Civilization Level

"Civilization Level!" Seeing Alex’s confused expression, Lilandra grew even more anxious and hurriedly cried out, "Your planet’s Civilization Level!"

Only then did Alex understand. Tilting his head, he thought for a moment before saying hesitantly, "It should count as a low-level civilization, right?" Alex was basing this on the civilization classifications that had circulated online in his previous life, so he was not certain. Then it occurred to him that present-day Earth had not even ventured into space yet, so it probably did not even qualify as low-level.

"What do you mean, ‘should’?" Lilandra grew anxious again, thinking Alex was brushing her off. Though annoyed, she became even more worried for his safety, afraid he would anger the Empress.

However, to Lilandra’s surprise, the Empress did not get angry. Instead, she asked calmly, "You do not know the civilization classifications?"

"Please enlighten me, Your Majesty." Alex gave an embarrassed smile and seized the opportunity to ask without the slightest concern.

"Level 1 Civilization, also known as Planetary System Civilization." The Empress studied Alex with her beautiful eyes for a long while. Unexpectedly, she nodded and actually began explaining. "A civilization of this level controls the resources of its planet. Its science and technology allow it to completely control every usable resource and every matter on its planet. It is the absolute ruler of its planet and can control everything as it wishes!"

Alex’s face immediately fell. Even Earth decades from now would not possess such capabilities, much less Earth as it was now. The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became. A Level 1 Civilization was already this formidable—would the levels beyond it not be utterly absurd?

Just as he was feeling discouraged, Alex suddenly had a thought and smiled again. The Shi’ar Empire’s Civilization Level seemed much higher. Did that not mean he could return to Earth very quickly?

The Shi’ar Empress had been observing Alex all along. Although she could not truly sense his state of mind, she could still glean something from his expressions. His strange shifts left her somewhat puzzled.

Not only the Shi’ar Empress, but Warlord beside her was also studying Alex with a strange expression. At first glance, Alex seemed unremarkable, but upon closer observation, Warlord discovered that Alex was anything but ordinary. Of course, Warlord still believed Alex’s words, and he became immensely curious about the Earth Alex had mentioned.

"What comes next?" Alex snapped out of his daze after a moment. Seeing that the Shi’ar Empress had stopped, he could not help asking.

The Shi’ar Empress’s eyes narrowed slightly, and a trace of awkwardness crossed her face before she continued, "Level 2 Civilization, Stellar System Civilization. It controls the resources of its Star System, can fully utilize the energy possessed by its star, and brings the entire Star System under its control. It can freely live and travel among the various planets within the Star System."

"All right, we’ve entered future sci-fi movie territory!" Alex shook his head with a bitter smile. He realized that he had truly arrived in a surreal science-fiction world. How many years would Earth need to develop to such a level?

After a brief pause, the Shi’ar Empress continued, "Level 3 Civilization, Galaxy Civilization, is also the highest level of civilization. It is no longer confined to a Star System, but encompasses the entire galaxy in which it exists and can utilize all resources within that galaxy."

"The Shi’ar Empire is a Level 3 Civilization?" Alex was completely speechless. Utilizing the resources of an entire galaxy sounded like pure fantasy. A galaxy was unimaginably vast. Taking the Milky Way, which Alex knew well, as an example, even traveling at the speed of light from one end to the other would take at least millions of years!

Yet when he recalled some of the things vaguely revealed in Lilandra’s memories, Alex knew that a Level 3 Civilization was not fantasy after all!

Sure enough, the Shi’ar Empress nodded, a faint smile on her face.

"All right, my hometown, Earth…" Even as he remained speechless, Alex grew more excited. Shaking his head, he said, "By this classification, it probably does not even count as a Level 1 Civilization."

Ignoring everyone’s astonished expressions, Alex continued, "We have not even ventured into space beyond our own planet."

"Then how did you get here?" Before the Shi’ar Empress could speak, Warlord could no longer suppress his curiosity. He strode toward Alex, looked him up and down for a long while, and asked. His sharp eyes were like an eagle’s, as though they could see straight through Alex.

"If I said I wasn’t very sure either, would you believe me?" Alex also wanted to find out why he had come here, but no matter how hard he tried to remember, he could not find the slightest clue.

To Alex’s surprise, amid everyone’s silence, Lilandra spoke again. With a serious expression, she said, "I believe you!"

"Huh?" Alex looked at the still-young Lilandra. Though grateful, he could not help feeling puzzled. This girl had defended him from the very beginning, but he had no idea why.

Just as Alex was wondering why Lilandra was so protective of him, Warlord, who had nearly fought him earlier, unexpectedly nodded as well. "I believe you too!"

What is this supposed to be? Alex was completely bewildered. Since when had he become so persuasive that people believed him after just a few casual words? Even Alex himself would not dare believe such a thing!

No matter what, Alex was ultimately accepted by the Shi’ar Empire just like that, for no apparent reason. He was even directly assigned by the Shi’ar Empress to an organization called the "Imperial Guard."

On the surface, it was to give Alex an official status, but in reality, it was equivalent to keeping him under surveillance. The Imperial Guard was filled with experts possessing extraordinary abilities, including many with superpowers. Warlord was the strongest among them all and also the Captain of the Imperial Guard.

"Your Majesty, isn’t this a little hasty?" As soon as Alex left with Warlord, someone immediately voiced their concern.

The Imperial Guard was no ordinary organization. It consisted of the strongest and most elite soldiers in the entire Shi’ar Empire and served as the private protectors of the Shi’ar royal family. Its importance was immense. Allowing someone of unknown origin like Alex to join was clearly unreasonable. Even if they wanted to monitor Alex, they could have found another place for him; there was no need to specifically arrange for him to enter the Imperial Guard.

The Shi’ar Empress shook her head. A faint, almost imperceptible smile rested on her lovely face as she slowly said, "No, he must remain in the Shi’ar Empire!"

"Remain in the Shi’ar Empire?" Even more people cried out in surprise. They had thought keeping Alex was merely a temporary measure, but apparently that was not the case.

The Shi’ar Empress nodded. Looking at Alex’s receding figure, her eyes were deep as an abyss. "Earth is no ordinary place!"

I owe one update. I’ll make it up tomorrow…