Lobotomy Corporation but with Simulation System?

[Good morning, Manager. It's another wonderful day, isn't it?]

A glass of warm milk, a bag of sweet cookies, a soft-boiled egg, and a mustard sandwich. This was X's breakfast.

Today seemed no different from yesterday. The same screen, the same Secretary. No days off, no good news. X just continued her work, looking at today's Energy Quota.

If there was any difference, it was that the swelling on her neck and collarbone had disappeared. The ointment applied yesterday had been very effective. The swelling had disappeared overnight, leaving no marks.

Her neck was still smooth and unblemished… There were no bite marks on her collarbone. It was much more pleasing to the eye.

"Mmm (chewing), good morning, Angela."

X was focused on her breakfast, her enthusiasm for food far greater than her interest in the AI Secretary.

Of course, if she had to choose, X would still choose her AI Secretary, because the AI Secretary controlled her food supply.

As Manager, she had to look at the long-term benefits. Between short-term gains and long-term gains, she knew which to choose. This was basic logic.

The AI Secretary waited by the side, asking X questions as usual. This was her special kind of greeting, or perhaps it was a requirement from the Corporation.

A little question-and-answer game during breakfast wasn't a bad idea.

[Manager, suppose you need to appease an Abnormality to meet today's final energy quota. But at the same time, an employee is in mortal danger. What would you do?]

[This is a fundamental question. I believe you will give the correct answer.]

The AI posed the question like a simple math problem, like one plus one equals two, incredibly simple. For the Manager, it should be easy to answer correctly without thinking.

Energy was always the priority. The Secretary had always emphasized this. It was the Corporation's fundamental interest. As Manager, she had to consider the Corporation's best interests.

Normally, X would maintain a serious expression, answering the Secretary's question in a formal tone, like taking a test.

But since this was just a casual question, why not tease her AI Secretary?

Like a mischievous student trying to get the teacher's attention, deliberately giving a completely wrong answer, not even writing their name on the test paper.

"Of course, I would save the employee. I can't leave an employee in danger. The Dean would scold me."

X put on a righteous expression. To further emphasize her seriousness, she even used a napkin to wipe the milk from her lips, instead of licking it directly with her tongue.

Although, in reality, X would definitely prioritize energy over an employee, she… she just wanted to tease Angela, to see the Secretary's reaction.

It was just a little joke.

Unsurprisingly, after hearing X's answer, the AI frowned, a troubled expression on her face, like a teacher who had been teaching a slow student for a long time and was annoyed that the student couldn't even answer one plus one correctly.

Considering X's usual performance, the AI wasn't surprised by X's foolishness, only feeling a little sad at her lack of understanding…

Of course, she was probably also feeling sad about that excessive, misplaced kindness. So, she had to be patient again, try to persuade X, and guide her into becoming a better Manager.

[Manager… This is a very basic principle. I don't need to remind you—]

[It seems I need to repeat something I have repeated many times—]

[A Manager's duty is to supervise energy production. You are not here to protect or save employees. It seems I was negligent. I didn't realize you were an idealist.]

[Lobotomy Corp is a large Corporation. We provide energy to the city, which has a huge demand. So you must prioritize energy production. Energy is the top priority.]

The AI Secretary repeatedly emphasized "energy." Energy was the Corporation's fundamental interest, and the Manager's job was to protect the Corporation's interest, not the employees' interests.

X's answer seemed to have disappointed Angela greatly. The AI's tone was harsh and sarcastic, but like yellow mustard, it wasn't overly pungent. It was more of a gentle reminder.

She was fulfilling her duties as Secretary, assisting the Manager and helping her perform her work better. Her slightly harsh words were simply meant for X to listen and learn, to avoid making foolish and low-level mistakes at work.

[By my standards, this is a fundamental question where the correct choice should be immediately apparent. But for you, perhaps… it's not. I find that regrettable.]

[If I were your superior, I would say, "You've truly disappointed me, X," to describe your foolish, ridiculous, and naive answer.]

[But don't worry. I wouldn't say such a thing, Manager. I'm just an AI.]

—You just said it!

—You're going to fire me, aren't you?

X cursed silently, not daring to complain. She kept stuffing sweet cookies into her mouth to alleviate the pressure of the AI's reprimand.

The AI Secretary sternly criticized X, but when she said the last sentence, she suddenly calmed down, a slight curve appearing at the corner of her lips— a seemingly unpleasant smile.

When it came to the word "AI," Angela was particularly sensitive. She frequently emphasized that she was a "machine" or an "AI." If she said she didn't care, X wouldn't believe her.

The more she emphasized her identity, the more deliberate she was, the more it showed that she cared.

Oh, was this another one of the Secretary's "landmines"? Was she unintentionally provoking the Secretary, angering Angela? X started thinking and analyzing this possibility.

Recalling her usual conversations, she hadn't said anything "foolish" in front of the Deans. But when she was alone with the Secretary, she seemed to have said something…

It seemed… like… there was something… X suddenly realized something. She stopped chewing on the cookie.

When you made a mistake but didn't realize it, you were often bold. But when you suddenly realized you had messed up, you lost all courage.