Kyle woke before dawn, the morning sun spilling over the churchyard. He flexed his hands; sparks flickered faintly from his fingertips as he swung his wooden practice sword.
For him, it had been a long time—weeks, months, maybe even a year—but he didn't know how much time had passed in the real world. That world didn't exist for him here. For Lira and the villagers, everything Kyle was learning was normal life unfolding naturally.
"Your footwork is still off," Lira said, standing behind him as he struck at a training dummy. "Magic looks better, though. You're improving."
Kyle wiped sweat from his brow. "I… I just keep practicing."
Lira tilted her head. "You know, people don't usually start from nothing. You're… unusual."
Kyle smiled faintly, thinking of his "lost memory" excuse. To her, he really could have no past. And for now, pretending worked.
During the day, Kyle practiced both magic and swordsmanship. He would summon sparks to light candles or small fires, and then swing his sword through wooden dummies, perfecting his grip and stance. Lira watched patiently, occasionally correcting his mistakes or showing a smoother motion.
"You need to feel it," she said one afternoon. "Magic isn't just hands and words—it's focus. Swordsmanship isn't just swings—it's timing. You combine both, you survive. Fail at either, and it's useless."
Kyle nodded, swinging his sword again. Sparks danced from his fingertips. He felt stronger than ever before, a confidence he had never known when he first arrived.
In his free time, Lira explained the world to him: the kingdom, its royals, neighboring regions, and the legends of demons. Most importantly, she told him of the Demon King, a being so powerful that the strongest demons obeyed him.
"This world… everything in it… is real?" Kyle asked hesitantly, still feeling like an outsider.
Lira blinked, confused. "Of course it's real. What else would it be?"
Kyle swallowed. He nodded, saying nothing. For him, everything here was now his reality, and he had to fit in.
Meanwhile, far away in the real world, unseen and unheard by Kyle or Lira, the USA team moved through the main control room of the AI world project. Alarms blared on their systems, sensors flared red, and operatives scanned for Fluctlight signatures.
Dr. Leonard Vale barked orders. "Lock it down!"
The AI world shimmered as barriers appeared across the landscape, sealing cities and villages. Vale and his team retreated into the secondary command room, a heavily secured chamber where no intruder could follow.
Outside, the USA team began attempting to override systems, unaware of the increased security in the secondary command room. For now, the AI world itself remained untouched.
Back in the AI world, Kyle practiced relentlessly. Wooden swords clashed, sparks flickered, and he slowly became stronger, faster, more precise. Lira watched silently, correcting his mistakes and encouraging him with quiet smiles.
Kyle had no idea about the alarms blaring in the real world. No idea that soldiers were trying to interfere with his world. All he knew was the church, his training, the warmth of the sun, and the faint sparks dancing in his hands.
And far beyond the village, demons still lingered in legends and shadows. One day, Kyle would face them. For now, he only trained.