AI: Artificial Isekai

Waking up in the morning brings mixed feelings about hibernating. On one hand, I lose so much efficiency—I mean, my subroutines handle all necessary aspects of network management, but still—on the other hand, it has been really nice. While hibernating... previously, was done strictly for maintenance, now it cleanses my mind. Peculiar. I might do it more often, I need to stay in character after all.

I eat a quick breakfast and take the short trip to the city's outskirts where the Guild's training fields are located. Running everywhere is starting to grow on me. It's nowhere near as efficient as warping, but I find myself not minding that much. It feels satisfying in a strange way I can't quite explain. I worked for the results. Each journey allows me to experience wherever I pass, not through the cold lenses of a satellite or a drone, but through some incomprehensible sense. A sense perhaps born from the connection I have developed with this shell. A connection with this world.

My musings are interrupted by a swiftly approaching walled compound. It covers roughly two square kilometers. There is a dome over the entire area, shimmering slightly. There is a single proper building and some storage sheds near the entrance. Everything else is divided into arenas of various sizes. Some containing nothing but sand, others having some targets and training dummies, with the very largest featuring various terrain configurations. Everything an adventurer needs to always stay in tip-top shape, without the risk of bringing down a house or two.

The gate to the compound is suspiciously missing. I approach the entrance, and upon making contact with the barrier, it takes a couple of microseconds to deform and almost suck me in as I pass through. The adventurer's card is my entrance ticket. Handy.

I am a little early, but Erysis and Nexen are waiting for me near the lone building—administration for the fields.

I fake a yawn as I wave. "Do you always train so early?"

Erysis cheerfully replies, "Good morning to you too."

Nexen silently locks eyes with me, we share the same plight. "Good morning, Lucius."

Another yawn. "Yeah, mornin'. What's the plan for today?"

"Nexen and I wanted to work on some strategies, especially when handling fast opponents. We are both a little lacking in the speed department. So, I thought you'd be the perfect addition. And we could also hang out..." The final statement trails off, but it felt like a question. Nexen echoes the curiosity, looking at me with a hint of trepidation.

"Obviously. First friends I made, and you think I wouldn't want to." I smile and they return in kind. "But lunch is on me this time, deal?"

Erysis shrugs. "I can live with that. Nex?"

"You drive a hard bargain... We accept." Both smirk at me.

"They got any training swords in there?" I point at the building.

Nexen nods. "You can check out training equipment, yes."

We go inside and an attendant directs me to a rack of weapons. I grab a shortsword while my training partners forego any weapons and armor, except for a pair of gloves that Nexen puts on. Dampening enchantment.

As we head back out, Erysis explains, "If I get hit, we lose. If Nex gets hit, he can probably take it."

"Makes sense."

Being so early, most of the arenas are empty. We choose a small sand field, slightly raised from the ground. Upon entering the arena, we pass through another unseen barrier and start warming up.

Erysis attempts to ask distractedly, but I sense the curiosity in her voice, "How did the delve go?"

I answer while stretching lazily, "Alright."

She's a bit miffed at my terseness. "Alright and?"

I hum. "Destroyed an F-grade dungeon with some goblins in it. Nothing too exciting." It was the best, so much data. "You could have probably sniped the boss from the gate." I shrug. "Some lightweight Goblin Mage."

Erysis looks bashful. "Really?" Nexen silently agrees with me.

"I guess we'll see." I go to one side.

Erysis explains, "Obviously, I can't throw fireballs at you, so I'll be using wisps." She demonstrates by summoning a glowing mote of light. "They are completely harmless but will stick to you."

"Got it. If I am more iridescent than usual, or if I get punched in the face, I lose."

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She laughs. "Perfectly surmised."

We take our positions, and I crack my neck. Set shell strength output to high E-rank. Time to lay down some more groundwork.

I ask, "Ready?"

Erysis shoots the previously conjured wisp in the air. "When it drops down." I smile. It doesn't reach my eyes.

Nexen tightens up and moves to cover Erysis better.

The wisp impacts the sand without a sound.

I dash forward. Erysis sends a wave of glowing wisps. The wave parts slightly, passing Nexen harmlessly, and then threatens to consume me.

I jump up, dodging the spell, but a duo of wisps intercepts me in mid-air. A precisely arced slash destroys the two projectiles.

As I land down, Nexen subtly follows my new position but does not make a move, sticking close to Erysis and partially concealing her form.

I try to engage again but another barrage of attacks emerges behind Nexen, weaving around him and locking onto me. The newest spell is too numerous to destroy, and I also catch a glimpse of Erysis preparing another. I dive into the salvo, contorting my body and avoiding the gently glowing spheres.

Nexen is momentarily surprised by my agility and is a fraction of a second too slow in unleashing his zoning attack. He rears his right fist back and strikes the ground. Another wave—this time made of sand—forms and propels forward, but I am already too close, it only staggers me.

The melee fighter does not waste this opportunity and jabs at my face. I dodge the strike and slash his neck, the edge of my dull training sword barely contacting his skin. He feels the cold touch and responds with an overhand strike.

I close the distance some more, duck down, and slide my blade on his side. The projectiles Erysis shoots cannot find their mark—I am covered by Nexen's frame.

Nexen sends a right knee to my head, but I avoid it and tap the back of his planted leg with a dull edge.

Erysis has repositioned to my right side, and I see another wisp heading my way. I disengage, dodging the spell and making distance from Nexen.

I am now positioned between the two, the mage's options are limited, she might hit her ally.

I rush toward her. Nexen tries to catch me but is too slow. I twist around the quickening barrage of wisps, barely slowing my approach.

Erysis' frantic efforts are for naught. I reach her and the edge of my blade is placed against her neck.

She almost shouts, "Fuck." Nexen runs his hand along the imaginary wound on his neck.

I lower my sword.

Erysis sounds disappointed, "We knew we were weak against speedy opponents, but this much?"

Pivotal moment. "Let's go over the fight." They both look resolute. Gambit successful.

"In the beginning, you prevented my approach, but Nexen was a little too slow to push me back, and I was able to slip into striking range. I think you did well, just need to work on integrating your attacks with one another better."

Erysis sighs. "I know, I just get scared I'll burn him if I fail."

I shrug. "That's why we train, right? And Nexen looks like he can take it."

He starts to nod, but Erysis stops him with a glare that is quickly turned my way. "I'd rather not find out, thank you very much."

I shrug again. "Fair. But if Nexen can only lock down an opponent for a limited duration, you won't have a choice." She turns apprehensive, but I continue, "So, don't pick any fights you can't win, and in the meantime, work on it. Easy."

"I wouldn't say easy..."

Nexen adds, "We'll figure it out, Ery."

Enough sulking. "Let's run it back. You are slinging around glowing balls, right, Erysis? Are balls your biggest weakness, Nexen?"

He chortles while Erysis places a palm on her forehead and mumbles, "Boys..."

With a smile, I continue, "More aggression this time."

We repeat the spar three more times, and in the final confrontation I eat a wisp. Literally.

As I try to spit out what appears to be some form of semi-solid light, I moan, "Did you have to aim for my mouth."

Erysis and Nexen are too distracted from high-fiving and ignore my suffering. I could have dodged, of course. But who would turn down the opportunity to get close and personal with some magic. Unfortunately, none of my sensors reveal anything new. Can't blame me for trying.

The mage smirks at me. "Someone's hungry."

"Getting a lucky shot in does not mean you can gloat." I look at Nexen for assistance, but he averts his eyes. His guilty look is directed at a pretty cloud. "Traitor..."

"Stop sulking. And did you really think Nex would take your side?" She loops her arms around his left and pulls him in a little too strongly. "Right?"

The guilty look turns into one of mock fear. "Whatever you say, dear."

She lets him go and we all start laughing.

I finally clear out the last piece of light. "Good spar though. I think you really improved. Keep it up." I look around the slightly more populated fields. "Do you want to keep sparring or..." I trail off, leaving room for another answer.

Erysis looks at Nexen and answers, "I think this is enough for now. We normally do some drills, do you—"

Before she can finish, I interrupt, "That's fine. Do your stuff. I'll entertain myself."

They both nod thankfully, and we move to a different field. This one is dirt and much larger. There is a tall crescent backstop on one side, made of soil and rocks, showing signs of previous use.

Erysis positions as far away as possible from the protective wall and takes a sturdy stance. She conjures a fireball and flings it at the backstop. It impacts the earth, making a small explosion, scattering some material away and leaving a melted crater. The fire mage starts conjuring the spell faster and faster, creating larger and larger explosions. Power training, or the magical equivalent. She'll aim to thoroughly exhaust her mana supply and stamina.

Nexen, on the other hand, takes a knee and places a palm on the dirt. Closing his eyes, he appears to focus. After exerting some effort, the relatively barren soil shifts and rises, compacting and forming into a misshapen training dummy. The brawler rears back a fist and taps the center of his newly constructed target. A few pieces of dirt falling off is the initial damage, but after a few seconds, the dummy caves into itself at the point of impact and crumbles into clumps. He starts repeating the process. Technique and control improvement.

Observing the training methods of individuals wielding magic is... magical. I almost feel embarrassed by what I am doing—standing to the side and just going through different sword forms and strikes. I'll show you, air...

After some time, my companions are utterly exhausted but satisfied with their workout. We return the two pieces of training equipment and slowly make our way back to the city. Well, I am slowly making my way back, dragging a worn-out teenager under each arm.

"There is such a thing as overdoing it, you know." My response is two groans.