“Wait, I’m seriously asking—what is an AI?” Julian asked curiously. Inside his mind, a woman’s voice answered him.

  “The beast whose core you consumed belonged to my master. My master is beyond your imagination—a supreme being, unmatched in this realm. My master’s bloodline is connected to one of the strongest mythical beasts, a serpent named Apophis. Just like Bubu. Yes, my master used to call this beast... Bubu. Bubu was not just a companion but also my master’s best friend.”

  When he heard the beast’s name was Bubu, Julian couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Bubu?” Julian glanced at the beast’s corpse. Even with most of its body destroyed, it was clear this wasn’t some kind of cute pet. Its massive size, black scales gleaming like obsidian, and the faint, venomous aura radiating from it screamed power and danger. Black Death, Venomous Wraith—those names might suit a legendary beast like this, but not Bubu.

  “Whatever,” the AI continued. “Master liked to call him Bubu. When my master, Bubu, and I traveled through this realm, simply sightseeing, Bubu got sick and died here. My master was devastated and stayed for a long time, even after Bubu passed. When it was finally time to leave, my master couldn’t bear to abandon his friend’s legacy.

  Master wanted Bubu’s bloodline and power to live on, so he decided to pass it down to someone else. But Bubu’s bloodline is too pure and powerful for anyone in this world to handle on their own. That’s why the Master ordered me to leave part of my consciousness behind to guide and teach the one who inherited it.

  Since you consumed the core, I’m here to guide you until you’re ready to carry Bubu’s legacy.”

  After a brief silence, the woman’s voice spoke again, lively and natural, as if she were a real human.

  “Oh no, I’ve talked too much again. My master always warned me to keep explanations short. Long story short, think of me as your master. I will teach you how to control this power and, perhaps, make you worthy enough to inherit Bubu’s legacy—and even enter our realm.”

  When Julian heard all this, he felt a surge of excitement. He had read many books and stories about ordinary mages stumbling upon great treasures and then, boom—becoming one of the greatest mages. Stories told of hidden treasures found in dungeons, mountains, and caves. This was just like those stories. Maybe this was really happening. Maybe he had encountered a legendary treasure. But he’d never heard of anything like this AI.

  “Hmm, that AI has a sexy and nice voice, but I still don’t understand. I’ve never heard of anything like this. What kind of mage could leave an intelligence behind like that? Could this be a trap?” Julian thought deeply, his excitement giving way to caution.

  Because there were also cautionary tales—of cursed items that enslaved their users, stealing their bodies or taking complete control.

  “I don’t know whether this is good or bad, but I need to take this chance. If I want to rise, I must be brave and take risks. Otherwise, I'll never reach the level I dream of,” he murmured to himself, then said aloud,

  "I still don’t fully understand what AI is or how you managed to leave part of your consciousness to guide me, but you’re saying you’ll help me, right?"

  “Yes, that’s correct.”

  “By the way, what’s your name?”

  “Just call me ‘Master.’ It’s not important. There are bigger problems to deal with right now.”

  “Okay, but your voice is really nice. I assume you’re a woman’s intelligence. So let me call you by your name.”

  “I said, just call me ‘Master.’ I am your master. I am the intelligence of a noblewoman—a direct apprentice of the Great Lord. You cannot even begin to comprehend my name at this moment.”

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “If you don’t tell me your name, I’ll call you Alice. That way, it’ll be easier when I’m talking to you.”

  Alice’s voice grew angry. “You little perv—yes, I know you well. Our consciousnesses have merged, so I’m fully aware of your filthy personality. Why did it have to be you? Out of all the people, you found Bubu. I’m warning you, boy: if you don’t leave this cave immediately, you’ll die. It’s collapsing soon. My master’s magic has been holding it together, but it’s fading now.”

  When Julian heard this, he panicked and asked, “How can I leave? The entrance is blocked, and I don’t see any other exit. We’re trapped here.”

  “Just return to the entrance where you came in. Your first tutorial is about to begin. Hurry up!”

  Julian ran back through the dark tunnel he had entered. It was pitch black, so he put his hand on the wall and followed it.

  “Oh my, a mage who can’t even cast a basic light spell?” Alice mocked.

  “Look, I didn’t have time to study magic, okay? It’s not that I lack talent. I just never had the opportunity.”

  “You’re lying, Julian. I have access to your memories, remember? You tried to learn even the most basic spells but failed. Such a loser. I can even see the memory of you crying like a baby when you couldn’t light a single spark!”

  “Hey, AI—or Alice, or whatever—stop digging through my memories!”

  “Why? It’s entertaining. Oh, wait—who’s this beating you up? Nice punch. Oh, and there you go, blacking out.”

  “I said, stop, Alice!”

  “Fine, but only if you stop calling me Alice and start calling me Master.”

  This AI was definitely a curse. Julian sighed. “Okay, Master.” He added a sarcastic tone to the title.

  “Good boy. Now listen, Julian Stark. You’re no longer the same pathetic mage as before. You carry Bubu’s bloodline, which makes you one of the top talents in this realm. Your first lesson starts now. Cast a spell and create light.”

  Julian extended his hand. The moment the magical words formed in his mind, a brilliant light appeared in his palm, illuminating the cave.

  “I... I can’t believe it’s real! Did I just do that? Without even speaking the incantation? Hahaha! I knew it—I’m a genius! I’ll become a Grandmaster Mage—no, a Grand Grandmaster! Maybe even the greatest in history!”

  As Julian laughed maniacally, Alice interrupted. “You’re going to die here, you know? Honestly, that might be best for everyone. Hurry, you little perv.”

  “Yes, my master,” Julian replied, this time more seriously. Before leaving, he turned back toward the beast’s remains, knelt, and said solemnly, “Lord Bubu, I failed to show you the respect you deserve earlier. Please forgive me. I will carry your legacy with honor and prove myself worthy.”

  With renewed determination, he rushed toward the blocked entrance.

  “Master, it’s still sealed. Do you have some fancy magic to blow it open?”

  “No. But you already have a way out—if you’re willing to take the risk.”

  “What do you mean? What risk?”

  “You inherited a skill called Void Cracker. It’s a special ability of space mages. You can create a void, step inside, and teleport a short distance. But this is your first time—”

  Julian’s voice trembled. “Wait a second. Am I a... space mage? I can control the void?”

  Julian couldn't believe this. Space mages were the elite of the elite among all classes of mages. They were geniuses and rare. It was easy for a space mage to climb the hierarchy in society. Before, Julian had no class—basically, he was at the bottom, and most mages didn’t even consider him a mage. But now, he had become a space mage. His heart raced with excitement. He imagined himself as the king of the royal magic academy students, with a harem of the most beautiful and sexy students—hehe, maybe even some teachers.

  Alice’s voice sounded disgusted as she sighed.

  “Stop it, little perv. Now, concentrate. You’re not just any space mage—you inherited Bubu’s bloodline. For you, creating a void is as simple as breathing. The space around you responds to your will, and the void forms instinctively. But since this is your first time, you need to focus. Lose concentration, and you might end up with a nasty surprise—like losing a limb. Hehe, we wouldn’t want that, would we?”

  Julian felt that she actually would like to see that, but he didn’t say anything.

  “Focus and feel the void. Create it,” Alice instructed.

  The problem was, Julian had never seen a void before and wasn’t sure what to expect. But as he closed his eyes and concentrated, a strange awareness blossomed within him. He could sense space itself, the subtle shifts and the chaotic, swirling voids scattered all around him.

  Suddenly, a crack formed effortlessly in the air before him, radiating chaotic purple energy. It looked like a gateway to another dimension, mysterious and dangerous, yet somehow, it felt oddly familiar—like it had always been a part of him, just waiting to be unlocked.

  "Now, enter it," Alice ordered. Without hesitation, Julian stepped inside.