I can Evolve More

Aelorin's thoughts raced as he handed some of his clothes to Alpha. The reality of what he had done was just beginning to sink in. He hadn't just created a companion, no, he had created an entirely new being—a race, something beyond imagination. His heart beat faster with excitement.

*I created a new race... a living, breathing creature. This is... exhilarating.*

He watched Alpha closely as she dressed in a red shirt and dark wool trousers. She was surprisingly similar to him in height and size, her feminine features being the main difference. It made him wonder if the system had evolved her from his own genetic template, almost like a reflection of himself.

*Is she a mirror of me? Does she possess feelings like we do? Does she even feel pain, or is she more like an animal—driven by instincts?*

He had so many questions and couldn't wait to start probing into the depths of her existence.

"Alpha," he called, his voice calm but tinged with curiosity. "Can you sit here for a moment?"

She obeyed without hesitation, moving with a grace that seemed both strong and fragile. There was a certain timidness about her, as if she was still figuring out her place in this new world.

Aelorin sat across from her, studying her carefully. The red shirt hung loosely on her frame, and she fidgeted slightly, retracting and extending her claws—a nervous habit, perhaps.

"What do you feel when you look at me?" he asked, starting with something simple. He wanted to gauge her emotional range before diving deeper.

Alpha paused, her sharp teeth briefly gnashing together as she thought. Finally, she spoke.

"Admiration," she said slowly, "and... warmth. There's a warmth towards you."

She grasped the fabric of the shirt over her chest tightly, her knuckles whitening. Aelorin tilted his head slightly, intrigued. *So, she can feel... or at least, she thinks she can.*

*She's not just a mindless drone. There's something there—a spark, but it's still primitive.* Aelorin leaned back, his fingers tapping his chin thoughtfully. He realized the system had evolved her, but only to a basic level. Right now, she seemed to be little more than a loyal servant, hardwired to obey and protect.

*I thought as much. Evolution hasn't progressed far enough for her to be truly independent. She's capable of admiration, but only in the way a slave admires its master—out of necessity, not free will.*

Aelorin's thoughts spiraled. He realized how dangerous it could be if others found out about her. A new race, especially one with such potential, would be seen as a threat by both humans and other creatures. Worse yet, she could be captured, sold as a slave, or even hunted for sport.

*She's a secret that could change everything... or destroy everything.*

As he pondered, a sudden notification appeared before his eyes, illuminating the next step in his journey:

---

**{World Building Quest}**

**{Build your own Empire in this world.}**

**{Your Evolution begins with a single cell and must reach the checkpoint of a nation.}**

---

Aelorin's eyes widened, and suddenly, everything clicked into place. *With this race... I can build my own empire. My kingdom, in this world.* His heart raced as his engineering background kicked in, the potential of modern technology meshing with the primitive magic of this world.

*I can influence this world with my knowledge. Building won't be trivial. I see it now. This is my future here.*

He turned to Alpha, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "How would you feel about there being more of your kind, Alpha? You're the first of your race—what if you weren't the only one?"

Alpha's expression darkened. She bowed her head and studied her hands, claws retracting and extending nervously once again. After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice shaky yet firm.

"No—!" she exclaimed, and her voice cracked like a whip in Aelorin's ears. He was stunned. *What?* Her answer was the last thing he had expected.

"Why?" His voice was steady, but inside he was reeling. *Why would she refuse?*

"I don't want others like me to come into this world and suffer as I have," she continued, her voice quieter now, but filled with a strange wisdom. "I know I'm the first of my kind... and that means I will face discrimination. I might even die young. I don't want others to carry that burden. Let me bear the weight of your mistakes alone, my Lord."

Her words hit him like a hammer to the chest. He stared at her, speechless for a moment.

*She has developed fear... and care.* A sense of admiration swelled within him. This wasn't just some half-formed creature. She had emotions, instincts that went beyond mere survival. And it was all just from sniffing his own emotional state.

*What else can she do?*

Aelorin chuckled softly, impressed beyond words. He reached out and patted her head, a rare smile playing on his lips. "Don't worry about that, Alpha. I have a plan. Trust me when I say your race will become one of the greatest. I promise you that."

Her eyes lit up, and for a moment, Aelorin could see the hope and joy shining in them. She didn't want to be alone, even if Aelorin was there for her. She wanted others like her, but only if they could thrive, not just survive.

*So, this is what having an adopted daughter feels like.* Aelorin thought with a smirk. *It's... not bad at all.*

---

The next few days were smoother than Aelorin had expected. Being grounded in his home was a blessing in disguise, allowing him to focus entirely on Alpha and his plans for the future. He ordered as much food as he and Alpha could eat and began more in-depth research on her capabilities.

He started by testing her physical durability. Alpha was faster than a regular elf, her movements more precise, and her strength impressive for someone of her size. It was typical of a beast-person, but she was far more refined. Her instincts were sharper, her reflexes faster.

But Aelorin's real interest was in her ability to learn magic.

Teaching her magic was surprisingly easy. She was calm, collected, and quick to grasp concepts. Within a week, she had filled her core with magic and could perform basic spells.

However, when they sparred, she was no match for him. Time and time again, Aelorin would land a hit, knocking her to the ground, and she would grow visibly frustrated. Her emotions were developing rapidly—each failure weighed heavily on her, and Aelorin became more of an emotional support for her, guiding her through her frustrations.

Her speed of learning, however, was staggering. What had taken Aelorin years to master, she picked up in mere days.

*She's progressing far too quickly. It's like she's absorbing my knowledge like a sponge. This... this is incredible.*

Aelorin liked to think her rapid development was thanks to his excellent teaching, but deep down, he knew Alpha was special.

---

One evening, as he stood by the window, Alpha watched him curiously. "What are you doing, my Lord?" she asked, her anxiety creeping into her voice.

Aelorin smiled. "I'm calling more grey foxes to us. It's time to expand our numbers."

Her eyes widened, and she looked at him in awe. "More... of my kind?"

Aelorin nodded. Unlike the first time when he had evolved Alpha, he now had more control over his abilities. His beast domination aura had strengthened, and he had learned how to summon and control it at will.

Before long, two grey foxes approached the window, their movements cautious but drawn irresistibly to Aelorin.

*Last time, it cost me my pinky finger to evolve Alpha. This time... it might take more. But I'll make it subtle. I don't want to be stuck without a finger until I can absorb enough cells from another creature.*

He placed his hands on the two grey foxes, one on each. *This is worth it.*

---

**{To evolve these beasts, a finger's worth of cells is required.}**

**{Do you wish to proceed?}**

---

Without hesitation, Aelorin's two ring fingers dissolved, absorbed into the foxes. The familiar process began once more, and within moments, two new beings lay before him. One male, one female.

They were the same age as Alpha, similar in structure, with long white hair and lean, muscular bodies. The female had the same rich figure as Alpha, while the male was more solid, broader in the shoulders and chest.

*Well, damn... that boy's... gifted. Can we trade?* Aelorin smirked, quickly turning his attention to the female to avoid further distracting thoughts.

Alpha approached him quietly. "What will you name them, my Lord?"

Aelorin didn't have to think twice. Names came to him instantly, though he knew they were nothing special.

He pointed to the female. "You will be Gamma." Then to the male. "And you, Beta."

Their eyes widened in awe, mouths slightly agape. They seemed thrilled by their new names.

"Thank you, my Lord!" Beta bowed his head deeply. "These names... they are perfect. We shall treasure them always."

Aelorin chuckled internally. *If only they knew I named them after basic Greek letters. But hey, it works.*

He opened his arms, addressing the trio.

"Welcome to our ranks... Let's build a new kingdom together."