Legacy of the Void Fleet

Kallus froze for a moment, unable to think of anything. But he forced himself to push past the shock and gather his courage. Taking a deep breath, he finally asked, "I've been meaning to ask you something since the day I found myself in this universe…"

The notification panel flickered, and the response came instantly.

[Mortal, the reason you have come to me is because of your soul. And I know you can feel it too—it is unique, similar to mine. That is what caught my attention. Throughout my existence, no one has ever possessed a soul like mine… until you.]

He continued,

[You may not yet understand its significance, as you are far too weak to grasp even a fraction of its meaning. But in time, as you grow stronger, you will come to know.]

Kallus asked, "But all these gifts—the Universal Plane, the Red Empress, and everything else—why?"

[It is me helping you reach my level, mortal, at a faster pace. At the very least, I can have a bit of competition—and someone to accompany me. Watching you grow might be entertaining for me as well.]

Before Kallus could ask more, the being interrupted,

[Okay, that's enough questions and answers for now. I'm going to sleep now—oh, I mean, watch over the realities.]

With that, the presence vanished.

Kallus's mouth twitched. "You really meant sleep, didn't you?" he thought inwardly. Frustrated, he stomped his foot. He still had so many questions, yet the Supreme Being had left—just to sleep.

"Oh well, let's focus on the work ahead," Kallus actually said.

Kallus stood up from his command seat and called out to Red Empress. He didn't need to explain what had just happened or the information he had acquired—she already knew. Being fully integrated with his consciousness, she learned everything as soon as he did.

Without hesitation, he brought up the [Ultimate AI] that he had promised to construct for the Void Star Alliance. Initially, he had planned for one, but now he decided to create three instead. He gave her the necessary instructions, and for a brief moment, even Red Empress showed a hint of surprise before quickly returning to her usual calm demeanor.

"An excellent decision, Kallus," she said, her voice carrying a note of approval. "Your foresight is commendable."

Kallus smiled but quickly adopted a serious expression.

"We are about to witness vast changes, Empress. In no more than three months, the universe will shift, and we need to be prepared. This is only the first step."

Red Empress nodded in agreement, remaining silent for a moment as if deep in thought. Then, she asked,

"What is your next course of action, Kallus?"

Kallus exhaled, leaning back slightly.

"For now, I need to speak with Head Researcher Tyler Smith. I require his consultation on fleet expansion."

He paused before continuing,

"While I certainly understand fleet structures and strategic warfare—after all, I commanded entire armadas in my game—this isn't a game anymore. There are real lives at stake. We bear the responsibility not just for ourselves and our fleet personnel, but soon for Earth as well. Tyler is no ordinary man. His insights will be invaluable."

Red Empress nodded once again.

"Indeed, he is not," she said. "But then again, no one in our fleet is ordinary, is that not so, Kallus?"

Kallus blinked, momentarily stumped before letting out a small chuckle.

"You're right about that."

Their conversation continued for a little longer, discussing the specifics of his next steps. However, just before it ended, Red Empress's eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief.

"Kallus, you should control your aura. It is far too powerful for anyone to withstand in its current state."

Kallus froze, realizing only then that he had subconsciously released his aura without restraint. With an irritated huff, he crossed his arms.

"Hey, cut me some slack, Empress. It's all too sudden for me, you know? These changes are… overwhelming."

The Empress grinned, her eyes gleaming with an unreadable emotion, but she said nothing. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" he muttered, crossing his arms.

The Empress finally let out a soft chuckle, her voice like silk laced with steel. "Perhaps."

Kallus ignored the Red Empress, giving her a final glance before turning away. His voice was steady, "Alright, I'm going."

With that, he teleported directly to the [Research & Design Department.}

R&D Headquarters - Main Laboratory

The R&D sector occupied an entire compartment 600 meters in height, filled with countless pieces of transcendence-class equipment used for research and development.

As soon as Kallus materialized in the main lab, all eyes turned to him. Over the past month and a half, the researchers had come to recognize him as their leader, but this time, their attention was far more intense. Something about him had changed—profoundly.

He had undergone an evolution, one that altered him at the very core. His aura, though controlled, fluctuated ever so slightly, a subtle reminder of the overwhelming presence he could unleash at will. While it no longer bore the oppressive weight it once did at full release, it was impossible to ignore.

But what shocked them the most was his appearance. Gone was his black hair—now it was pristine white, streaked with radiant gold. His once deep blue eyes, as vast as the ocean, had transformed into a shimmering golden hue, as if forged from the purest gold imaginable. This change granted him an air of majesty, an almost divine presence.

Around him, the air seemed to shimmer, creating the illusion of constant fluctuation. As they gazed into his golden eyes, they felt as though they were witnessing unnatural phenomena beyond their comprehension. Stunned, the researchers glanced at each other, uncertain if what they saw was real.

Yet, none of them dared to question Kallus. They were researchers, and it was not their place to pry. If their Imperial Commander wished to explain, he would. Until then, they would observe in silence, knowing that something extraordinary had just occurred.

Standing at the forefront was Head Researcher Tyler Smith, accompanied by his apprentice Tessa Rose, along with several other top researchers.

The same was true for the head researcher, Tyler. He, too, felt the urge to ask but held himself back, knowing it was not his place to question Kallus about such a transformation. However, that didn't stop a certain apprentice of his.

Tessa, curious as ever, refrained from asking in front of everyone. Instead, she waited for the right moment, biding her time until she could speak with Kallus privately.

Recognizing his arrival, they immediately bowed slightly in respect and greeted him in unison,

"Imperial Commander."

Tyler had already been notified of Kallus's arrival by Red Empress the moment she sensed his intention to visit.

Kallus took a moment to observe the vast halls stretching endlessly before him. The sheer scale of the Research & Development Department was staggering—an entire level dedicated solely to scientific advancement. Here, anything was possible.

With the integrated shipyard, the researchers could design, construct, and test prototypes without external dependencies. The Obliterator's transcendence-tier teleportation system even allowed them to send completed ships directly into space for live testing.

Thinking about the numerous upgrades the Supreme Being had made to the Obliterator-class Star Dreadnought, Kallus couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. The ship had evolved into something far beyond its original state, yet at its core, it was still his vessel.

Shaking his head to refocus, he turned his attention to the head researcher, Tyler Smith, and his apprentice, Tessa Rose.

They weren't ordinary people—far from it. In fact, none of the researchers here were. But Tyler and Tessa stood out even among these elites.

Both of them came from the same universe, sharing a master-apprentice relationship that had spanned eras.

Tyler, in particular, was a legendary figure. He had once served as the Head Researcher of an ancient human galactic empire that had expanded its reach across 150 galaxies, maintaining absolute control over 50 of them.

For nearly 10,000 years, he had led groundbreaking advancements, developing countless technologies—ranging from basic scientific breakthroughs to the most devastating war weapons ever conceived.

Even among the greatest minds of the multiverse, his name carried unparalleled weight.