Chapter 33: The Chimera Ant’s Evolution (2) The Excitement

Chapter 33: The Chimera Ant's Evolution (2) The Excitement Mikhailis snorted, a gleam of amusement in his eyes. "You say that like it's a bad thing. I'd rather be a pioneer among bugs than just another noble playing power games. Besides, these little ones are gonna make history. I can feel it." He turned back to the aquarium, watching as the queen resumed her place among her workers and soldiers. She moved with confidence, her wings folding down as she settled, and the other ants resumed their duties. The queen's presence was undeniably regal now—there was a sense of power about her that hadn't been there before. Her size, her gleam, the faint pulse of magic that even Mikhailis could feel—it all hinted at something remarkable. His eyes drifted to the four large eggs again. What kind of creatures would hatch from those? What sort of abilities would they have? His excitement only grew at the thought of magical chimera ants that could possess abilities far beyond what nature intended. He imagined them with traits from the frogs—jumping great distances, blending into their surroundings, or even exuding a magical aura that would make them truly formidable. "So, Rodion," Mikhailis said, his voice laced with anticipation. "what do you think we should name these variant babies once they hatch? I mean, we can't just call them Ant A, B, C, and D." Mikhailis shook his head, chuckling. "Nah, that's too cold. We're not running a lab here... well, not just a lab. I was thinking more along the lines of something fitting their potential. Like... Spark, for the one that might inherit magical properties, or Ribbit for the frog one—assuming we get one that leaps like crazy." "Hey, hey, don't knock it until you see them in action." Mikhailis leaned closer, his gaze fixed on the eggs. "The thing is, we've already made it this far, right? Who knows, maybe we're creating the first real ant army this world has ever seen. Imagine that, Rodion—ants that can take on magical threats, ants that can become allies to us, a network of insects that can do more than just forage." Rodion remained silent for a moment, then responded with an uncharacteristic tone of almost genuine consideration. "This could change everything," he murmured, his pen scratching across the paper. "not just for me, but for Elowen and the kingdom too. An ally in the shadows, ants that can see everything, collect information, and maybe even defend us if it comes to that." He finished his note, a small smile tugging at his lips. He flipped the notebook shut, placing it back on the table, then stretched his arms with a satisfied sigh. It had been a long day, but a productive one. He had a good feeling about this—like he was on the brink of something revolutionary. Rodion's voice broke the silence. "Yeah, do that. I want every detail from the queen. Let's make sure our little experiment stays on track." "Yeah?" Mikhailis blinked in surprise, then grinned, his expression softening. "Aw, Rodion, are you growing fond of my chaos?" Mikhailis laughed, turning towards the window, where the moonlight bathed the study in a gentle glow. "You better get used to it, buddy. We've got a lot more of it coming." He gazed out into the night, his mind filled with possibilities, his excitement renewed. He was on an adventure, an unpredictable, dangerous adventure—one that involved magic, ants, and perhaps changing the course of Eldoria itself. And as long as he had his trusty AI, his beloved queen, and his new army of magical insects by his side, Mikhailis was ready for whatever came next.