"I don't need a psychiatrist." Magneto looked into Shiller's eyes and said seriously, "You don't need to use excuses like 'I'm not here to treat you' or 'I'm just here on Charles' behalf to check on you' to fulfill your duties as a psychiatrist."
"What should I do to make you believe that I am neither here to treat you nor intend to change any of your beliefs?" asked Shiller.
"Leave this place." Magneto replied.
"You mean, if I'm not here to treat you, we have nothing more to discuss?"
Shiller looked into Magneto's eyes and said sincerely, "I thought, as among the few of our age left in this world, we should have more topics to talk about, or even if you don't want to revisit the past, we could discuss the future of mutants..."
"What do you want to discuss?" Magneto's fingers touched the cup wall, and the tea leaves in the water began to spin, forming several small whirlpools.
"Actually, we all know that the Mutant Brotherhood and X-Men are not friendly, there's been too much war between you, and despite your close personal relationship with Charles, it's difficult to influence the thoughts of others. This is the dilemma you face currently, isn't it?"
"This is a matter for mutants only." Magneto's expression became cold, but Shiller immediately spoke:
"Of course, I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but the plan for mutants to relocate to the Andromeda Galaxy was formulated jointly by me and Professor Charles, I have a responsibility to follow its execution..."
"If you believe this problem can be solved by yourselves, then naturally I won't interfere. However, if this problem is not resolved in time, and it affects the efficiency of subsequent plans, then the person who promised me 'internal resolution' has to take responsibility. Can you make such a promise?"
"I don't make any guarantees to anyone." Magneto's fingers tapped lightly on the cup wall, "I only commit to achieving the goal within the time stipulated by the plan. The methods and measures I take, no one can interfere with, and no one is in a position to demand any additional guarantees from me."
"You brought up this topic because you think that I would use some methods that neither you nor Charles would like to solve this problem. But if you don't accept the way I work, then you shouldn't have come to me in the first place."
Magneto seldom says so much in one breath, his stance is very clear, but just these words gave him the upper hand.
Because he pointed out, initially, it is Charles and Shiller who need his power that brought the Mutant Brotherhood into the game.
Magneto has already contributed his power as a ticket. In this plan, how he chooses to achieve his target, no one else has the right to interfere.
"That's correct, your formidable power is the most important assurance for the Brotherhood to get on this vehicle. You're confident that Charles wouldn't burn his bridges, that's why you dare to be so bold."
"Of course, you also saw that the person who made this plan can benefit from the changed situation of the mutants. The mutants, like you, have a great utility value. You won't be abandoned. Therefore, you can sit here and say 'no need to assure anyone'."
Shiller spoke and analysed the current situation once again, then continued: "I won't pretend to threaten you by saying, if you don't cooperate with me, I'll give up all the mutants, because I know, such a threat would have no strength."
"The plight of the mutants has already bottomed out. They are trapped on a tiny planet, lingering at the bottom of society. Even if they return to the current state, what then?"
"You can continue to be a terrorist, threatening the lives of ordinary people. It's because you have no worries, there are no chinks in your armour."
Shiller stared at Magneto's eyes until he had to look back at his. Then Shiller spoke:
"From your look, I can see that you are surprised at my meek attitude. Your mind is filled with malicious words, thinking that those are the things I should say."
"For instance, comparing you with Charles, talking about how good Charles' attitude is, and how effective his methods are. Or undermining your personality and actions, saying you have a bad temper, don't communicate, and are a stumbling block to the development of mutants."
Magneto's expression gradually changed, he started to focus more on Shiller's eyes, as if wondering what Shiller was going to say next.
"But in reality, my conciliatory attitude in the negotiation, not using any offensive language to take the initiative, and allowing you to be so strong wasn't because I'm incapable of those things."
Shiller showed a smile and said, "Anyone with a normal IQ would understand. If I can formulate all these huge plans you know of and implement them, I cannot possibly be a weak, pleading coward."
Magneto slightly pulled back his jaw, then raised his eyelids, looking at Shiller from the corner of his eyes. Shiller remained silent, seemingly waiting for his response. After a while, Magneto's deep voice finally sounded:
"You're not the Shiller I expected to see. This gentle attitude doesn't benefit what you want to do."
"I'm clearer on that point than you are. As I've said, it's not that I can't be assertive, then why do you think you are seeing this side of me right now?" asked Shiller.
Magneto also felt puzzled. Shiller in principle should've taken a higher stance to face him.
As of now, whether in the normal human society or among mutants, no one could refuse Shiller's conditions.
Actually, it was already surprising enough for Shiller to come here. If he were indeed a person who enjoyed gallivanting throughout the cosmos, he would not have stayed in New York for so long.
Although he came at the request of his favorite student this time, Magneto was not naive enough to believe that this move by Shiller didn't have any political agenda underlying it.
But the fact was, Shiller had no need to meet anyone in person. At this stage of events, whoever he wanted to meet should be the one coming to him.
Because everyone knew that a conversation with him could bring enormous benefits to both themselves and the forces behind them.
Yet, Shiller still came, and not with an extremely tough and indifferent attitude, condescending to tell Magneto 'You had better cooperate with my treatment, or I'll kick you and the Brotherhood out of the game'.
Magneto knew in his heart that even if Shiller said and did this, he would not have a good way to deal with it.
He could not risk offending all other forces that could benefit from Shiller by getting into a violent conflict with him.
Magneto knew he was strong, but also knew he was not the strongest. He also knew that behind the interests Shiller represented, there were powerful entities beyond ordinary people's imagination.
So, when he learned that Shiller was coming, Magneto felt extremely anxious. He thought this doctor was bound to point out problems in various aspects such as his personality, words, and actions, and then start treating him. In his long life, he had met countless such people.
These people said they wanted to save him and also said that if he maintained his style, he could save neither the mutants nor himself.
Magneto knew that, decades ago, Charles thought the same way, and the reason they get along so much better now is that Charles gave up.
Therefore, Magneto is particularly puzzled now. What is Shiller's attitude? Why should he be so gentle? So patient?
"Both of us understand the gap in our current situations." Shiller looked down and smiled again, saying:
"Now, I hold great power and no one can challenge my position, while you, Magneto, to put it nicely, you are the pioneer of the Andromeda Galaxy development."
"To put it bluntly, everyone hopes that you don't stay on Earth, the further away you roll, the better. No one welcomes such a ticking time bomb, you are just a defeated dog being kicked out..."
In an instant, the teacup in front of Shiller floated up, suspended in front of him. Shiller only stretched out his hands, opened his arms, indicating that he had nothing to hide and did not intend to resist.
Shiller indeed did not take any countermeasures, nor did he show any angry expression, he just slowly leaned back to avoid the water cup that was constantly approaching.
Until his back was completely against the chair, when he could no longer retreat, the water cup just stopped in front of him, even touching his forehead.
The liquid inside was surging, as if ready to drench him at any moment. Shiller knew that as long as Magneto had a thought, he would be splashed with tea and left in a mess.
Shiller also knew that this was the best way for Magneto to drive him away and give him a stern warning.
Although it's impolite, it's not excessive. According to the world's understanding of Magneto, there is a high probability that he would do so.
But Shiller remained motionless until the tea in the teacup calmed down completely. He then carefully touched the side of the cup with his finger, and placed it steadily back on the table after gripping the teacup.
Magneto saw that the bottom of the teacup fell directly back into its original position, without even shifting a millimeter, his eyebrows gradually relaxed.
"Don't be angry, I just stated a fact. Also to show you that every psychologist knows how to hurt others, but our professional ethics does not allow us to do so."
"The same sentence, the gap between us, is an existing fact, and you cannot escape from reality."
Shiller leaned forward again and stared back directly into Magneto's eyes, saying, "Everyone likes me, and everyone dislikes you, including your children. Even without my sending Lorna to make a choice between you and me, the answer is obvious."
Magneto's lips moved, seemingly trying to say something, but Shiller spoke directly:
"But even if there's such a big gap between our situations, I don't want to treat you rudely."
"And there is only one reason for that... I greatly admire your character."
"Your actions, thoughts, character, and ability, your personal charm, have made me willing to put down my arrogance and have a conversation with you."
Gazing at Shiller's sincere eyes, Magneto was stupefied.