Evolution begins with an ant colony

"Then receive our goddess's blessing. With it, may you receive the strength to slay the demons," the head priest said.

As the head priest uttered those words, Mina's body was suddenly covered in a radiant golden glow. All the people present couldn't help but watch in awe, witnessing the blessing of their goddess firsthand. Even Evan couldn't help but gaze at Mina, his jaw dropped.

Once the golden light subsided, Mina opened her eyes, and they seemed to glow slightly for a moment. She raised her hands, feeling the divine power coursing through them.

The head priest then addressed her, saying, "Rise, child. Bring forth the weapon our goddess has bestowed upon you—the weapon you shall use to smite the demons and put an end to their advances." His words echoed with conviction and strong belief.

Mina slowly rose to her feet, following the head priest's words. She outstretched her hand, and as if words came to her mind, she muttered, "Come forth, Galorin, my holy staff." In that moment, divine energy swirled around her hand, condensing to form a golden wand shaped like a dragon head biting a massive purple orb—an awe-inspiring and mysterious design.

Lost in thought, Evan gazed at Mina and didn't notice when the head priest called out to him. The head priest said, "Child, it is your turn. Do you swear to live by the teachings of our goddess?" Evan didn't respond, caught up in gazing at Mina. She noticed this, turned her head to face him slightly, blushed, and mumbled, "Did that make you fall for me?"

Her words made him snap back to reality. He finally heard the head priest's voice and swiftly turned around to face him, quickly uttering, "I shall, and I shall not dare go against any of them."

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The head priest couldn't help but sigh, musing, "Young and in love. I can't blame him for being distracted like that. I only hope he doesn't end up becoming distracted on the battlefield."

The head priest then placed the golden staff on Evan's head, saying, "Then receive our goddess's blessing. With it, may you receive the strength to slay the demons." Evan's body was suddenly covered in a radiant golden glow, feeling the divine power coursing through his veins.

Just like with Mina, the head priest said to Evan, "Rise, child. Bring forth the weapon our goddess has bestowed upon you—the weapon you shall use to smite the demons and put an end to their advances." His words echoed once again with conviction and strong belief.

Evan followed in Mina's footsteps, hearing words in his head prompting him to utter as he stretched forward his right hand, "Come forth, Rzalor, my holy sword."

In that moment, light began to condense in Evan's right hand until it formed his holy sword. He was in awe of the sheer radiance of the sword he held in his hands. Its blade was so polished that it reflected his face, almost like a mirror. The handle was yellow, adorned with purple gemstones at its center and along the edges of the handle.

The sword gave off an ethereal glow, casting a warm light in the prayer hall.

As the head priest concluded, "Now that you both have received our goddess's blessing, may you both now be on your way."

Mina and Evan turned around, slowly making their way out of the prayer hall. The divine weapons they had summoned resolved back into particles of light, fading away as they stepped outside. Evan, with a sense of reverence, closed the massive wooden doors behind them, muffling the sounds of the ongoing prayers within.

Once the heroes were gone, the head priest extended his hand, and a fellow priest took the golden cross from him, returning it to its sacred place. With a composed demeanor, the head priest addressed the people gathered in the prayer hall, "Now that that is over with, we shall continue our prayers to our goddess.

Let us all pray that she guides and protects the heroes on their quest to save the lives of the people of this world."

Everyone present bowed their heads in solemn agreement, and the head priest slowly turned around to face the statue of the goddess. The hall resumed its songs of praise and worship, the echoes of devotion filling the sacred space once more.

As they stepped out, Evan let out a sigh of relief, resting his back against the door. The weight of unspoken fears lifted from his shoulders. Inwardly, he mused, "I was silently scared because of the fact Akun turned me into his slave. I wouldn't be able to receive any divine blessing.

At worst, the priests would have thought I had become a demon of some sorts, and I would have been executed." Beads of sweat formed on his face at the thought. Another sigh escaped his lips, and he mumbled, "I'm glad that was not the case."

Mina noticed Evan letting out a sigh, and he muttered something, but she couldn't catch it entirely due to the sounds of prayer leaking out of the doors. She couldn't help but smile as she leaned in close to ask, "Did you like how I glowed when I summoned my holy weapon?"

Evan blushed slightly, attempting to defend himself, "No, no, I wasn't. What made you think that?"

Mina chuckled and pointed out with a mischievous grin and a glint in her eyes, "Do you really think I didn't notice how you were staring at me when I summoned my holy staff?" Her cheeks flushed slightly as she added, "It was so priceless. I was sort of happy to know you secretly like me, even though you tend to hide your feelings."@@novelbin@@

Evan's face became entirely red as he realized Mina noticed that he was staring. Swiftly deciding to change the topic, he pointed out, "E-enough with that," as he quickly stood upright and began walking down the hall. Adding, "We should hurry up; Lady Utopia is waiting for us outside."