In the year 2025, the basic technical standards of earth had a massive leap as the discovery of immersive full-dive gaming with the aid of Virtual Reality equipment sets was introduced. The most popular of this particular bunch was the Supreme Online virtual reality, with its 100% immersion rate, 1: 2 normal time-to-game time ratio, and the conversion of game currency to real-life money. On Earth, the world was divided into five regions; Northern, Southern, Western, Eastern, and Central region. With the Central region as the head of all the other regions, The Earth Federation; the main governmental body of Earth with five other families who had their hands in different affairs ruled the earth and acted as checks and balances for each other. The Morales Family who had their hands in the crime areas of Earth (They were basically what you will call a Mafia family) always had issues with the Woods family who dealt with the administration of justice and security of the citizenry of Earth. Due to the possession of equal power between these two families, they were at a stalemate and one didn't have the power to destroy the other. This rivalry continued until finally the announcement of the release of the Supreme Online virtual reality game. This game offered the opportunity for either family to break through their power restrictions and end the stalemate between them.
In the year 3100, after about a century of rivalry between the Morales and Woods family in the real world and the virtual world, The Morales family had their first grandson since their rise to power and the same could be said for the Woods family as they had their first granddaughter. It was a joyous occasion for both families where they decided to set the day as a time for peace between both families because somehow coincidentally the children of their respective families were given birth on the same day. After their birth, while they were growing up, the family legacy of hate was instilled into them.
''Derek, our enemy is the Woods family. They are responsible for the death of your brothers and sisters. They have cost us millions of dollars and destroyed our livelihood. They stand on their self-proclamation of justice whilst they feed on the poverty of the poor."Derek's father Samuel said to James as he reminisced about their family's history and hatred they had for the Woods family.
''Rose, our enemy is the Woods family. They are responsible for the death of your brothers and sisters. They have cost us millions of dollars and destroyed our livelihood. With their wanton need for destruction, they use their greed and need for committing crimes against the poor to line their own pockets. They are not meant to be our friends.'' Darius said to Rose as he lovingly patted her.
These two kids grew up with the same idea about the other families being the bad guy. With his natural comprehension skills and martial fitness, he was chosen as the young lord of the Morales family who will lead the family to greatness. His educational and fighting skills training started at the young age of five. Due to the huge responsibility of being the future family head, Derek was forced to mature earlier than his peers. By the age of 13, he had his hand in most of the mafia's affairs. He took care of the traitors of the family and planned raids to bring benefits to the family at that tender age. By the time he was age 16, he knew the in and outworkings of the Mafia and had the respect of almost everyone in the family.
Rose with her natural born beauty, charm, and intelligence was without a doubt also chosen as the young mistress of the Woods family. With the same determination and focus as Derek, Rose handled the affairs of the Woods family exceptionally well. At the age of 16, she was able to bust some of Derek's raids and heists as she predicted his next moves since she knew him so well.
Rose, growing up in a family of detectives and law enforcement agents learned the exceptional trait of keen sense, judgment, and foresight. She was able to determine Derek's character just from their brief encounters during the days they celebrated their birthdays together for the past sixteen years. Just from those little experiences, she came to know the boy from her family's rival family so frighteningly well that, it became quite scary. The same could be said about Derek, whilst their family considered their hatred for each other, they didn't hate each other. This little raid-busting game they came up with was the only semblance of a normal childhood to this two. Even that will be weird since going on raids that cost the loss of lives of others and trying to bust the other person isn't a game if you looked at it in a normal way. These two children grew up in such an environment that even at cost of people's lives they called whatever they were doing a game just to have a reminder of them being normal people who could also play games during their childhood.
The introduction of the virtual reality era came with its flaws. With the presence of full diving and the ability to get stronger in-game, people tend to use that power to escape their realities as they bully others just because they were bullied. Others were also just sadistic people who enjoyed the suffering of others. With that in mind, the game set up an age rating that allowed individuals of 16 years and above to be given the chance to play the game. The true preparations for the position of family head are just beginning for these two kids. With the resounding hatred of their families towards each other, they are both expected to secure a benefit for the family which will help them dominate over the other. Just as a reminder even though these two families had animosity towards each other, they had other enemies just waiting for them to slip up and take an opportunity to sink their teeth into their assets and power. If not for this, the scale of fighting and war outbreaks would have been larger than just showing off who was the best person in the younger generation in both families.
"Derek, today you will start your first day in the Federation College after your 11 years of home training and education. Remember always to be on your guard since that little girl from the Woods family will attend the same college as you. Even though the Woods family is our mortal enemies there are also other hiding shadows waiting and bidding their time just to attack. Always be on guard" Samuel said to Derek as he rubbed his head.
"Dad, I told you I have passed that age now. Stop patting my head, we are a Mafia family for god's sake, we have to be tough looking not going around rubbing our children's heads." Derek said as he lectured his dad for the nth time.
''Also tell mommy I am going is just a year at the boarding college. We can even meet at the game. If I go to her now I am not sure I will be able to leave today." Derek said to his father as he parked his luggage and VR POD into the latest model Benzie Hover car. Derek said with a wry smile as he remembered his sad mother.
"I will son. Have a safe journey, Albert will be there with you to solve any of your needs. Don't worry he is not a spy I am sure you know that already. I completely trust that you will make the right decisions. Goodbye Son." Samuel said as tears slid down his face. One will be shocked he was the current mafia head of the Morales family.
This same situation happened at the Woods household but in this case, Rose's mother was crying as she waved her only daughter goodbye as she left home for the boarding college. Darius pretended to be strong-willed but cried later in his room. Rose was also accompanied by her attendant from childhood, Matilda. For these attendants, Albert and Matilda one could say on a particular level, they were more loyal to Derek and Rose respectively than the family heads themselves. They were the as these kids grew up and knew how they suffered.
"Hey is that you Rose??..... " Derek's voice called out as he saw that familiar face.
(A/ N: Hello guys, this is the book I am writing for the romance carnival contest, don't forget to vote with your power stones as I continue to release more chapters. My main book is Zero Evolution Online which is also currently ongoing, please check It out.)