805  Conversation V


    Seraphina''s lips curved into a wide, triumphant smile, one she made no effort to conceal. She had finally gotten what she wanted—a chance at regaining her freedom.


    “You’re finally speaking my language,” she said, her voice carrying a note of satisfaction as she accepted his challenge without hesitation, not even pausing to consider the implications.


    However, Aron quickly tempered her enthusiasm. “But not now. There are preparations to be made—measures that will allow both of us to fight at full strength without worrying about outsiders seeing or hearing the aftermath,” he explained.


    Her smile vanished instantly, replaced by a scowl of irritation. The delay was an unwelcome turn of events, as it meant her opportunity to secure freedom would be postponed.


    “Are you stalling for time? Do you take me for a fool?” she snapped, her voice sharp with suspicion. “You realize a fight between us will unleash massive amounts of energy, visible from vast distances. How exactly do you intend to keep this hidden? Are you planning to transport me to another star system just to settle this?”


    Her tone left no room for evasion, her piercing gaze making it clear she had no patience for unnecessary delays.


    "Through this," Aron said, extending his hand as Nova handed him a sleek pair of glasses. Seraphina squinted suspiciously, her expression brimming with skepticism. Ignoring her reaction, Aron casually tossed the glasses toward her. This time, she caught them without incident, having adjusted her strength to handle fragile human objects.


    "I’m sure you’ve seen me use something like this before," Aron said, his tone calm and composed. "Just put them on, and you’ll find the answers to your questions." As he spoke, Nova activated a hologram that displayed Aron donning the glasses, illustrating the process.


    He paused, studying her face. Her eyes betrayed her mistrust, and her body language radiated frustration. Aron could see, with the glasses analyzing her mental state, that she still harbored doubts. Her mind churned with the possibility that this was just another elaborate illusion, akin to the deceptions of the Zelvora.


    Not wanting to provoke her further, Aron snapped his fingers, and a massive screen appeared in the air before her. The screen displayed a basic detailed explanation of the universal simulation they were in, complete with diagrams and examples to clarify its mechanics.


    "This should answer your doubts," Aron said, stepping back slightly to give her space. "Take your time to read it. You''ll see that nothing here is fabricated to deceive you—just a neutral, controlled environment where we can settle things without interference."


    A few minutes later, Seraphina broke the silence, her voice calm but distant, as though her mind had drifted far from the present moment. "How long do you need?"


    Aron glanced at her, noting her change in demeanor before responding. "It would take about a week to fully understand and calibrate the system. This timeframe accounts for ensuring seamless operation for individuals who are not human. We currently have enough foreign specimens and brain data to modify our algorithms to adapt fluidly to the varying brain structures of different civilizations," he explained, intentionally quoting the upper end of the timeframe to account for potential delays in refining the system.


    "Fine," she replied tersely before redirecting her attention to the field of flowers around her. There was a noticeable shift in her focus—something was clearly stuck in her mind.


    Anyone who knew what had transpired in this virtual space might guess what occupied her thoughts, but they wouldn’t easily discern the direction of her contemplation. Although Seraphina hailed from a race that revered strength above all else, her intelligence and strategic acumen were not to be underestimated.


    She had to know the implications of Aron''s technology—what it could mean if it truly wielded to its maximum potential.