"We know that there are several galaxies out there, and the universe is expanding at speeds measured in light-years. Yet, what we often overlook is that this universe is evolving, growing stronger than it ever was before." Avendial decided to start from the basics.
If he launched directly into explaining the arrival of the tower and all its complexities, it would likely come across as mere fantasy, making it difficult for them to grasp the concept.
Hence, he opted for a more scientific explanation, one that would lay a solid foundation before delving into deeper ideas.
He turned to Aria with a thoughtful expression, saying, "Tell me, Aria, what changes does a human body undergo during the growth phase? No, to be precise, what sacrifices does it make in the process of evolution?"
As he posed the question, Aria looked at him, momentarily perplexed.
Even though she understood that as a body matures, it learns and advances through experiences and relationships, her thoughts raced.
There were hormonal changes during puberty and various other transformations, but her mind struggled to connect all the dots and formulate a coherent answer.
"It sacrifices old cells, regenerates skin, sheds nails, replaces bones...
Though some elements remain unchanged, there are many parts that are entirely renewed," Aecilia interjected as she replied, her gaze drifting toward Avendial, captivated by the eloquence of his words.
However, without additional context, she found it difficult to see where he was heading with this line of questioning.
"Indeed. Now, let's consider this: if we were to liken the universe to a human body, given that both remain mysteries to humanity, what do you think it would seek to replace first?"
Avendial asked, his voice calm as he moved closer to the glass wall of the room.
Outside, the city buzzed with the energy of a new morning, sunlight bathing everything in warmth and casting a gentle shadow on his face, his blue eyes reflecting the serenity of the moment as he focused on Aecilia.
"Planets? Stars? Living beings?" Aecilia ventured, reasoning that stars go through cycles of life and death, eventually creating black holes.This notion of the universe replacing such essential elements seemed plausible.
After all, humans also face mortality unless they reproduce.
"Precisely, in one year's time, the universe will grant a final chance to all races it deems stagnant to survive," Avendial stated, allowing the weight of his words to sink in as he fixed his gaze upon Aecilia with his hands resting casually in his pockets. "Now, to choose who will survive among many, how would you decide?"
"Perhaps through a competition of life and death?" Aecilia suggested.
At first, she leaned toward the idea of competition, but given the gravity of the situation, she hesitated, realizing that if survival were at stake, everyone might be pushed to extremes
And if that were to happen, given the number of nuclear weapons possessed by the whole world, the earth in those 13 days would have transformed into a heaven filled with a dense amount of psi energy.
This would clearly create awakened individuals with stronger abilities, given the concentration would have been higher.
But that civilization which first arrived manipulated everyone, changing the decisions of higher administrations and stopped them from using nuclear bombs, which could have been a blessing at that time.
Not further thinking about it, Avendial calmed his mind.
Given it was also one of his aims to force governments around the world to use nukes, he needed to focus on collecting awakened individuals first.
'!?'
"Wh-what?"
Aria's eyes visibly widened, revealing that ruby hint which had become evident in her eyes, clearly shocked after hearing the revelation about him mentioning that exact date.
He also previously mentioned how she was betrayed by Lin around that date too, according to the information she told him when they were in attack mode.
'....'
Aecilia, on the other hand, was also second-guessing from the inside, given she was trusting all his words.
Though it appeared illogical at first, given the existence of Empyreals, he was making more sense now.
"The ability you possess and others do are due to Synergy, which in fact is like electricity—easily convertible..."
Avendial started to explain to Aria about the abilities he possesses being due to the presence of psi energy while mentioning evolvers and other things which were already known to Aecilia and the royal family.
"Th-this..."
Aria, hearing all this information about how evolvers existed, unlike how she had awakened abilities, felt overwhelmed by several pieces of information.
But due to him explaining in a simple way, she was able to understand it all.
"Now, Synergy is like remnants of leaking energy from wormholes around earth, shrouding it, and that small crack would enlarge. The amount of Synergy filling the whole space would also increase," Avendial further explained, adding how right now, the energy which was present on earth was just the shadow of the tower leaking from the crack.