After returning from Selena's house since then, I immediately holed up in my workshop and started researching. Can this research be done to make the proto stand up?　This is the theme of the project. 

　The Crawling Carrot, which is a prototype of a fully independent artificial intelligence I developed. The name is a prototype, so it's a prototype. Lately, this guy's crawling speed has been increasing, and his limbs are getting bigger. It's a few percent higher than before. I can visualize this because I have all the data quantified. And I looked at those numbers and had an idea. I wondered if it was possible to make Proto stand up like No. 1 and others.... Numerically, they're as good as No. 1 and the others. Then, theoretically, it should be possible. However, the problem is the incorporation of the training formation. Is it possible to incorporate an independent bipedal walking technique later on? If we can do that, the proto can grow more. 

　When I arrived at the workshop, I called out to the proto. 

Proto, I'm back! 

　Then a proto shows up. He's a very good kid, and basically doesn't leave on his own or do anything I tell him not to do. Unlike the corn, he doesn't stage a coup d'état. "Listen, Proto. "Listen, Proto, you just stay put until I get back, okay?　The nutritional supplements will stay here. But don't take it too fast, okay?　He nodded cocooned when I said, "Slowly," and then he just crawled off somewhere. I'd really like to let him crawl outside in the sun, but I had to run some errands today, so I had no choice. When I returned home, Proto looked fine. 

'Nutrient depletion ... oh!　Proto, that's another optimal interval intake today!　That's awesome! 

　He strokes Proto gently and buzzes and shakes his head. This is a sign that he's happy. By the way, when he doesn't like it, he buzzes his head sideways. 

''And yet........interesting.......'' 

　Proto's nutrition time is my ideal. Twice a day, with a minimum of six hours between meals. This one does it to the letter. The corn doesn't do it very well, but the proto doesn't. This is a guy who does what he is taught to do, and he does it honestly. 

　Proto and the corn were born completely by accident, but because they were born, they need to be responsible for it until the end of their lives. That's why I'm continuing my research like this for the sake of the future. 

"...Code activated. 

　I quickly hold out my hand to Proto and he lies down to expose his belly. What I'm doing now is deciphering the code. Each creature has its own code that is not available to the public. That code is filled with the first material, Primamateria, which makes up matter. By rewriting the sequence of the code, it is possible to improve the breeding of crops. 

　In fact, this can also be applied to humans. But apart from me and Fee, only a few people know about it. 

"Listen, Elle. It's an absolute secret. Like the existence of the code, it can be rewritten, and when it is, the creature is transformed. We can't let this be known. 

Are we talking about eugenics? 

That's right. I'm going to artificially create a better man. Unlike the homunculus, it's an acquired taste. Then people would have no human rights. The lower classes would be exploited and the alchemists would be like gods. That's the kind of thinking that the mystics seem to like. 

All right. I swear I won't say anything. 

Nice to meet you. 

　That's what the exchange was about. I, of course, will not publish the results of this research. What I want to do is to spread my crops around the world, not to publish the results of my research and be admired. 

　And when I was cracking the proto code, it was still the change I thought it was going to be. 

"...as I suspected, the code sequence is similar to that of the corn. Does that mean that the proto can grow...? 

　I quickly make a note in my notebook. Lately, I've been managing the corn at the academy and the proto here. Because I believe that the proto is the key to this, more than the corn. 

　Fully independent artificial intelligence. There's still a lot that's not understood. And I'm the only one in the world who understands it. The only way to do that is for me to figure it out and make the best crops I can. Honestly, I didn't set out to make a homunculus, but I'm thrilled that this is how it came to be. It's like my own child. 

　And up until now, I thought there was no room for evolution in fully independent artificial intelligence. That's because the proto hadn't changed in its code after a long time. But lately, the proto has been getting a lot smarter. It used to be that they didn't listen to me, just like the corn. But now he understands my language well and acts accordingly. His reasoning and intelligence are already at the level of a schoolboy. 

Proto, are you okay? 

....! 

　Proto gingerly raises his right hand as he says this. I feel like a dentist, but it's not bad. Every time we communicate well, I can feel that my dream is definitely moving forward. 

　As a matter of fact, I expect this research to go even further. Deciphering the code that exists in living things. It must be equivalent to the realm of God. Well, I'm not a mystic, so I don't know much about God or anything, but I'm sure it's something like that. 

　I finished Proto's regular checkup while thinking about this. 

You've done a great job, Proto. We're done for the day. 

....! 

　I raised my right hand gingerly again, and at that moment........Proto stood up. 

　Yes, he stood up. 

"Pu, proto!　You got up! 

...! 

　As he shows his astonishment, the upright proto stands upright again with his right hand gingerly... but not only that. He raises both hands high in the sky. 

''Ahhhh.........'' 

　My body trembles with shock at the sheer astonishment. I don't have an independent bipedal walking technique built into my proto. The only thing it has is a fully independent artificial intelligence. And yet the proto is now strutting leisurely in front of me. 

　He's stepping on the ground, as if walking itself is fun. 

Proto!　Let's crack the code again! 

....! 

　When I say that, Proto sits down and lies on his back again, as if to say "yokel".  

　And I check the proto code again. 

'Wha...!　This is a free-standing bipedal walking technique!　I didn't incorporate this alchemy formation........and yet an alchemy formation has been created.......! 

　Yes. There was a self-sustaining bipedal walking technique there. Strictly speaking, the alchemy formation was intricately intertwined in the code. 

　I hurriedly wrote down the current phenomenon in detail in my notebook. 

　As a result of this research, it turns out that a fully independent artificial intelligence can grow. It was also found that it can generate its own training camp inside the body. This must be the discovery of the century. This is a major step forward in the project I'm aiming for! 

All right, that's it. Proto. 

...! 

　With that, Proto quickly stands up and goes to rehydrate. His footsteps are light. 

''........'' 

　Proto is silently dipping his head into the water. And that's something I've had to assist with until now. It's because Proto, who can only crawl, can't put his head in the water that's in the bowl. But now I'm doing it on my own. Yes, all by myself........! 

　Is this how parents feel about their children who are on their own...? 

　Then I thought to myself. I want to share the results of this research with someone right now. And there's only one person I can share it with. Fee. It's night now and he should be home. 

"Listen, Proto. I'll go get Fee. I'll go get Fee, okay? 

"....! 

　Proto holds up his right hand gingerly as if to say "leave it to me". 

　And so I immediately headed to Fee's room. 

''Fee!　Fee!　Hey, open the d*mn door!　It's a big deal! 

　I forget to press the intercom and slam the door. Then there's a thumping sound and out comes the Fee guy. 

'DON'T, WHAT'S GOING ON!!!　If Elle is in trouble, then something bad is going on!　The vegetables are revolting again!　Oh, my God!　It's not good!　What are we going to do! 

　I'm red in the face, but I'm not. Today is a moment when history has changed. 

'Listen to me, Fee. Proto's up. 

"...what?　The proto is the carrot... right?　Did you succeed in incorporating the wrought team?　But, as I recall, it's difficult to incorporate a free-standing bipedal technique after the fact... 

It was a natural occurrence... 

What? 

''It was acquired. I've tried to decipher the code, and the alchemy team was intricately intertwined. In other words, the fully independent artificial intelligence I created........evolves....... 

'Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!　Seriously, that's it!　That's not a bad idea! 

'Oh, my God, of course!　Come on!　I'll show you! 

Yeah! 

　Then we took the elevator to the first floor and went straight to the basement. 

"Hey, Proto. He's back. 

....! 

　Then Proto raises his right hand in a swift motion. It's a gesture as if to say, "Hey, you're back. There's also a vaguely elegant atmosphere. 

　You're really standing up!　Elle, didn't that paper describe the lack of development of fully independent artificial intelligence! 

...technology, concepts are always being updated. I accomplished the feat again today.......I did it, Fee....... 

''U....lie....Elle is really amazing....this is going to change history again...'' 

　Fee flopped down on the spot with too much surprise. Fee may look silly these days, but this guy is also a true genius, a platinum 《platinum》 alchemist. He understands the glimpse of how much my feats are in another dimension. 

''Huh... but this is going to be another hassle if the mystics find out about it...'' 

What's up?　What's going on? 

Actually.... 

　But apparently my life doesn't work out that way. 

　Thus, The World's Best Farmer Project was a big step forward.