Chapter 32

At first, I wasn’t really enthusiastic at all.

The automaton for accompaniment, called a Doll, was created to assist explorers. It can follow simple commands like attacking or using healing potions. Depending on the model, it can also unlock doors or use basic magic.

Though it can be made entirely mechanically, if someone with the special profession of ‘Dollmaster’ is involved in the creation process, the automaton can be made more precise and adaptive.

Since I am one of those chosen with the Dollmaster profession, I’m amazing. But because I’ve been weak since I was young, I can’t leave places with clean air.

Being the amazing me, I’ve been involved in doll development since I was six years old. I’m twelve now, so I’m already a veteran.

The latest “San-shiki” series is planned to have more advanced AI than previous models. As a test case, the AI I’ve been training is going to be used.

But I’m only planning to put it in one test unit of the “Cipher San-shiki.” I’ve grown attached to this AI I raised. Copying it would feel like replicating a soul—it might sound like I’m overcomplicating things, though.

This special type of San-shiki was chosen to be tested this time. The test case involves it accompanying first-year academy students.

The first person I saw through the camera check was a boy who seemed a little timid. He’s older than me, but since I’m amazing, age doesn’t matter to me.

I had heard he was in the same class as Shiro-san, so I thought it would be good if I could keep up with him, but I ended up getting paired with someone who was left alone when teams were being formed.

“Haha, this guy is super weak! This is hilarious!”

I searched the occupation of the guy I was watching through the VR screen, and while there are few like him, since he can only provide support from the rear, he’s classified as Rank E.

I had a feeling I’d forget this guy’s name—Tsukasa Fujiwara—once the test was over.

“Nice to meet you today.” “Pleasure to meet you too, Master.”

Since individual names haven’t been assigned yet, I called him “Cipher,” but I had a feeling this one was still hiding his true nature. The AI I raised has a personality similar to mine.

Even so, I couldn’t help but feel something was ‘different.’ I’ve participated in tests through a doll’s perspective before, but this was the first time someone said ‘Nice to meet you’ to me.

I wondered if this meant he was a really nice guy. Though they say nice people die young. Then, after we entered the dungeon, he made an insensitive comment.

“You’re definitely stronger than me… despite having such a small body.”

I almost said, “Huh?” Right after I showed him Cipher’s stats, he said this? I’m stronger than him, right? What does size have to do with it?

I was so irritated that I ended up speaking myself. It’s something a Dollmaster can do, after all—I can input commands from afar using voice.

“…I’M NOT SMALL.” “Eh…”

He mumbled something, but he looked so surprised that I felt a little better.

Since I’m not supposed to talk, I decided not to get too involved.

It’s just a test, after all, so I need to gather data. Though he didn’t notice, ‘Optical Camouflage’ and ‘Record’ are functions meant to hide and collect data. I had those displayed in the list of abilities.

“(…Oh. A monster’s appeared… Can he handle it?)”

I thought Cipher’s ‘Normal Bullet’ would be enough to deal with this small fry, but it was too fast to target, and I considered switching to manual mode. I’m good at FPS, so I was confident I could hit it.

But before I could grab my FPS mouse, Cipher’s camera captured something unbelievable. Yep, it was a shocking scene.

“(The enemy is frozen… Did the recording glitch?)”

The ‘Green Balun’ that appeared on Cipher’s camera had stopped while trying to attack the guy from behind. Does time-stopping magic actually exist? I should be more reserved since I’m only twelve.

It turns out that this was something the guy had done with a skill.

Before I realized it, my heart was racing. If my heart rate exceeds a certain threshold, a personal nurse would come, so I’m not supposed to get this excited. Luckily, I managed to stay in the yellow zone, just before the danger red line.

“Even though you’re just a weakling, you’ve got some nerve! How dare you make me nervous?”

Even though no one was listening, I complained to myself. By then, though, I was already captivated by the world shown by this supposedly unreliable ‘baggage carrier’ of a master.