Game's Extra

The sun had risen, casting its warm rays over the academy. While students recovered from the intense combat test, the academy's staff convened in an emergency meeting. Professor Roan stood in the center of a grand meeting room, his face tense as he addressed the gathered professors and the principal.

The room itself was impressive, with intricate carvings on the walls and cabinets filled with academy trophies from past triumphs. The oblong table stretched across the center, surrounded by high-backed chairs where professors sat in contemplation. At the head of the table sat the principal, an elderly man in his seventies with a long, flowing beard and an air of wisdom that commanded respect.

"The appearance of the Forest King during the test is deeply concerning," Professor Roan began, his voice grave. "This creature hasn't been sighted in these parts for decades. Its last known territory was kilometers away from the designated test area. Something must have forced it to migrate here."

A murmur spread across the room as the other professors exchanged worried glances. "Are you suggesting external interference?" asked Professor Lyle, a stern man with gray streaks in his hair.

Professor Roan hesitated before responding. "I'm not ruling it out. It's also possible that a spatial gate opened in its old territory, disrupting the ecosystem and forcing it to move."

The principal interjected, her calm yet authoritative tone silencing the room. "If a spatial gate was involved, we need to investigate immediately. The safety of our students is paramount."

Professor Elise, an expert in magical creatures, added, "The Forest King's migration could be a harbinger of larger issues. Magical disruptions on that scale don't occur without reason."

The principal nodded thoughtfully. "We'll dispatch teams to the Forest King's original habitat and examine the test area. Until we have concrete answers, let's remain vigilant."

The professors agreed, their concern evident. The principal concluded the meeting with a firm directive: "Ensure no such threat endangers our students again. This academy's reputation depends on it."

Meanwhile, the main characters were recovering from the test. Atlas was still in the academy hospital, exhausted from overusing his skill, Celestial Blaze. Ava had been discharged earlier after her brief and comical defeat—courtesy of Aiden's rear naked choke.

Aiden, however, was in his dormitory. Having just stepped out of the shower, he changed into casual clothes instead of his uniform. Today, he had a personal errand: buying a quantum watch. Dressed and ready, he left the male dormitory and headed toward the academy gate.

Flagging down a taxi, he climbed in and asked the driver, "Where's the nearest quantum watch shop?"

The taxi, a sleek, hovering vehicle, hummed to life and lifted off the ground. The driver, a friendly older man, replied, "There's a good shop about five minutes from here. Hold tight."

The ride was smooth, and Aiden gazed out at the futuristic cityscape of Zenith Academy's surrounding district. Neon lights and towering holographic advertisements filled the skyline. In no time, the taxi arrived at the shop. Aiden thanked the driver and stepped inside.

"Welcome!" an employee greeted him with a cheerful smile. "How can I assist you today?"

"I'm looking for a quantum watch," Aiden said, scanning the high-tech displays. "What's the price range?"

The employee gestured to the latest model, encased in a glowing showcase. "This is the 16th generation quantum watch—our newest release. It has expanded storage, faster processing, and advanced AI integration. It's priced at 100,000 aurens."

Aiden sucked in a breath. "A hundred thousand, huh? Guess I need to make some serious money," he muttered under his breath.

The employee, still polite, continued, "If that's out of your budget, we also have the 12th generation model for 10,000 aurens. It has a smaller storage capacity but offers all the essential features."

Aiden pondered for a moment, his mind racing. I could really use the newest model, but earning that much money will take time. Maybe I can make do with the 12th gen for now.

Finally, he nodded. "I'll take the 12th gen."

The employee smiled and retrieved the watch. "To bind it to your consciousness, you'll need to say, 'I accept the terms, Alpha AI bind.' This ensures the watch is uniquely linked to you. No one else will be able to use it."

Aiden followed the instructions. "I accept the terms, Alpha AI bind."

The watch hummed to life, and a soft voice echoed in his mind: "Binding complete. Welcome, Aiden Cross."

"Thanks," he said, slipping the watch onto his wrist. As he exited the shop, he muttered, "Guess I'll have to get creative if I want to make more money."

His stomach growled, reminding him of another priority. He stopped by a nearby restaurant and ordered a hearty meal. After eating, he returned to the academy and went straight to his dormitory.

Lying on his bed, he stared at the watch on his wrist. A thought struck him: The Game of Ascendants. A fully immersive VR game where players could earn real money through competitive matches.

"Alpha," he said, activating the watch. "Take me in."

The world around him blurred, and Aiden materialized in a pristine white room. A calm, synthetic voice greeted him. "Welcome, player. Please create your avatar."

Aiden spent a few minutes tweaking his appearance. He changed his hair to white and his eyes to an amber hue, giving himself a slightly older and more refined look. Satisfied with the result, he confirmed his avatar.

In an instant, he was transported to a bustling virtual city. The environment was awe-inspiring: a cyberpunk metropolis bathed in neon lights, with holographic advertisements floating above the crowded streets. Drones zipped through the air, projecting commercials for various in-game items.

Aiden navigated the streets until he found the Coliseum, the hub for the Game of Ascendants. Sprinting inside, he approached the registration desk. The employee, a sleek android with a polite demeanor, greeted him.

"Welcome, player. Would you like to register for the Game of Ascendants?"

"Yes," Aiden replied. "Sign me up."

The android processed his request. "Would you like to remain anonymous?"

"Yes," Aiden confirmed. He thought for a moment before choosing his alias. "Call me… LukewarmWater."

The android paused, then said, "Your registration is complete, LukewarmWater. Best of luck in the arena."

Aiden smirked, his competitive spirit igniting. "Let's see how far I can go."