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Khairul slowly regained consciousness. His vision was still blurred, assaulted by a bluish-white light shining from the ceiling—smooth, seamless, as if made from a single piece of polished metal. The room looked far too advanced for his mind to fully comprehend; the walls shimmered with lines of light that moved slowly, pulsing like living veins of energy.
Beside the bed, a floating holographic screen displayed his heart rate and fluctuating brainwave data.
He tried to sit up, but his head felt unbearably heavy. His hand instinctively pressed against the side of his head as he let out a weak groan.
Khairul: "Uhh… my head…"
As his vision slowly cleared, his eyes locked onto his right wrist. Wrapped around it was a strange blue-silver watch, adorned with a small glowing letter "A" on its side. Its design was far too advanced to be considered an ordinary timepiece.
Khairul (whispering): "What is this…?"
Before he could examine it further, the automatic door at the far end of the room slid open with a soft sshhh. A woman stepped inside—long black hair neatly tied back, wearing a blue-brown uniform with red stripes along the arms and chest. Her movements were calm, her voice gentle yet controlled.
Ling: "You're finally awake."
Khairul flinched and quickly turned his head toward the source of the voice.
Khairul: "Who are you? And… where am I?"
The woman gave a faint smile.
Ling: "My name is Ling. Agent Ling. You are currently inside the S.P.E.K.T.R.A. Facility… located directly beneath your school."
Khairul stared at her in shock.
Khairul: "What? That's impossible. There's no way something like this exists under a school…"
Before he could think further, a sharp pain surged through his head. His body lost balance, and he collapsed back onto the bed. Ling rushed forward, scanning his body with a small device that emitted a soft blue glow.
Ling: "Don't force yourself. You just regained consciousness after passing out."
Khairul: "How long was I out?"
Ling: "Approximately eight hours."
Khairul (shocked): "Eight hours!? I'm late for school!"
He tried to get up again, but the door opened once more—this time with heavier, more authoritative footsteps. A muscular man entered, wearing a dark blue-black jacket with an emblem on his left shoulder. His expression was stern, his sharp eyes studying Khairul like a threat.
??: "He's awake?"
Ling: "Yes, Captain."
Khairul looked at the man and asked cautiously.
Khairul: "Who are you?"
The man answered firmly, his gaze piercing.
Captain: "Captain Nein. Just call me Captain."
Captain Nein stood rigidly in front of the bed, his stare drilling into Khairul.
Captain Nein: "Do you realize how much trouble you've caused me, kid?"
Khairul fell silent, unsure of what he had done to provoke such anger.
Khairul (confused): "I… what did I do?"
Captain Nein slammed his foot onto the floor.
BAM!
The ground trembled, and the lights on the walls pulsed violently for a brief moment. Khairul flinched, his body frozen as sweat rolled down his cheek.
Captain Nein (restraining his anger): "You just activated A.R.I.A.! Do you have any idea what you've done!?"
Khairul: "A… activated what?"
Ling: "A.R.I.A. is the device on your wrist."
Khairul: "Oh… if that's the case, it's fine—I'll just give it back."
He tried to remove the watch, but the blue metallic band seemed fused to his skin. No matter how hard he pulled, it wouldn't budge. Ling narrowed her eyes slightly.
Ling: "There's no point. A.R.I.A. has already synchronized with you. As long as you're alive, it will never detach."
Khairul (trying to joke): "So… how am I supposed to shower?"
Captain Nein let out a long sigh.
Captain Nein: "That's what you're worried about right now!?"
Ling glanced at the captain, attempting to ease the tension.
Ling: "He doesn't know anything about this project."
Captain Nein: "This project was shut down seven years ago. Classified at Omega level. And now the device has reactivated… and chosen this kid."
Khairul, completely lost, spoke again.
Khairul: "Can someone explain what this thing actually is?"
Ling sat at the edge of the bed.
Ling: "A.R.I.A. stands for Adapting Reactive Intelligence Assistant. It is a semi-biotechnological system that functions through synchronization with human emotions and mental energy."
Khairul: "So… it can read my emotions?"
Ling: "It analyzes brainwaves and emotional states to determine its responses."
Captain Nein cut in.
Captain Nein: "And its power comes from two sources."
Ling nodded.
Ling: "Alternative Mode uses Origin Energy. Combat Mode uses the user's Mental Energy—and it carries a high risk."
Khairul: "What kind of risk?"
Ling: "Loss of consciousness… or in the worst case, death."
Khairul stared at the watch. Its light pulsed gently.
Suddenly, a calm voice echoed.
A.R.I.A.: "Subject identified. Emotional synchronization at sixty-two percent. Please remain calm, Master."
Khairul froze.
Khairul: "It… it can talk!?"
Captain Nein spoke coldly.
Captain Nein: "That's exactly why I want it destroyed."
The door opened once again. A middle-aged man entered casually, holding two cups of coffee.
Uncle Hairul: "Relax, Nein. The kid just woke up."
Uncle Hairul: "Besides, A.R.I.A. isn't a weapon—it's a defense system."
Ling nodded.
Ling: "Khairul survived synchronization without a stabilizer. That's extraordinary, Captain."
Captain Nein fell silent, then asked.
Captain Nein: "Suggestions?"
Ling: "Train him."
Uncle Hairul: "Give him a second chance."
Captain Nein let out a heavy breath.
Captain Nein: "Fine. But if he loses control… I'll be the one to end it."
The watch on Khairul's wrist glowed once more.
A.R.I.A.: "User's mental energy level critically low."
Uncle Hairul smiled.
Uncle Hairul: "Your training starts tomorrow. For today, get some rest."
Khairul: "Alright, Uncle."
Khairul closed his eyes. For the first time, he realized that his life was now bound to something far greater than himself.
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