Stepping onto the cracked asphalt, Jayden and Brian raised their arms to cover their squinting eyes as the blinding rays of sunlight, reflected off from the numerous skyscrapers, burned down on them.
Currently, the duo found themselves sweating profusely due to the summer heat settling in, while they trudged on towards the five-story tall building situated adjacent to the public park.
This was the largest public Faculty of Scholars in the residential region in which the two youths lived and the proud bearer of its namesake, the Paramount East Public Academy.
With centuries of history in the educational sector of the capital of the Paramount Union, alongside official recognition as being part of the New Era's most antique and most prestigious institution, as well as being perceived as the greatest contributor to improving the average literacy rate worldwide, it was truly worthy of its renown.
When the world experienced the Third Industrial Revolution stemming from the Fourth World War, WWIV, establishments such as schools and universities across the globe were forced to become aware of the redundancy of segregation in the educational sector due to frequent appearances of prodigies among the younger generation.
As a result, nowadays, most organizations with the intention of the edification of the general populace are no longer divided into elementary, middle, and high schools, but rather are congregations of intellectual youths under the single banner of 'Faculty of Scholars'.
And the Paramount East Public Academy, PEPA, was one of the first few to have undergone the reformation under the guidance of the then newly inaugurated Union President.
Spanning several hundreds of acres, and home to tens of thousands of academic staff, with hundreds of thousands of annual graduates internationally, the PEPA was undoubtedly the greatest public bevy of academics in the Eastern Continent.
Despite being notable students under such a behemoth, at the moment, both Jayden and Brian would stand out like a sore thumb had it not been the holidays.
Notwithstanding the lack of proper attire, without which one shouldn't have been let on the premises, and thus portrayed their blatant disrespect for the school regulations; the imposing steel front gates were clearly bolted fast and would remain so for the rest of summer, enclosing the establishment coupled with the towering concrete walls, and preventing intrusion by outsiders.
And yet, here they were, meandering down the paved path that zigzagged throughout the campus.
Halting under the arch woven by thick sturdy vines serving as the entrance to the expansive orchard that stretched over several square kilometers, occupying a third of the entire area, Jayden gestured for Brian to take the lead.
Trailing behind while fidgeting with something in his black suit's inner pocket, the hazel-eyed youngster wandered into dreamland, his eyes losing their focus as if he was deep in thought.
After several turns and bends, they eventually came across the designated meeting spot within the cluster of apple trees, the sole wooden bench beside the path carved out by the constant trampling of countless students.
Seated casually was a man somewhat younger than the two but with a figure far more robust, in addition to black hair like Jayden's and the distinguishing feature of heterochromatic black and blue eyes, was none other than their senior in the Academy, Luke.
With the PEPA being a Faculty of Scholars, the hierarchy was not reliant on age, but rather on merit, achievements, and most importantly the latent talent of the individual, as expressed in their mannerisms and qualities.
Luke, despite being younger than both of them, had attained a scholarship due to his innumerable accomplishments in the field of judo, and besides that, due to the advanced intellect displayed by him from a young age, which had been further refined by the sublime upbringing from his eminent origin, the Hayes family, and hence was able to comprehend more difficult topics better than them, he could be considered their senior.
"So, I believe you've secured the funds. However, do you really still wanna buy the slots? I mean, there are only a few days left till the Closed Beta ends, and it will be out the day after. Why would you wanna waste your money like that?" Luke questioned his approaching peers.
"I can't wait that long," Brian responded sternly.
"Fine by me. Anyway, since there's not that long remaining, I'll give you a discount. Say 600 apiece."
"Deal." agreeing while handing over the envelope containing 1200 UD, Brian continued, "Give me two."
"Hey! I can pay for my own, you know?!" noticing Brian pay for his share too, Jayden quickly attempted to intervene with the transaction.
"Just let me. I can't dispose of my cash anywhere else since I'm not as capable as you two." the blonde youth slowly enunciated the reasoning behind his actions.
Seeing the inflexible look on Brian's face, Jayden pondered over the matter for a while before reluctantly giving up.
"Okay. That's just the right amount. Here you go." having gone through the contents of the envelope with precise and dextrous hands within the course of their interaction, Luke pulled out two red plastic cards covered in intricate black patterns with a single minuscule chip embedded on the surface of each, "You should know how to use them, right? Well, if you don't, then just search it up online."
"Thanks." upon completion of the main purpose of their errand, Brian expressed his gratitude after receiving the cards.
Circling around, Brian and Jayden made their way back out, leaving Luke behind, and proceeded to traverse their original path, leaving the premises the same way they entered, through the underground tunnel hidden in the depths of the ginormous library, ensuring they lock the doors on the way.
***
On the fourth floor of an apartment complex, in room no. 404, two youths sat opposing each other focusing their gaze on the two red plastic cards that had been bought at six times their original price placed next to two helmet-like objects.
"I'm sorry for imposing on you, but is it really all right for me to stay here for the time being?" the blonde-haired blue-eyed young man asked doubtfully, feeling burdened to have to bother his friend further.
"How many times do I have to repeat that it's okay?" exhaling deeply while rolling his eyes, the black-haired hazel-eyed individual picked up the VR helmet and inserted the red card into the slot at the top before donning it.
Repeating the same actions, Brian, the 16-year-old with blonde hair, decided to remain silent.
" "Engage" " subsequently, they uttered a single word simultaneously.
-----
[Engaging in 10.]
[9]
[8]
.
.
.
[2]
[1]
-----
Instantaneously, words in blue appeared on the inner surface of the visor of the VR helmet.
-----
[Biometric Engagement in process.]
[Biometric Engagement successful.]
[Fetching Profile.]
-----
Jayden, the black-haired man of similar age, peered at the black display which had replaced the bright world outside and prepared himself for the upcoming loss of perception through his real senses when his mind would synchronize entirely with the VR world.
-----
[Profile fetched.]
== SVENGALI ==
Name: Jayden Hathway
Username: coldstalerevenge176
Display Name: _Adam_
Saved Data▼
» Homework 🙄►
» Notes►
» Assignments►
» Games►
== SVENGALI ==
[A new product has been detected.]
[Running automated defensive scan.]
[Identified as |World's Denouement Online|.]
[Allow |World's Denouement Online| access to the Personalized Virtual Realm?]
[Allow] [Cancel]
-----
Selecting 'Allow' with his mind, Jayden watched as the world around him buzzed alive, and the abyss-like darkness was overtaken by seemingly infinite vibrant twinkling stars representing the immensity of the universe.
-----
[Downloading 0.01%.]
[...11.23%]
[...16.18%]
[...31.41%]
[...58.13%]
.
.
.
[...100.00%]
[Download complete.]
[Open |World's Denouement Online|?]
[Open] [Close]
-----
Bracing himself, Jayden thought of pressing the open button.
Immediately, the several open panels receded, and he finally experienced the complete numbness associated with the commencing stages of full-dive technology.
Blinking to resettle his turbulent mind, he paid his utmost attention to the game in front of him.
-----
¦ Welcome~! ¦
¦ Thank you for your patronage. We, the support team, look forward to...
.
.
.
Thank you, again. ¦
-----
Skimming over the contents of the welcoming message, Jayden advanced to the registration process.
-----
¦ First Name: Jayden ¦
¦ Last Name: Hathway ¦
¦ Username: bestservedcold176 ¦
¦ Display Name: Adam ¦
¦ Password: •••••••••• ¦
[Sign Up]
-----
Confirming the details, Jayden proceeded to press the 'Sign Up' button with the illusory hands that had materialized together with a humanoid silhouette resembling Jayden's actual physical disposition.
-----
[Verification in progress.]
[Verification successful.]
[Entering the realm of |World's Denouement Online|.]
-----
With those words, the universe around him began spinning at an outrageous speed, forming a vortex that sucked his figure in.
The trillions of dots darted in the opposite direction as his vision zoomed in onto a gargantuan spaceship straight out of a sci-fi movie.
-----
¦ A joyous adventure awaits. ¦
-----
-Haa.
Letting out a turbid breath, Jayden glanced at his surroundings. At present, he discovered himself to be seated on the floor at the center of a large white room with complex patterns engraved onto the walls in turquoise.
"Welcome to the most marvelous transit hub in the Mid-Rank 2-star Pheine Galaxy, the Salakart IV. We hope you have a wonderful stay." a lovely feminine voice echoed in the extensive space, and the wall ahead of Jayden parted down the middle, exposing the buzzing sight of humanoid figures shifting back and forth in the lively plaza.