After the ceremony ended, we were directed to return to our classrooms. Mine was Class 1 MO, with around 30 students already seated. It felt a bit odd, though, as the developers had decided to use the Khmer alphabet to arrange the classrooms. The Khmer alphabet consists of 74 letters, allowing the academy to accommodate all the classes.
With about 1,200 students enrolled this year, there would be roughly 40 classes, each assigned a letter from the alphabet.
It struck me as an interesting choice, the developers seemed intent on merging more cultural elements and realism into each sector of the game. In the Eastern Dominion, the geography spanned Southeast Asia, South Asia, East Asia, West Asia, and Central Asia. The decision to use the Khmer alphabet for class designations reflected the region's rich cultural diversity.
The classroom design itself was reminiscent of schools in Korea or Japan. The desks were arranged in neat rows, with large windows that let in natural light, giving the room a clean, structured feel. The layout felt familiar from my days playing the game, where every detail was designed to reflect real-world elements while adding to the immersive experience. However, despite the obvious references to real-world settings, everything in this world had been modified—adjusted to look just different enough to feel unique to this reality.
The same applied to the uniforms. While they resembled the sharp, formal attire of Japanese or Korean school uniforms, with neatly pressed jackets, crests, and ties, subtle differences were noticeable.
It was as though the developers had drawn inspiration from Earth, carefully tweaking everything just enough to keep it aligned with the unique world of the Eastern Dominion—a fusion of familiar and fantastical elements that made this reality feel both recognizable and distinctly foreign.
"Good morning, everyone! It's nice to see new faces. My name is Akito, and I will be your homeroom teacher for this year!"
As soon as Mr. Akito introduced himself, it hit me, I was in the same classroom as Wade, the protagonist. Being in the same room as the main character of the story changed everything, making my role in this world feel even more uncertain.
Somehow, my desk had been assigned to the back of the class. When you first entered, your name was already placed on a desk, determining where you'd sit for the year. From the back row, I had a clear view of everyone, including Wade and the other key characters like Lisa. It was strange, like I was an observer in a story I had once played, but now it was real.
"WHAT?!"
I shouted out in surprise as soon as I saw her—a girl who shouldn't be here, someone who wasn't supposed to exist in the game. My eyes darted between her and Wade, who was already present, making the situation even stranger.
"Calm down, I know you are excited but please settle down please. Ok"
Mr. Akito and everyone else turned to look at me when I screamed in surprise. Even Lisa and Wade stared at me, confused. The girl— the one who wasn't supposed to be here—also looked my way, her expression mirroring the bewilderment of the entire class. I could feel my face flush as I realized how much attention I had just drawn to myself.
I quickly apologized to Mr. Akito, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on me. Embarrassed, I lowered my head onto my desk, trying to disappear from the sudden attention. My heart was still racing, but one question kept echoing in my mind: Why the hell is Fiona here?!
She wasn't supposed to be part of the story—her appearance didn't make any sense, especially with Wade already existing in this world. In the game, they were the two main characters, and only one could be selected to play. Yet here they both were, in the same classroom, at the same time. It completely broke the logic of the game's world, leaving me with more questions than answers.
"Could one of them be fake?" I muttered under my breath, my mind racing. It was the only explanation that made sense—there was no way both Wade and Fiona could exist at the same time in the same world. But if one of them wasn't real, then which one?
After that, Mr. Akito asked everyone to introduce themselves to the rest of the class, starting from the front row and working toward the back. Wade and Lisa were seated in the middle rows, so it would take a while before it was their turn.
One by one, students stood up and introduced themselves. Some were confident, while others seemed nervous as they shared their names and a little about their backgrounds. It was a mixed group, with students from all parts of the Eastern Dominion.
"Good morning! My name is Lisa, and I come from the Fraction District. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
An elegant girl with an outstanding figure stood up, her long red hair cascading down her back. She spoke with confidence and grace, her presence commanding attention. Lisa was well-known for her beauty and intelligence, and seeing her like this made it clear why she stood out in the game as one of the key characters. However, despite her outward poise, Lisa was both timid and aggressive, a combination that made her complex. In the game, she didn't talk much or engage with others, keeping to herself due to her hidden status and the secrets surrounding her family.
Lisa's Eureka was a Fire Class, and she excelled at manipulating her fire abilities with precision and control. In the game, she was known for her powerful offensive skills, using flames to devastate her enemies in battle. Her mastery of fire made her a formidable companion, able to both protect and attack with deadly efficiency. Even though she kept her distance from others due to her hidden status, her fire skills were unmatched, marking her as one of the most exceptional students.
"Greetings, everyone. My name is Tatsuya Miko. I come from the Tatsuya Clan. It was a pleasure to meet you all."
As she introduced herself, Tatsuya Miko's beaty was immediately apparent. Her refined features, coupled with an air of elegance and nobility, made her stand out among the other students. She carried herself with the quiet confidence that only someone from a powerful clan could possess. Her long, dark hair framed her face perfectly and her calm measured toe only added to the mystique surrounding her. Her facial features resemble someone of East Asian descent, with soft lip, delicate lines and small, cute eye that gave her a charm.
Tatsuya Miko's Eureka was a Nature Class, and she was well-known for her powerful healing abilities and her ability to manipulate nature. In the game, her skills allowed her to not only heal her allies but also control plants and the environment around her, creating powerful defensive barriers and unleashing nature;s wrath on her enemies. Her Nature Class made her a vital support character, able to restore health and fortify her team.
"My name is Khan Ali. I came from the House of Khan."
Khan Ali, a well-built boy with a handsome face, stood up confidently. His sharp features and strong presence immediately drew attention. His appearance resembles someone from the Middle East, with dark hair, deep-set eyes, and a commanding aura that reflected his heritage. There was an air of pride in the way he carried himself, as expected from someone with a name as powerful as the House of Khan.
Khan Ali's Eureka was a Steel Class, a powerful classification known for its unmatched strength and defense. His abilities allowed him to manipulate and modify it into the weapon of his choosing. Whether forming blades, shields or tools, his control over steel made him a dangerous and versatile fighter. The Steel Class was renowned for its resilience, and Khan Ali embodied that perfectly.
"H-Hi... everyone. My name is Hugo, and I come from the Western Borderlands. I grew up in the Junction District of the Almat City."
Hugo stood nervously, adjusting his round, circle-shaped glasses. His posture was slightly hunched, giving off the impression of someone who was more of the smart or "nerd" type. His mention of the Western Borderlands caught some attention, growing up in such a rough and militarized region marek him as someone with a tough background. The Western Borderlands was the frontier region of the Eastern Dominion, bordering the hostile lands controlled by the Western Federation. Constant skirmishes and military operations defined life there, making it one of the dangerous areas of life.
Hugo's Eureka was Electricity Class, a powerful and versatile class known for its speed and manipulation of electrical currents. As an inventor, Hugo used his abilities to create weapons that connected seamlessly with his power, enhancing their effectiveness in combat. His intelligence, combined with his mastery over electricity, allowed him to design devices and tools that amplified his abilities, making him a unique blend of brains and brawn. Despite his unassuming appearance, his ability to craft and wield electrically powered weapons made him a force to be reckoned with.
"Name is Anna."
The girl introduced herself quickly and sat down just as fast, barely giving anyone time to react. Her brief introduction made it clear she wasn't interested in sharing much. Despite her reserved demeanor, her short and slender figure gave her a cute appearance. Her sharp eyes and short black hair framed her face, which resembled someone of Eastern European descent. There was a quiet intensity to her, making it difficult to determine what was going on behind her sharp gaze.
"Hello, everyone. It's an honor to be here and study with all of you. My name is Wade, and my dream is to seal the Oracle Gate!"
It was the classic main character introduction, straight out of the game's opening scene. The line felt almost scripted, as if I were watching the game unfold again. Wade's confident declaration set the tone, marking him as the hero who would inevitably take on the world's greatest challenge.
Everyone was amazed by Wade's confidence, and many of the students immediately looked up to him. His handsome face and heroic demeanor only added to the admiration he received.
Now for the last key person in this classroom, someone I never expected to exist in this world.
"Good morning, everyone. My name is Fiona. I hope to get along with all of you."
Fiona introduced herself with a gentle smile, her presence both surprising and unsettling. She wasn't supposed to be here, not with Wade already present as the main character. Her existence defied everything I knew about the game. What made it even stranger was how similar she looked to Wade—almost like a mirror image in reverse gender. It was clear that the developers had designed them to be counterparts, but seeing them both here at the same time felt wrong, as if the world was starting to break its own rules.
To my surprise, no one in the classroom said anything about Fiona's appearance—her hair color, facial features, or the striking similarity to Wade. It was as if no one even noticed the uncanny resemblance between them, which only made the situation more bizarre. How could they not see it? Their similarities were too obvious to ignore, yet everyone acted like nothing was out of the ordinary. That just made everything feel even more strange and unsettling.
"Could they be siblings?" I muttered to myself, the thought suddenly crossing my mind. It was the only explanation that made sense—how else could they look so similar? But then again, that wasn't part of the game's original story, which only deepened the mystery.
"Hey, the 'What' guy! Why are you spacing out? It's time for your introduction!"
Mr. Akito called out to me, snapping me back to reality. Flustered, I quickly got up from my seat and introduced myself. My mind was still racing from everything that had just happened, but I managed to keep my voice steady.
"My name is Lucien, nice to meet you all!"
I blurted out the lame line and quickly sat back down, feeling a bit embarrassed. It was far from impressive, especially compared to Wade's confident introduction or Fiona's gentle presence, but at least I got it over with.
"Alright, I hope everyone is settling down,"
Mr. Akito said, addressing the class.
"In the next period after the break, you will be assigned to a group for the campus tour. Don't forget to check your EP,"
Mr. Akito said, gesturing to his wristwatch, the same one we all wore. It appeared this device was called an EP. As he demonstrated how to check it, I realized just how integrated this watch was into daily life here.