After focusing on the book, the timer started. Yes, Artha just has to focus thoroughly or read it himself to get all the matters within it to imprint in his mind. It was not the first time that he thought of using it for different purposes. Like reading those heavy books in the real life. How great it would be if one could get such big books, huge textbooks and assorted ones into the game and just focus on them. And viola, books read and digested, memories and integrated completely. Alas, it was just a thought.
Soon it was time to log off. He had to log off a bit early as he was using his head gear. He won't be able to surf the net or the forum and watch vids or anything of such kind. Just give five star feed back on his village. Check for any game updates. And log off entirely.
No time to check his bank balance. There would be no change. Rush to communal bathing space. Early bird can shower for long.
He didn't forget to wake up the twins to shower.
The breakfast included in the stay was from the vending machine. A curious experience for the twins. To them, cheap food meant food packed from home or some hole in the wall hotel. Vending machine food- no one had used it before. Even Yajo who worked in service sector. He had seen shops selling packed food. Never a machine doing so.
The only bright point was the novelty. There could be only few types of food that can be dispensed by a machine. And they were sturdy to get dispensed. The B and B (bed and breakfast) owner was humane enough to keep hot water kettle on.
Atharva had survived on vending machine foods. But even to him, it was difficult to swallow. No wonder they didn't dare to eat much. Feeling hungry, the boys walked around.
Yajo lost the rock paper scissors, so had to call parents to remind to eat the complimentary breakfast food that would be brought to them and don't pack those foods. They would be caught and fined. Anything to get their family eat a hearty meal.
As Atharva was swimming in money, he sponsored the breakfast. Packed sandwiches in the park. As they toured around suburbs, they basked in the sun. Heard people discussing the game
Reggie had taken five years to complete the foundation studies. He needed to attend a good veterinary college. Question was which one? The colleges he suggested had only one point in common - they were cheap.
"Forget about the money. Assume that you will get the education loan and even scholarship." Atharva started talking when the matter didn't move in the direction he wanted.
"I'm not you, brat, to get a great scholarship. I am aware of my strengths and weakness."
" I said forget about the money part. Then, according to your strengths, tell me which college would be a good fit. This is just pretend question. Obviously, I don't have capacity to get you into any college you mention, just because you mentioned." The twins had to laugh at that. Atharva was like that. Silent as mouse or violent as shrew.
Reggie pondered. "Hmmm. If I can go to best college, it would be ....Animalia college."
Even Yajo was stunned at the name of college, let alone Atharva.
"They have a college named like that?"
"Well, it's a nickname obviously. They have tie-ups to various animal sanctuaries."
Atharva squinted his eyes. " I don't believe those aren't the only tie-ups. Where are they making money?"
"Well, historically they started as independent accessor to prevent cruelty against animals during experimentation. They started that way. So their foundation is more towards that side. But right now they hold exclusive rights to breed few special cross breeds of pets, which apparently the rich and influential people love. They can cross breed only few pets every year."
"I bet." Atharva murmured cryptically. "So where is this Animalia again?"
"The main campus will be in city C. But pretty much most of the students are sent out as on the job training."
"Oh! So you will be paying so that they'll allow you to work?" Yajoo chimed in.
"No! Yajo, don't pour oil in the fire. Kiddo here doesn't know how it works but you saw me so it all these years. Why are you saying this nonsense?" Reggie was passionate about his subject.
Reggie had signed to be practically bonded labourer but thanks to working like an overworked *ss, he got his degree. And he had work experience certificates too.
Trainees and interns are paid sh*t precisely because they needed someone to recheck whatever they had done and the supervisor has to be strong even to hold the sky if the intern or trainee f*cks up. So supervisor gets lion's share of salary. Reggie had impeccable record. His goof ups were small and in the beginning. His supervisor was paying him extra in the side to take over some overseeing jobs. Even without the degree from other college, he could keep working and few years down the line he could become a supervisor. His salary would be less and workload more than those had degrees. But fixed salary was a great pull.
Reggie didn't even dream of getting a degree. He had been happy with his life. He started dreaming only after he found his baby brother didn't have a huge loan and had clinched a good job. Pardon him for not having concrete details.
"Relax," Atharva said. Just because he was as in ivory tower for past four years didn't mean he didn't know how the world worked. In the beginning, he had worked as temporary worker too. Obviously, he changed later to become full time student. But he had seen on the job training works. It was a good way for those who wanted to work but didn't have degrees. Atleast they gave diplomas and certificates along with experience certificate. They were worth a lot while job hunting.
"Do you know about admission process to your Animalia?"
"Why would he?" Yajo added.
Atharva and Reggie pretended he was air. "If you don't know, start searching now. If you are dreaming, you can dream big. There is no harm in knowing these details." Artha's words were....not wrong. So Reggie sat and searched about admission process to his dream college.
Would Artha let Yajo go? No. The two of them walked further away from Reggie who was immersed in his research.
"Tell me where did you f*ck up?" Atharva asked. Woah, a direct confrontation. Atharva was poor in understanding the deep meaning or seeking beyond what you can see. But it didn't mean he didn't do it. He was slow, that's all.