I feel pain all over my body and an incredible headache. I look over at Pany. She's still asleep.
I would really like to know what happened last night... I have some guesses, but unfortunately, I can't remember anything from the previous night... Haha, I bet it was amazing! I've finally become a man!
I get out of bed, put on my glasses, and head to the bathroom. I look at myself in the mirror, but I can't see anything.
It's as if the glasses are preventing me from seeing. Very strange since for the past 5 years I've had 0.3 vision in each eye.
I take off my glasses and nearly faint from the shock. I frantically touch my face, as if I had lost my face under a mask depicting a handsome guy.
My eyes, my hair, and my skin are the same as before, but my body looks like that of an athlete.
Pany comes over and touches my shoulder.
"Oh Aki. So you've finally evolved, huh?", she says while laughing heartily.
Her tone and behavior are completely different from yesterday. She seems like a different person...
"... What do you mean by evolved?"
"Oh... Jerte didn't tell you?"
"... What was he supposed to tell me?"
"Yesterday I made you swallow a pill, remember?"
"... Well, you practically forced me to eat it, so yes."
"Well, those are my invention. I call them the evolution pills. The Evolules."
"... Wait, what do you mean you invented them?! And how did they transform me like this?!" I have a thousand more questions to ask her, but I try to contain myself.
"I'm one of the most renowned scientists in the Citadel of Knowledge."
... Now I have even more questions. But one step at a time...
"So why are you in a brothel?"
"Oh, that was all part of Jerte's plan to get you to come to me. I rushed here as soon as the pill was done and pretended to be the boss of this place. I think Jerte knew the kind of place that would interest you," she laughs again.
... Damn Jerte... You're a monster... And on top of that, I'm still a virgin...
"... Anyway... How does the pill work?"
"The pill needs at least 10 hours to work. During these hours, while the one who swallowed it faints from the pain, the pill is ingested and absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Once in the bloodstream, its active ingredient reaches the heart. The active ingredient, once it enters the heart (thanks to its pumping function), is distributed evenly through the arterial system."
"... Wait, what active ingredient?"
"It's an active ingredient that allows many things. Mainly it reinforces the telomeres and promotes telomerase in somatic cells, regulates metabolism, balances blood sugar, cholesterol, and diabetes levels, and in your case, even repairs the retina. Essentially, now you're slim, have perfect vision, and will never age."
"... H-HEY WAIT!... Does that mean I'll be immortal?!"
"No. You can still be killed or die in an accident, but you won't die of old age or diseases like Alzheimer's or cancer."
... Incredible... It's insane...
A doubt arises.
"... But you are all robotic beings... What do you need these pills for?"
"Oh, we don't need them. I created them for you."
"But how did you know I was in this world?"
"Jerte told me. As soon as he saw you, he contacted me telepathically and told me to do something for you. So I got to work and... TA-DAH! Pill done!" she says, smiling joyfully, like a child showing a drawing to her parents.
I have an even bigger doubt...
"... Wait... If you created this pill from the time I entered this world to the time I met you... YOU TOOK ONLY TWO HOURS TO MAKE SUCH A PILL?!?!"
"Of course," she says, smiling as if it was nothing.
I'm stunned by how naturally she says it.
"What's the matter?"
"... This is out of this world. I can't believe how quickly you can create such a useful pill for a life form that appeared out of nowhere..."
"Well, for me it was nothing," she says, smiling... Wow, this place is insane... It's truly a paradise...
Suddenly, Pany starts touching her forehead and closing her eyes, as if concentrating. She speaks nervously.
"... Wait, but is it safe? I don't think it's... Yes... Understood... Yes, he'll be there in a few minutes," she removes her hand from her forehead and sighs with a worried and sad face.
"... You've been invited by our king to his palace..."
"Amazing. Where do I need to go?"
"... Akira..." Pany wants to say something but stops and looks down, sighing. "... I'll accompany you..."
... Damn, is this guy really that terrifying?
Pany takes me by the shoulders and starts talking seriously.
"Akira, you must be very careful... You must speak to him formally, never look him in the eyes, and refer to him as sire, understood?"
"... Yes..."
We leave the establishment and get into a flying taxi. The driver asks where we need to go.
"To the Royal Palace, as soon as possible," Pany says in a serious tone.
The driver turns pale and starts driving immediately at high speed.
As the flying car speeds through the city, I look out the window and am captivated by the breathtaking view of an extraordinary landscape.
The city seems to blend with a forest full of incredible plants. These giant plants have leaves that glow with a natural luminescence, radiating a soft light that illuminates the surroundings. Their roots extend deep into the ground and intertwine with artificial structures, creating a harmonious fusion between the natural and the artificial.
Among these giant plants, you can see trees with translucent trunks, through which phosphorescent sap flows, resembling rivers of liquid light. The largest trees have branches that stretch towards the sky, with fronds that look like butterfly wings, delicate and colorful, as if hand-painted.
Under the canopy of these mammoth plants, you can see extraordinary animals moving gracefully among the trunks and bushes. There are creatures similar to deer, but with iridescent fur that changes color depending on the angle of the light. Birds with iridescent feathers fly among the branches, leaving luminous trails in their flight.
Small dragonfly-shaped drones hover in the air, monitoring and tending to the ecosystem with precision that only advanced technology can allow. These drones communicate with the animals through harmonious sounds and melodies, as if they understand each other perfectly.
What I thought were screens turn out to be solar panels on buildings. The irrigation systems are hidden under the ground, keeping the plants lush and healthy without interfering with their natural beauty.
This place represents a true technological paradise, where technological advancement has not destroyed nature but has enhanced and protected it. The inhabitants of this city live in perfect harmony with the environment, respecting and valuing every form of life. The air is fresh and pure, filled with the sweet scent of exotic flowers and the melodious song of birds.
While I am fascinated by the landscape, Pany seems anything but happy, looking out the window thoughtfully.
After a few minutes, we arrive at the royal palace. I get out of the car, but Pany doesn't move.
"... Sorry Akira... But I can't... Goodbye..." she says before starting the taxi again.
I see Jerte coming towards me, also with a worried look.
"Mr. Akira, I apologize for this situation..."
"... What are you talking about?"
"... You'll see for yourself..."
We start walking into the palace.
The palace is an imposing structure that stands at the center of a vast square, dominating the horizon with its majesty. It seems to be built entirely of green iron, its surface reflecting a luminous aura that almost blinds those who look at it for too long.
Its towering spires are adorned with intricate floral and geometric decorations, sculpted with precision and delicacy. The windows are surrounded by sinuous patterns and open onto elegant balconies offering spectacular views of the city below.
Inside, the palace is a triumph of luxury and refinement. The wide corridors are illuminated by crystal chandeliers that refract the light, creating a play of reflections on the green iron walls. The walls are enriched with intricate tapestries and artworks that seem to have invaluable worth. They appear to tell stories from a past time, which I cannot comprehend due to their complexity. The dark green marble floors elegantly contrast with the silver decorations and fixtures.
The gardens surrounding the palace are an extension of its beauty. Shimmering fountains, green iron statues, and winding paths cut through immaculate lawns and beds of rare flowers.
The heart of the palace is a vast ballroom with a domed ceiling encrusted with mosaics depicting mythological scenes and legendary stories.
At the center of the hall, standing, is a solemn figure, with golden skin and a mane of red hair.
He gives me an intense look, as if he wants to peer into my soul. I kneel, not only to show respect but also because I feel overwhelmed by his gaze. Jerte kneels as well, but he seems terrified.
"I am Vlade Zhasire, the first and only king of this city. I have a request for you," says the man with a powerful yet elegant voice.
"... Yes, sire..."
"... Travel between worlds for me!"