Something's wrong with how I'm watching anime.

why?

This hypothesis cannot be disproven, but it also cannot be proven.

Just like the gods in theology, can you deny that gods do not exist? No.

Can you deny the existence of gods? No, you can't.

Ultimately, such a hypothesis, along with the underlying anxieties and fears, is nothing more than skepticism at work.

But what if one day, evidence proving that you 'do not exist' is placed in front of you?

Am I a fictional character in a fantasy story?

Kazama told it that Cerberus came from the fantasy story "Cardcaptor Sakura".

Not long ago, Krubelrost was full of confidence, but suddenly he fell into a daze.

"Are you kidding me...? I remember there's a holiday called April Fool's Day, could it be today?"

"I also think it's a joke played on me by some god... but what I said is indeed true."

There is a lot of evidence.

For example, you can now watch the anime and read the manga of Cardcaptor Sakura online.

For example, there are discrepancies between the real and virtual worlds.

When this evidence was presented to Cerberus, he fell silent.

Kerberos's reaction was exactly what Kazama expected.

Characters with similar experiences to Cerberus are not uncommon in fictional works.

Fantasy ideas that blur the lines between reality and fiction are very popular in science fiction works. For example, the brain in a vat hypothesis is used in works such as Inception, The Matrix, and The Truman Show.

When the protagonists discover that the world they live in is just a virtual, artificial construct, their reactions vary, but they all share one thing in common: they fall into self-doubt.

Seeing Cerberus's appearance, Kazama sighed and said:

"What would your master, Clow Reed, do if he were to deal with something that is difficult to understand?"

Hearing Kazama's words, Cerberus raised his head and then said:

"He will accept it, and then he will try to understand it."

Kazama nodded:

"Yes... If you can observe, you can prove; if you can prove, you can interfere; if you can interfere, you can understand."

"But the first step is still acceptance."

"Furthermore, there's no need to doubt your own existence..."

"Existence is its own justification... To me, you are a character in a fictional work, but you also exist in reality."

"I can prove, and I must prove, your existence..." Kazama's voice gradually lowered.

For Cerberus, it was proven that the brain in the vat was a terrible thing.

Kazama, who proved this, also found it terrifying.

It's important to know that the brain in a vat has never been a single-layered concept; this idea has further developments:

The evil scientist who created the Brain in a Vat may himself be the Brain in a Vat, all of humanity is the Brain in a Vat, and the only thing in the universe is a super automaton that manages a nutrient jar containing a brain.

Because of this automaton, we have a collective illusion that we can "see," "hear," and "feel" others, objects, the sky, and so on, and that we can communicate freely with each other, even though none of this actually happens.

Is Kazama certain that he is also in a virtual world?

uncertain.

"It is enough to be certain that you truly exist."

"Layer upon layer of skepticism is meaningless."

Kazama spoke, as if addressing Cerberus, yet also as if speaking to himself.

It's like a psychological game; people often say, "I'm on the first level," "I'm on the fifth level," or "I'm in the atmosphere."

In reality, however, once the psychological game goes beyond three levels, it becomes meaningless, and both sides will only get caught up in endless mental infighting.

Moreover, this kind of thing doesn't necessarily have to be explained by the brain in a vat.

The key question is whether the world depicted in the 'work' is real or fictional.

Is the appearance of objects from animation in reality created by an invisible force, or is it simply a transfer of objects from another real world into reality through some means?

If it's the latter, and if what was supposed to be a virtual story actually corresponds to a real world, is it possible for one to 'travel' and enter the other world...?

In short, there are simply too many unexplained things, making it impossible to get a definitive answer.

You're absolutely right...

After calming down, Kerberos seemed to have come to terms with it.

"But, why did you explain this to me so directly?"

"If I'm not mistaken, you also have designs on the Clow Cards, right?"

Kazama explained to Cerberus that his original second-generation master should have been a girl named 'Kinomoto Sakura'.

In a sense, this can be considered Kuroride's decree.

Knowing his future in advance, and given Clow Reed's arrangements, Cerberus is very likely unlikely to hand the Clow Cards to Kazama.

If Kazama hadn't brought this up, but instead proposed signing a contract with him first, then Cerberus would have had no way to deal with the ownership of the Clow Cards later on.

"Yes."

Kazama readily admitted it.

"I do want the Clow Cards."

Extraordinary power—when such power truly appears before him. Even if it has nothing to do with his childish childhood dreams, Kazama is now extremely curious and wants to obtain it.

"But wanting something isn't a necessity... and curiosity doesn't necessarily have to be satisfied."

The magical power of the Clow Cards is quite unique; to utilize it, one cannot bypass the two sealed beasts representing Yin and Yang. Even the Clow Cards themselves possess life and consciousness.

"Hypocritical deception does not bring real results; on the contrary, it is easy to mess things up."

"It's okay if you choose to refuse."

Kazama added, "I cannot yet send you back to your original world, nor can I send you back to the Book of Clow Cards."

"It seems I can only temporarily keep this sealed book with me..."

Kazama was interrupted by Cerberus before he could finish speaking.

“No, let’s sign a contract.” Cerberus’s face was serious, and his tone was decisive.

"If I don't sign a contract with anyone, I will continue to sleep in the book as promised to Kuroide, along with these children."

"I don't know how long it will take before you have the ability to send us back to our original world."

"But without sufficient intervention, you probably wouldn't be able to achieve this."

"In that case, we don't know how long we'll have to stay in this world. We might have to sleep for a very long time again."

“That’s not what I want, and it’s definitely not what Kuroide wants to see.”

"But wouldn't that mean ruining Kuroride's plan?"

"Hahaha..."

Cerberus laughed.

"You still don't quite understand Clow Reed..."

"Do you know why I so easily accepted that my existence came from a virtual work?"

"Because I firmly believe that I am free, and my consciousness and my decisions are by no means something that an author would deliberately arrange for the story to unfold."

"Besides, Kuroide's instructions at the time were for us to make our own choice."

"Kinomoto Sakura, perhaps Clow Reed once gave us a choice, but in the end, it was we who made the choice."

"So, are you willing to sign a contract with me, inherit Clow Reed's power, and become the master of the Clow Cards?"

As Cerberus spoke, a golden magic circle lit up on the floor of Kazama's study.

At the same time, a key appeared in front of Cerberus.

Looking at the pink eagle-head key, Kazama fell silent, then looked up and asked:

"Can you change the style of the key?"

There's one more thing in Chapter Five

In the end, Kazama's request was rejected.

The sealing key, or rather Sakura's wand, is a complementary item that Clow Reed arranged for the Book of Seals. It has a remarkable effect on controlling the Clow Cards and cannot be replaced.

There is no option to restore factory settings for the physical product.

"When alchemy is mastered to a high level, it can alter the state of objects. If you can reach that level, changing the design of a wand will be incredibly easy. You might even be able to forge your own wand."

“However, let’s use this for now,” Cerberus suggested.

"By the way, is it necessary to use a wand to use Clow Cards?" Kazama asked.

"That's not necessarily true."

"As long as you have magic power, you can control the Clow Cards."

"However, a wand is like an amplifier for spellcasting, which can enhance the power and control of spells."

"I see..."

Kazama reached out and grabbed the key in front of Cerberus. Then, the golden light of the array beneath his feet intensified, and it vanished in a flash.

"The contract has been established..."

Cerberus solemnly declared, "From this day forward, you are Cardcaptor Sakura, and also my new master."

"Kazama, please take care of me."