Year Sixty-Nine of the Father God Calendar.
As the Ether changed living beings and even some non-living entities, civilization continued to develop as the territory expanded and industry began to create new things.
Dian saw it as things flashing by fast and changing the way people perceive their own situation. In addition to the space race, which intensified, the development of healthcare for the people also underwent a drastic change, as researchers discovered various innovations, including genetically modified bacteria that could produce antibiotics capable of combating most diseases.
There was also the rise of what could be called animation, a moving picture that could be used for many purposes, with its main purpose being to deliver a message to its viewer. For some, it was the most suitable form of soft propaganda as it could be watched by many people who were interested in it.
“That change came so fast I feel like I am missing out on something.” Dian commented as he saw it for himself that the civilization was changing in real time and he pushed them this far.
Leif and the others were feeling that it was normal for the civilization to come out with a surprise or two so they left their comment to themselves.
Whatever the case, the civilizations on the surface were finally truly connected with each other.
On the Transcendent Academy, they were introduced to the publicly used computers to let the students and teachers use them for their purposes.
Tatsumi was also curious about this invention that the military was already using so he used some of his leisure time to try it for himself.
“Eh...this keyboard should be the input device that allows you to put in certain commands, if you know it. But I can also use the other thing to point out the application I want to use. I heard that this is the symbol of the international network that has recently been built.”
He used the other input device to let him choose his desired application. It took him some time to familiarize himself with the entire thing and he felt that it was a novel experience.
The very first thing he saw on the internet was actually the search engine. It was created to facilitate the user with the things they wanted to look at, providing them with related search topics. Although it was still in its infancy and the progress was not fast but it was a genuine surprise for Tatsumi.
“No wonder Sister Charlene said that this was going to change the lives of many. Searching for a related topic can be this easy and I can even make the topic myself, provided that I give the source of my topic.”
Tatsumi enjoyed his time figuring out the computers as well as its related connected devices.
‘So to be able to connect to the internet, I have to connect it through something called a network. But there is also a local network that is used for a few computers. The internet connected so many computers that it could basically connect people in different places. But it is still slow. I wish they could improve upon it.” Tatsumi murmured as he noticed the slowness in the response of the device.
But he also realized something else.
When he used the computer, the computer had a feature that asked the user if they wanted to make an account. Tatsumi then knew that the username was actually a kind of codename for him. And he could modify a bit of the preference he wanted using the account.
‘Well, it will not hurt if I make one for the purpose of learning the computer and its functions, right?’ he thought as he tried to make one that he wanted.
Then he changed some default settings and wanted to try for himself the change it brought. For example, he wanted the default search engine to be the most used ones, so he agreed to the setting but he modified the others like he wanted to search for the documents that the people could see and he filtered it.
“Turns out that you are here. Don’t you know that it is almost time for another lesson?” a voice could be heard behind Tatsumi who was sitting in a chair in front of the computer.
Ame had been searching for him but could not find him in the training ground. Then she remembered that there were computers for public use recently moved in so she assumed that Tatsumi would be interested in trying to use that.
“Wait a moment, I need to get out from the internet and then shut the computer down.” Tatsumi raised his hand as he tried to do the protocol of shutting the computer down.
When it was not used, it was better to shut it down to not let the electricity go to waste and Tatsumi agreed with that.
After clicking the icon for shutting down, Tatsumi could see the screen changed into darker color before turning black, just like before he turned it on.
Tatsumi stood up from his seat as he could see Ame standing right behind him.
“Let’s go! We need to go to another lesson, right? Don’t let the others wait.” Tatsumi gestured for her to follow him.
But Ame’s mind was locked at the sight of the computer and its operation and she could not let it out of her head.
“What’s wrong? Oh, you saw me operating the computer. Let me explain it in simpler terms. It is actually an amazing thing as it could allow someone to modify their preference if you make a personal account. Even I can change the setting when I know what it is for.” Tatsumi saw Ame’s expression and knew that she had been fascinated by the computer.
“Oh? What else did you do?”
“I tried to use the search engine to look for interesting topics but only some showed up. I assumed that some of the not accessible ones are actually blocked to prevent people from finding out. It is a kind of censor.” Tatsumi sighed as he gently held her hand and walked.
-
Every time he did not have a lesson in the academy, Tatsumi would come to the library where the computer room was.
It was the only thing he could do to learn about the usage of computers in everyday life. At this time, he visited a discussion website that was only available some time ago.
There were a lot of discussion topics and he was even accompanied by Ame, who was sitting in another chair beside him.
“Today, we're going to surf the sea of information. Let’s go to the web!” Tatsumi said as he was entering the name of the website and the search engine gave the name at the first top of the screen.
“So that’s how you are using this keyboard.” Ame noted the way Tatsumi pressed a certain key to form a word he wanted.
Tatsumi clicked on the name displayed and entered the website.
Then he was surprised by the amount of things that were there. It was quite a lot to take in but he would manage after some time.
“Eh? There is actually an option to make an account here too? No, it is actually for the website to identify, not the computer.” Tatsumi then realized the difference.
“You mean that this account is not for the computer but for the website purpose?” Ame tried to confirm what Tatsumi thought.
“Yes. It means that we can do things like post our thoughts on the website more with the account made on the website. I need to do it to be able to use this website further.” Tatsumi knew what to do and tried to make one for himself.
There were username, password, and verify the password. Tatsumi knew that he needed to make a password that only he knew of while thinking of a suitable username.
“What’s wrong?” Ame noticed that Tatsumi kept typing and deleting the things he wrote in the username section.
“I can’t think of a good username. I know that it can be almost anything but I want to be able to make a good one since this is my identity on the website.” Tatsumi replied while furrowing his brow, thinking hard.
Then Tatsumi felt that he was the one who brought the light to the dark world of transcendent, letting it elevate to a higher station. He had found a suitable username.
He also found a good password that catered to its order.
“Lightbringer? Really?” Ame saw what was written on the username section but the password was censored by only showing a big dot as camouflage.
“It’s good for another identity. Furthermore, I can post something meaningful on this website to let others know." Tatsumi said while verifying the password by repeating it.
After that, the display screen changed to the initial main page of the website but this time, he noticed that the right upper corner of the screen had his account on.
Now, all he had to do was test it.
He had something in mind and found the entry to post things on the website. Then he typed in all the necessary words for the title before clicking 'Post'.
He then went back to the main page and saw his own post.
[The computer is one of many things that can change the way of life]
[From: Lightbringer]
[Views:0]
Seeing that caused an understanding of how things were done on the website. Tatsumi then went to the other post that interested him.
Ame was beside him, looking at the many titles scrolled down before stopping on the topic that was of note.
“What are you looking for?” she asked.
“Something that can be the sign of someone with a vast knowledge.” He replied while clicking the one that caught his eye.
[Utility of the transcendent energy in daily life]
[From: Ordinary Sage]
[Views: 3.345]
[As you all know, there are things in our world that were previously hidden. It was actually the information regarding the transcendent. This time, I want to reveal some of it to you who read this. First, the transcendent energy is the source of power for the transcendent. That much is known but what most people don’t know is that there is an available transcendent energy for us. You can feel it by breathing.
Go deeper and you realize that the transcendent energy which you inhale slightly rejuvenates your body. From a certain point in time, there is one transcendent energy that can be compatible with us, ordinary people. If you feel like climbing the power level of the transcendent, you can try going to the Transcendent Academy in the Thebes Kingdom or at least get it through your government.
Utilizing the transcendent energy does not need to be complicated. You can simply feel it through your body; although this process takes time, be patient. After that, feel it cycling through your whole body and you have completed a cycle.
Completing this means that your strength has increased along with the quantity of the transcendent energy as well as its purity. Doing it six more times means that you have completed a major cycle and the improvements also increase along with the vigor of the body.
Believe me when I say that this practice can allow you to be healthy. Of course, doing some exercise will also allow you to increase your strength all the same. That’s it for now and wait for more posts from me!]
Seeing that this information was allowed to pass meant that it was permitted.
Tatsumi looked a bit dazed from seeing it.
“That should be access restricted, right?” Tatsumi had a vast knowledge but it did not mean he knew everything.
“Ah, that? It is actually passed as law to let even ordinary people gain sufficient strength to fend for themselves.” Ame explained.
“Basically, the government has decided to let everyone train themselves to become a low-level transcendent. If they have potential, they can receive further education to become a higher realm transcendent.”
Tatsumi sighed as he was amazed at Ame’s resourcefulness as well as her own intelligence network. She probably remembered a fleeting comment about it somewhere and deduced it somehow.
Then he went to another post that had the most views. But when he looked at the title, it gave him the feeling of baiting.
[The Secret of Area 15]
[From: Grunting Uncle]
[As you know, there is an area in the Comberth Continent where it is forbidden for citizens to enter without permission. It is said that the area was actually a meteorite crater site but it is mostly something that came from an unverified source so even I am not sure about it.
But it is said that the development of our civilization comes from there. Whatever is there probably holds great significance to our government so please, if any of you know more, you can use the reply to pour out your thoughts, certain facts, or opinions.]
[Views: 4.567]
Then Tatsumi went to the reply section and saw mostly a wall of texts. He could not believe that so many people were replying to the post and made it livelier.
“So what are you going to do now?” Ame asked and Tatsumi turned his head to look at her with a dazed eye before he turned back to the screen.
“Let’s just read whatever is written. I don’t believe that they let this post on the website without knowing its significance.” Tatsumi could only continue and read the replies.
It was quite a lot and most of them did not quite believe it, considering it as just a conspiracy but others also believed that to be the case.
“This is just from a hundred or a thousand of the people who used the internet. What if it reached a hundred thousand?” Tatsumi felt that it was quite an achievement to gather people in a certain place and let them create a post or reply to a post.
‘Well, what if it becomes a communication tool? A place where discussion becomes possible as well as sharing something like a picture or even maybe the voice?’ Tatsumi also shared his sense with those in the afterlife so that they could see the thing with him.
It caused quite an uproar as it had been similar to their way of operation.
‘Don’t worry. In the end, there is censorship regarding sensitive topics but in general, you can see most information here. As long as your computer is connected to the internet, that is.’ Tatsumi gave his thoughts and kept looking for other posts after seeing the way the replies work.
-
On the day when the civilization launched the internet to be public and even commercialized it, the people found it easy to connect with each other and even share their opinions.
It was another change in civilization that changed the way of communication. But since they could do it under the anonymity of an account, some things happened.
It was when the hidden things that usually did not appear when facing people directly revealed themselves. Tatsumi first encountered it in his own post and thought about it carefully.
'Ah, I forgot that the account from my perspective is actually anonymous. It means that there are no direct consequences to themselves when they utter nasty words or even mock others. But for those who managed the internet, they are not anonymous at all and can be tracked back.’ Tatsumi rubbed his forehead as he had read numerous posts and replies that he had gotten used to.
This time, he was not the one who was in front of the computer but Ame. She wanted to search for something and decided to make another account as her identity on the website.
“What exactly are you looking for? You keep entering some words in the search bar but there is no result with the related posts. It also has a connotation to the outer space.” Tatsumi could at least see that much.
“I want to look for the sign of anomaly on the Red Moon.” Ame said truthfully.
“Anomaly on the Red Moon? What is this?” Tatsumi heard it for the first time and could not help but wonder.
“Apparently, some people claimed that they feel an emotion of anger, hatred and rage when directly looking at the Red Moon when it is in full display.” Ame started and Tatsumi nodded in understanding.
He knew that the effect of the Red Moon was inducing an increase in strength in exchange for intense emotion overwhelming the mind. So getting it while the Red Moon was in full meant that the connection was stronger.
“But that is just hearsay, is that correct?” Tatsumi tried to confirm it but Ame shook her head.
“No, it is something real. I experienced it.” Ame said while closing her eyes, trying to recreate the sensation she had felt.
“I understand your concern.” Tatsumi sighed as he did not get it even when the Red Moon was full. Perhaps something inside his mind prevented the effect but some had experienced it so he truly did not know what went wrong.
“But you'd better be able to call anyone if that were to happen. What if it becomes uncontrollable?” Tatsumi added.
Ame looked at him with a slight smile.
“There’s you who will know. I will not worry if you are with me.” She said as she returned to look for clues regarding the phenomenon. She believed that sooner or later, anyone would know about it and she wanted someone out there to share their experience.
Tatsumi opened his mouth but he decided to shut it and nodded before he saw a post that she clicked and viewed.
If the transportation that connected the globe could be called the first form of globalization, then with the emergence of computers and the international network to facilitate the flow of information, it became the second form of globalization, which caused a change in the trend of the younger populace.