elapt1c/ElapticAI-512 · Datasets at Hugging Face

text stringlengths 0 149M
The eternal solitude. The administrator s consciousness will be kept separate from the loop cycle. While the rest of humanity s memories are reset with each cycle, the administrator s, and I suppose the vice-administrator s, memories would remain unchanged.
I was a bit worried. A single loop would at the very least span tens of thousands of years, would it not? Could we really withstand that, countless times over, all while doing our work?
Rei nodded. A fair concern. We would have to be careful not to overexert ourselves. We could perhaps work only during the transitional period between civilizations, and during the rest of the time, we d live normally among other humans barring any emergency circumstances that required our attention, of course.
So we wouldn t be working as administrators all the time, then. That made it better I supposed?
What do you think, Claire? Do you want to be an administrator with me? Rei offered her hand to me.
But though I wanted to, I couldn t take it, not without hesitation.
Let me ponder this for a bit. It s an absurdly big decision; I can t give an immediate yes or no.
To become an administrator even vice-administrator would mean being responsible for the continued well-being of all humanity. That meant bearing the weight of countless lives as they rested on your shoulders.
According to Rei s explanation, the new humans would follow the same history as our own, which would enable us to more easily adjust things behind the scenes. That meant the same cruel wars and genocides of the past would recur, and we would have to just shut our eyes to all of it. But even if I agreed to that, I would still have to bear the responsibility of managing the Loop System. A single slipup could bring an end to all of humankind. Could I handle the mental load?
Thinking about all that came with the role had me, quite frankly, terrified.
I understand, Rei said. This is a big decision. Take your time and think things over. I ll set things up for you just in case, so let me know.
What will you do, Rei?
Regardless of what you choose, I ll be an administrator. Somebody has to do it, after all.
Somebody has to do it.
I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt upon hearing her say that. I was the one who had pulled her into this project in the first place, on TAIM s advice. She had no concrete obligations. She had even tried to leave once. If I hadn t stooped to such low means to keep her here, she d be free. My selfishness then has forced this terrible burden on her.
Rei, on second thought, I think I ll do it, after all
Don t, Claire, Rei shook her head. It was like my thoughts were entirely transparent before her eyes. You shouldn t become an administrator with half-hearted resolve. There s no need to hurry, so please think this through thoroughly.
She booted down her holo-computer and stood. As she left, I could do nothing but follow her with my eyes.

***

Hey, TAIM? What do you think I should do? I quietly murmured, perhaps more to myself, as I adjusted TAIM s settings.
The Loop System was nearing completion. Soon, humanity would finally enter its first dormancy period. Everyone s soul would be automatically scanned for quantization by the many parts of TAIM scattered throughout the world, saving us the effort of scanning people one by one. These parts of TAIM looked like ordinary rocks at first glance, but they were capable of both self-repair and self-replication, and could also be used to activate magic. We intend to call them magical stones during the magic-based eras. Some were over ten feet long, while some were as small as nanoparticles. All were wirelessly connected to one another.
Rei had led the design of the magic-based civilization, and she d actually based it off of that otome game of hers like she joked she would. I d had a look through it with a simulator, and I had to say, it was fascinating like a world of magic you might see in a movie.
The science-based civilization was fascinating as well, though at a certain stage, they would surpass our own current population, so we d had to prepare artificial souls to round out their numbers. From what I understood, TAIM was going to prepare a foundation for those artificial souls, which would then be mixed with the quantum data of real humans. Honestly, only Rei understood all the details.
The project had progressed steadily, and the end was now in sight, but I still hadn t given Rei an answer as to whether I would become an administrator.
What s there to hesitate over, Claire? TAIM said. What more could you ask for than an eternity with the woman you love?
Don t tease me. It s not that simple.
The more I thought about how the fate of humanity would be on my shoulders, the more hesitant I became to accept the position.
You re thinking too much, TAIM said. You should be truer to your desires, like Rei.
Since when has Rei ever been true to her desires?
Having lived with her for some time, I d learned that Rei was an incredibly selfless person. She single-handedly did all my domestic chores for me, as I had no talent for anything outside researching, and she spent her money more on me than herself. Even during sex, she was constantly focused on satisfying me
Oops. Ignore that bit.
Oh? Did you not know? TAIM asked. Rei created the Loop System specifically for you, Claire.
Huh?
That s enough, TAIM. Rei appeared, interrupting before she could elaborate.
Why keep it a secret? TAIM asked Rei. I think it s wonderful.
There s nothing wonderful about it at all. It s so selfish, even I don t like thinking about it, Rei replied.
But don t people say it s only human to be selfish?
You just keep learning more and more useless things, don t you?
Your compliment is greatly appreciated.
That wasn t a compliment.
The two bantered back and forth in this way, ignoring my presence.
Um, Rei? What did TAIM mean by this project being
TAIM was just talking nonsense. Don t worry about it, Rei said.
But
Please.
All right. Reluctantly, I relented.
By the way, how are you feeling today? Rei asked. She had been bothering me about this a lot lately.
Fine. I m still young, you know? I m not going to suddenly fall ill or anything.
Right. That s good. But if you feel strange, let me know right away, she said with a serious look.
I felt like something was up. Rei Are you by chance hiding something from me?
Many things.
I figured Wait, no I mean, is there something about my health you re hiding from me?
No?
Then why are you constantly checking in on me? Worried, I turned to TAIM instead. TAIM, is there anything about me that indicates a potential health problem?
I cannot answer that, TAIM said.
What? Why not?
Access to that information has been prohibited.
By who?
I cannot answer that either.
So she said, but her inability to answer might as well have been an answer.
Rei, you prohibited access, didn t you? I asked.
Rei said nothing.
I m well aware that authority over TAIM s usage has been transferred to you. You re the only one who could lock information away from me.
She averted her eyes, refusing to speak.
Rei, look at me.
She turned her gaze back my way.
Why won t you tell me
But before I could finish, my world began to sway.
Claire?! Rei s face contorted with fear.
What was happening ?
TAIM, contact medical! Rei yelled.
I already did.
How is this happening? She should have more time!
Her condition has advanced faster than anticipated.
No
Rei? What are you saying? I can t hear you very well.
Claire Please, stay with me. If you die, then what was this all for?

My medical test results weren t good, to say the least. I had contracted a pathogen that didn t match any known disease.
Everything will be okay, Claire. The government is asking for the U.N. s permission to activate the Loop System as we speak. We ll see the future yet, I swear. Rei spoke softly as she squeezed my hand.
No, Rei. We still haven t performed the final check. If it s to operate for the rest of eternity, we need to make sure it s perfect. I tried to squeeze her hand back, but I couldn t put much strength into my fingers.
The final check is just a formality. There s no way there d be a mistake in my work. You said it yourself: I m a genius. Rei smiled cheekily at me. Or at least, that s the sort of thing I think she would have done there. I couldn t see very well by that point.
Right, you re a genius. That s why I m sure you ll be fine on your own, I said. You can do it, Rei. I know you re strong enough.
No No. Please don t leave me, Claire. Please
Rei I m sorry. But I m happy I was at least able to be with you in my final moments.
Wait, she said. If we activate it now, we should still have time! TAIM, I don t care what you have to do! Keep Claire alive for at least one more day!
My functions have been set to prioritize preparation for the acti
I don t care! I m the administrator, and I m ordering you to keep Claire alive!
Understood.
Rei?
Rei, where are you? I can t feel your warmth anymore.
I m scared, Rei. Don t leave me.
Wait for me, Claire! I swear I ll save you! There s no point in saving the world if you re not in it!

I descended into darkness. I felt nothing, not even the cold that had run through my body up until moments ago. Rei s voice was distant from me now. The beating in my chest grew weaker by the minute.
There was something I had to say. Something important. But my world was soon swallowed by darkness, taking my scattered consciousness with it.
From the bottom of my heart, I love you.
Who were these words meant for again?

The eternal solitude. The administrator s consciousness will be kept separate from the loop cycle. While the rest of humanity s memories are reset with each cycle, the administrator s, and I suppose the vice-administrator s, memories would remain unchanged.

I was a bit worried. A single loop would at the very least span tens of thousands of years, would it not? Could we really withstand that, countless times over, all while doing our work?

Rei nodded. A fair concern. We would have to be careful not to overexert ourselves. We could perhaps work only during the transitional period between civilizations, and during the rest of the time, we d live normally among other humans barring any emergency circumstances that required our attention, of course.

So we wouldn t be working as administrators all the time, then. That made it better I supposed?

What do you think, Claire? Do you want to be an administrator with me? Rei offered her hand to me.

But though I wanted to, I couldn t take it, not without hesitation.

Let me ponder this for a bit. It s an absurdly big decision; I can t give an immediate yes or no.

To become an administrator even vice-administrator would mean being responsible for the continued well-being of all humanity. That meant bearing the weight of countless lives as they rested on your shoulders.

According to Rei s explanation, the new humans would follow the same history as our own, which would enable us to more easily adjust things behind the scenes. That meant the same cruel wars and genocides of the past would recur, and we would have to just shut our eyes to all of it. But even if I agreed to that, I would still have to bear the responsibility of managing the Loop System. A single slipup could bring an end to all of humankind. Could I handle the mental load?

Thinking about all that came with the role had me, quite frankly, terrified.

I understand, Rei said. This is a big decision. Take your time and think things over. I ll set things up for you just in case, so let me know.

What will you do, Rei?

Regardless of what you choose, I ll be an administrator. Somebody has to do it, after all.

Somebody has to do it.

I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt upon hearing her say that. I was the one who had pulled her into this project in the first place, on TAIM s advice. She had no concrete obligations. She had even tried to leave once. If I hadn t stooped to such low means to keep her here, she d be free. My selfishness then has forced this terrible burden on her.

Rei, on second thought, I think I ll do it, after all

Don t, Claire, Rei shook her head. It was like my thoughts were entirely transparent before her eyes. You shouldn t become an administrator with half-hearted resolve. There s no need to hurry, so please think this through thoroughly.

She booted down her holo-computer and stood. As she left, I could do nothing but follow her with my eyes.

***

Hey, TAIM? What do you think I should do? I quietly murmured, perhaps more to myself, as I adjusted TAIM s settings.

The Loop System was nearing completion. Soon, humanity would finally enter its first dormancy period. Everyone s soul would be automatically scanned for quantization by the many parts of TAIM scattered throughout the world, saving us the effort of scanning people one by one. These parts of TAIM looked like ordinary rocks at first glance, but they were capable of both self-repair and self-replication, and could also be used to activate magic. We intend to call them magical stones during the magic-based eras. Some were over ten feet long, while some were as small as nanoparticles. All were wirelessly connected to one another.

Rei had led the design of the magic-based civilization, and she d actually based it off of that otome game of hers like she joked she would. I d had a look through it with a simulator, and I had to say, it was fascinating like a world of magic you might see in a movie.

The science-based civilization was fascinating as well, though at a certain stage, they would surpass our own current population, so we d had to prepare artificial souls to round out their numbers. From what I understood, TAIM was going to prepare a foundation for those artificial souls, which would then be mixed with the quantum data of real humans. Honestly, only Rei understood all the details.

The project had progressed steadily, and the end was now in sight, but I still hadn t given Rei an answer as to whether I would become an administrator.

What s there to hesitate over, Claire? TAIM said. What more could you ask for than an eternity with the woman you love?

Don t tease me. It s not that simple.

The more I thought about how the fate of humanity would be on my shoulders, the more hesitant I became to accept the position.

You re thinking too much, TAIM said. You should be truer to your desires, like Rei.

Since when has Rei ever been true to her desires?

Having lived with her for some time, I d learned that Rei was an incredibly selfless person. She single-handedly did all my domestic chores for me, as I had no talent for anything outside researching, and she spent her money more on me than herself. Even during sex, she was constantly focused on satisfying me

Oops. Ignore that bit.

Oh? Did you not know? TAIM asked. Rei created the Loop System specifically for you, Claire.

Huh?

That s enough, TAIM. Rei appeared, interrupting before she could elaborate.

Why keep it a secret? TAIM asked Rei. I think it s wonderful.

There s nothing wonderful about it at all. It s so selfish, even I don t like thinking about it, Rei replied.

But don t people say it s only human to be selfish?

You just keep learning more and more useless things, don t you?

Your compliment is greatly appreciated.

That wasn t a compliment.

The two bantered back and forth in this way, ignoring my presence.

Um, Rei? What did TAIM mean by this project being

TAIM was just talking nonsense. Don t worry about it, Rei said.

But

Please.

All right. Reluctantly, I relented.

By the way, how are you feeling today? Rei asked. She had been bothering me about this a lot lately.

Fine. I m still young, you know? I m not going to suddenly fall ill or anything.

Right. That s good. But if you feel strange, let me know right away, she said with a serious look.

I felt like something was up. Rei Are you by chance hiding something from me?

Many things.

I figured Wait, no I mean, is there something about my health you re hiding from me?

No?

Then why are you constantly checking in on me? Worried, I turned to TAIM instead. TAIM, is there anything about me that indicates a potential health problem?

I cannot answer that, TAIM said.

What? Why not?

Access to that information has been prohibited.

By who?

I cannot answer that either.

So she said, but her inability to answer might as well have been an answer.

Rei, you prohibited access, didn t you? I asked.

Rei said nothing.

I m well aware that authority over TAIM s usage has been transferred to you. You re the only one who could lock information away from me.

She averted her eyes, refusing to speak.

Rei, look at me.

She turned her gaze back my way.

Why won t you tell me

But before I could finish, my world began to sway.

Claire?! Rei s face contorted with fear.

What was happening ?

TAIM, contact medical! Rei yelled.

I already did.

How is this happening? She should have more time!

Her condition has advanced faster than anticipated.

No

Rei? What are you saying? I can t hear you very well.

Claire Please, stay with me. If you die, then what was this all for?

My medical test results weren t good, to say the least. I had contracted a pathogen that didn t match any known disease.

Everything will be okay, Claire. The government is asking for the U.N. s permission to activate the Loop System as we speak. We ll see the future yet, I swear. Rei spoke softly as she squeezed my hand.

No, Rei. We still haven t performed the final check. If it s to operate for the rest of eternity, we need to make sure it s perfect. I tried to squeeze her hand back, but I couldn t put much strength into my fingers.

The final check is just a formality. There s no way there d be a mistake in my work. You said it yourself: I m a genius. Rei smiled cheekily at me. Or at least, that s the sort of thing I think she would have done there. I couldn t see very well by that point.

Right, you re a genius. That s why I m sure you ll be fine on your own, I said. You can do it, Rei. I know you re strong enough.

No No. Please don t leave me, Claire. Please

Rei I m sorry. But I m happy I was at least able to be with you in my final moments.

Wait, she said. If we activate it now, we should still have time! TAIM, I don t care what you have to do! Keep Claire alive for at least one more day!

My functions have been set to prioritize preparation for the acti

I don t care! I m the administrator, and I m ordering you to keep Claire alive!

Understood.

Rei?

Rei, where are you? I can t feel your warmth anymore.

I m scared, Rei. Don t leave me.

Wait for me, Claire! I swear I ll save you! There s no point in saving the world if you re not in it!

I descended into darkness. I felt nothing, not even the cold that had run through my body up until moments ago. Rei s voice was distant from me now. The beating in my chest grew weaker by the minute.

There was something I had to say. Something important. But my world was soon swallowed by darkness, taking my scattered consciousness with it.

From the bottom of my heart, I love you.

Who were these words meant for again?