The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

"Let's see how you like that," he muttered, preparing for his next strike.

But even in its desperation, the serpent's attacks retained a lethal edge. One of its tendrils clipped Mikhailis' shoulder, sending him spiraling downward. He twisted at the last second, landing in a crouch as his Crymber boots absorbed the impact. Pain flared through his arm, sharp and searing, but he gritted his teeth and pushed through.

<Damage assessment: Right shoulder joint compromised. Fracture probability at 17%. Reduced combat efficiency by 5%. Recommend mitigation strategies immediately.>

"Yeah, thanks for the update," he muttered, flexing his fingers to shake off the numbness creeping down his arm.

"Always nice to know how broken I am in percentages."

The serpent's tail swept across the battlefield, obliterating a formation of stalagmites and sending the remaining Chimera Ant soldiers scattering. Mikhailis gritted his teeth, summoning shadow minions with a quick slash of the Riftborne dagger. The spectral figures darted toward the serpent, their ghostly forms drawing its attention long enough for Mikhailis to reposition.

"Gotta admit, you're putting up a hell of a fight," he said, aiming the Tempestrike wings downward for a rapid descent. He landed atop the serpent's back, his Crymber gauntlets igniting as he drove them into another fissure. The serpent roared, its movements growing frantic as cracks spread across its crystalline armor.

<Warning: Energy buildup detected. The serpent is preparing a Mana Breath attack. Estimated power: catastrophic.>

Mikhailis froze, his sharp gaze fixed on the serpent as it began to coil tightly, the glowing core within its massive form pulsating at an increasingly frantic rhythm. The air around it seemed to grow heavy, each pulse sending faint vibrations through the cavern floor. Mist, shimmering faintly with mana, swirled toward its open maw, creating an ominous vortex of energy that crackled with untamed power. Mikhailis could feel the temperature drop sharply, as if the very essence of the serpent's attack was leeching the warmth from the air itself. The sheer density of the mana gathering before him made it hard to breathe, each second adding to the suffocating tension. His grip on the halberd tightened, his knuckles whitening as his instincts screamed danger. The atmosphere was electric, charged with an impending force that threatened to obliterate everything in its path.

"Rodion," he said, his voice low but steady.

"Can I face this?"

Rodion seem to process the information for a while before giving an answer.

<Yes. According to my analysis, you can.>

A smirk tugged at Mikhailis' lips.

"That's all I needed to hear."

<I will guide you>

Rodion's tone sharpened, his usual detached demeanor replaced by a sense of urgency.

<Focus, Mikhailis. The Mana Breath attack has a centralized trajectory. Its energy core must be countered with equal or greater force. Begin by channeling the mana flows from each variant equipped. Start with the Tempestrike Drakeant—its aerial properties will stabilize the initial surge. Remember as the sensation would be the same as your training with Serelith in magic.>

Mikhailis nodded, his fingers tightening around the halberd. He could feel the storm-blue energy thrumming in the wings attached to his back, a steady pulse that resonated with his own heartbeat.

"Alright, first step, Tempestrike," he muttered, closing his eyes to focus.

<Excellent. Now merge the Crymber Ant's dual energies. Balance is key—do not allow fire or frost to dominate. Channel them equally into the stream.> Enjoy exclusive content from My Virtual Library Empire

The gauntlets on his hands flared to life, one radiating intense heat, the other exuding a biting chill. Mikhailis exhaled slowly, visualizing the opposing forces intertwining. He felt the energy shift, a volatile but harmonious blend that surged through his arms.

<Good. Now add the Slimeweave Ant's elasticity and absorption properties. This will ensure the energy remains contained and adaptable. Visualize a flexible sphere forming at the halberd's tip.>

The semi-liquid chest armor pulsed faintly, its regenerative coating amplifying the flow of mana as Mikhailis adjusted his grip on the weapon. A glowing orb began to materialize, swirling with streaks of wind, fire, frost, and shadow. The sphere flickered, unstable at first, but quickly solidified under his focused will.

<Lastly, the Riftborne Necrolord. Infuse the sphere with shadow magic for added density and penetrative power. This will ensure it can pierce the serpent's Mana Breath and strike its core.>

Mikhailis gritted his teeth as the dagger at his side pulsed with dark energy. The shadows coiled around the orb, merging seamlessly with the other elements. The sphere now radiated an ominous, pulsating glow, its energy dense and alive.

"What's the name of this move, Rodion?" Mikhailis asked, a wry smile tugging at his lips despite the tension.

Then, he smirked when he heard the name.

"That's a very perfect and suitable move name for me,"

He closed his eyes briefly, inhaling deeply. When he opened them, the cavern seemed to sharpen, every detail vivid. Energy swirled around him, coalescing into a glowing sphere that hovered just beyond his halberd's blade. The elements merged in a dazzling display, the sphere pulsing with a rhythmic hum.

The serpent's Mana Breath roared toward him, a blinding beam of crystalline energy tearing through the cavern. The ground shook, and the air itself seemed to crack under the force of the attack. Mikhailis raised the halberd, the glowing sphere at its tip intensifying.

<Now, Mikhailis. Release it!>

"Here goes nothing," Mikhailis muttered, hurling the glowing sphere forward.With a guttural cry, Mikhailis hurled his condensed orb forward.

"Entomic Convergence Cannon———!!!!"

the orb of swirling elements colliding head-on with the serpent's Mana Breath. The impact was cataclysmic, the cavern engulfed in a storm of light, sound, and energy. Wind howled, fire roared, and frost crackled as the two forces clashed. Shadowy tendrils from the cannon twisted and surged, cutting through the crystalline energy like knives. For a moment, the battle hung in balance, the energies locked in a deadly embrace.

The Entomic Convergence Cannon collided with the Mana Breath mid-air, the impact creating a blinding explosion of light and sound. Wind, fire, and frost clashed violently with crystalline energy, the cavern shaking as the two forces vied for dominance. Mikhailis gritted his teeth, the backlash of energy pushing him backward.

"You better be right," he growled, pushing forward with all his strength. The sphere surged, its light intensifying as it broke through the Mana Breath. The beam struck the serpent directly in its core, shattering its crystalline armor with a deafening crack.Then, with a deafening roar, the Convergence Cannon surged forward, overwhelming the Mana Breath and slamming into the serpent's glowing core.

The serpent let out one final, piercing screech as its massive form collapsed to the ground. Shards of crystal rained down, the light fading from its eyes as its body stilled. Mikhailis hovered above, his wings beating weakly as he surveyed the aftermath.

"Take that, you serpent bitch," he muttered, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

But the adrenaline was already fading, the toll of the battle catching up to him like a tidal wave. His wings, which had carried him with such precision and power, began to quiver, their storm-blue hues dimming as exhaustion set in. A sharp pain lanced through his shoulders, and with a gasp, he dropped from the air. His landing was far from graceful, one knee slamming hard into the jagged ground as his body sagged under its own weight. Dust and crystal fragments scattered around him, the echoes of his impact lost in the eerie silence that followed the serpent's demise. His vision blurred, dark spots creeping in at the edges as the strength drained from his limbs. Each breath felt heavier, his chest heaving as if the air itself had turned to lead. For a moment, he tried to rise, gripping his halberd for support, but his fingers refused to respond, trembling weakly around the weapon's hilt.

"Rodion... status report..." he murmured, his voice barely audible over the faint hum of the dying energy in the cavern. His words were slurred, his lips struggling to form each sound as consciousness began to slip away.

<You... succeeded, Mikhailis. The threat has been neutralized. However, the damage to your physical condition is significant. Scanning...>

Rodion paused momentarily before continuing,

<You have sustained multiple fractures in your right shoulder, and internal bruising is evident across your torso. Combat efficiency has dropped to zero percent. Immediate rest is necessary.>

Mikhailis, his vision flickering, managed a faint smirk. "Not bad for someone who just fought a glittery death machine," he murmured weakly, his breath labored.

Rodion's voice softened slightly, a rare shift from its usual crisp tone.

<Rest now, Mikhailis. The remaining Chimera Ant soldiers and workers will secure the area and tend to necessary operations. You are no longer required to push forward. Your survival takes precedence.>

Rodion's voice was softer than usual, a tone that almost seemed... gentle. A faint, weary smile crossed Mikhailis's lips, his usual bravado giving way to quiet relief.

"Not bad," he whispered, his head dipping forward as his grip loosened on the halberd. The weapon clattered to the ground, the sound distant and hollow in his ears.

As his body slumped to the rocky floor, the world around him darkened entirely, the faint glow of the serpent's shattered core fading into the void of unconsciousness.