"Ha! Must be nice being a hero," Bobby laughed, leaning against the doorframe. "Way more exciting than staying stuck in school."
"At least it's safer," Ryuuto replied dryly. "Though I wouldn't count on that for long. Magneto's declared war on humanity and publicly called this place the Brotherhood's next target. So, yeah—expect a few army visits soon."
Bobby groaned. "Those politicians are idiots. They don't even ask questions before sending soldiers."
Ryuuto shrugged. "Humans fear what they don't understand. They think mutants are diseased—when really, they're just terrified of what we can do. So they make serums, weapons, 'cures.' It's all about control."
"We're not sick," Bobby said, glancing at Jean, who was using telekinesis to lift a piano up the stairs. "Our powers could help people. Imagine if the world actually worked with us—we could change everything. For me? I'd probably become a firefighter. Ice beats fire, right?"
Ryuuto smirked. "And what about me?"
Bobby gave him a look, scanning him up and down. "You've got too many tricks. Flying, duplication, that weird gravity stuff—bro, you could fill any position."
Ryuuto raised an eyebrow. "For example?"
Bobby grinned. "Honestly? You're too versatile. My dumb brain can't even pick one. You could probably run your own department."
Before Ryuuto could reply, Jean called out, "Hey, Ryuuto! Help me steady this chandelier!"
He sighed. "Earth Style — Light and Heavy Rock Technique!"
Bobby whistled as Ryuuto floated upward, supporting the heavy fixture with ease.
After setting the new chandelier in place, Ryuuto wiped his hands. "You think this dance is going to be fun, or just another excuse for drama?"
"Someone from Magneto's side is coming," Jean replied. "The professor probably mentioned it."
Ryuuto nodded. "And?"
"There's another guest too," Jean said, smiling mysteriously. "An old friend of mine. You'll see tonight."
"Oh? Someone important?"
Jean chuckled. "He's called Beast — Hank McCoy. Used to be one of us before he joined the Senate. He's been fighting for mutant rights ever since. But Magneto's chaos has made things worse. The extremists are threatening him—said they'll kill him unless he sides with humans. The professor invited him over tonight to keep him safe… and maybe clear his head."
"I've heard of him," Ryuuto said. "He helped build this school, right?"
"Yeah," Jean replied. "But politics dragged him away."
"Then I'll look forward to meeting him."
Once the chandelier was in place, Ryuuto descended softly to the floor. He stretched his shoulders, yawning. "Man… too much manual labor for one day."
He slipped away to his room for a nap, unaware that the world outside was tearing itself apart.
Across the US, France, Japan, and Russia, tensions between mutants and humans exploded daily—sometimes in protests, sometimes in massacres. In Japan, a soundwave-controlling mutant killed thousands, declaring he'd become the nation's first mutant prime minister… until the military silenced him with bullets.
Compared to that chaos, Axville Mutant Academy felt like a bubble of fragile peace. But even bubbles pop if you press too hard—and Magneto was pressing.
By evening, around seven, Magneto, Mystique, and Quicksilver strode into the grand hall.
Magneto stopped cold.
Walking toward him—literally walking—was Charles Xavier.
"Charles?" Magneto muttered, eyes narrowing. "Your legs…"
Charles smiled faintly. "Surprised, old friend? Seems I'll be dancing tonight."
"You shouldn't even be able to stand."
"Thanks to Ryuuto," Charles said, glancing over to where the young man was chatting with Susan, Natasha Romanoff, and Katie Dee. "He used his gravity-altering technique on me. By adjusting my body's weight close to zero, I can stand almost normally. Feels… oddly floaty, though."
Magneto exhaled, genuinely impressed. "That boy's ability is extraordinary. He keeps surprising me. I wish he'd join my cause."
Charles chuckled. "Pity for you—he's not recruitable."
"Well," Magneto said with a smirk, "that's a shame."
Charles tilted his head. "You coming to a dance, Erik? That's rare."
"I'm not here for the party," Magneto said, his tone sharpening. "I'm here to make a proposal."
"Oh? Asking me for help now?" Charles teased. "Go ahead. As long as it doesn't involve war on humans, I'll listen."
Magneto smiled. "You'll understand soon enough. But first…" He looked past Charles, eyes locking on Ryuuto. "Let's see what kind of man your protégé really is."
As Magneto, Mystique, and Quicksilver approached, Ryuuto looked up with his usual half-bored smirk.
"Magneto," he said, voice dripping with sarcasm, "you really came to a prom in armor and a helmet? I'd say that's a bit much, even for you."