A Fake Test

Digital Battle of Mind and Body

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 "Digital Battle of Mind and Body"

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Video Summary: Forging true courage in false battles

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(A cinematic plays)

Soukaku: This is so cool... It feels just like being outside!

Soukaku: Oh.. and I've got this!

Asaba Harumasa: Eh? Let me see that...

Asaba Harumasa: It's got a realistic weight too...

Asaba Harumasa: All right then...

(He throws the candy at Miyabi, but she slashes it before impact)

Soukaku: Aww. my candy...

Hoshimi Miyabi: My weapon feels perfect too.

Hoshimi Miyabi: Simulating it to this level — well done.

Staff: Oh wow... Getting complimented by Miyabi! I'll never forget this day!

Staff: To make testing easier, I've added a progress marker for everyone.

Staff: When it turns green, it means the background data collection is done.

Asaba Harumasa: And that's the sign we're done for the day, right?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Hm. Well then.. let's begin the combat test.

(Cinematic ends)

(Start combat)

(Open Tutorial/(Character Intro) Tsukishiro Yanagi)

Staff: The first batch of test targets has been deployed.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: So it's rebels...

Asaba Harumasa: They talk less than actual rebels, which is good.

(Begin the third wave)

Staff: The second batch of test targets has been deployed.

Soukaku: It's Ethereals! Even though they're fake...

Hoshimi Miyabi: Real or fake, evil must be slain.

(Begin the fourth wave)

Tsukishiro Yanagi: There's Public Security too? Is this a training program for Hollow Raiders?

Asaba Harumasa: Heh~ Interesting. I've always wanted to see what they can do.

(After the fifth wave)

Staff: Test target... #￥%#￥, deployed.

(After the sixth wave)

Efficient Wrap-Up?

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 "Efficient Wrap-Up?"

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Video Summary: No extra rewards for early completion

Story Description: The association staff inform everyone that the test is complete and provide the logout method. The group confirms they are logging out through the information panel, and after a flash of white light, they return to the HIA Club.

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The virtual arena suddenly loses all its "deadly aura" as the snarling digital enemies freeze in place, striking poses. A slightly distorted voice from the staff echoes through the virtual space.

???: The data has been collected, and that concludes the test. Thank you everyone for your cooperation.

Hoshimi Miyabi: Hmm... That was a solid combat simulation. Almost too real. The downside is it ended too quickly. Now I have to sit through that meeting when we get back.

Asaba Harumasa: Ah~ I'd much rather slack off here than work overtime... Wait, that's not right. Even though my body's resting, my mind's been working overtime. I haven't slacked off at all!

Asaba Harumasa: This is cyber-overtime! Mental exhaustion! ...Deputy Chief, what's another way to describe it?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Karma. But we did finish sooner than expected. Was the data collection successful?

???: Everything went smoothly. To avoid delaying everyone's work, we accelerated the backend data modeling process.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: I didn't realize that was possible; it wasn't listed in the technical manual. Good job everyone. Do you still want a group photo? Since we're done early, I can arrange that for you.

???: Group photo? What do you mean?

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Hm? Didn't you say you wanted to sneak a selfie as a souvenir?

???: O—Oh yeah~ I did say that! But I know Section 6 is super busy, I wouldn't want to bother you with something so trivial. You can head straight back to HAND!

Soukaku: Huh? We're heading straight back? What about the meals?

???: Ahh, we'll have the meals packed up and delivered to you! I'll bring up the logout menu now. Please hit "Confirm" when you're ready.

Tsukishiro Yanagi: Thanks. We'll log out right now.

A semi-transparent dialog box suddenly appears in the air, with the system text asking, "Are you sure you want to proceed?" Everyone reaches out their fingers towards the flickering "Confirm" button, and then...

"$*#&Y—You have now l—logged out of the syste#$*%..."