The High-Tech World

The city shimmered under the pale blue light of artificial sky panels above. Skyscrapers of chrome and glass reached up like spears into the clouds. Kael stood beside Anrika on a levitating platform, watching as a sleek, transparent skyrail glided toward them on silent magnetic currents.

The doors hissed open with a gentle whoosh.

"After you," Anrika said with a slight smile, gesturing toward the entrance.

Kael stepped in, blinking in amazement. The walls and floor of the train were semi-transparent, revealing the sprawling city below as if he were standing in the sky itself. Floating highways intersected in complex patterns, cars zipped by like comets, and drones buzzed between buildings like metallic bees.

"Whoa…" he whispered, instinctively grabbing one of the handrails.

Anrika chuckled and sat down on one of the cushioned seats. "You get used to it. First time's always a bit overwhelming."

He sat beside her, still glued to the sights outside. "It's like… flying through a dream."

"You haven't seen the Night District yet. That's when the real light show starts."

The train surged forward, smooth as gliding on water. As they moved, Kael's eyes widened with every passing second. Towers bent and twisted like abstract art, entire building faces displaying live broadcasts, and between the structures, massive trees floated midair with bioluminescent vines spiraling down.

"This place is insane," Kael said, shaking his head. "Is this really just… normal for people here?"

"Yeah. Though most don't stop to look anymore," Anrika said, leaning back, arms folded casually. "You'll be surprised how fast things become routine."

"I hope I never get used to it."

She smiled softly. "Good. We need more people like you, who still appreciate the magic."

Keal looked outside, he did see it in the movies he watched and back on earth, he watched many beautiful scenery on the tv as well, but when he looked at with own eyes, he really felt amazed.

As the skyrail slowed to a stop, a voice chimed overhead in perfect, emotionless clarity. "Central District. AR Market Hub."

Kael followed Anrika off the train. The platform led into a wide concourse buzzing with people, colors, and holograms dancing through the air. Floating kiosks surrounded them, with AI vendors projecting their merchandise directly into space, hovering shoes, clothes, food, gadgets, even virtual pets that pawed at the air.

Anrika handed him a small, square chip.

"What's this?" Kael asked, turning it over in his hand.

"AR translator and payment module. Syncs with your identity. Just slot it in behind your ear."

He hesitated but followed her instructions, flinching slightly as the chip clicked into place. A brief, warm pulse surged through his temple. Then, everything changed.

Suddenly, the floating symbols and product tags around them translated into his native language. Prices, labels, interactive guides. It all made sense now. The moment he turned to a stall, a friendly avatar popped up.

"Welcome! Would you like to try the latest adaptive fashion line? Real-time fabric response!"

Kael blinked. "Uh…"

"Say yes," Anrika whispered, grinning.

"…Yes?"

In a flash of light, an outfit appeared over his body, an illusion, but perfectly fitted. The coat shifted colors with his mood, and the sleeves adjusted themselves in real-time.

"That's wild," Kael muttered, twirling to see the illusion in the reflections of a passing glass pillar.

They walked deeper into the market, Kael gawking at every turn. People were trying out AR pets, testing virtual instruments, scanning their palms to get food customized to their DNA, or playing mini-games that projected around them like living scenes.

At one point, Kael tried to interact with a food stall, but ended up accidentally ordering a cube of "taste-adaptive cuisine" that melted in his mouth and changed flavors every few seconds.

He winced at one point. "Ugh, that one was definitely mustard."

Anrika laughed. "That's the gamble. It's an experience."

"I'll stick to real food next time," Kael said, chuckling.

She paused in front of a stall selling sleek, high-tech gloves.

"These could be useful for you. Interface gloves. They sync with most tech in this world, including training equipment."

Kael picked up a pair. They instantly adjusted to the shape of his hands, and a soft HUD lit up on the back of each glove.

"Feels like something out of a sci-fi novel…"

"You're living in one now," Anrika replied, meeting his gaze.

He smiled faintly. Then they walked deeper into the glowing chaos of the AR market, Kael couldn't help but feel that, for the first time since arriving in this strange world… he was beginning to enjoy it.