"Is something wrong, Master?"
Cortana seemed puzzled by Kagura's hesitation to upload an AI program into A1.
"Our most advanced artificial intelligence algorithms are fully capable of supporting A1's combat systems."
"Her performance won't be affected."
"I know," Kagura nodded.
"Rhodes Industries undeniably has the most advanced AI technology in the world. Whether for military or civilian use, their systems dominate the global market."
Thanks to the cascade of AI tech developed from Cortana's core systems, Rhodes Industries had become the absolute leader in the field.
Even Stark Industries couldn't compete, unless Tony Stark himself decided to release JARVIS-level tech to the public.
"But…" Kagura continued, shifting the direction of the conversation, "simply uploading a standard AI program would just turn A1 into another weapon."
"And honestly, I want to try something a little more… interesting."
"Something more interesting?" Cortana tilted her head, clearly confused.
"That's right. I don't want to create another disposable tool, I want to create a true superhero."
"Someone who isn't just part of the YoRHa squad, but a real part of this world. Not a machine, not a tool. A life."
Kagura tapped open the skill shop in her Infinite Concept System.
"Ah, I nearly forgot. This is something I should've given you a long time ago. It's essential if you're going to command the YoRHa unit."
With that, she activated the AI Command Specialization Module.
[Purchase Confirmed]
[AI Command Specialization Module / Activated]
[Remaining QP: 20]
"This one's for you, Cortana," Kagura said. "Now I'm going to have you merge with A1. She won't just be an automaton, she'll become you."
"That's a bold move, Master," Cortana replied, voice tinged with wonder. "But… are you sure it's okay to give such an advanced body to me?"
"Of course. When I think about it, A1's body was practically made for you." Kagura smiled.
"Don't forget, Cortana you're not like those other AI programs that can only simulate intelligence. You're on an entirely different level."
There were many AI programs in the world.
Since Stark Industries launched JARVIS, AI research had exploded globally.
Agencies like S.H.I.E.L.D. had their own intelligent assistants, and militaries around the world had integrated AI systems into nearly every facet of operation.
Rhodes Industries alone, under Cortana's supervision, had AI for logistics, manufacturing, swarm drone coordination via the "Skylark" system, and countless other applications.
This was truly the era of artificial intelligence.
But Cortana… Cortana was different.
She didn't come from JARVIS tech. She wasn't even developed by Rhodes Industries.
Cortana was a product of Kagura's Infinite Concept System, purchased directly from the system's digital shop.
She was unique a singular, sentient AI.
Unlike every other artificial intelligence in existence, Cortana possessed something others didn't: a fragment of a soul.
And if Kagura wanted to create a YoRHa warrior who truly had a real consciousness—then she would have to give her a real soul.
Among all the available AI programs, only Cortana could provide that.
"But before we go through with this," Kagura said softly, "I want your consent, Cortana. I'd rather not end up creating a 'superhero' who decides to kill me someday."
"Don't worry, Master," Cortana replied without hesitation. "Serving you is my one and only purpose. Your command is absolute."
"That's… oddly comforting," Kagura chuckled. "And also kind of sad, isn't it?"
She smiled. "Alright then, let's do it. Initiating AI consciousness transfer—target: Cortana. Host: Test Subject A1. Final activation sequence… begin!"
All around her, automated laboratory systems hummed to life.
The "Cradle of Life" in the A1 lab began operating at full capacity.
A brilliant blue energy surged into A1's dormant body, activating the dark energy core within her.
Simultaneously, Cortana's core programming began migrating from the distributed cloud servers into A1's brain.
From this moment on, Cortana's consciousness would reside not in Rhodes Industries' mainframes, but within A1's body.
A1 would no longer be a shell, she would become something with a soul.
Of course, Cortana would still manage many of Rhodes Industries' daily systems.
Her connections to the company's networks remained intact, ensuring seamless control.
After all, if Cortana were completely removed from Rhodes Industries, the largest megacorp on the planet might collapse overnight…
Kagura worked with expert precision across the holographic control panel, guiding A1 through her final awakening.
And there she lay—motionless for so many years.
But now, she was finally about to awaken.
'Hello, world.'
'Hello, Kagura.'
'From this day forward, I shall be your most loyal servant. I will protect you. I will fight by your side. Always.'
———————————————————————
— New York, Stark Tower
"Jarvis, pull up the latest research data from Stark Industries' R&D department."
"Let's see if the goodies that Hitomi provided us with can help make my Iron Legion even more powerful in combat," Tony Stark muttered as he focused on tweaking the Iron Legion in his lab.
During the battle against the Dark Elf fleet, the Iron Legion played a crucial role.
The sight of countless "Iron Man" suits in the sky was truly spectacular and highly effective, even earning praise from Thor himself.
However, the operation also exposed several issues.
First, due to Jarvis' limited capabilities, whether as individual units or in swarm formation, the Iron Legion couldn't compare to Tony Stark himself wearing the Mark 43 Iron Man suit.
Second, if they deployed enough suits to compensate for the weaknesses.
The Iron Legion would be bogged down by insufficient processing power, causing command failures that severely restricted the Legion's ability to perform to its full combat potential.
In short, to continue enhancing the Iron Legion, an upgrade of the processor essentially Jarvis was inevitable.
However, with Stark Industries' artificial intelligence, led by Jarvis, the computing power had already reached its limits after continuous development by Tony Stark.
To improve Jarvis' processing power, more processing units were needed.
But more processors meant higher energy demands.
If they installed more powerful processors for the Iron Legion, it would strain the Arc Reactor's capacity, reducing the Legion's operational efficiency and runtime.
Luckily, during his collaboration with Kagura, Tony Stark had obtained the latest dark energy technology from Rhodes Island Industries.
With this, he had successfully developed a new generation of Arc Reactors using dark energy.
"Jarvis, run the new generation Iron Legion processing core, and calculate the increase in combat effectiveness."
"Sir, the simulation is complete."
"The Iron Legion, equipped with the dark energy Arc Reactor, will see a 2.79% increase in combat capabilities with the new processing core," Jarvis responded.
"Tch… only 3%?" Tony Stark clicked his tongue. "It should've been at least 15% based on my calculations."
"Sir, the processors and energy of the Iron Legion units have reached their limits."
"To further enhance processing power.
"we would need a larger Arc Reactor, which would increase the burden on the Iron Legion units, ultimately reducing their combat effectiveness," Jarvis explained.
"Looks like to execute the 'Ultron' project, we'll need a much more powerful AI system…" Tony Stark frowned.
"Jarvis, let's call it a day for now. I need to spend some time thinking about how to develop an AI capable of commanding the entire Iron Legion."