"I went back and talked with Professor Charles." Jean slipped into her role instantly, her expression convincingly conflicted.
Erik smiled warmly, coaxing her gently. "Oh? And what did you and Charles discuss?"
Jean didn't answer, but the way she clenched her fists, and the very fact that she had come to him, already told Erik that their conversation had likely ended in disagreement.
The thought of the self-righteous Charles being thoroughly dressed down, his arguments ripped to shreds, filled Erik with a profound sense of satisfaction.
He didn't press Jean to reveal the details of their conversation. Instead, he said sympathetically, "If you're still undecided, then what happens next should help you make up your mind."
Jean's body stiffened slightly, and she lowered her head, her expression hidden in shadow.
Saiki, don't just stand there. Contact Professor Charles and tell him to get a move on.
The girl who appeared so conflicted in Erik's eyes was, in her mind, urging Saiki Kusuo on, while simultaneously boasting about her own superb acting skills.
My acting is pretty good, right? I've got this guy completely fooled.
Seeing the smug expression hidden beneath Jean's lowered head, Saiki Kusuo was tempted to use his telepathy to show Erik the true face of this "innocent girl."
Speaking of which, was this Erik really the cunning and formidable rival Charles had described, the one he'd been battling for over a decade? How could he be so easily fooled by a girl?
Saiki Kusuo was skeptical, but the messages conveyed by Erik's inner thoughts confirmed that they had indeed gained his trust.
(I know, I contacted him a while ago. The Professor and the others should already be on their way.)
Their purpose in coming to the bar was to keep Erik occupied, giving Charles and the other members time to infiltrate the bar and rescue the senator.
However, the rescue operation didn't go smoothly. Erik's magnetic field barrier covered the entire bar, allowing him to sense anyone who approached.
The instant Scott and the others snuck into the bar, Erik's eyes darkened.
Saiki Kusuo, who had been paying close attention to his every move, couldn't help but mutter inwardly, "Uh oh."
Charles, who was linked to him, immediately asked, "What's wrong?"
"This guy probably already knows Scott and the others are here. I'll try to weaken the magnetic field a bit and use telepathy to connect you with Scott and the others."
Erik glanced around at his subordinates hidden in the shadows, their footsteps growing fainter as they headed towards the dungeon where the senator was being held. Meanwhile, Toad and Sabretooth, who had been guarding the entrance, had been informed by the others and were going to intercept Scott and his team.
Saiki Kusuo monitored the subordinates heading to the dungeon, relaying the route to Scott.
Because Saiki Kusuo had weakened the magnetic field, Charles's telepathy was able to penetrate the bar. He took control of Toad and Sabretooth, who were intending to cause trouble for Scott.
The two controlled men suddenly turned on the members guarding the dungeon and the arriving subordinates.
They were the Brotherhood's two strongest fighters, and the other subordinates were no match for them.
One subordinate, struck in the abdomen by Sabretooth, collapsed in agony, twitching. It took him a while to recover, and he shakily used his radio to report their situation to Erik, while simultaneously shouting at the two who had lost their minds.
"You idiots, look closely at who we are! Or have you been turned by the X-Men and are going to betray Magneto?"
His answer was a swift, decisive blow from Toad.
Taking advantage of the Brotherhood members' infighting, Scott and his team slipped into the dungeon.
This is strange!
Saiki Kusuo watched Erik's relaxed demeanor and fell into deep thought.
The dungeon was already in chaos; there was no way Erik hadn't received the news. Yet, this guy was still standing here calmly, drinking.
Something's definitely wrong!
Saiki Kusuo gave Jean a meaningful look, while simultaneously warning Scott to be careful of a trap. Unfortunately, it was too late. A loud "bang" echoed, and Scott and the others, who had infiltrated, were sent flying as if struck by something, crashing into the wall opposite the bar counter.
Jean was startled by the sudden turn of events, and when she saw who was sprawled on the ground, she couldn't help but cry out, "Scott!"
Realizing she had blown her cover, Jean covered her mouth, chagrined.
However, Erik didn't show any surprise. It was as if he had anticipated this all along.
The ones who had attacked Scott and his team were Logan's group, Stryker's underlings, who seemed to have been manipulated by Erik into becoming his own.
"Don't get excited, child. My subordinates didn't use lethal force. Your companions will be fine."
Erik patted Jean's shoulder, his gentle reassurance sending a shiver down her spine.
Charles's anxious voice sounded in Saiki Kusuo's mind. Saiki Kusuo, while subtly shielding Jean behind him, responded to Charles.
(The plan failed, Professor. This guy was faking it all along.)
Damn that Erik! Charles's furious voice came through his mind.
(Call over the two subordinates you're controlling, Professor.)
Saiki Kusuo had come up with a plan. Charles, understanding, said "Okay," and immediately, the agile Sabretooth was controlled by Charles, coming from the other side of the corridor to the bar, and pounced on Erik.
Erik didn't even bother to move. The magnetic field barrier repelled Sabretooth. He then reached out, intending to attack Jean and Saiki Kusuo, but Saiki Kusuo, reacting quickly, grabbed Jean and teleported away.
As Saiki Kusuo used his teleportation to escape, a cold smile curled Erik's lips.
Simultaneously, Charles took control of Logan and his group. Their strength far surpassed Erik's two subordinates. Wade, drawing his blades, sliced through Erik's barrier, and Victor, rushing in first, grabbed Erik by the throat.
His sharp fingernails dug into Erik's flesh, drawing blood. The scent of blood sent Victor into a frenzy, and he opened his mouth. If not for Charles's control, his sharp teeth would likely have already snapped Erik's neck.
Yet, even with his life in someone else's hands, Erik remained unfazed.
His gaze shifted to Scott and the others, who had been knocked unconscious in the corner.
"You finally made your move, Charles. Should I say your abilities have improved? You were actually able to break through my magnetic field barrier."
Erik spoke, even though he knew Charles wasn't present. He knew Charles could hear his voice.
Victor tightened his grip on Erik's throat, seemingly warning him not to act rashly. The feeling of suffocation didn't frighten Erik. His gaze remained fixed on Scott and the others, who were still unconscious in the corner.
(Damn it, I forgot about them.)
Saiki Kusuo, who had been instructed by Charles to stay by Jean's side, felt a pang of regret.
All the sharp, deadly objects in the bar were now aimed at Scott and his team.
"You know, Charles, when I'm agitated, my powers tend to become unstable. Right now, I'm being choked, and I'm finding it hard to breathe. I might suffocate soon."
Erik was threatening him. Charles knew very well how ruthless Erik could be. He closed his eyes in resignation and relinquished control of Logan and his group.
"You can't stand to see sacrifices. That's your weakness." Erik smiled triumphantly, looking like he had everything under control.
However, his smile froze on his face the next second. Victor, after retracting his claws, suddenly clenched his fist and punched Erik squarely in the face.
Caught off guard, Erik, even though he reacted quickly, couldn't erect a barrier in time to fully protect himself. He took the full force of the blow, nearly ruining his face.
Furious, he scrambled to his feet and started cursing. "Charles, you despicable, shameless, insidious, treacherous scoundrel!"
Charles: "..." No, I'm not!
Erik then looked towards Scott's side, and seeing that Saiki Kusuo had already rescued everyone, he unleashed an even more unrestrained torrent of abuse at Charles.
"You sanctimonious hypocrite!"
"It's been years, and you haven't gotten any stronger, but you've certainly mastered your underhanded tricks."
"Raven saw your true nature, that's why she joined me. Only your students are still fooled by you."
"Hmph, you think a few petty tricks can defeat me? You're too naive!"
Charles, who had been unfairly blamed, was rendered speechless: "..."
So, what right do you, a villain, have to criticize others?
Before Charles could respond, Jean, who had been checking on Scott's condition, couldn't help but retort after hearing these words.
"Shut up! Professor Charles isn't like that!"
"See, there's a living example of someone you've brainwashed." Erik spread his hands. "You always have a way with these impressionable kids, especially the girls."
"That's right, you were like that even when you were young, always hanging around with girls, making them swoon."
Hey, hey, keep this up and all of Charles's embarrassing secrets will be revealed.
Jean was dumbfounded, listening to Charles's embarrassing history. Saiki Kusuo, feeling that one should take responsibility for one's own actions (and actually fearing Charles's retaliation if he took the blame), decided to confess to Erik.
"It's not just Professor Charles who can use telepathy."
Erik's expression froze for a moment. He looked at the young man who had maintained a remarkably low profile until now.
"Hmph, do you think I didn't know that? I was just saying that to make Charles uncomfortable, since it's a rare opportunity."
But your expression doesn't say that.
Erik had actually planted a mole in Charles's school long ago, and was well aware of the X-Men's movements. He knew that Jean possessed the same abilities as Charles, so he had been wary of Jean all along, but he had underestimated this unassuming young man, thinking his only ability was teleportation.
Knowing he was bluffing, Saiki Kusuo let out a meaningful "Oh."
"Then it seems your mole isn't doing their homework."
"What?"
Before Erik could comprehend the meaning of Saiki Kusuo's words, his body involuntarily knelt on the ground.
Erik was in disbelief. "How is this possible!"
His barrier was completely ineffective against Saiki Kusuo.
"I can do more than just read minds."
"Could it be..."
"I can also brainwash people. For example, I could completely brainwash you into becoming Professor Charles's most loyal follower, a lover of peace and humanity?"
Erik: "..."
He imagined himself being completely loyal to Charles and shuddered.
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