Less than a day had passed since the championships and the thrill of it all was still fresh in my mind. If you had told me 3 years ago that some little card game was going to take the world by storm, and I would be at the center of it all...I would have never believed you. But here I was, world champion...wow. You can understand why as I walked to class the next day, I was a bit distracted. I never saw the black SUV pull up until it was too late. Like a scene from a bad spy movie, I was manhandled into the car and driven to a large office building. I didn't know whether to yell or try to run, but before I could decide I was dragged into the building and into a waiting elevator with 2 people waiting inside.

The first was a young man, who kept taking notes on a digital pad and the other was a young woman, who smiled politely. They were both wearing lab coats and appeared to be scientists. Instead of hitting a floor button the man swiped an ID badge at a reader in the elevator and suddenly the elevator dropped. After what seemed like forever the doors opened to a sterile hallway. The ones that had grabbed me stayed in the elevator as the scientists ushered me into a conference room.

Then...it was like a bomb had been dropped on mike's entire world.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Sitting across from the man, who had introduced himself as James Orwin, I glanced at Chloe and Max, another who had joined them, who both studied me intently, waiting for my response. The hum of the AC in the background felt almost deafening as the weight of their revelation settled.

"You're telling me Perim is real?" I finally said, my voice a mix of disbelief and excitement. "All of it—the creatures, the Battlegear, the Mugic—it's not just a game?"

James nodded, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Not only is it real, but we believe your… experience during the championship match proves you have a unique connection to Perim. We've theorized that certain individuals might have a connection, but you're the first confirmed case of someone actively linking to a creature's perspective during battle."

Chloe leaned forward. "We need to understand how that happened. And more importantly, we want you to come with us. Our first expedition through the portal is happening soon. Your perspective could be invaluable."

My pulse quickened. Me? Exploring a whole new world? The kid in me wanted to jump out of the seat and yell yes immediately. But there were questions—important ones.

"What do you need me to do?" I asked, leaning in.

James smiled. "For now, we need to get you up to speed. You may know the game, but Perim is more than stats and abilities. It's a living world with its own rules, dangers, and politics. The creatures aren't just game pieces; they have alliances, rivalries, and their own agendas. Over the next few weeks, we'll train you with everything we know."

Max smirked. "Hope you don't mind a little homework."

Never one to back away from a challenge I grinned. "If it means stepping into Perim for real? Bring it on."

The next few weeks were a whirlwind. I split his time between school, training, and wrapping my head around everything James and his team had uncovered.

One of the biggest surprises was learning how they had gathered information on Perim without actually setting foot there.

"For years, we've been sending drones through the portal," James explained one evening in the lab, pulling up a display of footage. "We started small—basic probes to test stability and gather environmental data. Once we confirmed Perim was habitable, we developed more advanced drones, able to record and analyze what they saw."

The screen flickered to life, showing grainy but stunning images of vast landscapes—forests, volcanoes, ancient ruins, and bustling cities filled with...them. I immediatly leaned forward as the screen showed Kiryu City. "Tht..that's Intress...and there's Arias...even Tartarek! Incredible!"

I was mezmorized, watching as a drone skimmed over a battlefield, where Maglax clashed with Pyrithion.

Chloe nodded. "The problem is, the drones have limits. We can only retrieve them if they return through the portal, and the signal can get spotty in certain areas. Plus, some creatures have noticed them."

I frowned. "Noticed them?"

Max chuckled. "Let's just say some of our drones got eaten."

"Or shot down," Chloe added. "Or torn apart. Some creatures don't take kindly to flying machines spying on them."

I watched as one of the recordings ended abruptly—the last thing visible was the enormous jaws of Blazvatan clamping down.

"Yikes."

James turned to me. "That's why this next step is so important. We've reached the limits of what we can learn remotely. We need someone who can actually interact with Perim. And that's where you come in."

I swallowed. "Because of what happened during my match."

James nodded. "You have some kind of connection to Perim's creatures, something we don't fully understand. If we can figure out how it works, it could be the key to understanding Perim in ways we never imagined."

I sat back, letting it all sink in. I had dreamed of being the best Chaotic player, of mastering the game. But this? This was something bigger.

"What do I have to do?"

The morning of the journey, I stood before the portal, my heart pounding. Dressed in a specialized suit designed to monitor my vitals and protect against Perim's unpredictable elements, I glanced at my teammates. James was making last-minute adjustments. Chloe was checking the data feed. Max gave him a thumbs-up.

"Ready, champ?" Max asked.

I exhaled. "More than ready."

James activated the controls. The portal pulsed with energy, and a swirling vortex of blue and gold light formed before them.

"This is it," James said. "Remember, we stick together. We observe first—no unnecessary risks."

I smirked. "Got it. No unnecessary risks."

And with that, we stepped forward, leaving Earth behind and plunging into the unknown...