PftA Book 2 - Chapter 26

Chapter 26 – Theories and Secrets

“Do you think things will be like they are in the game when it happens?” Elaine asked as we ate our virtual lunch together between classes. Since learning that the Alliance had a virtual university in the Junction, she’d promptly enrolled and started taking classes every other day, aligning her class periods like I had. As a Beta Group beta tester, Elaine didn’t have much freedom in her schedule, so taking classes in the middle of the night was her only real option if she wanted to ‘attend’ like a normal student.

Elaine and I had started spending more time together in the two months since we'd met, and that had only increased after she started attending classes through Atlantis University. I hadn’t realized how isolated I felt until I had someone to talk to about what was happening. Sure, I could talk to Rhona, Stella, Robert, or even Master Kairos. But it wasn’t the same as discussing what was coming with another native.

“In some ways, sure,” I said casually. “I can see the government declaring martial law in the beginning to keep the worst violence from happening, but I don’t see it lasting very long.”

“Why not?” the Airman asked before taking a dainty bite of her blueberry cheesecake. Since nutrition didn’t matter much within the simulation, most people tended to eat the foods they most enjoyed instead of what their bodies needed. Consequently, desserts were a huge portion of the virtual school’s cafeteria offerings.

“For starters, Alliance nobles will be given authority over different territories. No matter what they do, existing governments won’t survive the shift.” I shook my head. “I don’t know how long it will take them to gain control of everything, but with most governments already on board…”

Elaine looked at me incredulously. “I can’t see politicians giving up America to some alien noble.”

I shrugged. I couldn’t see it either, but I knew it had happened in the other timeline. While my memories were not wholly reliable during the early portion of the reintegration, I couldn’t recall any hints of a civil war happening. Living on a military base, I would certainly have noticed if there was some kind of government-backed resistance. Then again, I’d been so overwhelmed with grief from losing my parents that I’d thrown myself into working as a Healer, not bothering with the ‘why’ or ‘how’ of what was going on around me.

Changing the subject since we were technically in a public area of the Junction, I asked Elaine about her experiences beta testing the new game so far. Since Elaine and her group lived farther away from the office, they opted to explore and see how the game depicted the city instead of heading to Atlas HQ. The signs of looting and violence had surprised her for some strange reason.

After seeing the groups of military personnel attempting to maintain a sense of order and discipline, her group’s sense of duty led them to join the NPCs after identifying themselves as service members. That decision dramatically changed their experiences since they were immediately conscripted and put to work functioning as a reserve force.

After listening to her complain about how boring and ‘stupidly realistic’ the game was, I wondered if Elaine and the rest of her team would take the same approach on future resets – or reality. It wasn’t like they had a local command structure, after all. They were attached to Atlas, not the local military base. I was pretty sure Elaine’s initial enlistment contract was almost over anyway… not that it would stop the government from extending it if they felt the need.

“I’m actually a little surprised you haven’t been conscripted by the government yet,” Elaine said out of the blue, making me wonder if her thoughts had somehow gone down a similar path. I unconsciously flinched before forcing myself to relax as I dumped my tray into the nearby trashcan.

“They probably tried once they learned about me, but I’m under a system-enforced contract to work with Atlas. If they attemptedto force me to work for the government instead, I doubt Rhona would let it go.” I grinned at the thought of Rhona telling off some imaginary government agent for trying to buy out my contract.

“Aren’t you worried about the aliens taking over?” the Airman asked quietly once we exited the building, as if afraid to be overheard. Looking closer, I could see the tension she tried to hide. I understood. Regardless of our historical connection, the concept of a mostly benevolent alien civilization taking over Earth was scary.

Change was scary.

But I’d gotten over it. “Nah,” I said, shaking my head as I walked down the steps leading to a small courtyard. “They can’t be worse than some of the governments in power now. Besides, they’ve put a lot of time and resources into preparing us. They could have sprung the whole thing on us without warning and told us to adapt. Worse, they could have easily overpowered our defenses and conquered Earth by force.”

“Exactly!” she exclaimed. “That’s part of what I don’t understand. Why are they going through so much effort to prepare us? It seems…”

“Like a poor investment?” I supplied.

Elaine moved her hand in a ‘so-so’ motion. “Not necessarily. Just… like a lot more effort than seems reasonable. But at the same time, they might be doing it to find talented people to recruit.” Elaine’s expression lightened, and she leaned closer. “Supposedly, some big-shot sect member already found a disciple from those who already gained system access. I’m not sure how it all works, but if they’re going through the extra steps to identify people to recruit, that would make more sense.”

I cringed when she mentioned Master Kairos, but she was too busy ruminating on how lucky the unknown disciple probably was to have noticed. My status wasn’t a secret, but it wasn’t something I wanted to publicize either. Mostly, I just didn’t want to make myself more of a target.

While I was pretty sure I could get away from anyone who might try to capture me, I was less confident in surviving a targeted attack. However, my being a sect disciple shouldease the minds of any with political aspirations. Not that they would necessarily know that.

Eventually, my status as Master Kairos’s disciple would be revealed. I really didn’t want Elaine to learn about it from another source, especially not after listening to her talk about the mysterious disciple. I was pretty sure she’d keep it to herself, but even if she didn’t… the rumors were already out there. It wouldn’t be hard for the spies to put two and two together.

“…and I bet they live in a fancy estate somewhere, with servants calling them Young Master already. You know I joined a sect when we beta-tested Olym? It wasn’t nearly as over-the-top as cultivation novels made it out to—”

“It was me,” I said awkwardly, cutting her off. She stopped beside one of the benches that lined the path separating Atlantis University from the two magical academies.

“—be.” She blinked a few times and tilted her head to the side. “What? You beta-tested a sect, too? I thought you were doing research already when that expansion was tested.”

“No. I’m the disciple.” I could tell she didn’t believe me. “I have a really high Time affinity…” I trailed off, looking away.

Elaine raised a brow. “How high?”

“I’d rather not say.” I sat on the nearby bench and sighed deeply. “It doesn’t really matter anyway. Master Kairos showed up as soon as he found out and practically insisted I become his disciple.”

“Then why are you still here?” she asked with a smirk as she plopped down beside me. Her tone wasn’t challenging, per se, but it was clear she didn’t believe me.

“I told you, I have a contract with Atlas,” I said. While the concept of system-enforced contracts might be new, I was sure she understood the significance of them already.

“So? If you’re the disciple of some super-important Sect Master, can’t he take care of that?” The playful smile on Elaine’s face made it abundantly clear she thought I was joking and was only playing along. I was tempted to go along with the misunderstanding and play it off like a joke, but I stopped myself.

“The contract is system-enforced. Master Kairos can’t just tell them to cancel it. I don’t think he has that kind of authority.” I frowned slightly. Given his tier, it was entirely possible he didhave that kind of authority.

The redhead chuckled. “I would believe you if I hadn’t identified you already. There’s no way you’d still be level two if you were some important guy’s disciple.”

“I…” I paused. I couldn’t tell her about the false status. That was one of the things Rhona had been pretty specific about not sharing for my own well-being. While I trusted Elaine to a point, I couldn’t bring myself to share the fact that I could falsify my information.

I could claim I wasn’t delving because I wanted to avoid attention… OR, I could use my low level to justify sharing the knowledge I wanted to get out.

With a slowly spreading grin, I asked, “Have you looked at my game guide? I’m pretty sure I shared the website with you.”

She shook her head. “Not yet. I’ve meant to check it out, but I tend to forget… sorry,” she said sheepishly. “But what does that have to do with you still being level two?”

“Everything,” I said confidently. “There’s an upgrade you can do to your interface that gives you an AI. They call it an Interface Assistant, or IA, but it’s pretty much the same thing. It takes ten thousand experience points at Tier One to upgrade, but I think it’s worth it, even if it takes a long time to earn the points. I have it in-game already…”

I hated half-truths, but my safety and the safety of those I cared about was paramount. Elaine couldn’t accidentally share what she didn’t know.

My newest friend stared at me for a long moment before widening her eyes. “You’re telling the truth, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I really am a sect disciple, and there really is an upgrade to the interface. The spies probably haven’t realized the upgrade is real yet. I’m sure they’d have asked me about it if they had. I doubt the government would have a hard time tracing the site back to me.”

The redhead shook her head. “No, it probably wouldn’t be that hard if you aren’t a hacker or something.” She looked at me closely. “You aren’t a hacker, are you?”

I chuckled. “Nope. I’m an Enchanter.”

“Okay,” Elaine said with a smile. “I’ll be sure to check out your site after class.” Her eyes unfocused for a moment before she swore under her breath. “We’re both going to be late. Send me the link again?”

Seeing how little time I had left until class started, I nodded and waved as she took off, heading back toward the university building. I’d mostly stopped attending classes at the Mages’ Academy since I had two mentors teaching me, one for each affinity, but I was still taking classes at the Enchanters’ Academy part-time in addition to my regular university courses.

While Vasilla would answer any direct questions I had, she didn’t appear comfortable sharing advanced Enchantingtechniques beyond what might be necessary for me to do the job. I wasn’t sure if there was some kind of oath involved or if there was some other reason for her resistance. Regardless, I didn’t feel comfortable pushing, especially not when I had another source of knowledge.

After ensuring I was out of sight, I triggered Teleport and moved to my next class. Even nerfed within the simulation, Space magic was awesome.