The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Huahaha! I've been waiting for this moment all the time.

He reached into his bag, his hand finding the familiar weight of the Entomancer's Talisman. The intricately carved artifact pulsed with energy, and Mikhailis could feel the connection between him and the Chimera Ants. He focused his energy, his mind reaching out to them. Immediately, the various Chimera Ant variants that were around him began to stir.

"Alright, time to see if this works." He took another deep breath and activated the talisman. The response was instantaneous—the Chimera Ant variants around him began to glow, their bodies shifting, transforming as they moved towards him. The Scurabons crawled up his arms and legs, their exoskeletons reshaping to form protective plates that covered his limbs.

He could feel their strength merging with his, the power they granted settling into his muscles. The Hypnoveil Variant floated towards him, its glowing antennae wrapping around his head, forming a glowing circlet that pulsed with a soft, green light. He blinked, his vision suddenly sharpening, the details of the cave and his enemies becoming crystal clear.

<Heightened perception activated. Hypnoveil's influence can now be channeled for battlefield analysis and limited illusion capabilities. Please refrain from using it for pointless antics.>

Mikhailis grinned, the corners of his lips twitching upwards.

"No promises, Rodion." He could feel the energy coursing through him, the power that came from merging with the Chimera Ants. The Frog Variant fused with his boots, its slimy form melding with the leather, making them appear almost alive. He could feel the spring in his step, the added agility that made him feel like he could leap over mountains.

As the transformation completed, Mikhailis stood tall, his entire body covered in armor made from the Chimera Ants. He looked down at himself, then back at Elowen, who was staring at him, her golden eyes wide in surprise.

He flashed her a grin, raising his arms.

"Look at me, Elowen! I've become a Bug Hero!"

Elowen blinked, her expression caught between astonishment and disbelief.

"You... what?"

"A Bug Hero!" He repeated, his voice filled with excitement.

"You know, like those heroes from those old anime I love to watch!"

Elowen shook her head, a soft laugh escaping her lips.

"Mikhailis... You really are unpredictable..."

He winked at her.

"You love it." He turned his attention back to the Goblin Champions, his face growing serious.

"Alright, Rodion, analysis."

<The Goblin Champions are mid-level [Count] rank. Current configuration places you at bottleneck [Count] rank, just barely capable of matching them with the full-equipped of all talismans. Suggest focusing on agility and critical strikes. Avoid direct confrontation.>

Mikhailis nodded, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the approaching enemies. He could feel the power flowing through him, the Chimera Ants' instincts merging with his own. He shifted his stance, his feet feeling lighter, his body ready to move.

"Elowen," he said, his voice low.

"I'll take the one on the left."

She nodded, her eyes meeting his, a silent understanding passing between them.

"Be careful, Mikhailis."

"Always." He smirked, then pushed off the ground, his new armor propelling him forward with incredible speed.

The Goblin Champion swung its massive club, aiming to crush him, but Mikhailis was ready.

He jumped, the Frog Variant's power sending him soaring into the air, the club passing harmlessly beneath him. He landed on the Goblin's arm, his daggers—formed from the Scurabons—slashing down, leaving deep gashes in the creature's flesh. The Goblin roared in pain, trying to shake him off, but Mikhailis moved quickly, leaping off its arm and landing behind it.

"Nice try, big guy," he muttered, his eyes darting towards the second Goblin Champion. It was advancing on Elowen, its club raised high. Mikhailis's heart skipped a beat, but he knew better than to worry—Elowen was more than capable of handling herself.

She moved with grace, her sword flashing as she met the Goblin's attack head-on. The force of their clash echoed through the cave, the ground trembling beneath their feet.

Elowen's magic flared, her body surrounded by a faint glow as she pushed back against the Goblin, her strength and determination shining through.

Mikhailis turned his attention back to his own opponent, his eyes narrowing. The Goblin Champion was wounded, but far from defeated. It turned to face him, its yellow eyes filled with rage. Mikhailis grinned, his heart pounding with adrenaline.

"Come on, then," he taunted, raising his daggers.

"Let's dance."

The Goblin roared, charging at him, its massive feet pounding against the ground. Mikhailis waited, his body tense, his mind focused. He could see every movement, every shift in the Goblin's stance. The Hypnoveil's influence allowed him to predict the Goblin's attacks, the world around him slowing as he moved, his body reacting almost on instinct.

The Goblin swung its club, the force of the attack enough to crush a lesser opponent, but Mikhailis was already moving. He ducked under the swing, his daggers flashing as he struck at the Goblin's exposed side. He could feel the blades biting into flesh, the Goblin's roar of pain echoing through the cave.

<Recommendation: exploit the enemy's lack of agility. Target the legs to reduce mobility.>

Mikhailis smirked.

"You got it, Rodion." He moved, his body a blur as he dodged the Goblin's attacks, his eyes focused on its legs. He could see the weak points, the places where the armor was thinner, the joints more exposed.

He darted forward, his daggers slashing at the Goblin's knee, the creature letting out a pained roar as it stumbled, its balance faltering. Mikhailis didn't let up, his movements fluid and precise as he struck again, this time at the other leg. The Goblin fell to one knee, its massive form shaking the ground as it struggled to stay upright.

"Elowen! Now!" Mikhailis shouted, his voice echoing through the cave.

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Elowen turned, her eyes locking onto the weakened Goblin Champion. She moved, her sword glowing with magic as she charged forward. Her blade cut through the air, a brilliant arc of light that struck the Goblin's neck, the force of the blow severing its head from its body.

The Goblin's body fell, the ground shaking with the impact. Mikhailis let out a breath, his shoulders relaxing as he turned to face the second Goblin Champion. It was still standing, its eyes filled with fury as it faced Elowen.

Mikhailis moved, his feet light as he ran towards the Goblin, his daggers ready. He could see the way it moved, the way its eyes followed Elowen, its focus entirely on her. He grinned, the thrill of battle coursing through him.

"Hey, ugly!" he shouted, his voice filled with mockery.

"Why don't you pick on someone your own size?"

The Goblin turned, its eyes narrowing as it focused on him. Mikhailis could see the anger in its gaze, the way its muscles tensed. He knew he had its attention, and that was exactly what he wanted.

He moved, his body a blur as he dodged the Goblin's attacks, his daggers striking at its legs, its arms, anywhere he could find an opening. The Goblin roared, its movements growing more frantic as it tried to hit him, but Mikhailis was too fast, his body moving with a grace and agility that the Goblin couldn't match.

<Weakness detected. The Goblin's right leg is heavily damaged. Suggest focusing attacks there to bring it down.>

Mikhailis nodded, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the Goblin's right leg. He moved, his daggers flashing as he struck, the Goblin letting out a pained roar as its leg gave out, its massive form falling to the ground.

"Finish it!" he shouted, his voice filled with determination.

Elowen moved, her sword glowing with magic as she charged forward. Her blade cut through the air, a brilliant arc of light that struck the Goblin's neck, the force of the blow severing its head from its body.

The Goblin's body fell, the ground shaking with the impact. Mikhailis let out a breath, his shoulders relaxing as he looked at Elowen, a grin spreading across his face.

"Not bad, huh?" he said, his voice light, a hint of laughter in his eyes.

Elowen shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Not bad at all, Bug Hero." She stepped closer, her eyes meeting his, a warmth in her gaze that made his heart skip a beat.

Mikhailis scratched the back of his head, a sheepish grin on his face.

"Yeah, well... I guess I couldn't let you have all the fun."

She laughed, the sound filling the cave, the tension of the battle slowly fading away. Mikhailis looked at her, his heart swelling with a mix of emotions—relief, admiration, and something deeper, something he wasn't quite ready to name.

But at least.

He could feel that they are even closer in heart than before.