Maya followed the wall northward away from the east gate until the wall spread out into what seemed to be the military district and the road veered sharply westward. The entire northeastern corner of the city was blocked off, a smaller wall enclosing barracks and other low buildings whose purposes she would probably never know,. She did spot a plume of smoke, probably from a cooking fire, and assumed that building must be a kitchen. Or maybe a smithy.

Before she could get too lost, she spotted the domes and spires of the mage academy in the distance. The guard captain knew what he was talking about - once she knew what to look for, it would be very hard to miss them.

The closer she got the more excited she grew. Finally! If she was going to be living in a fantasy game, then magic was absolutely the one thing she wanted to explore more than anything else.

As she came closer she also began to see other players in the streets. They were instantly recognizable from townspeople, their outfits more elaborate and their expressions determined or focused. While the NPCs went about their daily tasks calmly, the players seemed in a perpetual hurry.

It made her feel slow, unable to even keep up with the walking pace of the higher-level characters surrounding her. Again she wondered if she should put some of her level ups into agility or whatever else impacted movement speed. It wouldn't do for her to always be slower than anyone else. But she’d already decided on her build, and didn’t want to deviate already. She could always try for speed or agility on one of her alts.

She’d gotten so used to being the only player around that it felt weird seeing people rushing about in every direction. The mage academy must be important for there to be so many people here.

She began to notice occasional players with magic, that not-quite invisible coating on hands or arms, or even covering their entire body, which glinted when the light caught it. She remembered how large the ball of magic from the tutorial had been, and how thin a sheen it had made on just her one arm. Even just the players in sight must represent a significant amount of the world's magic.

She didn't know how large the world was, but it did seem odd that the server would only allow a few hundred players. The more she thought about it, the weirder it seemed for there be so few people in a city this large, let alone the rest of the world outside. Surely the entirety of world 9352 wasn't centered on this one city. Or was it?

Finally, Maya reached the entry, an arched gateway. A guard held up a hand to stop her. "I don’t recognize you. What is your business here?"

"I'm a new player. I'd like to join the mage academy! That is what this is, right?"

"This is the mage academy, yes. I still don't recognize you."

"I did just say that I'm a new player, right? I'm new. Just started yesterday. This is my first visit to the mage academy, which I would like to join."

"Wait here."

The guard beckoned to a white-furred felinis woman in blue and green patterned robes. She joined them with a questioning look at the guard.

"What's up?"

"I need you to watch this stranger and ensure it does nothing foolish. I must consult with the archmage. I will return shortly." The guard turned and walked away.

"Well that's not very hospitable." The robed felinis turned to Maya and grinned. "You're new, aren't you? Are you here to join the mage guild?"

"I don't know about joining a guild, but I absolutely want to learn magic."

"I know exactly what you mean! Like, what the point of a fantasy game if you're not gonna, you know, engage with the fantasy of it, right?"

"Right! I'm Maya, by the way. And I know I have the androgynous shape, but that's just for the stats. I'm definitely female." She glared after the departing guard. "She, not it."

"Weird stat system, isn't it? I've never seen a game like it. I'm Trixy, with a Y, known here as Trixyceratops. But you can just call me Trixy."

"But you're a felinis."

"So?"

"If you're going to name yourself after a dinosaur, why aren't you a lizardine?"

Trixy waved a white-furred hand dismissively. "I use the same name for everything. Lizardine are nothing like dinosaurs."

"They kind of are," Maya said.

Trixy shrugged, then changed the subject. "So how are you liking the game so far? Have you put much thought into your build? Do you know what specialization you'll be going for? I tiered up a few weeks ago, but I'm holding out for Star Chainer myself. Assuming I can earn enough favor to unlock it."

"I already have a specialization, actually, but I'm hoping to learn some fire and lightning spells. Other than that, I haven't really decided what I'm going to be doing yet. I'm still getting used to living in a game. Not sure what I'll do with myself apart from just see what there is to learn."

"You already have a specialization? I thought you said you started playing yesterday! What level are you?"

"Level. . . 3. Oh! I have a levelup to assign!” Maya quickly tapped two points into momentum and the third into intelligence and verified the changes. “But, yeah, I got my specialization in the tutorial."

"Oh, lucky," Trixy groaned. "I'm level 14 and the only ones I have available right now are Shining Soul or Steadfast Body. Technically, I could get Burning Spirit or Seatouched, but those are terrible choices for any mage relying on abilities and not pure magic."

"Eh. Don't be too envious. I'm sure mine is non-optimal for a mage. Path of Life converts energy and stamina into health. I wanted to be able to focus on casting speed and intelligence without worrying about my hit points. I just took it as a way to avoid being killed with the first thing I meet."

"Oh, that's okay then. Steadfast Body is like that, but without nerfing energy. I'm holding out for something really good. Star Chainer reduces the cooldown when casting spells one after another, and each one gets the chaining bonus an extra time! It makes rapid casting a viable playstyle even if you don’t have awesome high power abilities. And once we’ve created some awesome high-power abilities, it’ll be even—"

Trixy cut off in midsentence, expression turning from excitement to shock. Maya turned to see what she was looking at. The guard was returning, accompanied by another felinis mage. Unlike Trixy with her mismatched boots and leggings, the new mage wore a perfect set of flowing black robes, accented with gold sigils woven down the front and along the sleeves.

He was covered in an inches-thick layer of magic which gave her the impression that he'd been encased in glass. He strode smoothly at a carefully slow pace, keeping just behind the guard who rushed to stay ahead.

From the murmurs of deference around them, the elaborate high-level outfit, and sheer quantity of magic, this felinis archmage could be no one else but Shardlord.

Maya hadn't intended to get involved in the players' faction squabbles, but she suddenly doubted that Domitius could offer her anything better than Shardlord's mage academy.

Shardlord came to a halt, and Maya couldn’t stop staring. He carried a staff in one hand, dark polished wood with gold filigree and arcane symbols running up it. The magic coating his hand extended down half the staff’s length, making it look like he’d dipped it in water just before coming. Or perhaps like it was half icicle. The gold beneath the magic shimmered vibrant rainbow hues, while still somehow remaining obviously gold.

“You are here to join us?”

Maya couldn’t speak. She nodded, avoiding catching his eye. He was wearing a gold circlet on his head, thin and nondescript at a distance, but this close she could make out tiny fiery writing that shifted constantly around it. She stared at it.

"What news do you bring?"

Maya couldn't think of anything to say.

“She has a health specialization,” Trixy put in.

“Do you? What’s your level?”

“She’s level three,” Trixy answered at once.

Maya nodded agreement.

“How interesting. But I think I’d like to hear you speak for yourself. Why do you seek to join us?”

“I just want to be like you,” Maya finally blurted, as the silence grew uncomfortable. “I want to study magic. I want to use magic. I love magic in all its forms and I’m finally here in a fantasy game and you’ve got all the magic, so this is where I am.”

“I’ve not seen you before.”

“She just started playing yesterday,” Trixy said.

Maya nodded.

“If you joined yesterday,” Shardlord said, his voice now carrying a hint of irritation, “then I would have expected you to be here yesterday.”

Maya almost winced at his tone, desperately hoping she wasn't making a mess of this. "I'm sorry? I only found out where the mage academy was this morning. I didn't realize anyone was waiting for me. Trust me, I'd been here sooner if I could've."

She was babbling. She forced herself to stop. This wasn't a meeting with the most powerful, highest level player in the game, who had ultimate control of almost all the magic and knowledge she so desperately wanted. It was just an entrance interview. Yeah. Just business as usual. Calm down.

Shardlord tilted his head in a half nod of acknowledgment. “So, what news do you bring?” he repeated.

"Nothing particular. I don't think I've been in game long enough to really be a source of news."

Shardlord regarded her for a long moment. Maya shifted uncomfortably in the silence.

“And you’re not a spy sent by Domitius to steal what’s mine?” His voice was suddenly cold and dangerous.

“No, of course not.”

“Then why the delay?”

"Delay?"

"In coming here. It doesn't take a day and a half to ask for directions."

“I told you, I only found out about you this morning!”

“Hmm. Who are you?”

“Maya Starborn.”

“No. Who are you really?”

“Maya. . . um," she couldn't quite bring the word to mind. She knew it, but it was just out of reach. "Stevens? Stubbins? St. . . something. I don’t really remember.”

Shardlord frowned thoughtfully. “It wouldn’t happen to be Stader?”

“Yes! That’s it. Maya Stader.”

“As in, related to Andrew Stader?”

Memory flickered, vague impressions solidified into facts. She remembered him, suddenly and clearly. As children, playing at being warriors facing the bad guy hordes. As teens, developing passions for gaming. As adults, long conversations about the latest releases, about what they would have done differently.

She’d never been as serious about making games as Drew, more interested in the theory than the application. He only grew more and more determined, though she didn’t think he’d ever finished anything.

“Yes! Drew’s my brother. Do you know him?”

Shardlord laughed, his voice suddenly light, any hint of annoyance gone. “Know him? Of course not. He wouldn’t play on a 9000s world. He’s on 01. I’m surprised you aren’t there with him.”

“I didn’t realize he played too. Do you think he knows I’m here?”

“He must. There’s no way Andrew Stader’s sister slipped through the cracks.”

“Why do you say his name like that?”

Shardlord fell silent. Then he held out a hand to her. "Here." She took it, confused, and he made a quick flick with his wrist that sent magic flowing from his arm over onto hers.

When he released her, she had a fortune in magic covering her hand. It seeped up toward her elbow, then shoulder, as it gradually equalized in thickness.

She tried to stammer out a thank you, but cut herself off. Shardlord had already started speaking.

“Andrew Stader is the founder of Otherworlds Open Gaming. In 2037, he partnered with Kade Whalen and created the first prototype of what you now see. Every world in the Otherworlds library is thanks to the two of them. They created the framework, and let others build off it. That’s why it’s still going strong even now. And, if I had to guess, that’s also why you were imported.”

“So, my lazy genius of a brother finally got motivated after I died, built a hyper-real video game empire, and had me scanned in. But didn’t bother contacting me?”

Shardlord shrugged. “You were dead for most of his life. Maybe he forgot.”

Maya hissed, the sound coming out as a bird-like screech of anger so sudden and feral that Trixy took a step back. “He wouldn’t have forgotten me!”

Shardlord spoke calmly, unruffled by her outburst. “Like I said, I don’t know the man myself.”

Maya deflated, her momentary rage forgotten in a sudden surge of loneliness. “He’s probably busy and hasn’t checked his messages. If this is being done on his behalf by others, I wouldn’t be surprised if all the relevant information is sitting in his inbox waiting to be read.”

“You’d know better than I. But, back to the subject at hand. I’d be more than happy to welcome you into my magic academy, if you still wish to join, for as long as you remain here. I don’t doubt that your brother will be sending for you to join him on World 01 as soon as he, ah, reads his backlog of messages. But for the meantime, I would be pleased to provide you with whatever resources or guidance you require for the duration of your visit here.”

Maya blinked and smiled absently, nodding. “Thank you.” But her mind was still on the memories swirling up from the emptiness where they’d been hiding. What else had she forgotten? Who else? Was there any way to know? She strained, trying to remember, but the only memories that came to her were the forest and wind, and her short lifetime’s worth of interactions with Drew.

Shardlord waited a moment, then his tone shifted to businesslike. “Trixy. You can show Maya to the student quarters. Room 6 in the Sapphire Hall should be available. I’ll handle the registration.”

He turned and strode away, each step covering an impossible amount of ground. He reached the central spire within seconds, opened the door, and disappeared inside.

“Student lodging is over here,” Trixy said, tugging at Maya’s free hand. Maya absently fell into step as Trixy continued talking. “See the building there with the blue dome? That’s Sapphire Hall. I’m in the one next to it, Diamond Hall. At night, the whole academy lights up. It’s really magical.”

“Nice,” Maya said, without really listening. Her former excitement at the prospect of entering the academy was dulled by the thought that Drew was here, and yet unreachable. Worlds away. The melancholy she’d been fighting since first waking up in the game settled over her like a heavy smothering blanket.

“I’m surprised he’s putting you in Sapphire. It’s usually reserved for tier 3 and 4 players. I’ve been there a few times visiting friends, but it’s definitely a step up from Diamond. Of course, the really high level players have rooms in the towers, but that’s a long way off for you and I.”

Trixy continued rambling on about housing, then something about classes and teachers, but Maya had stopped listening.

A small, petty, vindictive part of her crossed its arms and said that if Drew ever decided he wanted her, he'd have to come himself. She would build her own life and manage without him, as he so clearly done without her. That part of her desperately wanted Trixy's friendship and companionship, wanted to invite her in and spend the next year doing nothing but talking and studying magic together. Maybe it would help fill the sudden void in Maya’s heart.

But the loudest and strongest voice in her mind just wanted to go to bed and sob into her pillow until she fell asleep, and not wake up until she could go back to forgetting that she had a family at all.

She wasn’t sure she could accept that Drew had moved on so thoroughly, spent years and years without her, built his own life of which she had no part - nor even any knowledge. They’d always been so close. How could she have forgotten him? It terrified her. Had he forgotten her with the same ease? She was history. Dead and gone. And he was famous. Someone the highest level, most powerful player in the whole of World 9352 spoke of with awe. What use could he have for his long-dead little sister?

Long-dead. That’s what she had to be. Not recently, not just now, but years and years. Long enough to build all of this. Long enough to have over ten thousand worlds.

"Look! They already have your name on it. Shardlord works fast."

"That's wonderful," Maya said listlessly. "I think I need some sleep. It's been a long first day."

"I’ve heard that even permanents don't actually need to eat or sleep in the game. Desi says it’s just leftover memory and instinct from before. I wouldn’t know myself. And she is a bit odd at the best of times, so maybe she’s just a freak who never needed sleep in the first place. You should try—"

Maya opened the door and stepped inside. "Necessary or not, I'm going to bed. Good night, Trixy. Or good morning. Whatever."

Maya didn’t wait for her to finish rambling. She closed the door.

Maya Starborn Average Androgynous Harpy Level: 3 Affinities: Magical Physical Tier: 1 Class: Trickster Specialization: Path of Life Total Base Items Modifiers Sturdiness: 8 8 0 0 Momentum: 14 11 0 3 Agility: 9 8 0 1 Control: 8 8 0 0 Attunement: 10 9 0 1 Focus: 9 8 0 1 Intelligence: 12 10 0 2 Flexibility: 9 8 0 1 Luck: 8 18 - -10 Unassigned: 0 Health: 94 of 94 Will: 18 of 18 Stamina: 59 of 59 Energy: 59 of 62 Speed: 92% Switch penalty: -52%, 10.2 secs Stealth: 78% Chain bonus: +4% Awareness: 66% Cooldown: 95.5% Max abilities: 3

Abilities

Abilities: [3 of 3] Wind Whisper

[5 energy] Blow into cupped hands, then push the air toward the target.

Creates a light breeze, a quick gust, or a damaging slash.

[Overcharge: +5 energy, +0.2 sec cast time, +50% force/duration/dmg] 2.2 sec

5 dmg

(wind) Throw Knife

[5 stamina] Throw a knife at a target with high accuracy. Requires a knife. 1.1 sec

3 dmg

(physical) Sense Balance Discern if an area is lacking in or has an excess of any materials, creatures, etc. Equipment & Inventory Item Name Slot Stu Mom Agi Con Att Foc Int Flx Newcomer's Tunic Body Newcomer's Leggings Legs Trickster's Mask (Mage) Special Money: 2 Silver 65 Copper Quality Item name Details Soulbound Trickster's Dice Soulbound Trickster's Orb 3/5 uses remaining Flimsy Shary's Orchard Brochure Normal Apple x2 Consumable Special White and Blue Orb 3/3 uses remaining Special Key - Arrival Plaza Apartment Expires in 30 days Normal Basic Throwing Knife x24 3 damage (physical) Special Key - Room 6, Sapphire Hall Missions Mission Description

Time Reward Trickster Day 2 Lose a fight to another player in PVP. 10h 48m Trickster's Reward

??? Windy Creek Reconstruction Locate the missing workers' tools.

Construct a new dam to redirect Windy Creek to the mill run.

Clear the wreckage of the old Windy Creek Dam.

Complete construction of the new Windy Creek bridge. DONE 5 silver, 80 copper

25 reputation with Windy Creek village Trickster Day 1 Side with a person who is losing an argument or disagreement. FAILED -5 reputation with The Trickster Missing Delivery Find the overdue delivery boy. Ensure his safety and the successful delivery of apples to Shary's Produce Stand. DONE 5 copper

3 apples

+10 reputation with Shary and Elaph