Family Day

We woke up early after a surprisingly good night’s sleep.

After tidying up and ensuring the campfire was completely extinguished, we made our way back to Frontier 7 for breakfast.

While I usually prefer a hearty rice meal, I couldn’t resist the allure of Frontier 7’s famous melon bread.

I bought some for myself and Grandpa Tor since I knew he enjoyed it too.

Grandpa Tor bought a coffee and a hot chocolate, and to my surprise, the melon bread paired wonderfully with my hot chocolate.

Once we’d satisfied our appetites, we returned to the hoverbike to head home.

The sleek black vehicle lifted off, smoothly adjusting its elevation as the onboard system activated.

“Deploying Conceptual Barriers,” the system announced.

“Waiting for destination input.”

Grandpa Tor selected Grid 25, and the system confirmed:

“Destination accepted: Grid 25. Auto Pathing activated.

Adjusting elevation. Calculating travel time: T-minus 92 minutes.”

“Checking passenger status. Status: all green. Firing hyper engine in 3… 2… 1,” the system added.

The hoverbike consumed about a quarter of its compressed black cube fuel reserves, enough for the round trip between Grid 25 and Frontier 7.

We arrived at the outer edge of Grid 25 in the early morning, the day still fresh and quiet.

“Take care, Little Rin, and good luck with Little Liz,” Grandpa Tor said as I stepped off the hoverbike.

“And let Riku know we’ll be heading to Frontier 2,” he added.

“I will, Grandpa Tor. Let’s travel together again soon,” I replied with a smile.

“We will,” he assured me, closing the hoverbike door.

He gave a final wave before setting off toward Grid 20 to pick up Grandma Yuka.

Looks like it’s time to head home.

Good thing I just had some melon bread, since Mom probably cooked a delicious breakfast waiting for me.

When I arrived, I found Mom and Dad already sitting at the dining table, the food neatly set and ready.

As expected, they must’ve asked Akasha for my arrival time.

As soon as I sat down, Dad wasted no time asking about my trip.

I recounted how Grandpa Tor and I took down the Death Doll and even squeezed in some night fishing.

Dad was clearly intrigued, especially about how we managed to defeat the Death Doll in the dense forest.

“Want to tag along next time a Death Doll shows up, Dad?” I teased.

“Hmm, maybe after I practice more in the Virtual Training Ground,” he replied.

“Your dad’s been trying to take down a Death Doll solo,” Mom chimed in.

“Though he only barely survives the first attack, he’s grown a lot braver facing it now,” she added.

“Rain…” Dad groaned, embarrassed.

“I’m glad you’re doing great, Dad,” I said, smiling.

“Well, just a little great,” he replied. “Rin, can I watch you later when you face the Death Doll in the Virtual Training Ground?”

“Sure, Dad,” I said.

“But first, let’s watch a movie,” Dad suggested, turning on our modest 32-inch TV.

It was likely one of Dad’s favorite superhero classics.

He loves watching heroes save the day, while Mom enjoys monster flicks with giant snakes, carnivorous dinosaurs, or great white sharks.

When I pick the movie, though, it’s usually disaster themed end of the world scenarios, alien invasions, or catastrophic weather events.

The creativity of classic humans always amazes me. Even movies centuries old still captivate us.

We spent the morning switching between superheroes rescuing the world and terrifying creatures chomping on people.

Dad enthusiastically commented on everything, while Mom and I added our thoughts occasionally.

After three movies, lunch arrived. On Sundays, we either eat out or order food, and today was Dad’s turn to treat.

The spread included grilled pork, chicken, and beef skewers served with plain white rice.

Looks like it’s barbecue day, I thought to myself.

After the satisfying meal, I went to my room to read for a while before heading to the Virtual Training Ground.

Although I’d already defeated a Death Doll, I wanted to try something new and besides, Dad was eager to watch me take one on.

“Akasha, permission to use the Virtual Training Ground,” I requested.

“Permission granted,” Akasha replied.

“Augmenting full perception… Transferring consciousness to Virtual Training Ground,” she continued.

“Akasha, can you give Dad access to this room?” I asked.

“Access granted. Inviting Dioscar Octi Prospera,” Akasha replied.

The first battle was straightforward: a one-on-one fight against a Death Doll in a simulated cityscape.

Using the infrastructure and roads as anchors for my warding knives, I was able to immobilize the enemy briefly and take it down with ease.

However, this strategy only works when there’s a single opponent.

Death Dolls typically operate alone, but I can’t ignore the possibility of facing multiple at once.

In such a scenario, my warding knives would lose their effectiveness, and I’d risk being overwhelmed.

To prepare for such an eventuality, I needed a weapon with greater range but with equal or greater power to the Photon Edge.

“Akasha, permission to use Conceptual Armament Number 3, Cosmic Blade,” I requested.

“Rin, you know that the Cosmic Blade is a weapon no one has successfully wielded,” Akasha cautioned.

“I know. It destroys the very concept of objects, essentially erasing the very blueprint that gives them form,” I explained.

“That principle applies to Classic humans and Neomans alike.

Wielding the Cosmic Blade will erode even its owner’s concept,” Akasha warned.

“I understand, but I believe using Self-Acceleration will negate the erosion,” I countered.

“Theoretically, yes. However, you cannot use it around others, it’s a fundamental basis of the Imaginary Reactor,” Akasha emphasized.

“I’m aware. This is purely a test and a last resort measure,” I assured her.

“As long as you understand. Permission granted,” Akasha replied.

Activating Self Acceleration, I called out, “Materialize Conceptual Armament Number 3, Cosmic Blade.”

An unsheathed katana materialized in my hands, its ominous black aura radiating menace.

Dad, curious, started to approach me, but Akasha immediately stopped him.

“Dio, don’t go near that weapon. Its presence will erode your very concept,” she warned, forcefully removing Dad’s consciousness from the virtual room and restricting him to observing through Akasha’s interface.

“I’ve limited its power to just a tenth of its full potential,” Akasha informed me.

“What’s your target, Rin?” Akasha asked.

“I want to test it against three Death Dolls in a cityscape,” I replied.

“Permission granted. Materializing three Death Dolls,” Akasha said.

Three Death Dolls appeared, their menacing forms preparing for battle.

“Initiating battle in 3…2…1.”

The Death Dolls sprang into action, launching simultaneous attacks.

Gripping the black katana with both hands, I slashed at the first target.

Though the blade missed by mere centimeters, the Death Doll disintegrated into elementary particles.

The second Death Doll’s claws lunged toward me.

I raised the katana to block, but before the claws even reached the blade’s edge, the Death Doll's entire arm vaporized.

Unfazed, the last Death Doll attempted a sneak attack from behind.

It, too, proved futile.

With my speed, I swiftly dodged the Death Doll’s attack and landed decisive blows on both remaining enemies.

The black katana was unimaginably powerful, but as I watched the nearby environment crumble even though I hadn’t struck it, I understood just how horrifying the Cosmic Blade truly was.

On second thought, this weapon might be too dangerous to wield.

After all, the Cosmic Blade was discovered embedded in the ground at a site where a research facility and all its researchers had mysteriously vanished.

Akasha had hidden the original Cosmic Blade somewhere on Fruma.

It was a last resort weapon once entrusted to the 10,000 Classic Humans they were protecting.

“Halting Full Perception,” Akasha said, bringing my consciousness back to reality.

As I sat up in bed, I heard a knock on the door.

“Rin, are you okay?” Dad asked.

“I’m fine, Dad,” I replied, opening the door.

“That black katana felt ominous,” he said, still visibly uneasy.

“You can sit there, Dad,” I said, pointing to the chair in my room.

“Yes, it’s ominous, but it’s also fascinating,” I admitted.

“I don’t want to admit it, but it’s undeniably powerful,” Dad said.

“Vaporizing anything it touches…”

“Are you planning to use it, Rin?” he asked, his concern evident.

“I’m considering it, but only in the right situation.

Using it could have severe consequences,” I replied.

“I see. I hope you’ll never have to use it, but if you do, please be careful, Rin,” Dad said, his voice filled with worry.

“I’ll always be careful, Dad,” I reassured him.

We sat in silence for a few moments until we heard Mom calling us for dinner.

“Let’s go, Dad. I’m starving,” I said, standing up.

“Right, I’m hungry too,” he replied, following me out.

Even though he tried to hide it, I could tell that the sight of the Cosmic Blade had left a lasting impression on him.