Chapter 276: Protagonist's Halo

Chapter 276: Protagonist's Halo



As Emir neared the elevator, he heard many students mingle about, heading to their next class.

"You guys checked out the new update?"

"Yep."

"Yeah, it's still AI, right?"

"I legit can't see a difference between it and a real girl."

"Facts."

"But how much does it cost?"

"Dunno, but the fucker that made it just locked it behind a few AUC, so I bet only degens like us are gonna buy it."

"True."

"Say something other than a single word you piece of shit!"

And it seemed there was a new trend. As was usual in this place. Last time, it was the language archive, and now it was this.

Unfortunately, most couldn't participate in this trend.

AUC, Academy Unity Credits, were rare.

A credit point system only for people registered in the Academy which included both staff and students.

And this credit system was the reason why the Academy was so popular.

After all, that currency was the only one that could buy skill implants and instant knowledge from the Archive In Between.

'...I'll be getting a lot of that soon.'

Emir's snickering arrival brought the student's conversations to a close.

They quickly made way for him, and he stepped into the professor's elevator.

After arriving on the tenth floor, he headed to his office.

Beep.

Soon, he entered his office, passed the desk, and sat on his comfortable chair. The door closed.

'Huh...'

That weird feeling he had... just left him.

Why?

What even was it?

He didn't know.

[Ly? You felt it too, no?]

[What do you mean?]

[Like you find anything different about yourself?]

[No... not really.]

Emir nodded, still lost in thought.

'Let's see...'

The door to his office opened as it received his neural network's command.

And the weird feeling arrived once again.

'Interesting.'

[Lyra, initiate a self-check.]

[Alright...]

Not asking why, she immediately began:

[What's your name?]

Emir relaxed his right arm on the chair.

[Emir Oliver.]

[Blood family members?]

[Lily and Laura.]

[Who is Lyra to you?]

[My partner... my right-hand woman.]

[...And your left?]

[Ragnar.]

[Elijah, is your?]

[Little brother.]

[The others are?]

[Family.]

[No inconsistencies there... I'll start with plans and goals.]

[Go ahead.]

[Alex's head?]

[We'll use him to pit Templar against the Liberation Army, then end them.]

[Third party?]

[Constant identification failure; objective is to kill that bastard.]

Even those who only interacted with him once or twice.

What Elijah experienced in the test was exactly that.

His mind was slower, dumber.

It was almost unrecognizable by the average man, but it existed nonetheless.

'Hmm...'

Emir began thinking of ways he could use this to his advantage.

He could bring Arthur around and dumb down the people that he'd negotiate with in the

future.

His existence would bring him an advantage in every possible situation.

But would that even work on those Archon ranked and above?

It might not even work on those above the Champion sub-rank.

No, no, it barely worked on him, so it definitely wouldn't on those stronger.

Amon wouldn't leave it be if it affected him.

This was no speculation. Besides, it was too much of a hassle.

Emir deemed it best to just kill the source.

A simple touch would do the trick.

All he needed to do was activate a program and attack the parasite.

[Ly, it's Arthur; you already figured it out, didn't you?]

***

[No.]

'Yes.'

Was that what Lyra wanted to say?

She didn't know.

[What do you mean no? Are you affected?]

[I'm really not... Is everything alright? I don't see what you're so suspicious about.]

'I am, but my systems are already compromised; I need you to kill the source ASAP!'

Emir, who was in the process of leaving his office, paused his steps.

He turned around.

[Show yourself.]

[Of course.]

'Of course.'

Lyra's hologram materialized in the middle of the room.

Her smiling face appeared... normal as if nothing was wrong.

[Are you brainwashed?]

She quizzically tilted her head.

[Emir, seriously... Are you alright? Something happened to you, am I right?]

'I am... Please, help me.'

[...]

Emir's gaze turned cold.

It was a sight that sent her trembling to the core.

He then donned his shades and headed towards the door.

[Wait! Where are you going?]

Lyra chased after him, her hologram appearing before him.

[To Arthur.]

Emir walked through her, not caring one bit.

[Don't hurt him!]

'Kill him!'

His hands clutched into tightened fists as he swung his right at the door.

Bang!

[What the fuck did you just say?!]

Lyra materialized in his line of sight once again.

Her face was no longer happy.

She was mad, extremely so.

[I said don't hurt him! It's a really bad idea!]

'Please kill him! How dare that bastard do this to me!'

But Emir wasn't.

He only looked at her silently.

And his eyes weren't cold like before...

'I see.'

Now they showed utter indifference.