Magneto and Professor X, both smart old men, could never be subdued by anyone.
Ian never considered subduing them, as drawing them in as allies was the best choice.
They, like Ian, were leaders of mutants, natural allies.
Moreover, they both had their own ideals and principles, making them absolutely reliable allies.
The most important part was that Ian didn't give much in return.
Apart from a few words of persuasion, the only tangible thing he gave them were two self-healing potions.
The self-healing potions were one of the small surprises found in the materials from a previous deal with the military.
Their main ingredients were Wolverine's X-gene-based self-healing factor, as well as a large amount of life essence.
They could heal injuries and strengthen the body.
Apart from being a bit expensive, they had virtually no drawbacks!
Professor X took one vial, and his body immediately adapted to his powerful mental powers.
Magneto had no injuries, but due to childhood malnutrition, his vitality was depleted, making him look older than his age.
After taking the vial, he immediately looked at least ten years younger.
The next day, Professor X accepted Ian's invitation and came to Carnegie Mutant Academy.
Ian personally accompanied Professor X on a tour of the academy.
"With so many children in class, aren't you worried about their powers getting out of control?" Professor X asked when they arrived at the first classroom.
"The academy has suppression devices in place. Even if their powers get out of control, no one will be harmed," Ian explained.
Compared to regular American schools, the academic workload at Carnegie Mutant Academy was much heavier, with a packed curriculum and a lot of homework.
The course structure was also very different, with courses related to X-Gene studies at the core, and very little in the way of literature or philosophy.
"Professor, what do you think of my academy?" After the tour, Ian asked.
"… Very good!"
Although Professor X had many questions in his heart, he didn't ask a single one.
Because, from the results, Carnegie Mutant Academy's education was a success.
Moreover, the children in the academy seemed mentally healthy and happy.
This almost made Professor X fall into self-doubt: "Was I wrong?"
Noticing the professor's confusion, Ian took him to a specially isolated area.
"This is the observation area. Every new student must first undergo psychological counseling here. Only after resolving their psychological issues will they formally enter the academy!" Ian explained.
At this moment, Selina was teaching three new students, one of whom was Jimmy.
Selina was explaining very simple principles, but with her highly infectious voice, the effect was profound.
The three children's expressions gradually relaxed, and their mental states visibly improved.
Selina didn't avoid confronting the children's fears but instead continuously guided them to face it. By facing their inner fears, she helped them step out of the shadows.
It looked cruel, but the results were remarkable.
Of course, Selina's abilities played a decisive role.
Solving the most troublesome psychological problems was so simple?
Selina's psychological counseling course had a great impact on Professor X.
It was in direct contrast to the methods he had always used!
"Children's values have not yet formed, so psychological counseling is much easier than for adults," Ian explained.
"With psychological counseling combined with subsequent education, if they develop a healthy worldview, there will be no hidden dangers!"
Professor X didn't refute. The facts were indisputable.
Selina's psychological counseling course, combined with his own decades of educational experience, gave Professor X a vague idea:
"The mind is not the same as memory!"
"What is X-Gene Studies? Why are there so many courses about it?" In the end, Professor X asked this question.
Ian didn't directly answer but instead led him to the training field.
At that moment, dozens of children were training their X-powers on the field.
The condensation of rule runes allowed them to directly control their X-powers.
But mastery didn't mean proficiency. Learning how to use X-powers correctly still required long-term training.
Professor X watched for a while and quickly noticed something: none of the children's X-powers were in an uncontrollable state!
"X-Gene Studies is a subject that teaches them how to control their X-powers…" Ian didn't hide anything.
Condensing rule runes wasn't an easy task. Without a learning system, almost no one could do it.
Even Professor X was only at a critical point, unable to cross that threshold.
Fortunately, Professor X was at the critical point, and the core of carrying X-powers had shifted from the X-gene to the soul.
Otherwise, even if Professor X succeeded in transferring his consciousness, he would have lost his X-powers.
Professor X had always been unclear about the way forward, which was why he had never been able to go beyond the critical point.
After Ian clarified the way forward, it was only a matter of time before Professor X succeeds.
However, Ian wasn't sure what Professor X would eventually condense.
Without the learning system's assistance, what Professor X condensed might not necessarily be rule runes.
The combination of willpower and rule energy, with rule runes only being a superficial form.
Depending on one's personal understanding, it could appear as rule runes, rule fragments, or even other strange things.
Once the way forward was clear, Professor X became eager and soon left to pursue it.
Ian didn't try to stop him. If the professor progressed further, it would be a good thing for him as well.
A few days later, after Magneto had regained his powers, he came to the island as promised.
Before meeting Magneto, Ian asked Raven, "Magneto is about to arrive. Raven, would you like to meet him?"
"No," Raven decisively refused.
She wasn't sure how to face Magneto, so it was easier for her to just avoid him.
Magneto wasn't interested in the academy, so Ian directly took him to the action team's training field.
At that moment, in the center of the training field, two people were sparring.
One was Magneglass, who also had magnetic field control abilities, and the other was a speed-type mutant, Cheetah.
Magneglass was flying low, with a spherical shield made of countless tiny metal particles surrounding him.
Three metal cones, under his control, were chasing after Cheetah's figure.
But Cheetah's own speed was incredibly fast, with acceleration and burst speed even faster. The metal cones couldn't keep up with him.
While dodging the three metal cones' attacks, Cheetah still managed to find openings for counterattacks.
His super-fast speed also made his attacks incredibly powerful.
Each punch caused deep dents in Magneglass' metallic fluid shield.
If it weren't for the rapidly spinning metal fluid deflecting much of the attack, Cheetah would have definitely broken Magneglass' shield with a single punch.
Fortunately, the metal particles forming the shield could turn into steel balls at any time and be rapidly shot out, forcing Cheetah to retreat and dodge, preventing him from breaking the shield with continuous attacks.
After ten minutes of fighting, neither of them could defeat the other, and it ended in a draw.
"How did they perform, Erik?" Ian asked.
"Magneglass is interesting. His control over the magnetic field is limited, and his strength is somewhat lacking, but his technique is exquisite!" Magneto replied.
He was very interested in Magneglass, who also controlled the magnetic field.
"How about you give this junior some guidance, Magneto?" Ian suggested with a hint of mischief.
"Sure!" Magneto agreed without refusal.
"I've reached 15,000 words! From here on out, I'll be updating with one chapter per day. I've also got a few extra chapters ready, just in case I hit a day where I can't write. That way, the daily updates won't skip a beat. And as a special thank you, if we make it into the Power Stones rankings or receive ten reviews on the novel, I'll add one or two bonus chapters!"
(End of this chapter)