[: Daniel’s POV :]

"So, what’s your plan?" I asked, raising a brow at Mika as she sit, beautiful, and somehow still managing to look flustered.

"Surely you wouldn’t expect me to handle all of them alone, right?" I added.

Even though confidence wasn’t something I lacked,I mean, hello?

Though I have the system and my absurd abilities, the unknown was never something to underestimate.

We’re talking about beings who casually sneeze out supernovas or wipe out civilizations because they tripped over their egos.

Ancient factions, sovereigns, entities, the type you don’t measure with stats but with existential dread.

Even if I could handle them alone... what happens to this world the moment I’m gone?

The moment I look away?

This planet is still weak compared to what’s coming.

[: Host could strengthen the world. However... you lack the points :]

’Thought so’

’Always comes down to points’

’Figures’

"If you’re worried about the overall prowess of my children," Mika said, gently smiling, "then you wouldn’t have to worry. My children are more than worthy."

She continued, "Otherwise, how could the First Ancestors have survived the merciless invasions from multiple different factions and sovereign entities all at once?"

I rubbed my chin.

"You got a point... and I’m quite curious why the First Ancestors were that important. What made them so different?"

The System once told me that I wasn’t strong enough to have the answer, but I hope she could answer me.

She brightened, proud and nostalgic.

"One of the main reasons they were called the ’First Ancestors’ is that they were the first generation born from me"

"And... the energy of my core, the Nexus Heart, was fused into them."

Core fusion with a living planet. No big deal.

"And to add on," she continued, "they were the ’Chosen Ones’ who caught the attention of beings whose capabilities can’t be comprehended"

"Because of that, even though they were only Mythic Rank at that time... they were able to repel countless invasions."

I nodded slowly. "Yeah, I think I get the idea."

"So now..." I leaned in slightly, "what’s your plan?"

Mika’s smile became mischievous.

"Honestly? It’s quite simple."

She held out her hand, and shimmering energy, it was like galaxies of energy condensed into one single swirling mass of a star around her palm.

"Because of you, I have the chance to evolve. And once I evolve, I will gain more abilities to nurture my children, granting them growth beyond normal limits."

She paused... eyes soft.

"You have no idea how much potential your actions infused into me"

"If I evolve, the perks gained will be... ten to a hundred times more potent than any standard planetary evolution."

"That’s... amazing," I admitted.

"So then... what’s the problem?"

She fidgeted, twirling a strand of her hair, the universal sign of trouble incoming.

"That’s the part... where I need your help, my lucky Prince Charm."

I blinked. "And why is that?"

Her expression tightened, courage wavering.

"As you know... after my connection has been re-established with the Universe, this world... is no longer hidden."

That explained the uneasiness I felt since our conversation started.

"There’s no telling when other factions or higher-tier planets might detect us," Mika said.

"Normally, only entities of the same tier can attack each other"

"But some higher civilizations possess divine artifacts, forbidden items, or loopholes that ignore such rules."

"You said that earlier on and that’s... insanely reassuring," I deadpanned.

She gave me a dry look, like ’don’t interrupt my impending doom speech’

"And if I choose to evolve..."

Her hands trembled slightly.

"It will be the time I’m most vulnerable."

She looked away like she was ashamed.

"All my titles, abilities... everything that protects my children would temporarily deactivate"

"Even if I’m confident they can survive... I cannot ensure how many would die."

Her voice cracked.

"Yes, I am a Planet, Daniel... but I am also a mother. To every soul here in this planet and that includes you."

Silence fell.

There it was, the raw truth.

"And there’s no way I’m willing to watch my children suffer again," Mika whispered.

"But I have to take this step... for their future."

She finally met my eyes again, desperation and hope mixed.

"That is why... I need your help to protect us while I evolve."

I stared at her quietly.

Of all the beings in this world... she trusted me.

No, she trust me and my strength.

It just shows how much confident she had in me.

And to be honest, that’s quite heavy for me.

I stood, walked closer until our faces were mere breaths apart.

"After saying all that..." I smirked softly, "you really think I’d say no?"

Mika’s eyes widened, cheeks blooming red.

"I’m not a saint," I continued.

"I won’t pretend I can save everybody. I’d probably laugh at someone who said they could."

I placed a hand gently on her shoulder.

"But I will not let anything happen to you or to this home, to you who’s a mother of the children that I called my dear ones"

Her lips quivered, stunned by how seriously I spoke.

"You’re a kind person, Daniel..." she murmured.

"Even if you deny it."

"Well... I deny a lot of things." I grinned.

"Like how I can handle responsibility."

She giggled despite her stress, victory.

"But I wish for this world to rise up and fight beside me," I added. "Not cower behind me."

Mika nodded.

"Whatever you say, my lucky Prince Charm. No matter what you insist... you’ll always be my lucky Prince Charm"

She really wasn’t letting that nickname go.

"So," I said, "when do you plan to evolve?"

"Not soon," she answered.

"I need preparation. It isn’t instant. The higher the potential... the longer it takes."

I raised an eyebrow.

"How long are we talking?"

She awkwardly raised her fingers and she showed her forefinger.

"One month"

"That’s actually faster than I expected."

She looked surprised.

"You’re... okay with that?"

"Honestly, if you told me a hundred years, I’d be annoyed but still go along with it."

"Would you though?"

"...I’d complain the entire ninety-nine years."

She snorted, then sighed with relief.

"In six months, it will be the students’ academy break. It’s be the ideal time for you who would be next to this academy"

She lowered her head.

"And... after everything you’ve gone through recently... I wish I could let you rest longer. But this is all the time I can offer."

I reached out and flicked her forehead lightly.

"Ow— Daniel!"

"No unnecessary guilt-tripping," I said.

"If anyone should be apologizing, it’s the invaders who think they can touch our home."

Her eyes softened, glowing with renewed determination.

"I will ensure the preparations begin immediately," she said.

"My children must grow stronger. I will nurture every continent, every soul, accelerate their growth as much as possible."

"Well I’ll be doing the same," I replied.

"And if anyone comes within even a single meter of Earth with bad intentions..."

I clenched my fist, void rippling around my skin.

"They’ll regret acknowledging our existence."

"You’re terrifying when you’re sweet," Mika said, shivering adorably.

I grinned. "It’s a talent."

She suddenly leaned forward, her voice gentle.

"...Thank you, Daniel."

I froze, slightly confused.

"For what?"

"For existing."

Okay.

That one hit harder than expected.

"I’m not sure existing is something to thank me for," I muttered.

"It is." She smiled brightly.

"Your existence changed everything."

Silence wrapped around us again, but this time... it was warm.

Her expression then turned totally serious.

"Oh. There’s one more small detail," she said.

"...What detail?"

"When higher-tier planets evolve, some arrogant factions like to ’test’ them during the process."

"...Test?"

"Yes. By unleashing calamities. Monsters. Armies. Catastrophes."

I stared at her.

"...Mika."

"Yes?"

"That’s not a small detail."

She giggled nervously. "Well, to an omnipresent planetary consciousness, ’detail’ scales differently"

"Mika."

"Yes?"

"If we survive this, you’re grounded."

She blinked. "I’m a planet."

"Grounded."

She burst into laughter, starlight dancing in her eyes.

"I truly feel confident having you by my side," she said.

"And I feel exhausted already," I sighed.

"We’ll face it together," she said softly.

"...We will," I agreed.

Because now...

This planet wasn’t just a map.

It was someone.

Someone I wouldn’t lose.

Afterwards, we had few conversations as she explained what I would have to expect for the Academy.

At the same time, she warned me that it wouldn’t be easy.

Not because of the lessons, but because of the students.

"There’re going to be some of them who have their own pride and ego, so watch out for them" Mika said.

"Well as long as they don’t cross the line, I’ll try best not to kill them"

"Well even if they don’t do, I can’t promise that nothing would happen to them" I warned Mika first.

"And you already know that Mika" I said reminding her what happened to Revan.

"Of course I know. In the end, there’s nothing that I can do to you and even if you’re wrong, I’ll be by your side" Mika declared.