A young man around the age of 22 was sitting on a sofa that was large enough to accommodate four people. There was also a big table along with a small chair in front of him.
However, his eyes were glued to the exit leading outside, like he was eagerly waiting for something to arrive.
A few seconds later, the sound of a bell ringing resounded through his ears.
"It has arrived" The young man calmly muttered under his breath.
He quickly opened the door and was greeted by a young man with a parcel in his hand.
"Are you Myles?" The delivery man asked.
"Yes," The young man replied.
"I have a parcel for you. Could you kindly pay the required fees?" The delivery man said as he handed him a small slip.
Myles wordlessly took the slip from the man's hand and paid the required fees shortly after.
He closed the door after receiving his parcel and rushed towards his bedroom ignoring everything.
He kept the parcel in his bed which was large enough to accommodate 3 people comfortably. He started to unpack the parcel.
The moment he unpacked the parcel. He was greeted by a fancy-looking helmet and a large circular stand which was the charger of the console. It looked like they came straight out of a sci-fi novel. He rubbed the surface of the helmet.
"This VR game is my only way to pay off my debt in time" Myles muttered under his breath.
Myles was an orphan who had lost his entire family to a terrible accident 5 years ago. He doesn't have any relatives whom he can rely on for the past 3 years, so he was forced to feed himself.
Thankfully, his family had left him a flat and enough money to continue studying until tenth grade but for further studies, he had to earn the money himself.
He studied hard to get a scholarship but let's just say it didn't work out well. In the end, he decided to borrow a loan from the bank to continue his studies and he hoped to pay after finishing his studies.
Disaster struck during the second year of his university, Myles was kicked out of university for an incident that he wasn't involved in.
He was also fired from his part-time job. Left with no income and drowning in debt, he became stressed out over the past few months.
However, he saw light at the end of the tunnel in an endless darkness when the release date and trailer of the first VR game were dropped.
The VR game promised a similar world and physics where they lived. The beta tester testified for this. It got billions interested in the game.
There were already legal websites which will sell in-game goods for real-life money
"Regardless, I should set up the console and quickly enter the game. The game should be launching very soon," Myles thought to himself with a grin on his face.
He read the instructions manual of the console before putting the console on his head. He laid down and checked the charge of the console before putting it on.
"It's fully charged," Myles thought to himself
He wasted no time afterward and quickly put the helmet on his head. He quickly turned the power switch on.
The moment he pressed the power switch, he saw a black suit was starting to cover his body from head to toe.
"I don't know that a video game can develop such great tech" Myles recovered as a suit materialized on his body
Darkness covered his eyes shortly after the materialized process was completed. This caused Myles to stop feeling his body entirely.
"Ugh, what's happening?" Myles muttered as he stayed in the darkness.
He didn't have to stay in the darkness for long as a message appeared in front of him
(Please wait user, there are 15 minutes left until the game officially launches.)
He patiently waited for the game to launch as he stared at the timer.
Around 15 minutes later, dozens of notifications began to flash in his retina.
(The server of Aetheris Online Has come online!)
(Connecting to server… Please wait)
(Connected)
(Please enter your name.)
"Myles," Myles said.
(Registering your name in the database)
(Registered)
(Preparing to TP you to the lobby)
(Preparations completed)
(Teleporting you to the lobby)
Myles's surroundings, which were completely dark as if he was in a void, started to change. A very bright light engulfed his entire body from top to bottom, causing him to close his eyes.
A few seconds later, the sound of a notification resounded through his ears. This caused him to open his eyes.
(You have been teleported to a private lobby)
(All users of the game are teleported to a private lobby)
(There is another important thing to note: users. 1 hour in the real world is equivalent to 5 hours in this world.)
Myles widened his eyes in disbelief when he saw the last notification flashing in his retina. What did this mean?
It meant that Myles could spend a lot more time playing than expected!
"This feature is really good. It will give me more time to pay off my debt" Myles thought to himself.
Myles practically ignored the other notifications like they didn't exist.
He looked around him and saw him standing in a garden which was full of lush green vegetation.
Flowers, tall grass, and trees were seen everywhere the naked eye could see.
The beautiful smell of the flowers reached his nose and a calming wind slammed onto his body. Giving him a profound sense of realism.
"This game feels so real so far" Myles exclaimed in shock
There was a white table and two chairs in the distance. On one of the chairs, a middle-aged man was sipping on a cup of tea.
"Come and have a seat young man" The middle-aged man's voice resounded through his ears.
The voice of the middle-aged man carried a profound sense of authority and power which caused Myles to subconsciously nod his head in approval.
He walked towards the paved path leading to the table. When he got close enough he took his seat on one of the chairs.
"Have a cup of tea" The middle-aged man moved a cup of tea towards him.
Myles just nodded his head and took a sip of the cup of tea.
"It's so delicious. It feels so real" Myles thought to himself.
Myles kept sipping on the cup of tea for a minute or two before the middle-aged man got to his point.
"It seems like you are not familiar with the world of Aetheris Online," The middle-aged man said.
Myles kept the tea on the table and nodded his head in approval.
"Do you want me to tell you more about the world of Aetheris Online?" The middle-aged man said.
"It would be great if you do," Myles said
"The world of Aetheris Online is where both highly advanced technology and magic co-exist with one another '' The middle-aged man said.
He took a break before continuing his long speech.
"In the world of Aetheris Online, there is only a single supercontinent in this world. Beyond the supercontinent, there are only endless Oceans. So far no other continent has been found.
There are hundreds of thousands if not millions of kingdoms located in this continent. Each one of them abides by the rules set by The Zenithian Concord. The most technologically advanced and powerful entities in this world" The middle-aged man stopped allowing Myles to digest the information.
Myles didn't look too surprised because he already knew about this knowledge. This much knowledge was provided by the company to provide them with just enough knowledge to become interested in the game.
Though, very little knowledge was known about the power system of the game so he was more eager to get some info about the power system. Thankfully, his wishes were very soon answered
"In this world power means everything. If you don't have power then you have no value in this world.
There are two types of categories of the method of combat. You can either be a Mechanical Fighter or a Transcended Fighter.
Mechanical Fighters are those who use highly advanced weapons to fight while the Holy Fighters are those who use old weapons to fight such as swords, spears, and much more.
The weapons of both classes are powered by mana.
Some monsters use both types of weapons but it's beyond your reach now since you are too weak.
Which one do you want to be?" The middle-aged man asked.
Myles fell into deep thought since he knew that his answer might choose his class. After a few minutes of consideration, he replied.
"A Transcended Fighter" Myles replied a few minutes later.
"So you are one of the ones who believe in the old way of combat huh? Regardless of which weapon you would like to use" The middle-aged man asked.
Myles didn't even waste a single second when he was asked about this question.
"A sword" Myles replied without any hesitation.
"Why did you choose a sword? Is there a special reason?" The middle-aged man asked with a smile.
"It's because I have been practicing swordplay ever since I was very young. I also have a belief that I wish to fulfill" Myles exclaimed, his voice carrying seriousness.
During Myles's childhood, he used to attend the sword practice class as a hobby. He was very passionate about it since he used to enjoy it a lot.
Myles only stopped practicing swords after his parent's death. If he didn't have to study hard to get a scholarship then he would have probably continued it.
This was one of the reasons he chose swordsman class.
"What is your belief?" The middle-aged man asked carefully, his voice carrying curiosity.
"I believe that the sword is a mere tool of destruction. It can be used to both protect and destroy !!" Myles exclaimed.
At that moment, the middle-aged man gave a profound stare at Myles's left chest. It looked like he was trying to scan his soul itself.
"It's good to have belief. I believe that you have what it takes to become a swordsman. Swordsmen are also the strongest kind of warrior out there among the two categories." The middle-aged man exclaimed.
Myles was just about to ask why but before he had the chance to do so. The middle-aged man snapped his fingers.
The center of the table opened up. A long-looking box began to emerge from the opening of the table.
The metal flooring of the ground also opened up like the vault of a gate. A portal began to emerge from the ground.
"This box contains a good sword. Also, I have some other gifts," The middle-aged man said as he got up.
The middle-aged man touched Myles's forehead with his finger. His finger started glowing. At that moment, Myles felt a strange sensation in his forehead but it didn't last for long. He felt like that knowledge was entering his mind!
The moment the sensation ended, notification began to emerge in his retina.
(You have learned Beginner's sword art)
"This will do." The middle-aged man said as he retracted his fingers
Myles didn't pay attention to any of his words since he was feeling kind of dizzy after receiving the profound knowledge!
An authoritative voice resounded through his ears causing his dizziness to disappear like a lie.
"Now go and step into the portal to arrive at the world of Aetheris Online. I will not answer any questions anymore. You will learn the answer to your questions as you explore the world," The middle-aged man said.
After the middle-aged man made it clear that he won't answer any questions. Myles stood up after taking his sword out. The moment he touched his sword and the pouch full of healing potions a notification flashed in his retina.
(You have received beginners sword)
(Beginner's Sword Grade: E
Description:
A sword made up of light but flexible and sharp metal which is easy to handle for a person just starting on the path of swordsmanship
Skills: None
Special Effects: None)
He ignored the notification flashing in his retina.
Slowly but surely walking towards the portal. He wanted to see the details of the skill but he didn't know how to open the interface so he just kept walking forward.
He halted his steps when he got close and took a deep breath before stepping forward.
"Let's go," Myles said as he stepped inside the portal.
An intense bright light fell on his entire body including his eyes causing him to close his eyes.
(You are being teleported to the world of Aetheris Online)
(Please stay still during the teleportation)
(Teleportation completed)
(To access your status window. Just think about opening it)
(You have been teleported in the forest of Eldoria Kingdom. Please move towards the east to reach the Eldoria Kingdom)
(You have received a starter pack!)
(Opening the starter pack)
(You have received 2000 universal coins and 10 healing potions)
(Important Notice: Everytime, you die in-game, your level will drop by 5
If you die when your level is below 5 then your level will drop to 1 and you will drop all the items in your inventory.)
Myles slowly opened his eyes as the notification flashing in his retina started to fade. The starter pack that he received was a pleasant surprise.
He found himself standing in the middle of lush green vegetation surrounded by trees that were a few meters in length.
"I knew that the teleportation would be random but I didn't expect to be stranded so far from civilization" Myles muttered, frustration visible on his face.
"Let's have a look at my status window," Myles thought to himself.
He thought about seeing his status window, at the moment lines after lines of words began to flash in his retina.
(Name: Myles
Money: 2000 universal coins
Class: Swordsman
Description:
A young Swordsman who has just begun his journey on the path of swordsmanship. As he grows stronger and gains certain experience and skills. He will begin to pianooer his own path.
Class Skills: None
Class Effects: None
Specialty: None
Skills:
A.Basic Sword Mastery Grade: E
Description:
A common sword art known for its simplicity making it a good sword art for a beginner swordsman. It has three movements.
Slash
Launches a devastating Slash at the target by infusing his sword with mana.
Mana Cost: 10
Cooldown: None
Stab
Launches a devastating stab at the target by infusing his sword with mana
Mana Cost: 10
Cooldown: None
Sword Guard
Takes on a simple defensive formation and counter-back by striking with his sword. The sword is infused with mana
Mana Cost: 10
Cooldown: None
2. Sword heart
Friends List: None
Inventory:
1.Healing Potions Grade:E
Description
Recovers 30 mana potions upon consummation
Stats:
Health: 30
Strength: 24
Stamina: 30
Speed: 20
Mana: 25
Intelligence: 15
Level: 1
Logout)
Myles ignored most of them since the performance of his skills didn't shock him too much. However, his attention was drawn to one particular skill, especially the grade of his skills.
"This skill looks quite interesting," Myles thought to myself.
(Sword heart Grade: Growth type skill.
Description:
A collection of your beliefs regarding swords which will help you advance on the path of swordsmanship.
Current Belief: A sword is more than a mere tool of destruction. It can be used to both Create, Protect and Destroy)