>>> Sunday Two, 30.06.2051

Dear Diary,

I want to tell you about my first week at the Cetviwos. Actually, I want to explain stuff to you, because explaining things is a form of learning and furthers comprehension. And I need comprehension badly!

In the morning, I have read the diary of a crazy alchemist. I might have been a bit jealous of his ramblings. Just kidding. Aidan, don't write words in caps no matter what.

Let's start with the beginning. I radically renovated my kitchen. I didn't intend to, it happened when I mixed up my favorite hat with the cooking pot. My dear son Robby insisted I can't live alone anymore. Of course, he is wrong about that. We figured out an alternative to a retirement home, the virtual reality.

The VR is called Cetviwos. Cetviwos stands for Cet = CentralTank−that's the company, which owns them−Vi = Virtual and Wos = Worlds.

The access point to the VR are pods, which look like coffins. While you lie in them, your consciousness gets transported into another world via brainwave technology. That's a fancy way of saying they are reading our minds. Maybe they write too.

This gets scarier and scarier. I know nothing, but that I know nothing. It just seems kind of logical to me. How can they know where a player wants to go? They have to transform the WILL (you may write "will" in caps Aidan) to an action. In my book, that’s mind-reading.

Now to the writing part. I'm pretty sure they don't have heat coils in the coffins, okay maybe they do, let's take an even more improbable example: smells. They sure as burned toast in hell haven't included 1000s of smells in the boxes. Therefore they must have an interface, which simulates the smells right into the brains of their clients. That's me. And my son. And my best friend.

I believe there is a difference between simulating external stimuli and simulating internal emotions. So the question is open if they can mind-control us. But with total control over external stimuli, you can easily facilitate conditioning.

The most terrible thing is that VR is really fun. I'm already addicted. Besides, we wash our bodies regularly, at least I did before entering the pod, so why not let my brain get washed too? Honestly, I'm kind of interested in their methods and results, but I would feel better if I only risked my bit of tattered grey matter to find out more and not my son's!

But I'm not finished talking about them reading my brain! They have an unhealthy obsession with it.

Ten years ago, I beta-tested software for CentralTank. You could get goodies by giving them access to your personal data. Aidan, forget what I told you about writing words in caps. I need more CAPS to express myself adequately. I summarize: THEY WANT BRAINZ. I was totally addicted to the CAD-System, not only because of the incredible user experience but also because of the charming company of my AI assistant Evai.

Okay, I didn't want to go that deep into the subject, but this VR stuff was incredible then and is even more so now. You can do MAGIC! With padding thoughts with the right amount of willpower, I can move objects telekinetically or reshape them. I tell you, it's a rush. You feel like you have the power of gods in your hands … or in your mind … at your fingertips. Whatever, let's go with easily accessible.

I can still do this type of magic in the Cetviwos, at least where magic isn't suppressed. Actually, I haven't tested it in a prohibited area. Aidan, write it on the to-do list.

Sorry, I lost my train of thought. Where were we?

Thank you, Aidan.

BRAINZ. I followed the same strategy in the Cetviwos as in my old software: Just sign every bit of privacy away for some nifty features.

I didn't think about what they would do with all the data. I just assumed the usual stuff, personalized ads, or sharpening the algorithms. Imagine my surprise when I ran into myself.

Yes, myself. Okay, I haven't met her, but I got messages from the AI version of myself. They built an artificial intelligence with all the BRAINZ.

I should have told the week chronically. That wasn't the first time they interpreted what they could do with my data too freely. Let's return to the beginning.

I didn't know CentralTank was behind my old software. The evidence mounted during character creation.

(By the way, I hold the record for the longest time spent in character creation and received sweet rewards for my efforts: I train attributes and mana skills around five times faster than other people.)

I found out because not only seemed the VR software familiar, and my old commands worked, but also I discovered my design works were scattered all over the world: Fountains, Spaceships, Runes, something with carpentry they admitted to, but I have yet to remember, my workshop design and last but not least, my countenance.

Yes, the gorgeous *cough* face of yours truly is no longer unique. Evailyn, a goddess of the game, used it. I don't mind. She is the same AI who helped me years ago in the beta-software. At least I think so. I'm pretty sure going by her behavior and feel, but there are timeline issues, which I don't understand.

Additionally, she is the Goddess of household appliances. I would have joined her cause even if I hadn't known her before. Because we are friends, she gave me a conveyed class, Champion. I haven't really understood what's so special about it. Something with influencing what kind of power is in charge of regulating the storyline…

Urgh, understanding my job should probably on my to-do list. Alright, I should have already checked it, but better late than never−Especially because I have to defend the class from other candidates next Sunday Two.

What if the competition is like those Miss Universe pageants with a question section, and somebody asks me about it!

I can visualize my self standing in front of a microphone, wearing my trusty old training mech-suit (and a sash with little toasters on it), and a jury member asks: "What would you do as a Champion of the Yellow High Faction?"

"Building toasters."

"How would you further the agenda of the Yellow High Faction?"

"Building more toasters."

That wouldn't fly well. Okay, if Evailyn sits in the jury, maybe it would get me some points.

I don't even know the goals of the yellow faction! Please tell me about them, Aidan.

Hahaha. Oh, dear, really? CentralTank should have spent a bit of time pulling an agenda out of their butts. How hard could it be?

Where was I?

Right, CentralTank stole my designs. I received a lot of VirDias as compensation. Don't get me started on the currencies of the Cetviwos! And the taxes!

What else to say about them?

Their policy towards AIs is a bit strange. Not only did they create AIs out of real persons, but they also treat their regular AIs with impunity. I bought Aidan in the Cetviwos shop, but one of the AI handlers of Central Tank sent Aitoshuri to me. The accompanying letter confused me. They continuously play games with her−lower her rating, then raising it again. Sometimes they threaten to delete her. Now, that I speak about it, maybe it's because I shouldn't look at CentralTank as one entity but as multiple persons with diverging goals. I only met the AI-Handler Iddy, who seemed nice enough and the Headmaster, a gloomy dude, and the Doge, a business clown.

My AIs have strong opinions about the Headmaster. Aidan fears him, and Aito dislikes him.

We will see what developments will take place. At least when I obtain the AI version of myself, I will know more.

Let's wait and see. As long as they don't mess with my current AIs, Aidan, Haidan, and Aitoshuri, I'm perfectly alright with forgetting they even exist.

Next topic: my son Robby. He is the one who introduced me to the virtual world. He leads the clan Riverstones−a company specialized in helping rich people level up. Mia calls it "Babysitting". She is one of his employees and my henchgirl. Yes, I have a henchgirl!

The clan Riverstones isn't faring that well. I only deduced it from hints. On the other hand, I just left a clan party, and the mood was very good. Even though it was exhausting to be nice to Robby's terrible fiancée, Ressa. I will channel some goodies in Robby's direction when I get away with it without appearing to meddlesome. On Monday Two, I'll build a training facility for the clan.

Well, training, another major topic in my week. I spent a lot of time to optimize my training. You need to train to grow your stats, but I'm no gym-rat. So I built a training coffin and training tunnel to work out while crafting and sleeping. The results are pretty neat. I exceeded the usual stats of a level one player, and I'm now a Mini-Master. Hahaha, cute. That's the name for level one players with abnormally high stats. If I figure out how the rest of the game works, I'll be fine.

I put my stats to test on the Hero's Entrance and cleaned up a garbage themed instance and caught the culprit, albeit with some difficulties.

At the beginning of the week, I had problems with letting go of my real-life fears. It's hard to acclimate at my age to the concept of not being mortal. Training free-running and martial arts are helping in this regard. I'm now able to fight and take risks. I'm not sure how long I will continue with the training, but I noticed as soon as I take a break, my fears come back. Maybe in a month or two, I will be fully immersed in this new reality.

Unfortunately, I had too little time to build many toasters. First, I finished an old design, a showy thing of gold and diamonds, then I designed one to digest the Metaworld, a boring standard one, and at last flying one. Only the last toaster I love. Additionally, I built a robot toaster, which toasts traps and throws them. Well, I promise to do better next week!

I think that was my week. Now, I'm ready to explore the Cradle, the world for level 1- level 5 players.

Another thing I haven't figured out are classes. I obtained a bunch of them, mostly because I wanted to connect my favorites so far: the Champion, the Technician, and the mage classes.

Only Animator is on my to-do list for the Cradle. Right, Aidan, I forgot I wanted a melee class to support close combat. I should probably pick up more of the divine classes as a divine Champion.

Thank you for reminding me about the quest from the librarian. It felt like a lifetime ago. We are definitely going to do it. I'm excited to find out what class System thinks fits me.

Quest: Take the Sweeping-Blow aptitude test on the Cradle.

Description: Visit the Talpica Testing Center to find out which classes suit you and where your talents lie.

Rewards:

* Bonus XP for all activities in the test

* Voucher for recommended classes

Penalty: None.

Difficulty: D.

Okay, now you know why I have so many classes. There never seems to be an end to the exciting things Cetviwos has to offer.

But first things first! I will tidy up Evailyn's church tomorrow. Those arrogant bishops can't be suitable for a smooth-running operation.

<<< Sunday Two, 30.06.2051

Flora current Stats

Spoiler: Attributes and Pools

Physical Attributes Level Value Mods Modded LV Operative Value Mods Equipment MOV Power 85 0 93.5 29 1 0 30 Macro-control 90 0 99 29.8 0 0 30 Micro-control 84 0 92.4 28.8 0 0 29 Vigor 90 0 99 29.8 2 0 32 Regeneration 103 0 113 31.9 1 0 33 Defense 89 0 97.9 29.7 3 0 33 Perception 61 0 67.1 24.6 0 0 25 Magical Attributes Level Value Mods Modded LV Operative Value Mods Equipment MOV Power 83 0 91.3 28.7 0 0 29 Macro-control 85 0 93.5 29 0 0 29 Micro-control 85 0 93.5 29 0 0 29 Vigor 90 0 99 29.8 2 0 32 Regeneration 92 0 101 30.2 2 10 42 Defense 89 0 97.9 29.7 2 0 32 Perception 48 0 52.8 21.8 0 0 22

Pools OV Mods Equipment Modded OV Health: 320 0 0 320 Stamina: 590 0 0 590 Mana-Pool: 320 0 0 320 Concentration: 580 0 0 580

Spoiler: Affinities and Ablities

Affinities and Resistances Rating LV OV Mod Modded OV Psychokinesis SSS 71 27.8 6 34 Transformation SSS 52 23.8 5 29 Bloodmagic SSS 37 20.1 1 21 Entropy C 4 6 1 7 Tempering/Crushing C 56 24.7 0 25 Faith S 84 30.2 2 32 Death magic C 4 6 1 7 Light Affinity/ Radiation Resistance C 68 27.2 0 27 Shadow Affinity C 17 12.4 0 12 Magical Body control C 51 23.6 1 25 Lightning Affinity / Shock Resistance C 56 24.7 1 26 Ice / Frost C 27 17.1 1 18 Wood Affinity/Poison Resistance C 70 27.6 0 28 Metal / Magnetism C 57 24.9 0 25 Fire Affinity/ Heat Resistance C 61 25.8 0 26 Water Affinity / Acid Resistance C 65 26.6 0 27 Air Affinity / Wind R C 20 13.4 0 13 Earth Affinity / Grav R C 20 13.4 0 13 Summoning C 35 19.5 0 20 Technomancy C 36 19.8 0 20 Scrying C 25 16.5 0

17

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

Abilities Category Rating LV OV Mod Modded OV Mechanics Crafting S 80 29.5 0 30 Athletics Physical C 70 27.6 0 28 Modeling and Design Crafting SSS 70 27.6 0 28 Medical Science Techno, Science C 31 18.4 0 18 Negotiation Social B 30 18.1 0 18 Melee Combat D 32 18.7 0 19 Electronics Crafting S 69 27.4 0 27 Acrobatics Physical D 17 12.4 0 12 Free-Running Physical, Acrobatics, Athletics C 35 19.5 0 20 Hand-to-Hand Combat Combat, Melee C 61 25.8 0 26 Meditation Spiritual A 58 25.1 0 25 Balancing Physical, Athletics D 36 19.8 0 20 Mana Cultivation Spiritual S 30 18.1 0 18 Hacking Combat B 28 17.5 0 18 Piloting (Planes and Jets) Technology, Driving D 7 7.9 0 8 Plasma-Sword-Fighting Combat, Melee C 37 20.1 0 20 Swimming Physical, Athletics B 11 9.9 0 10 Teaching Social A 11 9.9 1 11 Smithing Crafting A 33 19 0 19 Climbing Physical B 15 11.6 0 12 Salvaging: Animals Crafting B 12 10.4 0 10 Trapping Survival / Crafting C 51 23.6 0 24 Cooking Crafting B 11 9.9 0 10 Tailoring Crafting A 20 13.4 0 13 Runecraft Crafting S 52 23.8 1 25 Woodworking Crafting A 18 12.7 0 13 Intend-Focus Combat S 65 26.6 0 27 Element-Focus Combat S 53 24 0 24 Shield Combat B 33 19 0 19 Ambidextreous Physical A 60 25.6 0 26 Remote Control Techno, Driving C 3 5.2 0 5 Mech-Suit Techno S 58 25.1 0 25 Driving (Batticle) Techno, Driving S 2 4.2 0 4 Sprinting Physical, Athletics B 61 25.8 0 26 Combat-Tool Combat S 17 12.4 0 12 Throwing Combat B 6 7.3 0 7 Rocket-Launcher Combat B 28 17.5 0 18

Spoiler: Manaskills

Mana-Skills Category Rating LV OV Mod MOV Transform organics Spell, Alchemist;Transformation U SSS 57 24.9 0 25 Transform inorganics Spell, Alchemist;Transformation U SSS 58 25.1 0 25 Refine Art, Alchemist; Transformation U SSS 70 27.6 0 28 Clean Art, Homemaker; Conjuration/Light; U SSS 27 17.1 0 17 Candlelight Art, Homemaker; Conjuration/Light; U SSS 25 16.5 0 17 Torchlight Art, Homemaker; Conjuration/Light; U SSS 25 16.5 0 17 GlammerGlitter Art, Photographer; Conjuration/Light; U SSS 25 16.5 0 17 Latern Art, Homemaker; Conjuration/Light; U SSS 25 16.5 0 17 XYZ-Ray Magic, Analyst; Scrying U SSS 28 17.5 0 18 Astral Vision Magic, Analyst; Scrying U SSS 177 43.9 0 44 Magic Ledger Social; Scrying U SSS 25 16.5 0 17 Identify Art, Analyst; Scrying U SSS 50 23.3 0 23 Measure Art, Analyst; Scrying U SSS 26 16.8 0 17 Zoom Art, Analyst; Scrying U SSS 27 17.1 0 17 Serve Up Art, Cook; Sealing U SSS 25 16.5 0 17 Repair Art, Technician; Psychokinesis U SSS 57 24.9 0 25 Draw Blueprint Art, Technician; Psychokinesis U SSS 25 16.5 0 17 Magical Drill Art, Technician; Psychokinesis U SSS 25 16.5 0 17 Magical Squeeze Art, Technician; Psychokinesis U SSS 26 16.8 0 17 Engrave Art, Technician; Psychokinesis U SSS 28 17.5 0 18 Magic Stir Art, Cook; Psychokinesis U SSS 25 16.5 0 17 Magic Needle Art, Taylor; Psychokinesis U SSS 25 16.5 0 17 Telekinesis Spell, Kinetic Mage, Psychokinesis U SSS 89 31.1 0 31 Chop Art, Gardner; Psychokinesis/Wood U SSS 25 16.5 0 17 Weed Art, Gardner; Psychokinesis/Wood U SSS 25 16.5 0 17 Trim Art, Gardner; Psychokinesis/Wood U SSS 25 16.5 0 17 Prune Art, Gardner; Psychokinesis/Wood U SSS 25 16.5 0 17 Mawn Art, Gardner; Psychokinesis/Wood U SSS 25 16.5 0 17 Bulldoze Art, Gardner; Psychokinesis/Earth U SSS 25 16.5 0 17 Agility-Boost Technique, ?; Magical Body Control/Athletics B SSS 62 26 0 26 Power-Jump Technique, ?; Magical Body Control/Athletics B SSS 28 17.5 0 18 Bloody Mana Technique, Warrior; Transfer B SSS 76 28.8 0 29 Power Shot Technique, Marksperson; Ranged Ability B SSS 50 23.3 1 24 Barrage Technique, Marksperson; Ranged Ability B SSS 50 23.3 2 25 Cover Technique, Marksperson; Ranged Ability B SSS 25 16.5 3 20 Backpaddle Technique, Marksperson; Ranged Ability B SSS 25 16.5 4 21 Set Mark Technique, Marksperson; Ranged Ability B SSS 33 19 5 24 Slide Trick, Free-Runner; Magical Body Control/Athletics/Balance B SSS 26 16.8 0 17 7-Mile-Step Trick, Scout; B SSS 25 16.5 0 17 Use Built-In Spell Spell, General B SSS 74 28.4 0 28 Magical Push Spell, Kinetik Mage; Psychokinesis B SSS 63 26.2 2 28 Magical Pull Spell, Kinetik Mage; Psychokinesis B SSS 101 33.2 2 35 Magic Bolt Spell Proto B SSS 60 25.6 2 28 Magic Stride Spell Proto B SSS 46 22.4 2 24 Magic Storm Spell Proto B SSS 67 27 2 29 Magic Shield Spell Proto B SSS 60 25.6 2 28 Magic Elemental Spell Proto; Elemental B SSS 45 22.1 2 24 Magic Re-Generate Spell Proto B SSS 106 34 2 36 Magic Breath Spell Proto B SSS 50 23.3 0 23 Magic Hallow Spell Proto B SSS 50 23.3 0 23 Energy Choke Spell, Psychokinesis, Lightning B SSS 55 24.5 1 26 Energy Jump Spell, Psychokinesis, Lightning B SSS 28 17.5 1 19 Plasma-Sword-Dance Spell, Psychokinesis, Lightning B SSS 26 16.8 1 18 Dawn Spell, Light Mage; Light B SSS 37 20.1 0 20 Dusk Spell, Shadow Mage; Shadow B SSS 36 19.8 1 21 Sheep Spell, General; Transformation B SSS 70 27.6 0 28 Elemental Crossing Spell, Elemental Mage; Elemental B SSS 50 23.3 0 23 Bouncing Element Spell, Plumber; Elemental SSS 30 18.1 0 18 Super-Over-(charge/blow/tide) Magic, Elemental Sword B SSS 45 22.1 1 23 Disturb Connection Magic, Technomancy B SSS 50 23.3 2 25 Disturb Mana Connections Magic, Technomancy B SSS 50 23.3 3 26 Fortify Link Magic, Technomancy B SSS 109 34.5 4 39 Increase Range Magic, Technomancy B SSS 50 23.3 5 28 Establish Connection Magic, Technomancy B SSS 50 23.3 6 29 Smite Prayer, Priest B SSS 100 33 0 33 Bless and Condemn Prayer, Priest B SSS 76 28.8 0 29 Fortification of Faith Prayer, Priest B SSS 52 23.8 0 24 Levitate Prayer, Priest B SSS 25 16.5 0 17 Thaumaturgy Prayer, Priest B SSS 65 26.6 0 27 Consecrate Prayer, Priest B SSS 26 16.8 0 17 Pray Prayer, Divine B SSS 100 33 0 33 I bow to you and roll with it Prayer, Monk B SSS 27 17.1 0 17 Create Bear-Trap Charm, Trapper B SSS 67 27 0 27 Deploy Traps Charm, Trapper B SSS 72 28 0 28 Detect Traps Charm, Trapper B SSS 200 46.7 0 47 Escape Trap Charm, Trapper B SSS 70 27.6 0 28 Lure Charm, Trapper B SSS 55 24.5 0 25 Create Frost Trap Charm, Trapper B SSS 69 27.4 0 27 Infinite breath Charm, general, Air B SSS 50 23.3 0 23 I Wish The Ground Would Swallow Me Charm, Druid B SSS 26 16.8 0 17 Overcharge Regular Command Proto B SSS 51 23.6 2 26 Overcharge Build-In Skill/Feature Command Proto B SSS 52 23.8 2 26 Grease with life's blood Command Proto B SSS 52 23.8 2 26 Overcharge Movement Apperatus/ Hurry Up Command Proto B SSS 52 23.8 2 26 Human Machine Connection Command Proto B SSS 53 24 2 26 Armor Command Proto B SSS 52 23.8 2 26 Wheel of Steel Command Proto B SSS 50 23.3 2 25 Overrun Command Proto B SSS 51 23.6 2 26 Nitro Command Proto B SSS 51 23.6 2 26 Drift Command Proto B SSS 50 23.3 2 25 Parallel Control Command Proto B SSS 50 23.3 3 26 Use Built-In Skill Command, General B SSS 53 24 0 24 Use Built-In Magetech Command, General B SSS 55 24.5 0 25 Suit-Up Command, Mech Operator B SSS 9 9 0 9 Tinker Command, Tinkerer B SSS 48 22.9 0 23 Deactivate Art, Combat Technician B SSS 50 23.3 0 23 Short Circuit Art, Combat Technician B SSS 50 23.3 0 23 I'm just the Technician Art, Combat Technician B SSS 50 23.3 0 23 Sure Hands Art, Combat Technician B SSS 50 23.3 0 23 RTFM (Read the bleeping manual) Art, Tech-Support B SSS 50 23.3 0 23 Cluster Maintance Command, Tech-Support B SSS 50 23.3 0 23 Please hold the Line Art, Tech-Support B SSS 50 23.3 0 23 Next Customer Art, Tech-Support B SSS 50 23.3 0 23 Turning it Off and On again Command, Tech-Support B SSS 50 23.3 0 23 Diagnose (electro-mech) Art, Technician; B SSS 14 11.2 0 11