I'm so sorry that this chapter took so long but i'm trying my best. I've had a case of writer's block and some connection problems. I'm really sorry I'll try to update sooner. Anyways, on with the story.
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Chapter 3:
I heard the system announced something but I couldn't hear it, I was too focused on the elf. He was so beautiful I couldn't take my eyes off him and not only that; he has already defeated those many slimes in such a short time.
"Oh…hey!" As if just noticing me, he walked towards me whilst scratching the back of his neck. I was still too shocked to speak but being the trained elegant lady that I was, I forced myself.
"Ah…Thanks for saving me…" I don't know how that came out but he grinned sheepishly at me and held out his hand. The other hand was gripping a small knife, probably the one given to newbies.
"I'm Prince by the way" he introduced himself, his voice not as deep as I thought it would be but it was still full. I grabbed his hand and shook it to show that I'm very pleased to meet him. Damn! That name suits him very well! I've got to tell Lesus about him though I doubt he'll listen to me!
"I'm Sun and I'm sorry to trouble you about those slimes" I tilted my head down as if making a short bow and saw him looking at the surroundings carefully and nervously.
"Ah it's no problem at all! I was just here to earn a few coins and level up. "How about you?" He focused his attention back to me though he still looks around as if someone is waiting to pounce on him the moment he lets his guard down. That's when it clicked…
"May I ask why you are so wary?" I asked just to confirm my suspicions. He looked at me with a tint of pink in his cheeks before explaining. "Actually I was chased all over town by a bunch of girls so I'm pretty much just hiding from them" He laughed awkwardly and slumped to the ground.
I was right… I mentally praised myself but being in the same situation he was I can't help but pity him too. I know how girls can be such wolves sometimes maybe even more than men can. I sighed. With snow white hair, smooth pale skin, red luscious eyes, and sharp features he would definitely be the top in faces-most-men-would-kill-for list.
(A/N: As if you're not a girl)
I also lay down on the ground and spoke to him "Must be rough huh? I only got stares while they chased you." I shot him a look of pity
"Well yeah, it's rough especially since this is my first time being chased like that" I was shocked. Really? I would've thought with a face like that everyday must be rough. I mean, I have it rough!
He must've noticed me shocked because he hastily said "I really don't look like this in real life!" Even though it still bothered me I kept the thought at the back of my mind. Finally a bit tired from lying around I stood up and voiced out a proposition.
"Umm…Prince" I called out and he looked at me confused. "Would you mind training with me for a bit till I get a job? I'm not that good on power stuff" I continued referring to my weak strength. Ugh…I'm definitely going to report this to a GM!
"Well sure but won't it be a bother? Considering-" I didn't let him finish "Don't think of it that way!" I retorted helping him get up. "If they see a guy like you with a girl like me, what are they most likely to thInk?" I explained and it seems he caught on to the idea.
"Okay! Let's do it! By the way, what class are you gonna take?" he asked with a wide grin on his face. Now, now, this totally puts me off his blood lust image which I saw earlier!
"I think I'm going to be a mage, that's what I think my friend is gonna be so…you get the idea" I replied shrugging my shoulders. That's what Lesus told me…I think. I may have good memory but only if I focus on things.
"Cool! I'm going to be a warrior!" He said gleefully
And that's where our training began…
A few days later in the real world…
I stretched out my hands and pulled out a very ungraceful yawn. I checked the time and apparently it's only so early in the morning. Never mind, I better fix myself. I got up from my bed, not bothering to fix the messy sheets and went straight to the sauna to apply my mask and then take a bath.
Mornings like these are so uneventful that's why I'm still wondering why I woke up early. Maybe it's because of the game? Nah…I've never been that relaxed in a while since I played it. My internal clock must be all wrong now.
After applying the mask and taking a bath, I was heading back to my room to get dressed when I inconspicuously passed by the calendar. Absentmindedly, I saw using the 'recording' technique my father taught me, the date today.
Oh…so it's-Wait! Why's there a red circle on the date?! Oh shit! I forgot! I hurriedly scrambled to my bedroom and got dressed in what seemed only a minute. I checked the clock and it's almost 8:00! Polishing my shoes while combing my hair seemed normal to me as I did it and when I'm finally done I headed out the door for a quick breakfast.
On the elevator I seemed to have met Moon, who looks as eloquent as always. I greeted her with a smile and she just nods her head. Someday, her pride's going to bring her down. Not like I have any say in it, like me though in a different circumstance, she was raised that way.
I decided to brighten up the atmosphere in this elevator since only us two are here. "Vival, how did your date last week go?" I asked knowing she would turn her attention to me with the question. Everybody knows that even though Vival is so prideful, her world runs around her boyfriend.
She beamed immediately and started to happily talk about it "Yes, It went wonderful! He actually took me to that lakeside restaurant! And the dress you pick for me was actually stunning! He even complimented me on it" I smiled at her. Of course, when it comes to style, I'm only second to none!
"Glad to know he liked it." But don't ever barge in like that again. I was in the middle of expoliati- ehem! – I was doing something important. " I told her, eyeing her a bit. Although a little girl-to-girl time is nice to have once in a while. But surely we need to be discreet about it, same reason as to why I can't be seen interacting with Ecilan that much.
We discussed a few more things and the elevator finally dinged signaling us that we are on the ground floor. And since we're practically headed the same way I walked by her side upon moving out. We went to the parking lot where her boyfriend was already waiting for her. She excused herself and quickly went into her lovers' arms. I smiled and also headed towards my hovercraft where Adair was waiting for me.
I saw Vival leave with her lover and I got in the vehicle's passenger seat with Adair in the driver's seat. Before leaving Adair asked me if I had breakfast yet, I scowled "If I had breakfast then I wouldn't be in that of a hurry" I then turned my head out the window, sulking. Without even turning back I know he was smiling. Tapping my shoulder lightly, I turned my head back to him and he handed me a lunchbox of some sort. I opened it and smiled brightly at the sight and smell of it.
"Thanks a lot Adair" I said gratefully, gobbling- Ah no! I don't do such gawky actions such as gobbling, I very elegantly ate the blueberry pancakes with honey syrup. He nodded and started driving to our destination. To where you ask? Well actually my schedule this day is totally packed so I'll be going to a lot of different places starting from my father's company and ending at a restaurant for a dinner. I keep wondering what made them clump it all in one day but *sigh* I can't do a thing about it.
Upon arriving at my father's company I was greeted by the employees with smiles, nods and simple words of good morning. This is why I hate coming here, I feel like every time I come here my mouth is stretched a million times wider. Which is why I needn't linger much there and went directly to my father's office, Adair following just behind me.
Finally I'm at the top floor, where father's office resides, and currently really happy that he made this floor sort of 'private'. Without anymore dilly dallying, I went straight to his office, a slight knock before entering. I found him speaking with Aldrizzt and unexpectedly Uncle Chasel.
"Good morning Father" I said sweetly and turned to the other two "Uncle Chasel, Aldrizzt" I greeted them. I wonder why they are here. This must be my bastard of a father's doing.
"Ah…Good you're finally here, we can finally start" He got up from his chair and stood up. Oddly, so did Uncle Chasel and Aldrizzt. They walked out the door leaving me confused. I snapped out of my stupor when Adair nudge me by the side and signaled me to follow them. We quickly hurried out of father's office and followed them to wherever the heck they were going.
I thought he just wanted to talk to me alone? I wondered inwardly cursing him with the most colorful words I can find. He lead us to a set of double doors which I assume must be the conference room and if not then someone must have misplaced the plaque above the doors which the words 'Conference Room' was engraved in bold letters.
We went in and I was, at least to say, surprised to see everyone there. And when I mean everyone, I meant everyone in father's company's board members and Chasel's companies' board members, the important board members, that is.
The first to speak up was Dansbert Metal, one of Chasel's guys. He was seated with Laica standing by his side. "Finally graced us with your presence Sun?" he spat out. Metals are known for their sharp tongues even sharper than their dagger and knife collection. Father shook off the comment and headed towards his seat on the table although his smile did falter a bit. Sigh. Father was never one who was able to hide his irritation.
I stood beside him, wondering about what the heck this meeting was all about. Standing at the head of the table, I saw my friends and not-so friends standing beside each of their parent, guardian or mentor. And even Lesus who usually has matters to attend to is standing on my opposite side of the table.
Confused, I hadn't even noticed that Aldrizzt had spoke up. "Thank you all for coming. I presume everyone knows what this is about" They nodded. I sweatdropped. As if I've got a damn clue about what this is about.
Hearing an oddly irritating yet familiar voice brought me out of my thinking "Maybe not everyone. I'm sure a certain someone who doesn't even bother to attend meetings at all doesn't know about this. I'm surprised they even came" I looked around the room and caught Georgo Earth, smirking. Damn you insufferable git! Just because I ruined your chances with your thirty-who-knows-what girl.
I glared at him by the corner of my eye but let out a smile. "I'm sure they all know what this meeting is about Georgo. But I'm pleased that you care about your comrades enough to remind them" I said sweetly and I can feel Georgo glaring daggers sharper than Laica's at me.
"Can we just get this over with? I've got a lot of appointments to attend to today" Hayseth Moon looked not much pleased. He stared at father urging him to start. But instead of Father, it was Aldrizzt who sighed.
"Okay, just a bit of a recap, this meeting will be about the partnership with the Long's. It's the first in a long time since this happened and regarding the new game they released, the boost in the market will be exceptional especially since both our companies will be marketing out products in a few weeks." Aldrizzt explained.
"The purpose of this meeting is to determine the shares each company will get among the products and also more importantly the management of the game isn't only limited to the Long's but some of the management will fall upon us so it is up to us to decide the management of the game" He continued. Everyone nodded.
Ceo looked paler than usual and interrupted before Aldrizzt could speak again. "Wait! Hold on a minute" She held her hands up signaling us to let her talk. "By management does that mean some of the paperwork on the games will be passed on to us?"
This time it was Chasel who spoke up "Not necessarily. According to the contract, at most the paperwork that we're going to do is about the products. And the management they were talking about…I'm pretty sure the rest of you young ones received their packages" We nodded. I thought for a bit and realization dawned on me.
"You don't mean we're supposed to manage the game from the inside?" I interrupted. Chasel nodded.
"The arrangement was that you're supposed to be managing some parts of the game inside while the external affairs namely, the paperwork, would be done by us adults" Storm seemed to lighten up upon hearing the explanation.
"Nice! So do we get something special for it? Weapons? Skills?" Chikus shot up beaming with excitement. Fahr slumped his head at the table at his son's actions.
"As it would be unfair to others no special privileges will be given to you. You will be like all the other players though your helmets were customized to your liking which is cannot be made to just anyone" Aldrizzt explained further as Chikus calmed down a bit. I contemplated all these and came up with a conclusion.
"But in order to manage the whole game, At least one of us must be at each continent so how would we divide ourselves since the game decides which continent we are on?" I mused remembering how I entered the game.
"I entered the game about a few days ago and the NPC put me in the north continent" Elmairy spoke up. Glancing a bit at Wen, his father. This time it was Lesus who was listening all throughout the discussion who spoke up.
"I heard word from the Longs and father that our helmets were altered a bit so to divide us properly among the continents unlike how normal players choose their own continents. If I'm correct some of you may have already started playing so I propose we tell each other which continent we are in"
Lesus called for Vidar who gave him a bunch of papers. The papers were passed to each of us. "The papers are a short overview of the game and the description of the continents so we would at least have an idea."
Indeed it was a short overview; I looked over the contents while Chasel was explaining a bit when out of the blue Father exclaimed in annoyance "What's with all this crap about management and etcetera can't we just directly get to the point that they're supposed to be playing the game and giving out information to us about the game which normally wouldn't be able to be notice?!"
"Neo, you-"Aldrizzt tried but was cut off.
"Don't…..Let me say something first" Father seemed to compose himself from his outburst "To cut all of this short, this would be a special task to you. And instead of just watching over the game, I'll let you also handle all the external affairs that come with it, changing Chasel's previous decision. But to lighten your load we will be the one to handle all the paperwork" Ceo withdrew her breath she didn't even know she was holding "The external affairs include meeting with the Longs so if anything seems wrong or out of the ordinary there no longer be the need to pass us the message and you will go directly to the Long's. Understand?" He gave us a stern glare and we (excluding all the adults) nodded.
"We will also be monitoring your job and it may determine if you are competent enough. Now out with you all and we'll discuss the shares on our own" We were dumbfounded by his quick change of mood that we stared at him.
"What are you still doing here? Scram!" He yelled and we scrambled out the door Adair again following behind me.
When the last of us got out, we stood staring at the door. What the hell just happened? I looked at everyone and they seemed to be thinking the same thing. My eyes stopped at Lesus who was as calm as always. I frowned at him then someone spoke up.
"Wow…and he's supposed to be a 'Sun'. With brashness like that he could be a 'Blaze'" Laica blurted out. He was fixing himself.
"Ummm…Laica no need to keep your image we're already alone" Elmairy suggested to him.
"Image? I did no such thing" He replied confused.
We all blinked (with the exception of Ecilan, Vival and Lesus) simultaneously. "Anyways what was that about?" Georgo asked. No one answered.
"Miss, you'll be late for your next appointment" Adair suddenly appeared behind me and I looked at my watch. My eyes widened, rushing to the elevator I quickly pressed the down button. Adair still following close behind.
As soon as Grisia left, realization dawned on those left behind, except one. They all shared a knowing look to each other.
"Sometimes it impresses me to how discreet Uncle Neo can be" Elmairy spoke up
"Discreet? You call that discreet?" Georgo refuted
"Still I think it's just his pride that keeps him from admitting it" Vival chimed in
"Coming from you whose pride's even bigger than the moon" Chikus snorted
"Oh come on, we're not as lucky as you who doesn't even need an image to cover himself up with. Neo's pride is much taller than any of the Moon's"
"Still Uncle Neo cares a lot for Grisia" a soft voice was heard behind them. Demos Cloud appeared in the corner near the door.
A startled Metal jumped away a few meters "Were you here all this time?! You should show up more you're like a ghost popping out of nowhere!"
"Laica no need to use such harsh words" Aivis calmed him down
"b-but I wasn't…" Laica stammered
"Still though, those two are more alike than they think. I know 'cause I've been with them for years and had been dumped mountains of paperwork by the two of them" This time it was Ceo
"I'm sorry I don't get what you're talking about. Why did Sir Neo burst out like that" asked an oblivious Vidar
"Still here? I'm surprised you haven't gone yet Lesus." Laica asked
"I'm supposed to be meeting Father" he replied not taking his eyes away from a book which no one knows where he got from. They all replied with an "ah".
A grunt was heard and they all looked at Ecilan who indifferently leaning against a wall. With his stoic expression he gestured to Vidar.
"Vidar must be very confused by now, seeing Uncle Neo in that state" Elamairy came up worriedly next to Vidar.
"To put it simply, Neo has a track of Grisia's schedule. She probably has an appointment somewhere that she was about to be late to." Ceo clarified
"But doesn't Miss Grisia always speak ill of Sir Neo when alone?" the baby faced assistant asked
They thought back to the times when Grisia actually used Neo's name akin to a curse.
"It's most likely just their pride but when you see past it you'll see they're actually pretty close" Ceo continued
"As close as an overprotective father and a spoiled daughter can be" Laica helpfully added
"That daddy's girl" Georgo spat out
"But I guess you need to see past through them to see that" – Aivis
"A troublesome duo indeed" Lesus who was silently listening commented
Ecilan replied with a grunt.
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Just a bit of a preview of who were at the meeting which I can't fit in
****It seems they even brought their 'heirs' (1) so more or less the ones here are, On my father's side; Lanbi and Ceo Storm, Fahr and Chikus Blaze, Wen and Elmairy Leaf, Demos Cloud and his father and Georgo Earth and his father. On Chasel's side is; of course Chasel and Lesus Judgement, Eller and Ecilan Ice, Dansbert and Laica Metal, Hayseth and Vival Moon, Aivis and her mother and Elijah with his guardian. Including, Adair, Aldrizzt and Vidar that's pretty much everyone. ****
So that's Chapter 3! I've actually had to read all the stories again just to find out which 37th generation knight have been named. Thanks for reading my story and I'm sorry for the wrong grammars. this story is still not beta'd.
Reviews are much appreciated :)