The next day, Arthur was severely reprimanded by Dr. Oda.
"Excessive studying doesn't promote brain development," the doctor said firmly, having personally verified this point.
But Arthur had no intention of stopping, and the reason was simple. His learning efficiency was terrifyingly high. It wasn't just photographic memory—that required no real talent. The professional learning braindances provided by Arasaka were designed specifically for learning, capable of forcibly injecting knowledge into the brain.
In a world where even consciousness could be stripped and altered, force-feeding knowledge was almost trivial. For students before the transmigration, who had to painfully memorize textbooks, this would have been a blessing. But in a world where every student could have knowledge instilled by machines, the challenge was far more grueling.
First, they had to digest and understand the knowledge. Second, this method prioritized quantity over quality. The amount of content to memorize in an hour was equivalent to a month's worth of knowledge for a pre-transmigration student. Beginner courses contained twenty-eight lesson hours each, packed with complex and comprehensive material. Advanced courses were even more brutal.
Take the hacker tutorial, for example. Memorization was no longer enough—you had to complete countless hacks and defenses, design and run programs, and even deal with "shit mountain" code. Beyond that, you built corporate ICE with massive servers, completed stealth and assassination simulations using hacker skills, and learned techniques like monowire usage. Designing intelligent systems for weapons, vehicles, and other tools required additional knowledge in vehicle and weapon design. Even Arthur, with AI-level intelligence, sometimes felt the mental strain like a "pig brain overload" quickhack.
After completing scheduled courses, he almost forgot to report to the infirmary. Fatigue made him feel like he could sleep through anything. When Arthur appeared pale in the cafeteria, most students expressed concern—except for Lucy and a few others, who looked oddly distant.
Rosie, ever playful, approached him, pressing her head against his and asking why he looked so worn out. Everyone else looked slightly ashamed, even Rosie seemed stressed. Arthur couldn't help but laugh as he ruffled her smooth, little red hair.
"Don't worry. This was part of my plan all along. There aren't many institutions stronger than Arasaka's education. I'm learning while I can; once I'm out, I won't have the chance for systematic training like this," he explained.
The other two Little Hackers, who hadn't joined the group, remained indifferent—one staring at him strangely, the other lost in thought. Study? Survival during the mining process seemed more urgent.
"I understand," Rosie said, pursing her lips. "I… I will study hard too!"
Arthur shook his head. "Don't pressure yourself. You're already an excellent hacker. Out there, you'll be an undisputed genius."
"But compared to you… I'm far behind," Rosie sighed. "And there's a gap between me and Lucy or Da Di…"
"You're younger than all of us. When you reach our age, you'll do even better. I'm the exception—I might actually be a genius," Arthur said with a smile.
Rosie giggled in her characteristic loli voice, drawing out the words, "Genius Arthur~ Senior~." Arthur, a veteran of two-dimensional culture, chuckled at the authenticity.
After lunch, Arthur returned to his room for another intensive study session. This time, he scheduled sufficient rest between courses, reducing discomfort and allowing him to extend his study hours. He planned seventeen hours per day, including breaks, tackling at least thirteen to fourteen lesson hours daily. Dr. Oda only intervened twice, as long as Arthur's neural healing showed no signs of deterioration. If he couldn't study himself to death, he'd study to exhaustion.
Two days later, the server's reconstruction was complete—or more accurately, expanded. Lucy sent bad news via encrypted communication, heightening Arthur's unease. The number of security personnel had increased. Original research staff left in waves after the former project director was replaced. In their place came three specialized teams—over twenty Arasaka employees specializing in network technology.
Arasaka agents tasked with security monitoring also increased significantly. Lucy estimated at least fifteen new agents: five professional cybersecurity hackers, and ten soldiers equipped with combat cyberware. At the front was a high-ranking agent with laboratory-grade Sandevistan. His cyberware was public:
Operating System: Arasaka "Kagemusha" S2 Experimental Sandevistan
Arasaka Agent-type ICE V.2
Pain Editor
Neural Processor: Arasaka NP-Mk.2 "Obsidian"
Combat Optics: Militech "Night Owl" Mk.2 (Arasaka Modified)
Skeleton: Universal Enhancement Component
Arasaka Special D.2 Subdermal Armor
Hands: Universal Co-Processor
Arms: Arasaka "Oni" Beta Test Mantis Blades
Circulatory System: Bioconductor "Blood Pump" Beta Test Type
Arthur, reading this, added two cyberware courses that night. If he could later take the agent out, the loot would be immense—a Sandevistan could fetch tens of thousands of euros in-game, or far more in reality. As for morality, he justified it: survival first, greed later.
The day after reconstruction, all Little Hackers assembled in the server room on the second underground floor. Giant blue fluorescent neural conduits, doubling as cooling systems, hung like massive vines from the ceiling, converging in the center. Humming fans surrounded the servers, producing an irritating low drone. Flickering lights and glowing conduits nearly replaced all other illumination.
Tano Ena, the new project director, stood before a Netrunner chair, smiling with restrained excitement.
"Good morning, children. I know many of you are seeing me for the first time, but that doesn't matter. I am Tano Ena, the new director of the 'Stardust Project.'"
She continued, explaining that the project was entering its second phase: operating within the Old Net to capture AI behavioral data. "Don't be afraid," she said. "You'll have the protection of Arasaka's latest Guardian firewall. While it can't extend into the Old Net, it has enterprise-level ICE capabilities to support you returning safely behind the Blackwall."
Tano Ena revealed a box of Relic Chips. "These chips capture AI characteristics. Your task is simple: record as much as possible while protected, then return and log off. Target only the specified AIs; others can be transferred and logged off safely."
As the children prepared, Lucy instinctively glanced at Arthur. He smiled at her. "You go together. I'll go solo first."
Lucy nodded silently, and the others lined up for their Relic Chips. Arthur took his chip, but Tano Ena spoke:
"Arthur, you are different. If you encounter an AI during Deep Dive, you may log off immediately under any circumstances—Alt or the male-featured AI."
Arthur's expression remained calm, but vigilance surged. Could his chip be specially made? Could Alt appear in cyberspace? He didn't want a repeat of the protagonist V's ordeal. With Tano Ena's watchful smile, he dared not act recklessly.
Arthur inserted the Relic Chip and immediately ran a self-check program. His eyes glowed as he verified its activation status. Luckily, it hadn't activated. The chip matched Tano Ena's description: unactivated.
Before connecting to the server, he programmed the chip to require manual activation, using the server's computing power while leaving minimal traces. He avoided touching the chip's core program, suspecting it might be a modified Soulkiller designed for AI. Mistakes could be fatal—even for him.
All preparations complete, the staff connected the cables. Arthur adjusted his black custom Netrunner suit and reclined in the chair.
"Let's begin. Deep Dive, enter Cyberspace!"