Prologue (1) The Life of Dravis Granger
"Professor?" My assistant's voice brought me back to the present, her eyes filled with concern.
"It's nothing," I dismissed her with a wave of my hand, plastering on my usual mask of indifference. With a composed façade, I strode into the classroom, ready to begin another day of monotony.
"Good morning," I greeted the students, my tone neutral. "Let's get started."
As I stood before the eager faces of my students, delivering lectures with practiced ease, I couldn't help but feel a sense of detachment from the world around me. Dravis Granger, they called me, the youngest professor in the university's history, a prodigy in the field of mechanical engineering. Yet, despite all my accomplishments, I felt hollow inside.
I was born into a family of intellectuals, my parents both renowned scholars in their respective fields. From a young age, I excelled in academics and athletics alike, effortlessly surpassing my peers in every aspect. But no matter how many trophies lined my shelves or accolades adorned my walls, I could never shake the feeling of emptiness that gnawed at my soul.
University life came and went in a blur of lectures, research papers, and late-night study sessions. I graduated at the top of my class, my name whispered in awe by professors and students alike. Yet, as I walked across the stage to receive my diploma, I couldn't help but wonder what it was all for.
"Thank you for your attention," I concluded the class and made my way out.
"Marvelous as ever, Professor Dravis. Your student, Eva, has produced quite a remarkable thesis in such a short span of research. The topic is quite intriguing—exploring the feasibility of a perpetual motion-fused generator to harness gravity-powered electricity. Bold, yet fascinating," a voice greeted me in the hallway as I was headed towards my office.
"...Sofi," I replied, acknowledging her presence. She wasn't a stranger to me, far from it. Her face was etched in my memory—a vision of blonde beauty, with delicate features and eyes that sparkled with intelligence. And then, there it was—the glimmering engagement ring adorning her finger.
"It seems congratulations are in order," I remarked, noting the ring.
"Oh!" She attempted to conceal it. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"
"It's alright. I'm genuinely happy for your happiness," I reassured her, though the words felt hollow. "If you'll excuse me, I have a student's thesis defense to attend to in 20 minutes. Have a good day."
With that, I continued on my way to my office, leaving Sofi behind.
In every day, some unusual pattern might appear. But it's as boring and bland as usual. But lately, a certain topic interested me very well.
"Professor? I believe that the student Adam thesis defense is supposed to be tomorrow?" My assistant asked me, afraid that she made a mistake in her notings, but at the same time sure that she wrote the right thing.
"Then you are right. Sorry, but I need some time alone. Thankyou for your help today, go enjoy your day," I gave her a bit of bonus of her usual salary, and left her in front of my office.
The thesis defense is a lie, of course. It's because I need a personal time for something else.
I sat comfortably at my sofa, and picked a helmet adorned with interesting machines. It's a virtual reaity headset, referred as the Virtualgear.
Every day seemed to blend into the next, with the same monotonous routines repeating themselves like clockwork. But amidst the sea of predictability, there was one topic that had piqued my interest as of late.
"Professor? I believe Adam's thesis defense is scheduled for tomorrow," my assistant reminded me, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty.
"You're correct. Thank you for reminding me. I'll need some time alone now. Enjoy the rest of your day," I replied, offering her a small bonus before sending her off.
Of course, there was no thesis defense scheduled for tomorrow. It was merely an excuse for me to carve out some personal time for myself.
Settling into the comfort of my sofa, I reached for the helmet adorned with intricate machinery—the Virtualgear. With a practiced motion, I secured it onto my head, feeling the familiar weight settle into place.
"Link on," I spoke softly, the command triggering the machine to come to life. And in an instant, I felt my consciousness being transported to another realm. The world of a certain game.
It was during my tenure as a professor that I first encountered the world of virtual reality and fantasy games. It was a realm entirely foreign to someone like me, a serious and refined individual with little interest in frivolous pursuits. And yet, there was something about the idea of escaping into a world of magic and adventure that called out to me, stirring something deep within my soul.
I began to research and delve deeper into the realm of gaming, spending countless hours studying the intricacies of game design and development. It was a side of myself that I had long suppressed, buried beneath layers of responsibility and expectation. But with each passing day, I found myself drawn further and further into the world of fantasy, the promise of adventure beckoning me closer.
And so, I made a decision that would change the course of my life forever. I reached out to game developers, pitching them my idea for a fantasy game unlike any other. It was a world born from my own imagination, a realm filled with magic, mystery, and untold dangers. And to my surprise, they were intrigued by my vision, eager to collaborate on bringing it to life.
Months passed in a blur of coding, testing, and refining, as we poured our hearts and souls into creating a game that surpassed even my wildest dreams. And finally, the day arrived when we were ready to unveil our creation to the world.
Today will be finally the day where I could test the game personally.
Sitting back on my sofa, I placed the Virtualgear helmet on my head, feeling a rush of anticipation. As the device powered up, I felt my consciousness shift, the familiar world around me dissolving into a sea of pixels and code. Moments later, I found myself standing in the heart of a fantastical realm, a world that was as vivid and real as any dream I had ever known.
"Welcome to the Realm of Arcanum," a voice echoed around me, setting the stage for the adventure that awaited.
Realm of Arcanum. The world of fantasy that I constructed according to the fantastical obsession I had since my young age. The setting is rich and immersive, with sprawling landscapes, towering mountains, and ancient forests teeming with mystical creatures. As the players enter the game, they are greeted by a lush and vibrant world, alive with magic and wonder.
The Kingdom of Redania, named after its ruling family, is the central hub of civilization within the realm. Its capital city, Arcadia, is a bustling metropolis where adventurers gather to seek fame, fortune, and glory. Towering spires and grand cathedrals dominate the skyline, casting long shadows over the cobblestone streets below.
Beyond the city limits, the kingdom is divided into various regions, each with its own unique environment and challenges. The verdant forests of Everwood are home to elusive woodland creatures and ancient ruins shrouded in mystery. The desolate wastelands of the Scorched Sands are plagued by sandstorms and roving bands of desert nomads. And the icy tundra of Frostfall is inhabited by fearsome ice giants and frosty beasts.
But it's not just the landscapes that make Realm of Arcanum so captivating. It's the rich tapestry of lore and history woven throughout the world. Players can uncover ancient prophecies, delve into forgotten tombs, and unravel the mysteries of the past as they embark on epic quests and adventures.
The Adventurer's Guild serves as the backbone of the kingdom's society, providing quests, contracts, and support to aspiring adventurers. From slaying dragons to retrieving lost artifacts, the guild offers a wide range of opportunities for players to test their skills and earn rewards.
Magic is also a central theme in the game, with players able to choose from various magical classes such as wizards, sorcerers, and druids. Each class has its own unique spells and abilities, allowing players to customize their playstyle and create truly unique characters.
But it's not just about combat and exploration. Realm of Arcanum also features a robust crafting system, allowing players to gather resources and craft weapons, armor, and magical artifacts. Whether it's forging a mighty sword or brewing a potent potion, players can hone their skills and create items of legendary power.
As players journey through the world of Realm of Arcanum, they'll encounter a cast of memorable characters, from noble knights to cunning rogues, each with their own stories and motivations. And as they forge alliances, uncover secrets, and confront powerful foes, they'll discover that the fate of the kingdom—and perhaps even the world itself—rests in their hands.
A surge of excitement coursed through me as I stepped foot into the virtual world for the first time—ready to embark on an adventure unlike any other.
"Welcome to the adventurer guild! Are you new here, young mister?" A woman, dressed as the guild receptionist, greeted me with a smile. Her appearance seemed almost too real, leading me to wonder if she was just another NPC—a non-playable character.
But before I could respond, something strange happened. I found myself frozen in place, unable to move or speak. The sensation was surreal, as if I were trapped in a dream.
"Hello? Mister?" The woman's voice pierced through my thoughts, but I remained immobile.
Then, without warning, agony ripped through my chest, causing me to cry out in pain. It felt as though my heart were being squeezed in a vice, and my head throbbed with an intensity that bordered on unbearable.
"Mister!? What happened? What happened?" The woman's voice sounded distant, muffled by the overwhelming sensation of agony.
I could barely register the notifications flashing before my eyes, warning me of my skyrocketing heart rate. But amidst the chaos, something else began to emerge—a flood of memories and information cascading through my mind with alarming speed.
A person's memories... My memories...?