A massive welcome plaza stretched out before the city gate, oddly reminiscent of an airport lobby—a cavernous hub branching off into various hallways and corridors. I hadn't seen this area when I first arrived, mainly because I'd been delivered via the "luggage" entrance.
A few people were lounging about the plaza. Some sat on the carpeted floor, while others had claimed couches, seemingly becoming one with the fluff. I realized then that these were the participants who had raised their hands when Deva asked about the code.
So, deciphering the code made the test easier? What the hell was actually in that riddle?
"Hahh..." Diana sighed softly, leaning her weight against me. She rubbed her head against my robotic shoulder like a cat. "Thank you so much for helping me, Viel..." she gasped, still out of breath. "Remind me to... do something for you. Do you like food? No, wait, you can't eat... Ahhh... Maybe a date? A walk? A stroll?"
The taser had definitely done something to her head.
"Hmph. No wonder," a voice commented from beside us.
I turned toward the source: a tall man with dark red hair wearing a sleek, form-fitting bodysuit. It looked like high-tech power armor—integrated helmet, chest plate, knee protectors, and... were those rocket boots?
"Oh, hey." I eyed the thrusters on his heels. "You flew here?"
The man folded his arms and adjusted his glasses. "Such a trivial question." He waved a metallic hand, and the glistening plating receded into a thick bracelet on his wrist. "But I expected as much from an outdated relic." He tapped his chest plate, and the armor collapsed into a thin, unassuming vest. "I am Leo, a Scholar from Determination."
So these types actually existed in this world. Judging by the gear, I suppose he felt he had earned the right to be a jerk. "I'm Viel." I wasn't sure if I should offer my hand; I still didn't know if shaking hands was polite here.
I decided to mimic his earlier formality instead, placing a hand over my chest and bowing slightly.
"Mm. Advanced in your grasp of human interaction," Leo noted with a curt nod. "You may speak to me."
I blinked. Is this guy for real? Did he just give me permission to speak? Is everyone from Determination an insufferable prick?
Not to mention Lina is going there... God, just comparing this asshole with Lina makes me want to puke. One is an angel, another is an arrogant prick.
"Right..." I squinted at him. His face was flat and emotionless, and he carried himself like a stereotypical aristocrat. "Give me a second."
I gently led Diana to an empty sofa nearby. She was still twitching slightly, which actually worried me. I'd been tased in simulations, but I didn't know what the physiological effects were like in reality. I'd have to find a Trailblazer to check on her eventually.
Finally, I turned back to Leo. "Alright, legend." I resisted the urge to crack my knuckles and just planted my hands on my hips. "How did you get here so easily? Did you fly?" I asked, gesturing to his boots.
With a dramatic flair, Leo produced a Trailblazer brochure. "Hidden within the seminar brochure is a map to the city gates. By following this predetermined route, one can safely traverse Ingenuity without being intercepted by the Trailblazers." He handed the paper to me. "I believe the intent was to weed out the naive and the inobservant."
The guy had an attitude, but he had the brains to match. I told myself to calm down; he hadn't actually done anything wrong, and he'd even told me what I'd missed. He was an asshole, but not necessarily a villain. Just... profoundly insensitive.
"The next stage of the exam, according to my calculations, will take place on the surface. You would do well not to burden yourself with a weakling who cannot handle a few Trailblazers."
Never mind. I fucking hated this guy. "Kindly go fuck yourself," I said.
The man raised an eyebrow. "How... unexpectedly human of you." He turned away. "My invitation remains open should you change your mind. Between me and her, you know who is the superior choice."
I flipped him off as he walked away, then sat down next to Diana. What was that guy's deal? Talk about a superiority complex. Just because he had a fancy suit? I was a literal robot and even I didn't think I was better than everyone else.
"Viel?" Diana's eyes fluttered open, her bright green gaze finding mine. "Uuu." She shuddered. "S-Sorry... I'm really sensitive to electricity."
"Yeah, well, human skin is a conductor."
"N-no." She winced as she sat up. "Ngh... back in the City of Love, I was a Storm Forecaster. My job was to sense static in the air to anticipate lightning storms." She let out a long sigh. "Getting tased... it messes with my head."
Great, so electricity is her kryptonite.
"Does it hurt?"
"It's just... very intense." The girl bit her lip. "Aaah... but it doesn't hurt. Don't worry. It's just too much input."
After a few minutes, she managed to calm her breathing and leaned deep into the sofa. Her hand came to rest on my cold, metallic thigh.
"Am I really that comfortable to cuddle with?" I asked.
"No... you should buy some fluffy clothes. Or maybe some soft-skin mods." Despite the critique, she leaned even closer. "But your company is comfortable... I love you, Viel."
Was that a fucking confession? I paused, then remembered. There was no such thing as exclusive romantic love in this world. Relationships were broadly platonic or communal. So... yeah, I guess I loved her too? But... I... I think I love Lina more? Wait...
Ah fuck it, I shouldn't think about this now.
About half an hour after I arrived, a few more participants trickled through the city gates, looking absolutely spent. It took another two hours before the pursuit group of Trailblazers finally arrived, signaling that the preliminary test was over.
"Congratulations. You won this round," Deva said, stepping out from the group.
We all turned our attention to him. He put both hands behind his back and began pacing through the middle of the lobby, launching into a lecture.
"On the Surface, being prepared is everything. The ability to be observant is far more important than the ability to fight," Deva began. "Observation allows you to avoid unnecessary conflict and danger, letting you complete a mission with little to no risk."
I glanced at the lucky few who had deciphered the code and managed to breeze through the exam.
"Should you fail to be observant, conflict will occur," Deva continued. "When that happens, if there is no reason to fight, do everything in your power to flee." He turned to look at me and the other exhausted participants. "You've done well in that regard."
Deva folded his arms. "Finally, should the worst happen—when you have to choose between the mission and your friend—do you know which one to pick?"
There was a moment of tense silence as he let the question hang. Was it right to risk a mission for a friend's life? What was the "correct" answer in this world?
"Refer to your mission briefing," Deva said flatly.
"Ah, come on!" I groaned, joined by a few others.
The man sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "What I am saying is that in some missions, your task is far more important than your own life—such as defending a reality anchor transport. Failure there could cost thousands of lives. Those missions are rare; never risk your life unless it is specifically stated that the objective requires it."
Oh. Okay, that actually makes sense. We'd be told beforehand if the mission was worth more than our skins.
I raised my hand. "Yeah, uh... I have built-in safeguards. If I try to kill or abandon someone for a mission, a big red window screaming 'CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE VIOLATION' pops up and locks my systems down," I told him.
Deva nodded. "Noted. Thank you for informing us; we'll make sure not to put you on such missions." He looked around. "Any other questions before we continue?"
I raised my hand again. "Do we get a chance to rest?"
"Yes, you do," Deva said, gesturing to the lobby. "You have until tomorrow afternoon before the next part begins. Rest here." He turned to the Trailblazers standing behind him. "Bring them cushions and refreshments. Make sure all participants are in top condition for tomorrow."
I did a quick headcount. There were literally only nine of us left, Diana and myself included. Not only that, but everyone else already seemed to be gravitating into groups of three. I really, really didn't want to group up with that power-suited prick, Leo, so I had to act fast.
Should I initiate first contact? Brave a group interaction, introduce myself, or maybe offer around some of the candy Aion gave me?
"Words cannot describe how truly captivating that was!"
A strange guy sat down next to Diana. He was wearing sunglasses and had bright blonde hair. He gave us a sparkling smile and a thumbs up.
"Huh?"
"I have never seen such a graceful performance! Truly a sight to behold..." He made himself comfortable on the sofa. "The name is Lauron! Pleased to meet you."
"Viel," I said, introducing myself. So far, he seemed like the total opposite of Leo. But he was still creepy as hell.
"Hi," Diana greeted him with a shy smile.
Lauron produced something from his pocket: a beautiful flower crafted from glass. "Your beauty captivates me, Milady..." He offered it to Diana, who blushed. "Would you take this gift as a gesture of my goodwill?"
"Eh... Umm, thank you..." Diana took the glass flower while I just sat there, resisting the urge to puke. It was so fucking cringe I could barely stand it. Why was Diana so cool with this? How was she not shriveling up from the cheesiness? Why was everyone okay with this? This total stranger just strolled in and—
Wait. The concept of marriage doesn't exist here. Formal courtship is a dead language.
"Something troubles you, oh beautiful marvel of engineering?" Lauron asked. "Ah, do you perhaps feel left out? My mistake! I merely had the one, and though you are both beautiful... I had to pick the fairest between you in these lowly, biased eyes of mine."
I waved my hand dismissively. "Culture shock. That sort of behavior would, at minimum, get you a restraining order back in the Old World," I sighed. "Don't think about it."
Diana tilted her head. "What?" she asked, looking at the glass flower. "You mean giving a gift? Or is it because it's a flower? I mean, it's not too dark, is it? I can see the beauty in it."
"No, the, uh..." I looked at Lauron. Honestly, the dude didn't look threatening. I could tell he meant well—way better than Leo. But good lord, he could only exist in a world like this. "Being too friendly with a stranger can get you in trouble where I'm from."
"Eh?"
I blinked slowly. "It's... nothing to worry about..."
CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE VIOLATION
"Being too friendly with a stranger is considered suspicious or impolite," I forced out the truth. God, this safeguard was the worst.
"Such a bleak and dreary world! How is being friendly a crime?" Lauron asked.
Diana nodded. "Yes, why is it impolite?"
"Well, because when a dude is being that nice to a girl, it's usually because he wants to fuck her," I blurted out. Goddammit, why was I having this conversation? Can't we talk about normal sci-fi stuff like favorite weapons?
Diana tilted her head. "So? Isn't it more polite to be nice to someone before propositioning them?" She blushed a little. "Not that you have to give me a gift. I do enjoy good, intimate company every now and then, ehehe..."
FUCK! Diana, stop! Culture shock, culture shock! Give me a break here, please!
"Ahhh... I know, I know. I get it. There's logic in that..." I looked up at the ceiling. "What does the word 'cheating' mean to you?"
The two looked at each other. "It is when one does not follow an agreement or a rule? Not playing fairly? Tricking another?" Lauron asked.
"Yes. Any other definition?"
The two shook their heads.
"Okay, how about... Boyfriend? Or Girlfriend?"
Diana tilted her head. "I mean... the same as a friend, but gender-specific?"
"What about romance?"
They both shook their heads.
I tapped my fingers against my metallic leg. Again, this is weird as fuck. No "exclusive" partners. Everyone is encouraged to be friends-with-benefits. Contraception? Why bother? Everyone is already sterile. There's no biological reason to hold back.
And since the concept of "couples" doesn't exist, there's literally no competition or possessiveness. Makeup? Dressing up? Seducing? Just do what you want; you're still getting laid! This world was fucking blursed.
"Is this bothering you, Milady?" Lauron asked gently.
"Can you give me a hug?" I asked him.
"Why, of course!"
I wasn't even sure why I asked, but since this level of closeness with someone you met five seconds ago was acceptable, I figured I'd make use of it.
"Mm... Warm," I muttered.
Another weight pressed against my back as Diana hugged me from behind. "Aww, if all you needed was a hug, you only had to ask!"
I decided to stop thinking. Why did it matter if social norms were skewed? The most important thing was being kind, right? So I'd just do that. I'd be nice.
Diana, you fucking gold-digging wh—