Accel World Vol 1 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Chapter 2

Yes, everything was a drea yesterday’s encounter in the local network

The next day, Wednesday, Haruyuki went to school with his usual gloo his classroom

In the déjà-vu lesson, Araya group’s bullying ain It was the first time that they had extorted lunch for two days in a rohat they wanted was same as yesterday, fried noodle buns and cream melon buns How much do they like those anyway, he closed thethat, and left his seat when the bell for lunch chimed

Where his slow feet headed however was not the roof that Araya’s group asked hie next to the student cafeteria

Instead of the cheap long tables lined up in the cafeteria, the half circular lounge was filled with elegant white round tables Beyond the large glassfor lighting, the autumn colors of the central courtyard’s trees could be seen clearly, without a doubt this was the highest rank space in Umesato middle school

Hence, there’s an unwritten law that first years are not allowed to use it The students around the tables, their ribbons and neckties were all blue (2nd year) or dark red (3rd year), there wasn’t a single green

Half of the upperclass to each other, while the other half leaned back on high back chairs with eyes closed, not sleeping, but rather Full Diving on the school network

Haruyuki first hid his large body behind a decorative plant in front of the lounge entrance, then looked around inside

She couldn’t be there, that thing yesterday was a dream, he more than half believed it - but

“She’s there”

He involuntarily sed a breath of air In the deepest part of the lounge, at a table near the , there was a striking group Six students, a nize them all They were all current student council members, male or female in different orientations, and all of them were handsome

The largest presence in that group was a fees of a hardcover book withhair, that came down to nearly her waist, was a deep black that was rare nowadays Her legs that peeked out fros too He was surprised that her open-collared shi+rt under her blazer was also glossy black Without a doubt - she was Umesato middle school’s most famous person, «Kuroyukihime»

Froe entrance to that far table, it should be less than 20 ht line However, that distance felt like it was alet there is like an adventure that he couldn’t possibly complete

Turn around and go back Then buy buns and juice fro theo hide in the 2nd school building toilet and play single player games in the local net to waste time

- shi+t dao

Haruyuki ground his teeth, came out from behind the decorative plant’s shade, and stepped into the lounge

The stares fro tables were not just his paranoia, but contained actual criticisht not know, but in the later half of 2nd term, all 1st years should know about the no entry rule

However luckily, no one said anything to blas earnestly carried his heavy body, passing between the tables, Haruyuki al, and finally reached the deepest section controlled by the student council

The first to raise her head, was a 2nd year who sat nearest to him The female student’s fluffy hair waved as she turned her head, she faced Haruyuki with a slightly questioning smile and kindly said

“Oh What is your business?”

‘I have business here’ Being unable to say that, Haruyuki mumbled

“Well that is err”

At that ti four members all looked at Haruyuki Their faces did not have any ill will, but he aler stand the displeased stares fro tables, when he was about to faint from all the tension, the last member finally raised her head from her book

Kuroyukihie with naked eye, really was ht he) saw yesterday Under her cleanly split front hair, below her clear eyebroere eyes that even the iris looked black, shi+nning brightly If her avatar can be compared to a black rose, then she would be a black narcissus He did not know if such a thing existed or not

He was prepared for that beautiful face to shohat?’ expression to htly year-level

However he was deeply surprised, Kuroyukihihtly colored lips showed a familiar smile and she said a short line

“You came, boy”

She closed the hardcover book with a clap sound, while standing up right waved Haruyuki over, her view moved to the members at the table

“He has business with me Sorry, can you empty that space?”

The latter half was directed at the 3rd yearnext to her The short hair, tall upperclassman stood up with an amazed expression and used his palm to show his chair to Haruyuki

After mumbled thanks, Haruyuki shrunk his round body to the limit and sat down The delicate chair creaked loudly, but Kuroyukihime did not see s in it

It was a cable The cord was shi+elded with thin silver lines, and both ends had a s Her left hand raised the hair at her back, there was a Neuro Linker around her surprisingly sht hand inserted one end of the plug into her Neuro Linker, and casually handed the other end to Haruyuki

This ti to see ould happen broke into a huge buzz Screams of‘It must be a lie’ and ‘No it can’t be’ could be heard from it

Haruyuki was du out of his face

«Wired Direct Connect Communication»

Nor that Kuroyukihime wanted to do with Haruyuki Neuro Linkers nor the network in that area, under many levels of security However, with Wired Direct Connect, 90 of the security wall became useless For people with a certain level of Linker skill, they can peek into the other person’s private rams

That is to say normally, Direct Connect is only done with people one trusted theit in another way, males and females who used Direct Connect in public places were very likely to be going out with each other The cable length being acustom without technical justification

The XSB cable that Kuroyukihiht noas about 2 th doesn’t , Haruyuki soed to make a sound to ask

“U, Umm, what do I do with”

“It has no other use than to be plugged into your neck”

She instantly confirers accepted the plug and inserted it into his Neuro Linker

At thatwas displayed in front of his eyes When that faded away, froe, only Kuroyukihime’s shape freshly floated in front of him

Without ht smile, a smooth voice sounded in Haruyuki’s brain

“Sorry to make you coht talk?”

It’s a skill where you talk through the Linker withoutyour lips Haruyuki nodded then replied

“Yes Umm what is this really about? Is this an elaborate, well prank or so?”

He thought she would be angry, Kuroyukihiave a ‘Hmm’

“Well in a certain sense it ht just be that Because I will send an application to your Neuro Linker If you accept that, then your current reality will be coine”

“Re, Reality destroyed?”

Haruyuki repeated in blank amazement

He no longer saw the students around the tables full of curiosity or heard their noisy comments Only Kuroyukihime’s words repeated in his mind

The deep black upperclassht hand, her supple white fingersslide

Pon, a beep sounded

[Execute BB2039exe? YES/NO] A holo dialogue appeared

This should be a faht thisseemed to have its own intention that forced him to make a decision

With coer over Direct Connect would be indiscretion He should pull out the cable right noever, Haruyuki for soe, he looked down at his body squeezed into the chair

- Reality My reality

Stolid body Lackluster appearance Repeatedly being bullied and escaping to the net And e this situation Being like this is fine, since nothing will change, this self that gave up

Haruyuki moved his view, and looked into Kuroyukihime’s dark eyes

In half a second, he raised his right hand, and thrust his finger into the YES button Her white face held a slightly surprised expression, slightly satisfied, he relaxed his chest

“That’s my wish This reality if it was destroyed”

He whispered that, at the same time

In his full view, a huge flame erupted

He instinctively stiffened his body as it seeht sweep him up, but its flow eventually concentrated in front of his body, transforn sense was certainly not new It was a harshness that reminded hiame

The words that appeared was - «BRAIN BURST»

This, is how Haruyuki ranized reality

The installation continued for about 30 seconds It was a huge application even for the Neuro Linker

The indicator bar under the burning title logo finally reaching 100, Haruyuki sed his breath and watched Reality - will be destroyed, hat Kuroyukihime said How exactly is that shown?

The indicator disappeared along with the logo as if it was being burnt The ree «Welcome to the Accelerated World», which was soon split like fireworks What does it mean - Accelerated World?

Haruyuki held his breath for about 10 seconds in anticipation

However, his own body or the surrounding view, nothing felt like it was going to change As usual, under his uniform, he is ith sweat, and the displeased stares fro tables seemed to increase

Letting out a short yet lengthy breath, Haruyuki looked questioningly at Kuroyukihime

“Uram, what is”

Asking with thought talk, the black clothed upperclass different from his question

“It installed without any probleh aptitude for it”

“Aptitude? For this program?”

“Yes «Brain Burst» cannot be installed in soical response rate For exae scores in virtual garah aptitude, you won’t even see the title logo However I was a little bit surprised For me, it took about two ram This made all the speech I prepared to convince you useless”

“Ah sorry But, that, nothing see It’s not a resident application, but a select execution type?”

“Well, don’t be in such a hurry From now you will need a little mental preparedness I will explain the basic functions later Why, we have plenty of time”

Haruyuki took a quick glance at the continuous tiht corner Half of lunch time had already passed He didn’t think they had plenty of time left

He painfully felt the curiosity and disgust in the surrounding atmosphere, and leaned back The chair under his body squeaked

That was a fa at his ugly and comical self, he bit his lip There’s no way he would love this reality If it can be changed, no e it was, he would accept it

“I aram”

As he said up to that point

Froe entrance behind Haruyuki, the voice that he didn't want to hear the most could be heard

“You dickwad, Pi Arita! You can’t escape!!”

Haruyuki cowered in reaction, his waist lifted from the chair When he turned around, he saw a red-faced Araya standing there, he wasn't supposed to leave the roof while at lunch time

As Haruyuki’s expression changed froe to doubt After Haruyuki stood up, Kuroyukihime’s delicate shape and the cable that connected their Linkers, which were hidden behind his huge body earlier were shown

While frozen, Haruyuki’s sensitive feelings detected that other than the council members, the rest of the students around hi What the relationshi+p between the sae width Haruyuki’s was, they probably instantly realized However the students didn’t show displeasure toward Araya, but a ‘Ah, so it really is’ kind of understanding

Stop - Stop this right now

Haruyuki desperately wished He absolutely did not want Kuroyukihi bullied or such ‘After I finish here, I will buy buns and bring them to the roof so please wait there quietly’, he wanted to tell him that, so he faced Araya and forced a smile

Araya who saw that s’, his lipsof his smile while in Direct Connect with the school’s most famous person, was totally misunderstood by Araya

With his eyes lifted up shi+nning, Araya silently dove into the hedge that separated the cafeteria and the lounge With the heel of his indoor shoessounds, he approached in a direct line Behind his A and B folloith somewhat tensed faces

It’s hopeless, while thinking that Haruyuki took a step back

Araya is unbelievably tall for being 13 years old, the sa of the like, as he's built up quite a lot oflavender shi+rt, and big pants His white-tinged golden dyed hair stood up like a s on both ears, his colored up-angle eyes all spelt danger

Umesato middle school is a private future preparation school, but since this is a low fertility era, just about notype like Araya ca “Easy to control”

With that handicap, Haruyuki was controlled on his first day entering school He wi down at him

“Don’t underestimate me”

After the line came out of Araya’s twisted lips, Haruyuki was about to y, but before that

From behind him, Kuroyukihime’s real voice with a cool rich inflection was heard

“You are Araya-kun right?”

Araya who heard that was surprised for an instant, then had a flattering suy is happy that his name is remembered by «That Kuroyukihime»

However, what she said not only shocked Araya, but Haruyuki as well

“I heard about you from Arita-kun About whether or not you were mistakenly sent from the zoo to the middle school”

Araya’s jaw dropped and started tre, Haruyuki looked on while dumbfounded

“Wh Wh What”

At the sa to move, Haruyuki wanted to shout

Wh - Why did you say that!

But that thought did not become sound, Araya released a tremendous roar

“Why you, I a!!”

Haruyuki shrunk froh

At the sa voice commanded Haruyuki

“Shout now! «Burst Link»!!”

Haruyuki did not know if he used his real voice or thought voice to say that short command However, he felt for sure that every corner of his body reverberated with that sound

Burst Link!!

Bashi+!! With that impact sound, the world wavered

The colors were drained, replaced by a transparent blue that started to spread out The surrounding lounge, the staring students, and Araya in front of him as well, all became a monotonous blue

Everything stopped at that moment

Araya’s fist that should have hit hi in a second, was frozen a few centimeters in front of him, he watched while dumbfounded

“U uwaa!!”

He involuntarily shouted, and jumped back a step

The result of that action, showed hi else that was hard to believe

His own back He was the same blue color as Araya, his round back was unnaturally stopped in a co position It looked like only his soul left his physical body

Then, what happened to him now!? He looked down in surprise, there he found the fa Without a doubt, it’s the avatar he used in the local net

No longer understanding anything, Haruyuki turned around shakily

In front of his eyes, was another strange sight

On the lounge chair, Kuroyukihihtly closed However that body too, including the cable extending from her neck, were all transparent blue like a crystal

And next to her body, in a black dress with a parasol, her avatar with the stail butterfly wings stood with a mysterious smile

“Wh What is this!?”

Haruyuki frightfully shouted

“Full Dive!? Or astral projection!?”

“Fufu, neither of those”

With a happy tone, Kuroyukihime’s avatar told him

“We are now under «Brain Burst» program’s function «Accelerated»”

“Ac Accelerate?”

“Yes The surrounding looks stopped but that’s not true Our consciousness isat ultra fast speed”

Kuroyukihime moved a few steps with the silver balls at her cuff’s ri, and stopped beside the blue frozen reality of Haruyuki and Araya The tip of her parasol pointed at Araya’s fist in the path of a right straight punch

“This fist too, you cannot notice it but it is even nowvery slowly like the short hand of a clock If we continue to wait, it will eventually pass this 80cm or so and ill see it make a dent in your face”

“That’s no joke No that’s not it wait a minute please”

Haruyuki held his head with his two pig hands, desperately trying to sort the information

“Th, this ht? Does that inal heads?”

“You catch on fast That’s exactly it”

“But, isn't that strange! If only thoughts and feelings got sped up, this astral projection likeat your own back, that means I shouldn't be able to talk to senpai[1]!”

“Hood question, Haruyuki-kun”

Kuroyukihith-wise rolled hair waving, moved to beside the table

“The blue world we are seeing is the real world in real ti in our eyes Take a look under this table”

“O, ok”

Haruyuki crouched his pig body that’s smaller than his real body, and peeked under the blue table

“Ah, huh?”

Strange The table is th-wise However the underside is smooth like plastic, without any texture

“What is this Looks like polygons?”

When he raised his face, he saw Kuroyukihihtly nod a few times

“Exactly This blue world is e, the pictures are h the Neuro Linker The areas in the ca under this girl’s skirt will be useless”

The Social Camera’s actual na security, they are placed all over japan, it overnment video surveillance network Even a private middle school cannot reject ca national level security walls, a normal citizen absolutely can not peek into it - that as said, but

While thinking about such a theory, Haruyuki in reaction followed the fe which was extended under the table, he confire

After he hastily stood up, he saw Kuroyukihilance

“Don’t look at s They are within the camera’s view”

“I won’t look”

While taking an effort to steady his gaze, Haruyuki shook his head

“W, well, after seeing this, I somewhat understand the theory This is the real time world made into 3D we use avatars as substitute bodies to see and talk through direct connection right?”

“That’s right Now, for convenience you are using your school's local net avatar”

“If possible, I would prefer another”

After whispering, he gave a huge sigh While shaking his pig head to sort his thoughts, he looked at Kuroyukihiain

“But this is just half way What I want to know is from here on …«Accelerate», what exactly is it? I have never heard of Neuro Linker having this kind of time stop like function!”

“Of course, the Neuro Linker’s secret accelerate function can only be drawn out with the «Brain Burst» prograram”

After Kuroyukihime whispered that, she raised her left hand, and poked the XL size Neuro Linker around the reality frozen Haruyuki’s neck

“Haruyuki-kun, do you know the operating principle of the Neuro Linker?”

Seeing the slender finger touching «his» neck, Haruyuki felt a thump for no reason and nodded

“Y, yes just perfunctory infor quantum level connection with brain cells, picture, sound and sensation can be sent, thatreality’s five senses”

“That’s right That ear type VR machine, or 30s iical mechanism That is, it won’t put any burden on the brain cells, and you can do unreasonable things someone realized that”

“Unreasonable that means?”

To Haruyuki’s question, Kuroyukihime returned a somewhat different question

“Have you played with a 20s era PC?”

“Y, yeah, I did I have one at home too”

“Then, you knohat the PC’s standard operating frequency is called right?”

“Base Clock ?”

Kuroyukihime nodded with satisfaction

“Yes the oscillator on thethe CPU at an overclocked speed And then the human brain, our consciousness operates with the same mechanism”

“What!?”

Haruyuki’s eyes beca nose breath out rapidly

“No, no way Where is our oscillator?”

“Here”

Kuroyukihied the reality blue Haruyuki frouish up-turn eyes, her left hand poked the center of the back

“Wh hat are you doing?”

“Right now, your clock went up a little You already know right the heart! The heart is not just a pu speed, it’s a standard clock generator”

Taking a breath, Haruyuki touched his pig body’s chest Kuroyukihi him, still continued to touch around his heart area

“Even if the body is in a stopped state, depending on the situation the heart beat will increase like a racing driver Why? That is thought - situational awareness, and judgement «Acceleration» is necessary Or it is like two lovers touching each other For every minute and second to be densely experienced, «Acceleration»”

Kuroyukihier that was around the reality Haruyuki’s chest, slowly moved up and stopped at his neck

“The heart with a thuh the central nerve to the brain, that is, the thought If - that signal is overwritten at the neck by the Neuro Linker, and overclocked, ould happen?”

With a prickle of horror at his back, Haruyuki felt it

“Thought will accelerate?”

“That’s right, for the Neuro Linker that is possible Without causing any harht now at this instant, our Neuro Linkers le heart beat clock, and send it to the brain ireless quantunal Actually this rate, reaches 1000 times!”

“1000 time s”

Haruyuki could not do anything else other than repeat in blank amazement what he had been told His paralyzed consciousness was shocked by Kuroyukihi voice