LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 92
“Take this with you as a souvenir,” Nias said, handing over something unexpected.
The three of us had discussed Nias’ situation at length, but no clear solution had been found. Eventually, the conversation came to a close. Nias seemed somewhat nonchalant, but Rene, her collaborator, planned to stay at the research facility for a few more days. Nias suggested that if I needed to know anything else, I could ask Rene, who was well-versed in the affairs of the world.
As I was about to leave through the Moongate to return to Asphial, Nias called out to me and handed me a small item.
“What is this?”
It was a simple silver choker with a metallic sheen. There were faint geometric patterns etched into it, resembling electronic circuits, and small greeniasn stones, like jade, were embedded in various places.
Clearly, this wasn’t just any ordinary choker. When I asked Nias what it was, she explained that it was a token of appreciation for the meal I had prepared earlier.
“That’s an *Access Gear*. It’s a type of information terminal commonly used in this world. Have you heard of AR technology?”
“Yeah, it’s the technology that projects images into the real world… augmented reality, right?”
Hearing the term AR brought back memories of my time browsing the internet. It was one of those futuristic terms I had stumbled across.
AR, or augmented reality, is a technology that overlays virtual images onto the real world. The Saioji Group, which I knew from my time on Earth, had been developing similar cutting-edge technology. I once had the chance to try out AR glasses they created, and I vividly remembered how it displayed various information like my heart rate and blood pressure overlaid onto my field of vision, much like a game interface.
Once I told Nias I was familiar with AR technology, she quickly continued her explanation.
“This *Access Gear* is a portable terminal that applies that augmented reality technology. By the time you come back, I’ll have it set up with translation functions and other features, so you can easily communicate in this world.”
With Nias’ help, I began putting on the Access Gear.
“But neither you nor Rene are wearing one. Isn’t it common?”
“Well, I just prefer the portable type over the wearable kind, and as for Rene… She’s a Gaia Lizard, after all. And don’t worry, unlike earlier tests, this one won’t invade your privacy. It’s fully protected.”
Despite being an information terminal, the Access Gear was incredibly lightweight. It had a cool metallic touch, but it was comfortable, designed to avoid discomfort even with prolonged wear.
“Does it need charging?”
“Nope. The Access Gear uses something called a *Kanatau Amplification Battery*, which charges using your body heat. It should last about 50 years, even if it’s constantly on.”
Apparently, the Access Gear contains a super-efficient battery, something far beyond what I was familiar with from my time. The *Kanatau Amplification Battery* could recharge simply by drawing on my body heat, and its energy efficiency was so absurdly high that it could keep running for decades.
(I wonder if I could bring this back to the capital for home use…)
Though it was tempting to ask for more advanced technology right away, I felt it would be rude to demand too much after receiving such an amazing gift. I made a mental note to try to establish a cooperative relationship with Nias in the future, much like I had with the Saioji Group.
“Why isn’t it turning on?” I asked, pressing the activation button on the side of the choker.
“It’s not activated yet because I haven’t injected the *nanomachines* into you. Here, you’ll need this too.”
I had pressed the button located near my neck, but the Access Gear showed no signs of activating. I was sure Nias wouldn’t give me a faulty product, so I asked her about it. It turned out that in order to use the Access Gear, I first needed to undergo a process involving nanomachines.
“…You’re going to inject me with it?”
“Yup. Without this, the Access Gear can’t receive its signals. Don’t worry, the nanomachines I’m using are custom-made… several times more advanced than the commercial ones.”
The syringe contained a thin green liquid, which apparently was filled with microscopic nanomachines. Though I couldn’t see them, these nanomachines would enter my body and synchronize with the Access Gear, allowing it to transmit data directly into my nervous system, converting signals into visual information.
This meant that unlike traditional AR, no external goggles or glasses were required. The data would be projected directly into my vision.
“Are you sure this is safe?”
“Of course. The nanomachines I use are the same ones I use on myself, so I can guarantee their safety. In fact, they also monitor your health, drastically reducing the risk of illnesses.”
Nias went on to explain that there are three major technological advancements that define this era, far surpassing anything from my original time.
The first is *warp navigation*, which is commonly used for travel. Though vehicles like cars and airplanes still exist, traveling between planets or across galaxies requires special warp technology.
The second is the method of generating the vast amounts of energy needed to sustain society. In this era, they use a technology called *Dyson Spheres*, which create artificial stars to generate energy. Planet Zerad even has a small Dyson Sphere providing power, and larger, more populous planets rely on multiple Dyson Spheres.
The third is the *nanomachines*, like the ones Nias was about to inject into me. Though they may seem small in scale compared to warp drives and Dyson Spheres, nanotechnology has revolutionized every aspect of life in this world, from healthcare to communication.
Nanomachines had existed in my original time as well, but they were little more than a speculative concept in science fiction. The reality of them now far exceeded my expectations.
“It’s truly an incredible invention. No wonder it’s considered one of the three great technologies.”
“And it has plenty of other uses, too. For example, you can link it to prosthetics or powered suits. While I’ve customized this system, its base technology is from military nanomachines, so if you want, you could even download combat skills.”
“Combat skills, huh…?”
The nanomachines I was receiving weren’t equipped with any combat data, but Nias mentioned that if I wanted, she could upload fighting techniques and weapons training during future updates.
“For now, I can only prepare basic hand-to-hand combat and weapon techniques. The latest data will take some time to gather.”
“Even that would be great. The world I live in is pretty dangerous, so learning some self-defense would be useful.”
I accepted her offer. After all, Asphial, one of my two homes, is far from peaceful. Outside the capital, monsters roam the dungeons, and bandits prey on travelers and merchants alike. Even though I spent most of my time in the city, I couldn’t always rely on guards for protection if I traveled.
There may not be any specific anti-monster techniques, but learning basic combat could still be life-saving in the dangerous world of Asphial.
Nias reassured me with a confident smile.
“Don’t worry. When it comes to nanomachine research, I’m the best there is.”
“Speaking of which, the anti-aging technology you use also relies on nanomachines, right?”
Though I didn’t fully grasp all the details, Nias’ expertise was clear. Whether in private research or global impact, her confidence was well-founded.