. "Things are escalating. After you left, I used the Cerebro amplifier to scan for mutants—but their thoughts are… changing. Fear. Anger. Some crave a cure, others want war. Magneto's followers are growing restless. A few have already started killing."
Ryuuto's gaze hardened. "War's coming, sooner or later. The best we can do is manage the timing. If we die and humanity strikes back in panic, things'll get uglier than anything Magneto's ever dreamed of."
Charles nodded slowly. "That's why I'm letting him move for now. Before the storm hits, we should enjoy the calm while it lasts. Speaking of which—go find Jean. She's organizing our first school prom."
Ryuuto blinked. "Prom? You serious?"
Charles smiled, a little mischievous. "I am. Go see if she needs help. There's also… something I didn't ask your permission about. I hope you won't take offense."
Ryuuto tilted his head. "Alright, Professor. Hit me."
....
Read up to 100 chapters ahead and access exclusive novels by joining my Patreon!
patreon.com/Zyxxar