Chapter 153: Are You Trying to Extort Me?

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Flames engulfed the entire world as a violent shockwave tore through everything in its path, reducing the base below to rubble. 

Eric, carrying a metal sphere, flew out of the explosion's range. Glancing back to confirm there was no further danger, he dispersed the force field he had never revealed to anyone before. As he looked at the raging fire behind him, his eyes flickered. Then, after flying back into the inferno for a brief moment to make himself appear more battered, he finally landed on the ground with the metal sphere in tow. 

With a wave of his hand, the sphere unfolded, revealing a group of mutants inside, all dizzy and disoriented from the shockwave. 

Whoosh— 

Dust and debris, blasted into the air by the explosion, rained down like a torrential downpour. 

As the mutants regained consciousness, they instinctively stepped back, still shaken by what had just happened. 

Covered in soot, his body scorched and his lips stained with blood, Eric was carried away by Pyro, who ran toward the distance with a look of frustration. 

After running for over a hundred meters, Pyro finally set Eric down before collapsing onto the ground himself, panting heavily. 

Eric sat there, struggling to support himself as he looked around at the surrounding mutants. They all gazed at him with gratitude and admiration. Lifting his head with unwavering determination, he met their eyes. 

They were saved. 

Although Eric hadn't been able to rescue everyone, he had managed to save the majority, altering what would have otherwise been a near-total massacre. 

"Magneto!" 

Finally, someone shouted his name. 

And then— 

"Magneto! Magneto!" 

The scattered voices quickly merged into a synchronized chant, growing louder with each passing second. 

Pyro, lying beside him, gave Eric a thumbs-up. 

Eric flashed a smile. 

Looks like the things I learned from Charles were useful after all. 

--- 

While Eric basked in the crowd's cheers, Charles was busy with his own matters elsewhere. 

Thanks to his recent collaborations with S.H.I.E.L.D., Charles had successfully made a name for himself. 

However, despite his rising reputation, he still lacked strong support—without it, establishing his school remained impossible. 

For now, his value and the necessity of his school had yet to be fully recognized. 

But Charles wasn't in a hurry. Opportunities would come. And even if they didn't, Eric would surely create them. 

That morning, he and Jean had gone to the New York Public Library to gather research materials. 

On their way back to the school, however, they encountered something—or rather, someone—unexpected. 

A mutant girl. 

She had striking short white hair and moved with the agility of a cat. 

They first spotted her in a secluded alley, just as she smoothly lifted a wallet from a passing pedestrian. 

Realizing that two strangers had caught her in the act, the girl—who looked about Jean's age—flashed a threatening grin at them. Once the oblivious victim had walked away, she smugly waved the stolen wallet before them, pulled out two large bills, and, with an exaggerated sigh, kissed them before stuffing them into Charles's hands. 

"Handsome, mind your own business. Consider this a treat for coffee." 

Both Charles and Jean were momentarily stunned. 

Jean couldn't help but chuckle and turned to Charles. Seeing the twitch in his expression, she finally burst into laughter. 

"Jean." 

Charles sighed in exasperation. 

Jean quickly covered her mouth, turning away, though her shoulders still shook with suppressed laughter. 

The girl eyed them with a look of mild annoyance. 

"Weirdos." 

She muttered under her breath and turned to leave—only for Charles to grab her wrist. 

Startled, she scowled. "What do you think you're doing? Let go, or I won't be nice." 

Charles released her and smiled. "This isn't nearly enough for coffee." 

The girl narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Are you trying to extort me?" 

Charles: "…" 

Do I look like I need money? 

For the record, I'm filthy rich. 

That thought flashed through his mind, but he simply cleared his throat and held the money out to her. "You should return this to the man you took it from." 

The girl snatched the bills back, gave Charles an appraising look, then scoffed. "You're insane." 

With that, she casually flicked her short hair and started walking away. 

Charles reached for her again—but this time, the instant his fingers brushed her, a sharp sensation like needles pricked his palm, forcing him to instinctively pull back. 

A faint spark of electricity crackled around her. 

"Don't test me," she warned. 

Normally, when she displayed this ability, people would scream "monster" and flee in terror. 

But Charles simply tilted his head and smiled. 

"Is this your mutant ability?" 

"Huh?" 

She blinked in surprise—then her eyes widened. 

Because Charles hadn't spoken aloud. 

His voice had echoed directly in her mind. 

"You… you're a mutant too?" 

She exclaimed in shock. 

Charles nodded. "Let's start over—I'm Charles."

The girl took a step back and hesitated. "My name is..." 

Before she could finish, she suddenly turned and bolted. 

Charles was momentarily stunned, but his gaze sharpened as he used his abilities to stop her in place. "I mean you no harm," he said calmly. 

The girl's heart pounded in fear. What kind of power is this? 

Sensing her panic, Charles immediately released his hold. "I just want to talk." 

Suddenly, without warning, a gust of wind howled through the alley. 

The girl's eyes turned a ghostly white. 

Electricity crackled around her hands, coiling like living serpents, ready to strike at any moment. 

A flicker of surprise crossed Charles's face, but he quickly shook his head and used his ability again, suppressing the chaotic energy around her. 

In an instant, everything returned to normal. 

Charles wasted no time. "I'm a teacher at a school, and I'd like to invite you to join us." 

"A school?" 

The girl, who had been bracing for a fight, was caught off guard. 

"Yes, a school built specifically for mutants." 

"School...?" 

She stood there, stunned. 

Charles released his control, offering a reassuring smile. "That's right. A place where you can learn and make friends." 

After a brief pause, he added with certainty, "You don't really enjoy living like this, do you?" 

The girl fell silent. 

Then, with a carefree chuckle, she shrugged. "I guess I could give it a try. But if I don't like it, I'm leaving." 

Charles smiled. "You're more than welcome to." 

"You can call me Ororo." The girl grinned, but then a thought crossed her mind, and her expression shifted. "Wait… is the tuition expensive?" 

Charles laughed. "There's no tuition." 

"Oh, well, in that case—no problem!" 

Ororo exhaled in relief. 

"Then, for your first lesson," Charles said, pointing at the wallet in her hand, "return that to its rightful owner." 

Ororo tossed the wallet in the air and caught it, looking reluctant. But after a moment, she sighed. "Alright, boss. Whatever you say." 

"Jean, go with Ororo." 

Jean nodded. "Come with me." 

Ororo quickly followed, and the two of them began chatting in hushed tones as they walked. 

Watching their retreating figures, Charles smiled to himself. 

Another student. 

(End of Chapter)