Beyond Phantasia

Why does Aurelia want to see my notebook? This…was odd. Hah...I guess it wouldn’t hurt.

“Sure.”

I picked it up and handed it to her.

She opened it and began examining the contents slowly and carefully. Her face remained the same stoic expression. It really was nonchanging.

Did she ever smile in game?

She handed me back the notebook.

“How?” She asked.

“How…what?”

…

……

“Okay, you answered Instructor Polimor’s question fluently. Could I get a similar response please?”

…

…..

“I-.”

She stopped, gave a quick bow, and left.

“What?”

“I really don’t understand any of these characters at all.” I sighed.

<><><><><>

Aurelia’s POV

I’m on time.

I entered the classroom and looked for an open seat. I needed a spot that would be perfect for my note-taking.

That spot will do.

I made my way over and sat down.

I’m surprised no one took this spot. Is it because of him?

A boy with black hair and purple eyes was staring off into space, seemingly lost in thought.

I heard he’s been causing a commotion and picking fights with other students. Well, as long as he doesn’t bother me while I’m taking my notes, it should be fine.

I took one more look over at him.

He’s quite…above average for a human.

The lecture went as expected. Luckily, when the professor called on me, I had already read the Xeloshi multiple times at home, so my pronunciation was one-hundred percent accurate.

The lecture continued, but I couldn’t concentrate. Someone nearby kept scribbling in his notes, the constant sound kept breaking my focus. No one in the past ten years had used these old notebooks to take notes. This is frustrating.

Ding! Dong! Ding!

“Today’s lecture is concluded. Please enjoy your hour break before combat training begins.”

I needed to know.

“Excuse me.”

Maybe he didn’t hear me?

“Excuse me.”

“Can I help you?”

How do I tell him I want to see his notebook? What if I point at it?

I pointed to the notebook.

“What about it?”

What’s the word for this? There was a phrase. I knew I should’ve studied more before interacting with humans.

“Can I see it?”

Good. That was perfect.

“Sure.”

He handed me the notebook.

As I went through his notes, it was...unbelievable. He had written all of this during the lecture and simplified it. There were even sections for easier access and understanding. How was this possible? The holoscreen had multiple advanced features and functions, but this was on a different level.

“How?”

“How…what?”

What was the word? Why does the human language have to be so complicated!

“Okay, you answered Instructor Polimor’s question fluently. Could I get a similar response please?”

It’s because I have only read and practiced for classes! How do I tell him?

“I-.”

I couldn’t do it.

I gave a quick bow and left.

I’ll ask next time for sure.

<><><><><>

The hour break was for students to relax, socialize, and grab lunch before combat training, as it's the longest period of the day.

Grr. Gurgle.

I was on my way to the cafeteria, navigating with my datachron. Ever since I arrived, I haven’t eaten a single thing and the effects were showing.

I entered the mess hall. Automated kiosks offered a variety of dishes for chefs to cook, and drones delivered meals to students' tables. The room was filled with natural light from large windows, providing a view of the academy's garden.

I approached the kiosk.

The kiosk offered so many meals and dishes that I would love to try, but there was a problem.

I tapped my datachron.

{Balance: 10 Beyophan Credits}

The currency of Beyond Phantasia was relatively simple. It was the universal currency for all species that were part of the Ocion Federation — a planetary alliance formed to eradicate the socrixes and preserve life. The more beyophan credits you had, the better.

“I’m so broke.”

Grr. Gurgle. Gurgle!

My stomach was starving.

I scrolled through my options, looking for anything that would let me eat for ten credits.

{Brioche Bread: 10 Beyophan Credits. Confirm Order.}

I confirmed my order and sat down at the nearest table.

Even the tables were advanced. Interactive tables that allowed students to customize their meals, access nutrition information, and socialize with classmates through built-in holo-screens.

A drone delivered my food shortly after.

What a perfect meal.

I looked at my plate. A single slice of bread sat there. Untoasted.

Tsk.

“Is it necessary to be this stingy with proportions?”

I ate my sad slice of bread in silence.

Alright, I have an hour to myself, so let’s think. I don’t remember the story progression in detail, but I can recall certain bosses and events here and there.

Pulling out the tiny notebook that Instructor Polimor gifted me, I inspected it closely.

“The notebook doesn’t seem suspicious, and if I remember correctly, Polimor was a rather nice instructor. It should be safe.”

I started jotting down what I remembered into the notebook.

There’s a chance that I could lose my memories.

Forgetting my last name was a prime example.

I can’t take the risk.

After jotting down everything I needed, I made my way to the combat class.

“That took a little longer than I thought. I should consider getting a backpack for these notebooks.”

<><><><><>

Luckily, I remember combat class vividly since I spent much of my time training all of my character's stats here. Combat class at Silvion took place in a high-tech arena designed for various types of training. The room was equipped with advanced transporters to teleport students to different environments without real danger, and there was also a large outdoor area for more hands-on training. Along the walls, there were various weapon racks stocked with practice weapons, ranging from traditional swords and staffs to futuristic energy blades and firearms. The list went on and on. Overall, it was clear that a lot of the school’s funding went into this area.

I made my way to the entrance of the facility. The initial area was split into male and female changing rooms, where students could change into their training suits. Each person had a designated locker with a suit tailored to their needs. There were also the aethergaunts — gloves that enabled everyone to use technomancy in the first place. It was one of the main gameplay components of Beyond Phantasia and one of the reasons humans were able to compete with everyone else. However, if you were like Novian or had significant backing, you could have them customized and tailored to your liking, which could boost your overall stats due to modifications.

“It really is great to be the main character.”

I made my way to my locker and scanned my datachron to unlock it. Inside, the suit was a simple black color, as was my aethergaunts.

I made my way to the main area where everyone was gathering up in line formation.

I must’ve been the last to arrive.

“Fall in!”

A tall-bald instructor was shouting. As I got closer, I noticed that Instructor Cefin was there as well.

“Keep it moving everyone! Let’s go, let’s go!”

I joined the rest of the class, falling into formation.

“Good! Now that you’re all in formation, welcome to combat class, cadets! Call me Instructor Weak!”