Unparalleled Genius, Part 1

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Eldritchkins, although being eldritch creatures, are nowhere as abominably grotesque. Eldritchkins was born from the procreation of radiated metahumans and other mutated creatures of Aldrich's origin universe's Earth. The genes of humans, however, were rather strong in the department of body structures, so the majority of eldritchkins had humanoid appearances that were considered bizarrely beautiful by other races.

The general appearance of eldritchkins changed over time with the addition of new genes from other species.

Most of the eldritchfied convicts looked rather human despite some physical changes in their bodies that were related to their arcanas.

The ones that changed significantly are those with body morphing arcanas like Mark Zuckerberg, whose appearance was very draconic.

Most important of all was their strength.

The six Level 10 Arcanists evolved to transcendent arcanists, specifically to the 3rd Order of Stellar Lifeforms, and the three Level 9s evolved to 1st Order of Stellar Lifeforms. Unfortunately, the rest were only able to evolve to Level 10 Arcanists as the Aldrich summoned earlier had emptied out.

"Don't be afraid of my eldritchkins. All my creations are loyal unless I say otherwise," Aldrich assured his family's after noticing their apprehension.

"This–! You–... How… How did you increase their strength after transforming them…?" Dante stammered as he trembled ever so slightly.

Clearly, the old crow's world view has been shattered to bits and pieces.

"I'm not sure. I just sensed a lot of energy swelling up and I used that to recreate them," Aldrich answered truthfully.

"You really don't know?"

"No." Aldrich shook his head. "While my body and soul are strong, neither could currently produce so much energy. I don't think it came from my Spatial-Temporal Lock and Void Creation arcanas as well…"

Dante felt incredibly lost, much more than when he was separated from everyone he ever knew in the Woe of Beast. Like every emotion he felt so far after meeting his eldest grandson, this was a first in a very long time.

Seeing his father's current state, Adamas sighed and approached him. He patted Dante's back and said, "I know you want to make sense out of everything, but in our day and age, that isn't just possible. Actually, even back then it wasn't possible, much less now. Aldrich is an anomaly, that's the best way we could describe him. He is the first person in the world to awaken ten arcanas in the arcana trials, and all the arcanas he has are also the first of their kind. Don't think too much about it. Just be grateful. Moreover, if he's already this strong at his age, imagine how strong he would be in merely five years from now. I honestly wouldn't be too surprised if he surpasses Emperor Might in a year or two. Come on. Let's continue with the test and see what information he could provide."

Although unwilling to accept the facts, Dante nonetheless relented. He turned to Aldrich and asked, "What else changed them after you turned them into eldritch creatures?"

"All their arcanas went through what I assume is Deep Awakening, and everyone acquired new arcanas from their power-up and transformation to eldritch creatures," Aldrich said after quickly reviewing the changes.

"Interesting. I think you should try to replicate an arcana now. Or two. We don't know what your current limit is yet."

"He may not even have one," Ramona interjected, gaining everyone's attention. "Humanity has conducted many researches to find out how many arcanas a person can have and not die. All the experiments led to failures, as the test subjects died due to their body and soul's inability to contain various amounts of arcanas. And the conclusions we've made up is that the humans and other species that we've tested don't have a strong enough physiology. However, although Aldrich may merely be a human, a low-level species in the grand scheme of the universe, he possesses the Apex Physique and the Apex Soul Arcanas.

"While we weren't able to find complete information about those arcanas, we do know that both represent the apex of body and soul arcanas. So my conjecture is that Aldrich may have a cool down time for the arcanas that he could replicate and plunder, but he doesn't have a limit to arcanas that he could assimilate."

A momentary silence occurred as everyone pondered her words.

"You're right, actually," Aldrich said, breaking the silence.

With eyes wide, Ramona asked, "You mean…?"

"Thirty-five convicts. One has 5 arcanas, five has 10 arcanas in total, five has 20 arcanas in total, and twenty-four has 72 arcanas in total. The combined amount of arcanas the convicts have are 107," Aldrich stated.

"And all 107 of those arcanas have been…" Dante gasped.

Aldrich firmly nodded. "Yes, I have replicated and assimilated with all those arcanas. The Super Physiques and minor physical-based arcanas have merged with my Apex Physique, the more soul-related physiques merged with my Apex Soul, the body morphing physiques have merged with Eldritch Transformation, and the mental-based arcanas have merged with my Apex Mind. Most of the other non-elemental and elemental manipulation arcanas, along with arcanas such as the Time Dilation Field and Teleportation, remained independent.

The four were completely astonished.

"How are you still not a Level 1?" Adamas asked the question the others were curious to know.

"I could've been," Aldrich said.

"You could've been?"

"Indeed, I could've broken through Level 1 or higher. However, I'm well-aware of the roles that gene arcana absorption techniques play in the development of an arcanist. The better the gene arcana, the better and faster I develop." Aldrich looked at his grandfather.

Knowing what the look meant, Dante said, "I'll find the best and most suitable gene arcana absorption technique for you."

"No, that's not what I meant." Aldrich shook his head, much to the other's surprise. "I know Earth's top echelon has a private server where anything arcana-related is stored. I want to access your server and read every single piece of information stored there."

After a brief silence, Dante asked, "You used your new Clairvoyance arcana on me, didn't you?"

Aldrich nodded. "Yes. Also, I think it's obvious that such servers exist."

Dante sighed. "Why do you have to read every single piece of information stored on the server?"

"I want to integrate that information and create my own techniques." Aldrich then pointed to his servants. "Also, I know about planetary and stellar lifeforms. My stellar lifeforms may be strong, but that's only because of the state of enlightenment or whatever I had earlier. Therefore, I need as much arcana-related information as possible."

Dante thought about it for a moment, but ended up agreeing in the end. His grandson had shown unparalleled talent and potential, and a love for knowledge and wisdom that was similar to his own. Moreover, if Aldrich enters that so-called state of enlightenment while in the process of creating techniques and doing research, then the results would be world-shaking.

"Give me a moment. I'll have to contact someone to gain access to it, and explain why the convicts I took out all died."

In a blur, Dante disappeared from everyone's view again.

"Died?" Ishtar uttered, confused.

"The Lunar Citadel prisoners have neck collars that notify the staff of the conditions of the convicts' biological condition. The biology of an eldritch creature must be too complex since our technology was incapable of detecting whether the convicts are dead or alive," Adamas remarked.

"Let the old crow handle it." Aldrich wrapped an arm around Ishtar's waist. "We should test your arcanas."

"Oh, alright." Ishtar nodded rather cutely.

"Your Disease Manipulation may work on imagination alone, but having actual biological and medicinal knowledge would be much better. I'll have my eldritchkins hunt down less favorable people so we can have more test subjects."

Ramona said, "It's good to be cruel sometimes, just don't overdo it."

"I know." Aldrich smiled. "There has to be a balance in cruelty and kindness, as too much of either one can lead to one's own demise."

"Do you believe in a utopia?"

Ishtar waited for Aldrich's answer in curiosity and while Adamas raised an eyebrow at Ramona, he was also interested to know his son's answer.

Ramona's question is a question presented to seven-year-olds, who had lived long enough to know certain things, and fourteen-year-olds, who had lived long enough to experience certain things, in their homeroom subjects at the end of their school years. It is a simple test to find what youngsters their age think of the state of society and find youngsters who are actually more intelligent and aware than they show.

Actually, all of them knew of Aldrich's thoughts about a utopia… Unfortunately, it's condensed to merely twl sentence; one of which is simply the words 'sort of' followed by a period.

Now that he appears more serious than normal, they hope to hear his true thoughts.

"I believe in a utopia, but it's not the utopia that most think of." Aldrich thought of his fallen Eternal Eldritch Empire. "The general and most agreed-upon definition of a utopia is a society that is considered to be perfect, harmonious, and ideal. Often portrayed as a place or community where all aspects of life, such as social, political, economic, and cultural, are near-perfect, leading to happiness, prosperity, and contentment for its inhabitants. I, for one, don't disagree with this description. However, there are things that people want, that when applied in a realistic setting, are more delusional than realistic.

"In their utopia, there are typically no conflicts, poverty, or suffering, and the society operates on principles of justice, equality, and peace. It is a vision of an ideal world where everyone's needs and desires are met, and individuals live in harmony with one another and the environment. Equality and peace are achievable. But the idea of a world where conflict and suffering don't exist is… appalling."

The intense disgust and amusement from Aldrich's voice made Ramona and the others shiver.

"We are mortals. Mortals have emotions. Emotions can cause us to do things that may or may not benefit even ourselves. Conflicts and suffering come in many forms, but each one awakens the emotion, the drive, to reach greater heights. Their existence empowers us, letting us know how nothing in the world is perfect and how stagnation can cause our downfall. A society where no conflict and suffering exists is not something that we are capable of creating and sustaining. Not because we lack understanding and unity, but because we are mortals with our own personal desires. Individuality is ingrained in our life code, and that individuality could cause that utopia to collapse.

"Even if that individuality is not what's going to cause a utopia's downfall, external interference definitely will. There are bound to be people and civilizations who will want us gone, and while we could fight against them with our combined might, we would not last long. A utopia of that sort is a society that no longer engages in conflicts and constantly advocates peace, it is a society that grows weak. Thus, leading to that utopia to crumble. A utopian society can only exist if every society is a utopia as well.

"The utopia I firmly believe in is simply a society that is peaceful enough where its citizens can live without constant fear and a society that treats all its citizens as equally as possible."

"What about equity?" Ramona questioned.

"Equity is not bad, but shouldn't replace equality in most things. I believe it would be better if people find solutions themselves. Giving out too much is not a good thing, there needs to be a balance."

"You have an excellent point of view," Ramona praised.

"It's decent." Aldrich shrugged. He was very well-aware that many people disagree with his views.

"How do you plan on building that society then?" Ramona followed up a question.

Spreading out his arms as if addressing a nation, Aldrich enthusiastically responded, "I will reform society into an Absolute Imperial Autocracy. Where I, the Supreme Imperial Godmaster of The Ages, will have complete control over the government and the people. In this system, there are no checks and balances, and my word is law. The concept of nobles, commoners, and peasants with distinct social hierarchies is nonexistent, as my authority is above all, and everyone is subject to my rule without differentiation based on social status."

Ramona seemingly regretted hearing his response as her smile froze and the lights in her died out Meanwhile, Adamas looked on the floor and contemplated deeply.

Only Ishtar supported Aldrich as her eyes were burnt with admiration, deep infatuation, and determination to do everything to help him accomplish his possible future ambition.

"Anyway, back to where we were earlier." Aldrich turned to Ishtar. "At your current state, you obviously wouldn't be able to control and harness the power of stars completely. So we would have to start with the stellar empowerment, fire manipulation, and the lightning manipulation aspects of your arcana. After that, we'll figure the rest out. Okay?"

"Okay~!" Ishtar replied as she embraced him and placed her head on his chest. But after a brief moment, she looked at him and asked, "What about my Ultimate Regeneration though?"

"Look at your left hand." Aldrich chuckled.

"Huh?" Ishtar unwrapped her arms around him and saw that there was nothing wrong with either hand. Cutely pouting, she said, "Hey, stop playing around."

Kissing Ishtar lightly on her forehead, Aldrich said, "How about you turn around."

While confused, Ishtar followed his instructions and turned around. Then, she deeply gasped as she saw her left hand inside a floating dark sphere. Ishtar also noticed that the severed left hand had a ring on the ring finger, something she didn't notice her attached left hand had earlier!

"Did you sever my left hand when you were making your speech earlier?" Ishtar questioned with a frown.

"Yeah. Your infatuation for me kinda acted as an anesthesia so you didn't feel it." Aldrich controlled the void sphere he created to float above his outstretched palm.

"Oh, that's actually kind of hot." Ishtar placed a finger on her lips.

"Focus on your severed hand and look at the wound. What do you see?"

Squinting slightly, Ishtar said, "I can see that you almost perfectly severed it, but the cut on the bone is fairly rough and there are some vein-looking things left."

"Good observation, but I actually did perfectly sever your hand. It's just that your hand is trying to regenerate," Aldrich explained.

"Regenerate?" Ishtar's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, you're saying it's trying to regenerate into me? It's trying to create a new body?"

"You are absolutely correct! It's trying to regenerate into a full body. Fortunately, it doesn't contain enough vitality to do so. At best, it will regenerate into a full arm."

"Wouldn't that mean that if I bleed in the future I could create countless clones? Naked clones?" Ishtar panicked.

"Yes, but only if you can't control your cells properly," Aldrich assured her.

"I must learn to control my cells properly then! Only you can see my naked body!" Ishtar declared.

Fairly amused, Aldrich removed the ring on Ishtar's severed hand and slid it to where it belonged. After collapsing the void and destroying the severed hand with it, he said, "Ever since we began our sexual indulgences, I've never been faithful to you, and you and I both know that I never will be. Yet, you remain completely faithful to me, which I appreciate as you are my woman and you only belong to me and no else. Your body, your mind, your spirit, your soul, your existence, and even your inexistence are all mine and mine alone. Innumerable men, women, non-binary, or whatever sexually or an asexually-aligned lowlives may see you unclothed, but only I can ravage you until the end of days. Do you understand?"

"I do, my beloved," Ishtar lovingly said.

Ishtar may appear idiotic and brainwashed to others, but she genuinely isn't. Ever since she laid her eyes on Aldrich, she already knew that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, and the time she spent with him strengthened it. Although Aldrich sadistically loved taking advantage of her love for him, she was fine with it as she knew he would prefer her over the many women he bedded.

Furthermore, the moment she saw the results of his arcana trials, she immediately knew what the future held. It may hurt, sure.

However, that's just how it was to love more and receive comparatively less.

Ishtar was prepared to be hurt, but as long as Aldrich treats her well and doesn't abandon her, that pain would become nonexistent.

"The training for your Ultimate Regeneration arcana will be extremely painful, by the way. But as long as you follow my instructions, you will be alright," Aldrich whispered to her ears as he pushed his bulging crotch on her stomach while feeling her up her thighs and derriere.

Shivering at Aldrich's sensual touches, Ishtar said, "I actually wanted to tell you something…"

"What is it?"

"You know how people say that human physiology nowadays is very different?"

"That's a fact, yes."

"And how you always had an abnormally strong physique?"

"That's also a fact, yes."

Ishtar suddenly placed her hands on Aldrich's chest and pushed him several centimeters away to get a better view of his face. Her eyes seemingly turned into hearts as she said, "You know how you aggressively fucked me to a gelatinous mess over a week ago and inseminated inside me countless times? The birth control pills definitely didn't work that time since my cells are telling me just now that you've instantly fertilized my egg back then. Not only that, but you apparently also did it with your first load. In other words, I'm 100% pregnant and you're 100% the father! Isn't that amazing?!"

Aldrich's face instantly turned to stone at Ishtar's revelation. As he metaphorically cracked, he quietly responded, "No wonder you felt different since then. I thought it was just a feeling, but now…"

Ramona and Adamas practically turned off their hearing for their personal contemplation, but after sensing the vibrations of the word 'pregnant' in the air, they snapped out of it and began listening. Needless to say that they were both shocked at the revelation of Ishtar and the confirmation of Aldrich.

"Ah, shit. I slept with thirty-nine other women over the past eight days."

Ramona and Adamas began sweating.

"Fuck!" Aldrich cursed as he looked towards the eldritchfied Mao Yi-Ting. "Find the women I've slept with over the past eight days! Check if they're pregnant or anything without causing any trouble!"

Mao Yi-Ting rose from the ground and bowed before vanishing from the place.

"The rest of you are to gather as many scoundrels throughout the country without alerting similarly strong arcanists. Don't take everyone. Only about 30% that you can find. If you want to apprehend the kingpins, make sure to lure them out of the wilderness and stage their deaths appropriately. You have a two week time limit. Now, go!"

The remaining eldritchkins followed Mao Yi-Ting's actions and went to do their task.

Aldrich looked at the infatuated Ishtar and quietly sighed.

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