Chapter X: The Threshold of Power
Sitting cross-legged in his room, Orion closed his eyes and willed his consciousness into the depths of the Nameless Abyss.
A holographic status screen materialized before him, displaying the current state of his civilization.
> Core Civilization: Nameless Abyss (4-Star Civilization)
Population: 1,037,282
Pre-Evolvers: 802,000
Evolvers (Low): 178,000
Evolvers (Mid): 48,000
Evolvers (Peak): 9,200
A massive shift had occurred over 80,000 years.
The Seven Abyssal Empires had grown exponentially, yet only 9,200 had reached the peak of Evolver, an expected bottleneck. The vast majority remained at the Pre-Evolver stage, indicating the slow refinement of genetic potential.
"Once I break through, the civilization will follow."
Orion had spent years amassing abyssal energy, absorbing the remnants of devoured civilizations, refining them within his inner world. Now, it was time to advance.
---
Before his breakthrough, Orion decided to spend time with his parents and sister.
Descending the stairs, he found his mother, Elaine Graves, adjusting the holo-table settings for dinner. Across from her, his father, Reed Graves, scanned his Neural Comms Pad, likely reading current research on gene evolution.
His 12-year-old sister, Celia, was immersed in an interactive AI tutor, preparing for her upcoming Awakening Ceremony.
"A normal evening." Orion thought with a small smile.
As he took his seat, his mother glanced up.
"You've barely spoken today, Orion. Thinking about resumption?"
He nodded. "I leave for Genetic Academy tomorrow."
His father exhaled. "It's still unbelievable. The Academy only allows students from ages 12 to 15. You've already missed three years due to your late awakening. Now, you're going as a final-year student."
Elaine sighed. "We were worried… You showed no signs of awakening. We even considered buying you a Late Awakening Potion, but with your sudden acceptance, I guess the AllMother had a different plan for you."
Celia, hearing this, grinned. "Brother doesn't need a potion! I bet he'll be stronger than the seniors already."
Orion chuckled. "We'll see."
They continued eating, discussing the latest genetic advancements, new planetary discoveries, and Celia's excitement for her Awakening Ceremony next month.
For a moment, Orion felt genuine warmth.
"I was taken from them once. I won't let it happen again."
After dinner, he excused himself and returned to his room.
---
Sitting in the center of his darkened room, Orion's breathing steadied. The air vibrated as abyssal energy converged within his body.
A silent pulse emanated from him, shaking the furniture.
Inside his inner world, the Nameless Abyss responded.
The Seven Abyssal Empires trembled as abyssal storms gathered in the sky.
Within their cities, the Abyssborn fell to their knees, sensing their Creator's ascension.
In the highest towers, the Twelve Abyssal Elders watched in silence.
Orion's evolution had begun.
---
Stage 1: Breaking the Evolver Limit
Orion's body compressed as vast energy surged through his veins, refining his genetic structure. His Core Civilization pulsed, reshaping itself to keep pace with his ascension.
> Host Evolution: Evolver → Post-Evolver
Status: Mid-Stage → Peak-Stage
Core Civilization Resonance: 93% → 100%
His cells reorganized, unlocking latent genetic traits hidden within his abyssal physique.
His spiritual presence expanded, fusing deeper into the Nameless Abyss.
His blood turned darker, an indication of his deepening abyssal nature.
> Evolution Complete – Post-Evolver Peak Achieved.
His breath steadied, and the abyssal energy around him settled.
However, something unexpected occurred.
---
Stage 2: The Nameless Abyss Evolves
> Core Civilization: Nameless Abyss (4-Star) → (4-Star Peak)
Abyssal Density: Increased.
Void Integration: 76% → 91%.
The entire Nameless Abyss trembled as abyssal storms ravaged the skies. The Seven Empires experienced a surge in energy, their peak Evolvers sensing newfound strength.
Within the highest chamber, the Abyssal Council convened.
Varak, Lord of the Nether Dominion, clenched his fists. "Our god grows stronger."
Eldryn, Voidweaver of the Umbral Dynasty, smirked. "And so does our civilization."
Deep in the Dreadshade Collective's laboratories, abyssal scientists recorded anomalies in their genetic structures, noting increased evolution rates.
In the Abyssfang Horde, savage roars filled the air as beasts mutated, their forms adapting to a new tier of strength.
The Nameless Abyss had taken another step toward dominance.
---
Orion Opened His Eyes
A deep abyssal glow flickered in his pupils as he felt his enhanced body.
His status screen updated.
> Orion Graves
Power Level: Post-Evolver (Peak)
Core Civilization: Nameless Abyss (4-Star Peak)
Physique: Abyssborn Anomaly
Abilities Unlocked: [To be explored]
The room around him felt smaller, his presence heavier.
The next step was clear.
"Genetic Academy awaits."
---
Chapter XX: Arrival at the Academy
The Agent's Arrival
The morning air was crisp as Orion stood outside his family's apartment, a single hover-car descending from the sky. Its sleek black exterior bore the symbol of the Genetic Academy, a golden DNA helix wrapped around a planetary sphere.
The car hovered just above the ground as the side door slid open, revealing a tall, uniformed agent in dark blue attire, his face hidden behind a black visor.
"Orion Graves?" The agent's voice was clipped, efficient.
Orion nodded.
"Board the vehicle. We depart immediately."
He turned to his parents and Celia, who had come to see him off. His mother's eyes shone with worry, while his father offered a firm nod.
"Do well, son," Reed said. "You'll be stronger for this."
Celia grinned. "Come back as a Rank 1 powerhouse, okay?"
Orion smirked. "I'll see what I can do."
With a final nod, he stepped into the car. The door sealed behind him, and the vehicle shot into the sky.
---
Inside, the hover-car's interior was silent and sleek, with dim lighting and a soft hum of advanced technology. The seats adjusted automatically to his form, scanning his vitals.
"Comfortable."
The agent remained silent in the front, piloting. Orion leaned back, checking his status screen, reviewing the academy's details—
Then, suddenly—
A wave of dizziness struck.
His vision blurred. His body grew heavy.
"What—?"
His mind spiraled into darkness before he could resist.
---
When Orion's eyes opened, he found himself in an elegant room, with soft white walls, ambient blue lighting, and a massive floor-to-ceiling window showcasing a breathtaking view of the Academy's cityscape.
The bed beneath him adjusted to his movement, scanning his vitals.
A small beep sounded.
"Welcome, Orion Graves," a synthetic female voice greeted.
He turned. A sleek, humanoid robot, covered in polished silver plating, stood beside the room's entrance. Its holographic eyes blinked, displaying scrolling data.
"You have been transported to the Genetic Academy, where you will reside for your final year. This room has been assigned as your living quarters."
Orion blinked, trying to shake off the haze.
"They put me to sleep? Why?"
"You are required to report to the Academy Principal immediately," the robot continued. "Your schedule and Academy map have been uploaded to your status screen."
A faint holographic notification appeared before him.
> New Data Received: Academy Map & Student Schedule
"Great." Orion exhaled, rising from the bed.
As he moved toward the exit, the door slid open automatically, leading him into a pristine hallway.
Time to meet the principal.
---
Following the map on his status screen, Orion walked through the massive campus.
The Genetic Academy was an entire city, with floating buildings, towering skyscrapers, AI-controlled hover-trains, and students of all backgrounds training across specialized zones.
It was a place where raw talent was forged into warriors.
Reaching the Central Tower, he entered the principal's office.
Inside, a massive holographic sphere displayed a rotating model of the entire Academy, surrounded by shifting data streams.
Behind an imposing black desk, an older man with silver-streaked hair and a cybernetic left eye studied Orion. His presence was immense, a weight pressing down on the room.
"Orion Graves," the principal said, his deep voice measured. "You've arrived."
Orion straightened. "Sir."
The principal leaned forward, analyzing him. "You're a Late Awakener, yet you're being placed directly in the final year. That means two things—"
"One: You are given a privilege.
Two: You are expected to prove your worth."
He slid a holographic data pad toward Orion.
"Your class schedule. You have one month to familiarize yourself with the Academy's systems, training methods, and courses."
Orion glanced at the schedule:
> Final-Year Curriculum – Genetic Academy
1. Genetic Combat & Evolutionary Techniques
2. Core Civilization Development & World Laws
3. Tactical Warfare & Battle Simulations
4. Interstellar Civilization Studies
5. Final-Year Assessment – Theoretical & Practical
The principal's eyes sharpened. "The Final-Year Assessment will determine your standing. Fail, and you will be overlooked. Excel, and doors will open for you."
Orion nodded. "Understood."
The principal leaned back. "Good. Then welcome to the Genetic Academy."
A faint smile crossed his lips.
"Survive, and you might just become someone who shapes the future."
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