William Thacker was once again, thinking and moving as himself.

Where he had been was the world of First, a virtual reality environment considered to be the world’s first virtual reality massive multiplayer online role playing game (VRMMORPG).

There, a person, or player as they were called there, took over another body of their own creation and forged another life. Be it to become an unknown beggar on the streets or a legendary hero known by all, it was their choice, provided they had the strength and talent to back it up.

It was set in an old world, a place without advanced technology and where electricity was hard to control because of the world’s mechanics. Though, in place of humanities greatest strength of technology, they had something else, magic. Fueled from their now mana enriched bodies, they could defy the laws of heaven and earth allowing them to replace the wonders of science with the wonders of magic.

William got out of his capsule.

Stretching and checking the time on his clock, it was Tuesday, 10:30 AM. Gathering his belongings, he went to the library. It was a day without classes so he had a chance to study, as a student of virtual reality it wasn’t something he could neglect.

Being in his first year of the studies, it was not at a difficulty that challenged him but still he had to keep up with it or he would fall behind. Allot of the material was actually what he already knew as the institution tried to place students on even footing with each other. They came from countless different schools so it was a necessary step to not loose promising individuals down the line.

General sciences, language skills, programming, mathematics and ethics were the brunt of it.

Today would be just math and John somehow finished it. It was a difficult task for one readily thinking about the power of nature rampaging and shaping the land. John squeezed out some actual concentration in the end to make sure there were no mistakes in the work but found it accurate.

Finishing around 3, he went for a late lunch.

Torn between pizza and a salad bar he digressed and choose the healthier option. Though when he did sit down to eat, he made sure to have his back to the window where the pizza was clearly visible. He would likely never finish his meal of greens if he was staring at cheesy, smelly, yummy pizza.

*Munch, munch*

*Munch, munch*

He felt like a cow…

“William!” A female broke away from her friends and approached. It was Amy Kite, someone he met at school who took similar classes to his own. Waving her friends along, she let them know it was ok to leave without her and they did.

“Hi Amy.”

“You’re eating salad.”

“I’m eating salad.”

It was definitely a look of surprise that came across her face then.

“I’d have thought to find you eating pizza across the street.”

“Thought did cross my mind…”

William found the greens between his teeth get drier and harder to swallow.

“Well it’s nice to see you eating healthy.”

“I guess, though there wasn’t much choice. My capsule has been warning me about my eating habits for a while now. Pushing it anymore might not let me access it.”

“I see, well it’s good to eat healthy regardless, the gym helps too. And capsule? As in capsule for First?”

“Yup, why do you ask?”

“I didn’t know you had one. I’ve just gotten started with it a few months ago. There you call me Mirajia Redknight, I’m a water mage.”

“A water mage. They are pretty useful in a raid, I’m sure you’ll have lots of fun with it. They have strong offensive and minor healing capabilities. That and they really shine when they go underwater.”

“Yah… I’m not that far yet but I’m training hard with the guild I’m in. I think they were saying something similar. But if I may ask, what about you?”

“Ah, you’ll find me as John Ryder, scout.”

It wasn’t entirely a lie but William was reluctant to reveal his true class. Saying scout was convenient because many of the abilities of the class could be found in his. That’s not to say they were even remotely similar though.

“I see.”

Amy was a little a little taken back after hearing he was the class noted as only having ‘good eyes.’

“Don’t look so down, scout isn’t as bad as people say.”

“I. I know that. I’m not looking down on the class.”

A flush on her cheeks was telling a story of embarrassment at being caught looking down on another.

“I know too.”

John finally finished his meal. He was half expecting a flower to sprout from his head and start his body on photosynthesis. Salad was definitely not on his list of go to meals for the immediate future. Next time he’d take it in a smoothie with a bucket of sugar…

“Anyways, we should meet up in game. You anywhere near Avalon?”

“Hmm, not for a while. Why are you there though? That’s basically one massive construction yard.”

“Our guild bought a flagship.”

“Oh ho, congratulations. That’s a big deal.”

A guild was only a guild in name until it had a home, a place where it’s members could declare as ‘theirs.’ A flagship was one way to accomplish this.

“Thank you, but be that as it may. We’ll have to continue another time, it launches today so I’d like to be there when it does.”

“No problem. Have fun and good luck.”

William smiled as she left and with a grunt, picked up another salad that he would be having for dinner.