Clone Ascension

Night settled over the naval base, cool and quiet after the chaos of the day.

Normally, Evan wouldn’t dare invite Serena out—her relentless politeness made her impossible to escape during daylight hours.

But nighttime came with a built‑in excuse: sleep.

A perfect emergency exit.

Serena replied quickly.

She hadn’t eaten either; after the exhausting battle, she had collapsed into bed and only just woken up.

They agreed to meet at the base gate.

She arrived in a white T‑shirt and a soft yellow skirt, her high ponytail swaying lightly as she walked.

Fresh, bright, effortlessly pretty.

Evan couldn’t help thinking—again—that if she had even a little more sense of personal boundaries, she’d be dangerously perfect.

They walked to a small barbecue stall near the base.

The smell of grilled fish and spices drifted through the air—warm, comforting, grounding after a day of blood and seawater.

Over dinner, Evan gently steered the conversation.

“Have you ever thought about returning to Dongli University?” he asked.

Serena blinked. “I just got back to the base…”

“But where would your ‘One‑Strike‑Ten‑Thousand‑Effects’ develop faster?” Evan pressed.

“Here, alone? Or at Dongli University, surrounded by the best evolutionary scientists in the country?”

The answer was obvious.

And Serena knew it.

She had felt the shortcomings of her combat system during the battle.

She wanted to refine it—urgently.

Evan continued,

“You’d have mentors, resources, research teams. You wouldn’t be building everything from scratch.

And if your system succeeds, Dongli University might hand you a doctorate outright.”

Serena’s eyes lit up.

“And if you want,” Evan added,

“you could even apply to the Master Class in the Combat Department.

With your strength, you’d get in easily.

We could even compete together in the Six Nations Academic Exchange.”

Serena hesitated only because of logistics—her assignment, her graduation status, her official position.

Evan brushed all that aside.

“Just tell General Storm. She’ll handle the paperwork in five minutes.”

By the time they finished eating, Serena was genuinely considering it.

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Evan walked her back, used the “I need to sleep” excuse, and escaped successfully.

They agreed to meet General Storm together the next morning.

⭐ The Next Day

After breakfast, Evan and Serena headed to General Storm’s office.

Marcus Grant intercepted them.

“Serena, the General wants to speak with Evan alone.”

Serena nodded politely.

“Of course. Uncle Grant, you must be very busy today, right?”

Marcus froze.

If he said yes, she would definitely offer to help.

He forced a smile.

“…Not busy.”

Serena brightened instantly.

“Great! I had some new ideas about my combat system last night. Could you give me guidance?”

Marcus’s soul visibly left his body.

But he nodded.

Evan slipped inside the office, offering Marcus a silent prayer.

⭐ Meeting the Guardian

General Elias Storm sat behind her desk, writing with sharp, decisive strokes.

Even without looking up, her presence filled the room—commanding, disciplined, overwhelming.

Evan unconsciously straightened his back like a soldier awaiting inspection.

“Sit,” she said.

He obeyed.

When she finally lifted her head, her gaze swept over him with the weight of a battlefield commander.

Then she nodded, satisfied.

“Good. You didn’t fold under my aura. Even my elite soldiers can’t sit calmly in front of me.

You’ve got guts. Guts make greatness.”

Evan smiled sheepishly.

“I grew up hearing stories about you. You’ve always been my hero.”

General Storm laughed.

“Thick‑skinned too. Good. Thick skin keeps you alive.”

She tossed him a bottle of orange juice from a mini‑fridge and cracked open a cola for herself.

Evan blinked.

He’d seen Saints drink tea, wine, rare spiritual brews…

but cola?

General Storm shrugged.

“I like sugar water. Tea is boring.”

Evan mentally noted to bring her rare sodas next time.

Then she got to business.

“You gave Serena the Deep‑Sea Eel Extract. Good. Here’s the mutated one.”

A flash of yellow light appeared in her hand—a powerful extract radiating violent energy.

Evan accepted it with both hands and stored it in his pendant.

“That’s the trade,” she said.

“Now here’s your gift.”

She dropped something heavy onto the desk with a thud.

Half a block of coral stone—dense, pale, faintly glowing.

“This is Tier‑3 Coral Stone. Grind it, drink it, and your bones will harden. Perfect for someone at your stage.”

Evan stored it immediately.

General Storm continued,

“Your performance yesterday was outstanding. Marcus reported everything.

Dongli rewards merit. Your promotion and contribution points are already being processed.”

Evan’s heart skipped.

Promotion meant access.

Access meant resources.

Resources meant power.

Then General Storm leaned back, eyes narrowing with amusement.

“Now that the small matters are done,” she said,

“let’s talk about the real reason I called you here.”

Evan’s stomach dropped.

“You’ve met Serena. What do you think of her?”

He forced a smile.

“She’s wonderful. Kind. Treats me like a younger brother.”

General Storm’s expression sharpened.

“So you’re saying you’re not interested?”