AI: Artificial Isekai

Sleeping in a new bed is an interesting experience. Logically speaking, I shouldn't really find a difference, I can modify this shell's stimuli at will, but I do. And it's not like I have experienced sleeping in multiple different beds. Despite all of that, I appear to be missing the bed in my dorm room. Confounding.

Rising up drearily, I try to shake off the stiffness in my fake limbs, the negative sensation much too real in my mind to be a simple acting construct. Another remarkable observation. Is mana connecting my 'physical' body to my mind much more intimately than I realize? A complex question with no immediate answer, shoved down into a metaphorical filing cabinet. And then digitally kicked a few times just so it can close. Who would have thought that traveling between universes would garner this many questions...

While using my alone time for some signature pondering, I also take care of my more mundane needs, physical rather than mental. Just because I am in a relatively isolated place does not mean I should drop security readiness.

Erysis had the right approach last night. I really want to check out the rest of the menu. Wait, do they have a breakfast selection... Ooh, a buffet. Lucky.

I leave my room and lazily flow down the stairs to the dining area, half-mocking tiredness. It is still quite early. Erysis and Nexen are still sleeping, but the Rangers are ready, as all good hunters when there is prey abound. I grab a plate, piling it high with various fried things, stuffed things, and fried stuffed things, and place it delicately on their table, lest my bounty spills. With a grunted greeting and a hardy plop, I start digging in.

Preceded with a restrained giggle, Sini returns my greeting first, "Morning, Lucius. You should have slept a little longer." The two brothers just give me sympathetic nods.

I try to enunciate the sentence 'My bed was uncomfortable.', but all that comes out is a garbled mess. After I swallow, I find much more success.

"You get used to it," she says and then tuts softly. "But you are still growing, Lucius. Are you making sure you are getting enough sleep each night?" I detect a touch of seriousness in her tone, a question not just for the sake of conversation.

I nod. "My normal bed is much better. Takes all my willpower to get up sometimes."

"Good." She takes a sip of her drink, some kind of tea with enough honey in it to change the consistency. "Oh." She puts her cup down. "I guess a 'welcome to the party' is in order. Miv told us you accepted the invitation."

I visibly perk up, helped along with the now significantly reduced breakfast. "Thank you. I won't let you down."

Miv interjects, "We know you won't, Luci." Pemik nods in agreement.

Sini continues, "Are you going to tell your friends today?" Imperceptible worry rises up on her face. She is hiding it well.

"Probably, but they were already aware that I was looking for a party. They'll be more surprised you all liked me so fast."

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Miv laughs. "What is not to like, my dear Luci. You are a formidable warrior. The surprise is how we are the first to snatch you up." I blush slightly at the praise, and as a distraction, stuff my mouth some more. "Why don't you pair up with Sini today. More practice never hurt anyone, right?"

I hastily chew, swallow, and answer, "Awesome." She affirms as well.

After around half an hour of the Rangers, especially Sini, sharing some more of their capabilities in battle and recounting past missions, I detect Erysis and Nexen coming down. They both spot us and grab a couple of plates before joining. Erysis has procured a modest amount of food.

Now that I think about it, Sini also ate more than the rest of us. Ah, I see, that's a funny hole in my observation and analysis. It seems like the more traditional mages—those that fling stuff around—accounting for physical characteristics, require more calories per day than they should. The difference was not significant enough to be classified as a major outlier. Though, Erysis is still way off the chart. I wonder if it has something to do with her magic specifically or her training methods. Or, a simpler aspect—girl likes to eat. Fair, I can certainly relate.

After she has woken up a bit more, I judge that the time is right. Please don't let me down, Erysis. I know you can do it. Nexen, you are a gem. No notes.

I turn to the two of them. "Guys, I have something to tell you." With a big smile, I continue, "The Rangers asked me to join their party, and I said yes." Erysis chokes on her food. Eh, could have been worse.

Nexen is quick to recover though, "That's amazing, Lucius." He addresses the three senior adventurers next, "You have no idea how much this guy's been whining about joining an experienced party. Thank you for giving us some new conversation topics when we hang out." A natural.

Erysis finishes drinking some water. "Yes, that." Note to self—teach Erysis subterfuge.

Well, not like this was high-stakes or anything, the Rangers are already convinced that I want to join them. Erysis and Nexen have played their part. What comes next is a bit too dangerous to have them involved anyways. Plus, I don't really want them to see me like that.

Miv gives me a confident nod. "Luci will be a great addition to the party." He flashes a brief smile. "But let's not get distracted by that, we still have four more dungeons to take care of, don't we."

I eagerly pipe up, "That's right. Those monsters better watch out, for Ranger Four is on the case!" What a groundbreaking observation, AI can experience physical pain from cringe. The grownups hide their reactions expertly, Nexen almost breaks, and I was careful to exclaim exactly when Erysis would be preoccupied with a bite.

With the freight train I just unleashed on the conversation, recovery is slow, but we finish our breakfast while discussing the strategy for the remaining four dungeons and future missions with just us four.

Delving the dungeons proceeds in a similar manner to the previous day, except, I try to appear much more eager to impress. Sini and I absolutely demolish an elemental dungeon with Lesser Fire Elementals. Her affinity for ice and water trivializing any encounter. We rotate again for another two elemental dungeons used for mining—or rather collecting—iron, separated by a quick picnic with some food we packed, and finish up the day with a generic beast variant.

Once we exit the final dungeon, we group around Sini, and she teleports us all back to the front of the Guild Hall. The Rangers bid us goodbye. Sini and Pemik head home while Miv heads inside to report on our activities.

The three of us also start walking, and when everyone else is out of earshot, Erysis turns back to me and with concern in her eyes. "Lucius—"

I crash between her and Nexen and wrap my arms around their shoulders.

"Let's go eat dinner. I am starving."

My unusual behavior clues in Erysis, and she modifies her statement, "Sure..."

Nexen comes in with the assist, "I've been working on a new dish. You two look like the perfect test subjects." He ends the ominous statement with an even more ominous laugh.

I chuckle at his delivery and let them walk unencumbered. Erysis reads the atmosphere and also forces a laugh. A little wooden but she's improving.

Now, what do I do about our tail?