The duo traversed across the lush green expanse, the dome-shaped structure housing Evander's quarters looming ahead. The scenery was breathtaking, as if it had been designed meticulously for tranquility and peace, the attributes typically associated with femininity. Yet, this was made for men, Evander thought, bemused by the world's contrariness.

Arckit, who had clung onto Evander's arm like a lifeline, was engaging him in enthusiastic chatter. "You see, Evander," she began, her tone breezy, "the way they pamper men here is simply astonishing. You're practically royalty."

As they entered the house, stepping into a vast lounge bathed in gentle light, her eyes widened appreciatively. She was visibly taken aback by the sophistication of the kitchen, laden with high-tech gadgets and state-of-the-art services. Each item seemed to be a notch above the rest, reflecting the economic power of the women who funded these dwellings.

For the better part of the next hour, Arckit played the role of a guide, enthusiastically explaining the functionalities of the numerous high-tech devices adorning the accommodation. Evander listened intently, attempting to commit to memory the seemingly complex operations.

Finally, with Arckit's competent assistance, Evander managed to operate the three-dimensional entertainment system. His fingers moved with increased confidence over the controls, igniting the system to life, and filling the room with the vibrant colors of numerous games and programs.

With a mischievous twinkle in his eyes and a lopsided grin, Evander threw Arckit a look that was a mix of mirth and self-assurance. "Well, I suppose I should extend an invitation to you into my room," he drawled, knowing well that the statement was outlandish in this world, "since that's where the computer is, of course."

Arckit met his humor with a playful smile of her own. "First time for everything, I suppose," she quipped, her voice brimming with merriment. "Yesterday, I had never seen a man up close. Today, I'm being invited into one's room. Truly, a historical moment."

Her words hung in the air, coloring it with a strange, yet delightful, hue. Nodding to her, Evander began to lead her down the long, silent corridor. The air held a chill, seeming to echo the privacy that each vault-like door was designed to maintain.

As he approached his door, he used his palm print. The door opened with a smooth, mechanical precision, the multiple layers of security evident in its operation. Arckit watched, her brows arching in clear appreciation.

"I guess all this security is for the men to have a place of refuge," she mused, her gaze still locked onto the high-tech lock system.

The observation took Evander by surprise, and he turned to her, a quizzical expression sketched across his features. A refuge? What could she possibly mean? His curiosity piqued, but he decided to hold off on the questions.

As they stepped into his quarters, a distinctive smell of freshly laundered linens and minimal use greeted them. It was a spacious room, made even larger by the sparingly used furniture and a clean, clutter-free environment. At its heart, the dominating feature was an immense bed. Its size would accommodate more than one person.

Arckit's eyes widened at the sight of the bed, an unreadable emotion fleeting across her face. Before she could voice her thoughts, Evander, catching her attention, subtly motioned towards a sleek, state-of-the-art computer tucked away in the room's corner.

"Focus, please," he softly admonished, a playful glint surfacing in his eyes.

With a soft shake of her head, Arckit muttered something under her breath, a phrase he couldn't decipher. What is she thinking? Evander mused internally, observing her behavior.

Not letting herself get distracted again, she quickly seated herself before the computer. A soft hum filled the room as she booted it up, fingers dancing over the illuminated keyboard which projected the holographic display into the air.

The password prompt emerged on the screen, casting a blue hue over her focused face. Evander watched her and broke the silence, "If you could remember the password, this would be easy."

Her frown was instant, the corners of her mouth pulling down as she swung around to look at him, her eyes darting suspiciously back to the bed. He feigned innocence, shrugging lightly. "If I could remember, I wouldn't have invited you here." His tone was laced with humour, his words an attempt at maintaining the light-hearted atmosphere.

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

Arckit's expression shifted into one of steely determination as she broke the silence. "I suppose I'm here to work off all the shopping you've covered for me," she said, a teasing undertone in her voice.

She then reached into a bag she had brought along, rummaging for a moment before pulling out a device that was small and obscure. Evander couldn't discern its function or origin, but its appearance seemed at once both simplistic and complicated, a paradox in itself. It was a peculiar piece of technology that made his eyes narrow in curiosity, even as she leveled a serious gaze at him.

"Nobody needs to know about this device or me assisting you," Arckit declared, her tone brokering no room for argument. "Are we clear?"

He merely nodded, the gravity of her tone compelling him to remain silent. Then, she turned her attention back to the computer, her slender fingers moving deftly over the holographic keyboard.

What followed was an intricate dance of precision and chaos. Evander watched as Arckit merged technology and magic in a ballet that both intrigued and perplexed him. The merging of hacking—a science he was familiar with—and magic—a concept foreign and bewildering—created a spectacular yet baffling sight.

She manipulated her device, weaving through the defenses of his computer, an invisible assault of code and commands. Simultaneously, her other hand traced intricate patterns in the air, glyphs and symbols flickering in the luminescent glow of the magic she was casting. It was a spell, a wordless incantation that made the air thrum with raw energy.

To Evander, the sight was bewitching. The symphony of clicking keys intermingled with the soft hum of magic at work. Light and shadow danced across Arckit's face as she orchestrated this symphony of man and magic. It was his first encounter with magic, up close and personal, and the experience was undeniably captivating. He watched, his gaze never straying, drinking in the spectacle of an extraordinary display that transcended the boundaries of his understanding.

Amidst the awe-inspiring spectacle, curiosity sparked within Evander. He found himself drawn towards the unknown, the allure of magic that was enthralling in its complexity and power. Does everyone know how to manipulate this force? he wondered, a strange longing whispering at the back of his mind.

"Does everyone know magic?" Evander finally vocalized his question, his eyes never leaving the shimmering symbols that danced around Arckit's fingers.

Her response came amidst the rhythm of her work, her fingers not ceasing in their simultaneous dance over the device and through the air. "Most people at least know a few spells," she explained, her tone carrying an air of casual familiarity. "However, it's the university where one learns the real hardcore magic. Magic that is utilized in all aspects of work and life."

His interest piqued further. A new world of possibilities, waiting to be discovered, he mused. The idea of wielding magic, understanding its principles, and manipulating it to his will ignited a fresh flame of ambition within him.

"Where can one learn these spells?" Evander asked, his mind spinning with the possibilities that this newfound knowledge could present.

Arckit's response was almost casual, her focus still dominated by the demanding task at hand. "Libraries or the net. Those are your best bets."

Evander's lips curved into a smirk at her reply. "Well, now that I have access to the net, it should be easy then."

However, his triumphant remark was met with a bitter smile from Arckit. There was a faint hint of embarrassment in her gaze as she glanced back at him, and Evander found himself taken aback. What is she not telling me? His intrigue deepened.

Arckit gestured towards the computer with a sigh, her voice carrying an undertone of pity. "You only have access to the male subnet. It’s a lot smaller than the real net," she confessed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "The law was passed several decades ago. Too many men were becoming victims on the net, so they created this subnet for men. From what I've heard, it's... not very extensive."

A sharp surge of annoyance swelled within Evander. One step forward, two steps back, he mused, his excitement over the prospect of diving into the world of magic dampened significantly. Here he was, confined to a walled garden while a world of knowledge and possibility was just out of his reach. It was as if he was being treated like a child, incapable of handling the realities of the world. A grimace marred his face at the bitter realization.

He asked Arckit to guide him through this subnet. A firsthand view of the confined cyber world he had access to. They navigated together, her fingers deftly manipulating the three-dimensional interface as the world of the male subnet unfolded before his eyes.

It was mostly chat rooms for men, their topics ranging from mundane banter to stifled discussions about their lives. Government-run news websites displayed sanitized and controlled versions of events. There were numerous condescending help sites, patronizing in their tone as they treated men like children in need of guidance. Every corner of the subnet was heavily moderated, its content regulated.

All around him was the echo of a world, a carefully curated illusion designed to make men believe they were part of the digital world, while in reality, they were being excluded from its wealth of information. His frustration grew with every censored page, every filtered search result.

All this control... as if we need protection, as if we can't make our own choices, Evander thought, the bitterness seeping into his mind. It felt like a leash around his neck, suffocating him, holding him back from reaching out and grasping the world.