I can't believe I’m saying this, but thank goodness for midterm exams.

After that unexpected battle in yesterday, I was just glad to focus on studying and trying to pass this semester's exam. I wasn't kidding when I said I had exhausted physically and mentally back there. Thanks to that battle, I barely managed to school on time since I woke up so late. But now it was all good and so far, my performance on my schoolwork hadn’t been deterred despite the setbacks. However, there was still the matter of the consequences of yesterday's incident. While I originally forced Kazuki to stop playing for a couple of days due to his recklessness in the game, Mom forced me to extend it to five days due to his exams this week. I did agree so that Kazu could focus on his studies, but needless to say, he was not happy about having to go cold turkey on gaming.

In any case, I’m glad to be back in real life and to focus on not only my studies but also my real-life connections. And best of all, I don't have to deal with more shenanigans for the week! As I gather my books from the locker for my next class, I suddenly hear a knock next to me. I turned and, no surprise, I see Zac grinning at me more eerily than usual.

I just frowned at this as I close my locker. "If this is about my algebra notes, then I suggest you wait until class is over. Besides, we still have History and Biology exams back-to-back and you're supposed to focus on those subjects first."

But when I look at Zac, I noticed that he has a nervous disposition about him, which was even weirder when I notice Damon sporting the same look on his face. Usually, whenever we meet, they greet me while they discuss differing opinions on everything. I was a bit curious, so I decided to ask, "Hey, what's the matter with you two? Did you bicker in public again or something?"

To my surprise, they just respond with a sheepish chuckle, something that they’d never done before. This caused me to raise my eyebrow in response to this.

"N-Nope, nope. Nothing's going on. Don't worry about us!" Zac answered, seemingly in panic. "It's not like we're just staring at you because y-"

Before he can finish, Damon covers his mouth and interjects, "You... seemed tired lately. Did you sleep okay last night?"

That isn’t like Damon to interrupt Zac like that. I’m suspicious about this, but I also feel that they seemed to be hiding something for a reason. Regardless, I decided to just play along for now as I sigh and scratch the back of my head.

"Sort of... We kinda logged out late last night and I ended up sleeping an hour late this morning."

"O-Oh, I see," Zac said as he removes Damon's hand from his mouth. "I guess you were too busy in yesterday, huh? How was it?"

I want to tell them what happened during our trek in the , but considering how weird and somewhat traumatizing our experience was, I decided to tell them an abridged version of it.

"Well, we managed to beat a bunch of monsters in the and our new vending machine became surprisingly popular overnight," I told them. "I never knew those orange and apple juice drinks managed sold out so much after we got back."

"Tell me about it. I bought a few bottles and I never knew I could enjoy an American classic in a fantasy VRMMO!" Zac grinned as he leans against the lockers. "Think you can make a few more and give a discount to your ol' friend right here?"

All I can do is roll my eyes at this. Sure, Zac is one of my best friends, but he can be a bit of a cheapskate sometimes. This is ironic considering how he often wastes his money over some useless things other than video games. "I doubt it. Besides, I would end up as your personal chef and butler if I continued serving you out of favoritism."

"Not to mention that you're always broke in both real life and in-game," Damon added, which I can't help but snicker about since it’s so true and I had just thought the same thing just a few seconds ago. "That aside, what are you planning to do now in ?"

"Huh?" I asked, a bit confused at Damon's sudden question. "What do you mean? We still got our midterms and..."

"I know. But we were wondering what your plans in are after the midterms. You did tell us before class that Kazuki's grounded from playing the game until the weekend, which I must say is a bit too harsh from what I see."

"Hey, don't blame me. My mom insisted that I extend it for the week for Kaz's sake." I quickly shivered at the thought of my mother. As I’d said time and time again, she could be pretty scary when she's angry and the thought of seeing Kazuki's report card with F's and 0's made me want to run away to Tokyo just to get out of her range. I know he hates being away from a , but it’s for his own good and his own protection against Mom's wrath. "As for my plans, I have no idea. I was planning to hold off playing for a while until Kazuki's ban is over."

"Well, you can do that or you can join up with me and Damon do a few [Quests] after midterms," Zac spoke up as he put his arm over my shoulders. I couldn't decide whether to push him away or just flick his forehead. "We’ve actually had some trouble with the monsters lately and we do need someone with your skills to help us."

I’m surprised at Zac's suggestion. I was okay with teaming up with Kazuki in taking down some monsters, but I’d never thought of trying to play without him. So of course, I’m a bit reluctant about this idea.

"It sounds like a good idea, but I don't know if I should go alone without Kazuki."

"Hey, don't worry about it. Unlike him, you're not bound by your brother, so you can jump anytime you like!" Zac added, at which I quickly shush him.

"I already know that, Captain Obvious. It's just that he might be angry and disappointed if he gets left out of anything remotely fun. Besides, I just joined the game so Kazu could play too. I have no interest in doing anything other than helping him out on his goals there."

I did join because Dad insisted that I do so for Kazuki's sake and considering his age and how many players in that game, I doubt I could leave him alone for one minute even without my role as a . But as I see Zac about to come closer, Damon quickly grabs his collar and pulls him away from me.

"We can't blame you if you're not interested. But maybe you should try changing things up for a bit," he suggested. "Out of my brother’s sage, I recommend that you should try to have a little variety in your routine and your life every once in a while. That way, you can experience new aspects such as food, books, and even the ones you’ve bonded with. It not only refreshes my mind and helps avoid exhaustion and burnout, but it allows me to take up other hobbies like airsoft gun battles. And to be honest, I'm starting to take a liking to the game, and no, that doesn't mean I have to play it every day, Osbourne."

He does make some sense with his explanation. Besides, Kaz has already complained many times about my... protectiveness of him and I‘m completely absorbed into my studies the whole day that I barely paid any attention to my classmates who wants to pass notes through.

"True. I guess I could use a well-deserved break in the game later," I said as I sheepishly scratch at the back of my head again. "But what are your plans in the game anyway?"

I can see Zac getting closer towards my face to the point I have to back away from him very slightly.

"We’ve completed a few simple subjugation [Quests] along with some other gathering ones like berries and items. But the one [Quest] we're planning to beat now is the [Wild Wolf] subjugation [Quest]. Everyone says that it's tough to beat, but we're hoping that a certain hunter like you would able to help us complete this quest."

So that’s it. I had leveled up my [Hunting] skill a bit during that incident, but I don't know if I should join them. Besides, I have a feeling Zac might take advantage of my abilities for his own gain and it wouldn't be the first time he had done so.

"It sounds interesting, but what’s the catch? The last time you asked a favor was that incident with your Social Studies homework," I explained with a hint of skepticism in my voice. "I had to tell the teacher that I wound up doing your homework for you instead of helping you, and I ended up sharing detention with you for three days!"

I can never forget how I spent the whole night trying to help him study that subject. But he goofed off half of the time and the other half he couldn’t keep his attention on the subject. It eventually got to the point I had to just do all the work for him. But the teacher noticed something was up when Zac turned in his homework, and upon being confronted, I confessed. That memory still puts me on the edge to this day. Obviously, Zac backed away from me as he laughs sheepishly.

"Oh, come on! I said I was sorry, didn’t I? Besides, this is different from last time, and I promise you that I'll be there in the front lines no matter what!"

"As much as I want to share your skepticism, I think you should give him a chance. He did teach me a lot about the game and thanks to him, my [Mastery] leveled up to 12," Damon interrupted as he joins Zac by his side. "And since Kazuki is unavailable, maybe we should try other [Quests] before we take on the [Wild Wolf] one. I might able to use magic as proficiently as Kaz, but in terms of experience, I'm nowhere near as skilled as him."

That seems like a good plan. I haven't seen Damon in action in the game yet, but if what he said is true, then I have a feeling that the subjugation one might be more difficult without my brother. However, I'm still on the fence about this.

BRRRIIIIINGGG!!!

"Oh, man..." Zac groans as he covers his ears from the school bell. "Just when I think we have more time to chat about for a while.

I just replied with a sigh as I grabbed my books and writing materials before I close the locker behind me.

"I don't know about this, but your plan sounds doable. I'll think about it and text you my answer later, okay?"

"Sounds fair. Just make sure you make your decision soon!"

Once he said this, Zac quickly left for his next class, much to our annoyance.

"Don't worry, Hayate. Just take your time and try to consult your brother and mother about it first," Damon suggested to me in his usual calm tone.

"Okay. I'll try it. Let's go."

With that, we quickly follow our friend to our next exam room.

Once another day of class was over, we all went our separate ways, since my friends had decided to stop by the bookstore to buy more writing materials. However, despite Damon's advice and Zac's suggestion, I was still conflicted about what I was supposed to do next. Sure, joining them in some [Quests] would be nice, but I did want to focus more on my studies and ensure that my little brother studied up for his next set of exams at his school, which I guessed would be the hardest ones he’d take since one of them is Math. Besides, I have nothing better to do in that game other than keeping an eye on Kazuki and protecting him from virtual harm. To be honest, I don't have a clear goal in or my future goals in real li-

CRRRAAAASSSHHHHH!!!

"Hey, watch it, you jerk!"

Same to you, whoever you are, I said to myself. I would’ve said that out loud, but can’t bring myself to do it as I strained to get up. But as I did so, my eyes widen as I saw who I had bumped into. It’s a young blonde-haired woman wearing a simple pink blouse, orange cardigan, and red skirt with several shopping bags filled with a different assortment of fabric and notebooks scattered around on the ground near a fabric store. She seems to be the same age as me, yet by the looks of her, she seemed to look like the typical valley girl you’d see in a teen movie.

I noticed one of her notebooks had opened up and as I took a closer look, my eyes widened as I saw its contents: it not only contained random drawings of dresses and casual outfits that you’d see in any fashion design sketch, but there was also sketches of a black man wearing an outfit resembling a hunter's garb from the medieval times, which was the same design that my avatar was currently wearing right now.

"I spent about $40 paying for those materials and if those fabrics are all muddy, you are so gonna pay..."

As I turn my attention towards the stranger, she stops ranting as soon as our eyes locked. I don't know if she was smitten with me at first sight or not, but it was kind of creeping me out.

"Hey..." The girl spoke up as most of her anger disappeared from her voice. "Do I know you from somewhere?"

I raised my eyebrows in puzzlement.

"Uh... Not that I know of..." I answered in confusion with a hint of suspicion towards her. "Why?"

"Strange... You seem somewhat familiar..." she muttered as she continues to stare at me very intensely. However, she quickly gasped as she grabs both of my shoulders. "Wait... Just a hunch, but do you play ?"

?! Wait, was she a player?

I would’ve dodged that question, but just the sight of the sketch made me more suspicious about her.

"Sort of... But w-"

Before I know it, the girl suddenly grabs my right hand and started shaking it rapidly as she flashed a big grin on her face.

"I knew it! The brunette hair, that cowlick hairstyle, and those narrow eyes... You must be the hunter, [Wind]. Am I right?"

My eyes widen again as soon as I heard my in-game name from this startling stranger. Just who is this girl?

"Oh yeah, I forgot to introduce myself." She then stood up and dusted her clothes. "My name is Arin Maven, but you might know me as [SpeedStar] in ."

SpeedStar?!

For a few seconds, I'm confused at what she just called herself. But after a while, I slowly realize who this person really is.

"S-SpeedStar?! You mean that SpeedStar?!" I exclaimed.

"That's right~! I never expected you to see you again, Windy," Star said. "How's your little mage in shining armor?"

"You mean [Kazu]? He's fine, but our Mom has prohibited him from playing this week due to his midterms." "Prohibited" might be a strong word, but it's better than telling her that he's grounded for a few days. "What about [Annie+Luck]? How is she lately?"

"Oh, she's okay. Though she sometimes laments about your brother not being around and she won’t stop asking me how he will react to the new accessory ideas she came up with during class. But I'm getting ahead of myself. How about we stop by at the cafe and grab ourselves some coffee? My treat."

"Sure, but..." I turn my gaze on her fabric and the other items on the ground as she picks them up and returns them into her shopping bags. "What about your belongings? I feel bad about knocking them everywhere like that."

"Don't worry about it. I didn't see any dirt on my fabrics and it was just an accident. So shrug it off and let bygones are bygones, okay?"

I nod yes again, at which she smiles in response. I guessed this unlikely encounter might be a good way to distract me from my future goal dilemma for now.