Chapter Text
Today was a good day.
The kind of day where people would want to stroll around under the clear sky. The clouds were sparse, with enough scattering then and there to provide much-appreciated shades. The wind was pleasant, blowing tenderly as it caressed one skin in a pleasant breeze. The birds were chirping, as if celebrating the brightness of the day. Even the sun was forgiving enough despite being nearly in the peak of summer, providing the maximum ambience of it being an exceptional brand new day.
Today was a good day.
Too good.
It was suspicious.
"Wen Yuan, you need to stop being a worrywart."
"Excuse me?" he shouted, trying his best to glare at the group beside him. "I have every right to worry when every time I am here, you guys are going to give me additional work! And you! You should've been on my side!"
"I haven't even said anything."
Inside the large screen of the observation room sat a familiar petite man, adorned in their latest military uniform, listening to the bicker of his old colleagues and some new faces with minimal interest.
"That's the problem! Why don't you ever say anything to them anyway?!"
The pixelated eyebrow of the petite man visibly twitched, "I don't really have the right to say anything, you dumbass. I am the subject of the project. I can give you my intakes, but I can't do much because I don't have the same authority as I was before! It is your job to make an update on that."
Wen Yuan huffed, "It should be their job though, not mine."
Despite his grumble, Wen Yuan continued to glare at the small screen of his device, his eyes moving at an incredible speed to check on every word and code inside.
Ever since 154 gained consciousness, he had been meticulously supervising any and every development the design operation and researcher team made. The previous idea of making a new system limited only to closed-range simulation changed into a much larger scale, aiming to have the same capability as the previous system. They were confident that, with 154 guidance, empathy, and intelligence, the new system will be more stable and objective on real-time judgment while also capable of conjuring many artificial realities with tangible impact like the previous system.
Of course it was not an easy thing to do. There were bound to be bugs and errors along the way. It even took nearly a year for him and the team to gauge out 154's consciousness completely and stabilize his core until he became the new system of their new project, changing the previously 'Multi-Environment Extreme Training Simulation' into what they had today.
After that, the progress made by the team nearly felt like walking on the breeze. With every single development and modification monitored and evaluated critically yet openly, the safety and longevity of the new system are nearly guaranteed. Furthermore, 154, even as the new system, chose to manifest himself in his human form in the world of simulation, to supervise and guide every trainee who got into the simulation, he said. Claiming that it was only natural for him to do so because he was an invigilator.
No one breathed a single argument on that.
For now, in the real world, they managed to put 154 on various devices, such as a phone, smartwatch, and hologram projector, connected 24/7 even outside of the military camp. In theory, that feature was used for emergency purposes or in a more professional setting where the researcher and designer team needed his direct input on the project in a meeting. But in practice, some people manipulated it more for communication and personal purposes.
'You said you were sending me off for the last time, remember? Yeah, no to that. You're stuck with me, literally, ' said one of those people, immediately claiming his right as he was the one who, admittedly, had the biggest role in 154's revival.
And that particular person was currently still having his head buried deep in a maze of fluttering codes, grumbling to himself.
"Seriously, 922. Nothing is going to happen," Gao Qi, noticing the growing tension in the observation room, interjected.
"Today is just another test for a new examination center. We have done this multiple times, and we even have you going into the simulation with A and 001; what's going to be the problem?"
The thing was, he was anxious.
He got a weird dream for the last three days about the thick, suffocating fog akin to the one inside the previous, evil system, the one that divided the invigilator district and every other alternative reality for examination, swallowing him whole. When he opened his eyes, he found himself surrounded by a pitch-black darkness, and he was falling continuously, without any sign of stopping. At last the uncomfortable sensation of falling endlessly jolted him awake, yet the repetition only made the nagging on his mind worse.
However, it was not like he could just say he made a fuss out of nightmares.
"Did you find what you're looking for?"
Wen Yuan gulped. The tone of the deep voice in his earpiece was nothing but clear and smooth; a little drag at the end almost made it sound like the speaker was smiling pleasantly, which was probably true, but he knows better. The boss's smile rarely meant a good thing, except when you're a human with a name like You Huo.
"... No, Boss. I don't."
"Then get down here."
Wen Yuan sighed.
"Actually, A has been drilling his glare at us for the past seventy-five seconds. So, you better pack and run from here like your butt is on fire."
Wen Yuan sighed even deeper.
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"Alright, Team. As we have briefed on, this is the 73rd test for a new examination center," He Miao said, his voice echoing in the simulation floor as soon as he saw Wen Yuan join the two Chief Instructors below.
He knew most members of the special training base preferred to address each other by their codenames, but he felt like it was something that's supposed to stay only between them. Not that they ever treated him like a complete outsider; his relationship with them was good enough in between professionals. But they also make it pretty clear that he, or anyone in that matter, didn't necessarily need to force themselves to do the same. Other than 154, who literally was the subject of his research, he addressed the other colleagues with their names or titles, and no one seems to mind it.
"This time we created a setting of an imperial era, set on the period of Anglo-Saxon. All the necessary accommodations and supplies have been packed in the briefcases, yes?"
All the three figures on the monitor screen nodded their heads. He Miao also nodded to himself as he confirmed the three large briefcases stationed beside them.
"Perfect. And for communication in the simulation, we also have upgraded the real-time translator in your earpieces; just make sure that your phones are on for it to function. If there's a need for any adjustments, 154 will help and update the language spoken accordingly."
Again, all three figures on the monitor screen nodded their heads at the same time.
"We have studied the language and its history the moment you told us about this new setting. So adjustment by system might not be needed," Wen Yuan chimed in flippantly while adjusting his smart watch.
"Must be good to be geniuses, huh?" Gao Qi muttered, "Well, preventive measures are still needed anyway. 154, please do take care of those maniacs."
"Of course."
At 154's curt reply and feigned disinterest, He Miao smiled. Everyone in the room and on the simulation field knew that that little friend of theirs definitely would do his utmost to assist and protect everyone who entered the simulation.
"As we have discussed, on the surface, the purpose of this test is to find the suitable or probable subject of the examination based on observation, evaluating, and solving said subject if possible. The simulation will end the moment the problem is solved. But the main purpose is to test 154's authority as the system. We made an update on how far 154 can meddle, judge, and settle every situation based on his judgement. Every action will be monitored and supervised, but permission will be largely granted. So if he deemed it necessary to end the examination and/or send all of you back before the scenario ended, he can."
In his special screen, 154 straightened his back, looking more resolute compared to moments before. His gaze flickered slightly in determination.
"As per usual, there's no need to endanger yourselves or... other people, in that matter. Chief Instructor You Huo, Chief Instructor Qin Jiu, please do take it easy."
You Huo rolled his eyes while Qin Jiu smiled and shrugged his shoulders lightly.
"And 922, stop fretting."
Wen Yuan glared straight to the camera before he gave them his middle finger. Gao Qi snickered.
"Alright. The best of luck for you guys, and see you soon."
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