It had been a year in the outside world, but ten years had passed within the Starfire Server’s ti-dilated environnt.
Tyler erged from the massive tower at the server’s center, accompanied by a steady stream of students. Knowledge within the server was boundless, and many had chosen to move closer to the tower, where the ti ratio skewed dramatically, to absorb even more. Tyler had spent a total of 13.5 years in the VR realm, imrsed in learning and growth.
Astrid exited a nearby building, her gaze fixed on an angelic projection glowing softly within. She stood there for a mont, lost in thought, her usual composure tinged with an air of contemplation.
Not long after, Mathilda erged from the tower, clearly energized. It was evident she had enjoyed her ti in the Starfire Server imnsely.
"Tyler, you should build a special server like this when we’re out," Mathilda had said the last ti they spoke. "I could run experints here forever."
Tyler had only chuckled, knowing her obsession with Alchemy and Girls would never wane.
As the students continued their activities, an abrupt stillness overtook the city. The entire virtual world seed to pause. Structures, objects, and even projections dissolved into streams of data, flowing toward the tower at the center. One by one, the students themselves transford into particles of light, their forms absorbed into the system before being ejected from the Starfire Server’s specialized ti dilation area.
Monts later, they found themselves inside the Do, a vast, futuristic space where their real-world bodies awaited.
Above them, a holographic image of Professor Ellen materialized, her serene yet authoritative presence commanding the room.
"Welco back, students," her voice echoed. "For you, it has been over ten years, but only a year has passed in the real world. I trust that each of you has made the most of this opportunity to gain knowledge and refine your skills. Very few academies have access to technology like our ti-dilation Starfire Server, and this is why we remain the number one academy."
A ripple of applause spread through the gathered students.
Professor Ellen’s expression grew somber. "As you know, completing your third year in the Starfire Server is a monuntal achievent. However, the challenges awaiting you in your fourth year will be unlike anything you’ve faced before. Normally, the fourth year is devoted to preparing you for future careers by assigning you to various organizations for practical experience. But this ti, things are different. The Abyss has broken out."
Gasps filled the room as the weight of her words settled over the students. However, Tyler and his group remained impassive, having already learned about the situation from Adam.
"The Abyss is a threat unlike any other," Professor Ellen continued. "You will be assigned to various regions to use the knowledge you’ve acquired—be it in technology, alchemy, combat, or even cooking—to aid the people affected. This is your chance not only to gain invaluable experience but also to seize opportunities. Rember, adversity is the foundation of greatness."
Her hologram flickered once and disappeared, leaving the students in thoughtful silence.
A notification screen appeared before everyone.
[You will be logged out in 1 minute.]
The countdown began.
[You will feel slight discomfort upon logging out. Please remain patient while your body readjusts. Drink water and eat the provided candy bar.]
As the seconds ticked down, Tyler closed his eyes, preparing for the transition.
[...3 seconds.]
[...2 seconds.]
[...1 second.]
The world around him vanished, and Tyler’s eyes fluttered open. The VR helt automatically detached from his head, signaling his return to reality.
Tyler felt slightly disoriented as he reoriented himself in the real world. After a year of suspended animation, his body struggled to adjust after experiencing 13 and a half years inside the Starfire Server’s virtual reality. The transition was jarring; his muscles ached from disuse, and his senses were overwheld by the tangible reality he had long forgotten.
Before him, a holographic screen projected a series of instructions. Tyler stretched his hands and legs, attempting to loosen the stiffness that had settled into his limbs. He began with gentle exercises—small sit-ups and push-ups—to gradually awaken his body. Each movent felt foreign, a stark contrast to the fluid motions he had mastered in the VR world.
His eyes fell on the Chocolate Bar and the bottle of water placed neatly beside him. Hungry and thirsty from his prolonged sleep, Tyler quickly grabbed the chocolate bar, taking a grateful bite, and then drank deeply from the bottle. The simple act of eating and drinking felt imnsely satisfying after such a long period of deprivation.
As he regained his composure, the pod’s lid hissed open, and Tyler stepped out into the common area. Simultaneously, nurous other students began exiting their pods. Many of them glanced back at the pods, their faces reflecting a mix of nostalgia and reluctance. They had grown fond of the imrsive experiences within the Starfire Server, but the ti had co to return to reality.
Despite their fondness for the virtual world, duty called. The students began to disperse, noticing that many second-year students, who were now third-year, awaited their turn to enter the server. This realization hit Tyler hard—they had officially reached their fourth year at the academy.
Tyler decided his first destination would be the Elite Academy of Magic and Technology. Accompanied by the Girls—Lily, Darla, Astrid, and Mathilda—he approached the teleportation hub. In the academy, They are only allowed to use Waypoint Terminal inside the Hub.
Together, they stepped through the portal and erged into the bustling grounds of the Elite Academy. The once desolate campus had transford into a vibrant hub teeming with students and activity. The sprawling facilities buzzed with the energy of eager learners, though sothing was noticeably missing—the Starfire Server. Intrigued, Tyler made a ntal note to explore the possibility of installing a similar system, recognizing the imnse benefits it had provided during his studies.
With two months of vacation ahead, Tyler planned to maximize his ti. Before delving into personal projects, he knew he needed to gather more information about the Abyss—a mysterious and dangerous phenonon that had recently erupted. The Abyss posed significant threats, and understanding its chanics was crucial for their safety and future endeavors.
He also has a plan to venture deep to save ’Adam’, though not sure if he will actually do it.
As Tyler delved into the extensive archives and digital repositories of the Elite Academy, searching for any data related to the Abyss, his communication device beeped with an incoming ssage.
It was from the Vice Principal of Starfire Academy.
Curious, Tyler opened the ssage, revealing an attached photograph of an older version of himself—Old Tyler White. Alongside the picture was a brief, cryptic ssage:
"Soone in the North, a Half-Celestial Immortal, is searching for you. Be cautious."
Reading the ssage, Tyler felt a chill run down his spine. The ntion of a Half-Celestial Immortal—a being of imnse power and unknown intentions—suggested that danger was imminent. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this Immortal was seeking him with malevolent purposes.
"But why is the Vice Principal informing ?" Tyler is more curious about that.
"Yeah? Why is he contacting you?" Serena voice appeared from his communication device.
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