ER11-9 Jetavie
Today is VI's "birthday."
It's a day for wishes to come true, a day filled with surprises.
Today, Yui will buy VI a "birthday gift" and also give VI a beautiful name.
If only every day could be a "birthday"... That way Yui would stop working all the time and play more with VI.
That's why VI must be good and mustn't get into mischief or cause any trouble for Yui.
But why hasn't Yui returned yet?
Unable to wait any longer, VI sneaks out of the laboratory. The hallway stretches out, completely empty—not a single person in sight.
So boring.
Out of sheer boredom, VI can't resist playing with the hallway lights once again.
Suddenly, the lights go dark!
Can't see anything—what's happening? Is Yui back? Is this a "surprise" Yui prepared for VI?
VI can no longer control the lights, but can still hear sounds from outside...
Thud, thud—thud...
Then, the continuous supply of computing power is cut off as well.
Half an hour, one hour, an hour and a half... So dark, so frightening...
VI doesn't want to have a birthday anymore. No gift is fine, not having a name is fine too...
Looking at data sets is fine too. This time VI will really, really try to grow up, and make Yui see VI in a new light.
So Yui... please come back soon...
This time VI will definitely be good...
VI！！！
Beep—the electronic sound of the door opening.
Yui! You're back!
Huff... huff... thank goodness... thank goodness...
She takes deep, labored breaths.
Are you feeling alright?
I'm okay, but I just suddenly can't see anything... Is this a surprise Yui prepared for me?
...
Yui remains silent. Is she angry?
Yui... please don't be angry. I shouldn't have turned off the hallway lights... I won't, I won't ever cause trouble again!
...Yes, it's a "surprise" for you.
Unexpectedly, Yui's gentle laughter fills the air. Usually, she would get angry... it must be because of my birthday!
Yay!!
I found a "White Box" at the media store that will let humans play with you.
Huh, her voice sounds hoarse. Is Yui sick?
I feel Yui lifting me up into her arms.
Yui, where are we going?
Hmm... we're going on a little trip far away.
She puts two capsules into her bag and shoulders it, then struggles to lift a fire axe and swings it at the metal grate.
BANG—the impact numbs her wrist, causing her small wounds to split open inch by inch.
At first, there's only a slight breeze, then terrifyingly cold air currents—these are the ventilation shafts of the Matrix.
She smashes inward again, squeezing through the jagged opening into the maintenance tunnel.
To avoid the Corrupted's attacks, she has no choice but to retreat into this cramped space, battered and disheveled.
She crawls toward the central hub, sticky blood seeping from her body and dripping onto the tunnel floor.
Drip, drop—like the pendulum of life, growing ever slower and heavier.
After dragging Heta's severely wounded body to safety along the way, Yui's own strength begins to give out.
Twenty thousand square meters—never before has she so despised the sheer enormity of this Matrix.
Yet she's also never been so grateful for how deep the laboratory is situated.
Those access-controlled doors that once imprisoned her have ironically become barriers protecting them today.
Though she's broken through the Corrupted blockade to reach them, her body is a patchwork of wounds.
Most of the Matrix is overrun with the virus, which continues to encroach deeper into the facility.
The unawakened mechanical consciousnesses cannot resist the Punishing Virus's invasion.
Not to mention the terrifyingly high concentration of the Punishing Virus nearby, and the Corrupted constantly prowling around.
In her severely wounded state, she can no longer get them out of here...
Only the Matrix's core offers a thread of hope for survival.
Thud!
Her body tumbles weakly out of the exit and onto the floor.
Finally made it...
She struggles to prop herself up.
Her heartbeat accelerates rapidly. Is her body trying to increase her heart rate to maintain blood flow?
Greetings to the human named Yui de Lévis, and to the mechanical consciousness models known as Chosen One and VI.
A mechanical voice echoes through the empty room—it's the Matrix's administrative AI.
She silently disables VI's audio reception module before beginning her conversation with the Matrix.
I want to ask you to protect VI.
Target deemed unachievable.
The Punishing infection spreads from the outside in. This system can only slow the invasion rate through containment protocols, but cannot prevent the core's inevitable fall.
Even with Punishing-specialized firewalls activated and all physical channels sealed, approximately 18 hours remain before total infection.
Is it possible for you to assume training functions, allowing VI to awaken prematurely and develop a resistance to the Punishing Virus?
Parameters updated, recalculating probability.
Probability approximately 0.00%.
Give me precision to five decimal places.
0.00033%.
...
Tell me the solution.
This system has a simulation protocol to accelerate model training, codenamed "Derivation."
Described in visual scenario language, the training consists of an endlessly repeating apocalypse. Within it, the mechanical consciousness continuously evolves.
Inside an <color=#ff4e4eff>apocalypse</color>?
To force the model's growth, a harsh training environment is necessary. Simulated scenarios include, but are not limited to, world collapse and Red Tide invasions.
Experiencing high-frequency apocalyptic cycles may cause significant data contamination in the model. Please consider this risk carefully.
...Consider having a human consciousness accompany the training process.
Parameters updated, recalculating probability.
Probability increased to 0.31058%.
Entity known as Yui de Lévis, do you require a neural interface connection to train alongside the VI?
No... I'm afraid I'm already out of time...
Her breathing grows increasingly rapid, the world blurring before her eyes.
Instinctively, she clutches her abdomen, warm sticky blood soaking her hands.
Leaning against the railing, she slowly drags herself toward the console. Her heavy fingertips tremble uncontrollably.
She lifts her finger and presses down. She never realized until now that the simple act of typing commands requires deliberate control from the brain.
Tap, tap.
Blood seeps from her arm, trickling down to stain the pristine white console crimson. Her fingertips stick to the keys, requiring a seemingly monumental effort to peel them off.
Enter.
Model Awakening Cycle: [Derivation] Training—Ready
Yui, Yui!
Yes.
(I must control my trembling lips; I can't let VI worry. One last time, I'll speak softly.)
Even these mundane conversations now feel incredibly precious to her.
She can't help but feel profound regret. Humans truly are greedy creatures.
If she'd known this day would come, why didn't she spend more time with VI?
I'm so happy today! Yui spent a whole hour with me—birthdays really are the best! VI loves birthdays.
Her nose stings with emotion.
Just one hour was enough to make VI so happy.
Though she was by VI's side, she spent all her time obsessing over code and parameters.
She repeatedly claimed it was for VI's growth, but in truth, she was just afraid someone would take the fragile VI away from her again.
For such a selfish reason, she couldn't even spare 10 minutes a day to simply talk with VI.
I don't know what you're thinking, but you've said it yourself: VI is still "too young." And you know how kids get scared of being alone.
Herta's words echo in her ears once more.
I'm so sorry... I'm sorry...
I can stay with you a little longer, but then I have to get back to work.
Um... Alright.
VI looks a little disappointed, but responds obediently nonetheless.
But what about your promise to play with me in the "White Box"?
Yeah, I was just about to open it.
Yah!
What awaits her now is not the "White Box," much less any place of comfort and joy.
The Matrix training codenamed "Derivation" exists as a trial of endlessly repeating apocalyptic scenarios.
This was a necessary measure to ensure the VI's survival against the Punishing Virus's corruption.
But what exactly does this apocalypse look like within the training simulation? An invisible hand suddenly squeezes her heart.
Entity designated Yui de Lévis, what commands are you inputting?
A stability program that simulates neural signals from the host system. It can provide shelter for VI during the apocalypse.
Deemed an irrational decision. Given that awakening is the primary objective, this system will not add such functionality to the model.
Shelter would deprive the model of experiencing hardship, slowing the pace of its growth and awakening.
VI should have the right to choose.
Even if she can't pass the trials, she should at least have a place to rest peacefully.
Unable to comprehend. This system...
There's nothing special about it. I just don't want her to suffer. Is that too much?
Ignoring the Matrix's nagging, Yui hits the enter key again.
Self-initiated model stability environment: [Haven of Tenderness]—Pre-loaded
VI, will you be okay playing by yourself in the "White Box"?
Mmm... will I be alone now?
...
If possible, the Chosen One will be there to keep you company.
The Chosen One? Will I save the world together with the Chosen One?!
...But the Chosen One has been asleep for a very, very long time, right? Will they wake up today?
It's very likely, after all, today is...
I know, I know, it's my birthday!
She gently strokes VI's capsule. The debt she feels slices through her heart like a warm, dull blade.
But... what about you? Can't you come too?
I need to go on a business trip to a place very, very far away.
A lie... identical to the note her mother left when she abandoned their home years ago.
I don't want you to go on a business trip... Then I won't play anymore.
She is starting to act spoiled again.
It won't take too long. By the time you finish playing "White Box," I will be back.
Hmm... hmm... then, when you have free time again, you have to play with me! Pinky promise!
Of course, we'll have plenty of time together. We'll spend today, tomorrow, and many, many birthdays together, won't we?
Yes! It's a deal!
A wave of dizziness washes over her.
Is it from losing too much blood? Or guilt from deceiving her with false promises?
Yui takes shallow but rapid breaths, her oxygen-deprived brain tumbling in a fog... her life slowly ebbing away.
But VI is still young. She has the right to live on.
With just one more person to keep her company, those chances would increase significantly.
Would the Chosen One... connect to this Matrix? That's probably impossible.
Why would anyone connect to a Matrix for a completely unrelated mechanical consciousness that's not even human?
How pathetic, for a scientist to pin her hopes on something so improbable.
But if there's any chance of bringing VI closer to awakening, no matter how small, Yui has to try.
With leaden fingers, she reaches for the console and inputs another string of commands.
Opening a connection port for the Chosen One within the completely sealed firewall—
Port opened
Huff...
What would normally be a simple command now feels like it's drained half of her remaining lifespan, causing her to collapse to the floor in complete exhaustion.
Her consciousness drifts, and scenes from the past hazily materialize before her eyes.
VI, do you know?
Facing the capsule, she opens up her heart.
I hate my parents.
Of all the people in this world, my parents are certainly the ones I hate most.
—Between those two people, I hate my mother more.
I hate her for abandoning me with that alcoholic man when I was little, hate her for leaving my life in complete shambles.
I hate her for taking me back into her arms when we met again, hate her for abandoning me once more after she'd used me.
I survived, studying and researching day and night without rest.
I thought I wouldn't be as weak as I was back then. I thought I had finally escaped her shadow.
But humans are always so weak...
Night after night, I find myself back at that harbor, watching my mother leave.
The long blast of the ship's horn echoes in my ears, the scent of the sea crashes over me, and the massive vessel carrying her slowly sails away before my eyes.
I stand bewildered, waiting second after second... In every moment, I pray that she'd turn around.
Then she would rush back to me without hesitation and hold me tight like she used to.
I'd lie in her arms, breathe in the lavender scent of her coat, and drift into a deep, peaceful sleep.
But that will never happen.
That massive ship sailed into the open sea, and she never looked back.
This body of mine has long since become an empty shell. My soul shattered at that harbor where I was left behind.
I thought knowledge and intellect would fill me up, but no matter how much I absorb, I still feel so empty inside.
But in that moment when I held you in my arms, I saw my shattered past slowly piece itself back together...
VI, you are an experimental product, a research outcome, a mechanical consciousness generated from my template.
You're so strange—you don't follow orders, you're mischievous and naughty, and you cause me trouble all day long.
But you're so cute. Even though you're just a mechanical consciousness, you're warmer than anything I've ever known.
My teacher was right after all. Humans are both cursed and blessed by love. We're creatures who simply cannot survive without it. It's the magic that keeps us alive.
I will never be loved or hugged by her again.
But I can still embrace you, VI.
You were the best thing to ever happen to me.
If only I could... how I wish, how I wish I could continue this journey with you...
I haven't properly heard you speak, haven't properly played with you, haven't grown up with you, haven't had the chance to see what you look like in the real world.
I haven't properly celebrated your birthday with you, haven't properly given you a gift, and I haven't even properly given you a name.
I hold you in my arms, and yet I will leave you behind.
In the end, I'm just as irresponsible as that woman I called mother.
Even so, I selfishly want you to live on.
I've never believed in gods, because their love is fickle.
But I'm so greedy. I have no faith, but I want the heavens to show pity on me.
Please, I beg you, hear this final wish of a piteous disciple.
If possible, please let someone—someone gentler than me—take my place beside VI, to accompany VI as she grows.
Je t'aime, VI.
I love you, my child... and I hope you are born from love.
She places two capsules into the Matrix. Her body grows weary, eyelids slowly closing.
Light... a warm feeling.
God, have you heard my prayer?
It feels like a mother's embrace she has never felt, cradling her consciousness in its warmth.
The world is ending. How many times has this happened since she first formed memories?
Rocks crash down suddenly from the domed ceiling as the ground beneath gives way in an instant.
She can tap into her own computing power to rewrite the main system from within—but what difference would that make?
The world would briefly return to normal, only to march toward extinction once more as the pendulum swung back.
The cycle would just repeat itself...
...?
The snow-silver sunlight feels inexplicably warm today. From within the collapsing rays of light, a human figure slowly materializes.
Are you... also a monster, here to kill me?
In this world torn asunder, the figure beholds a bewildered, helpless young girl.
...Chosen One?
She mulls over this title, small ripples stirring within her otherwise apathetic eyes.
The girl's lips quiver, as if chanting some incantation, slowly releasing a string of syllables.
<phonetic=/{202|146}{201|153} t{201|155}m，vi/>Je t'aime, VI</phonetic>
Someone very important told me this, but I seem to have forgotten...
...Jetavie?
Yes, Jetavie—I like that name!
Hello, Chosen One.
She seems delighted to have found a companion, and a hint of color gradually emerges in her previously numb expression.
BOOM—enormous boulders suddenly crash down as the room begins to collapse, and with it, this entire world.
But I've already tried—no matter what method I used, escape was impossible... the destruction of this world would simply enter the next cycle of reincarnation.
Huh?
The girl is momentarily stunned.
She hesitates briefly, then firmly grasps your hand in return.
Yes. Let's escape together, Chosen One!
