As far as current technology is concerned, the devices Erik creates are difficult for contemporary human science to surpass. His complete control of magnetic force over metal allows him to build machines with zero error. This capability alone places him beyond the reach of human technology.
Error is an inherent part of the physical world, something that cannot be completely eliminated regardless of correction efforts. This is because no machine is perfect; they operate within the cage constructed by physics and mathematics, a cage that fundamentally lacks flawless data.
Erik had created many things: Professor Charles's mind-amplifying device, his mobile Iron City on the sea, and the Mutant manufacturing instrument standing beside him now.
This instrument, which forcibly awakens the X-gene within human DNA by distorting it with intense magnetic forces, had been proven feasible through his experiments. However, it suffered from a fatal flaw: it required an operator to function.
This high-precision device could not even be powered by a conventional energy supply, as the inherent electromagnetic force of the energy itself might introduce errors. Only one possibility guaranteed 100% effectiveness: a magnetic force controller had to fully manipulate it, using magnetism to make the instrument's trajectory move at near-light speed.
And there was only one magnetic force controller in the World capable of reaching that level: Magneto, Erik Lehnsherr.
Yet, even with Magneto's overwhelming power, starting the instrument required immense effort. Expanding its range of influence might demand the use of his entire strength. For a Mutant, exhausting their abilities is dangerously close to Death. Their power draws from their body cells, and squeezing out every last bit of ability is akin to draining their life force.
Erik was not afraid of Death, but his life's work had not yet reached its fruition, and he had not yet seen the dawn of the Mutant race. This prevented him from dying now. He had originally planned to seal this device, keeping it as a final trump card. But Rogue's appearance offered him a new strategy.
Unlike Professor Charles, Erik had no moral reservations about exchanging the life of one Mutant for a situation that would benefit the majority. In his eyes, Rogue was an undeniably good sacrifice—a valuable offering to brighten the future of all Mutants.
Although Professor Charles's students had thrown a wrench into his immediate plan, he was confident he could regain control. To this end, he had dispatched his most trusted assistant. He waited patiently, anticipating good news from this highly capable agent.
After a short wait, Erik received a message from his assistant.
"Erik, are you there?" A hoarse, mature female voice came through the communicator. The voice immediately suggested a woman of vast experience.
"Of course!" Erik opened his eyes and replied. "Please speak, Raven. I am eager for your good news."
"It may not exactly be good news," the woman named Raven responded calmly. "I searched the entire academy, but I couldn't find any information about the target. It seems our old friend transferred her immediately."
"Raven, time is running out. We need that girl," Erik said, raising his voice slightly, wanting to convey his urgency.
"Relax. Give me a moment. I need to take a calculated risk," Raven replied airily. This seemingly frivolous tone actually put Erik at ease. He knew that when Raven spoke like this, she was absolutely certain of success.
"I await good tidings!" After shutting off the communication, Erik settled back, closing his eyes to conserve energy.
Meanwhile, in a small forest near Xavier's School For Gifted Youngsters, an oddly striking woman began her operation.
She had red hair and brownish-yellow pupils, and a body that was quite alluring, but profoundly strange. A layer of vivid blue skin covered her entire body—limbs, face, and all visible parts. This wasn't makeup or paint; it was her true epidermis. Scale-like patterns covered certain key areas of her body.
Crucially, she was naked. This is very important and must be stated twice: she was not wearing clothes. Her strange skin exposed her vital parts to the sunlight. Despite the concealment provided by her unusual coloration, one could still discern certain details upon closer inspection. Yet, she showed no sign of embarrassment or concealment, walking with complete, natural composure, as if her appearance were irrelevant.
And for her, it largely was. Perhaps this was once a problem, but by Erik's side, she had long since shed that worry. Mutation and pride had become the creeds of her existence.
However, her appearance, even within the confines of Xavier's School For Gifted Youngsters, which was full of Mutants, would attract significant attention. But she didn't worry about that for long. Within moments, her form underwent a startling transformation.
It looked as if a layer of waves surged across her skin, and within this liquid-like process, the change unfolded.
Her body slowly shrank, her red hair turned into thick, straight flaxen hair, and her curvaceous figure became thin, flat, and petite. In an instant, her original form was completely gone, replaced by another person entirely.
She became a short, thin little boy with flaxen hair, large spectacles, and clothes that were slightly too baggy. He looked no older than seven.
This was Alex, a student in the junior class of the Academy. Because he was the youngest, he always received the most comprehensive care, not just from the teachers, but from many of the older students as well.
The students at the Academy were essentially a family, and this Child was widely recognized as the youngest sibling. As the baby of the family, he enjoyed special privileges.
Walking from the forest into the garden, and from the garden, she quietly slipped inside the manor. She seemed exceptionally familiar with the place, moving purely by instinct, without needing to ask or look around, heading straight for the information source.
Seeing the little boy wandering alone, Scott, who was correcting homework, looked up, mildly surprised.
"Alex, what are you doing here? Is something wrong?" Although his mood was foul, Scott spoke to the boy patiently. He made an effort not to project his personal frustrations onto the youngest student.
"Professor Scott!" Her voice had perfectly transformed, sounding exactly like a six or seven-year-old Child's. "Do you know where the new sister went? She promised to watch TV with me."
"The new sister? Are you talking about Mary?" Scott walked over, squatted down, touched the boy's hair, and spoke softly. "I'm sorry, Alex. The new student had some urgent things to do and went out with Ororo. She probably won't be back until after Christmas. You can wait, or have one of the other older brothers and sisters keep you company."
"Is that so?" She looked genuinely disappointed, as if she had truly been stood up. "But she clearly promised me. I'm sorry, Professor Scott, I didn't mean to bother you."
After speaking, she scurried away. Scott watched Alex leave, feeling only mild confusion. He wondered why the girl named Mary had managed to bond so quickly with the most reclusive Child in the Academy.
However, preoccupied with his own troubles, he didn't dwell on the question. He merely shook his head and sat back down, frowning. He still had a massive stack of work to correct. His bad mood had led him to increase the students' homework, inadvertently increasing his own workload.
Before he had corrected much more, another person walked in. This time, it was a lady, and her identity was somewhat unique. She wasn't a student at the Academy, but the parent of one.
Not all parents could accept their Child becoming a Mutant. Some, driven by sincere paternal or maternal love, embraced their children's changes. To provide their children with a safe environment, they sent them to the Academy. The lady in front of him was one such parent.
The teachers at the Academy were very familiar with these few parents. Scott immediately stood up and greeted the lady warmly.
"Mrs. Harold, what a surprise. I apologize, I had no idea you were coming and I haven't prepared anything." Scott looked embarrassed. It wasn't easy for the lady to travel here. She was a single mother from New Jersey, working hard to support herself and her Child. Despite her struggles, her love for her Child was immense.
From every perspective, she was a respectable mother. It was precisely because of her profound maternal love that Scott greeted her with the utmost sincerity.
"I apologize for bothering you." Mrs. Harold said apologetically, pulling at her somewhat worn coat and sitting cautiously on the chair Scott pulled out for her. "There are some things I need to discuss with Professor Ororo. Is she currently available?"
"Ah, I see. I am truly sorry," Scott replied with deep apology. "Ororo is not at the school right now and may not be back for a while! Is there anything I can help you with?"
"I am so sorry!" Mrs. Harold pressed her lips together, her expression embarrassed. "You understand, some things aren't appropriate to discuss with you. Could I ask when Professor Ororo will return? I don't mean to impose, it's just that the travel back and forth is quite difficult for me."
"I understand!" Scott nodded empathetically. He was fully aware of Mrs. Harold's financial struggles and knew that taking time off to visit the school could negatively impact her work. He spoke plainly, understanding that wasting her time would only make her life harder.
So, he told her clearly:
"Ororo left for Paris yesterday and likely won't return until after Christmas. If you would like, I can have her contact you when she gets back, or even visit you in person, okay?"
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Mr. Scott!" Standing up, Mrs. Harold bowed slightly, showing refined manners. This was her consistent nature: poor, but never lacking dignity, truly noble in character and heart.
"No trouble at all, madam. I'll walk you out!" Scott escorted the lady all the way to the school gate, putting her on the bus bound for New Jersey. Even after returning to the school, he felt nothing was amiss. Everything had proceeded normally. His work continued, and the heavy workload promised to keep him busy until late into the night.
On the other side, the well-mannered Mrs. Harold got off the bus to New Jersey prematurely, at the very next stop.
She walked alone into the deserted woods, and waves of strange ripples surged across her body. Soon, Raven's striking form replaced the kind lady, appearing in the forest. She had secured the information she needed.
"Paris?" Raven frowned. "That's quite a distance to fly."