A week later.(Monday).Felix and his team rose earlier than their typical routine, commencing their preparations for the meeting that was scheduled for the afternoon.In order to be perceived as sincere, Felix and his team had to arrive at the presidential palace at least an hour prior to the scheduled meeting time. This, coupled with the fact that the palace was quite a distance away from their hotel, meant that they had to leave early."Since everyone is present, let's proceed," Felix announced upon sighting the final person who would be accompanying them.Subsequently, they departed from the hotel to where the car was waiting to transport them to the palace.Throughout the journey, they rehearsed their bullet points for the 457th time, striving to ensure that nothing went even slightly amiss.After a three-hour car ride, they finally arrived at the gate of the presidential palace, where they were stopped.Their cars came to a halt as heavily armed guards approached.After the stop,
On the same Monday,After spending the majority of the week on the road, Aron had successfully gathered all the necessary brain data from individuals on his list located in the United Kingdom. His exhaustive efforts have finally come to fruition.Subsequently, Aron proceeded to the Icon Hotel where he had only stayed for about 4 hours but only used their rental car services to check out before heading to the airport for his next destination.Upon departing from the presidential suite at the Icon Hotel, Aron generously rewarded his driver with a tip of 20,000 dollars for chauffeuring him across the entire country throughout the week.Afterwards, he boarded the private jet that was waiting for him to travel from London to Paris, and then utilized a combination of trains and car rentals to travel to the location of CERN. This was necessary as many of the individuals on his list were located there, and he needed to collect their brain data.However, Aron didn't just head straight to CERN,
"A bird who lost her wings?" Rina repeated Hebel's statement in a questioning tone, as if she wasn't quite sure what Hebel meant despite knowing what he meant."What else should I call you?" he jeered, "A jobless bum? A has-been? A washed-up failure?" Hebel continued to list off insults to berate Rina, relishing the opportunity to finally express his true feelings towards her and taking pleasure in doing it. Despite Hebel's continued verbal assault, Rina simply picked up the tablet she had brought and opened it, paying no heed to his insults.Afterward, she opened a picture on the tablet and slid it towards Hebel, who was still in the midst of his verbal onslaught. The sudden movement caught his attention, causing him to pause and take a look at what was on the screen.As Hebel picked up the tablet, his eyes widened in shock as he saw the image displayed on the screen. In an instant, all the pleasure and satisfaction he had been feeling just moments before vanished, replaced by a sud
The realization made Hebel even more fearful of Rina than he already was. It meant that Rina likely had even more evidence against him than what she had already shown, and based on his actions, cuckoldry might be the least of his problems if his assumption was true.'I shouldn't attempt to go against her unless I am confident that I can escape unharmed,' Hebel realized. However, to him this seemed like an impossible task since Rina could have a backup plan in which, if he failed to stop its release, it would send all of the information to anyone she deemed powerful enough to use it against him as leverage or even the family head for worse.Hebel's assumption was correct, but he was wrong about where the backup data was stored. Once Ava finished decrypting the data, she immediately sent it to her mother. She had finally found a way to send a large amount of data without raising suspicion by initiating it on the day when the private network was due for an update. This ensured that no
Inside the simulated universe.Aron quickly turned to Nova and asked for her opinion on how to handle the dictator's demand, saying, "What do you suggest?"{I don't see any difference in agreeing to the condition or not doing so,} Nova said nonchalantly as she materialized chairs and a table for them to sit on during the remainder of their conversation."What do you mean?" Aron asked curiously as he sat on one of the chairs that Nova had materialized for them.{How long do you think it will take to buy and combine the companies into a unified operation?} Nova asked, as she conjured a tea pot and cups, poured tea into them, and pushed one towards Aron to drink."About three months at the earliest," Aron answered after taking a sip of the delicious tea.Nova took a sip of the tea before asking, {After the completion of the company acquisitions, how long do you think it will take for the revolution to be complete?}Aron quickly responded, "The earliest would be six months and the latest
Thursday.Felix had made a conscious decision to postpone taking action until the deadline set by the dictator had nearly expired and only one day remained to make contact with them."Hello, Your Excellency," Felix greeted as soon as he was informed that the phone was in Adolf's possession."Did you call to inform me that you've accepted my offer?" Adolf cut to the chase, not interested in small talk and wanting to make the most of his time."Yes, after discussing the matter, the headquarter decided to accept your proposal," Felix stated."Good. Then come tomorrow with the contract so we can sign it," Adolf said, his voice filled with a hint of excitement and joy."But the main headquarters has given us some conditions that need to be included in the contract for agreeing to your terms, Your Highness," Felix said, waiting for Adolf's excited voice to subside before adding his own input."What are the conditions? Go ahead and state them," Adolf said, but this time his tone held no hint
A week later, Friday.Rina had finally finished collecting the oath of loyalty from all the board members, if you don't count her brother and the board chairman who she didn't try to make him swear his allegiance to her as he was the family head and her father.Another reason was because no matter how she threatened him nothing will come out of it as he usually doesn't interfere with the competition between the family member for the next family head as he considered it the way to weed out the weak competitors for the next family head so nothing good will come from antagonizing him.Following the completion in turning all the board members loyal to her, he contacted each member individually and gave them instructions on what to do in the upcoming board meeting.She wasn't going for anything groundbreaking like firing her brother or something, as that would raise suspicion in her brother's mind that she had all the board members on her side due to him having heard about her visit to al
"They accepted our offer, and it appears that the dictator's words were the decisive factor in their swift agreement." Felix relayed the news to Aron."Has he asked about his $20 million remuneration?" Aron inquired while he was at Professor Janusz A. Zajdel's residence, where he was collecting professor's brain data, while conversing with Felix."He didn't directly state it, but he insinuated it, and in response, I assured him that I would transfer the money to whichever bank account he preferred," replied Felix."Once he provides you with the account number, forward it to me so that I can promptly initiate the transfer, as we wish to avoid any misunderstandings" instructed Aron."Sure.""Now that we have completed Phase One of the plan, let us immediately start with the consolidation of the company without delay," Aron said."Of course. When will you be sending us the details for Phase Two?" inquired Felix."I just sent it to you now, read it and call me back if you have any questio
Once the first handover process was concluded, the AI referee materialized a holographic screen at the center of the room. The screen flickered to life, displaying footage of Aron in the midst of his negotiation with Liasas. Without preamble, the recording began to play.“...is to remain outside the Conclave as independent allies, while also establishing a free trade agreement with no tariffs or blockades imposed against us,” Aron’s voice echoed through the room.The representatives of the civilizations seated around the semicircle exchanged glances, some raising their brows in surprise or mild dismay. During the negotiation period, they had been so confident in their victory that they hadn’t paid much attention to what Aron’s side was proposing. Now, they realized their oversight had come back to haunt them.Still, their expressions suggested that the terms, while inconvenient, were not catastrophic. For the Terran Empire to exploit the free trade and tariff clauses effectively, it w
Aron, now aboard his mothership stationed at the third layer of defense, resumed his work after using the brief journey from the Colosseum to his current location to rest. Though the battle was over, his vigilance remained unwavering, mirroring the military's continued state of heightened readiness. However, this was only part of his reasoning. The primary factor keeping him from returning to Earth was the crucial obligations awaiting him next week.He would soon oversee the receipt of the promised rewards and engage in vital discussions with representatives from the visiting civilizations. Returning to Earth, even momentarily, would only disrupt his tightly packed schedule. Given that all his tasks could be executed efficiently from his current position, Aron saw no practical advantage in leaving. With his characteristic pragmatism, he directed his focus back to the array of responsibilities demanding his attention, ensuring every detail was handled meticulously in preparation for th
Following the triumphant conclusion of their first official war against interstellar civilizations, the imperial government declared a one-week holiday across the empire to mark the historic victory. To further enhance the celebratory atmosphere, the imperial family announced a fifty-percent discount on selected essential products, with the family personally covering the remainder of the cost to ensure accessibility for all citizens.Additionally, the government made all subsidized utilities—electricity, water, and gas—entirely free for an entire month, offering tangible benefits to every household and amplifying the sense of collective celebration.In a gesture of goodwill, individuals serving minor prison sentences for petty crimes, deemed to have genuinely repented, were pardoned. Similarly, fines for minor offenses were forgiven, encouraging as many citizens as possible to join the festivities without lingering burdens.The celebratory spirit quickly spread throughout the empire,
Seraphina's lips curved into a wide, triumphant smile, one she made no effort to conceal. She had finally gotten what she wanted—a chance at regaining her freedom.“You’re finally speaking my language,” she said, her voice carrying a note of satisfaction as she accepted his challenge without hesitation, not even pausing to consider the implications.However, Aron quickly tempered her enthusiasm. “But not now. There are preparations to be made—measures that will allow both of us to fight at full strength without worrying about outsiders seeing or hearing the aftermath,” he explained.Her smile vanished instantly, replaced by a scowl of irritation. The delay was an unwelcome turn of events, as it meant her opportunity to secure freedom would be postponed.“Are you stalling for time? Do you take me for a fool?” she snapped, her voice sharp with suspicion. “You realize a fight between us will unleash massive amounts of energy, visible from vast distances. How exactly do you intend to keep
Seraphina, who was on the verge of lashing out, restrained herself, her sharp gaze fixed on Aron. His blasphemous words—spoken without hesitation—were an affront to her, a princess of the very civilization he spoke of conquering.Despite her exile by the Grand Xor’Vak, her loyalty to her civilization had not diminished. She still had her faction—loyal followers who supported her in her ambition to one day challenge the Grand Xor’Vak for leadership. Her pride in her heritage and people remained unshaken, and hearing Aron speak of taking over her civilization as if it were some trivial task stung deeply.But Seraphina held her composure. The promise she had made to Aron—that she would hear him out—echoed in her mind. Her civilization’s culture valued keeping one’s word, seeing it as a testament to strength. Breaking her promise, even in the face of such provocative statements, would be a stain on her pride and character.So, she swallowed her immediate anger, the fires of indignation si
As Seraphina's gaze remained fixed on the ever-shrinking cube of spatial energy enclosing her, her mind raced to find a way out. Each potential solution she considered was swiftly dismissed, as the very nature of the spatial mana neutralized most forms of intervention. Any attack powerful enough to breach the shield would inevitably trigger a reaction within the enclosed space, one that she could not escape in time.Her immunity to attacks powered by her own energy was an advantage, but it had its limits. The consequences of her own strikes—shockwaves, residual energy, and other aftereffects—were not covered by that immunity. If she unleashed an attack strong enough to escape, the ensuing chaos within the confined space could inflict devastating harm upon her. The risk was unacceptable, as the damage would leave her vulnerable to Aron, who was unlikely to miss the opportunity to exploit her weakened state.For the first time in her life, Seraphina found herself cornered—not by raw str
“Seraphina,” Aron began, his voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of authority, “I’m not your enemy—unless you choose to make me one. I understand your anger, your frustration. You’ve lost control of a situation you believed was firmly under your command. But this predicament wasn’t my doing—you’re here because your leader chose to sacrifice you. What I’m offering you isn’t a chain—it’s an opportunity.”Her sharp eyes narrowed, the intensity of her gaze unwavering, but she held her silence. Aron leaned forward, his own gaze unrelenting as it met hers.“You can continue resisting, pushing the boundaries of the mana oath, and enduring needless pain. Or…” He paused, letting the words linger like a challenge. “You can choose to turn this situation into one that serves us both. Your strength, your insight—these are not things I wish to suppress. Quite the opposite. I want them refined, amplified, and put to meaningful use.”He motioned toward the table, where Nova was still doing fina
[Colosseum]Aron and Seraphina stood motionless, maintaining the same distance as at the start of their faceoff. Neither had moved, even during the spectacular fireworks show that followed Aron’s acceptance of her surrender. The only exception was Aron briefly waving to the citizens of his empire watching the broadcast, many of whom were overcome with emotion, crying in celebration of their historic victory. This event marked the first-ever interstellar combat they had participated in, and despite their lack of experience, they emerged as the sole victors.As cheers of triumph reverberated among his people and the disbelief of others lingered, the broadcast concluded. The moment Aron secured his final victory, the Arena itself was officially handed over to him as part of his reward, along with control of the AI referee. Without hesitation, the AI complied with her new owner’s first command: to end the broadcast. Aron had more pressing matters to attend to—a private conversation with a
[Meeting Room]Inside the Zelvora mental network, an oppressive silence hung over the gathered representatives around the meeting table. The events of the day had left them all stunned, their minds racing with the implications of what had transpired. These were not just any representatives—they were the ones who had signed off on the agreements, the architects of their civilizations’ participation in this contest.Now, they were confronted with the brutal outcome of their decisions.Many representatives sat deep in thought, their faces betraying various degrees of fear, frustration, and resignation. Those who hailed from civilizations steeped in selfish political traditions knew all too well the grim truth: scapegoats would be needed. Someone would have to bear the brunt of the blame for the humiliation, anger, and setbacks their civilizations had suffered.For many of them, the path forward seemed bleak. In the best-case scenario, they might lose their positions, exiled from the corr