Chapter Eleven: Calibrate Good Times
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As they continued, Jace took in the diverse array of students. A short, graceful woman with lavender eyes and delicate wings folded against her back caught his eye. Nearby, a young man with horns and a mischievous smile chatted animatedly with a group of centaurs. The diversity was astonishing, making Jace feel both a part of something extraordinary and incredibly small. Surprisingly, though, amidst the array of magical creatures, most were entirely human.
As they continued their walk, Jace couldn't help but notice the sheer number of humans in their group. He turned to Dex, curiosity getting the better of him. "Hey, Dex, why are there so many humans here? I mean, I know there are a lot of different races in Terra Mythica, but I thought more people would choose something more... magical."
Dex chuckled and shrugged. "It's all part of the System, man. The System analyzes you, tries to predict what would cause the least amount of mental difficulties, the least amount of shock to your system. Some people are just wired differently, you know? Everyone gets offered the races the System thinks they'll handle best. And if it’s not sure, it errs on the side of caution and offers human."
Jace nodded, thinking it over. "Makes sense, I guess."
His his device was originally set up for someone else, after all. Maybe human was the best the System could do with the conflicting DNA.
Dex glanced at him, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I’ve heard stories from my dad—back in the early days, people could choose all sorts of races, but then their minds started rejecting them. Like, they couldn’t handle the change and started pushing back. It caused a lot of problems, so the System adapted. No one really knows how it decides, but I think it built in some extra safety measures."
"Is that why you’re human too?" Jace asked, curious.
"Whoo, speak for yourself." He reached up, pulling back a tuft of his messy hair to reveal a slight peak to his ear, barely noticeable unless you knew to look for it. "One-tenth elf."
Jace raised an eyebrow. "One-tenth?"
Before Dex could answer, Ell, who had been walking just ahead of them, turned around with a playful smirk. "Is he showing off his ears again? Dex, you had elf as an option and you chose one-tenth? Such a waste."
Dex grinned, unbothered by the jab. "And lose some of my rugged charm? No, thank you. One-tenth is just enough to have that sort of elven flavor. And it’s not like you went with another race."
Ell’s eyes sparkled mischievously. "And what makes you think I haven’t? Hmmm? Are you so sure?"
Dex stopped dead in his tracks, staring at her. Jace and Ell kept walking until Dex hurried to catch up, his curiosity piqued. "Wait, you got a human variant race? Which one?" He peered at her closely, searching for any telltale signs.
Ell just gave him a mysterious smile. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
For the next several minutes, Dex pestered her with questions, trying to get her to reveal her race. Jace watched the exchange with amusement, eventually deciding that Ell was likely just messing with Dex. Still, a small part of him wondered if there was more to her than met the eye.
Demi led them through a dense thicket that opened onto a plateau. “Here we are,” she said, waving them forward.
They were greeted by the sight of ancient ruins. Up close, the grand vision of Olympus University dissolved into disappointment and confusion. The once-majestic structure looked like a decaying relic. Marble columns lay in shattered heaps, their intricate carvings worn and weathered by time.
The grand arches that should have framed a gateway to knowledge and power now sagged under the weight of years, their beauty marred by cracks and missing pieces. What remained of the statues and stones were eroded beyond recognition, mere shadows of their former glory. The stone pathways were overgrown with weeds and moss, hinting at long years of neglect.
Jace's heart sank. This hardly seemed like a place deserving of the title of the top tutorial university in Terra Mythica. The awe and excitement he had felt moments before were replaced by a gnawing sense of disillusionment. How could this be the renowned Mount Olympus University?
The other students apparently shared his sentiment, their faces reflecting a mix of confusion and disappointment. Whispers of disbelief and frustration filled the air as they took in the dilapidated state of the ruins. Some kicked at the stones in frustration, while others exchanged worried glances, wondering if they had made a mistake.
Jace glanced at Ell, who looked equally bewildered. "This can’t be it," she muttered, her voice tinged with disbelief. "There must be some kind of mistake."
Dex tried to lighten the mood with a forced grin. "Maybe the budget's been tight. Can’t judge a book by its cover, or a school by its lack of a roof, huh?"
The reality of the situation weighed heavily on all of them. The grandeur and magic they had anticipated seemed to have vanished, replaced by the stark reality of the crumbling ruins.
Demi seemed to notice the mood shift and addressed the group. “Not what you thought it would be? Well, too bad! You are free to turn back now if you so choose. If you wish to proceed, you must follow my lead exactly. Watch closely.”
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She then held up a silver User Interface stone, its surface gleaming under the dim light. “Activate your stones,” she instructed. The students followed suit, their stones emitting a soft, silvery glow.
Jace took the stone from his pocket and felt a mental pull. He stopped resisting and allowed a trickle of his own energy to flow into it. The stone hummed in response.
“Now, mimic my movements,” Demi continued, her tone serious. She performed an intricate sequence: stepping left, then right, tapping the stone twice, closing one eye, walking backward, waving it in a figure eight in the air, and turning three times. Finally, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them again.
The students mimicked her, albeit awkwardly. Half of them bumped into the others, their movements disjointed and hesitant. The seniors visibly tried not to laugh. Jace hesitated, feeling a flush of self-consciousness, but then followed suit. Left, right, tap the stone twice, close one eye, walk backward, figure eight, turn three times, close both eyes, open them.
Demi's laughter bubbled up as Jace heard the frustrated murmurs from his fellow first years. When he finished the sequence and opened his eyes, nothing had changed. Demi watched, her eyes sparkling with a playful glint, and a soft giggle escaped her lips.
"I was just messing with you," she said, her voice light with amusement. She waved the stone with a casual flick of her wrist. "This is all it takes to let you in." She murmured a phrase into the silver stone, then gave it a casual flick. The stone glowed softly, and a moment later, all the students' stones lit up in unison. "Access granted."
The silver stone in his hand now glowed brilliantly before it dissolved into a fine dust that latched onto his skin, seeping into his pores. He felt a surge of energy flood through him and heard gasps from the crowd as they experienced the same. A powerful force burst from his skin as a light erupted from his eyes, making him feel more alive than ever before.
As the energy settled down into a soft glow inside of him, a notification appeared, glowing with a white light on a faint blue screen:
Calibration Process Complete
You have completed the calibration and full immersion process. Welcome to Terra Mythica.
Current Realm Access Permission: Tutorial, Mount Olympus University, Terra Mythica.
Complete the tutorial and Realm Quests to unlock additional features and Realms.
For a full list of System commands, please select Help.
For System interface and HUD controls, select Display.
For all other inquiries, please see your User Manual.
Jace tried to look away, but the prompt followed his gaze, blurring the background. This one was different—more real, more solid—since the calibration process had finished. He'd need to explore the [User Interface] options in more detail later, when he had some time alone.
How do you close this thing? The prompt vanished instantly. Okay, still mental commands. Nice.
The mental commands felt different now, more intuitive. He didn't need to think the words, just feel what he wanted, and it happened.
The ancient ruins shimmered and shifted before Jace’s eyes, transforming from decayed remnants into a breathtaking spectacle of magic. It must have been some sort of illusion magic, because now the stone columns rose tall and pristine, as if freshly carved from the finest marble.
The crumbling pathways and broken sculptures reversed their decay, each piece returning to its rightful place with a soft, ethereal glow. And now the air hummed with an ancient power, filling Jace with awe and reverence.
Still chuckling at her own prank, Demi grinned as the students marveled at the now majestic-looking campus.
There were a few continued mutterings in response to her practical joke, but mostly everyone was preoccupied with the options of the now unlocked interface.
The group moved forward, the path now clear and defined. Intricate carvings on the columns depicted epic battles, and symbols etched into the pathways glowed faintly with residual magic. The ruins morphed into a magnificent Grecian structure, glowing with golden light.
Majestic statues of gods and heroes appeared, standing in solemn guard. The marble gleamed, reflecting the late afternoon sky. Runes on the stone columns pulsed with energy, casting a magical aura over the scene. Fountains sprang to life, crystal-clear waters cascading down in harmony. Lush gardens bloomed in verdant colors. The structures grew around them, forming a sprawling temple complex.
Ell’s eyes sparkled with wonder. "This is incredible," she whispered.
Dex was speechless. Another gasp went through the crowd as the sky dimmed behind a total eclipse, casting a hush over the scene. Then, an explosion of color lit up the sky, dazzling fire and magic arcing above the temple. Brilliant bursts of red and gold showered down like molten stars, illuminating the ancient marble and intricate reliefs. The temple pulsed with vibrant energy, its towering columns glowing in the beginnings of twilight.
A series of rapid-fire explosions followed, each more spectacular than the last. Blue, green, and violet streaks of light twisted and danced, forming magical symbols that hovered before dissolving into glittering sparks. Smoke of different colors billowed from strategic points, blending hues into a mesmerizing tapestry, catching the fireworks' light.
The show reached a crescendo. A giant phoenix made of golden fire soared above the temple, its wings spreading wide, shimmering with colors. It swooped and dived before disintegrating into a thousand glittering fragments. The grand finale began with the sky erupting into a symphony of light and color. Silver comets shot upwards, leaving trails of sparkling stardust, while enormous blooms of multicolored light blossomed and faded. As the last sparks faded, the crowd erupted into applause.
Jace stood spellbound. The campus spread out before them, a blend of nature and ancient architecture. Towers and spires reached towards the sky, connected by stone bridges over misty valleys. Jace took a deep breath, feeling the crisp air. The eclipse passed, and the world was again basked in the warm light of the sun.
"Alright, let’s keep moving," Demi urged. The path leveled out, making the walk less strenuous. They passed through groves of ancient trees, their branches forming natural archways. Questions and conversations filled the air as the students relaxed. Jace overheard discussions about classes, the best places to eat on campus, and rumors of hidden secrets.
As they neared the main gates, the path widened. Large marble pillars flanked the entrance, each carved with intricate designs depicting scenes from myth and legend.
"Welcome to Olympus University," Demi announced as they stepped through the gates. "This is where your journey truly begins. The climb may be difficult, but the adventure is worth it."
Ell nudged Jace, her eyes wide with excitement. Jace smiled in return.