Like Unto A Soul

All shopping completed. Unbought items: N/A.

Returning home. Loading evening meal prep routine.

Thanks. I always appreciate it.

No, no. This is nothing much, truly.

...What's going on there?

What's up, Alma?

Have the people of this era learned how to grant souls to objects? Can they just perform spiritual alchemy any time they want?

Huh? What do you mean?

That's not a human, is it? Even its face is metal. It doesn't look alive.

But it's having a conversation. It's like it has a soul!

Oh? Is this your first time seeing an android? I bet there aren't many folks like you in this day and age.

Good day. A pleasure to meet you.

T-the pleasure's mine...

There is nothing to fear. I am in full compliance with all safety guidelines and regulations.

I-I'm not afraid...!

My apologies. I detected a small amount of tension in your frame, as well as some sweat.

I-It's just hot here!

...... You really are fascinating. You can hold a conversation and everything, without any orders...

It really seems just like you have a soul.

Haha. That's a bit of an overstatement, maybe.

These machines, androids, run on man-made artificial intelligence.

Artificial...intelligence?

Our brains are crafted by human hands. We are able to think on our own and converse because we were made with those functions included.

You were made with the ability to think for yourselves?!

Just so you know, they're not a tool. They're a dear part of our family.

Thank you.

Ah... Sir, we must be going. If we delay any longer, dinner will be late.

Oh, whoops. We can't leave the others waiting.

We'll be going, then.

...... So these are the heights that technology will reach in the future.

It's a shock, isn't it? The first time I visited, I couldn't make heads or tails of anything.

No...I understand the base aim. It's not so different from alchemy, in some loose ways. And those... elevators, right? All those machines you showed me. They aren't too different from homunculi, from a certain point of view.

Huh, really? They sure look different to me.

They're both made by humanity to do specific, specialized tasks. That's the common point.

Though, that...android?, from before. It had much more intelligence than any ordinary homunculus.

I see. You were thinking about that even while talking to them, huh?

If...

If I could learn how they're made, maybe I could create even more refined homunculi myself...

Homunculi?!

Hm?

Eee hee hee hee!! To think I would hear that word spoken aloud in this era!

Oh, it's Nonold. What's up?

What is up or what is down makes no difference to me! I just heard an unbelievable thing in your conversation just now!

Well, this one's loud... Do you know him, Aldo?

Yeah. This is Nonold. He's a really talented scientist.

W-what the?! Uh... Do you need something?

What is up or what is down makes no difference to me! I just heard an unbelievable thing in your conversation just now!

Well, this one's loud... Who is he?

You mean to tell me you don't know Professor Nonold?! What rock have you been living under?!

I am the world's foremost scientist! A genius in reputation and truth! Eee hee hee hee!!

A scientist...? Is that what you call people who make those androids' cores? Their artificial intelligences?

Artificial intelligence? Hah! Child's play!

My true field of study is bioscience. But computer and machine science are no big deal, whatsoever!

...Wait, don't change the subject. What's the meaning of all that you were talking about before?!

Before?

About homunculi, obviously! I hardly believed my ears. That's a concept unique to alchemy, if I'm not mistaken! Even a researcher of my caliber has only seen that word infrequently. How did someone like you hear it?

You mean... Alchemy is still remembered?

Heh heh. I knew it! Our great work will persist, down the years and ages!

This "philosopher's stone" is a particularly fascinating concept. The power of eternal life...

...So even those tales were handed down, too.

I've always been fascinated, seeing as how it dovetails into my own field of research. But it's eluded me! But you know about it! Just who are you?

I'm Alma. I'm an alchemist.

A-an alchemist?! A real one?

...Hah! You're just a child! Eee hee hee hee! I don't buy it for a second!

What?!

I'm not a child! I don't think I'm all that much younger than you are, at the least! And you claim to be a scientist? I don't "buy that," either!

What?! Oh, you have guts to mock me! I'm the foremost scientist in the entire world, you know!

And I'm...right now, I'm the foremost alchemist in the world!

You lie!!

No, you!!

H-hey, calm down, you two!

Hmph. Fine. If you're going to be difficult about this, I'll show you my alchemy, right here. And if you can make artificial intelligences like you claim, I'll have you show me that!

Eee hee hee hee!! I accept your challenge. And if you can't show me your so-called alchemy, I'll turn you into one of my guinea pigs!

Aldo!

Huh? Me?

There are no materials here. Isn't there someplace with more natural earth or wood nearby?

Um...hmm. I guess maybe Laula Dome?

Then we'll go there.

I'll be waiting, so don't you run off on me like a coward!

If anyone runs from this fight, I expect it will be you!

...Hmph!

...Yes, this will do. Thanks, Aldo.

I'm just glad we found something workable, even in Elzion.

All I need to do is make a simple homunculus, and that shady scientist will be forced to grovel at my feet!

Shady...yeah, I guess so.

Eee hee hee hee!! Just WHO will grovel to WHOM?

Ugh, that awful laugh! So you finally showed up!

"Shady" this, "awful laugh" that! You wound me, miss!

Well, it's all the truth!

What's that floating behind you? Is that the artificial intelligence?

Hmm? This is a drone. The artificial intelligence is inside. You don't seem to grasp the concept fully.

In any case, yes, this drone is loaded with my newly-created AI. You ought to be in awe of how fast I put this baby together!

Ay eye? You're trying to confuse me with words I don't understand. Well, it's not going to work!

And I need even less time than you to make something much better. A homunculus, right here, right now, with these formulas.

The artificial life forms alchemists were said to create. And you say you can make one? Enough stalling. If you have something to show me, then show me!

...Fine.

I'll show you what you want!

What?! Is that a gun?! What are you playing at?!

Oh, uh, hang on. It's not exactly a gun...

I see what's happening here! You want to rub me out to cover up your duplicitous lies!

Solving your problems with violence is the province of barbarians and fools! Have you no shame?!

Look, I'll say whatever you want! Just put the weapon awaaaaay!

Ugh, you're so annoying! Just watch... This'll shut you up!

Eeep!!

...Eh? What's this?

It's what you asked for. A homunculus. Are you satisfied?

Unbelievable...It's not a machine. Such natural and lifelike movement... Is it truly a living creature? And you created this in seconds just from dirt? Unbelievable! It's just as my research said!

Heh heh. Have you started to believe me, I wonder?

...I am a great scientist. To turn away from evidence before my very eyes... Would be a travesty. Yes. Alchemy is real...and you are who you say you are. Oh... Oh, how fascinating!!

Mystery yet remains in the world! My research has meaning! Eee hee hee hee!!

What a strange man...

Well, at least he believes you.

Oh, but this is truly fascinating. How long will it just stand there?

Hm? I didn't tell it to do anything aside from stand there, so it'll do that until I stop it, mostly.

...Okay, that's enough.

I see. So it is a living creature, but its functions are highly constrained even so.

Haha! Such a pathetic display, is it not, Lord Nonold?!

...?!

I may be inorganic, but I am clearly more intelligent. The creator with more intelligence, skill, care, devotion, and dare I say, panache, is clearly Lord Nonold! The blessed intellect! Greatest mind of a thousand generations!

Wh... This thing sure is chatty!

You get all sorts, even among AI, but this one sure likes to talk.

Ah, yes, of course. It's my rule to never remain on the back foot. Now, it's our turn.

Behold, my super-high-spec conversation program!

My logic routines were hand- crafted by Lord Nonold himself. Your mud doll can't hope to compete.

Hey, don't make fun of it!

Silence, child! Don't get a swelled head just because Lord Nonold praised you a little! Compared to the giant that is Lord Nonold's intellect, you are merely a particularly distinguished ant!

W-what is this thing? It's like it has a personality... A BAD personality.

Eee hee hee hee! You certainly could call it a personality, indeed. For I am the one who created it!

I never would have guessed, given the way it talks about you.

Hah! It's a Creator's prerogative to shape his creations in whatever way he so desires!

I guess, but you have to agree it's laying it on a bit thick, right?

No, this is just about the correct amount of laying on!

A personality, created by hand... It really is possible...

I-I mean...not bad. You've done reasonably well! I'll have to study until I can make something even better, which shouldn't take too long!

Oho! What a tantalizing topic. A domain once beyond human reach: The very creation of life itself!

I can't wait to give it a try. In fact, I've already thought up a quick-and-messy first attempt!

...What are you thinking?

You said earlier that homunculi only act exactly according to the orders given to them, yes?

Yes. I think in that respect, they sound a lot like these machines of yours.

Hee hee! You have good instincts for this line of work! This drone is exactly the same. It's just that its "orders" are extremely complex, that's all!

So, if we could give orders of that complexity to a homunculus...

Exactly! Of course, to do that, their creator would need painstaking knowledge of how to impart those orders!

......

Please. Will you teach me how to impart orders like that?

I don't think I've ever seen you say please before...

S-shut up! This is necessary knowledge for the future of alchemy.

Eee hee hee hee!! Now that's the spirit!

Of course, ordinarily I would never waste my extremely valuable time on merely teaching another...

But this opportunity is too valuable to let pass! And I stand to benefit too, of course! So congratulations! And now, let us away to the Xeno-Domain.

Huh? Can't we do it here?

It looks like the young lady will need a crash course on AI from zero, Or rather, from zeros and ones! The facilities at the Xeno-Domain will be the fastest way to do that.

Now, come on, let's go! Don't keep the next step in mankind's future from me any longer!

...Okay. Let's go.

...So, to summarize, most machines produced nowadays contain some form of artificial intelligence.

And the majority of those have already properly learned speech and behavioral patterns! Such AI are cheaply available, so even basic domestic androids can converse much like humans can.

Learned? You mean, these machines study?

Of course!

AI...that is, artificial intelligences, are "born" as what you might consider extremely intelligent infants. Unless you provide them with data to take in and process, they are hardly useful for anything at all.

What forms and modes does human speech occur in? What does a natural conversation consist of?

All AI must learn these answers before they can be of any use.

Do humans teach them?

Something like it, at least. We use a process called machine learning to feed them the data all at once. By adjusting the conversational patterns they access, it's possible to create a so-called personality.

Of course, it's not as simple as I make it sound...unless you're also a world-class genius, hee hee!

That drone from before sure had a remarkable personality...

Speaking of which, where did it go?

When I said I wanted to help the alchemist girl, it started sulking and wandered off somewhere. Maybe it's jealous? Humanity can be so inconvenient!

...Isn't that weird?

What is?

Machines learn when they're first born, isn't that what you said? But that drone knew about me, and about alchemy... about things it saw after it was made.

Of course they keep on learning even after they're created. They gain information from conversations.

They spend their whole lives learning! Just like humans do!

Their whole lives...

I see. I understand now.

Feel like you've grasped something?

Humans learn many things over the course of living their lives. Those varied experiences lead to complex thoughts, desires, and philosophies of life. But...

It's never been possible to impart that much complex information into a homunculus's formula.

So instead, we'll do this. Its orders will be... "Do as you will, learn what you may, and rewrite your own orders when you feel the need to do so." If it can add to its own knowledge and its own orders like that...

Hee hee! What an idea! Self-enhancement! A homunculus that can improve upon itself! Alchemy and machine learning, together!

A homunculus that can improve itself?!

It would be bothersome to introduce every new bit of knowledge manually. This way is much more organic!

I approve, young lady. You'll learn the programmer's craft, directly from the genius scientist Nonold himself! How lucky for you!

I'll teach you self-reinforcing logic from the very ground up! Be warned, I refuse to go easy on you. If you can't keep up, then I'll simply leave you behind in the dust!

Hmph! I wouldn't have it any other way!

...... And that about sums it up. Did you get all that?!

Ugh...that was about as bad as one of Master's lectures. Worse, since this isn't even my field...

You intentionally made it more complicated halfway through, didn't you?

Hee hee! I wonder! All of these are real-world examples of Synth Human AI matrices, so you have to be prepared for variation!

All done? You're really amazing, Alma. You managed to follow a lecture about technology from another era.

I stopped understanding what Nonold was talking about in the first five minutes or so...

Haha. Of course a top-class alchemist will be top-class in any other discipline she chooses to pursue!

I'm not claiming I understand all there is to know about machine programming, of course... But I think I know enough. Enough to make a homunculus that can learn and grow on its own.

Wow, really?

I won't know until I try. Come on, Aldo. Back to the Tower Argentauri. We'll need the materials and facilities in Master's old rooms.

Alchemical facilities? How fascinating! I would love a chance to see them for myself.

I feel bad, after all your help... But you can't come. The Guild is off-limits to outsiders.

What? How stingy. I won't be so easily deterred.

You're welcome to try sneaking in. But if you get caught, they'll set the war homunculi on you.

Uh...

Just wait. I'll make it work, and bring it right back here. I'll show you a homunculus that will surpass your wildest dreams.

It'll leave you speechless... Or at least stop that awful noise you call a laugh!

Eeeheeheehee! I'll remember you said that.

I'll be prepping for the next stage of my research in the Gamma District, then.

Remember, you've had teaching from THE Nonold, now! I won't allow you to give up or fail! I expect results!

Honestly, he drives me up the wall!

...How am I supposed to thank him when he keeps talking like that?

Hm?

Come on, Aldo! Back to the Tower!

O-Okay.

...Thanks.

There...it's done.

With this formula... It should work!

So that means, all that's left...

That's right. All that's left is to actually give it a try.

It took a while. Was it hard to make it work?

Of course it was. Alchemy has never even considered a formula quite like this one, not ever.

But I...made it.

Now, let's get started. One giant step for alchemy!

Something came out! Can this homunculus really improve itself, like you said?

It doesn't look any different from the others, I think?

What's different is on the inside. Here goes nothing...

...Hello there.

...He l l o the re?

I-it talked!

I'm Alma. Al-ma.

...Al-ma.

You'll need a name too. Um...you're a homunculus, so...

Hom...we already have a Hom. We have a Munc too... So...

Lus! Your name is Lus!

(I guess she inherited her naming sense from her Master...)

Your name, Alma. My name, Lus. I speak. I need name. Hello there. I am Lus.

Wow! Is it learning the words we used?!

Yes...yes! I think we can call this a success. It's incorporating words it hears, and its growth rate far surpasses that of a human already!

We can have it keep learning more and more... And then I can teach it how to do alchemy!

Huh?! You want to teach it alchemy?!

It shouldn't be a problem, given this level of comprehension. I've been wanting a capable assistant!

I see. You already had plans.

But first, we have to show Nonold and make him cry Uncle!

...Uncle.

No, no! You're the one MAKING HIM cry Uncle, not the one saying it!

I, growth rate is capable assistant. Nonold far surpasses a human.

Uh, it's saying some weird stuff. Are you sure that's okay?

We'll have to watch what we say... But this is proof that it's learning. We'll keep on teaching it. I'll cram it full of everything I know to teach!

...Cram it!

Phew...okay. That's enough. You pass.

Pass? Am I an alchemist?

Yes! You've learned everything I have in a much shorter time than expected.

That's amazing. I don't think a human could have matched a studying pace like that.

Aldo, that is human bias talking. I am the fruit of grand alchemy! Accept your defeat.

Your speech pattern's changed a lot. Did Alma rub off on you?

Huh? I don't talk like that. Don't be ridiculous.

Mm...I guess the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree.

Don't be ridiculous! I am not rude like that!

"Like that?!" Like what, you?!

Okay, let's not fight.

This is more than enough to show Nonold, wouldn't you say?

As much as it has some inaccurate opinions, its speech has definitely matured an impressive amount.

I'm calling it a success!

Great. Nonold said he'd be in Gamma District back in Elzion, right?

Okay. Let's go, then. I want to make that arrogant baldy cry for mercy with my greatness!

Hey, I wanted to say that!

They really do seem alike...

So? If I wait here, then I'll get to see this homunculus that learns and grows?

Yeah. They're already on their way.

Alma told me to come on ahead... Just what's taking her so long?

Eee hee hee hee!! She's panicking.

If she expects me to forgive her for failing, after making me wait for so long, she has another thing coming.

She seemed really pleased with it, so I don't think that's it.

Careful! Look out! Out of my way!

Hm?

Wait, that was Alma's voice... What's going on?

Was she...being chased? I have a bad feeling about this.

Honestly! How could this happen?!

Huff...huff...

Alma? What's going on?

A bit of an incident... I wanted to have Lus make a homunculus of its own to bring along, and the attitude it gave me, !

A homunculus of its own? You mean...

Are we done playing chase?

How boring. You act high-and-mighty, but this is all you can manage?

Lus! What's wrong with you?! Listen to what I tell you!

This is my alchemy. How I use it is not your business!

My word! The homunculus created more homunculi?! How intensely fascinating!

But...

Eee hee hee hee! You can't even get it to listen! Just like a child in its rebellious phase! Its personality is still immature, I see!

Are you Nonold? I won't allow you to mock me!

Eep! Why are you after me?!

You! Do something! This is your fault, isn't it?!

How is it my fault?! I did it just like you taught me!

Excuse me?!

Now is really not the time, is it?! If things get any more out of hand, people could get hurt. For now, let's get out of town!

Ugh, fine!

Hey, they destroyed each other!

It's fine. I can make more. There are more and better materials here than in town.

How did this happen to begin with?! I can only place the blame on an incompetent programmer!

You...!

Didn't you put any safeguards on its logic circuits? I know I taught you about those! I did!

I...

I...didn't want to bind it like that. I didn't want to steal its freedom to think and grow and learn.

There you are. I see you killed my comrades. How weak they were! I can simply create more...

...Lus! Why are you doing this? I haven't done anything to you!

Alma only ever gives me orders. Do you really care about me?

Of course I do! I...

What's all this, then?

Huh?

Synth Humans! You're attacking Elzion?!

Don't do it! How long does this have to keep going on?!

Creator... Humans...creators...?

Were you also made by humans? And now you want to defy them?

Then we have the same goal! I am also feeling discontented and underappreciated.

K-kill us?!

Don't be ridiculous! Do you have any idea the incalculable loss my death would pose to scientific advancement?!

...Former! Former KMS! I resigned a long time ago!

Eeep!!

Nonold is rude and mean. Time to make him say Uncle!

Roger! Proceeding to...kill?

I don't know that word. How do I kill them?

End their lives... Alma, too?

...!!

I am... A lot. But...to kill...?

No... No, I can't do it. Alma taught me everything... All my memories are with her.

Lus!

Oh, no! My alchemy is too slow...!

Alma?!

Honestly, you're such a handful! I won't let them lay a finger on you. Keep your hands off my Lus!

Get back, Lus. Let me show you... Your parent is the strongest alchemist out there!

Hmph. Nothing special.

We survived...

......

Alma?

You know how they say parents get a rush of strength when their children are in danger? Maybe this is that. Of course, I only raised Lus for a very short time, and we aren't flesh and blood... ...Haha. Actually, neither of us are flesh OR blood. But, even so... Even so, what I just felt...

Um, Alma?

What is it?

I remembered all our memories together, and it made me happy, and I enjoyed the feeling. What is it? This feeling. I feel as though... You're the only one. The only what?

Lus...

How do I explain it? I can't promise this is right...

But when you feel like someone is unique in the whole world, when it's only them and no one else... We call that being special. Special, and important. I...never taught you that, did I.

Special... You're special to me, Alma?

Haha. So you can be honest.

Wha...! I just thought it, that's all! It was just a thought! You're bullying me! Someday I'll make you say Uncle!

Huh?! Me?!

So...you have to stay close by! And watch me grow! Understand?!

Hmph! Of course I will! You'd better give me plenty to see, and don't go getting any weird ideas from weird places!

Haha. In the end, you're both just saying you want to stick together.

...Hmph!

Siiiiigh. This conversation is making me feel itchy all over! Getting emotionally attached to your subjects will only cloud your scientific point of view!

It's not that...sniff... It's not beautiful or anything... I-I don't think that at all!

You're sniffling, Nonold.

Silence! Don't point out a person's physiological phenomena, you ape!

It's not like this will improve performance or any key metrics! I just don't understand it at all!

Really? I think it's sweet. You'll understand someday.

Hah! I sincerely hope not!

...I've made up my mind. I'll study alchemy at the Guild. That way, one day I'll officially surpass you, Alma!

You're certainly welcome to try. Just so you know...you aren't the first homunculus alchemist. You're following in my footsteps!

I hope you'll teach me, too!

Of course I will, geez! And I won't go easy on you!

I can do it!

Oh, it's going to be a long road...

...... So I can feel this way after all, even about a homunculus I made myself.

I wonder if Master felt the same way about me...

...Hehe.