Chapter 8:
After being told by Aesis, I finished my daily routine: a 10 km run, 100 sit-ups, 100 push-ups, 100 squats, and 15 minutes of stretching. Now, I’m soaking in the bath.
“Ahhh, this feels so good.”
The old me could never have imagined this, but maybe sweating from exercise is actually kind of fun.
And strangely, it felt easier than I expected—like my body was lighter.
“That’s thanks to your body reconstruction. Before, you would’ve collapsed after running just one kilometer. You may praise me, if you wish.”
Aesis said that to me, and honestly, I couldn’t argue since it was true.
For now, I’ll just give some thanks.
“It’s thanks to you, Aesis. Really—thank you.”
“Uh-heh!? W-well, as long as you understand. A master who’s honest is… q-quite likable, you know.”
Aesis let out a weird noise.
But seriously, what exactly is Aesis?
Even an AI couldn’t carry on conversations like this.
It’s almost like talking to a real person.
“I am a conceptual life-form, created by magic.”
“A conceptual… life-form?”
“You don’t even know that? How foolish.”
Yeah, I just got dissed.
Isn’t there something we can do about that personality?
“My personality and character were adjusted based on scanning your body. In other words, I was tuned to match your preferences. Which means… heh, I am your ideal woman!”
“There’s no way that’s true!”
Even if my thoughts automatically reach Aesis, I just can’t accept her being my “ideal woman.”
But maybe she understands even the subconscious things I don’t realize myself.
That’s… kind of terrifying.
I braced myself for another sharp retort from Aesis, but she stayed quiet this time.
After enjoying the bath, I changed into comfy loungewear and ate the bento I bought earlier.
I also had the meat-and-potato stew Chi-chan shared with me.
“Whoa, this nikujaga’s delicious. The seasoning’s just how I like it.”
Since I was hungry, I finished it in no time.
After washing the container and heading back to my room, Aesis spoke up again.
“From tomorrow onward, you’ll be doing today’s exercise set twice a day—once in the morning, once in the evening. Also, please meditate for about an hour starting now. Master, your mental strength is far too weak.”
Seriously… so that means running 20 kilometers a day?
“Once you get used to it, I’ll extend the distance. You can do it, can’t you? And I won’t accept excuses. You understand me, don’t you… Master?”
Scary. Scary. Scary.
“F-fine! I’ll do it, okay?”
“Good. Then begin meditating at once.”
Sitting cross-legged, I closed my eyes. Full lotus like zazen was impossible for me.
But wait, what exactly are you supposed to do in meditation?
People say “clear your mind,” but who can do that instantly?
As I sat there, random thoughts just kept bubbling up.
(Uh, Aesis. Is this how meditation’s supposed to go?)
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never done it.”
(What!? You told me to do it even though you’ve never tried it yourself?)
“I told you, I’m a conceptual life-form created by magic. Obviously, I don’t meditate.”
…Fair point, I guess.
Out of boredom, I started reciting digits of pi in my head: 3.14159265…
Before long, I got drowsy.
Still, I fought the sleepiness and kept going.
Eventually, my body warmed up, my breathing slowed, and I became acutely aware of my heartbeat.
I don’t know how much time had passed before Aesis spoke.
“Time’s up, Master.”
“Ah, right.”
It didn’t feel right at first, but toward the end, I think I actually managed to get into the zone.
Not bad for my first try, I’d say.
“You’re awfully carefree, aren’t you?”
“Hey!”
The road to becoming a Great Sage is long.
Later, I tried to read a light novel, but I kept worrying about how much schoolwork I’d fallen behind on.
Midterms are coming soon anyway, so studying is the right call.
After such an unusual day, I was exhausted and went to bed earlier than usual.
The next morning, Aesis dragged me out of bed at 5 a.m. for another run.
After showering, I returned the container to Aunt Akane, who kindly gave me a bento of my own.
Gratefully, I accepted it.
Catching an earlier train than usual, I arrived at school.
Only one other girl was in the classroom.
I didn’t know her name, but like me, she was always alone reading a book.
Her long bangs covered her face, and her big glasses made her look like someone I could relate to.
I pulled out my own light novel and started reading.
It was one of those “summoned to another world” stories, where the whole class gets transported together.
I soon got sucked into the story.
When the main character was persecuted and cast out by his classmates, I felt a painful empathy—it was just like me.
“No way… how could they be so cruel?”
Even knowing it was just fiction, I couldn’t help but get angry.
“Master, it’s fine to get absorbed in your book, but you’re speaking out loud.”
Oh crap.
Startled by Aesis’ warning, I quickly scanned the room.
Luckily, there were still only a few students around. Hopefully safe.
“Sorry, but one person definitely heard you. The girl over there, reading. She noticed.”
It was that loner girl.
Since our seats were close, she must have overheard.
(She probably won’t spread it around though…)
“She was staring at you when you spoke. With the eyes of someone looking at a suspicious person.”
(Ugh, don’t rub it in.)
Although disheartened, I kept reading.
By the time I finished, the classroom was bustling.
The homeroom bell rang.
Wow—I really got lost in that one.
Light novels are amazing.
I want the sequel, but books are pricey. I’ll have to wait until next month.
“That’s why you should brew potions. That would solve your money problems.”
I’m getting used to Aesis talking inside my head.
(Potions, huh… They showed up in the novel too. Wouldn’t it be awesome if I could actually make them?)
“Exactly. Since you haven’t practiced actual magic yet, potion-making will let you study both magic and alchemy efficiently.”
Magic and alchemy—she mentioned them yesterday too.
But can I really use such things?
Sounds too much like a dream.
“I already told you—you’re the Great Sage. Of course you can. Were you not listening?”
Could what Aesis says really be true?
To be honest, I’d thought she was just my imagination.
That this “voice in my head” was nothing more than hallucinations.
When I looked it up online, the symptoms matched “schizophrenia.”
I’d even started thinking maybe I was sick.
“You are not sick, Master. I know you searched that up, but I could tell you didn’t believe me. Let me make this clear: you are not schizophrenic. I am Aesis—the conceptual life-form born of magic, named by you as the Great Sage’s ‘Wisdom System.’ To prove it, I’ll display your status.”
Status Window
Mikado Kenichiro (15) — Human? — Male
Occupation: High School Student (1st Year) / Great Sage (Provisional)
Lv. 1
HP: 100
MP: 100
STR (Strength): 100
DEX (Dexterity): 100
VIT (Vitality): 100
AGI (Agility): 100
INT (Intelligence): 100
MND (Mind): 9
LUK (Luck): 10
CHA (Charm): 68
Original Skill
-
Great Sage (Philosopher’s Stone — Unlock Rate 0.8739%)
-
“Wisdom System” (Nickname: Aesis)
Possessed Skills
-
…………
A transparent panel floated in front of me.
It displayed my stats, like something straight out of a video game.
No way… Now I’m hallucinating visuals too?
◆◆◆
That same morning, at the Yuzuki household…
“Chiho, get up already! You’ll be late!”
“Mmm… five more minutes…”
Even half-asleep, I could hear Mom’s nagging voice.
It was one of those rare days without morning practice, so I wanted to sleep in a bit.
…But wait, wasn’t I forgetting something?
“Chiho, seriously—Ken-chan already left for school, you know.”
“Ah! That’s right!”
I remembered.
Yesterday, I promised Ken-kun we’d go to school together since I didn’t have practice.
I hurried to change, clattered down the stairs, and freshened up in the bathroom.
“Mom, when did Ken-kun leave?”
“About twenty minutes ago, I think. Why?”
“Oh… no reason.”
Aw, man. If it was twenty minutes ago, I won’t catch up.
What a wasted chance…
“What’s wrong, nee-tan?”
It was my little sister, Kaho, speaking in her adorable toddler lisp.
“Nothing. Did you eat breakfast yet?”
“No, I was waiting for nee-tan.”
So cute!
“Okay, let’s eat together.”
I lifted her onto her chair.
On the table, plates of bacon and eggs with salad were waiting.
It would’ve been nice if Ken-kun joined us, too…
“Oh, by the way, Chiho—I gave Ken-chan a bento today, but I forgot to pack chopsticks. Could you deliver them?”
So Ken-kun has the same bento as me today… ehehe.
“Sure, I’ll take them.”
Bringing him his chopsticks so we can share lunch together… sounds perfect.
And thus, the Yuzuki household began another lively morning.
