Chapter 49: Visiting An Arcade

"Where do you think you people are going?"

Leo, Vanessa and Amelia turned to look at Viona above the stairs, who was looking down on the trio.

"I thought I told her that she was grounded for the entire week, did you forget it so soon Amy?" She further said while looking at Amelia.

"Oh come on, Sis. Don't be so harsh on her. She was only doing her job and following her punishment," Vanessa spoke out for Amelia.

"Oh..is it?" Viona gave her a look before continuing, "Would you mind explaining it to me then, how this counts as following her punishment?"

"Well, we are taking Aiden to familiarize him with the city. Isn't that also a part of her job," Vanessa said before thumping her chest, "Don't worry we have got this."

Viona went silent for a bit and then looked at Leo, who just gave a nod. He clearly didn't have a choice here. They had forcefully dragged him along without even asking him about it. Besides, it wasn't like him to get someone scolded. Not to mention, he too wanted to have a look at the outside world.

"Besides, I am helping out as well. So you can be at ease." Vanessa further added with a smile.

"That is worrying me the most here.." Viona muttered with a sigh.

"Sis! How can you say that! You hurt my feelings!" Vanessa protested while clenching her heart.

Viona shook her head, and totally ignored the drama queen.

In the end, she just gave them a nod before leaving them with a final warning, "If I find out that you lied to me this time...then..."

She didn't say any further, but just turned around and walked back into her room. There was no need for her to say another word. Not to mention, it didn't look like Amelia would be committing the same mistake again.

"Yes! We got the permission! Let's go!" Vanessa cheered in excitement. But, it was only her. Both Leo and Amelia sighed before following behind her.

….

"Where should we go?" Vanessa asked, looking at Amelia as they got into the flying car.

"Let's get him to see the important government building first, and then we shall go to the market area," Amelia said to her. She no longer had that cheerful look on her face after being berated to that extent. She even had her life, which was her smart link snatched away from her.

"What's wrong with you? This is not you, Amelia! Wake up!" Vanessa grabbed Amelia's arm and shook her. But, it wasn't going to help. She still looked down and sullen.

Leo was really speechless. He was now sure that it was this lady, who had turned Amelia like that.

"Tsk! You guys are no fun! It seems I will have to take the lead. We are going to the Arcade!" Vanessa declared before stepping on the accelerator and taking off into the sky.

…

Gamer's Field, Gloria.

This was just a place famous for people, who loved to game. Here you could find anything you wanted related to gaming.

In this era, gaming had really been becoming a popular sport as more and more people were taking off to the virtual world to enjoy themselves. And, at the top of the gaming industry was the number one game, MechField.

Mechs were something which symbolized power, something that had changed an era and saved humanity from extinction. It was very obvious that people had a desire of being able to pilot it once and bask in its glory.

And, this game allowed one to do so.

Not to mention, it was said that people who were pursuing to become a Mech Pilot could actually use it as a starting point. Many big figures had actually admitted to using it as a starting base which had further shot the game into fame.

"It's been a while since I have been here!" Vanessa looked very excited and even Amelia seemed to have recovered a bit of her vigor.

She led them to a luxurious looking gaming center and without a doubt. She was here to play, "Show me how much you have improved since last time, Amelia."

Amelia was almost about to nod, but froze mid way and turned to look at Leo. It seemed she was seeking permission.

Leo smiled before giving her a nod. For some reason, he just couldn't get angry at her. It was as if she was her real sister. He really wanted to dote on her at times. But, she could definitely be annoying at times as well.

It was the same in every sibling relationship though. Leo just wasn't aware of it.

"Why don't you join us as well?" Amelia suddenly asked as she grabbed Leo's hand.

"Yeah, I forgot he is different now." Vanessa suddenly seemed interested as well and turned to look at him.

It seemed Aiden was not interested in games at all.

"Well, I don't mind." Leo said while looking at them, and their faces instantly blossomed into a smile.

….

Leo got into his pod and linked it with his smart link. And, it seemed that Aiden really didn't like playing games. His XP bar was at 0.

'What was mine?' Leo tried to remember his level and rank in the game, but failed to do so. After all, he usually played invite matches with Semantha.

'Is she online?' Leo typed her ID in the search box and sent her a friend request with a message saying , 'I am Leo.'

And, as expected. It was instantly accepted.

She was online.

[Took you long enough to reach me..] A message came from the other end.

[What was I supposed to do? They didn't let me out until now.] Leo replied as he sent her an invite to the match.

With that, he proceeded to select his Mech and as a beginner, he only had the most basic, Dummy No.1 to pilot.

He really was speechless and a bit nostalgic at the same time. This Mech was used to clear the tutorial and when one did that, he would have enough experience to level up and unlock the first standard Mech.

But, right now, he didn't have time for it. This left him with no choice, but to proceed with it.

Soon a 4v4 battle ground was prepared and Leo found himself standing in a mountain terrain.

There were three other Mechs around him and all of them were high end purchased ones, while he was piloting a scrap metal junk.

It was really embarrassing.

"You really are a noob?" Vanessa couldn't help, but laugh at him. This was really funny.

Even Amelia was speechless for a bit.

But, the third person in the Mech just walked up to Leo and gave him a tight hug.

"Here comes a troll.." Vanessa shook her head. The playtime had still not started and in such situations, people used to do some odd stuff like that.

[Missed me?] Leo asked Semantha in the message.

It wasn't a troll, but her.

[Yes, I really missed this Tutorial Mech. I should pilot it once in a while.] Her reply really left Leo speechless, but for some reason, he wasn't surprised.

At this moment, the buzzer sounded and the countdown began..

"3.."

[It's been a while since we worked together.] Semantha let go of Leo and began to stretch out as if warming up.

"2.."

[Well, I will try my best. Just don't expect me to match up with you.] Leo replied to her with a smile as he took out the baton on the waist of his Mech.

"1.."

[Follow my lead, I will show you people what a real mech pilot is....] Vanessa announced as she took out the shotgun off of her back and equipped it into her hands.

"Go!!"