Chapter 349

"I've realized that human civilization seems incredibly lucky—we not only were born on a planet perfectly suited for life, but whenever we run into trouble, there's always some suitable solution to fix it," Stark said, adjusting equipment in his lab.

"Perhaps humans are even luckier than you think," Shi Ler said, writing a medical record. Stark looked up at him. Shi Ler asked, "For instance, what's the one thing you most want to do right now?"

Before Stark could speak, Shi Ler said first: "I bet you want to go see the planetary warship that's left only a few remnants after being blasted by a star."

Stark waved his hand. "No scientist could refuse this opportunity. Honestly, I think its wreckage is more valuable than the intact vessel—because once the energy turned all insufficiently sturdy components to ash, I'd finally see the warship's overall structural framework."

"Building a vessel this large, just overcoming gravity alone is nearly impossible. Without a solid structural support, it could never function."

"Many think anti-gravity systems and propulsion are the key parts, but for me, as long as energy is sufficient, those are easy to solve. What's truly plagued me is the most basic structural problem."

"Like your armor?"

Stark raised an eyebrow, surprised at Shi Ler. "You're finally not just good at changing lightbulbs?"

Then he lowered his head, writing as he spoke: "Yes, sometimes I wish I could reshape my own limbs to better fit my armor and unlock more functions."

"Once structure and shape are fixed, arranging the internal layout to maximize efficiency is critical. Even if this warship is as large as a planet, there's far more to fit inside—I desperately want to know what structure it uses to make this possible."

"Too bad, we probably won't be able to go up there for a long time. Even if my armor can resist some radiation, the temperature alone would be lethal."

"That's why I said humans are luckier than you think—what are the odds? Just so happens, there's an Omega-level mutant whose power is to ignore physical laws and reassemble molecules into ice…"

"And even better—he has an excellent model to learn from."

Stark pondered. "Dense ice?"

"Exactly. Yesterday, Banner told me that after his explanation, Iceman has made great progress—he's no longer just freezing the ground under people's feet."

"He can use the principle of water molecule dispersion to instantly cool an entire area—non-toxic, harmless, no side effects, convenient, efficient, sustainable."

Stark rubbed his chin, puzzled. "Since Magneto blew up the star, those mutant students have been working way harder. What's gotten into them? Did they suddenly wake up?"

"Perhaps Magneto showed them that mutants' future isn't limited to Earth," Shi Ler said, closing his medical record and placing it beside him.

Polaris took her hand off her textbook, stood up from her chair, and stretched her stiff shoulders and neck. Shockwave leaned over and asked, "Finished your homework? How'd you get it done so fast?"

"It's physics homework—and it's about electromagnetic induction," Polaris said, extending her hand. Instantly, sparks crackled between her fingers.

She turned her palm over, staring at her hand. "Kinda fun, isn't it?"

"Alright, I get why your sweater's been staticky lately—can't you stay away from wool before playing with electricity?"

Polaris pulled her hand back, glanced at her clothes—a dark gray sweater, its fibers standing on end, making her look like a hedgehog.

At that moment, Iceman walked in holding a phone. Polaris asked him, "You ran off with the phone just now—what's going on? Who called you?"

"I've got a new mission—I need to lead a team to that planetary warship reduced to debris by the star's explosion. Again, it's just another scientific expedition, and I'm just clearing the way."

Hearing this, Polaris's expression hesitated. Shockwave looked at his face. "You're not thinking of going, are you? That's not possible—you're not Magneto, you can't make ice to cool yourself down…"

"Uh, if you want to go, I can take you. Protecting one person or several—it's not much different."

"Polaris, Professor Charles wants you—he has a new mission," Sparkle suddenly appeared beside them. Polaris nodded and left. When she reached Professor Charles's office, he was already waiting.

"Lorna, here's a new topic—consider it extra credit," Charles handed her a stack of files. She flipped through them, puzzled. "... lack hole? We haven't covered this yet."

"That's why it's extra credit. I believe you're capable of completing it—you're a master of magnetism, after all."

Polaris lowered her gaze, glanced at her toes, then said: "I tried yesterday…"

"What did you try?"

"I tried… like he did in class—creating a sun…"

"Did you succeed?"

Polaris shook her head. "No. I had no idea how to ignite that kind of flame. Every time I tried, I collapsed instantly—my energy simply isn't enough to sustain it."

"Honestly, you don't need to fumble around alone. Why not ask your father what technique he used?"

Polaris turned her head, as if unwilling to speak. Charles said: "I know you still resent him for abandoning you and your mother. Wanda and Quicksilver feel the same. Even as Eric's friend, I must admit—he wasn't a good husband or a good father…"

"But recently, a friend gave me a new perspective. If you think of him as a lunatic, he seems almost reasonable. My friend is a psychology professor—he thinks Eric might have Asperger's syndrome."

"What's that?"

"Simply put—inability to perceive others' emotions, social difficulties, rigid behaviors, narrow interests…"

Polaris covered her forehead. "That really does sound like him."

"Doesn't that make him seem a little more tolerable to you?"

Polaris stayed silent for a moment, then said: "What do you think I should… I mean…"

She sighed. "Fine, I admit—his actions that day shocked me. I never imagined magnetism could be this powerful."

"In that case, not killing that red-haired man and his brother was already being kind to them," Polaris added irritably.

"Don't talk like that, Lorna—they're your brother and sister."

"Alright, I'll ask him. But I doubt it'll be any different—whatever I say, he won't listen."

After Polaris left, Charles shook his head, then made another call. Soon, Quicksilver appeared in his office. "Professor, you wanted me?"

"Yes. I need to ask—where's your sister? Last time you said she wasn't on Earth?"

"Oh, she'd been mentally unwell—lots of nightmares. Then one day, she rushed off suddenly—someone must've called her."

Seeing Charles's worried expression, Quicksilver reassured him: "Don't worry, Professor. Wanda's strong. Even if there's danger, she'll make it back."

"Alright, go back now."

The next day, Polaris arrived at her desk holding a Christmas snow globe. She set down her bag and carefully placed the snow globe on the table. Shockwave stared at it. "What's this? Who gave it to you? It's not even Christmas yet."

"Don't worry about it," Polaris said, sitting down and picking up the snow globe.

The snow globe was strange—it contained neither a snowy Christmas cottage nor reindeer figurines, but a tiny, strange black dot.

Shockwave leaned forward, trying to see the black dot clearly. Iceman also looked over curiously. Polaris held up the snow globe, murmuring: "Theoretically, it should work like this…"

At the exact moment she activated her power, Quicksilver sprinted into the classroom at his usual jogging pace. Normally, he'd vanish in an instant—but this time, *thud*—he crashed to the floor, then cried out, "Ow!"

The three students in the front row looked down at him. Polaris stared at the snow globe in her hand, smiling. "Didn't expect black holes could do this."

"That's a black hole?" Shockwave asked in disbelief. Then he suddenly remembered. "Did your father give this to you?"

Polaris didn't answer. She activated her magnetism again. Quicksilver, who had just stood up and tried to run, was yanked back like a dog caught by its tail—legs kicking, unable to move.

Polaris laughed happily. Quicksilver couldn't laugh.

After that, Polaris kept using the tiny black hole Magneto gave her as a research tool, tormenting Quicksilver daily.

She could slightly trigger the black hole's gravity, which would pull Quicksilver to a stop mid-run. She and her brother had always disliked each other; they'd fought several times these past few days, but she always won—Quicksilver had no real offensive abilities beyond his speed.

One day, Polaris once again pinned Quicksilver to the ground with the snow globe. But just as she was about to activate it again, a woman's voice rang out: "Stop."

Instantly, the magnetic field she'd triggered was suppressed. Polaris quickly stabilized the chaotic magnetic field around her, fearing an explosion.

A red-haired woman stepped out of a rift, surrounded by a hazy aura of magical energy. Polaris glanced at her. "Wanda?"

Quicksilver got up, spat out grass, and wiped his mouth. Wanda glared at Polaris—but didn't hold a grudge, knowing that if Polaris had truly wanted to hurt Quicksilver, he wouldn't have just been pinned to the ground.

Wanda patted Quicksilver's shoulder. "Take me to the Sanctum Sanctorum."

"The Sanctum Sanctorum? Where's that?"

"How should I know? But it's definitely somewhere on Earth."

"Wanda, you're back?" Charles rolled his wheelchair onto the playground. Wanda nodded. "Good morning, Professor. Do you know where the Sanctum Sanctorum is?"

"The Sanctum Sanctorum? I heard Strange mention it—somewhere on Wall Street. Why are you going there?"

"Sorry, I'm in a hurry—I'll explain later. Quicksilver, let's go."

Quicksilver picked up Wanda. In an instant, they vanished.

Inside the Sanctum Sanctorum, Strange was reviewing a form when suddenly—a shadow slid past him with a *whoosh*.

Strange spun around—saw nothing. Then turned back—and found a man and woman standing behind him.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Wanda raised her hand to stop him. "Hello. Are you Doctor Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme?"

"I'm Strange—but I'm not the Sorcerer Supreme."

"Alright, then. Listen—there's a demon named Siseon who sent me to the Sanctum Sanctorum to ask you a question…"

g.

"What question?"

"The primordial chaos energy of the universe has been severely depleted lately. Do you have any idea why?"

————Extratext————

Connected.