Chapter 7: Tutoring
Eden and its wonders could easily become the most important element of people’s lives. For those without money or a chance to rise from their social status, it was the ultimate escape. However, Alexander still had a few connections outside the game.
Like his mother, he had a sharp mind and a knack for computers. He had already been accepted into a renowned university and just needed to hold out his last couple of months of high school. He also helped tend to a local guardian, which was where his love for plants began. The youth additionally attended a local mass weekly.
Aside from these things, he now also needed to be a financially independent and fully functioning adult. Cooking his own meals was easy enough, and after a crash course on finance, the bill became no problem. His inheritance was enough to support him for a while. However, in anticipation of the future, he also started working.
From a volunteer tutor, he transitioned to charging a fee and, by virtue of some social connections, managed to gather a small group of rather wealthy customers.
His students were not local, so Alexander utilized the Ludere Corporation’s additional product, Eden Classroom, to meet with everyone. This system truly created absolute equality in education, as now everyone had access to advanced AI teachers as talented as any human. Still, many people preferred real human interaction when it came to education, which was why Alexander could engage in his business.
Like so, Eden Classroom was also a place where people could meet in exotic locations to study, and as long as one remained productive, this time wouldn’t count towards one’s game time. One could use their game character in the Classroom but wouldn’t have access to any of their skills. However, it was possible to gain additional stat points and even some skills if you were diligent.
Like so, during a day like any other, Alexander entered his home after an hour in the garden and stretched happily. He whipped the sweat off his forehead and then collected a glass of cool water. Once refreshed, he went to take a quick shower and then happily bounded onto his bed and put on his headset for his last appointment of the day.
The youth appeared on a vast beach leading to a dazzling ocean that glittered under the sun with a rainbow hue. His body was still that of Alatar, but he was now dressed in swimming trunks.
He looked around knowing he was a few minutes late though before he could spot his friend he was tackled from behind by an excited girl who squealed, “Alatar!”
Tumbling onto the ground, he coughed but then rebelled against his dark-haired attacker. They tousled and laughed before the young woman managed to pin her friend by his shoulders. Both were panting as Alex complained, “Allana! Do you have to do that every time!”
The half-demon female smiled smugly and retorted, “Of course, teasing you is the best.” She, too, was in a swimsuit; however, to meet her gaze also meant her bikini bond bosom was in view. The young man’s eyes flickered between her eyes and chest as he resisted his instincts and took control of his mind. Still, this act of self-control didn’t go unnoticed and led to Allana’s smile becoming knowing as she postured and chimed, “Ooo, do you like my new swimsuit, Elf Boy.”
Alexander let out a sigh of familiarity with this kind of teasing and shot back, “Yeah, it’s really cute. Now, can you please get off me?”
Allana eyed him, her gaze becoming even more teasing as she responded, “No, I’m enjoying this.” She leaned down to kiss his nose before adding with a playful gleam in her eye, “How about we just forget studying and have some fun today.”
The youth blushed slightly at this but smiled back, matching her energy, and chimed, “A fun idea, but don’t forget the Content Restricts don’t deactivate till we’re 21.” Feeling her body relaxed, he managed to push his attacker away and added, “Plus, there’s no way I’d let you get away without studying. Your parents are paying me to teach, not play.”
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While on her side, Allana pouted and complained, “What’s the point in having a boyfriend for a tutor if I can’t even slack off.”
Alexander winked back and added, “Because I’m your boyfriend, I have all the more responsibility to keep my word.”
He leaned over and kissed her cheek, causing the girl to meet his gaze and happily respond, “You’re good for me.”
The boy winked and commented, “Your GPA has gone up a whole point since I started tutoring you, I’m very good for you.”
Allana scowled at this and pushed him away, grumbling, “Hey, I’m great at everything but math, and you know that’s not what I meant.”
Alexander felt a slight throb in his heart, which he had been growing more and more accustomed to. However, this time, with the weight of his sadness gone, it felt entirely different. Following his heart, he leaned over and kissed Allana on her lips. The girl was surprised by this but liked the feeling and reciprocated happily. Neither knew exactly what they were doing at this point, though their kissing slowly grew more intense as their hearts raced. Their hands began to reach around each other as their passion ignited, though at this point, they were pulled apart by an invisible force as a window popped up for both of them:
image [https://imgur.com/IpUQSda.png]
Looking at this screen, they both began to laugh until Alexander complained, “We aren’t even naked or anything.”
Allana barely managed to recover and teased, “Well, at least it was fun.”
The male youth rolled his eyes and grumbled, “There goes my credibility.”
His girlfriend of some three months now crawled over and sat next to him with a calmer expression, “I’m not complaining. It’ll be our special secret.”
Alexander met the girl’s dazzling eyes and smiled playfully, “Deal.” He then waved a hand and summoned out a window before adding, “Now, let’s get to work. You have your finals coming up soon.”
Growing more serious, Allana nodded and pointed to a practice problem, “Right, let’s start with that one.”
The two started studying while lounging under the sun.
For two hours, they worked together before calling it quits. At this point, Alexander received another notification:
image [https://imgur.com/XJ9jQhq.png]
This was then followed by:
image [https://imgur.com/Cd1MHYR.png]
Alexander smiled at seeing his Teaching skill advance to level 3. With every level, the efficiency of his student’s learning would increase. However, this only occurred when he taught ingame Skills or other abilities. Additionally, as his Teaching skills level went up, he would also gain a percentage-based increase to his Intelligence Stat. As for the extra 2 points of Intelligence he had gained was from teaching for two hours. Likewise, Allana should have received 1 extra point for learning for 2 hours.
After tutoring one person a day, five days a week for the last five or so months, he gained a lot of benefits from this.
They both closed their windows before meeting each other’s eyes and smiling. Allana played with her headband and commented, “You seem better recently.”
Alexander nodded and confessed, “I’m back on my feet.” Looking at her happily, he added, “You helped me a lot with that.”
Allana smiled and added, “So, does that mean you’ll come join my Guild.”
The boy sighed and shook his head, “I need to finish what I started.” His expression grew grim as he added, “By the time I’m finished, I’m going to be really far behind you.”
Allana deflated and shot back, “Then move it and catch up.” She regained some energy and added, “I want to spend more time with you.”
Alexander backed up as Allan stopped towards him and held his hand up in surrender, “I will, I promise.”
She inspected his expression intensely, then settled down with a smile, “Good…” She winked and added, “Plus, don’t forget our deal. Once we meet in Eden, we exchange real names and everything.”
The youth nodded happily, “Absolutely.”
Allana beamed, then gave him a tight hug and happily squealed, “See you next week, Elf Boy.”
She logged out after giving him a kiss on the cheek, leaving Alexander with a deep sense of happiness that filled him with warmth. He and Allana had kicked things off as friends when they first joined Eden; they had to separate, but after exchanging messages, they connected online via Eden Classroom. Here, they mainly just goofed off and had fun with the various landscapes, both loving the beautiful world they could explore. After a year and a half passed, they grew much closer. This bond was strengthened as Allana helped comfort him after the loss of his mother. Then, while he was still recovering from his loss, they decided to try dating, which had so far been amazing.
Given their busy schedules, they didn’t have much time together, but they cherished the time they shared.
Alexander smiled and logged off, excited to finish his journey through the Green Mountains and meet up with his girlfriend.