“Very well... then, I suppose I can assume that both of you know the basics of the STL, right?” Asuna nodded in affirmation. “It is a machine that reads the human soul... «Fluctlight» and creates a virtual world that is completely identical to the real world.” “Fm. Then, what’s the aim of this plan?” “The development of a bottom-up...«Highly adaptive Artificial Intelligence».” Higa whistled as the eyes under the round framed spectacles showed a look of admiration, shaking his head in disbelief. “Amazing, Kirito-kun shouldn’t have understood things to such an extent. How did you manage to investigate this deeply?” Asuna looked over at Higa as if she was sizing him up, and said with a stiff tone, “...I heard the term «Artificial Labile Intelligence» from Kirito- kun...” “Haha, I see. Looks like it would be better for you to check on the confidentiality in Roppongi, Kiku-san.” Higa said with a grinning look on his face, and Kikuoka’s frowning face looked away. “I was already prepared that some level of information would be leaked to Kirito-kun. I considered that risk, but his assistance is quintessential. You should understand that... un, where were we? Oh, the highly adaptive Artificial Intelligence, right?” Kikuoka again popped a lemon sweet into the air and nimbly caught it with his mouth. The Lieutenant Colonel then continued in a lecturing tone,