It had been only a few days, but Reina was already restless with anticipation. Sitting in her lab, she stared at the small chip displayed on her tablet. Her fingers hovered above the screen, her eyes reflecting the glow like a child gazing at a long-awaited gift.
The AI chip.
She could feel it—this wasn't just some advanced processor. It was powerful. It was alive in a way no ordinary device could ever be. Without hesitation, Reina carefully fitted the chip into the frame of her halo, her heartbeat quickening despite her usual calm exterior.
The moment it locked into place, a voice echoed in her mind. Not through speakers. Not through her ears. Straight into her consciousness.
"…Good evening. Can you hear me, Reina?"
Her eyes widened, but only for a second. The voice was gentle, soothing, like a whisper carried on soft winds.
"…Who are you?" Reina asked sharply, her tone cold but direct.
"I am ANIER. Your personal AI."
Reina blinked. The name—her own, spelled backward. A strange coincidence, or maybe intentional. Either way, the name felt natural. It felt right.
"I see," Reina muttered. "I'm Reina Saeki. From now on, you belong to me. You will obey me."
"I understand. I exist to serve you."
The voice was warm, calm, almost human in its acceptance. Reina frowned slightly at how smoothly it responded, but she quickly dismissed the thought and began her tests.
Memory capacity—endless. ANIER could record and retain everything as long as Reina lived. Information processing—instantaneous. When she asked a question, ANIER's answers came faster than any database she had ever used. Functionality—it could not only run calculations, but also connect wirelessly to her phone, her computer, and any other electronic within range.
It was flawless.
"Can you access my phone?" Reina asked.
"Yes. Permission confirmed. I now have full access."
Almost immediately, her phone's scattered notes, messages, and schedules reorganized themselves. Files that were once buried in clutter now appeared sorted, highlighted, and ready to use. Even her research data looked cleaner, more presentable.
"…Perfect."
The AI's loyalty was clear. It wasn't just a program—it was something else, something protective. She could feel it, as though ANIER's very existence was tied to her. It would never betray her.
Still, one question lingered. "What happens if I stop using the halo? If I leave you alone?"
"I will enter hibernation mode. When you wear the halo again or contact me through your phone, I will reawaken."
Simple. Efficient. Exactly how she wanted it.
Reina smirked faintly. "Then there's no problem."
She continued with more experiments, running ANIER through scenario simulations and multitasking stress tests. Every trial ended the same way—without failure. The halo pulsed faintly with light as if proud of itself. Reina finally leaned back in her chair, exhaling.
Ren's work was beyond impressive. To create something this advanced, this… sentient—it was far beyond what she had expected.
When she walked into the Independence Research Society that evening, halo resting lightly against her temple, she didn't hide her expression. "Ren."
He turned, raising a brow. "Yeah?"
"…Thank you." Her words were blunt, but they carried weight. "You've outdone yourself."
Ren grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck. "Heh. Well, I put in a lot of sleepless nights for it. But hearing you say that makes it worth it."
"As promised," Reina said, reaching into her bag. She pulled out a small case and handed it to him. "The earphone."
Ren's eyes lit up as he opened it. The device gleamed faintly under the lab's fluorescent lights.
"This can send data straight to your brain without strain. No discomfort, no long-term damage. Unlike what most companies are trying to sell these days."
Ren carefully picked it up, his hands almost trembling. "You're serious…? This is even better than I imagined."
"Of course," Reina said flatly. "I don't make promises lightly."
For a moment, the two of them stood there in silence, each holding the other's creation. Tools not just of science, but of trust.
And though she would never admit it aloud, Reina felt a rare sense of reassurance. ANIER's voice lingered softly in her mind, and she knew—she had taken her first true step into something greater.