Chapter 4: Prepare for battle!

As Shinra felt more comfortable with the basic chips, Raizo's voice once again cut through the atmosphere, this time with a hint of excitement.

"You're starting to get the hang of this, but there's one more thing you need to know about combat techniques: Burst Techniques."

Shinra raised an eyebrow, curious. "Burst Techniques? What's that?"

Raizo's tone shifted, like he was preparing for something important. "Burst Techniques are specialized combat abilities that every AI combatant is built with. These techniques are unique to the design of each AI and represent the peak of their natural combat style. Think of them as your ultimate move—an ability that takes everything your AI is capable of and amplifies it to the extreme."

Shinra nodded, trying to wrap his head around it. "So, these are like special moves?"

"Exactly," Raizo replied. "But there's more. Not only can you access your AI combatant's base Burst Technique, but you can also purchase and download additional Burst Techniques as well as modifications to enhance your existing ones. Think of them as upgrades that can make you more adaptable in battle."

Shinra's mind buzzed with the thought of being able to customize Raizo's abilities even further. "I can buy more techniques?"

"That's right," Raizo said, a small hint of pride in his voice. "But for now, let me show you how my Burst Technique works."

With that, Raizo's figure shifted, his body flickering slightly. Shinra watched in awe as Raizo began to move at incredible speed. His body split into multiple afterimages, each moving and slicing through the air in perfect synchrony.

"This is my Burst Technique: Shadow Dance." Raizo's voice rang out as the afterimages danced around Shinra, each slice precise and fluid. "In Shadow Dance, I become a blur of movement, creating the illusion of multiple versions of myself. Each afterimage slices through targets as I move, overwhelming opponents with a flurry of strikes."

Shinra couldn't help but watch in amazement as Raizo performed the technique, moving seamlessly from one image to the next, each slice leaving a trail of glowing energy. The speed and precision were overwhelming, and Shinra could hardly keep track of the movements.

"The beauty of Burst Techniques is that they give you a powerful edge in battle. But remember, not every AI combatant has the same kind of Burst. Yours will be unique to you, and you'll get the chance to explore more as you grow," Raizo explained, slowing his movements until he was back in his original form.

After discussing the importance of combat for growth, Raizo's voice took on a thoughtful tone.

"Shinra, to begin our journey, it's essential to find local combat opportunities where we can gain experience and resources."

Shinra nodded, understanding the need to start small. "Do you have any suggestions on where to look?"

"Yes," Raizo replied. "There's an organization called the Hajime Combat Circuit (始めコンバット回路) that hosts entry-level AI battles. It's a great place for newcomers to test their skills and work their way up the ranks."

Shinra's interest was piqued. "How do I find their events?"

"You can check their official network," Raizo suggested. "They post upcoming tournaments and participation details. Their FacePad page also offers updates and discussions with other competitors."

Shinra made a mental note. "Alright, I'll look into it. This could be my way in."

"Remember," Raizo added, "starting with smaller, local events will help us build the necessary experience and resources to take on greater challenges in the future."

Shinra felt a renewed sense of purpose. "Thanks, Raizo. Let's get started on this journey together."

"I'm with you every step of the way," Raizo affirmed.

Shinra scanned the battle stations lined up in the center of the AI Battle Hub. Each podium had a sleek, futuristic design, built specifically for AI combatants to test their skills. At the front of each station was a slot where players could insert their AI Conduit, linking their AI combatant to the system.

Above the slot, two screens were embedded into the podium—one for each combatant. These screens displayed real-time battle data, showing the AI's condition, available data chips, and any modifications applied during combat.

In the middle of the podium, a holographic battlefield flickered to life whenever a match began. This was where the AI combatantsmaterialized, engaging in fast-paced battles while their human partners selected data chips to determine the course of the fight.

Shinra scanned the battle stations lined up in the center of the AI Battle Hub. Each podium had a sleek, futuristic design, built specifically for AI combatants to test their skills. At the front of each station was a slot where players could insert their AI Conduit, linking their AI combatant to the system.

Above the slot, two screens were embedded into the podium—one for each combatant. These screens displayed real-time battle data, showing the AI's condition, available data chips, and any modifications applied during combat.

In the middle of the podium, a holographic battlefield flickered to life whenever a match began. This was where the AI combatantsmaterialized, engaging in fast-paced battles while their human partners selected data chips to determine the course of the fight.

Shinra was still taking in the sight of the AI Battle Hub when a voice piped up beside him.

"Hey, you! Are you an AI combatant?"

Shinra turned to see a short, well-dressed kid standing next to him. The boy couldn't have been older than fifteen, but everything about him screamed wealth—from the pristine designer jacket he wore to the sleek, custom AI Conduit strapped to his wrist. His confidence was undeniable.

Shinra hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, I just started."

The kid's lips curled into a mischievous grin, his eyebrows furrowing as his eyes gleamed with excitement. "Perfect. Then how about a battle?"

His tone was playful, but there was a challenge hidden in it. He wasn't just looking for a fight—he was looking for a win.