Chapter 10: Setting Up The Chamber

Chapter 10: Setting Up The Chamber Rodion's voice chimed softly through his earpiece. Mikhailis chuckled in response, brushing a hand through his tousled hair. "Rodion, we're not in Ruslania anymore. You don't need to call me 'Your Highness' here. Just call me Mikhailis. It feels to uptight," Rodion replied, though there was a brief pause before it continued. This guy, I didn't told him where we are, but he's been hearing and watching through this glasses, so I guess he already had his own conclusion? "Nah, we're in a fantasy world now, buddy. Loosen up." Mikhailis grinned as he set up a few of the solar panels against the far wall near the windows. "Besides, we've got bigger things to worry about than royal titles. Like figuring out how to survive without Wi-Fi." Rodion replied, though Mikhailis could detect the faintest hint of disapproval in the AI's otherwise monotone voice. Mikhailis paused for a moment, considering the point. "Fair enough. But let's not make a big deal out of it unless we have to." He turned toward the Chimera Ant's enclosure, walking slowly toward it. It's the fascinating creature that he failed to perfectly admire back in earth as he suddenly got summoned to this place. It moved with an odd precision, its many legs tapping lightly against the glass as it explored its environment. The wings, delicate yet metallic, shimmered faintly as it shifted its body. Before, Mikhailis secretly brought some leaves from a plant that he didn't recognize at the hall but became a decoration. The ant had already started evolving, absorbing the essence of the few magical plant's leaves Mikhailis had fed it earlier. Its size had increased slightly, and there was a faint glow to its body now, as if it was radiating the magic it had consumed. He bent down to examine it more closely, his glasses displaying a stream of data on its current state. "Rodion, give me an update on the Chimera Ant's progress." Mikhailis smiled. He could feel his excitement bubbling. This is the moment that he has been waiting for years! After years of research, finally! "Amazing. It's evolving even faster than I thought." He tapped the glass gently with a finger, watching as the Chimera Ant turned its head toward him, its many eyes reflecting his image back at him. "This guy... I have the feeling it's going to be incredible once it's fully grown." But a thought nagged at the back of his mind. The ant's growth was exciting, that's a fact for him, but it also posed a potential danger. He knew how unpredictable these creatures could be, especially with the ability to adapt and evolve based on what they consumed. He had to be careful not to let it spiral out of control. Mikhailis stretched his arms and let out a satisfied sigh while scanning the boxes scattered around the room. "Alright, time to turn this place into something a bit more... me," he muttered to himself. He then reached into one of the larger boxes and pulled out a small, monkey-shaped robot. Its silver body reflected the magical light that filled the room. "Let's see if you still work, little buddy," he said with a grin, setting the robot on the floor. It remained still for a moment, but as Mikhailis flicked a small switch on its back, it whirred to life. The robot's eyes lit up, glowing a soft blue, and it immediately began to move, its tiny limbs working with surprising speed as it began to organize the room. "Good to have you back, Rodion, control the guy to help me organize things up," Mikhailis chuckled, watching as the robot effortlessly picked up various items and placed them on shelves. It climbed walls with ease, hanging tapestries and even adjusting the solar panels he had set against the windows earlier. "That should save me some time." As the robot worked, Mikhailis turned to the glass container holding the Chimera Ant. The creature moved gracefully inside, its metallic body shimmering under the soft light. "You're growing fast, aren't you?" Mikhailis whispered, his eyes gleaming with fascination. He tapped the glass gently, and the ant responded by tilting its head, as though acknowledging his presence. Rodion's voice chimed softly in his earpiece. Mikhailis smirked, adjusting his glasses. "You always know how to multitask, don't you? Sure, keep an eye on it. Let me know if anything changes." Mikhailis sat back in the comfortable sofa, watching as the robot continued its work. Damn, this sofa felt great. Is there some 'comfy' magic applied to it, I wonder. His mind wandered for a moment, and then a thought struck him. "What the...?" he muttered, staring down at his wrist. As the glow faded, he saw a mark had formed—a small, intricate tattoo-like symbol etched into his skin. Rodion's voice chimed in his ear again. Mikhailis blinked, staring at the mark. "A familiar? You mean like in those fantasy stories where wizards have magical creatures bound to them?" Mikhailis couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. "Well, that's one way to get a new tattoo, I guess." He examined the mark closely, running his fingers over it. "A familiar bond, huh? I didn't expect that. Now this truly is going to the fantasy story direction real quick," Mikhailis smirked, glancing at the ant inside its enclosure. "Looks like we're in this together now, huh?" He tapped the glass again, and the Chimera Ant responded with a subtle movement, as if acknowledging the bond between them. Then suddenly, it started. System... Unlocked...? Rodion's voice appeared, but he's uttering a strange thing. Am I getting a system? Is this true? If it is, then I need to prostate and apologize to all of those system fantasy novel authors for talking trash about how unrealistic all of it was as it's happening to me right now. Right now, I'm getting a power, a powerful system that could make me strong enough to make my own harem, including the beautiful queen that I'm going to marry in three days! Woohoo! But somehow, the name of the system is now what he expected. "Rodion?" At least, if it's his system, perhaps if it's not cool and common like the others, at least make him a necromancer or something. Why does this feels like a nasty insult rather than the moment the main character got a power? The reply is rather normal. "Eh? Where is the [system] announcement that about to give me powerful system that will make me strong and have my harem?" "By surprising me in saying system unlocked, then insult me with such disturbing nicknames?" Once again, it's the usual reply. A normal and monotonous tone. "Rodion. Did I ever programmed you to be a jerk?" "Ah..." MIkhailis uttered in realization. I guess I did programmed it and trained his AI core logical system to do that just for a joke. "Oh well, moving on," As he stood up, Mikhailis felt a renewed sense of curiosity and excitement bubbling inside him. Even if he didn't get a new system and became powerful suddenly. This world was unlike anything he had ever experienced, and now, with magic running through his veins and a strange new bond with the Chimera Ant, it was about to get even more interesting. He glanced around the room, watching as the monkey-shaped robot finished arranging the last of his belongings. The place was starting to feel like home, in its own eccentric way. "Well, Rodion," he said with a grin. "Looks like we've got some serious research to do. Magic, science, familiars... this world is full of mysteries just waiting to be solved." He could sure hear the hint of excitement on Rodion's reply. Mikhailis nodded, he could feel his excitement growing. "Exactly. Now, let's see what other surprises this world has in store for us."