Chapter 3 - Even if you're a genius, you can't do it alone.

My cold introspection was right all along.

I'm an Electrical Engineer, not a Computer Programmer or a Game Developer. I have no idea on how to use any kind of Computer Language, and I don't have anymore time nor the money to study in college again and learn those new skills. No.

My mom and dad had waited long enough and I need to make something happen.

But, I hate to admit it, I really need to humble myself and ask for help.

Realization just sank in - I can't do everything on my own. The "If you want something done right, do it yourself" attitude will not just fly.

In order to accomplish this massive undertaking, I need a partner whose already an expert in the field of Programming and Game Development. A friend who will listen to me, understand my vision, and have the same passion to achieve this dream.

And so, I got in touch with my old friend, Josiah Vance Gearuette, the Top 2 of our class in those good old college days.

He looks way older and mature now, thanks to his black business suit, no-nonsense demeanor, big eyebags, unkempt salt and pepper hair and round specs, but we're just the same age.

Even if he looks haggard and tired (probably because of his work), if you compare our current status right now, he's way more successful than me. He's the I.T. (Information Technology) Head of "Oogle Philippines", owns a condominium, and has a hybrid sportscar. In fact, now that I think about it, if he solely focused on Electrical Engineering and haven't taken a second Major in Computer Programming, he could have been Top 1 in our class, no sweat...

Man... So he was just going easy on me?! If he was dead serious, he could have outranked me!

Another cold realization sank in...

I can't believe there's someone out there whose smarter than me... That kinda hurt my pride a little bit...

Even so, Josiah is the only friend I had when I was in college, for he's the only one who listens and make sense of my outlandish ideas.

He also have enough patience to stand my quirkiness.

He is, without a doubt, the best man for this project.

We met at the "Nyan Nyan French Maid Cafe" and sat at the farthest corner of the coffee shop as per his request so that no one can hear or see us.

"Of all the normal, reasonable places we could possibly meet, why on Earth are we here?" Josiah asked sarcastically.

"Glad to see you too, old friend. :)"

"Sigh... You and your french maid cosplay obsession. Let's make this quick before someone sees me here. Why did you call?"

Always straight to the point.

"I have a business proposal for you."

"O-kay... Let's hear it."

"I want to make a Fantasy Adventure Love Story AVR-MMORPG (Augmented Virtual Reality - Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) and I want you to be the Head Developer of it."

"Hmmm... You sure you don't want to go FIVR (Fully Immersive Virtual Reality)? That's the trend these days."

"No. I want to utilize what's already existing around us. The beauty of nature, our natural environment."

He smirked.

"Before I jump into conclusions, I'll give you a shot. Just like the old college days. Please elaborate."

And so, like a nervous student doing a thesis presentation in front of a hard professor, I defended my case.

I held nothing back. If I want to earn his trust and partnership, I need to tell him everything.

I told him the summarized draft story, and the mechanics of the Server of Iris that I've written on my old college notebook for three months straight.

====================================

I have no formal training or experience whatsoever on writing proper literature. But, I do know the most important element of writing an epic story, and that is empathy - the experience, the feeling, something that everyone can relate to. With this in mind, and an unhealthy dose of blind confidence, I started to write one of the best stories in the world (I created it myself so I'm proud of it and I think it's one of the greatest.)

The story goes like this...

When we were young, we dreamed of the most amazing dreams in the world.

"I want to become an astronaut and go to the moon and to other planets!"

"I want to become a singer and write hitsongs that tops the charts!"

"I want to show off my cool dance moves and become a famous dancer!"

"I want to become a super fashion model!"

"I want to become an action star!"

"I want to beat the bad guys! I want to defeat the evil monsters! I want to become a hero!"

But, as time goes by and circumstances change, "life happens" and we start to "adjust" our dreams, to make it more "realisitic" and "fit it in" on our "real lives".

Before we knew it, those wonderful dreams and aspirations fade away.

Long story short, we become something that's way too far than what we hoped and dreamed for.

We become a mindless cog in the cold, soulless, and heartless machinations of the corporate world.

The kid who dreams to become an astronaut became a salesman.

The little girl who dreamed to become a singer became a dishwasher.

The boy who dreamed of becoming a famous dancer became a bagger on a grocery store.

The girl who dreamed of becoming a super fashion model became a seamstress in a garments factory.

The boy who dreamed of becoming an action star became a gasoline station boy.

And the kid who dreams of defeating the bad guys and evil monsters became a janitor...

Nothing left for the dreamers but the sadness of unfulfillment, frustrations, regrets, and the sad words,

"If only..."

"If only I've been given a chance..."

"What could have been..."

But what if I tell you there's hope?

What if I tell you that there's still a chance, a second chance to make all your dreams come true? SAY NO MORE!!!

WELCOME!!! TO THE SERVER OF IRIS!!! WHERE YOU BECOME WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO BE!!!

You can become an astronaut, singer, dancer, model, action star, knight, wizard, dragonslayer, adventurer, hero, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO BE!!! THE SERVER OF IRIS CAN MAKE IT ALL POSSIBLE!!! And the best part? YOU CAN EARN REAL HARD CASH BY FULFILLING YOUR DREAMS!!! BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! YES! THERE'S STILL MORE!

When you achieve your dreams, accomplish all the required objectives of this real life fantasy game, and finish its epic story, you will obtain what billions of people in the world are longing for - TRUE LOVE, MARRIAGE, A LIFETIME PARTNER, AND A FAMILY!!! YES! YOU HEARD THAT RIGHT! The A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) Algorithm System of the Server of Iris will keep record of your personal preferences, calculate your ideal person, and match you up with the best lifetime partner that is most suitable for you! This is not your "ordinary game" anymore. Oh no. THIS IS THE EVOLUTION OF GAMING!!! THE FIRST AND ONLY GAME WORLD UTOPIA OF FANTASY, ADVENTURE, TRUE LOVE, MARRIAGE, AND FAMILY!!! THE ONLY GAME WITH REAL WORLD AND REAL LIFE REPURCUSSIONS!!!

I know what you're thinking right now.

"Teslan, that's insane! That's impossible! Okay, fine, you can become a dancer or a singer or a dragonslayer in a role playing fantasy game. BUT YOU CANNOT EARN REAL MONEY FROM SLAYING IMAGINARY DIGITAL MONSTERS MADE OUT OF BYTES AND PIXELS! THERE'S NO FREAKING WAY!"

There's is a way, and I want you to listen very carefully.

I'm now going to tell you the technical details, mechanisms, and the economy of the Server of Iris...