Xu Zhi had waited a long time for this moment.
Now, he was finally about to integrate his first gene.
He had deliberately skipped Gilgamesh's gene. Though immensely powerful—far more so than the Three Witches in their current state—it was ultimately brute force, lacking adaptability.
Magic, however, was different. It brimmed with potential and offered far greater versatility. Xu Zhi found himself genuinely excited for what lay ahead.
Especially the Evil Eye—its peculiar ability to charm others could prove incredibly useful in modern society.
The Tyranis Hive Mind's cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
"Do you want to incorporate the Evil Eye gene?"
"Yes."
Xu Zhi took a deep breath and answered with resolve.
"Incorporating. Prepare for genetic assimilation."
He barely made it to bed before a wave of pain crashed over him, searing through his body like wildfire.
He had to admit, Akina's Speedster had done a remarkable job. That creature's evolution had become the foundation for an entire magical civilization. Xu Zhi wordlessly scratched off a few grudges from his mental list of complaints against her.
Thirty agonizing minutes passed before he could finally stand again.
It had worked.
His mental strength had surged to terrifying levels—though his thoughts had grown disturbingly unstable.
"So this is the side effect of the Evil Eye... such dark urges."
Xu Zhi steadied his breath. The intrusive thoughts clawing at his mind were filled with cruelty, lust, and violence. He felt like losing control, letting go of reason and diving headfirst into chaos.
Now he truly understood what Circe must have felt.
His body burned with unrestrained desire. For a fleeting moment, he seriously considered heading to Dongcheng's red-light district to "help" a female college student with her tuition. Hell, any woman would've done.
He gritted his teeth.
No. He had to regain control.
Xu Zhi forced himself to calm down and began practicing the meditation technique laid out in A Beginner's Guide to Meditation and Magic, authored by the Three Witches.
He crossed his legs on the bed, closed his eyes, and took slow, deep breaths. Entering a meditative state took longer than he'd hoped, and even when he did, he failed to grasp any trace of mental energy.
It was frustrating—he had no teacher, no guidance. The new witches who passed the initiation ritual were taught by the Three Witches themselves, but Xu Zhi was left to fumble in the dark.
He didn't dare enter the sandbox and ask them for help. All he could do was laugh bitterly at his own isolation.
But he didn't give up.
After a full half-day of effort, he finally succeeded.
The breakthrough was minor, but it revealed something extraordinary: thanks to the mental essence he had absorbed from countless beings during the three great extinction events, his foundation was far beyond what any ordinary person could achieve.
"At this rate, I'll become an apprentice wizard in less than three days—and finally learn my first real spell."
He sighed in relief.
Soon, he would become the first true wizard in the real world.
Ordinary humans had no access to supernatural powers. They lacked the genetic keys that Xu Zhi now possessed. And in this modern world without a cultivation system?
Well, he'd just have to create one.
"If Earth lacks magic," Xu Zhi muttered with a faint smile, "then I'll build it in my sandbox."
He organized his thoughts and laid out the next step: introduce more supernatural species and refine the structure of the magical civilization.
If Akina's Speedster's Evil Eye had triggered such revolutionary change, what would happen when even more supernatural lifeforms were added?
The possibilities thrilled him.
The Next Morning – 6:00 AM
Xu Zhi stood once more before the massive sandbox. Fifty years had passed within its world—and what had transpired left him momentarily speechless.
The Kingdom of Babylon, Year 146
The twin guardian goddesses of Babylon uncovered traces of Circe's dark cult deep within the Balchik Mountains. The kingdom mobilized its full might to destroy her.
The resulting war devastated both sides.
Year 154
A euphoric cry echoed from the palace, ringing across the kingdom.
"This is it! This is fusion! This is Truth! Element dominates element—each with its bane, its master!"
It was Cassandra, the Witch of Spring.
Tasked with medicine and livestock, she had led Babylon's court witches in groundbreaking magical research. At last, she had grasped the basic principles of Alchemy.
Her crowning achievement: the Witch Factor Compatibility Potion. It drastically reduced the genetic rejection between humans and the Evil Eye, sparking a wave of new witch awakenings.
Thus, Babylon fully entered the Era of Witches.
Year 167
The two witches discovered Circe's location and launched a bold offensive.
They failed.
And for the first time, signs of aging crept upon them. The realization shook them to their core.
Year 171
Desperate for answers, Cassandra delved into the Genesis Epic. Her efforts bore fruit—she recreated the lost Potion of Longevity once wielded by Gilgamesh himself.
Year 198
Now 213 years old, the two legendary witches had reached the end of their road. Time had finally caught up.
Inside Babylon's grand royal palace, a black carriage drawn by two majestic Arrahs halted at a vast stone plaza. Golden sunlight filtered through the sky as two figures stepped out.
They were radiant, young, beautiful—eternally preserved by magic.
But their lifespans were beyond salvation.
Before them stood a towering temple and a colossal statue: an imposing, faceless man with a three-eyed raven perched on his shoulder.
This was Mercury, the god of wisdom. The one who had bestowed upon Babylon the Three Great Disciplines—Meditation, Magic, and Alchemy.
The witches approached the temple, eyes brimming with tears.
"O great god Mercury... we've come to see you once more."
These were the women who had ushered in an age of miracles. And now, at the end of their journey, they had returned to where it all began.
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