279. Four Satan and Phenex Family Tour to Base World. (3)

After Aincrad Academy, as promised to Serafall, Aika's next stop was the base world's central laboratory... which is where the world's renowned scientists work. To convince the devil further, Aika planned to show all of their invention in this world and their plan for the future, which she was confident would impress the devil guests.

Unlike Aincrad Academy, the Lab building, which looks like a regular one-story building with a big 'globe' and telescope on top, looks much smaller. However, this building is in fact the one that Sakuya has remodeled and repaired the most, due to a constantly updated security system to protect everything inside.

Almost every technological, magical system, secret, or invention was made or controlled in here; hence it's without doubt the most important facility in this world.

Of course, it only looks small from the outside... but like many important facilities, the inside space was much bigger thanks to Sakuya's work... and it's almost as big as the Academy. The whole lab is just one large basement divided into several subjects... based on the scientists' interests, though the technological space was much larger than the magical or biological spaces.

...

As the group entered the building, they were immediately greeted by Lala and Nayuta, dressed in oversized lab coats, at the reception desk. Lala, of course, was as enthusiastic as ever, and immediately led them to the elevator, down to the basement floor where their lab was located.

"Hello, everyone! Welcome to the main laboratory of this world!" Lala enthusiastically greeted them.

"Hello Lala-san. We have come to visit."  (Lord Phenex)

"Hello, Lala-chan! Sorry for disturbing you." (Ravel)

"I hope we don't bother you. I am dying to see what you have created." (Ajuka)

Followed by many greetings back from the guests. Naturally, all the devils had learned Lala's identity, and all of them respected her. Even Riser, who usually causes a ruckus, doesn't dare to make trouble in front of her.

"Of course not! I am dying to show up what I have been researching with your magical girl device data!" Lala exclaimed, which made Kaito speechless.

"Hello, guests! I am Kihara Nayuta, Lala-sama's assistant, and I am also here to guide everyone through our lab!" Nayuta slight bow introduced herself politely in front of everyone. After many months of living in this world, she had already fully adapted in this world and was no longer timid, and even quite lively like an actual child.

???

"An elementary student?!"

"She kinda does. But she's super smart!"

"Yeah. She's probably the second smartest person here."

"I guess many wonderful things could happen in many other worlds."

...

When the group arrived at the lab, especially Lala (and Kaito), they were all amazed by what they saw. The lab room was filled with instruments and experimental equipment running nonstop by the Misaka sisters; there were electric coils, portals, and giant computer screens, all with the appearance of a clean, futuristic lab.

"I don't understand anything here, but this room is so cool!" Serafall also commented, followed by many other guests nodding together. Even Kaito, who worked part-time here, doesn't fully understand what's going on here; forget about other guests who are just coming in.

"It's definitely the coolest room in this world!" Lala nodded, "This place is also the most secure place in this world, and naturally because the highest control of all AI and robots operating this world were located in here!"

...!!!

"...What an amazing lab." Ajuka praised while clenching his fist in excitement, his stare focused on those high-technology instruments, curious what they could do.

After that, Lala, assisted by her closest assistant, Kihara Nayuta, gave all the guests a tour of her lab, and of course, their first destination was the development site of the magical girl transformation device. There, they all saw where the all-pink prototype of the device- a magic wand, a remote button, a hair clip, and a belt- was enclosed in thick glass that was flowing with electricity and magic energy, which was also directly controlled by a computer that was being run by the Misaka sisters and some adults as staff laborers.

...

"Here we created the prototype of magical girl transformation using magical slime material, data from Kaito, Nanoha, and Fate transformation device, mixed with a bunch of stuff!" Lala explained proudly, "Then, we mix bunches of different energy, program, and boom! a magical girl transformation would be created!"

"..."

Hearing Lala's enthusiastic explanation, of course no one could understand it, but everyone tacitly agreed to let her say anything. It's not like they could understand how quirky a scientist's brain worked; even Nayuta, her own assistant most of the time give to understand her thought process. However, seeing this, Kaito was genuinely impressed with Lala being able to recreate it... and as long as he later asked how the whole thing was created in detail, he probably could mass-produce his own magical girl transformation device!

...

"Also, Kaito-kun! I hope you are willing to help! Give them a simple soul so the user can communicate with their device! Like how Nanoha and Fate-chan's devices work!"

Hearing Lala's suggestion, Serafall strongly agreed with that and pressured Kaito, "That's a great idea, Lala-chan! Kaito, as your King, I order you to do it!"

Kaito wanted to retort that both his magical girl device and Nanoha magical girl device were created under different systems, but he admitted that such a thing is really possible and he was also interested in it.

"...I mean, I could try to imbue it with a simple soul, but I have a question." Kaito asked, turned to Lala, "Why do all these magical devices come in such varied forms? And why are they all pink?"

""Because pink is cute!"" Lala and Serafall answered together, then Lala continued, "Also, all the forms were suggested by many female friends!"

"Umm! I was the one who recommended the wand! After all, it's magic!" Serafall took the initiative to answer, "What kind of magical girl didn't use a wand?"

"I recommended the belt! I watched those Kamen Rider shows before, and I got inspired by it." Lala remarked, "Besides, the belt is so convenient to wear and use!"

"The remote control was Shokohou Misaki's suggestion." Nayuta also quipped, but then, with a confused look, she added,  "Also, she recommended a vibrating egg form, but many staff members rejected it."

"Indeed. I thought the egg form was cute, although they are a bit small." Lala added, also confused about their rejection.

...!!!

'GOOD JOB, ALL STAFF LABOR!' everyone thought together at that moment.

Seeing the duo of clueless scientists, everyone couldn't help but sweat, yet they also sighed in relief. Kaito was personally grateful to many staff members who rejected the idea, and he would give them a bonus later on... while he probably needed to punish Misaki later for proposing such an egregious idea!

It would be a massive blunder if such a 'sex toy' form were accepted; after all, the main goal of trying to mass-produce the transformation device was to be used by all formed cursed children and Misaka sisters who live in this world... and they were all underage!

...

"A-Anyway, Lala. Let's continue the tour; we still have many things to show them, right?" Kaito persuaded, "It's not like the devices were ready anyway."

"Umm! But it should be ready in a few days!" Lala nodded in agreement. "But... where should we go next?"

"I have a suggestion. How about you guys introduce us to the biggest project and invention in this building?" Ajuka suggested. 

Hearing Ajuka said, Lala quickly brightened up, "Oh, that would be the Kaito-kun project!"

Everyone was shocked, turning to Kaito. Sirzech took the initiative to ask, "Kaito project? Kaito is also a scientist?" 

"No, no, no." Kaito shook his head. "It's just that my creation ability needs me to understand the information about the thing I want to create; this place is naturally the best fit to help me. You can say I also work part-time here."

"So, what's your project, Kaito?" Lord Phenex asked curiously, "I want to know what my son-in-law does."

Kaito wryly smiled upon hearing the question, then silently ordered the chat group system to disable the concealment of Aincrad Castle to the Devil Guests as soon as they came out of the building. After that, Kaito told everyone he would teleport them away to the top of this building and tell them to look up.

*Blink*

As the Four Satans and the Phoenix Family were teleported and looked up as instructed, they were all amazed and awed by what they saw: a massive, floating, conical castle made of iron and stone, floating not far from the city outskirts, about 5 km above the city, with the bottom easily 10 km wide. Even Lala and others still feel awe, because the whole thing is really huge.

"That structure above us... is your biggest project?" Sirzech commented, "What is that?"

"Aincrad Castle. My biggest project. Inside, it contains many floors and its own mini world." Kaito proudly explained, "I got the whole thing from our visit to another world in the past."

...

Afterward, Kaito, assisted by Aika (while Ravel and Lala remained silent, having not yet joined the chat group at the time), explained his past experiences in another world. He recounted how he and his friends, along with 10,000 other players, had been trapped in a game called *Sword Art Online*. They spent over two years trying to clear the game to escape; upon succeeding, they were gifted the "World Seed" by the game's creator, an asset that proved usable and adaptable in this world.

Through Aincrad, Kaito hopes that the local population will eventually be able to explore this castle and use it as a means to grow stronger. He plans to implement a leveling system that applies to everyone who enters Aincrad... which can be used by anyone. Currently, his biggest challenge lies in designing a flawless leveling system that integrates seamlessly with magic and various other mechanics, as he feels the system in SAO wasn't fair or perfect.

He has also extensively overhauled many of the original floors and monsters, aiming for a difficulty level that is both reasonable and challenging, yet also unique to visit. Aincrad undoubtedly will be Kaito's greatest masterpiece, and he wants everyone to enjoy it to the fullest.

...

"Amazing project! I also want to join! It would be a great experience to grow up fighting monsters and level up like in video games!" Serafall complimented.

"Kaito, this project of yours is truly ambitious. You are really a good leader, Kaito." Sirzech also complimented, "Honestly, now I am tempted just to agree to your invitation on the spot."

"I feel the same. There are just so many benefits to joining, which are all great for the future prosperity of our race." Ajuka nods in agreement.

...

Upon hearing the history and objectives of the Aincrad Project, the devils were deeply impressed by Kaito’s benevolence. The very existence of the Academy and the laboratories had already earned him their respect, but the Aincrad Project further demonstrated his genuine desire to empower the world's inhabitants to defend themselves. Undoubtedly, should the project succeed, the future of the "Base World" would be populated by a multitude of elite fighters possessing exceptional combat prowess.

Given these prospects, if the devil race were to join, they would enjoy all these benefits, along with the infinite possibilities offered by access to numerous other worlds. Lord Phenex himself was already convinced; he was prepared to move his family to this world immediately should the Four Satans continue to refuse to join.

...

"But such a big project and many amazing projects we saw in the lab, I couldn't help but ask you guys... aren't you worried about running out of funds to carry everything out?"

Hearing Ajuka's serious question, Nayuta snorted and replied, "Funding? Every project in the lab is run on a free budget."

"Free... budget?"

Hearing what she said, Ajuka and others were shocked. Even though they were not familiar with 'invention and scientific/magic experiment' do, they were fully aware that they usually consume huge resources, which is the biggest reason why, after Sirzech and Kaito's duel broke one of their arena, they were desperate to earn money to the point to commercialize Kaito magical girl form!

"It is free, big brother." Nayuto smugged, "Because everything was created by Kaito-sama."

Kaito wryly smiled, trying to explain, "Well... that's the least thing I can do for you guys. I could create stuff, but I couldn't invent things, okay?"

"Wait a minute, Kaito." Sirzech interrupted, "The whole building is your creation?"

"Correction, it's the whole city... no, 90% of cities in this world." Nayuta replied.

"Umm! With Kaito-kun's creation ability, the cost of the experiment is basically negligible!" Lala added proudly, "All the instruments, materials, even experimental rat... It's just a matter of whether Kaito wanted to do it or not, because Kaito-kun also had access to infinity energy!"

"Infinity energy?? So during the duel, Kaito could still win if he played a protracted battle."

"Infinity energy... does that also mean infinity material?"

"Yeah." Kaito nods, just shrugs as if it's nothing great. As of now, Kaito has multiple city-creation experiences, starting with the Naruto world, Black Bullet, and the Akame Ga Kill world... so he's quite good at it.

...!!

"Sirzech, let's move in!" Ajuka immediately loses his cool after hearing his affirmation. For a scientist like him, there's nothing more attracting him than infinity fund to do research!

It

"Calm down, Ajuka-kun! We can't decide on something as important as that!" Sirzech persuaded.

"No way, I know you also agree with me because I am your best friend!" Ajuka nagged and threatened, "If you don't join, then I will personally abdicate and join them!"

"I agree with Ajuka-kun! I want to join so I can visit many magical girl worlds in the future! Don't you feel the same, Lord Phenex and family members?" Serafall chimed in.

"After seeing everything, it would be foolish to reject." Lord Phenex commented, "Besides, Kaito is soon to be a son-in-law; isn't it common sense for family to stay close?"

"You guys are really childish." Falbium sighed, but there was a smile on his face because he also quietly agreed that the temptation of the Infinity Fund is just too great.

If they had such a thing in the underworld, they wouldn't need to consider moving out of their own birthplace at all.

 ...

Afterwards, the group of "Devil" guests continued exploring other facilities, guided by Kaito and his companions. They visited a range of locations, from recreational, training, and security facilities to other cities. Fortunately, Kaito and the others could teleport quickly to their destinations; otherwise, it would have been impossible for the guests to complete the tour in a single day.