Introduction Arc 1: Chapter 1.
An awestruck man stared at a manual for the AVPC. He had been standing for almost ten minutes now. Almost permanently stunned in disbelief, he couldn't believe his fortune.
"It's here. The future of gaming. The future of entertainment."
The man muttered, almost in tears.
"If there's a god out there! Thank you! I will worship you! Thank you for this! This has been a three-year dream of mine!"
The man said out of pure joy and bliss, screaming at the ceiling.
"Jing Hoo You've won a golden opportunity to become a beta-tester. The AVPC is now in your good hands, cherish it, and welcome to the future of gaming.-PhotonX"
The man, Jing Hoo, loudly read the luxuriously designed piece of note. Already deciding to laminate and cherish it until death.
"Time to use this beauty."
Jing declared, carefully removing the AVPC from the packaging. The AVPC was everything that PhotonX promised, visual-wise.
It had a sleek yet bulky design, white in color, meant to be worn over the head, almost like a helmet.
The only caveat was that after the 168 hours of in-game playtime, the AVPC would stop functioning. Requiring a day to charge, acting as a safety guard to avoid overuse and addiction.
For single-player game enthusiasts, the AVPC was a dream come true and Jing already had a world in mind, he was planning to 'transmigrate' in a famous novel.
"World Journey: First Edge"
Jing muttered while staring dreamily at the window.
The novel takes place in a magic meets science world where there are [Accomplished] humans, these beings have awakened their abilities that can shape or influence the world. The story mainly follows three protagonists and their journey to become the world's champions and saviors.
Jing wanted to be a part of the journey but only as a supporting character. Helping the heroes accomplish their goals and watching their camaraderie.
The excitement could barely hold Jing, almost bursting. He hurriedly put on the helmet.
"I can't wait. I can't wait. I can't wait. I can't wait. I can't wait."
"Jing! I am trying to sleep, please hush and get a job please."
A woman, Jing's Mother, shouted from another room. Her frustrated voice booming throughout the quiet house.
(Who needs a job? My disability benefits are fine and dandy.)
Jing mused in confidence, content that his government check was able to pay for some of his hobbies. He turned on the AVPC and wirelessly connected it to the internet.
Jing collapsed on his bed with a huge grin as he watched the visor display a waiting icon, initializing for the first time.
The AVPC was done initializing, showing a green thumbs up as Jing's consciousness faded to black, entering the virtual world.
⟐⟐⟐
"It's good to meet you, dear one." A feminine voice echoed in the blank void.
"W-who are you?"
Jing asked, staring at a bright figure.
"The god you should be thanking and worshipping. Like what you've said earlier." The figure declared, revealing a flawless, perfect beauty dressed in simple white robes.
They had golden hair and eyes, their figure radiating in a comforting white light. Jing was left with no words. He was confused for a moment until eventually forming an excited expression.
"Holy crap, the AVPC can even hear my voice? It was turned on from the start!? I should've known, the headgear was practically glowing."
The mysterious divine figure smiled, eyes gleaming and remaining silent.
"What you are using is a blessed and divine touched medium that allows you to transport to a world. Now, Jing, you will be put on trial."
"If you can save the world you are placed in. I will grant you an eternal reward."
"This A.I. is responsive and creative. They must've read my answers from the survey they've handed out. The AVPC is already an eternal reward, though."
Jing muttered, walking around the divine figure, half-listening to her words.
"I will be watching you." The figure said, smiling again while disappearing as Jing's consciousness faded to black again.
⟐⟐⟐
A single prompt appeared before Jing. He was formless and endlessly floating in a sea of black, he couldn't move nor turn. Only facing the single prompt in front of him.
"Senior High School Level: Class A-1, random male NPC, no systems but provide me a useful boon that can accelerate my growth."
A cacophony of visual and audio bombardment rushed through Jing, the transmigration was a powerful process. Then it stopped.
Jing blinked rapidly, vision slowly clearing as he rose. He was in a classroom, napping and using a soft bag as a pillow. He then scanned his surroundings.
White clean buttoned uniforms and berets were mostly what Jing saw. There were students neatly seated all around the classroom, shifting nervously and keeping to themselves.
Jing patted himself, looking for any identification of his current avatar, pulling out an ID from his left pocket, and reading it.
"Lyle Cass." He muttered. "I am Lyle Cass."
⟐ You are now Lyle Class.
Lyle Cass looked around, scanning the classroom, slowly recognizing the circumstances.
"Ah, no wonder everyone is nervous and shifty. It's the first day of being a Senior High School Student."
Inside the classroom, were four rows of seats and each row had ten students. Jing was seated in the third row, near the window.
His eyes focused, glaring at the first and leftmost row, recognizing two students.
"Hey, those two are side characters! They're the secondary antagonists of the tournament arc."
Lyle loudly declared while staring at the young half-blonde beauty with a perpetual frown on her face. Her black eyes complemented her serious expression.
Seated next to her was another brown-haired young woman, a close friend of the half-blonde. She had an above-average face and a small brown ribbon positioned on her beret.
His loud comment attracted the class' attention, causing him to retreat and look away.
(Even if they're not real, they still act like real people! I should be careful. These are not your usual NPCs.)
Lyle could barely hide his grin. He was in a different world with powerful beings, full of adventure and conflict. Even if it was all artificial, it felt real to him.
(My high school and college experience was kinda crap. Maybe I can make it up for it here even if it's all artificial.)
Lyle glanced at his hands, staring at them in awe, noting the details. He pinched his cheeks, and skinny neck, finally patting his private part.
"Wow... an immersive sensory illusion and feedback. It's like real life."
Lyle commented, confusing his seatmate.
(Now, this world is something. Graduating high school at eighteen years old then joining another advanced version of high school for two years.)
(Honestly, it's a waste of time. It's better to head straight to college but hey. What do I know? This is the world of World Journey: First Edge.)
The door suddenly opened, revealing a graceful noble beauty and despite wearing the same white uniform, her appearance struck out.
"Her golden piercing eyes and hair complemented her poker expression. Hiding true emotions beneath a blank face. Standing at 176 centimeters tall, she physically stood out among her peers. Her steps are just as graceful as she is."
Lyle said, recalling the words from the light novel.
Several male students kept their gaze while the half-blonde beauty in the front row audibly clicked her tongue, showing disdain and a hint of envy.
"One of the main protagonists of the novel." He said in awe, glaring at the student who just entered.
(From Chapter 1 to 211, she was the main focus and the current protagonist until ultimately sacrificing her powers and effectively retiring from the story.) Lyle wistfully recalled.
(Mary Anne Grace, the daughter of a successful businessman and a respected noble. Born with ten worldly talents, the highest amount of talent in this school.)
He snapped from his thoughts, remembering something.
(Oops! I forgot. I should avoid that event.)
(Freya May. The envious and insecure self-proclaimed rival of Mary Anne Grace. I should stop what she's going to do.) Lyle said, standing up and heading for the door while glaring at Freya May.
The half-blonde beauty, Freya grinned, fingers pointing at the floor and producing a small magical puddle. Intent on causing Mary to slip, a first-day-of-class disaster.
Normally, that was how the story progressed until Lyle Cass picked up his pace, intentionally stepping on the puddle, slipping and tumbling down. *Whack!*
"Ouch!" Lyle grunted, stealing a glance at Freya.
Freya's face soured, an unladylike expression, full of seething and discontent. The other students snickered, laughing at Lyle while Mary approached him.