Chapter 1091 Father and Son (Twenty) (Patreon)

In DC World With Marvel Chat Group : Table of Content/Chapter List

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"You might think I'm flattering you. Throughout your life, you've likely encountered many insincere compliments."

"But consider, what sets me apart from them? What do I gain by spending so much time praising you?"

Before Schiller finished his question, Magneto's expression indicated he was lost in thought.

After Schiller spoke, his initial reaction was disbelief. It sounded too much like flattery, and moreover, it felt like insincere flattery that missed the mark, with a touch of irony.

Since gaining fame, Magneto had encountered people seeking his favor, flattering him with smiles and compliments. However, their praise mainly focused on Magneto's immense power, which was the safest angle for compliments.

These people had done their homework before meeting Magneto; they understood that praising his temperament and character would sound like mockery. Everyone knew Magneto had a bad temper and was a terrorist. So, complimenting his character would seem suicidal.

Thus, it was almost the first time Magneto heard someone genuinely appreciate his charisma. Initially, he found it hard to believe.

Even before Schiller could finish his question, Magneto's analytical approach shifted from intuition to rational thinking. He was naturally more rational, preferring logical judgment in any situation.

But logically, this situation was odd.

Schiller had no need to praise him. Schiller wouldn't gain any additional interest from flattery. Of course, Schiller might want to leverage Magneto's power again, but Magneto knew that if Schiller employed the same method as before, offering benefits to the Brotherhood of Mutants and mutants as a whole to hire Magneto, it would be more efficient and dignified.

For someone as powerful as Magneto, gaining social advantage wasn't necessary.

Schiller clearly belonged to this category. He could manipulate everyone to follow his plan without needing to ingratiate himself. Yet, he still praised Magneto.

Though Magneto was inclined not to believe, he was beginning to waver. At that moment, Schiller continued:

"I understand. You don't believe I'm genuinely praising you. But have you ever considered why you find it hard to believe others' compliments? Is that a natural human trait?"

Magneto hadn't come to an answer yet when Schiller continued, "Of course not. Humans typically feel happy with praise. It's natural. Some might lack self-confidence, thinking praise is insincere, but I don't think you're that type. You have absolute confidence in your abilities, or else you wouldn't have such strong control."

Magneto paused his tapping on the cup's rim. Though he didn't reply, he knew Schiller spoke the truth.

Mutants' control over their abilities was sometimes psychological. The more confident they were, the better they could control their powers. And Magneto was a prime example.

Magneto was never insecure; in fact, he was so confident he believed he could control everything.

Yet, even for such a confident, almost arrogant person, his initial reaction to others' praise was disbelief, indicating there were underlying issues.

"Of course, you might suspect my ulterior motives. Such a reaction could stem from your suspicions."

"But your reason tells you, if I wanted to gain interest from you, I wouldn't need to praise you. I have quicker, more efficient methods."

"After your rational conclusion, why do you still resist believing my genuine praise?"

Schiller's successive questions left Magneto with little time to ponder whether he had lost control of the conversation.

Each question hit him personally, and he felt puzzled himself, unaware he was following Schiller's line of thought.

When Magneto realized neither personality nor rational judgment could explain his resistance, he began to ponder why he doubted Schiller's sincerity.

A person inclined towards logic and reason, always seeking precise answers, Magneto was the same. If there was a missing link, he would repeatedly contemplate it, disregarding everything else.

At this point, Schiller interjected, "Perhaps the answer is simpler than you imagine. Could it be just 'herd mentality'?"

"Herd mentality…" Magneto repeated the phrase softly, yet he hadn't grasped its essence.

Schiller timely explained, "When everyone around says 'no,' individuals tend to lean towards 'no' as well. When people around criticize something, even if you haven't experienced it firsthand, you're more likely to have a negative opinion."

"It's not a weakness of human nature; it's a byproduct of the ongoing self-domestication since the establishment of society, forming collective consciousness."

"People dislike standing out from the crowd not because they lack individuality, but because their instinctual judgment suggests that where the majority goes, the risk is lower."

"In your case, aside from me, very few people have genuinely praised you. My viewpoint contradicts the majority's, and you've already accepted the majority's viewpoint. So, when I raise objections, your first reaction is rejection."

"It's not because you're insecure or suspicious, but because you've aligned with the majority."

Magneto's expression stiffened momentarily. It was the first time someone had said he aligned with the majority. Then, he smirked coldly, "…That's not a funny joke."

"Do you consider yourself someone who breaks conventions and doesn't flow with ordinary people?" Schiller asked again.

Though Magneto remained silent, his eye contact said it all.

If Magneto were someone adept at blending into society, he wouldn't be alone in the Andromeda Galaxy right now.

Just as Magneto was about to reach this realization, he discovered that Schiller had laid out a complex trap, setting up a dilemma for him.

If he admitted to being an unlikeable person unworthy of genuine praise, it would mean aligning with the majority, and Magneto despised ordinary people more than anything. He would rather die than conform to their ways.

On the other hand, if he embraced the opposite view, believing himself worthy of praise, it would align with Schiller's perspective. In that case, he would have to accept Schiller's compliments as genuine, acknowledging that they came from the heart, not from self-interest.

Magneto had never truly accepted anyone's praise, nor had he acknowledged anyone's goodwill.

Whichever path Magneto chose, he would have to take a step he had never taken before.

As Magneto looked into Schiller's eyes, he squinted slightly and spoke in a somewhat peculiar tone, "Looks like you've done this before, doctor."

However, to Magneto's surprise, Schiller didn't maintain the intense gaze as before, pressuring him for an answer. Instead, he picked up his own cup of water and took a sip before saying:

"Erik, the tea has cooled. You should drink it."

Magneto paid no attention to the cup; his eyes remained fixed on Schiller because Schiller's response was unexpected.

What Schiller said amounted to dismantling the trap himself, giving Magneto a way out, a chance to change the subject, rather than forcing him into the earlier dilemma.

What puzzled Magneto was that Schiller did this intentionally, offering Magneto an escape route instead of pressing him with the carefully laid verbal trap to force a decision.

This made Magneto even more curious about Schiller's intentions. Why, at the moment when the knife was at his throat, did Schiller retract?

Suddenly, Magneto realized something. When he had held the cup to Schiller's forehead, Schiller hadn't reacted.

Magneto didn't think Schiller lacked the ability to elegantly defuse the situation. Yet, Schiller had done nothing, waiting calmly until the still waters signaled to him to proceed cautiously.

Furthermore, Magneto noted that since Schiller entered the room, he hadn't placed anything he was carrying on any surface other than the floor. This action clearly restrained natural social instincts.

A question started swirling in Magneto's mind: Schiller had no need to act this way. So, why had he done it? 

Why would Schiller, facing a terrorist, behave so politely?

If this was just Schiller's nature, then he was both noble and terrifying. If it was a special treatment for Magneto, then what had he done to deserve it?

Did Schiller truly hold a different view of Magneto than ordinary people? Did he not find Magneto repulsive and unapproachable?

Did Schiller genuinely believe that investing extra effort to express goodwill would yield returns?

Magneto sighed deeply. No one had ever heard Magneto sigh before; he was always aloof, serious, and imposing.

As Schiller lifted the tea cup and took a sip, the tea was no longer slightly bitter from cooling down; instead, it had been heated to the perfect temperature.

As the steam rose and the aroma filled the room, Schiller gently raised the tea cup towards Magneto.

He seemed to have prepared some words to say, but when he spoke, he lowered his head, and with restraint, he said:

"Just because you enjoy old wine doesn't mean you don't like new tea, right?"

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

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Next Chapter>>Chapter 1092: Father and Son (Twenty-One)