The car hummed quietly as Elio drove us through the bustling city streets. The windows were tinted, offering a sense of privacy as we moved through the unfamiliar landscape of Terra. I found my eyes drawn toward the towering statue of a renaissance-era European man.

  "Tell me, what do you know about Terran history?" the doctor inquired, his voice soft and curious as he caught my gaze lingering on the statue.

  I hesitated for a moment, realizing that my knowledge was limited and based mainly on what I'd been taught in school. "Well, I know it's a world similar to ours, with its own unique history and cultures. But I don't know much beyond that. The curriculum back home is pretty basic, and we didn't really delve too deeply into the specifics. I know that it diverged from Earth's history around the thirteenth century."

  Elio nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I see. Well... Terra, like our own world, has a long and complex history. Like in our world, the land here was also, coincidentally enough, named for Amerigo Vespucci. That was a statue of the explorer, in case you were wondering."

  The doctor paused, his eyes reflecting a deep understanding of the past. "However, the Greater Song dynasty here had come in contact with the Aztecs nearly half a century before Columbus ever sailed the ocean blue. They were the first ones to discover it, and they had established trade routes and cultural exchanges long before the Europeans even knew the Americas existed."

  "But it was still named for Vespucci, right?" I asked, puzzled by the similarity.

  "Indeed. The Europeans were more ambitious explorers, and they were better equipped to navigate the perilous journey. The Chinese were not as interested in exploring the new land, preferring instead to maintain their trade relationships with the Aztecs. Unlike our world, however, the motivations of the explorers here were quite different. It was founded on more pragmatic reasons, and the idea of colonizing and subjugating the indigenous peoples was considered abhorrent. Instead, they sought to learn from the natives and establish peaceful trade relationships. There was, surprisingly, no conquest here, and no genocides."

  "That's... a huge difference," I mused.

  Elio nodded. "Indeed. It is. This early contact had a... surprisingly profound impact on this version of America, shaping its culture and society in ways that are still visible today. After they came into contact, Aztecs introduced the Han to cacao, and slowly adopted countless Chinese spiritual and cultural practices over generations, effectively Sinicizing themselves. Word of technologically advanced, godlike foreigners traveled north, where a young boy named Mahkah, a member of the proto-Soshoni tribe in the Great Plains, had a vision that told him to travel to the coast and seek out the strangers from across the sea. When he arrived in what we would consider the California of this world, he met the Aztec emperor and his Chinese advisors. He was impressed by their advanced technology and culture, and he saw an opportunity to bring these advancements to his own people."

  I listened intently, fascinated by the story Elio was telling. "So, what happened next?" I asked.

  The doctor continued. "Mahkah spent years studying with the Chinese scholars and the Aztecs, learning about their technology, medicine, philosophy, and culture. He became a skilled diplomat and a wise leader, and he returned home to his people to share his newfound knowledge. He was hailed as a prophet, and his teachings spread like wildfire across the continent, inspiring a cultural and technological revolution in North America."

  "That's incredible," I said, amazed at the twist of fate that had brought two cultures together and changed the course of history on this alternate world.

  "So, by the time the Europeans arrived on the eastern shores of North America, they found a continent that was vastly different from the one we know on Earth," Elio said, his voice filled with excitement. "The indigenous peoples on the east side weren't as advanced as the Aztecs, but they had access to Chinese technology and weapons. The natives were not the primitive people the Europeans had expected, but a sophisticated and formidable civilization in their own right. They met the Italians and other Europeans with open arms, and actually even had old Latin codices from the Song explorers to use as a basis for communication."

  I could hardly believe what I was hearing. "So, the relationship was peaceful between the Europeans and the indigenous peoples?"

  Elio nodded. "Indeed. it was a very different story than the one we're familiar with. The Europeans were welcomed as potential friends and allies, and they were able to learn from the natives and the Chinese. This cooperation and cultural exchange had a profound impact on the development of this world. It was like the European Renaissance that erupted around the same time on our world, but shaped by the influence of the entire world. The result was a society that was far more technologically advanced and culturally diverse than anything that existed on Earth during this period."

  "It sounds like it was a golden age, then," I said, my mind racing with the implications of this alternate history.

  "Yes, you could say that. Sadly, the frequent chaos beast incursions means the lead they had fizzled out as population growth was continually culled. In many respects, we are more advanced now, and they'd gone from being a few decades ahead of us to a couple behind us by the time we made contact with them."

  I nodded, taking in the sights and sounds of the city around me. Despite the differences between Terra and Earth, there were still familiarities that made me feel at home. I'd expected all kinds of fancy magical stuff, like flying cars or floating cities. But it was pretty mundane, just a little nicer and more modern. There weren't even any flying carpets or floating crystals teleportation gates or anything like that.

  We crossed over a bridge into another district, this one less opulent than the others we'd passed through. The buildings here were more functional, with a few more brick-and-mortar establishments that looked a bit older than the rest of the city.

  "Tell me, Ikki. What do you think of Terra so far?" Elio asked, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

  "Honestly, it's different than I expected," I replied, choosing my words carefully. "I've heard a lot about the magic here, but it's not what I expected. Everything is so... mundane. It's not quite what I imagined when I heard about this place."

  The doctor nodded. "I understand your sentiment."

  As we passed over a sign marked 'Greenhaven' - the scenery outside the car window began to change. The sleek, hypermodern, almost futuristic buildings of Shoreline City gradually gave way to more humble structures, with rows of small shops and businesses lining the streets.

  I couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between this neighborhood and the rest of the city.

  It was more rundown, with buildings that looked like they were about to collapse and streets that were barely lit by flickering street lamps. I could hear the sounds of music and chatter coming from different apartments, and the smell of spices and cooking wafted through the air. I could see the occasional glimpse of people walking in groups, their laughter and conversations echoing through the night.

  "It's a lot more... lively here," I observed, looking at the bustling streets. "But it's a little rougher, too."

  Elio nodded. "Greenhaven was once a thriving industrial district, a hub of commerce and production. But over the years, it fell into decline. Even Shoreline City is vulnerable to the occasional Chaos Event, and Greenhaven was hit hard. It was nearly destroyed, and the rebuilding efforts were... insufficient. The government didn't see the need to rebuild it to its former glory. As a result, it's become a haven for those who can't afford to live in the more prosperous districts. Many Earth refugees have made Greenhaven their home, bringing with them their culture and customs."

  We turned a corner onto a street lined with dilapidated buildings, their walls covered in graffiti. It was a far cry from the pristine, clean streets of the other districts we had passed through.

  "Eh, reminds me of home," I muttered, looking out the window.

  The doctor chuckled. "Yes, I can see why. Your new apartment is just a few blocks away. I'll drop you off there and help you get settled in before heading out"

  I nodded. "Thanks, Elio. I appreciate everything you've done for me."

  Elio smiled. "No problem, Ikki. I'll always be here to help."

  The car came to a stop in front of an unassuming building on a busy street corner. Elio turned off the engine and we both stepped out of the car.

  "This is it. It's not the most luxurious place, but it's clean and relatively safe. Paid on government dime. And it's a close commute to St. Antonia's, which is the most important thing."

  As we got out of the car, I could feel the eyes of the people on the street following us. It was clear that we were outsiders, and I couldn't help but feel self-conscious.

  Sure, I'd fit right in now with my torn jeans, faded t-shirt, and a general air of scrappiness. However, I'd eventually have to throw on that preppy school uniform and head down the metro. I didn't even want to think about what the locals would make of me then.

  Elio led me up a narrow staircase, flanked by peeling walls and a faint smell of mildew. We reached my apartment door at the end of the hallway, and Elio fished out a key from his pocket.

  "Here we are," he said, jiggling the key.

  Despite the dingy exterior of the building, the inside of my apartment was surprisingly cozy. The whole place was fairly small, but it was enough for one person and even had a kitchen bar.

  The walls were painted a warm beige color, and the furniture looked well-worn but comfortable. The living room was furnished with a worn sofa and a small coffee table, and the kitchenette was equipped with basic appliances.

  A bed was pushed against one wall, and a small desk was in the corner with a flashing wireless router. There was a door that I assumed led to the bathroom. My luggage was already waiting for me by the bed, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of homesickness as I thought about my family back on Earth.

  "It's perfect," I said, turning to Elio with a smile.

  "I'm glad you like it," he said warmly. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me. And remember, your classes start in a week, and you have an orientation that starts on Monday. Make sure you are prepared for both."

  It was a little cramped and far from luxurious, but it was a place to call my own and definitely not the worst place I'd lived in while growing up.

  I thanked Elio once more and watched as he left, closing the door behind him.

  I felt a sense of gratitude towards him that I knew would only grow as time went on. However, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. It was the first time I had ever been so far away from my family, and the reality of my situation was finally starting to set in.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  I walked up to the closet to start unpacking my things and make the apartment feel more like my own. As I opened the closet door, I couldn't help but notice the smell of mothballs and the dust that had accumulated over time. Pushing the old hangers aside, I had the urge to clean and organize everything to fit my needs. A school uniform fitted to my size was already on the bed, wrapped in, neatly folded and ready for me to wear.

  I sighed, feeling a little bit apprehensive about the idea of going to a new school in a completely different world.

  I wondered what my first day at St. Antonia's would be like, whether I'd make any friends, and how difficult my classes would be. I had no idea what I was supposed to do here, or what kind of friends I'd make. And while I was excited to start my new life on Terra, there was a part of me that couldn't shake the feeling that I didn't belong here.

  Closing the closet for the moment, I walked over to the desk, noting the student metro ticket that was left for me on the table. I picked it up and examined it, feeling a sense of anticipation and nervousness bubble within me. This was it, the beginning of a new chapter in my life.

  It was too much.

  I collapsed onto the bed, feeling overwhelmed by the sudden rush of emotions. The excitement of starting a new life in Terra was quickly giving way to a deep sense of loneliness and isolation. I was in a strange new world, with no friends or family to rely on. Elio was a kind, reliable mentor and family friend, but he was a busy, in-demand man. I was on my own in a city full of strangers.

  I brushed my fingers over the silver chrysanthemum necklace Izumi had given me before I left for Terra. It was a small, comforting reminder of the people I loved back home.

  Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and let the tears fall. It was okay to be scared and overwhelmed. I just had to take it one step at a time.

  Deep breaths.

  I rubbed my temples for a second, trying to calm myself down. Then, I remembered. I had nearly forgotten in all of excitement — I wasn't truly alone-alone.

  "Rai-chan?" I called out hesitantly. "You've been awfully quiet today."

  Her voice quickly resonated in my head, "I apologize, Ikki. It seemed you were quite overwhelmed, and I didn't want to add to your stress. But I am here if you need me. Just reach out and I'll respond as always."

  "It's fine, Rai-chan," I replied. "I just didn't know where you were."

  "I'm here, Ikki. I'm always here," she reassured me.

  I felt a sense of relief wash over me. "That's good to hear, Rai-chan."

  There was a brief pause, and then Rai-chan spoke again. "Ikki, may I ask a favor?"

  "Sure, Rai-chan. What is it?"

  "I have... been holding back a synchronization rank level up since the attack. I was concerned that the sudden changes would have caused you additional stress, and so I have been waiting to discuss it with you."

  My heart raced. "Wait, what? You've been holding back a level up?"

  "Yes," she replied. "I didn't want to burden you with additional information or sensations, but now that we have a moment to ourselves, I thought it might be a good time to go over the changes. If you activate your HUD, I will show you a new ability for this Synchronization Level should you permit it. I believe it would take your mind off things, for now."

  I wiped away my tears and sat up, intrigued by the offer. "Alright, please show me. I could definitely use a distraction right now."

  I activated my HUD, and a floating screen describing a new ability appeared before me.

  [New Ability Unlocked: "Raijin's Familiar" - Cost: 4 MP / minute. Manifest your familiar's physical form.

  Raiju will follow and assist you in various ways. As a familiar, Raiju will be able to manipulate and interact with the physical world in ways that it would not be able to otherwise to. This capability will be available for a maximum of sixy-two aggregate minutes per day. Extended with Greater Synchronization levels. Channeled. Cooldown: 30 minutes.]

  "Raijin's Familiar?" I read the description over a few times, my mind racing with possibilities. "Manifest Project Raiju's physical form? What does that even mean?"

  Rai-chan spoke in my head. "It means that, for a limited time, I can take on a physical form in the real world. I will be able to interact with physical objects and potentially assist you in ways that I cannot in our current state. However, it will require constant mana usage, and I will be unable to perform any of my other functions through during that time at our current synchronization level."

  "Well, let's try it out then," I said, feeling a surge of curiosity.

  "As you wish," Rai-chan replied.

  As she spoke, a bright orange light began to form in the room, slowly taking on a shape. The light coalesced and formed into a small, familiar solid crystalline blue orb, hovering in the center of the room.

  The orb floated in front of me, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of fascination. I hadn't seen the orb since it had... vanished when I'd accepted its contract of sorts. I reached out a hand tentatively to touch it. It felt solid to the touch, cool and smooth like polished glass.

  "Rai-chan," I said softly. "That is... unbelievably cool. What exactly can you do like this?"

  "For starters, I can travel autonomously up to 20 meters away, effectively giving you an extension to your Hijack and Analysis abilities," Rai-chan replied in her usual, feminine and robotic tone. "I can also emit electric charges to manipulate objects, and potentially defend you to a limited extent in combat scenarios. However, I am still limited by our synchronization level. This manifestation will also require a constant flow of mana, so please be mindful of the cost."

  I nodded, taking in the information.

  "In addition, I can project a highly realistic hologram around myself, with a limitation of one meter in radius to blend in with the environment and hide my true form," Rai-chan continued. "But it will require additional mana and cannot be sustained for the entirety of my manifestation. I suggest utilizing this ability sparingly until our synchronization level increases."

  I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and fascination at Rai-chan's new ability. Her crystalline form floated in front of me, emanating a soft glow as I examined her from all angles. It was like having a real-life Pokemon.

  "I still can't believe you can do all of this," I muttered, shaking my head in wonder.

  Rai-chan's orb responded with a quick chirpy chime. "I am pleased that you find my abilities impressive, Ikki. Is there anything else you would like me to show you?"

  I thought for a moment and then spoke up, "Can you show me one of these holograms?"

  She paused for a moment, as if considering, and then her voice came through. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt. Something is... different now, and I believe I can manage it without straining you too much."

  She fell silent for a second, and then her voice came back. "Very well, Ikki. Please um. Uh, remain calm."

  Um uh? Remain calm?

  Before I could react, the orb suddenly began to transform. The air around us seemed to distort, and the crystal slowly started to change shape.

  I watched in awe as the orb shifted and morphed, before it suddenly projected a bright orange light formed in the silhouette of a human being. In the blink of an eye, the image began to take shape, and it became sharper and more detailed in seconds, forming into a solid image.

  "Stabilizing personality matrix. Please standby," Rai-chan announced in a calm and controlled manner, her voice echoing in my head.

  I watched in fascination as the holographic form flickered, shifting from one appearance to another in a matter of seconds. First, she was a little girl with pigtails, then a mature woman with long flowing hair, then a teenage goth girl in a hoodie. It was like a high-speed fashion show, with Rai-chan's holographic form taking on countless different appearances in seconds.

  Then, I stared in surprise at the life-like holograms solidified into a solid form. It was an exact replica of a teenage girl, complete with long, wavy black hair, a cute dress, and a friendly smile.

  A girl floated in front of me, with long black hair that flowed and bounced realistically. She had large orange eyes and pale skin, and was wearing an orange sundress with a field hat. She looked... like Izumi, but not quite there. In fact, she looked like she could have been another sibling who was right around my age.

  "Woah," I whispered in surprise as the hologram of the girl floated down next to me on my bed.

  "Hello, Ikki. I am Rai-chan, your friendly neighborhood assistant. How may I assist you?" she smiled at me with a warm expression as she spoke in... a normal girl's voice. Not the robotic voice I'd begun to associate with her, but a completely normal human voice.

  I stared at her in wonder, still not able to believe that this was happening. "This is incredible," I said, reaching out to poke the incredibly realistic-looking hat.

  To my surprise, my hand went through her, causing her to shimmer briefly into translucency.

  She giggled, "I can only project a hologram of myself for now. But don't worry, I'm still here to help."

  I stared, still amazed at this illusion. "I could see this being useful in so many situations. But wait... " I furrowed my brows. "Is this actually legal here? Using you for self-defense and that sort of utility I mean."

  Rai-chan nodded, "Indeed. Hologram technology has been legal for quite some time, especially for personal use and entertainment purposes. However, it is important to be mindful of any laws and regulations surrounding the use of technology, especially when it comes to hacking and modifying devices. That being said, I will make sure to operate within the bounds of legal use."

  "How did you even create this image? And uh, no offense, but uh, you've been acting like a total robot until now and your mannerisms are surprisingly humanlike," I asked, still in awe of the hologram.

  "No offense taken, Ikki. Um. Something... clicked. I can't explain it, but I know I can do this. I think I've always known, but I didn't know how to express it properly. As for the image, it was a... memory that I somehow had."

  I frowned. "A memory?"

  "I don't know how to explain it exactly, Ikki. Suffice to say, though, I have a vast array of image recognition and machine learning models, which I used to create a representation of how a human girl of your age might look and behave," the Rai-chan hologram explained. "But this image and my core personality matrix is templated off your family's genetic code and my own built-in mana manipulation algorithms. You could say I modeled my personality utilizing your family's genome, and have been learning from your interactions with me to better emulate human behavior."

  I nodded, still trying to process the information. "That's... kind of creepy but also really impressive. But wait, why my genome of all things? And when did that even have the chance to happen?"

  She chuckled. "My primary purpose is to assist you in any way possible, Ikki. It is important for me to be able to understand and communicate with you in a way that is familiar and comfortable so that I can best serve you. As for being templated from your genome — my creator's probabilistic and divination modeling indicated that you would be present on the highway that day. So when I made physical contact with you during our first encounter, I was able to acquire your genetic data through a mana-based transfer system built into my core. Since then, I have been utilizing this data to create a more personalized and effective interface with you. I apologize if my actions come off as unnerving."

  I smiled at her hologram. "No, no. It's not unnerving, just impressive. You're really helpful, Rai-chan. You literally saved my life that day."

  The hologram... blushed? I stared in bewilderment as the cheeks of the girl in the image turned a light shade of pink as she kicked her legs in the air. It was uncannily similar to what Izumi would do sometimes.

  "I'm glad to have been of service to you, Ikki. I will always be here to assist you in any way that I can."

  "So if you're templated off my genome, does that mean you're basically simulating a hypothetical family member?" I asked curiously.

  Rai-chan's hologram nodded, "In a way, yes. I will act as a companion and assistant, much like a trustworthy sibling. It's strange, though. The more I am able to interact with you like this, I feel... a greater sense of clarity. A greater sense of autonomy."

  She continued, "However, I have to be careful with my mana usage in this mode. I can only manifest my holographic form and interact with the world like this for a limited amount of time, and it requires a constant flow of mana.

  I nodded, still marveling at the hologram in front of me. "Can you create more of these holograms, of other people and things?" I asked, suddenly curious.

  Rai-chan answered me with another nod. "Yes, I have access to a vast database of pre-existing holographic templates that I can utilize to create any number of different personas or environments. However, it is important to note that each projection requires additional mana resources, which can be taxing over time. Additionally, more complex projections may require the use of external resources."

  "Huh, that's interesting," I said, rubbing my chin in thought. "I could see this being useful for creating distractions or diversions if I'm threatened again."

  Rai-chan's hologram furrowed her brows. "Indeed. The possibilities are endless. But, as I mentioned earlier, we should be mindful of our mana usage and synchronization level. We don't want to overextend ourselves and risk unnecessary danger. Keep in mind that the units I present on your HUD are simply a symbolic representation of mana. You have yet to experience the effects of mana exhaustion yet, and I will refuse to overextend your capabilities unless your life is threatened."

  I nodded in understanding, grateful for the warning. "I'll make sure to keep that in mind," I said, feeling a sense of trust and comfort in having Rai-chan by my side.

  The hologram smiled warmly, "I am here to accompany you as always, Ikki."

  With that, the hologram of the teenage girl dissipated into the air, leaving Rai-chan's crystalline form floating in front of me once again.

  I grinned, tilting my head in respect. "Thank you, Rai-chan. Now, how about we go out and explore the neighborhood a bit after I finish unpacking?

  Rai-chan's voice echoed from her crystalline form with a chime. "Of course!"