The final day of the academy's grand festival had arrived, and excitement buzzed through the campus as students and guests prepared for the much-anticipated cultural program. Colorful banners waved in the wind, the sound of music floated through the air, and the crowds gathered to witness performances of singing, dancing, and plays that celebrated the diverse cultures represented at the academy.

But as much as the festival brought joy to others, Robin found himself uninterested by the festivities. His mind wandered, and he felt a disconnect from the excitement. The idea of sitting through hours of songs and dance routines held little appeal. "I’m not really one for these kinds of events," he muttered quietly to himself.

Andrew, standing beside him with his usual stoic expression, noticed Robin’s restlessness. "Shall we head out, sir?" he asked in his deep voice, as if reading Robin’s thoughts.

Robin nodded. "Yes, I think it’s time we left. We’ve seen enough. There’s no need to stay for the performances."

Oliver, as observant, was already preparing for their departure. "We can leave whenever you're ready."

With a final stroll at the campus, Robin turned away. Together, he, Andrew, and Oliver walked through the lively campus, making their way toward their car. As they passed groups of students dressed in traditional garments, preparing for their performances, Robin couldn't help but feel a little guilt for leaving early. He had enjoyed the earlier days of the festival, but now, something inside him urged him to move on.

Once they were outside the academy grounds, Robin Sand a message to his granduncle Liam and informed him about his departure.

He sent the message, knowing Liam would understand. His granduncle had always been kind and supportive of him, and Robin trusted he wouldn't be offended by his early departure.

The streets outside the academy were quieter than usual, with most people attending the festival. The buildings of Nexar loomed above them, bathed in the afternoon light, while the hum of distant vehicle added a layer of serenity to the scene.

As they tore through the city, Robin reflected on the past few days. The festival had been an opportunity to reconnect with some of his family members, to meet his cousins, and to learn more about the academy.

Andrew, sensing the contemplative mood, remained silent. Meanwhile, Oliver, ever the attentive butler, occasionally glanced over, ready to assist if needed. But for now, all Robin wanted was the quiet and comfort of his little mansion , away from the noise and energy of the festival.

"We’ll be home soon," Robin thought to himself as the city continued to unfold around them.

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As they tore through the quieter streets of Nexar, the distant sounds of the city’s activity surrounding them, Oliver broke the silence. “Do you need anything from the city, sir?” he asked in his usual calm and polite manner, ever attentive to Robin’s needs.

Robin paused for a moment, considering the question. His thoughts wandered back over the past few days, all these competitions which reminded him of earth's video game fueled his inner gamer.

Then, almost out of nowhere, an idea sparked in his mind, fueled by a growing sense of nostalgia. He remembered the thrill of gaming from his younger years, when life was less complicated, and he could lose himself in the virtual worlds. He hadn’t played in a while, but suddenly, the urge was strong again.

“Let’s get some gaming stuff,” Robin said, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “I haven’t played games in ages.”

Oliver’s eyebrows raised slightly, surprised by the request, but he nodded. “Very well, sir. There’s an excellent electronics section in the Nexar Central Mall. I’ll guide you there.”

Andrew, silently following along, seemed indifferent to the shift in plans, but Robin could tell the guard didn’t mind tagging along wherever he decided to go. They made their way to one of Nexar’s largest shopping complexes, an enormous structure of gleaming glass and metal, filled with high-end shops and advanced technology stores. Holographic billboards are everywhere, salesmen promoting their goods and the atmosphere of the mall was bustling, even during the festival, but they navigated it with ease thanks to Oliver’s familiarity with the city.

Inside, Robin was immediately struck by how different the gaming world here in Arora was compared to what he remembered back on Earth. The store displays were filled with sleek, futuristic setups, unlike anything he had seen before. Most of the games here were full virtual reality games, with the setup involving large pods that fully immersed the player into the game. Unlike the VR headsets he knew from Earth, these pods created a sensory environment where players felt like they were truly in the game world every sight, sound, and even physical sensation was designed to be indistinguishable from reality.

Oliver also added one can practice their combat ability in these pods simulation.

Robin’s excitement grew as they reached the gaming section. He scanned the various models of gaming pods, marveling at their cutting-edge designs. One in particular caught his eye a high-end pod, the latest model on the market, with metallic silver casing and a fully customizable interior interface. It was a bit extravagant, but Robin felt a rare thrill of indulgence washing over him. He deserved this, didn’t he? After everything he had been through, maybe it was time to treat himself.

“This one,” Robin said, pointing to the pod. “The latest model. I’ll take it.”

Oliver, as always, was quick to manage the logistics, arranging for the pod to be delivered to the mansion by the end of the day. Robin, meanwhile, browsed through the game selections, picking up a few titles that piqued his interest. Most of them were first-person shooters and RPGs—genres he had always enjoyed. There was something satisfying about being able to escape into those virtual worlds, where the stakes were clear and the missions straightforward. He knew the games in Arora would be far more advanced than anything he had ever played on Earth. The thought of experiencing those worlds with full immersion made him feel a bit like a kid again.

By the time they finished shopping, Robin couldn’t help but feel a little spoiled,but he didn’t mind. After everything that had happened recently, he needed something to take his mind off things, and this felt like the perfect distraction.

As they left the mall and headed back toward the mansion, Robin was already imagining himself stepping into one of those virtual worlds, feeling the rush of battle or the thrill of exploration. It was a side of him he hadn’t indulged in a long time, and the idea of diving back into it made him feel lighter, as if for just a moment, he could set aside the weight of his responsibilities.

Oliver glanced over at Robin as they walked. “It seems you’re in a better mood, sir.”

Robin smiled. “Yeah, I guess I am. Sometimes, you just need to escape reality for a bit.”

Oliver nodded with a smile but added " although these games make one escape the reality but that doesn't mean you forgot your real life."

Robin knows what Oliver meant. He knew the consequences of video games as one of his closest friends from childhood became a shut-in for video games. He made a promise to himself not to get lost in virtual reality.

With the gaming pod set to arrive soon, Robin was already looking forward to spending some time inside it, losing himself in a different world although this world also felt like a fantasy to him.

He wondered while looking outside his car is all things happening to him

is real or is he in some kind or virtual reality.