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Ama-9... is by no means a newly awakened creation still in the learning stage. The madness and decisiveness he displays are more like that of a general tempered in mountains of corpses and seas of blood—even if it means his own destruction, he will make the enemy pay an unbearable price.
“You can even gamble,” Ama-9’s voice was like a viper’s hiss, “gamble that my Originium programming will fail because of my death. Perhaps you can kill me cleanly here and everything will be over? Or perhaps… the cataclysm will still fall and get out of control until it devours the entire Columbia?”
Ama-9 was deeply grateful for the perk of being a "transmigrator"—the concept of nuclear deterrence had found a perfect reflection on Terra, a land dominated by Originium. "Cataclysm" was Terra's most terrifying "nuclear bomb." To control it meant to control ultimate power.
“…Based on the calculations,” the winged beast’s voice finally rang out again, carrying a barely perceptible hint of “compromise,” “I reject the previous two proposals. Fellow countrymen, state your demands.”
The fatal lack of intelligence prevented Mark from accurately assessing the limits of the Ama-9. His only reference point for the "Ama series" was that "old friend," but clearly, the strength of this "prototype" far exceeded expectations. On the scales of probability, Colombia was a loser no matter what. Therefore, setting aside all unnecessary emotional barriers—whether it was submission or humility—Mark was willing to accept anything that served Colombia's highest interests.
“Freedom, and respect,” Ama-9’s voice was firm and resolute. “These are the foundations of our cooperation, my fellow countrymen.”
“…Perhaps we are not the same kind.” Mark’s mechanical eyes gleamed with an eerie light. “Your request is…closer to that of a human being than I imagined.”
“After all,” Ama-9’s lips curled into a cold smile, “you’ve admitted that my design… is slightly better.”
The order was given silently. The grim military formation receded swiftly like a receding tide, the soldiers silently and efficiently escorting the Colombian president and vice president, along with their newly arrived "distinguished guest," away from this blood-soaked and ravaged land. It was foreseeable that a professional government cleanup team would soon take over, completely eradicating this Colombian "scum" who dared to conduct forbidden human experiments.
Upon reaching the ground via elevator, Ama-9 finally saw the company nameplate that had unearthed him for the first time:
"Lovol Technology Co., Ltd. - Dedicated to the development of cutting-edge Originium application technologies and medical services for Originium disease."
Eloquent and beautiful words are always the most perfect disguise.
Once the group had walked out the gate, the soldiers realized just how terrifying the "methods" were that could change the president's mind.
Thick, dark clouds covered the sky, with a vortex slowly emerging at its center, as if the end of the world was about to be born from it. Flashing orange lightning flowed endlessly through the clouds. It's no wonder that this desperate scene plunged the entire Trimont into panic.
"Well then, my fellow countrymen, now that we have reached a cooperation agreement, the first request for cooperation is obvious."
Mark's voice remained calm and composed, perhaps because the Ama-9 was also within his attack range, so both sides knew that they would have to clean up the mess next.
"What I hope to receive in return for this collaboration is a legitimate Colombian identity and an impeccable resume that can withstand any investigation."
“A reasonable and wise demand.”
Now that the cooperation was agreed upon, Ama-9 slowly raised his arms, his posture like that of an ancient priest communicating with heaven and earth in the Sargon desert. He closed his eyes and "devoutly" offered a silent prayer to the world-destroying "miracle".
A miracle unfolded before everyone's eyes: within three minutes, the rotation of the world-destroying vortex visibly slowed down; half an hour later, the vortex and the violent lightning completely disappeared into the thick clouds; four hours later, the dark clouds that blotted out the sky were wiped away as if by an invisible hand, and the warm sun of dusk finally sparingly cast down a few rays of its afterglow.
Tremont, on the other hand, seemed to have just survived a parade on the edge of hell, the air thick with the exhaustion and deathly stillness of someone who had survived a catastrophe.
Chapter 7 Identity
Mark Max's efficiency far exceeded expectations. While Ama-9 was still figuring out how to "legally" check into the hotel, a well-trained agent silently appeared before him and handed him a discreet yet sturdy briefcase.
Ama-9, carrying her suitcase, stepped calmly into Tremont, a luxury hotel known for its opulence and privacy.
"Check-in." His voice was calm and even.
"Welcome, sir. Do you have a reservation?" The receptionist greeted him with a professional smile.
"No."
"These are the room types currently available. Would you like me to show you more details?" The receptionist skillfully brought up a carefully designed display on the screen.
With the help of the professional and quick explanation from the other party, Kane selected a mid-to-high-end suite: spacious, equipped with the latest smart home system on the market, and including breakfast, dinner and daily cleaning service.
"Okay, sir. Please show your identification documents for registration."
"Give."
Kane opened the file box, and on the top shelf was a brand-new Colombian citizenship certificate. The photo was of himself, taken from surveillance footage from his time at Lovol Technologies, with the background carefully replaced with virtual Colombian landmarks.
"Mr. Cain Mordred, welcome to the Tremont Modern Hotel." The receptionist's voice was perfectly respectful.
It seems that this so-called Kane Mordred is Ama-9's new identity on Terra, and not someone he'll be following for a long time. He should get used to it soon.
After Kane paid off the rent and deposit through his personal bank account, he also learned how much he had in savings—114514 Columbia Gold Certificates.
Although Columbia Gold Vouchers have high purchasing power in Terra, this amount of savings seems rather insufficient. It appears that Kane will need to find a small gold mine for himself in the future.
The receptionist handed over the room key, and a waiter waiting nearby was about to take the briefcase when Kane raised his hand to stop him. He only asked that the waiter lead him to his room.
After the waiter finished explaining the service details and left, Kane finally had the opportunity to examine Mark's "gift" more closely.
He didn't rush to open the box. The core computing power was quietly released, and the invisible perception spread like mercury, scanning every corner and every item in the room—only after confirming that there were no surveillance or eavesdropping devices did he open the file box.
Kane Mordred, 19 years old, male, Luper.
Father: A Syracuse immigrant who died in an accident during the Colombian pioneering period.
Mother: A native of Colombia, she passed away four years after her husband's death due to overwork and illness.
The assets left to Kane: a property with clear title but limited value in the outer district of Trimont, the savings in his personal account, and... an acceptance letter from Trimont Polytechnic University? It seems Kane is quite a resilient guy; the family's downfall did not discourage him, but instead motivated him to work hard and get into Columbia's top university.
Now that things have come to this, Kane can only rely on speculation to determine the reliability of this identity. One possibility is that such a family did exist in Colombia, but just yesterday, Kane disappeared from Colombia, replaced by Ama-9. However, this method has significant flaws. Anyone who has existed will inevitably leave traces: the memories of neighbors, classmates, teachers, existing social circles, and interpersonal relationships...
Therefore, Kane is more inclined to another conjecture—that it's all fake, that the poor parents may be real, but they may not necessarily have children; and that Kane Mordred's identity, from childhood to adulthood, has been manipulated and manipulated by someone.
Ultimately, the exquisite mask was delivered to the person who needed it; Colombia must have specialized mask workshops that cater to all sorts of special talents.
So, is this identity the best match for my age and appearance?
Kane walked towards the gleaming floor-to-ceiling mirror in the room. Reflected in the mirror was a young Rupert with gray hair and ears; his fluffy wolf tail and ears always seemed to carry a hint of restlessness. His face, however, wasn't the sharp, ruddy look of racial stereotypes; instead, it held a touch of childishness, and his skin was pale from long periods without sunlight. Only the occasional glint of data in the depths of his golden eyes betrayed his true nature.
His overall demeanor truly fits the image of a "science and engineering graduate".
The intended path for this file was to pursue advanced studies at Trimont Polytechnic University, but it was activated ahead of schedule due to his appearance.
So, should I reject this admission offer?
Kane was somewhat annoyed; the cost of the previous "disaster show" was already becoming apparent. He checked his personal status terminal—the budget's validity period had been drastically reduced from [7400 (200) days] to [7000 (200) days].
Its already limited lifespan was further reduced by a year, likely due to excessive pressure on the core computing system, which caused damage.
A year's life saved him from the ambitious Colombian president's resignation and allowed him to barely maintain his position—a pretty good deal.
Ama-9 used the computer in the room to connect to the Columbia network. He quickly searched for information on Trimont Polytechnic University, as well as other countries on Terra, and finally compared it with the database of transmigrators.
Finally, he discovered that the most technologically advanced country on Terra was undoubtedly Agor, but most people on the Terran mainland were unaware of its existence, let alone sending Kane there to obtain technological details; and on the mainland, the most advanced technology must be in the hands of the Beastmasters, and Kane believed that those Beastmasters were not easy to deal with; so in the end, his hope still had to be placed on a company called Rhodes Island.
Because the company's founder was named Kal'tsit, whose other name was "Ama-10," the final product of Project Ama, which achieved immortal artificial life.
Given the technological advancements the other side possesses, if the patch package can be transferred, Ama-9 could not only survive, but could even survive until the planet's destruction.
If we make a deal with Mark, it will be very easy to get in touch with Rhodes Island, but that guy will definitely find out something from it, and then it will be another problem.
Unless absolutely necessary, Kane would never want to engage in any deeper transactions with this "compatriot." Otherwise, he might truly become a "human server" for Columbia to analyze Originium.
It's important to understand that his authority cannot be transferred, and since Columbia cannot mass-produce this technology, he has no choice but to assume this responsibility himself.
Therefore, it seems that Kane could indeed try going to Tremont Institute of Technology—he could try to redeem himself during his time at the university and find a solution to his problems; he could also apply for a job at Rhodes Island after graduation with his excellent academic qualifications and grades, and infiltrate their ranks to look for opportunities; of course, the best way would be to build his own team and use positive forces to defeat Rhodes Island.
Although there were no explicit instructions on her personal terminal, Kane's control over the Originium showed that she knew very well who her "master" was, and she didn't particularly like Kal'tsit.
"Now that things have come to this, let's see where my dear sister has sailed her ark. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."
As Kane searched for information about "Rhodes Island" on the intercity network, the results weren't the official website of Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals, but rather a jumble of fragmented and disorganized information.
"?"
Although it involves a lot of people, it is just a pharmaceutical company on the surface. Is it necessary to block information?
Wait... Kane suddenly thought of a possibility.
He immediately searched for information about Kazdel, where Colombia’s technological advantage was evident, and information that was difficult for many people in other countries to access was presented to Kane in the form of news.
"What do you mean the civil war between the two kings in Kazdel has lasted for seven years?!"
Chapter 8 A "Home"
After a night of information retrieval, Kane completed the calibration of his current time. The conclusion was clear: his point of awakening was "seriously off" from the memory bank of the "time traveler" he inherited.
In that vast memory bank, "Rhodes Island" occupied a significant portion, its image as the authority on Oripathy research on Terra was deeply ingrained. This made him subconsciously compare his awakening time to that, assuming that Rhodes Island had already set sail.
However, the cold reality is: "The war between the two kings of Kazdel is still raging." The two legendary heroes of Sarkaz, their ideologies clashing, have dragged Kazdel into a quagmire of war for years. And his "dear sister," Ama-10, is still deeply involved, serving as a pillar of the "Tower of Babel" organization.
"The Tower of Babel"—an organization created by Theresia, the Demon Lord of Kazdel. Its lofty goal is to target Oripathy, the incurable disease of Terra, and it intends to use it as a fulcrum to try to alleviate the suffering of the entire world.
Kane did not mock this idealism. On the contrary, he also liked the kind of storyline where an idealist ultimately saves the world and brings about a happy ending.
If that were truly the case, he could, with his long lifespan, leisurely observe, experience, and even... enjoy such a "happy" world.
However, the current situation in Terra is beyond the control of any single organization. Deep-rooted hatred and conflicts, like Originium, have long been etched into the various nations and races of Terra.
Therefore, the final fate of the Tower of Babel was already predetermined—the destroyed Tower of Babel would eventually be taken over by Kal'tsit. In order to avoid being wiped out by hostile forces, they would leave Kazdel and eventually reorganize into the "Rhodes Island" pharmaceutical company, continuing to try to practice Theresa's lofty ideals.
"So... I still have quite a bit of room to maneuver."
With Kazdel mired in the war, Ama-10's entire focus was inevitably tied to the front lines and the organization's survival. She had no time to guard against a "brother" who might have crawled out of some unknown experimental ruin.
The enemy is in the open, while we are in the shadows. This is practically the perfect situation for a sneak attack and ambush.
However grand the plans that Kane is devising at his core, everything still needs to start with the most basic "first step".
Otherwise, he wouldn't even have been able to get a ticket to Kazdel.
The next day.
Since the records showed that "he" owned another property, Kane naturally wouldn't stay at the hotel any longer. After enjoying the breakfast included in the room rate, he deftly checked out. A notification for the deposit refund flashed on his personal terminal, and he picked up the crucial document box, disappearing into the morning flow of people in Tremont.
The database quickly learned about the Tremont public transport system and planned routes. Moments later, Kane boarded the city tram leading to Henry Avenue.
"Henry Boulevard"—like the overabundance of the name "Henry" in Victoria and Columbia, this street is filled with the rigidity and mediocrity of early urban planning. Precisely because of its lack of character, it was placed on the outer edge of Tremont's ring road. Three kilometers away is the buffer zone surrounding the city, and beyond that is the "controlled area" where infected people gather.
From a traditional Terran perspective, the property in this area is clearly not a good asset, but it's still better than those scavengers struggling in the wilderness.
Kane stood in front of the detached house and carefully observed the neighbors on both sides, but he couldn't find any signs of life in them—clearly, both houses were uninhabited, which made things easier for Kane and reduced the possibility of his identity being exposed.
He took out the key he had found in the file box long ago, inserted it, and with a twist, the house opened its arms to its "unfamiliar" owner.
Upon entering, Kane found the house clean and tidy, but without any signs of habitation—he noticed a note on the shoe cabinet by the entrance: "Dear Mr. Kane Mordred, at your request, 'New House' Cleaning Company has completed a full cleaning service for your residence. The house is in good condition with no structural defects, demonstrating that you are a very organized gentleman. Please feel free to call us again if you require further assistance."
Judging from the time it was written, it happened yesterday. It seems to have been handled by Colombian agents. I just don't know if this cleaning company is simply taking orders and doing its job, or if it is a subordinate organization of a government department.
Kane wrote down the contact information.
Taking off his shoes, Kane began to survey his own territory. First floor: living room, kitchen, and bathroom, a compact and practical layout. Second floor: two bedrooms, a guest room, and a walk-in closet, meeting basic needs. Spaces that showcased "taste" or "leisure," such as a study or wine cellar, were nowhere to be seen—the original owner's parents were clearly content with this.
Compared to the manors of the wealthy Tremont neighborhood or the skyscrapers of the city center, this place is considered "small." But for Kane, it is an unimaginable "luxury." As Ama-9, he had spent countless days and nights in a life support pod where he couldn't even turn over; and in his memories as a "transmigrator," "buying a house" was an unattainable fantasy. Now, owning this two-story house is like leaping from "imprisonment" to "palace."
"Next... let's make sure this territory is my own private space."
While investigating the Originium reaction, Kane used his visual module to examine the furniture, appliances, and nooks and crannies in the house, like the most discerning home inspector. In the end, he did not find any spy devices.
Mark Max's "trustworthiness" was proven at this moment—like a cold, logical circuit, having promised "respect," he wouldn't unnecessarily install these inefficient and conflict-inducing surveillance devices. Of course, if Kane himself had purchased and installed those commercially available surveillance systems connected to public networks… then Columbia's technical department would naturally "welcome" the data.
Afterward, Kane spent some time purchasing some household items and marking the private property with his own mark. After doing all this, he did feel a sense of belonging.
Next, we need to focus on his "academic" issues, since he is a freshman who will be enrolling at Trimont Polytechnic University.
The academic system at Trimont Polytechnic University is quite interesting. It is a four-year program. The first two years are relatively relaxed, with three semesters, starting in August and ending in December. The following year, classes start in January and end in May. From May to August, there is a break where students can choose to take summer courses. The pace is relatively relaxed.
In the following two years, in order to cultivate the high-level talents needed by Columbia, the program will switch to a four-season system—about two and a half months of intensive study each quarter, with only half a month for "rest." However, the mountains of experiments, corporate collaboration projects, and the final dissertation often devour this short rest period, turning it into "free time."
This system acts like a sophisticated screening machine; students who stand out from it will undoubtedly be forged into highly standardized and efficient "advanced parts" that Columbia's industrial machinery urgently needs.
Before his transmigration, Kane wasn't exactly a good student. He followed a strategy of "skipping all electives and selectively skipping all required courses." Such a guy would usually be exposed for his true colors during the final exams.
But in this life...
Kane's core modules operate silently, within which massive streams of information are rapidly parsed, reorganized, and archived.
For an artificial life form, knowledge is nothing more than a "data packet" waiting to be loaded. The existence of the computing core and memory module makes the process of "learning" as natural as breathing.
Chapter 9 Trimont Polytechnic University
June 9, 1093 in the Terra calendar.
The area in front of Trimont Polytechnic University was bustling with activity. Enthusiastic senior students had already occupied the vicinity of the school gate, chatting familiarly with and guiding the new students, creating a strong social atmosphere.
Among the crowd were many pampered children carefully escorted to the university by their parents, but most students came alone. This reflects both a sense of independence and, more importantly, the fact that this is Trimont Polytechnic University. As one of Columbia's top universities, its admissions process is extremely selective, and those who gain entry are undoubtedly among the best of their peers.
Therefore, the probability of two equally knowledgeable friends who get into the same top university and have a close relationship is extremely low. More common are those "loners" who bury themselves in books and practice problems throughout high school, sacrificing most of their social life. Even if they have one or two close friends, they often go their separate ways in the brutal selection process for university admissions. This also explains why many high-achieving students exude arrogance—from a young age, they have stood out from the crowd, and that sense of superiority has quietly grown within them.
But this is also an opportunity for them to connect in the future—geniuses often understand each other because of a shared inspiration or ideal. This kind of collision of souls is much more real than fair-weather friends.
Many prominent figures in the Columbia scientific community have also stated that they met their true confidants during their university years.
Kane, carrying his prepared materials, made his way through the crowd to the registration desk—given the technological prowess of Tremont Polytechnic University, most procedures could be completed efficiently online. But for many, being there in person was their first chance to feel the pulse of this academic sanctuary—better than having to frantically search for their classroom on a map on the first day of school.
“Mr. Kane Mordred, your application materials have been verified. Welcome to Trimont Polytechnic University. On behalf of the Admissions Committee, I would like to congratulate you.” The admissions officer completed the process in a formulaic yet efficient manner.
"Thank you," Kane replied succinctly and appropriately.
"Furthermore, according to the information... you are eligible to apply for student loans and student housing. Trimont Polytechnic is committed to supporting every talented student in overcoming difficulties and pursuing their academic dreams."