Polaris Dark - Arc II Chapter I

Sitting on a wooden chair fixed to the surface, I am currently riding with a group of passengers on the monthly merchant-run caravan group from the City of Arvenus to Frostmoon City. Unlike Arvenus, Frostmoon City is smaller as it is not one of the major hubs of trade and commerce. Instead, Frostmoon City's main specialty is the development of technology and magic; the very reason I am heading towards this city.

At this moment, I am tinkering with a couple of metal parts and a few small gemstones. I bought the parts and gems from a small magic store referred by Guard Captain Ashton. The pieces of metal are simply inscribed magic metal that have been scrapped while the gemstones were ruined magic jewels. I was able to buy them for a greatly reduced price - even though it is already cheaper as they are useless - since I was a friend of the guard captain. The bag holding the metal carries about sixteen small parts and nine medium pieces while the smaller pouch of ruined magic gems hold about fifteen colorful stones.

It should also be noted that pioneers (players) are not allowed to use the caravan's service. Ever since my social ranking changed from to Honorary City Guard, I was able to enjoy some privileges that the regular people of this world are able enjoy. Although the lead caravan merchant mistakenly thought that I was a guard on holidays, he was still happy to give me a private carriage space for a reduced price. Because the lead caravan merchant was a friend of guard captain, the actual price was reduced by nearly seventy percent.

The rank (Social Class) on the status window was mostly ignored as people saw it as what class you are part of. The status is thought to be the natural identifier for the players so no one explored options of this rank. Even the manual and information given out says that the Rank status is just an identifier tag that reveals an NPC or creature's status in its natural environment.

Fiddling with the pieces of metal and ruined jewels, I use the skill to study and understand the inner workings of the metal and jewels, This skill is not just an identification skill; it also reveals valuable information about how it was made, what kind of magic is inscribed, the material's composition as well as the estimated efficiency of the object when it was in a complete state.

The journey to Frostmoon city will take approximately two in game weeks so I will have lots of spare time. With three bags of the metal pieces and two small pouches of jewels, I will probably be busy studying the magic inscriptions and figuring out its original use during the time on the caravan. Along the way, the caravans will stop by at two smaller settlements before reaching Frostmoon City, staying in each town for two days for trading and rest. It will take two days to reach the first one, four days from the first settlement to reach the second one and finally three more days to reach Frostmoon City.

The guards of this escort are NPC adventurers and players with an average level of 30 in their first profession (no advancement). The adventurers numbers at approximately thirty while the players number at twenty-five. The adventurer and player escorts are separated into standard parties of five each. I guess the players think that everyone in the caravans are NPCs. Well, being only level 15 is quite low for a trip from city to city. From what I have heard, the quest given from the adventurer's guild (both NPC and player can register and become a member) requires at least twenty players with a maximum of twenty eight and must be above level 30.

Four hours into the first leg of this journey, nothing interesting happened, allowing the caravan to reach the first checkpoint without falling behind schedule. During these four hours of inside the carriage, I learned and continue to learn new things about the scrap metal and jewels. There are a lot of different metals with different magic inscription fragments, each with their own former use and each with a different complexity.

I am currently separating the metal pieces into three smaller pouches I bought from the Apothecary. The first pouch is for metal pieces with simple, "single-railed" magic inscription fragments. The second pouch is for the ones with two or more "railed" magic inscription fragments. The third and final pouch is for the ones with non-railed magic inscription.

(AN: the unknown terms will like "single-railed", non-railed and multiple railed will be explained in glossary later on).

With the profession's innate knowledge, I can understand what the inscriptions are for and how they interact with the material as well as with each other.

Technically, a person can sleep while playing this game as it treats the mind as in a dream state. Most people would normally avoid this as it leaves the user tired in the morning as they really did "live" an adventure in their "dreams". Professional gamers and other less-savory characters (AN: You know, those people that make money through gaming?) tend to play at every opportunity.

Spending the four hours just analyzing and studying the magic inscriptions is very tedious and boring to the average person. I, on the other hand, love discovering new things and reading. I find pleasure in learning new things, feeding my love for knowledge with the things I learn.

During the next two hours, I succeed in making a rather crude but active that responds to my command, albeit delayed and inefficienct. The reactor is made from two ruined blue magic jewels roughly fit into a composite base of three metal fragments. It is welded together using a I borrowed from the same merchant that allowed me to stay on the carriage for a lower price.

The torch works like an antique blowtorch but is powered by a fire marble (a round magic stone). The bronze canister holds several fire marbles, each held in a separate container inside of the canister. Using the skill, I noted the magic rails inside canister, each line etched on the inside of the canister. If I have something to support this skill, I can probably view the object in a three dimensional object map and understand the functions and craftsmenship more clearly.

The torch is used by traders to fix broken parts and is not that expensive to them as they are fairly rich from their trade. With my high intimacy rating with the and the guard captain, the head caravan merchant lent it to me for free.

Pairing this up with an idea of mine, I end up creating two theoretical techniques through the study of magic inscriptions. Apparently, the two newly created techniques are currently in "theoretical form" until I field test it.

Spoiler: Information

Particle RayType:OffensiveProficiency:N/AClass:Precision StrikeCircle:TheoreticalMana Cost:N/ARank:N/A[Particle][Laser]--By condensing mana particles into a form similar to a beam of light before agitating the particles, you can control and fire the beam of mana at a single target, piercing through and dealing magical damage to every creature/player directly behind the target as well. The mana particles does damage by scrambling the magic power of the target(s) struck by the ray. Not only does it burn away a portion of the afflicted's mana, it also dazes the target momentarily. This technique's damage decreases as the distance of the ray increases.

Experimentation Required to identify attributes and traits

Requirement: Prismatic Mana ReactorTechniqueDamageMax HitType----

Spoiler: Information

Distortion-Waveform ScanType:SupportProficiency:N/AClass:InformationCircle:TheoreticalMana Cost:N/ARank:N/A[Wave][Mind][Psionic]-Waves and mental energy can be used in a lot of abstract ways. This is only possible through experimentation and generation of theories. Combining the two elements here before releasing the aggregate in a wave packet allows you to sense and scan all targets within range of this technique. As waves are oscillation accompanied by the transfer of a certain type of energy through space/object (the energy here being mental energy), you can detect and analyze information of both animate and inanimate objects and learn of their properties.

Scans and displays basic information on all objects within range.

One can

Maximum Range: 25m²

Requirement: Magitech Analysis Core

Cooldown: 15 sec

Looking at the first technique, I wonder if the crude mana reactor I made out of the scrap metal pieces and three ruined red magic gems will be able to withstand the 's activation and launch. I'll have to wait for a good time and place to test this out. When I look at the second technique, however...

...it looks like I will have to prepare some equipment before I can even start testing .

Another two hours pass in game without incident, allowing me to finish examining nine out of sixteen small metal pieces before something stops me from continuing.

"Kuh, they found us out. Brothers! There must be riches in the caravans this time with so many guards! Kill all the men and take the treasures, women and children!"

A rather muffled masculine shout pierces through the carriage's walls, allowing me to hear them. It looks like the adventurers and players discovered a cluster of bandits hiding. The bandit's voice sounded a little annoyed; they were probably found out before being able to set an ambush. Just by listening to the shouts outside, I can hear a metal clashing on metal, shouting and yelling around me. The adventurers and players are probably fighting with bandits at close-quarters from the noise.

"No mercy! Kill the all the bandit scum!"

"Protect the merchandise! Protect the non-combatants!"

The first shout was from a woman with a very commanding tone to it while the second one came from a lower, softer masculine voice. The second voice is just as strong as the first even with the softer tone.

A little curious, I lift the lower left corner of a fabric covering the glass window of the carriage and peek outside, taking note of the situation.

Although the bandits are fairly weak and can be taken down with normally lethal strikes, they are decently skilled and are rather numerous. There are simply too many bandits for me to count but a rough estimate would be around eighty or so. Right now, we are on a clear path with tall trees on both sides, making it difficult to see the actual amount of bandits. Fortunately, the enemies don't seem to have any ranged weapons other than throwing axes, making it much easier for the adventurers and players here to handle the bandits.

Preparing in case of an emergency, I activate my and reattach the newly made mana reactor to a pair of mana tracer (lines) on the right hand. A moment after the reactor is attached, the slightly modified magic rails on the metal disk starts to glow a dull cyan blue, indicating that the reactor is now active. The ruinned jewels, on the other hand, does not glow as the magic forced into it will dissipate immediately. I have to use the magic right away for the reactor to work.

While the sounds of combat continue, I ready myself for intruders as well as keeping vigilance on the situation outside. A moment later, three bandits breaks through the player and NPC adventurer defensive line. As the road curves in my general area, I can see the carriages ahead of me as well.

"Ha! Let's see what is in the carriages!"

One of the players immediately catch up to the slowest bandit and engages in battle but the other two are too quick for the guards. One of the enemies sprints to the carriage ahead of the one I am in and tears open the door but is shoved away by an NPC adventure with a large shield. The second bandit rushes over to my carriage and tears the door open soon after and he shouts in delight as he sees me.

"Oi! There's a swee-"

He does not get to finish his sentence: thin, high-energy laser beam pierces straight through his head, striking more bandits further off without hitting any allies. Ironically, the "realistic" VR had to attribute the cliche laser beam sound to technique even though it should not have any noise at all. The bandit stumbles a bit and falls into the carriage from the sudden, the mana fluctuation and suddness of my action.

Fatal Hit! 312 Damage to Freslen Bandit ♂ Lvl. 23

Freslen Bandit Health: 8/320

Oh my goodness, the power of during a fatal hit is terrifying even without a critical hit. I immediately follow up with a punch to the head, causing the man to crumple. I kick the body off the carriage with a small sniff.

Theoretical technique has been identified and tested. This technique cannot be strengthened without upgrading the mana reactor component. Proficiency and rank will be disabled while the technique circle will be locked at . Mana Cost identified: 30MP each use

Spoiler: Information

Particle RayType:OffensiveProficiency:N/AClass:Precision StrikeCircle:TheoreticalMana Cost:30MPRank:N/A[Particle][Laser]--By condensing mana particles into a form similar to a beam of light before agitating the particles, you can control and fire the beam of mana at a single target, piercing through and dealing magical damage to every creature/player directly behind the target as well. The mana particles does damage by scrambling the magic power of the target(s) struck by the ray. Not only does it burn away a portion of the afflicted's mana, it also dazes the target momentarily. This technique's damage decreases as the distance of the ray increases.

Inflicts Mana Burn: -5% MP

Inflicts for 1 sec (First target struck only)

Maximum Range: 50m

Effective Range: 15m

Requirement: Prismatic Mana Reactor

Cooldown: 7 secTechniqueDamageMax HitTypeMana Beam330% ~ 75%1M-Pierce

Figures. It seems many of the abilities will require material components to strengthen. This profession is truly like a scientist and mechanic, perfect for my love of knowledge and new theories. No wonder it did so much damage... a 330% damage with my battle gloves is deadly.

While I slammed my battle-ready fist on to the dazed bandit's head, the adventurers that noticed the laser were surprised for a moment. As veterans, however, they promptly turn their attention back into thick of fighting. The two players, on the other hand, were stunned for a few seconds while gawking at the source; me. At this time, I was kicking the bandit's corpse off the carriage so I did not notice their stares.

A shout quickly brings the two players back into the fray, defending against three bandits that are charging at the two players. While they fight, I step outside of the carriage to assess the situation properly. At this time, none of the adventurers and players have suffered any casualties nor do they have any serious injuries. The bandits may be skilled, but even they cannot last too long against battle-hardened adventurers and deadly players with powerful techniques and spells.

During the skirmish, I was scanning the entire field as I readied my armament. With the crude mana reactor crackling, electric-like blue mana energy continuously outputting mana, I fired the technique whenever I find a region that needs some assistance. When the bandits noticed this, they tried to break through to keep me from doing more damage to their numbers. The adventurers and players realizes that someone is supporting their attacks and do their best to hinder the bandits. The former are naturally successful at stopping the bandits as the latter are either too focused on or distracted by me shooting at them from a distance.

In about five minutes or so, most of the bandits are dead while the rest are fleeing in all directions, cursing their bad luck. In a matter of moments, the region becomes quiet again as the battle is finished. A few of the adventurers are injured while only three players are hurt. It is not very serious as they start treating their wounds and drink potions to recover health and mana. Lowering my arm, the crackling electric-like mana energy that surroudns the reactor slowly fades before the two jewels shatter to pieces.

The x2 on the are broken. Please replace the jewels for continued use of the reactor.

The magic rails on the have been disfigured. Please repair or replace the base plate for continued use of the reactor.

Ugh, the crude mana reactor is really living it up to its name. At least it lasted for the duration of the battle without breaking down. I take a look at the reactor and find it burnt out; the metal base scorched and blackened by the high-density energy. This ruined the magic rails on the metal that conducts magic to the jewel, rending it completely useless without repair.

The rest of the scrap metal and ruined jewels are useless as the magic rails do not conduct mana in the correct way. The only reason I was able to create the reactor was due to the three compatible pieces with single-railed magic inscriptions. Using the torch I borrowed, I had carefully welded the three pieces together as well as two attachments so it can stay on the battle gauntlet.

When the adventurers and players confirm that there is no other threat, they turn their attention to the most peculiar person in the group: me. Who else is as peculiar as me right now? I fired a blue laser beam-like attack in a fantasy world, what else can beat that at this moment?

As I inspect the broken reactor, the adventurers come up to me with eyes bright and curious. A woman, most likely the leader of the adventurers core walk up to me and give a slight bow to me. Her dark amber, mid-length hair falls over her shoulders in natural curls, giving her a rather gorgeous but commanding aura. Judging by our height difference, it looks like she is approximately 167.64cm (5'7").

The woman is outfitted with a small, bluish-silver chestplate that fits over her upper torso. The chestplate is single piece, curved front with a few decorative engravings and raised metal strips. Unlike modern sculpted "boob plates' and chainmail bikinis that seem to proliferate in both video games, anime and movies, the woman's chest piece pretty much adheres to physics and science.

She wears a single curved chest piece with room for blue and white padded cloth shirt underneath. covering the rest of her torso and splitting off into a wider and thinner, fluttery skirt like extension. that reaches to the middle of her thighs. The padded cloth has several hinged metal plates along the waist area for easier movement while providing decent protection. The padded armors covers her arms as well as her lower neck line. Jointed metal plates of various sizes cover the padded regions in certain areas to protect the body.

Underneath the extension, the woman is wearing a pair of dark blue pants that is probably padded as well. The pants have articulated metal plates to protect the vital points of the legs from injury as well as reduce mobility restrictions of metal equipment. The woman also wears bluish-silver metallic boots that have magic inscriptions on it. The inscription lines are beautifully engraved, glowing a soft, greenish light that indicates its property of element.

I discover through my skill that the inscription generates a certain amount of wind magic when mana is injected into the boots, allowing the enhancement to lighten the weight and increase the wearer's mobility for a certain duration of time. The boots are made of a metal that increases heat and wear resistance. Hm... I'll need to construct something to supplement my skill and allow me to analyze further.

On her hands is a pair of deep brown leather gloves with silver plates on the back to guard against attacks to the hand. On her head is a metal headband that holds her hair in place, topped with a blue-petaled, gold center flower decoration on the left side. This accessory piece gives her a touch of femininity that only makes her more attractive.

She addresses me in a stiff, formal way. She probably thinks that I am someone important since I was riding in one of the carriages. The passive skill from my title is probably active right now...

"My name is Rebecca Essano, lead adventurer team for this trading caravan. Thank you for assisting us young miss; your unique magic was really helpful in keeping the bandits off our backs."

I give a small bow to reciprocate before replying.

"Your welcome Miss Essano, I should at least help out since I am here. My name is Yukiara; pleased to make your acquaintance. If my name is a bit awkward, just call me Yuki for short."

I carefully remove the broken reactor and put it away before deactivating my battle gauntlets, turning the pair into silver-purple bracelets each with an inlaid lilac gem. I hold my right hand out to the woman with a smile on my face, wanting to break-the ice with her so as to remove the formality of the greeting.

With this gesture, the woman's eyes widen a bit and her stiff pose softens as she takes my hand with a smile of her own.

"The pleasure is mine," she gives my hand a small shake, "it's nice to see more women and girls taking an active role in combat."

I nod at her, agreeing with her way of thinking. Although there are female adventurers, knights and guards, they are generally in the minority compared to men. At this point, a man at least two heads taller than me walks over and stands besides Rebecca. This man is wearing a full suit of bronze-colored basic plate armor. The armor, gloves, greaves and boots are all engraved with certain, low-level magic inscriptions that lightens the armor's weight as well as strengthens its defenses. The man's short brown hair compliments his honey-brown eyes really well.

Giving small bow in respect, the man addresses me in with his strong, tenor voice.

"Thank you for your help Miss Yuki, it is nice to meet you. My name is Vaniel Resrock, deputy leader of Rebecca's adventurer team."

Vaniel brings his gauntlet-wearing hand out towards me and I take it with my mine. We shake our hands firmly before letting go a moment later.

"It is nice to meet you too. I'm only doing what I'm supposed to do."

I replay to his greeting with a small, respectful smile. Other adventurers in Rebecca's group start to crowd around us to introduce themselves to me happily. The players, on the other hand, watch the adventurers and I interactive from some ways apart as they have no idea what's going on nor do they know how to react to my appearance. A couple of the players may be talking to each other about the laser fire though but are not comfortable with coming over to talk to me.

Several minutes of interactions later, I re-enter my carriage and close the door behind me. The caravan continues on their way shortly after.

... ... ...

... ...

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Hanakanmuri Girl's Academy - Female Dormitories: A-Wing

*Psss.... Click!*

The Real Emotion Full-Dive Capsule's port slides open, revealing my room's ceiling to my eyes. I slowly lift my head up a little and press a button on the side of the capsule. The machine emits a soft hissing sound and the contraption inside the capsule slowly moves my body out of the slot and into a sitting position. The machine then raises my body to the level of the capsule's edge. When it stops, I am at a fully seated position; only my legs are lying straight inside the machine. I yawn and stretch my arms a little before sliding my legs off the capsule. As I get off, the seat area lowers slightly before the hatch slides close, shutting with a small hiss.

I go to the capsule and interact with the keyboard, saving the settings and turning off the system. The machine given to me and those without a capsule of their own is the newest models at this time. It is completely automatic and has comfort settings as well as other special controls. The capsule I have is the regular, futuristic-looking machine that has several glowing cyan blue lines when the machine is active. Other than my capsule's color scheme of black with the glowing lines as the design, there are three other standard capsule colors as well. The first is the white with red lines, the second is grey with yellow lines, the third and final one is yellow with green lines.

Sighing, I step out of the capsule room and enter the living room of my dormitory unit. My friends and I need to prepare for the outdoor camping trip a week after classes begin. We have planned to go shopping for some gear and other essentials and so we will meet up in the academy's cafeteria. Eating lunch there, my friends and I will then head out to a newly opened mall in Shibuya. The mall is very popular for those who love the natural world. The retail stores in this mall sell equipment for outdoor activities that are not only high-quality but are also tough and resilient to the elements.

I guess I will go prepare for going outside now. Checking the holographic clock on the wall, I walk back to my bedroom to change. Unlike the living room that has bland, cream-white colored walls, my bedroom walls are painted in a rather nice gradient of lilac-lavender.The ceiling is a pale blue color with five squares of transparent glass panels. The panels are near each corner of the bedroom as well as one at the very center in the ceiling. Behind the glass panels is the lighting for the room, controlled by a remote or the control panel on the wall.

I head towards the dressing room on the left side of the room, passing by the soft-blue canopied bed with silky, translucent curtains that can be pulled around the bed. Opening the the sliding door to the dressing room, I turn on the lights with a snap of my finger. This room's lighting is activated by sound; the sound can be customized via the bedroom control panel. I changed the activation to the snap of a finger so that it would be easily accessed without having to bother with clicking a button.

Well, it's time to change. I start sliding off my snow-white indoor dress, revealing a set of rather plain white undergarments with lacy edges. Placing the dress in a small box beside the mirror, I look at myself for a moment before unclasping my bra. I drop the bra into the box and take off my panties that are of the more modest boyshorts style. I drop that into the box as well before walking over to a set of automatic glass drawers completely naked. It's not like there is anyone watching me right now.

Standing approximately four feet tall, the compartment has three columns and rows of drawers. The glass drawers are colorless transparent with state-of-the-art computerized machinery for automatic opening and closing the chosen drawer. I touch a button on the top left drawer and it slides open, revealing several sets of new undergarments. This glass drawer contains the undergarments I wear when going outside of the academy. They are more durable and flexible for extended duration of movement as well as comfort. The drawer closes by itself after a moment.

I pick up outer-most set of undergarments procede to wear them. This set is in the same pure white color of the ones I dropped into the small box but are not lacy. When finished, I take a quick look at the mirror to the left of the drawers and turn around to check if everything is in order. Satistifed, I press a button on the lower left drawer and pick out a plain, slightly pleated dull red skirt and wear it while the drawer closes afterwards. I then open the middle left drawer and take out a soft white blouse and put it on as well before looking at myself in the mirror again.

I open the lower central drawer and take out a pair of white cotton socks that reach up to the lower shins. This should be comfortable enough for a day of walking. I casually put them on while thinking about what I should do next. Unlike many girls that take a rather long time dressing up and preparing, I am rather practical when there is not a need for formality.

Well, that's done with the main articles of clothing. I rarely use any makeup so I guess some moisturizing lip balm with a slight bit of color should be enough. Before that though, I should brush and straighten my hair. I walk to the furnished mahogany vanity table to the right of the clothing drawers and open a small cabinent, taking out a delicate comb and brushing through my mostly straight hair. A while later I feel that my hair should not cause any problems now so I replace the comb and close the door to the cabinent.

Now for the last touches... I open a cosmetics box on the table and take out small lip balm with only a bit of color. I bend over slightly to look into the oval mirror on the table and put the lip balm on before replacing the lid to the stick of lip balm. I'll take this with me when I head on out. Looking at the vanity table, my eyes pass over a small clear transparent marble on a silver stand that seems to be rather unremarkable at the first glance. If you look at it carefully, however, you'll find that there are nine bluish flame-like decorations moving around inside.

This curious marble-like jewel is something I found a few weeks ago. It was lodged in a crack of a relatively old building. The surroundings and the clearness caused it to be unnoticed by people passing the area. If it wasn't for my sharp visual sense, I would not have noticed it as well. This five centimeter ball of some sort of crystal or glass is fairly pretty so I took it and kept it here.

Hm... I guess I'll head out after I pick up a coat and handbag. I close the vanity box and turn around, heading to the closet opposite of the drawers and table. I open the closet and pick out a soft red cardigan and wear it before taking a small lilac-lavender handbag from the corner of the closet. I open the handbag and place the lip balm in a small pocket inside the bag before closing the pocket. I place the bag's strap over my shoulder and then take a look at the large mirror to the right of the closet.

Smiling, I clap my hands twice and the sliding door opens. I walk out of the dressing room and the door closes after a few seconds. All I need to get is my wallet and other necessities before heading out.

Thinking about the game, I there should not be any problems that the adventurers and players cannot handle while I am gone. I should be back at night in time to check in before going to sleep. Nodding, I prepare the rest of the items I need before walking out of the bedroom, and heading to the front door. Double checking everything, I smile to myself and open the door. Let's have some fun shopping today~

{{Non-Proof Read Version}}