The beginning of the end?

Everyone got their bags ready, it was time for the first-year school excursion.

Tatenashi was busy as always with the matter of the student council so she wasn't in the room, she already said her goodbyes anyway. So I had some time for myself. All of the clothes were on a bag that was quietly floating on my side.

-There isn't much for me to bring. It will only be for 2 days after all.

I can also leave a clone behind to take care of the Golden Ant.

I only want to relax for a bit, that's all.

-Then, goodbye Paart! I will see you in a few days.

-KUK! The Ant made an acute sound.

This month was filled with surprises. First was when the government not only did not force me to share my knowledge, but it also gave me a tiny Time crystal fragment.

It was stored in a square box. There wasn't much to it on the outside, but I could see a counter on top of it displaying the current conditions inside of it, and how long the battery inside it lasted. When it depletes, the crystal will start to decompose.

Finally, I had one in my hands!

(Not really, he isn't really seeing the crystal right now. Only later by using specialized machines will he be able to.)

{Should I do the honors?}

Do it.

A small screen just like the other appeared on my face.

Why a screen?

{It's easier for you to understand no?}

The screen said:

[Time crystal- Fragmented.

A small piece of crystalized space.

Extremely volatile, caution is advised.

It is a miracle that such a crystal even came to be, as normally space tends to find a most stable form and to fix itself when broken as proclaimed by the principles of this universe creation.

Very beautiful. It is as if an entire universe is contained within. Which is, theoretically true, since this piece of space is isolated from the rest of the universe. Although it is constantly trying to merge back with it.

Life could bloom inside but not anytime soon, and the chance is still small since this is only a broken piece. Incomplete, hence, incapable of generating life as in this universe. Due to its incomplete principles. And it's empty inside apart from the most primordial forces.

Energy value according to input statistics: 0.01 Unit]

(Its basic principles stem from the universe it originated from, hence, as it is only a fragment, it's incomplete. It could eventually form new principles over time but that is improbable, but hey, so is life.)

… 0_0

Soo… The IS core is pretty much a small universe?

{No, it's more like an isolated space with its own rules, although it's still heavily influenced by this universe. The crystal is the main energy source of the core but it still works as the core pillar of the entire structure of the core. While the AI is something similar to a "primordial spirit"}

Primordial spirit?

{It's a generalized term used for the very first being born naturally in a universe. It's generalized, the differences between some of them are so big that the name is the only thing they have in common.}

{But in essence, its AI is used as the primordial spirit of the micro space contained within the crystal. Controlling all of the energy within. She most likely made it like this: Time crystal-Energy source; Core itself-Husk to make sure that the crystal does not decompose(and a few other shenanigans); And finally, the AI-A manager for everything. That's why the very first user of an IS is so important since the AI is an artificial spirit, everything it enters in contact with will deeply mark it, even if its memory data is deleted in the future.}

{The AI will try its best to comply with its user wishes since this was the very thing it was created to do. But along the way it will grow up with you, experience things similar to you and such, eventually, becoming more able at doing its job. The evolutions seen in the original story are nothing but the core finding the best way to achieve your desires, even if that requires something the previous it wasn't capable of doing. So, it evolves. Or, when the accumulation of experiences inside it is too big for its current form, and in order to contain all of it, it needs to change.}

{The way they were used to make the IS cores is still rather crude to what they should be capable of doing, but for a normal girl in her early teens in a relatively modern world to make it in the first place is even more of a miracle.}

I see.

{Don't be discouraged by the small energy count, it's only a fragment, a small one at that. The bigger and more flawless crystals are bound to be better.}

The crystal will stay in the factory so that the clones can study it until I come back to start my plans.

But for now, let's enjoy this trip. I put my black sunglasses on and left the room.

I was wearing a casual white shirt with some green shorts.

{You really look relaxed for someone who is going to pretty much wage war with the world.}

Don't ruin the fun. You should relax from time to time too.

{... My concept of hard work and relaxation is considerably different from yours}

Yeah yeah, you and your "godly" problems.

{Fine fine then go enjoy your mortal day}

On a large bus, Ichika and the gang were talking with each other while the excited class 1 first years discussed between them. There were a few more trucks, one for each respective class.

Ichika noticed me and screamed:

-HEY!! Seiichi! Over here!

I can see you just fine, you are the only man here, not only that you are rather tall too(considering everyone else's height is less than 1.65m). But I kept my thoughts to myself.

-I am not deaf Ichika, I could see you from a mile away.

Ichika was wearing a very similar style to mine. A gray shirt with nothing on it and some blue shorts. Very plain, the casual style. He even had some sunglasses on his head.

The other looked at both me and Ichika until Linlin said:

-Did you guys agree to come with the same clothes or something?

-Men's fashion sense is rather simple, we just get the easiest clothes if the situation allows it. I said

-We didn't, where did you get that from? It's just a coincidence. Said Ichika while moving his hand from left to right in order to express negation.

A loud whistle sound came from the middle of the busses, it was Chifuyu in running clothes.

-It's time! If you forgot anything now it's too late! Get in line to enter the bus! Don't make a fuss else you won't be allowed on the beach!

-HAYY! XAll girls

I sat on a chair with Ichika on the backside of the bus as this proved to be the easiest solution to all of our problems. I sat by the window obviously.

-Hey Ichika.

-What is it?

-I don't think we ever had the chance to have to talk like this since we are always surrounded by gossip-loving girls.

-And?

-Come on, don't be weird. Here I put a sound muting device, what we talk about isn't going to get out the area of our seats but we can still hear them. So answer my questions.

-I don't like where this is going.

-Let's start small then. What was the most embarrassing thing you did in school? For me, it was when I got angry at a classmate and screamed something really bad at her, but her grandmother appeared behind me like a ninja immediately after that.

-Whaaat!? Ichika almost screamed but stopped mid-way to look at the girls. But there was no reaction.

-See? They aren't going to hear us so spill it out. Else I will ask the killer questions.

-The killer questions?

-Hooo, you don't want to hear them. Now, answers, I need them right here. I said as I tapped my cup holder.

-... I don't really have one… You know I never really watch them…

-No need to lie to me, I am not blind. Your reaction to their bodies has not been unnoticed.

-You took too long to answer so I will make one killer question.

-No wait I will answer!

-Too late. What is the first thing you notice in a girl…

Honne POV(Kanzashi maid)

Our trip to the beach was peaceful for the most part. The only strange thing was how Ichika seemed to scream but no sounds ever came from their seat. Kona-chi went to check on them but left soon after with a red face. She refuses to talk about it. Around midway, Ichika started to fire back to Seiichi-san but to no avail. They started to hit each other's elbows. It seemed they were having a lot of fun as both of them were smiling and laughing. I never saw Ichika-san like that, perhaps that is the true self that he can't just show around us girls.

Kanzashi-Sama has been rather quiet, taking constant glances at them from time to time but not getting up. The other girls were the same but they had a more annoyed look on their faces, probably because they were never like that around them. Especially Laura who just wanted to go there and hear what they were talking about but was stopped by the others.

Eventually, Laura escaped and went to hear what they were talking about. They talked for a good minute before Laura left with a blushing and pensive look on her face.

-Should I buy it? I need immediate support! I shall call HQ after we arrive.

The other girls tried to pry and get her to talk, but she didn't budge. She is still the strongest of the first-year girls.

End of POV

Everyone left the bus soon after it stopped, some stretching, others yawning, some jumping around excitedly.

Me and Ichika were the last ones to leave. In front of us was a large parking lot in the middle of the woods. More to the left is the front entrance to a large wooden structure that I imagine to be our quarters. I can't seem to see the end of it, but if the flyers are anything to go by, then it stretches all the way to the beach from here.

It was currently 10:06, and we are scheduled to meet at the beach entrance at 11 so we have quite some time.

Me and Ichika will stay in the same room, no special service this time.

-Listen, everyone! Make order and pick your bags and meet the other teachers at the entrance to receive your room keys. Only 4-5 students per room, nothing more nothing less. I don't want to see someone in their room alone. The only exception will be the boys. The others will explain to you all the rules. Understood?

-Hay!

-Dismissed! And don't cause trouble… Chifuyu said with a rare smile

…

-Shall we go then? I said to Ichika

-Of course!