Chapter 853: The Enchantment of Human Space Exploration (Part 1) (Patreon)

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Inside the classroom of the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters, Polaris Lorna rested her elbow on the desk, one hand supporting her cheek while the other held a pen, scribbling and doodling on a piece of paper. After a while, Bruce Banner walked in and cleared his throat as he stood at the podium.

"Your physical education teacher is ill today, so we'll have a physics class instead," he announced, opening his textbook and beginning the lesson.

There were only five people in the entire classroom. Besides Polaris, Iceman and Havok were also present, each seated in the farthest corners from the teacher, and equally distant from Polaris.

A subtle tension permeated the air between the three of them, leaving Banner feeling somewhat puzzled. However, Shadowcat, who was sitting not far from Polaris, exchanged a meaningful look with Banner, and he understood that the three of them had likely been quarreling again.

Banner's lecture was brief, as he was quite busy. He mostly covered short segments of theory, allowing the mutants to study on their own. At night, they would enter dream classrooms to review the theory and check their assignments, which, while not the most efficient teaching method, ensured a more thorough understanding and a solid foundation.

Polaris was attentive during the physics class, focusing on only two subjects: physics and geography. For the rest of the humanities courses, she either slept or exchanged glances with other students.

However, today her classmates noticed that Polaris seemed somewhat listless. She didn't engage in conversations with others after class, didn't offer her trademark cold smiles, and didn't tease Quicksilver. She appeared distant and aloof, like a wilted eggplant.

Iceman wanted to show concern, so he approached Polaris and asked, "Lorna, are you feeling unwell? Is something bothering you?"

"Mind your own business," Polaris replied, leaning on the desk without much enthusiasm. "Anyone who's stuck here studying day in and day out would end up like me."

"Don't be like that, Lorna," Iceman insisted. "I know you're not too fond of Magneto, but he's doing it for your own good."

"What annoys me the most is this kind of reasoning!" Polaris turned her head away. "Always claiming it's for my own good. You're starting to sound just like Professor X. Stay away from me!"

Havok cleared his throat and said, "Bobbi, did you hear that? She wants you to stay away. Stop trying to woo her. Even if Lorna and I have broken up, we still—"

"You, too, can go away!" Polaris snapped. "I don't want to see either of you right now. Get as far away from me as possible!"

Havok and Iceman exchanged a glance, and Iceman shrugged before turning to leave. Before departing, he added, "Who knows, maybe she's acting like this because she broke up with someone."

Havok sighed, and at that moment, Shadowcat stepped in to mediate. She said, "Alright, Alex, stop bothering her. Don't you know? Magneto insisted that Lorna return to school, and she's been annoyed for days."

...

Polaris's eyes lit up with interest. "Really? Oh, my goodness, you have no idea how bored I've been lately! It's just studying when I open my eyes and learning when I close them. My mind is filled with assignments, and I'm getting fed up!"

"I'm not one of those kids. I've already graduated from college," Polaris continued, tapping the table. "I was doing just fine working in the Andromeda Galaxy. I even contributed to building the space island. Who knows what Erik was thinking!"

"Don't be like this, Lorna. Your father must have his reasons," Havok said. "I heard Professor X say that the mutant world is not very stable right now. He probably wants you back to strengthen the Brotherhood's influence."

"If all the members of the Brotherhood leave, and something happens on Earth, there won't be anyone to inform him. While it would be ideal for mutants to move to the Andromeda Galaxy, it's not feasible right now," Shadowcat added, resting her chin on her hand.

Polaris frowned. "I understand the reasoning behind it. Before he asked me to return, he explained a few things to me. It's rare for Erik, Magneto, to explain anything to anyone!"

"We all know that once the official announcement is made about mutants moving to another galaxy, it will cause a huge uproar. Our current organization structure can't handle that kind of impact. But the Brotherhood, the X-Men, and other mutant organizations are all scattered and divided."

"We never unite; we don't exclude outsiders like regular people do. Instead, we waste a lot of time fighting among ourselves."

Polaris shook her head with a solemn expression and said, "Since I came back, I've been pondering this issue, but no good solution has come to mind."

"It's now a matter of who can step up and truly lead the mutants," Shadowcat remarked. However, she added with concern, "I know many people have the ambition, but they might not have the capability, and not all of them may have altruistic motives. Once mutants start following them, they could lead us down a dangerous path of destruction. At this critical juncture, who can guarantee making the right choices?"

Both of them sighed deeply, and then Polaris spoke up, "Katie, go talk to Professor X. Persuade him not to keep me here studying. It would make sense if physics and geography were relevant to what I want to do in the future, but what's the use of studying philosophy and literature? I've already taken these courses in college!"

Shadowcat smiled and replied, "Alright, but you have to promise me that if you go to space, you won't cause any trouble. Or maybe I can just have Professor X find you a job, similar to what you did in the Andromeda Galaxy?"

Polaris immediately shook her head and said, "Oh, please, let's not bring that up. You have no idea what I went through in the Andromeda Galaxy!"

Shadowcat widened her eyes and asked, "Weren't you nostalgic for those times? Is there something unpleasant you experienced?"

"You should be asking if there were any pleasant experiences..." Polaris rolled her eyes. "I wanted to work outside because I disliked studying, not because I genuinely enjoyed being a laborer in the Andromeda Galaxy."

She continued, using her hand to brush her hair from her forehead, "You don't know what it's like to work under someone like Erik. He's the world's worst boss: bad-tempered, picky, irrational, uncommunicative, and infuriating!"

Listening to Polaris's series of superlatives, Shadowcat shrugged and said, "Well, he's your biological father, after all."

"Who knows if he is or not," Polaris glanced in another direction and said, "He can claim whatever he wants. When he found me, he even told me that he had the illusionist erase my memories, and he said it with such confidence. You don't know what he's like..."

Polaris sighed while shaking her head. Shadowcat chuckled and said, "Professor X already told you last time, didn't he? He might be mentally unstable. You don't have to engage with him at the same level. Alright, I'll go talk to Professor. Wait for my good news."

After Shadowcat left, Polaris let out another sigh. She covered her eyes with her hand and, as she closed her eyes, felt a sense of weariness wash over her. Slowly, her head sank onto the desk, and she drifted into a dream.

Polaris slept with her head on the desk, but it wasn't a pleasant dream. She recalled the words Magneto had spoken to her when he found her.

Polaris's lineage was also quite tumultuous. Initially, Magneto Erik and her mother had only an ambiguous relationship, and they had not officially dated, let alone married. When her mother became pregnant, Magneto had no idea.

After Polaris was born, her mother and stepfather took a plane ride with her. However, due to Polaris's true heritage, an argument erupted between them during the flight.

At that time, Polaris was too young to understand the nature of their dispute, but their intense voices frightened her. Unfortunately, Polaris belonged to the group of mutants with exceptional talents, and her powers manifested at a very young age. When her emotions got out of control, her magnetic abilities went haywire.

Her uncontrolled magnetic powers affected the plane's components, causing the aircraft to plummet from the sky. Polaris's powers remained unaffected, but her biological mother and stepfather both perished in the crash.

At that moment, the young Lorna found herself buried in the wreckage of the crashed plane. Magneto located her with the help of his magnetic force manipulation and only then discovered that he had a daughter.

...

Although Magneto didn't know the full story, he had the illusionist erase Polaris's memories and concealed the fact that she was responsible for her biological parents' deaths.

Many years later, due to a series of complex events, Magneto and Polaris crossed paths again. At that time, Magneto revealed her true heritage in an attempt to recruit her into the Brotherhood.

Polaris initially found it hard to believe, particularly the part about causing her parents' deaths. However, with Iceman by her side and his persuasion, she eventually joined the X-Men during that period.

Yet, even if Polaris didn't want to acknowledge it, her personality resembled Magneto's in many ways. She was resistant to authority, stubborn, and completely different from the X-Men's ethos.

She couldn't stand being cooped up in the X-Men's base, alternating between caring for children and being a good neighbor in the city.

Later, Polaris became a part-time X-Man, and after a series of complex events, she reconnected with the Brotherhood. To this day, she remained a free agent in an awkward position.

In theory, as Magneto's daughter, she should have been welcomed into the Brotherhood. However, Polaris and that group didn't really get along. Currently, she had more contact with the X-Men, especially Iceman and Havok.

"Hey! Hey, Lorna, don't sleep. I have good news. Wake up!" Shadowcat's voice reached Polaris, who abruptly woke up, her body covered in cold sweat.

She had just had a nightmare, but she couldn't recall the dream's contents. In a daze, she heard Shadowcat saying, "Professor has found you a job in space. Tomorrow, report to Stark Tower, and then you can start working."

In the world of Marvel Comics as a mental mentor.

[Read at www.patreon.com/shanefreak, and thanks for the invaluable support!]

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Next Chapter>>Chapter 854: The Fascination of Human Space Endeavors (Part 1)