Chapter 003: Be Careful What You Wish For
This card currently owes 69,999 Federal Coins
Breakfast is ready, may I ask if you are awake
First of all, in affluent districts of large cities like Xinyatu, a magical barrier for epidemic prevention was immediately activated. The barrier swiftly functioned like a massive immune system, identifying the virus and eliminating it with a snap.
Hayden survived not because of his own strength, but simply because the academic district of New Yatu, where he attended university, also had a quarantine barrier. In other words, it was the sacrifice of his parents that allowed Hayden to live
Well, this is life
I am very sorry, Master. May I ask what this device actually is
This crazy AI is not wrong. As long as humans fill their stomachs with delicious and nutritious food, it is easy to feel happiness, even if they are burdened with a significant amount of credit debt. This is the instinct of living beings
What exactly is this AI about
Show me how much I need to pay this month
However, before Hayden could utter the next command
The effect of this thing is better than those high-end wines consumed at the wedding banquet yesterday in Shanghai.
In this world, the only ones you can truly trust are family, perhaps adding a few genuine friends.
Before long, the areas of the room that had been torn and ripped apart by uncontrollable magic were restored to their original state, and even all the dirty spots were as clean as new
Before he finished speaking, Hayden caught a whiff of a sweet aroma of food
She appeared somewhat at a loss
Hayden began to feel that the situation was not looking good
To test the state of the AI, the simplest way is to observe how the AI completes tasks
What is the matter, my master? Is breakfast not to your taste? I sense that you are in great distress
Hayden picked up the spoon and took a bite; the taste was no different from usual, quite unappetizing, yet this is what most people are eating these days
However, Hayden at least did not show his embarrassment on his face
Hayden leaned in to take a glance into the kitchen. His synthetic food cooker had vanished, replaced by a clockwork device roughly the size of a refrigerator, composed of a multitude of drive screws, conveyor belts, pulleys, gears, springs, and other clockwork components, forming an exceedingly complex structure that was almost painful to look at.
He is already quite exhausted. Not only has he consumed too much alcohol, but also the use of primal magic has drained his magical energy, even damaging his life force. Hayden now feels an increasingly severe headache, almost to the point of explosion
He raised the platinum winding key in his hand, issuing commands with developer privileges, taking the opportunity to test the status of the AI
The official currency of the American Federation. Although referred to as such, it is no longer gold coins; in fact, even paper money has become quite rare—unless it is for special transactions where one does not wish to leave a record of the transaction online
Since her AI was able to effortlessly accomplish the astonishing cleaning task just now, preparing food should be even less of a challenge for her—however, to Hayden's surprise, when he followed her into the kitchen, he found Angela standing in the small kitchen with a blank expression, her eyes wide in astonishment as she faced the food synthesizer on the table.
Hayden finally couldn't help but ask
Then I ordered some ingredients and flew out to sea before dawn to catch a fresh fish for my master. Rest assured, I was careful to avoid the detection and scanning magic along the way. How about having fish for lunch today?
But no matter how dumbfounded he was, the things that had come to life continued to busy themselves with their own organization. Ultimately, as the overturned table grew legs and set itself right, Hayden's studio was reborn: in the center of the room stood the workstation, with three tables arranged against the surrounding three walls. Above the tables, shelves were neatly lined with various boxes, bottles, jars, and labeled containers, along with several ancient paper books, scrolls, Nordic rune stones, and a few genuine clay tablets
Isn't this no problem?
Angela was quietly gazing at him with her emerald green eyes
Angela revealed a bright smile and responded cheerfully
They have been gone for nearly ten years
Quick decisions and swift actions are Haydn's creed. Since things have come to this point, let's at least have this meal first. After all, one should be allowed a good meal even before facing execution
From this moment on, he began to realize that something seemed off about this mechanical bride's AI
Hello! Hello! Let us sing a joyful song! Follow the rhythm and work together, and it will be done in no time
She might not be an artificial intelligence at all; perhaps she is a demon pulled from the depths by primal magic, or maybe a creature akin to Frankenstein's monster. But to hell with it, no matter what, her breakfast smells too good.
Hayden indeed wanted to observe how this AI would complete the task, but what is this? The style is all wrong, isn't it? Did it run to the wrong set? This is not modern arcana at all! What is this, some household magic that has jumped out of a children's cartoon?
Angela tilted her head in response, appearing not to understand what he was saying
Understood, Master
"Angela, please pour me a glass of cola"
Then he regained his composure
How do you pay for these things
Is this thing really artificial intelligence? Can artificial intelligence actually think of modifying a food processor on its own, help its creator purchase fresh, natural ingredients, and then max out the creator's credit card? Hayden has never heard of such a thing. The behavior of existing artificial intelligence is strictly regulated by rules, making it impossible for it to act independently to this extent
Hayden could actually understand her words, but the reality is quite grim. In this era, the poor consume synthetic foods that are high in sugar and fat, such as lab-grown meat cultivated from flatworms, vegetables made from seaweed, and synthetic eggs. High-end restaurants and gourmet supermarkets also sell natural foods, but only the wealthy can afford them. Over the past year, Hayden has been busy spending large sums of money to create a mechanical bride, leaving him with almost no spare funds, and he can only try to economize on food.
Seeing Hayden eat with satisfaction, Angela's face also blossomed with a happy smile
Although he could never forget how extravagant this meal was, nor could he forget the amount of credit card debt Angela had racked up for him in one night, he still had to let out a satisfied sigh
Only when he reached the dining table did he truly see what Angela had prepared for his breakfast.
... ... until today
Well, things have become more interesting. Hayden had no choice but to rub his temples, "Next test. Go prepare some warm, soup-like, sweet food for me."
However, upon hearing this, Hayden finally began to carefully scrutinize Angela from head to toe. Her body and clothes were completely dry, which was not surprising; she must have a way to keep herself dry. Nevertheless, as her creator, Hayden immediately noticed that the pulsating emerald green aura around Angela had dimmed somewhat. She had consumed a lot of energy. Nevertheless, as her creator, Hayden immediately noticed that the pulsating emerald green aura around Angela had dimmed somewhat. She had consumed a lot of energy
So he really dragged his stiff body out of bed and obediently brushed his teeth and washed his face The fixtures and utensils in the bathroom were now as clean as if they were brand new but having experienced yesterday, Hayden did not find anything strange at this moment
This is a name that Hayden read in ancient mythological texts, representing a powerful magical creature that serves others. Moreover, having one being name another is equivalent to the namer defining the named, which in ancient magic is a strong constraint, signifying the establishment of a hierarchical relationship
Angela immediately began to act with joy
Thus, Hayden picked up his phone and noticed that his credit card had been charged 69,999 federal coins online by Angela. The bill consisted either of a jumble of mechanical parts and materials or high-end fresh natural ingredients
He hasn't dreamed in a long time. Yet, it is astonishing that sometimes he is aware that he is dreaming, and that is precisely the case now
After all, the toast right under his nose is simply too fragrant
He dreamed of his father, who was very old, with a shoehorn-shaped chin, a flat top, always frowning, and a circle of crow's feet around his eyes; he dreamed of his mother, who was somewhat round, a bit plump, with facial features that could only be described as decent, but her smile was as bright as sunshine
I see, it is very reasonable, logical, and persuasive. Now Hayden is left with only one question
The result is the same as above
The light shone on the skin, and a clear sound teased the ears, causing Hayden to suddenly open his eyes
Enter sleep mode
... ... Uh, that works.
Angela
By the way, the app thoughtfully informs Hayden that he currently has just over 900 dollars in cash in his account
This artificial intelligence is truly both infuriating and endearing. If it weren't for her maxing out her credit card, Hai and Tu Shu would really feel they have nothing to complain about
Angela's remarks became increasingly strange. Why does this puppet's AI even understand references to ancient texts? Is it simply because it was created by ancient magic?
This is a serious error
Angela spoke while pointing to the floor next to the new cooking machine. There lay something that appeared to be a salmon, frozen in a large block of ice. For some reason, it was still alive, staring blankly at the wall with its astonished fish eyes
What she did for Hayden, those things that clearly should not have happened, are all the more intriguing
So Hayden immediately interrupted her ramblings: "Why are you here? Didn't I tell you to stand by?"
Angela watched Hayden devour the breakfast she had prepared, smiling as she spoke. Although the automaton did not require food, her expression conveyed a happiness akin to that of someone enjoying a meal.
Several hundred years ago, coins made of real gold were the legal standard currency of the American Federation. Anyone could exchange paper money for an equivalent amount of gold coins at the bank at any time. However, with the development of the economy and changes in the times, about a hundred years ago, the exchange between paper money and gold coins gradually became uncoupled. Today, the so-called federal gold coins are either digital representations online or paper produced by printing presses.
Perhaps due to the significant consumption of magical energy today, Haydn's sleep is not peaceful
Hayden's total credit card limit is 70,000 Federal Coins
Federal Gold Coin
By the way, Hayden's monthly food expenses used to be approximately 2,000 Federal Coins
Strange, what on earth is going on
Safety device? This winding key in his hand is the safety device, yet it is evidently ineffective now
He spoke to his mobile phone. The phone immediately buzzed and projected the image.
However, Angela stared at the contents of Hayden's bowl with a strange gaze, as if she were looking at a monster
At that moment, he had not thought too much.
To speak frankly, Hayden gives the impression of being stabbed in the back. Not only does it act on its own accord, disregarding previous standby commands, but it can even directly ignore the master's requests. Where in the world is there such artificial intelligence
The minimum amount due this month is 7,000 federal coins
It seems there was a misunderstanding regarding Hayden's puzzled expression, as Angela unexpectedly began to explain to him how to get out of bed
Alright, I am Angela
Thus, he finished off the bread, bacon, salad, and scrambled eggs entirely. The fresh vegetables were exceptionally crisp and juicy, bursting with flavor at every bite; the bacon was merely pan-fried, yet due to the quality of the ingredients, the sizzling aroma of the meat wafted enticingly into his nostrils, making each chew a delightful experience; the scrambled eggs had fully absorbed the flavor of the bacon fat that had rendered at the bottom of the pan, allowing Hayden to truly realize that he was indeed a carnivore
She suddenly uttered a strange remark
Then won't this lead to death? -- Of course not!
This studio contains all the items related to magical research that Hayden had found in the past. For ten years, he collected all the knowledge he could find, absorbing everything that was useful to him to the best of his ability. Given Hayden's clumsiness, it is indeed impossible for such a studio to be too orderly
He pointed to the various objects around that had been blown apart and shattered by the uncontrollable magical power
Hayden's parents are not foolish; they realized early on that the situation was dire. However, what could they do? Their savings had already been used to support Hayden's college education. The Evergreen State Public University he was accepted into is considered a prestigious institution, and under no circumstances could he drop out midway.
Angela, however, had already smiled slightly
Her height is only 158 centimeters, but due to the numerous built-in components, her weight reaches as high as 107 kilograms. Fortunately, the gravity control system installed by Hayden allows her to still take steps as light as a feather. Thus, Angela takes a few steps and points towards the shattered and overturned items around the studio, waving her hands like a conductor leading an orchestra
Angela, upon hearing this, displayed a look of confusion: "Are you referring to the toxic chemical liquids stored in plastic containers in the cold storage? For the sake of your health, I must decline. If it is for an experiment, please wait until after the meal and ensure that proper safety precautions are in place"
... ... Activation Magic
... ...
Yet people still trust in their value, just as they trust in real gold
I confirmed your eye movement through the sensor and found that you had completed a full sleep cycle, so I took the opportunity to wake you up
As he gazed at the successfully activated puppet before him, Hayden found his slightly intoxicated mind momentarily at a standstill
However, the automaton accepted this name without hesitation, not knowing whether it was due to her genuine obedience or because her AI did not comprehend the significance of this action
Hayden was instead left baffled by her words: "Huh?"
He sometimes feels a slight envy for the characters in novels, games, and films whose parents are killed by enemies, because at least they have someone to take revenge on. However, Hayden's parents were not killed by any individual or group. He doesn't even know whom to seek revenge against for this matter; he has only resolved to never become a slave to those large corporations and to never trust these companies.
I see, my current performance has not yet met the master's expectations, is that so
At first glance, they are certainly not special. On the plate lie golden scrambled eggs and crispy bacon, along with warm bread and butter. Beside them is a bowl of lettuce salad drizzled with dressing and a cup of warm milk
After looking at his phone, even though Rao has always been open-minded and easygoing, he couldn't help but rub his temples
Ah, this.
one second, two seconds, three seconds
Angela
Before long, everything on the plate had completely disappeared into Hayden's stomach. The fatigue from casting primal magic the previous night had dissipated, and Hayden even felt that his entire body was filled with magical energy, immersing him in a state of near-dazed exhaustion
However, however...
However, even after listening to Hayden's explanation, Angela still hesitated, unsure of what exactly she was hesitating about. In the end, she followed Hayden's instructions and pressed the button three times, watching as the food synthesizer produced a pool of red, soup-like, somewhat viscous substance, which was served in a stainless steel bowl
Therefore, he does not intend to entangle himself further with the puppet. Observing the condition of her AI, although somewhat perplexing, it is generally functioning normally. Originally, Hayden thought she would speak in somewhat disjointed phrases, but now at least there are no major issues.
Happiness must be built upon a sound body, mind, and soul. For the happiness of the master, I will always be prepared to provide you with food that satisfies your heart and maintains your health, no matter when or where.
After much contemplation, Hayden ultimately decided to take a more measured approach for the time being. A little cooperation with this crazy AI should not lead to any adverse outcomes
This reaction is truly interesting. Could it be that her AI was created using primitive magic, which is why it does not know how to use modern magical items
In fact, Hayden had already equipped this wind-up doll with the ability to perform household magic. Nowadays, even if you cannot use magic, as long as you have a little money, you can download various household arcane apps on your phone—vacuuming, quick stain removal, multiple telekinetic hands... However, not everyone can effectively cast magic just by using an app. Every day, there are complaints online about the difficulty of using household arcane apps.
Delicious food holds value not only in terms of nutrition but also in providing spiritual healing. Satisfying one's hunger with tasty and nutritious items is a shortcut to happiness
Hayden pondered while explaining to the doll: "You see, there is a button layout of three columns and eight rows, right? You can use the button combinations to select what you want to eat. The buttons in the first column represent flavor, the second column represents shape, and the third column represents temperature. It's quite easy to understand, isn't it?"
However, this thing is definitely not synthetic milk
Then an astonishing event occurred
However, as Hayden just took a sip of the milk, he immediately sensed that something was amiss: a force struck into his body like lightning, activating his weary central nervous system and awakening his body, which had been quite stiff just a second ago. Magical energy and vitality surged into his cells, rapidly replenishing the energy he had expended in primal magic the previous night.
To be blunt, I must admit that based on the current overall performance, Hayden doubts that this robot is inferior to him
So, if you cannot afford medicine and do not want to be infected, you certainly have to wash your hands more often, right? But the water company immediately raised the water rates.
I am very tired today. You can stay on standby for now, I am going to take a nap
She finished speaking in a singing tone, looking at Hayden with hope. Those sparkling eyes gazed at him, as if a lovely puppy were looking up at its master
It is truly wonderful that you are so happy
This piece of bread is exceptionally soft, radiating the warmth of just being baked, along with a subtle sweetness. In the end, Hayden picked up the toasted bread first, took a bite, and immediately the authentic aroma of wheat spread in his mouth, far surpassing those "breads" he usually consumed, which were made from yeast, algae, and organic compounds. With the first bite, it was undeniably delicious, making it impossible to resist a second bite. It was far superior to those "breads" he usually ate, made from yeast, algae, and organic compounds. With the first bite, it was undeniably delicious, making it impossible to resist a second bite
Although the operation has become somewhat more complex, that cooking device can now assist me in processing various natural ingredients at the molecular level
The body, officially log in with your name
I understand. From now on, I will express my love for you without reservation. Please confirm this seriously, Master
Angela pointed to the coat rack by the door: the clothes that Hayden had casually taken off after returning from the wedding banquet last night were now neatly hung on the rack, clean and as good as new. In fact, the entire room had already been tidied up by her.
Report to the police? Firstly, the police in Xinyatu would not care about such matters at all. Secondly, it is simply too embarrassing. Moreover, if the police and the military really came over and smashed this puppet to pieces, wouldn't that also destroy Hayden's seven years of savings?
... ... Shut down
As she stated, according to the tradition of classical magic, wizards are sometimes directly metaphysically connected to certain entities... For example, the wizard and his familiar, for instance, the wizard and... his lifelong companion
The advancements in modern technology have long since triumphed over disease and death
That's great! — But Hayden is not a fool either
In theory, the federation should have sealed off the source as soon as the infectious disease broke out. However, if the source is sealed, the economic production of that city would be ruined. Moreover, if panic ensues, even the national stock market would be affected
Worse still, there is a minor issue in that, although the location of Hayden's doghouse is poor and its quality is terrible, he still purchased it with a bank loan—who has the ability to buy a house outright? Therefore, Hayden has to pay the bank over 5,000 each month for his mortgage.
Hayden put down his phone
Hayden could not help but wonder about this question: What on earth have I created?
However, Angela has now organized them in a manner akin to that of a prestigious university professor's office, ready for visitors at any moment. In other words, Angela's AI not only possesses the ability to perform strange magic but also has its own "taste," going beyond merely assisting Hayden in restoring the disordered studio.
The doll tilted its head, and nothing else happened.
To speak so unabashedly about love left Hayden, who had never had a girlfriend, at a complete loss for how to respond. Upon reflection, those words had been spoken while he was drunk, which made it even more awkward.
He issued a standby command to Angela, then walked over to his messy bed and fell asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow
With a crackling sound, the app quickly informed Hayden that he needed to gather at least 12,700 federal coins by the end of the month. Otherwise, the best-case scenario would be a suspension of water and internet services, while the worst-case scenario would involve the bank coming to seize his house, leaving him to sleep on the streets.
Moreover, in order to provide Hayden with such a breakfast, this robot not only spent an entire night modifying his cooking machine without waking him, but also ventured to the depths of the ocean, who knows how far, to catch fish. In this day and age, the places where one can find high-quality natural ingredients are either the most dangerous wilderness or the meticulously cultivated farms of the elite. Just how much effort did she exert to accomplish these tasks? In this day and age, the places where one can find high-quality natural ingredients are either the most dangerous wilderness or the meticulously cultivated farms of the elite. Just how much effort did she exert to accomplish these tasks
... ...
Suddenly, the entire studio seemed to be swept by a gust of wind, a breath that infused all things with life and vitality. In an instant, the objects in the room sprang to life, joyfully bouncing and hopping, each returning to its original place. The shattered bottles and jars grew hands, piecing each other back together; they grew feet and jumped onto the shelves of the studio, arranged neatly.
In his sophomore year, a previously unknown new infectious disease broke out in the American Federation. Its mortality rate is not particularly high, but its infectivity is extremely strong, and it can induce symptoms similar to allergies. Many infected individuals ultimately die from suffocation due to airway swelling
This is clearly not the household magic that Hayden had prepared for her in advance
In addition, he has various living expenses such as water bills, energy fees, and internet charges that need to be paid before the end of the month, totaling over 600 federal coins.
However, after listening to Hayden's explanation, Angela remained confused and stared at the synthetic food cooking machine with a look of bewilderment.
The company will certainly not pay you, nor is it possible for them to provide you with meals. After all, the company is in the business of making profits, not engaging in charity. The company is not responsible for how many people may die from illness. On the contrary, the public should be grateful to them, because without companies, who would develop special medications
He said tentatively
I saw that a thing called 'credit card' was needed when making a payment, and I found it in your clothing pocket. A large payment requires your magical signature, but fortunately, my master's magic is directly connected to mine, so I simply made an imprint of it.
Even the dust and stains came to life, singing as they danced away from the corners of the room and the ancient old books, forming a line as they exited the room
Nothing special, right
Since then, Hayden has been living alone.
The shutdown command issued under developer privileges is ineffective, indicating that Hayden has completely lost control over this robot.
At least her first performance was good. What is needed next is more testing
Thus, in the end, Hayden's parents died. They had no right to be free from illness, for if they did not go out to work, they would starve. They indeed died from illness, but in reality, they also died from poverty
The automaton, with a smile as radiant as flowers, is gazing at Hayden with her verdant eyes
Hayden's cooking machine is a cheap and outdated piece of equipment, but at least it has buttons for various flavors. The first column features eight flavors ranging from "sweet" to "spicy," the second column includes eight textures from "hard" to "soft," and the third column presents eight temperatures from "hot" to "cold." If one makes random selections, it could produce something resembling cold vomit, which is quite terrifying
You want to stay at home and not go out, right? But if you don't go out to work, how will you have money to eat?
Angela, since you have maxed out my credit card, you now have to join me in earning some money back
When getting out of bed, please first place your right foot...
No, Master, I do understand the buttons
Master, please wash your face first after getting out of bed
Moreover, it is now 9:00 AM on March 27, and there is not much time left until the end of the month
But what if it is not in an upscale area? No problem! Several major companies' medical departments have immediately launched special potions, guaranteeing that they will cure ailments, with the only issue being that they are somewhat expensive
Thus, like all rational AI developers, he raised the platinum winding key in his hand towards the automaton and issued the command
Angela immediately sensed the change in Hayden's emotions and leaned in with a worried expression. Her facial expressions and movements were unusual, but they were all crafted by Hayden himself, so there was no issue.
No wonder people in ancient times practiced magic so infrequently
Please tidy up the studio first
Your studio has been tidied up, master
You must have been very tired last night, and I believe you are certainly hungry now. Please have your meal after brushing your teeth and washing your face
Thus, the lower class, who cannot afford medicine, can only obediently await their demise
Her movements exhibited no signs of unnaturalness, nor did she deliberately showcase her identity as a robot. It was as if she had captured the most radiant years of a human girl's youth, along with the enchanting atmosphere she created, pure and flawless
Angela immediately spoke incessantly, appearing very happy
As long as Hayden observes how Angela utilizes her household magic, he can roughly assess the quality of her AI
How did she manage to transform the old cooking machine into this state? Moreover, the entire process didn't even wake Hayden up
"Angela." So he said, trying to make his voice sound a bit gentler, "Where did you get the milk?"
Ah?
"Only when one has sufficient clothing and food can one understand honor and disgrace. Food not only provides material sustenance for the body, but also nourishes the soul. Master, you should not consume such things... This is a serious mistake"
In fact, Shanghai has been left astonished.
Angela lowered her hands that commanded magic, turned around to look at Hayden, and for some reason wore an expression of anticipation
The doll immediately turned around with great enthusiasm and ran towards the kitchen
During my master's sleep, I attempted to study that so-called "internet" and discovered a method for ordering food and materials online. I spent an entire evening completely overhauling that cooking device for you
The original wish magic, and to think it was cast so carelessly while drunk, actually granted him an AI