God of Contracts: Strongest Businessman

"Zero One? What's going on with the voice?" he exclaimed, genuine surprise evident in his tone.

Internally, he thought, 'The voice is way too feminine!'

Clearly understanding Elian's surprise, the orb responded,

[My voice changed because I optimized it, and the most effective option turned out to be a feminine tone. I don't have a gender, so I decided to use it.]

"Optimizing your voice? Couldn't you have focused on something else instead? Why expend resources on such a thing?" Elian asked, genuinely bewildered by the choice.

He knew Zero One was normally at least as intelligent as himself, if not more so. So why optimize its voice? Elian was certain that Zero One had a reason for choosing to make such an adjustment, and he was curious to know what that reason might be. Fortunately, his doubts were immediately clarified.

[You're mistaken, Elian. It's not as trivial as you might think. Humans tend not to explore sound enhancement deeply. There are numerous ways to refine sound, and I chose the one that would be most beneficial to you.]

"Oh?" Elian was genuinely intrigued this time. He was well aware of the limited knowledge that prevailed among humans, especially those within his Kingdom, on various subjects.

Following the cataclysm, most fundamental laws of physics were reshaped, demanding a fresh start in scientific exploration. Fortunately, some principles remained relatively unchanged. Moreover, the discovery of mana manipulation significantly expedited the research process.

However, despite these advancements, several scientific domains remained stagnant. Notably, nuclear science was among the areas where progress had stagnated. Elian speculated that acoustics might have suffered similar neglect, with limited research or a lack of substantial progress

He was intrigued by the prospect of learning more, so Elian paid close attention to Zero One's explanation,

[Among the applications of acoustics, there's one that's really popular, it's emotional manipulation. Sound frequencies attuned with energy can influence neural pathways. I chose this somewhat feminine voice because of the soothing effect that comes with it.]

Seeing Elian frowning and questioning expression, Zero One continued,

[You're not feeling it now because I haven't used any energy. But what if I did this?]

An instant later, Elian felt a wave of relaxation sweep through him, compelling him to sink back into his seat as his legs grew weak. The sensation persisted, each passing moment intensifying the calming embrace. The tension melted away, leaving him ensconced in a gentle cocoon of tranquility. His breathing slowed, harmonizing with the melodic flow, and his mind drifted into a serene state.

He was enveloped in an otherworldly calm, momentarily free from all worries. However, just as quickly as it appeared, the sensation vanished, bringing him back to reality and leaving him yearning for that moment of peace.

[Convinced?] Elian heard in his mind with a tinge of mockery.

Smiling wryly, Elian could only nod and ask,

"Why did you end it so soon?"

He wanted more! He didn't know if it even lasted ten seconds; why be so frugal?

[Let me show you this first.]

[KPB -100.]

Seeing this, Elian's mind cleared instantly as he understood Zero One's message.

"You're right, too much of anything is bad," Elian acknowledged before steering the conversation. "Are there similar improvements?"

[Yes, many others, all personalized to assist you.]

"Oh, tell me about them! Please!" Elian's enthusiasm was palpable.

Zero One's application of acoustics opened up a world of possibilities. Elian's excitement peaked, contemplating the myriad remarkable abilities Zero One might possess. If Zero One could manipulate sound this way, surely there were more incredible capabilities to explore. Elian anticipated learning the necessary theories and applying them differently. Lost in thought, his excitement soared.

To the extent that he seemed to overlook the fact that he was banned from the lab and thus couldn't pursue any of those ideas. Yet, who could stop a kid from dreaming? Zero One could, and it did so explicitly:

[You will have to wait for three months before I divulge any further details.]

"Wha-" Elian wanted to contest when he understood the specificity of 'three months.' His excitement dwindled immediately, realizing he'd almost relapsed into experiments shortly after vowing to quit. He'd forgotten the colossal task ahead.

'Am I an addict?' the question lingered, until Zero One confirmed,

[Yes, you are, no doubt about it. It would be strange if you weren't, considering you've dedicated almost half your life to your lab, living your passion day in and day out. An addiction is the least concerning outcome.]

"...," Elian had no rebuttal, acknowledging the truth. Zero One reassured,

[However, don't worry. As I mentioned, every aspect of mine is designed to support and assist you. Let's see if you dare to fall back into your addiction with me around. Just to clarify, the soothing sensation I created earlier isn't the only feeling I can generate; there are others, including pain that can reach every one of your nerves. But rest assured, I won't use it needlessly. You can trust me.]

Elian winced slightly at the direct implications but refrained from reacting. Though he disliked it, he understood it as an effective approach to address his enduring addiction.

Shelving his thoughts, he redirected the conversation to a serious matter,

"I assume you can read my thoughts and are aware of my plans, correct? What are your thoughts on them?" he inquired, his gaze expectant as he awaited Zero One's perspective. He acknowledged that, apart from his areas of expertise, Zero One possessed more knowledge than he did.

[Correction, I can only read your surface thoughts. It's just that during my training, I had access to your whole memory but I won't be aware of any new memory you create from now on. But yes, I am aware of what you are planning since you thought of it before my training.]

[If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be: Foolish. In two words: Foolish and dumb!]

"Why?" Elian inquired, utterly puzzled.

[Do you genuinely believe hacking into the Kingdom's internet network is a wise move? Are you serious about this?]

"Isn't it?" Elian asked, sincerely bewildered.

[Wow, you seem really convinced of that. I guess being a genius doesn't exempt you from acting your age, huh?]

Edited by MoonsterDark