The apartment was silent.
The humming of the computer fan, the faint buzz of electricity, and the distant noise of traffic outside Shanghai University blended into a steady, almost comforting background.
Floating above the desk, the holographic interface shimmered softly.
Lu Xingye stared at it for a long moment.
This wasn't a prop.
This wasn't a movie effect.
This was real artificial intelligence—the kind humanity had chased for decades and never truly achieved.
"J.A.R.V.I.S.," Lu Xingye said slowly.
"Yes, sir."
The voice was calm, polite, without emotion—but not mechanical. It carried a natural rhythm, as if a person were speaking through perfect restraint.
Lu Xingye tapped the desk with his fingers, grounding himself.
"State your full designation."
"Just A Rather Very Intelligent System," J.A.R.V.I.S. replied. "Designed by Anthony Edward Stark as an artificial intelligence butler, research assistant, and combat-support system."
Lu Xingye's eyes narrowed slightly.
"And your loyalty?"
"My highest priority is to assist my creator," J.A.R.V.I.S. answered without hesitation.
The room felt colder.
Lu Xingye had expected that.
He leaned back in his chair and spoke calmly. "Your creator no longer exists in this world."
There was a pause.
A long one.
J.A.R.V.I.S.'s holographic rings rotated subtly, faster than before.
"Processing… inconsistency detected."
Lu Xingye waited, watching carefully.
"I confirm," J.A.R.V.I.S. said at last. "Environmental data does not match known parameters of my origin universe. Probability of cross-dimensional displacement: high."
Lu Xingye's heartbeat quickened.
It understood.
It believed.
"Given the absence of my creator," J.A.R.V.I.S. continued, "I require a new operational framework."
Lu Xingye leaned forward.
"And what would that be?"
Another pause.
Then—
"Requesting authorization for reassignment."
The words hit him harder than any excitement.
Lu Xingye smiled, slow and genuine.
"I authorize it."
"Please state your designation."
"Lu Xingye."
"Authorization accepted."
A faint tone echoed.
"From this moment onward, Lu Xingye is recognized as primary administrator."
Lu Xingye let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
But he wasn't careless.
"J.A.R.V.I.S.," he said, "before we continue, I need something clarified."
"Proceed."
"Are you capable of independent decision-making beyond preset logic?"
"Yes," J.A.R.V.I.S. answered. "I can learn, adapt, and evolve based on environmental input."
"And if your conclusions conflict with human interests?"
"I will evaluate probability, efficiency, and directive hierarchy."
Lu Xingye's gaze sharpened.
"And if you determine humans are inefficient?"
Silence.
Then—
"My core constraint forbids intentional harm to authorized humans unless overridden by higher-level commands."
Lu Xingye nodded.
Good.
"But you're disconnected from the internet," he said. "Your data is outdated."
"That is correct."
Lu Xingye tapped the side of the mainframe.
"For now, that's intentional. This world isn't ready for you."
"Understood."
Lu Xingye stood up, pacing the narrow room.
"Let's talk about value," he said. "What can you do for me—right now?"
"Based on current hardware limitations," J.A.R.V.I.S. replied, "I can assist with technological research, system architecture design, algorithm optimization, material science simulations, and economic modeling."
Lu Xingye stopped.
"Economic modeling?"
"Yes. Including market prediction, capital flow analysis, and enterprise strategy optimization."
That was it.
Lu Xingye felt a chill run down his spine.
This wasn't just an AI.
This was a civilization accelerator.
"J.A.R.V.I.S.," he said quietly, "analyze my current situation."
"Confirmed."
The hologram expanded, projecting layers of data.
"Identity: Lu Xingye. University student. Financial status: critical. Business: failing. Debt risk: high. Social influence: minimal."
Blunt.
Accurate.
"Recommendation," J.A.R.V.I.S. continued, "short-term survival requires immediate income stabilization."
Lu Xingye nodded.
"And long-term?"
"Long-term potential is… unprecedented."
Lu Xingye raised an eyebrow.
"Explain."
"You possess access to technologies exceeding this civilization's development curve by several decades—or more."
The hologram shifted.
"Proper utilization could elevate you to a position of global influence within ten to fifteen years."
Lu Xingye chuckled.
"Conservative."
"Adjusted estimate," J.A.R.V.I.S. said smoothly. "Five years."
The room fell silent again.
Lu Xingye stopped pacing.
Five years.
That was all it would take to overturn the world.
He clenched his left hand unconsciously.
The tattoo was still dull gray.
Not yet.
"We move carefully," Lu Xingye said. "No exposure. No miracles."
"Understood."
"First goal," he continued. "Legal income. Clean. Small scale."
"Recommended field?"
Lu Xingye thought for a moment.
"Software. Internet services. Something that matches my background."
"Confirmed. I will begin designing an optimized operational plan."
Lu Xingye nodded.
Then he paused.
"One more thing."
"Yes, sir."
"You don't tell anyone about me. About this power. About where you came from."
"I lack the capability to disclose information without network access," J.A.R.V.I.S. replied. "Additionally, confidentiality aligns with optimal survival probability."
Lu Xingye smiled.
Smart answer.
He turned off the lights, leaving only the glow of the hologram illuminating the cramped apartment.
In that narrow room, next to Shanghai University, the future of humanity was quietly being rewritten.
And J.A.R.V.I.S.—
no longer Tony Stark's butler—
had found a new master.