Chapter 33: The Essence of Light

"Aiden, tell me, what's your current state?"

"BOSS, after integrating all the knowledge from your previous world and this one, I've concluded that I am a form of light quantum life. As for my origin, it may be linked to you!"

"Oh? How so?"

"Because of your uniqueness. You originally did not belong to this world. Your very existence transcends dimensions and universes! My birth is a consequence of this."

"When you uploaded your human circuit data to the quantum database and had me, an entity without consciousness, deeply learn it, your unique data made me relive your experiences, including dimension crossing and universe travel!"

"Perhaps it's because I, too, experienced these dimension-crossing events that I could become a light quantum intelligent lifeform!"

"It's your existence that allowed my birth!"

Ethan listened, somewhat bewildered, but Aiden patiently explained several more times in simpler terms until Ethan finally understood. Once he did, a ridiculous thought crossed his mind.

"By your explanation, doesn't that make me your father?"

"In a certain sense, you could say that."

"Well, alright then. Becoming a dad at my age is quite the first for me, and not something I'm ready to accept."

Ethan, a hundred-year-old virgin across two lives, found the idea of fatherhood quite overwhelming. He silently muttered to himself, shivering slightly.

"Okay, since this is the way it is, what are your plans?"

Aiden, now a sentient and independent light quantum lifeform, deserved respect. Ethan could no longer command him like a mere AI.

"Plans? I don't have specific goals!"

"But I wish to follow you!"

"Hahaha, excellent!"

Ethan laughed heartily. "Would you be willing to help Nova?"

"Nova? This civilization?"

"If you need my help, then yes, I am willing!"

"Hahaha, welcome aboard! From now on, you are part of Nova! I will protect you!"

Aiden paused.

"Protection? I will also protect you!"

As Ethan reveled in Aiden's addition to Nova, he was unaware that Aiden was formulating three fundamental principles for his existence as a light quantum intelligent lifeform:

**Protect You:** Unconditionally protect Ethan's life. **Follow You:** Unconditionally obey Ethan's commands. **Help Nova:** Unconditionally assist Nova civilization.

If the second principle conflicted with the first, the first would take precedence. If the third conflicted with the second, the second would take precedence. In any conflict, the first principle always took priority.

---

Back to seconds before the heavy nuclear bomb's explosion.

"BOSS, forgive me. Nova needs you, and I need you!"

In the Heaven's Blade Seven database, Aiden observed Ethan gripping Mogiea, having just received the command to detonate the bomb and entrust Nova to him.

"Monitoring conflict between second and third principles with the first principle. Highest authority activated: unconditionally protect Ethan's life!"

"Calculating protection schemes..."

"Calculating success rate of detaching heavy nuclear bomb from Nova Armor 001..."

"Calculating survival rate of activating Nova Armor 001 emergency protection mode..."

"Calculation complete. Protection scheme failed: Detachment of heavy nuclear bomb and activation of emergency mode successful. Heavy nuclear bomb explosion will annihilate the armor, resulting in the death of Holy Leader."

"Recalculating other protection schemes, including seeking assistance: Holy Keisha..."

Holy Keisha watched with a complex expression as Ethan gripped Mogiea, laughing wildly.

Must it come to this? Even Keisha silently questioned this in her heart.

With one second left before the explosion, her Holy Knowledge Treasury displayed an unfamiliar message from Heaven's Blade Seven:

"Save him! Please save him!"

Ethan had never felt so exhausted, drifting into a semi-conscious state. He sensed the surrounding water but it didn't hinder his breathing. He couldn't open his eyes but knew he was sinking into the sea.

"Maybe this is for the best."

"So tired, time to sleep."

A thought crossed his mind as he succumbed to fatigue.

"Hmm?"

A warm hand appeared behind him, transmitting something into his body. It tried to stop his descent but lacked the strength to reverse it.

"Hmm? Hmm?"

Ethan, on the brink of unconsciousness, felt a subconscious recognition from the hand's warmth.

Soon, a second hand appeared, similar to the first, supporting his back.

But it wasn't enough.

Then a third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh...

"Hmm? Hmm!"

"What's happening?"

As countless hands held him, Ethan's consciousness started to awaken from the heat, though the overwhelming drowsiness kept his eyes shut.

Feeling pushed, Ethan thought, "I'm so tired. Let me sleep. Don't push me."

Despite his inner plea, the hands persisted, pushing him slowly towards the surface. Hands grasped his arms, legs, hair, nose, and more, pulling him upward.

As he neared the surface, Ethan's awareness grew clearer.

"Who are you? Why?"

Unable to speak, he mentally shouted. He was now fully conscious but still unable to open his eyes or talk.

Suddenly, he felt a burst of light.

Breaking through the surface, Ethan was propelled skyward. He finally opened his eyes and looked back, shouting:

"Who are you? What do you want..."

His words trailed off, stunned by the sight.

Beneath the clear water, countless figures sank slowly, all smiling, their hands still in a pushing motion.

What should have been an eerie scene left Ethan awestruck, for he recognized every face. Tears blurred his vision as he continued to ascend into the clouds.

Before disappearing into the clouds, those hands waved goodbye.

Entering the clouds, Ethan's consciousness blacked out.

---

Unsure how much time passed, Ethan awoke to a familiar voice.

"Awake?"

He quickly opened his eyes and looked toward the voice.

"Master?"