Evolution begins with an ant colony

Genreia was still hunched over the cobblestone street, her fingers tracing the fading mana patterns where Akun had suddenly disappeared. Her concentration was intense, and she barely noticed the curious stares of the townspeople as they passed by, murmuring among themselves.

"What's she doing?" a passerby whispered.

"Must be some kind of mage," another replied.
Explore more stories with My Virtual Library Empire

Genreia ignored the chatter, her mind focused solely on the remnants of the magic that had taken Akun away. The energy was faint, but it was unmistakably powerful, tinged with a divine essence that troubled her deeply.

Suddenly, a black portal swirled into existence right before her, its dark energy radiating an ominous aura. Genreia jumped back, startled, her heart skipping a beat. Her hands instinctively ready to cast a spell, ready for whatever might emerge.

But before she could draw her weapons, Akun stepped out of the portal, his form materializing as the dark energy dissipated behind him. He looked calm, almost nonchalant, as if stepping through a portal in the middle of a crowded street was the most natural thing in the world.

The people passing by gasped, their whispers growing louder. "Did you see that?" someone exclaimed. "He just appeared out of thin air!"

"He must be a high-ranking mage," another murmured in awe.

Genreia, still catching her breath, quickly recovered from her shock. She hurried over to Akun, her eyes wide with concern. "Master, are you alright?" she asked, scanning him for any signs of injury or distress.

Akun gazed at her, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I'm fine, Genreia. I just had to do away with some nuisances, that's all."

Genreia frowned slightly, not entirely convinced by his casual tone. But before she could press him further, Akun looked around, his expression growing more serious.

"Where are the others?" he asked, sounding a bit concerned.

"They were worried about you," Genreia explained. "So, they went out to look for you. I stayed behind to analyze the mana traces left behind when you vanished."

Akun's expression softened, a look of guilt crossing his face.

"I'm sorry for making them worry," he said, his tone sincere.

"I guess I should try calling them all back now."

He closed his eyes, focusing his mind. Genreia watched him, her concern still lingering. But then she noticed a small change in his expression—a slight furrowing of his brow, a tightening around his eyes. He seemed to wince, just for a moment.

"Master, what's the matter?" Genreia asked, stepping closer. "You look... strained."

Akun opened his eyes, forcing a reassuring smile. "It's nothing," he said, though his voice sounded like he was in discomfort.

"I'm just trying to reach out to them with telepathy, that's all."

Genreia wasn't entirely convinced. She knew something was off. His usual confidence was there, but it was shadowed by something else—something deeper.

"You sure?" she asked gently. "Because if something's wrong, we need to address it now. The others will understand."

Akun sighed softly, rubbing his temples as if to ease the strange throb in his head.

"It's just... a headache. Nothing more. But I appreciate your concern, Genreia. Really, I'm fine."

Genreia hesitated for a moment before nodding, though her worry didn't dissipate entirely.

"Alright," she said slowly. "But if it gets worse, you have to let me know. No more pretending everything's okay when it's not."

Akun chuckled. "I promise, Genreia. I'll be fine. Just give me a moment, and I'll bring them back."

He closed his eyes again, concentrating harder this time, pushing past the strange throbbing in his head. Genreia stayed close, her eyes never leaving him, ready to support him if he faltered.

Akun's brow furrowed as a strange sense of disorientation suddenly stung him. He spoke, his words coming out as a whisper, almost as if speaking to himself.

"This doesn't make any sense…"

Genreia, standing close by, picked up on the tension in his voice. She tilted her head slightly, she looked more concerned.

"What doesn't make sense, master?"

Akun's face suddenly drained of color, his usual calm demeanor shattered by an emotion Genreia had rarely seen in him—fear. His lips trembled slightly as he stuttered.

"M-my telepathy… I can't connect with them. I can't feel their presence."

Genreia's eyes widened, a chill running down her spine. She had never seen Akun like this, and his words only deepened her unease.

"What is that supposed to mean? Are they… Are they alright?"

Akun didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stood there, frozen, as if trying to find an elusive answer. Suddenly, Kai's voice echoed in his mind, a haunting reminder of the warning he had been given earlier.

The memory hit him like a blow to the chest, making his heart race.

Without hesitation, Akun clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. He gritted his teeth, the muscles in his jaw tightening as he forced out the command, "Activate †Authority† Chronos Ruler."

The moment he uttered the words, a sharp pain seared through his chest, as if someone had driven a dagger straight into his heart.

His body reacted instinctively, his hand clutching at his chest as he fell to his knees, his legs giving out beneath him.

"Master!" Genreia yelled as she rushed to his side. She knelt beside him, one hand reaching out to steady him, the other hovering over his arm, unsure whether to touch him for fear of causing more pain.

"Are you alright?" she asked, her voice filled with panic.

Akun didn't respond immediately. His gaze was fixed on the ground, on the small pool of blood that had dripped from his mouth and splattered onto the cobblestones.

His breathing was labored, and a faint tremor ran through his hands as he stared at the crimson stain spreading beneath him.

"What just…?" he muttered, his voice barely audible. His mind was reeling, trying to comprehend the sudden turn of events. The pain in his chest was unlike anything he had ever felt before—intense, consuming, and utterly disorienting.

†[Notice to the player †Authority† †Chronos-Ruler† cannot be activated due to Sub †Authority† †AD†]†

†[Forced activation could lead to permanent damage to the player's core.]†