The Spark (II)

Kiyro had to admit anything that Eve wore, she looked amazing in them. Though the clothes in the game were a whole other story, they made her look dazzling.

"You forgot this." Eve handed him an Alive gear. She was still slightly red as her gaze cast down onto the ground.

"Thanks." Kiyro picked it up from her hands.

"Well then, it seems everyone is ready. Let's go." Alex clapped his hands, catching everyone's attention. They made their way out to the door and toward a small van, where they were shuffled in.

They saw Angela, Angel, and five other students inside the van. Kiyro saw that one of them was Russ. His beady eyes, filled with arrogance, caught, Kiryo's temporarily, but he turned his gaze away and snorted in disdain.

"Well, it took you guys long enough." Angela was in her lab coat and gave them all a frown. "I need to administer your locks on your neck. Come on." She motioned them to come forward.

Kiyro pulled himself in and sat in front of Angela.

Angela pulled out a black bracelet and clasped it onto Kiryo's arm. She then reached up and unlocked the silver choker around his throat with the Alive gear she had on her eyes. With a click, the silver choker unlocked and clattered onto the ground.

Kiyro unconsciously rubbed his hands against his neck. He felt empty, having the weight taken off.

"Don't think about chopping off your hands. It has the same function as the choker, but its reaction time and poison are ten times more lethal if you even attempt to force it off. The chip in the back of your head will set it off."

"Wait, we've been chipped?" Kiyro felt angered that he was forced to participate in their crazy experimental antics.

"Of course. Did you think that the choker was all we put on you guys? We're not stupid in letting our test subjects go. So be a good boy and sit over there so the others can go through this process."

Kiyro balled up his fist. He wanted to punch this lady in the face for forcing him to become an experimental subject. Seconds later, he felt a warm hand touch his balled-up fist. Looking over his shoulder, Eve was grasping onto his hands and shaking her head for him to calm down.

With much difficulty, he unclenched his fist and walked toward the empty seat across from Russ. The others followed after, getting their chokers taken off and given a new ones. Then, finally, they all walked over and sat on the same side as Kiyro.

When everyone was finished, Angel cleared his throat. "Well, little kittens. We're going to have some fun. So rest up, and our little game will begin when we reach our destination." Angel clasped his hands in front of him.

"Where exactly are we going?" Russ spoke out.

"Don't worry. I'll explain everything when we get there. Put on your Alive Gear and connect with it." He got out of the van. Angela followed behind him. "Well, now, enjoy the ride." With a slam, the door closed.

"This is bullshit." Russ cursed. "I mean, what the hell does he take us for? Animal experimentation?"

Kiyro understood Russ' feelings exactly. Even if they were pitted against each other, they were all in the same boat.

"At least we're treated okay. I mean, we're not underfed." The teenager with a muscular figure and crew-cut hair spoke with his hands against his head. He was leaning back as comfortably as he could.

"I bet they're hiding something from us. After that stunt they pulled out with Room 13, I wouldn't be surprised what crazy experimentation will happen next."

"I'm looking toward it. If you know what I mean, this mundane life has become even more exciting."

"Sometimes having a mundane life is a good thing," Kiyro spoke.

The teen looked over toward Kiyro curiously. "You are?"

"My name is Kiryo. This is on my right side: Eve, Will, Alex, and Daulton." Going down the line.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Timothy." Timothy pulled out his hands to shake. Kiyro grabbed it with a smile and firmly shook it. "To my left are Russ, Karen, Stork, and Cain. My battle buddies are in the game. Why did you say that?"

"I'm just saying, sometimes having too much excitement can get one killed."

"True, but that's why we all dive into the game world. To have a different life and have fun."

Kiyro nodded in understanding. "Though, there is a difference between risking one's life in the game and real life."

"Still, it's a nice change." Timothy was thrilled to get out of the Academy finally.

Their conversation was short, but Kiyro did not say anything anymore. The others started to talk among themselves as he put on his Alive gear. The Alive gear hummed on and connected him directly online with the game of Growth. It scanned his retina and connected to his Avatar.

A couple of messages popped up in front of him.

Real Life Quest has been Updated.

Quest Completed: Tempest

Tempest has been taken back by its owner.

Quest Complete: Pave your path and become a businessman.

You have pulled out of your stocks early and earned over $12,909. Funds will be deposited into your account. Unfortunately, this quest will not proceed forward and has been forcefully blocked by an unknown source.

Kiryo was completely confused by the Quest that had been completed before him. He knew Tempest was still back at the apartment from his last memory and was worried that the little kitten might not be fed well. Not only that, the second quest had been interrupted by an unknown source, meaning he could not do the second half of the quest.

"Hey, Eve."

"Yea?"

"Um, did you take Tempest back with you?"

"Oh, I completely forgot. I'm so sorry. The school allowed me to bring Tempest with me."

Kiyro was amazed at what he had just heard.

"Isn't having animals here a very bad idea?"

"Actually, no." Alex cut in. "Bringing pets is allowed and pushed for. For some people in this Academy, it's familiar."

"I'm sorry. You completely lost me."

"Well, the Academy has genuine witches, shamans, and wizards. In addition, they have familiars that are brought with them to study magic."

"What kind of crap are you saying?" Russ cut-in in disbelief. "I mean magic, come on!" He threw up his hands.

"You'll be surprised what these people know. It's magic, but a lot of it is related to psychics. They have a stronger grasp on their powers and the working of the world. The eastern culture has a more in-depth understanding of what kind of magic a person could do."

Russ scoffed at the idea of witches, wizards, and shamans. "Complete bogusly."

"Why would you say that? After all that happened, you don't believe in anything like that?" Eve spoke out in disbelief. She was one of the unbelievers, and nothing seemed impossible with everything that had happened so far.

"I will believe it when I see it. This whole psychic business is on a whole different level than superstitions, people. I need facts and proof."

"Well, they do more of a ritual and casting, but they're not too far off on the norms around the world."

"I'm surprised that you know so much. I mean, I thought you weren't interested in this stuff." Kiyro was looking at Alex in a different light.

"I'm this school's doctor. I have talked with different cultures about their standpoint on magic and energy control. It's fascinating if you get the chance to talk with them."

"There is no point." Russ huffed and leaned over. Then, he completely ignored him and closed his eyes.

"What's his problem?" Tonia spoke with a frown on her face.

"Don't ask. He just got a stick up his ass." Daulton rolled his eyes.

Kiyro couldn't help but not like Russ's personality at all. He was still a rude bastard, even in the real world.

"Psst. Hey Kyro. Kyro!"

Kiyro opened his eyes and looked around for the source of the voice.

"Pssst. Kiyro. It's me. Sylph." A soft voice whispered next to his ears.

He saw a small figurine popping on the screen like a little chick. "I'm over here." He waved his cute wings in front of him.

"Sylph?"