Builds. I love builds. Min-maxing everything is such a delight. Finding the gear that brings out my character's greatest abilities and boosts me to the top of the rankings... that’s where I thrive. In Royale Online, I was unbeatable. I could have ruled the game forever, if Blazer, the guild leader of the Sun Bringers, hadn’t kicked me from the guild—the top guild, mind you. And all because I took his spot on the leaderboards. The guy couldn’t handle it.

Without that safety net, it didn’t take long before I got chased out by the other guilds. I still crave that thrill, that edge of always being the best. And that’s when I saw it: Age of Eternity, a game unlike any other. And with it, the EternaLink, a full-dive VR system exclusive to the game. This wasn’t like the usual VR headsets—it was a new level of immersion, a full-body experience that felt real. Costly? Definitely. But worth every cent if it meant escaping into a world where I could push my builds to the max, with endless skills and synergies to explore.

I ordered it the same day, and when it arrived, I wasted no time. Laying down, I fitted the sleek headset around my head. As soon as I booted up the game, an array of brilliant colors enveloped me, and the title screen appeared with a sweeping orchestral score: AGE OF ETERNITY. The music was grand, an operatic symphony that gave me chills. The login sequence was seamless, scanning my face as an ID tag, before dropping me into character creation.

The game’s races materialized in front of me: Hyrian, Elvas, Dwargo, Cyrilan—all classic fantasy archetypes with their own unique traits. I scanned through the stats, calculating potential builds. The Hyran's magic bonuses were tempting, and Elvas had a natural affinity for magical damage. But the Cyrilan race offered a balance between strength and intelligence, perfect for a hybrid playstyle. Decision made, I selected the Cyrilan race.

Next came the aesthetics. I’d usually go for black-and-white hair, my signature look in Royale Online, but this time I opted for stark white hair paired with jet-black armor. As I customized, a small notification appeared on the screen:

“Choosing your base colors extends to every piece of equipment in the game, maintaining your color scheme.”

Perfect. No more wasting time dyeing my gear over and over just to keep my look consistent. It was exactly the kind of streamlined detail I appreciated.

Finally, I named my character Astraeus. In an instant, the world blurred around me, and I found myself standing in a dusty, sunlit courtyard that looked like it was plucked straight from some ancient civilization. Worn stone statues lined the edges, and a tall, imposing NPC clad in cracked stone armor loomed nearby.

“Welcome to Age of Eternity, Astraeus,” came a deep, resonant voice that seemed to echo across the courtyard. “To begin your journey, proceed up the path and speak to Commander Garrick for your training.”

Taking my first steps, I felt the immersive control; no lag, just fluid, lifelike movement. I followed the path, my anticipation building. Commander Garrick, a towering figure clad in stone-like armor, awaited me at the end. He nodded as I approached, his voice resonating as if he’d spoken my name a thousand times.

“Welcome to basic training, Astraeus,” he rumbled. “Choose your weapons—Sword, Daggers, Staff, Bow, Three-Quarter Staff, Hammer, Glaive, Whip, Scythe, and even Wands. You can combine two weapon sets for unique combinations, but if you’re after magic… that power requires patience and practice. For now, try a quick combination.”

I scanned the options, fingers hovering over each. Normally, I’d go straight for the wand to kickstart a magic build. But I remembered something from the forums: the wand was bugged right now, spells misfiring and casting inconsistently. Why the devs hadn’t removed it from the lineup was beyond me, but I wasn’t about to risk my initial build on it.

“Sword and bow it is,” I decided, selecting them with a decisive tap. This combo would give me a solid balance—reliable close-range power and long-range versatility. Testing the sword, I watched as a small chain counter flickered on my HUD, tracking my attacks. I grinned, thrilled by the precision as I switched to the bow and fired a few quick shots into the target, watching the chain counter climb higher.*

Commander Garrick seemed pleased, nodding approvingly.

“Well done. Now, proceed to Haven and speak with Oril the merchant for your first task.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

I nodded back, selecting the “Nod” gesture, and turned to follow the path down toward the city gates.

As I stepped out of the training ground, the sprawling city of Aeternum Haven unfolded before me. Its medieval architecture, vibrant marketplaces, and bustling streets were a testament to the game’s immersive design. Players and NPCs mingled around, each absorbed in their own activities. Some were seated on benches, deeply engrossed in books with a “Reading in Progress” icon floating above them, while others lounged or napped with a faint “ZZZ” status—a seamless integration of real-world actions into the game’s fabric.

I took a moment to observe, appreciating the attention to detail. This wasn’t just another game where players ignored the lore and focused solely on leveling. Age of Eternity encouraged immersion, rewarding those who took the time to explore its depths.

Approaching Oril, the merchant, I could see the worry etched into his virtual face.

“You there! New blood, are you?” he called out, gesturing toward the crates stacked beside him. “Could use a hand if you’ve got time. Goblins ransacked one of my shipments outside the walls. Think you can retrieve it for me?”

First quest, classic starter. I accepted with a nod, and the quest tracker marked a spot on my map, just beyond the city gates. The goblins outside were a decent test for a starter build, and I sliced my way through them with ease, feeling the raw satisfaction of well-timed strikes and parries. The combat felt as real as it gets, even giving me a slight twinge of soreness after I swung too wildly.

When I finished, I returned to Oril, who gave me an approving look.

“Well done, Astraeus. But if you’re aiming to get stronger, you’ll need a Class Permit. Without one, you’re limited to the basics.”

He gestured toward a towering cathedral-like building in the city’s heart.

“Head to the Sepulcher. Speak with the Guardian Dragon there and lay your hands upon the relic. That will unlock your true path. And you’ll gain access to the Atlas of Power—a sprawling tree of abilities that will let you build a character unlike any other.”

My heart raced. I’d heard rumors about a massive skill tree in Age of Eternity, but the Atlas of Power sounded like a min-maxer’s paradise. An extensive passive skill tree that synergizes with active skills? This was exactly what I needed.

I hurried toward the Sepulcher, passing players browsing vendors, some idling on benches or reading in-game lore with books in their hands. The attention to detail in this game was unmatched.

Inside the Sepulcher, the light dimmed, the air thick with the scent of ancient stone and incense. At the center of the chamber lay a massive stone relic guarded by a serpentine dragon, its eyes a molten gold that seemed to follow my every movement. I approached slowly, laying my hands on the stone.

“Seek power, do you?” its voice slithered through my mind, deep and resonant. “Place your hands upon the relic, Astraeus.”

As soon as my hands touched the stone, a sprawling web of nodes—the Atlas of Power—appeared before me, stretching infinitely in every direction. Paths led to skills enhancing speed, damage, resilience, and others branching off into more esoteric powers. I felt a thrill of anticipation. Each node was a piece of potential, waiting for me to shape it.

Scanning through the Atlas, I noticed a single node that many players likely missed: the Loremaster node. It was tucked away in a less prominent branch, easily overlooked by those who rushed through the skill tree. But for me, as a min-maxer, it stood out. I selected it, feeling a subtle surge of energy as it integrated into my build.

The Loremaster node granted me lore bonuses—more experience, additional skill points, and increased gold drops. It also unlocked special lore quests that offered unique gear not found in the auction house or trade boards. These quests delved deeper into the game’s history, rewarding those who engaged with the lore with artifacts that could be crafted or imbued with traits tailored to my build. Perfect for someone like me who loves optimizing every aspect of my character.

As I navigated the Atlas, the Loremaster node became a central pillar in my build strategy. It wasn’t just about raw power; it was about understanding the world and using that knowledge to gain tangible in-game advantages. This was what set me apart from the majority of players—those who sped through levels without considering how the world itself was programmed to evolve. They missed out on events like the Tombs of the Ancients and the hidden bonuses that came with the Loremaster node.

Leaving the Sepulcher, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. The Atlas of Power wasn’t just a skill tree; it was a roadmap to mastery, rewarding those who took the time to delve into the lore and uncover its secrets. As a minority of players who understood the system, I was already ahead of the curve, avoiding guild affairs and public arguments to focus on my own path of optimization and discovery.

As I continued my journey, I couldn't help but feel that Age of Eternity was more than just a game. It was a living, breathing world with hidden depths waiting to be explored by those who dared to look beyond the surface. And I, Astraeus, was determined to uncover every secret it had to offer.