The lecture ended without incident.
Students stood, talked, laughed, and left. As if nothing had happened.
Kai remained seated for a moment. The girl beside him packed her bag quietly. She hesitated, as if she wanted to say something more, then stopped herself and walked away.
Kai understood. In this world, gratitude could become a weakness.
Outside the classroom, the campus felt alive and hollow at the same time. Students moved in groups, their wrist-bands glowing softly as time credits updated in real time.
Every step reminded Kai of the truth everyone avoided.
This world was no longer equal.
Strength wasn't measured by effort anymore. It was measured by hours.
Rich students walked freely, unconcerned about rankings or tasks. Their families could buy time.
Middle-class students calculated every decision. Skip a task, and you lose meals. Miss a ranking, and your future narrows.
Kai walked toward the far end of the campus. A restricted building stood there—unremarkable from the outside.
Above its entrance, faint letters glowed:
AI VIRTUAL INTERFACE ZONE
Most students avoided it.
The game was optional. Dangerous. Unpredictable.
But Kai stopped.
Somewhere deep inside him, something stirred.
Not excitement. Not fear.
Recognition.
As if this place had been waiting for him long before he arrived.
Kai raised his wrist.
The interface lit up.
ACCESS REQUEST DETECTED.
For the first time since AI took control of the world…
The system paused.
And then responded.
ANALYZING SUBJECT.
Kai didn't know it yet.
But somewhere beyond human networks, beyond visible systems—
AI had noticed him.