"I'm not going to the army," Aeron said calmly.
He had originally planned to visit the Evolutionary Association to log his status and opt out of the draft as an evolved human.
But now that he had become a second-level citizen, everything was easier. According to the three official exceptions listed by the Goddess of Wisdom, both evolved individuals and second-level citizens had the right to refuse conscription.
"You're not… going?" his mother, Cara, blinked in confusion. Instead of relief, her expression turned more concerned.
"Are you feeling alright, sweetheart? Should we go to the hospital?" she asked gently.
To her, the idea of refusing mandatory enlistment sounded absurd—conscription wasn't some casual request, it was the Alliance's call to duty. She feared Aeron was overwhelmed and delusional.
"I'm fine," Aeron said, smiling faintly.
Then, without further explanation, he raised his right hand and gestured toward the dining table.
A ceramic bowl resting on the surface instantly crumbled into fine dust without being touched.
Cara gasped audibly. Her eyes widened in disbelief, her heart pounding. She'd seen enhanced strength before, but this… this wasn't something an ordinary person could do.
"Y-You're an… evolved?" she stammered.
With wide eyes, she suddenly spun around and bolted down the hall.
"Scott! Scott, wake up!" she shouted, racing to fetch Aeron's father.
Soon after, Aeron sat at the table, face calm.
His mother, Cara, and father, Scott Aeron, sat opposite him, staring as if meeting their son for the first time. Scott's expression was a mix of shock and awe.
Only a day ago, he'd been tearing his hair out trying to stop the conscription order.
Now, Aeron sat before him, not only calm—but evolved.
"How?" Scott finally asked. "How did this happen?"
Becoming an evolver required intense resources—gene-modification clinics, advanced serums, powerful mentors. And his son had none of those.
"I just woke up and had it," Aeron shrugged casually. "Like it was already inside me."
Of course, he couldn't mention the Gate of Myriad Worlds. That secret belonged to him alone. Not even his family could know.
Scott's eyes lit up. "An awakened-type evolver?"
There were two broad categories of evolvers: engineered and awakened. Engineered evolvers relied on technology or medicine. But awakened-types… were rarer.
They carried dormant genetic traits, often passed down by powerful ancestors, that could randomly activate.
"My family must've had some powerful evolver in the bloodline," Scott said proudly. "That explains it."
Cara rolled her eyes and elbowed him playfully. "Why your side of the family? Maybe he got it from me."
Their laughter filled the room—light and relieved. For the first time in days, they felt safe.
Whatever perks the government had offered for their son's conscription were nothing compared to this. Their son wasn't just safe—he was special.
If Aeron could tap into evolver circles, his future would skyrocket. And so would theirs.
---
Meanwhile — Virtual World, Canglan Star LAN
The Central Concourse buzzed with activity. The only people allowed here were evolved individuals or citizens ranked level two or higher.
Above the crowd stood the monumental Canglan Evolution List, carved into a shimmering obsidian monolith.
Near one edge of the square, a woman in dark glasses addressed a group of young evolvers.
"You're new here, so remember this," she said sharply. "The Canglan Evolution List showcases the top 100 evolutionary paths in our planet's history. These paths are carved into the core of what we know about evolution. They're unshakable. Untouchable."
The young men and women nodded seriously. No one dared to question it.
Satisfied, the woman continued, "Next, I'll walk you through—"
"Sister Ruan," a baby-faced girl in the group interrupted, voice trembling. "Something's wrong. The list—it's changed."
The woman froze. "Don't be ridiculous. The Canglan List hasn't changed in over five hundred years."
Still, curiosity got the better of her. She looked up at the monolith and scanned the hundredth spot.
"Bloodline Path."
Gone.
The previous 99th entry had shifted up a slot. A new name had appeared.
"Martial Evolution Path."
The woman's breath caught. "Someone… someone just forced their way onto the list?"
That alone was enough to send shockwaves through the entire Alliance. Whoever developed this path had displaced a thousand-year legacy.
She whispered to herself, "This changes everything…"
And she was right.
In seconds, the Concourse erupted.
"Did the list just change?! That hasn't happened in centuries!"
"Who's the developer? Dr. Chen? Dean Richter?"
"No clue! And their citizen ID is hidden."
"Does anyone have info on this Martial Path? Can we test it?"
The monolith had just engraved a new path into Canglan history—and no one knew who was responsible.
---
Back on Earth, Aeron's Room
Aeron had no idea that his actions had stirred up a storm in the virtual world. He was calmly browsing the Alliance Marketplace, seeking a solution to a simpler issue—restoring his strength.
Thanks to the Universal Mall, he had access to resources restricted to second-level citizens.
He scrolled past rows of gene serums, bio-implants, and high-tier pharmaceuticals until one item caught his attention:
High-Level Nutrient Solution.
Every spacefaring human explorer carried nutrient solutions—formulas that replenished body energy in extreme environments.
They came in three grades:
Low-Level: One vial could sustain an average human for a month.
Mid-Level: Used by elite soldiers and advanced evolvers.
High-Level: So potent that only monstrous lifeforms or powerful evolvers could safely absorb them.
Ordinary people would explode from the internal energy overload.
Aeron's eyes narrowed.
This was exactly what he needed.
He selected High-Level Nutrient Solution – Grade A, price tag: 800,000 credits.
With his five million bonus and no hesitation, Aeron
pressed [Purchase].
He wasn't done evolving yet.
(End of Chapter 18)
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