A New World, An Immersive Game Experience

'Hey Two.'

'Not listening anymore?'

'Yeah, this is meaningless. They're going in circles. Wonder when Elizabeth will jump in again?'

'Clearly, she doesn't want to get too involved. She already has enough on her plate, not sure why she ended up leading the meeting.'

'Because she's the leader of the strongest guild,' Eldrian said. It was a simple explanation. And one that he did not doubt. After all, only one guild here was level 4, the rest level 3 or 2.

Phoenix, on the other hand, was already level 5 and a good way towards level 6. Well, they had completed 7 of the 25 required S-ranked quests thus far. And that was without Eldrian.

'How can I distract you?' asked Two, joking.

'I have a few questions and doubts going around in my mind. After the meeting, can we have a heart to heart?'

'I'm fine with that. Can I ask what it will be about?'

'I want us to synch up our minds... mentalities? I still don't really understand what you are nor how you are content staying in my head.'

'Soul, but sure.'

'I also feel that we've been become more and more separate minded.'

'Yeah, that's bound to happen. It...' Two faltered. He wasn't sure if Eldrian would understand if he tried to explain it. At the very least, it wasn't something a brief conversation could sort out. 'We can discuss this during our heart to heart.'

Thankful that Two didn't have a problem with the idea, Eldrian smiled. The meeting, however, was still far from nearing its end. Deciding that he would no longer keep the hologram reliant on his mind, he fixed the image and inscribed the map into the table. Dispelling the hologram once this was done.

"Eldrian?" Elizabeth was the one who asked, but all heads had turned to him. Naturally, as they were arguing by use of the hologram, they would realize its disappearance.

"You guys talk it out. I'm going for a walk." With that, Eldrian left. Leaving the leaders tongue tied as they watched him abandon the meeting. No hesitation in his leaving.

"Is he always like that?" Moon asked.

"More or less. He hates being involved in... debates not involving magic. He always throws it at someone else. Normally, that's me."

Those around the table smiled, one of their questions answered by this brief exchange.

—

"Saw you left the meeting early." Ilmadia joined Eldrian outside. The mansion was truly a beautiful place. The gardens were magnificent to the point that it could be a tourist attraction, or an ideal location for a wedding.

"I don't like pointless talks like that. Sucks that I have to wait for them to finish, though."

"Why? Are you in a hurry?"

"No, that isn't it. I just..." Eldrian faltered. "Do you want to continue our discussion?"

"I'm fine for now. I talked with Ceph. He explained the dangers in more detail. There might be a way to circumvent them, but not too sure at the moment."

"What's you idea?"

"The original link between all this was runes. Music when played isn't that. So I was thinking of returning to the beginning."

"How would that work?"

"Well, I think it might be possible to bring forth a spell song through a relay—like a speaker or magic item. Or even reproduce runes that would play the melody or song when powered."

"If I can figure it out, I can avoid all the dangers. But I doubt it will be as effective as when played by a person."

Eldrian nodded. He didn't really get it. But then again, music was never something he had understood. Not like others, at least. But he understood the premise. Let the magic flow through a conduit instead of yourself. It certainly would remove plenty of dangers.

"What's the plan?" asked Ilmadia after enjoying a quiet moment observing the garden. The view from the balcony was certainly magnificent.

"What plan?" Eldrian asked. There were so many things going on that he needed to know what she was talking about. The war, Kynigo, the fort they had conquered from the vampires, Miracle, returning home, the next step in his training, unlocking his hidden quest, improving his gear?

"After the meeting." Ilmadia clarified. "I know you are waiting to explain your announcement during the tournament to those who are curious. What comes after?"

"I hope Zaphreal keeps his word."

"Are you going to tell everyone everything?" Ilmadia asked, knowing that she didn't even know everything.

"No, I'll just share that magic exists. That I can do certain spells on Earth, and..."

"And?"

"I don't really know what after. I was thinking about going hunting again."

Hearing this, Ilmadia sighed. "Never time for a break?"

"I've had plenty."

"Perhaps." Ilmadia fell silent and returned her gaze to the garden. From up high, the paths seemed part of an array, in all likelihood it was. She continued to stay by Eldrian's side for a while, enjoying the enhanced beauty the setting sun gave the garden.

After a while, she left. Then Therdul visited, finding Eldrian playing with a bunch of spells and floating items on the balcony. "Training?" the dwarf asked, jumping on a nearby chair to be more comfortable looking over the balcony's railing.

"That isn't a stool." Eldrian said, wondering if they would be asked to repay for damages if the chair's fine cushions were damaged.

"What are you trying to do?" Therdul asked, ignoring Eldrian's statement. Though he made sure to not ruin the chair, now aware that it might cost him a few golds if he did.

"Just passing time. Can't really get into anything too complicated since I'm waiting for the meeting to end."

"That's going to take some time. They've actually already figured everything out, now just arguing because everyone is trying to maximize their gains."

"I noticed."

"Bet you didn't notice that a few other leaders also left."

"I didn't." Eldrian stopped what he was doing, turning back to the hall. The players were all interacting like fast friends. Some even started dancing to the music the band was playing. "When did they organize all this?"

"Didn't you know? After the meeting, we're going to hold a party before going to war. I guess we're starting early." It was meant to allow the guilds to grow closer, and for the casual players, it certainly seemed to be working.

Eldrian didn't know what to make of that. To him, it felt wrong to have fun while others were fighting for their lives. But it wasn't like what he had been doing was better. It might be more productive. Honing his magic would come in handy. But it didn't help those fighting.

Then again, making friends could also come in handy. But Eldrian certainly wasn't in the right state of mind at the moment. Nor had he ever been good at making friends. His isolation had only made that trait of his worse. He struggled to interact with people casually.

Jen was far better at this than him. The thought brought a smile to his face and made him once again wish to return home. Until he remembered all the possible problems it could cause.

"I remember you once took the spotlight during a gala." Therdul teased. Bringing Eldrian out of his reverie.

"That was... a long time ago."

"Not as long as you think. Why don't you join them?"

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