chapter 15

Robert chuckled softly.

He was a very reasonable person and never acted without clear purpose or instructions. Seeing him exude such confidence, Magneto shook his head.

"Young people have yet to see the true face of this world," he said.

"Soon, you will realize how naïve you really are. A proper lesson will teach you that—and perhaps change your perspective."

Robert sneered in response.

If this Magneto had already been enhanced by Apocalypse, Robert might have turned and left. After all, a Magneto who could manipulate Earth's magnetic field with full mastery was someone to take seriously. But this version? This Magneto hadn't even fully grasped his most basic abilities.

What was there to be afraid of?

Robert extended his hand and caught the steel spear Magneto hurled at him.

In one fluid motion, he stepped forward and threw it back.

Bang! The steel spear broke the sound barrier as it launched.

It tore through the air with overwhelming force and incredible speed, leaving behind a visible shockwave—like a fighter jet streaking across the sky.

Within a heartbeat, the spear was already in Magneto's vicinity.

Then, it slowed.

As it approached Magneto, the immense speed waned as though the spear had entered thick mud. The closer it got, the more sluggish it became.

Finally, it came to a complete stop, just centimeters from Magneto's chest.

Even so, Magneto broke into a cold sweat.

He was a seasoned veteran. But this—this was the first time someone had hurled a piece of metal with such pure brute force that it made it through his magnetic field's outer defenses.

That power… It was terrifying. Had he been younger, he probably wouldn't have been able to withstand it and might've been torn apart.

What kind of ability had this kid awakened?

But now wasn't the time for analysis. Magneto swiftly decided: capture Robert first, and the answers would come later.

With a sweeping gesture of his hand, the metals floating behind him surged forward like a tidal wave.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! The air filled with sharp sounds as dozens of metal shards tore forward.

Robert didn't even blink.

Instead, he dashed directly into the metallic storm.

Despite their speed, the kinetic energy in those shards didn't amount to much—certainly nothing compared to bullets.

Robert had no fear of Barrett rifles. Why would he be concerned about this?

Just as expected, the metallic spikes pierced his clothes but failed to break his skin. They deformed upon impact, clattered to the ground, and lay there like useless scrap.

Aside from the upper half of his outfit being shredded, Robert remained completely unscathed.

His skin bore no injury—not even a mark.

This was the terrifying nature of a Superman-like body. The incredible resistance it provided rendered ordinary kinetic energy attacks ineffective.

Other than kryptonite or an entity like Doomsday, Superman had never been injured under normal circumstances.

There was a reason Superman was called a God among humans.

With such a powerful physique and incredible speed, even Magneto's expression shifted.

"What kind of ability did you awaken?" Magneto asked, his voice tense.

He raised his hands again, hurling another wave of metal at Robert. The pieces collided with Robert's body, momentarily slowing him—but just barely.

His skin didn't even get scratched.

In contrast, the ground was littered with deformed metal, twisted into grotesque shapes—some even curled like pretzels.

The X-Men, standing off to the side, were dumbfounded.

Scott, their leader, reached for his visor instinctively, as though he wanted to get a clearer look at the scene before him.

This kid—Robert—was too powerful.

Scott recalled seeing news footage of the Hulk rampaging through a military base. This felt just like that, or perhaps even worse.

Magneto's attacks, in terms of destructive power, were on par with artillery shells. Yet they had absolutely no effect on Robert.

What was this guy made of?

Even Colossus wasn't this resilient.

"Ororo, is this the 'somewhat talented' person you mentioned earlier?" Scott asked, turning toward her.

Even Alanna looked at Ororo with questioning eyes, hoping for an explanation.

Ororo was just as stunned.

She had only conducted some basic power and speed tests on Robert. She had no idea his resistance was on such an astonishing level.

Was this guy even human? Did he have any weaknesses at all?

Among the group, only Professor William had the composure to remain still.

He too was surprised by what he saw—but his years of experience allowed him to hide it well. He simply observed in silence, contemplating.

The battle continued in front of them, fierce and intense.

Robert moved like a machine that never ran out of energy. He showed no signs of fatigue, no signs of stopping.

Though Magneto tried to buy time by launching waves of metal to break Robert's stride, he was only delaying the inevitable.

The distance between the two narrowed rapidly.

Magneto knew all too well: if Robert got close, he wouldn't last a second. His aged body wouldn't withstand the blow. He'd be dead before he even hit the ground.

He could not allow Robert to get close.

Determined, Magneto shifted the silver-white platform beneath his feet and propelled himself away at high speed.

Robert noticed the retreat instantly.

He paused for only a moment before a mischievous smirk crept across his face.

He had an idea.

Ryan's ability wasn't useful for research—but it was amazing when it came to psychological warfare.

Based on his understanding of Magneto, Robert delivered a precise verbal jab.

"Oh? The mighty leader of the Brotherhood of Mutants—Magneto—knows only how to run?"

His voice echoed across the battlefield.

A few of Magneto's allies turned to look at him.

Magneto immediately felt caught in a dilemma.

He had always been the unchallenged authority in the Brotherhood of Mutants. Whatever he said went. His strength and leadership were the reasons others followed him.

But how could a leader maintain his dignity if he kept retreating?

Maybe the others wouldn't say anything—but Magneto cared deeply about pride.

Throughout his entire life, he had only ever shown fear once—and that was in the presence of the fully awakened Black Phoenix. No one else had ever made him flinch.

Now, with Robert calling him out in front of everyone, Magneto knew he couldn't back down any further.

Even if no one spoke up, the shame would eat at him.

What would people say?

"You got beat by a kid."

He'd rather find a rock to bash his head against than live with that kind of humiliation.

He was Magneto. He had his pride.

He stopped fleeing.

With a wave of his hand, the surrounding metal began to twist and distort violently.

This was a display of his true capabilities—a reminder of the terrifying potential of mutants, and of Magneto himself.

Though only one man, he controlled nearly all the metal in the vicinity of the Mutant Academy. He manipulated it like clay, erasing its original shape and form.

Massive metal structures curled together under his command, merging into two gigantic pillars.

These colossal constructs shot toward Robert with terrifying momentum.

Robert nimbly dodged, zipping between them with ease.

"Magneto, are you really not going to apologize? You sure you want to keep pushing this?" he asked coolly, his form blurring from sheer speed.

The suspended metal couldn't track him properly. It spun in midair, futile and slow.

Magneto's only reply was a bitter chuckle.