Chapter 16 - The Flaming

Raghnall’s explanation took long time and covered many interesting details. I was impressed by both his explanation and depth of magic systems. After leaving the lecture hall, I had to decide on my next course of action.  I felt that I was out of time.

-” Head Maid, let us move to my room. I wish to discuss certain arrangements in private “, I said in detached voice.

-” As you wish, Milady. Please come this way “, Clothilde responded dutifully.

Soon, we arrived at my apartment and, to my surprise, I noticed that there was one thing that it was woefully lacking - a couch. Without pausing, I moved to the study and sat on a grand chair. Maids taken pensive poses in front of me, waiting for me to strike a conversation.

-” Clothilde, I am afraid that due to certain... circumstances, I will need to depart for about a month. I assume there is some way for my absence to remain hidden? “, I said heavily.

-” Understood, Milady. This matter had already been addressed by the Master. There’s a residence prepared in the city. When you need to... depart, it will be arranged that you have left to fulfill undisclosed obligations “, Clothilde responded calmly, showing only tiniest bit of hesitation.

-” I see, as expected of Master. I assume there will be no problems if I were to return for a short span of time? “, I asked to be sure.

-” Yes, none whatsoever, Milady. I will make sure that your books will be ready for your return, so you can further your studies “, Clothilde said and I was reminded that I need to figure out what I should learn…

-” Thank you, Head Maid. Please begin necessary preparations at once, I am afraid that I have already spread my time here too thinly “, I said and watched as Maids curtsied, then left.

I spent next hour twirling around my study, trying to retain vivid feelings and fluid motions. I felt like I was dancing to the invisible music, keeping at bay memory of the fact that I need to retire for a long time. My costume, striped of scarf and hat, kept surprising me with how great it was fitted - quick and fluid half turn, a step to the back, twist on the ball of my feet, and apart from its weight I felt no resistance.

All too soon Clothilde returned and I was escorted to the coach. I noticed that Oliver was not there, someone else taken up his coachman’s position. I boarded the coach and departed.

After around twenty minutes we have arrived at sizable, four story, building in the middle of the City. We have ridden into adjacent coach house and the gate was closed behind us.

I was led through small doorway and then upstairs, I noticed that we were in the back of some kind of tea house.

-’ Hmm, makes sense. Good place to disappear suddenly and be official about it ‘, I thought, as we arrived on the top floor.

Clothilde opened the door with complicated key and let me inside the room. It was spacious with wooden pillars located here and there. There was parquet covering whole floor and …

-’ Its bare! ‘, I thought surprised, apart from big pile of pillows and giant white bear skin, there was not even one piece of furniture.

Clothilde must have caught on my distress as she said:

-” Milady, since you will be using this quaters sparsely and unofficially, it was furnished to match your needs “.

I stopped myself from sharp reply as I thought about it. Pillows and fur looked comfortable, and I didn’t really enjoy reading in sitting position anyway.

-” Understood. I will be departing shortly, please accept my gratitude for your flawless service thus far, Clothilde. And you too, Livia and Ollie “, I said trying to show my sincerity in those words.

They only bowed in response and I sighed.

I couldn’t stop myself from one more thing before leaving. I moved to the pile of pillows and then fell back on them with my hands outstretched. I Enjoyed the cushioned impact as I closed my eyes…

-’ System Command: Logout ‘.

* * * * *

Back in starry lobby I was welcomed by shining red letters and impassive female voice:

-” Warning, your session lasted 62 hours. Please be aware that there might be a health risk involved during extremely extended periods of suspension… “.

-” System Action: Understood. Discard message “, I said automatically, remembering about the system action requirement that I put in place.

-’ Shit, I am almost late for work and to top it off I will probably feel awful after having my body in suspended state for few days ‘, I thought as I tried to gather enough resolve to return to my body.

-’ No time as the present ‘, I thought in resignation and said:

-” System Action: Logout “.

* * * * *

I awoke to the silent whoosh of the capsule’s cover and smooth sound of metal ring returning to its resting place. My fears confirmed with urgent need to visit certain place.

As I got out of the capsule my body felt really out of place and I couldn’t get my moves right. I ended up sprawled on the floor and had to awkwardly crawl to the bathroom. Luckily it was close by.

As I finished with core necessities I realized in how bad of a state I was in. I couldn’t even stand up. I sighed and crawled under the shower.

I was determined to get done with everything and showering seemed like a good way to recover after long stay in capsule. I fumbled some, but I managed to get showerhead. As warm water fell over me I felt myself relax and calm down.

I tried to understand what was happening to me. I felt like intruder in my own body and everything felt like it was behind the invisible film, which dulled my senses.

-’ I can’t even see straight, everything’s too dark… ‘, I thought in desperation then the realization hit me and I exclaimed loudly:

-” Fuck, I am dumb. It’s night! “.

My mind, which finally started to work, deducted that I had gotten used to the improved night vision of my character… but the question why I couldn’t move straight and had dulled sense of touch remained.

I finished showering and dried myself. Then I crawled to my room grabbing something to wear on the way. I have gotten on my comfy armchair and powered both the company’s laptop and my PC.

Like a cripple, I have typed all the required password patiently. Choosing button after button with my finger, knowing that I would have to start all over if I made mistake.

After getting in I have sent private conversation request, via NeoCom, to Derrick. He accepted immediately, and I could see his bored and tired look - he had just logged in. Clock in the corner of the screen showed 6:12 AM, which meant that I was barely on time.

I activated microphone and tried to say something, but it turned into incomprehensible grunt.

-” Paul you ok mate?  You sound just like I do after a rough night… “, he said openly.

Somehow I managed to respond.

-” Abot...dat. Uou rem...ber that thme I cov.r..ed for ya? I need...it back “, I mumbled weakly. I wasn’t sure what I said, it took so much effort just to say something coherent.

-” Ha, so you finally met your match in drinking! I can’t believe it! Who was it? Russians? “, suddenly he seemed energized and curious.

I moved my head and tried to say that it was not that, but Derrick would have none of that.

-” Hmm, not Russians then. Who else is there, come on give me a hint! “.

-” I nhed rhest “, I mumbled.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

-” Ah, sorry dude. Keep up, but you gotta tell me later. I will take care of things on this end. Cya “, Derrick disconnected with amused expression and invited me to the meeting, so the others think we are working together on something.

I accepted and reclined on my armchair. It wasn’t hard to fall asleep.

* * * * *

Few hours later I woke up. I felt a bit better, but by no means well. Everything still seemed dull and my body still didn’t move normally. I decided to see what I can find online.

I extended my hands to the keyboard and typed my queries. After few minutes of reading I had some conclusions.

-’ There’s 36 hour long login period, if someone stays longer he gets forced logout, claimed on medical grounds. Well obviously admin user can ignore this ‘, I thought and calmed down.

I was happy that everything probably was caused by my extended stay. The capsule had commercial rating and no special warnings, so they would have to put some sort of warning if there was risk of permanent damage.

Also, my mind was sharp, with my body being the one that didn’t respond well. That must have been caused by being in stasis for too long.

I decided to surf the net for a time, with my impended body I was not moving anywhere anyway. I was curious how well was the Ar Ciel received in the community.

Quick search yielded results, that varied wildly.

Thread 1:

Warros: “ This game is bullshit, I am warrior and can’t even hit fuckin’ rat! “

NightCrawl: “ Kekek, noob. Would you hit it in real life? Hug a slime and die “

Warros:: “ I got beginner 6 sword mastery and lvl 11 I should hit the damn lvl 1 rat! “

Flynnn: “ Wow thats impressive, I can’t get past sword mastery beginner 2! “

NightCrawl: “ You know that there’s no auto aim right? If you suck you just suck, deal with it! “

Thread2:

Vinlis: “ Hmm, I got treated like crap by NPCs, Why?! “

Guts12: “ What did you do? “

Vinlis: “ I only asked about a quest, and they given me some bs tasks “

Guts12: “ What would you do if someone come at you in RL and asked you for a quest? There you have it, start freakin role play “

Vinlis: “ Er? Why? Its an MMO, right? “

Guts12: “ *Facepalm* “

NightCrawl: “ Stay strong, hugging a slime is always an option … I heard you get quest from that~ “

SUPNova: “ @Vinlis its mmo RPG, foogle what that big letters mean “

Thread3:

LLLengedary: “  This game’s great, I love the goddess of Love~ “

VorpalSwordstick: “ Are you gay? “

Bearlick: “ @VorpalSwordstick, are you? I mean, just look at the art in the temple… “

HealidinioTheGrat: “ @LLLengedary, What you mean? Gods are BS! I am priest of the god of healing and he put a curse on me for heling too mcuh! WTF! “

LLLengedary: “ @Healguy, have you red the scriptures, prayed and did the holy deeds? If you won’t get in the favor of the God you are in for the world of pain...and I am most certain that your healing god does not consider healing everyone in sight as holy…

Ps I hope your faith is not too high… you get noticed more often then, Cheers :) “

VorpalSwordstick: “ @Bearlick, dude are you color blind? The robes are Pink!”

LLLengedary: “ @VorpalSwordstick, and? you don’t have to wear them and also they don’t have to be totally pink...if you have good tailor its easy “

Bearlick: “ @VorpalSwordstick, Are you so insecure that a bit of pink makes you gay? “

Thread4:

TotalBullshit: “ Best game ever 10/10 “

Aru147: “ @TotalBullshit, troll much? “

GunzoshaExalt: “ I aggree with TotalBullshit“

GunzoshaExalt: “ Erm, I meant 10/10 “

GunzoshaExalt: “ Hmm, i think its best game ever… grr that nick - dude change it if you want to say something positve… “

Sushinihinho: “ I agree with bullshit - 0/10, this game sucks bass “

GunzoshaExalt” @Sushinihinho, why, best, most realistic game ever! “

Sushinihinho: “ I call bs - NPCs are assess, skill developement is bleh and gods are assess too1 “

Xin Liam: “ I smell another butthurt priest, if you don’t want to deal with spirits don’t roll cleric “

Sushinihinho: “ @Xin Liam, and what are you? anothe warrior that cant hold a sword straight? “

Xin Liam: “ I am onmyouji, I deal with swords and spirits both. Better go learn something useful instead of showing how your back hurts on the forums “

GunzoshaExalt: “ @Xin Liam, +1 “

Swertblitzen: “ How do I get past sword B7, I can’t seem to improve beyond that…”

Xin Liam: “ Did you do swords in RL? “

Swertblitzen: “ No, why? “

Xin Liam: “ Wow, congrats. I am impressed for amateour to got that far “

Swertblitzen: “ ER? Explain i dont get it “

GunzoshaExalt: “ Visit this forum, this thred goes awry - *link* “

Thread5 ( from link ):

DeathNoteRUSed: “ How does skills work I dont get it. Please help “

HoudiniTheVanish: “ @DeathNoteRUSed, no idea too “

GunzoshaExalt: “ Its easy, you just do something and bam skill apears “

DeathNoteRUSed: “ but whats later, I cant get past B3 or even B1 on some! “

Forest: “ You work hard! “

HoudiniTheVanish: “ It raised rapidly but I cant improve it now, is there a block or skill cap? “

GunzoshaExalt: “ No, theres no block. Skills are only informative “

Niceinty: “ What?!! “

TotalBullshit: “ Sounds Like bullshit “

GunzoshaExalt: “ Its true if you are good, skill will raise to match. But if you get to the limit of your ability you will need to improve trought normal ways “

Niceinty: “ What normal ways? “

Forest: “ Training Center! “

TotalBullshit: “ @Forest, I call double bullshit - so its triple bullshit and untrue! “

GunzoshaExalt: “ @TotalBullshit, he might be right - if you dont know how to hold a sword you can learn something there… “

DevastatorRexX2: “ So guys just learn how to fight, craft etc normally - theres no handholding in this game. And man NPCs are viciously good… “

-’ Hmm, the game is certainly controversial. I won’t even check what’s happening on mage forums… ‘, I thought and wondered what should I be doing in following days.

I decided to get better first, maybe meet some friends later and then return to game. Also, I had work to do through the week, so I will need to get done with it too.

=============

Hey~, Author’s here~

I hope this slice of life drama haven’t put you to sleep, if so, congrats on long deserved nap :P

As mentioned previously I am still working on my entry for Wizards contest so the releases will be delayed here :S

As always I will apreciate any comments about this chapter or my work in general.

Cheers,

Mea, The Space Overlord [ Wait what?! ]

[-" Find out at the end of next chapter " ]

NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter 17 - The Recovering

http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=14403