Earth's Greatest Magus

2275  Meeting

On this particular day, Emery left the Academy Hall with two of his acolytes, Blaine and Bellana. Their planned visit to the insectoid queen's world unexpectedly turned into a meeting at a high-end dining establishment in Utopia City.

The moment Emery stepped inside, it became evident that the entire venue had been reserved. There were no other customers, just Emery and a group of insectoids. The atmosphere was tense, with a dozen intimidating magus scattered around, each displaying distinct insectoid features, such as various types of antennae sprouting from their foreheads.

"The queen has been waiting upstairs," one of the magus stated coldly, blocking Blaine and Bellana from following.

Emery, unfazed, confidently ascended the ladder to the upper floor. As he stepped into the room, he was greeted by the sight of a woman with skin as white as snow. Her aura was undeniable—she was a grand magus, radiating a majestic presence. Two other female magus stood behind her, their expressions solemn, enhancing the tense atmosphere.

"Welcome, Master Emery," the queen greeted with a warm, almost disarming smile.

This was more than Emery had expected. The insectoid half-bloods were notorious for their rough and often uncivilized demeanor, so this friendly reception was a pleasant surprise.

Emery responded with a polite nod, offering a small bow before taking a seat across the table from her. The two magus who had been standing behind the queen moved forward, not to intimidate, but rather to serve. They poured drinks with the practiced grace of attendants, their insectoid features contrasting sharply with their refined actions.

"I am Queen Phyllis of the Fifth Colony," she introduced herself, "I am also the birthgiver to both Blaine and Bellana… I am their mother."

Before the meeting, Emery had taken the time to familiarize himself with the intricate details of insectoid half-bloods. He knew that only queen insects could give birth to offspring, often resulting in hundreds of siblings from various mates. It wasn't unusual for siblings to exhibit different insectoid traits, like Blaine's ant-like characteristics and Bellana's worm-like features.

As the conversation began, Queen Phyllis initiated a casual chat, discussing the lives of insectoid half-bloods and inquiring about the academy. However, Emery, with his divine sense, quickly discerned that these seemingly innocuous topics were part of the queen's subtle strategy. She was carefully gauging his truthfulness while subtly releasing her natural pheromones to create a more pleasant and positive atmosphere, aiming to influence Emery's perception of her.

Despite her attempts, Emery's superb mental defenses and natural resistance to most poisons rendered the queen's subtle manipulations ineffective. Nonetheless, he remained courteous, maintaining a respectful demeanor toward Queen Phyllis.

Sensing that her attempts to influence him had failed, the queen gave a deep, knowing smile and remarked, "You are indeed worthy of your reputation."

"Thank you," Emery replied, "but I feel bad that I know so little about yours."

This response was carefully crafted to signal his intent to foster a more amicable relationship with the insectoid half-bloods, a gesture that seemed to resonate with the queen, who returned a sincere smile.

However, her next words carried a weighty undertone. "If you knew the truth about us… you might change your opinion."

The queen's statement was rooted in a harsh reality. Despite having the largest population among the ten half-blood races, the Insectoid half-bloods were plagued by an equally staggering death rate.

Multiple conflicts between their countless colonies had led to bitter rivalries and wars that decimated their numbers. Disease, both natural and engineered, ravaged their communities, and there were countless mysterious reports of disappearances and calamities—incidents deliberately concealed from the outside world.

Emery was well aware of these grim truths. Yet, he had no intention of backing out. "I believe there are still many things we can achieve together," Emery said, his voice steady and filled with purpose.

The queen watched him closely, her expression unreadable, as if searching for any sign of doubt or hesitation. Emery, however, met her gaze with unwavering confidence. The queen's eyes softened, and a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of her lips, her demeanor shifting from guarded to intrigued. "Then let us explore these possibilities" she replied, her voice carrying a note of cautious optimism. Without further pretense, the queen began asking more pointed questions, zeroing in on Emery's intentions. She inquired about his plans to conduct experiments on Blaine, revealing her awareness of Emery's new gene facility and even the secretive Supreme Gene Project.

Her gaze grew more intense as she asked directly, "Is it your intention to make my child a part of your experiments? Your lab bugs?"

Emery, maintaining his calm demeanor, addressed the queen's concerns with a straightforward denial. He emphasized that if he had any intention of using Blaine and Bellana for experiments, he would not have sought her permission in the first place. "They've been under my care for a year," he explained. "If I had such intentions, I could have acted without anyone knowing."

However, the queen's expression remained skeptical. To convey his sincerity, Emery shared a personal story, revealing that his own daughter and her mother had once been victims of gene experiments. He explained how this painful experience had shaped his understanding and deepened his empathy for others facing similar threats.

The queen listened intently, her demeanor softening slightly, but her response was unexpected. She chuckled softly, a sound that carried both amusement and a hint of something else. "Master Emery," she said with a knowing smile, "you are more human than I thought..."

Emery was taken aback by the queen's unexpected willingness to let him conduct research on her children, even if it meant taking risks with their safety.

Her conditions, however, were what truly caught his attention. "If the research is successful," she stated, "we would like our share of interest from the results. And if it contributes to your Supreme Gene Project, we wish to be actively informed as well."

Emery paused, considering her words carefully. It was indeed a fair request, but one that carried significant implications. The involvement of the Insectoid half-bloods in the Supreme Gene Project could complicate matters, especially since the project was under the jurisdiction of the Serpent Clan. He would need their approval before proceeding.

Just as Emery was about to respond, the queen added, "There is one more thing we desire." Her tone was calm, yet there was a clear undertone of determination.

"Please, do share," Emery replied.

With a smile, the queen revealed her request. "We... wish for you to accept more of our young acolytes into your hall... let's agree on, ...twenty more."

What do you think?

Avan

Creator's Thought