Next day, Milana met with Amelia at the inn.
“Finally, today will be your first date!” –said Amelia, grinning.
She was dressed in a green summer dress, with low heeled sandals. Milana, of course, was still using the same clothes she bought on the first day.
“Maybe I should go and level for a bit.” –said Milana. –“I only get one free experience date a day and I don’t want to waste it.”
“But dating has other perks.” –said Amelia, smiling.
“If the guy likes you, he will buy you stuff and help you level!”
“Ahh, so that’s how you play this game.” –said Milana, with a serious tone.
“I was joking, jerk.”
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At the end, they decided to take the wild hog extermination quest.
Wild hogs were level 5 pig-like monsters with sharp tusks. Milana had to kill and bring back twenty pairs of tusks, for a three golden hearts payment.
“Help!!!” –exclaimed Milana, running towards a laughing Amelia.
“Dagger slash!” –yelled Amelia, killing the hog immediately.
“If I kill them you won’t get any experience.” –said Amelia, still laughing. –“They won’t drop the tusks either.”
In Virtual Connection, monsters more than seven levels apart didn’t give experience, or drops.
“I know.” –said Milana. –“It’s just that the Force bolt deals way too low damage.”
“You have Mana bolt, don’t you?” –asked Amelia.
“Yeah.” –said Milana, depressed. –“But with my current mana pool I can only use it twice.”
“Tough luck.” –said Amelia.
“How did Mina level?” –asked Milana.
“Well, she played with Johnny and me.” –said Amelia. –“She used her Force bolt to attract the hogs, then Johnny would tank and I killed them.”
“That’s all she did?” –asked Milana.
“She also healed Johnny whenever his health dropped.”
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At her current predicament, Angela’s figure came into Milana’s mind.
She had been checking her friend list all day, but Angela hadn’t logged yet. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder what the cat-girl would do.
The hogs were a lot bigger than rabbits, so wrestling with them on the ground was no good. Then she remembered the rope. It was actually the cordon of her beginner robes. If I can somehow restrain the hog with it, it won’t matter if it takes ten Force bolts to kill it.
Her gaze somehow fell onto a group of bushes and she had an idea…
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“HELP!!!” –yelled a disheveled Milana, running towards a ‘rolling on the floor laughing’ Amelia.
Well, that didn’t go like she had thought.
Milana had secured one end of her rope to a bush. She held the other end tied in a running knot, while shooting a Force bolt to attract a hog. Since the rope was so short, she had to get really close to the hog. After running around the bushes for a bit, she caught a tusk with her rope.
Now I got you.
Milana was taking out her staff to kill the hog, when with an impulse the hog jumped on her.
The small bush wasn’t strong enough and the hog had uprooted it.
“KYAA!!!” –Milana squealed like a true girl.
Milana fell with the hog over her. It ripped part of her jacket and T-shirt with its teeth, before she got up and ran.
While running she tripped and fell again, the hog clawing its tusks on her bottom.
Her health was really low when Amelia finally got up and one-hit the hog.
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“Really good plan, brilliant! –exclaimed Amelia, laughing out loud.
“It went a lot better in my head.” –said Milana, lowering her gaze.
“I bet.” –said Amelia, still laughing.
Milana was sitting on the ground, in a safe zone, waiting for her health to recover. Her clothes were in tatters. Even one of her sneakers had split when she tripped.
“Anyway, you should put something on.” –said Amelia. –“You look like you were ravaged by a savage beast.”
“I was.” –said Milana, pouting.
“Why didn’t you help me sooner?”
“It was just too funny.” –said Amelia, with a singing voice. –“You yell was priceless!”
“I was scared.” –admitted Milana in a low voice.
Her sorrowful gaze and encroaching figure made an impact. Milana totally looked like a princess in distress.
“Ok, I am really sorry.” –said Amelia, evading Milana’s gaze. –“Now cover yourself. You are making me look like a bully.”
Milana put on her beginner robes, the only other clothes she had.
“Let’s return to the city.” –said Amelia.
“As an apology, I’ll buy you new clothes.”
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While walking towards Torinelo City, Amelia took a couple of peaches out of her handbag.
“Here, let’s eat while walking.” –said Amelia, giving Milana one.
“So that’s your backpack, I didn’t notice before.” –said Milana, taking a bite of her peach.
“It carries a lot more than you would imagine.” –said Amelia, smiling.
“It’s magic, huh?” –said Milana, already in a better mood.
“As everything. “ –said Amelia, winking.
“By the way, there is a pulsing yellow button on my sight, where the private talk one used to be.” –said Milana.
“Since when?” –asked Amelia, surprised.
“I don’t know.” –answered Milana. –“It might have been there since I logged today.”
“The yellow button means a System message.” –said Amelia. –“You should check it out.”
“Ok, pressing the button.”
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“Dear Milana, we hope you are having fun on Virtual Connection.”
“Since you have spent a thousand platinum hearts during this month, we are giving you a free sample of a new item in our shop.”
“Enjoy it!”
A long golden box fell onto Milana’s hands. It felt light.
“Wow, first time I have seen that.” –said Amelia.
“It is a complimentary gift. For having spent a thousand dollars on the game.” –said Milana, recalling the hole in her credit card.
“Open it!” –exclaimed Amelia.
Inside there was a 7-day Magical Girl Costume Set.
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“Mana bolt!” –yelled a beautiful girl, dressed as she just came out from a TV screen.
Her heart-topped staff shot a pure white sphere. The wild hog received it directly and disappeared in a flash of light, leaving behind a pair of tusks.
“That was so cool!” –exclaimed Amelia, clapping.
“This costume is truly overpowered.” –said Milana, smiling against herself. –“I don’t know what I’ll do when it expires.”
With the costume’s bonus, Milana could shoot twelve Mana bolts without running out of mana. Also, the hogs that she would usually need three shots to kill were dying in one-hit.
When she first received it, Milana was embarrassed to try on it. But then she remembered costumes override the clothes visuals and she was more ashamed of the current state of those.
So she tried it on, and suddenly felt a lot stronger. Since she was already there, she couldn’t help but to shoot a hog.
Surprisingly, she killed it.
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With the help of the cash shop item, Milana finished collecting the tusks in no time.
“Now you should return to the city to deliver the quest.” –said Amelia. –“And then we should go shopping!”
“With the costume, even the beginner robes should be enough.” –said Milana, smiling.
“Maybe, but you should dress up for your date!” –said Amelia, with a mischievous smile. –“Right now you are strong enough.”
“Couldn’t I level with just the hogs?” –asked Milana, hopeful.
“Remember the plan.” –replied Amelia, with a grin on her face. –“You should get used to dating as soon as possible.”
“Ok, I’ll do an experience date.” –said Milana, resigned. –“But first I’ll get a couple of levels with the hogs!”
“Ok, ok.” –said Amelia. –“After our lunch break, we’ll go shopping.”
“And then, dating!!!”
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Amelia left early, but Milana was confident enough to keep leveling alone.
It was already a quarter before 2 pm when a blue button began to pulse.
Shoot. Just three more and I’ll get to level 10.
She tried to ignore the button, even though she knew it was an Outside call. That meant mom was tired of waiting, and probably mad at him.
One more, I’ll do it!
Then the screen went white.
Milana had been forcefully disconnected.
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“You, wash your face and get down immediately.” –said his mother, angry.
“We have a guest.”
Ricardo stood up and did as was told. He knew it was late, but he had been so close…
Going down the stairs, he saw that everyone was already sitting.
Minerva, mom and a smiling Amelia.
“Hello Ricardo.” –said Amelia, with an angelic voice.
“Hello.” –said Ricardo, taking his sit.
“Hog hunting?” –whispered Amelia when he got close.
“Ricardo, you should apologize for making our guest wait.” –said mom.
“Don’t mind it, mom.” –said Amelia. –“It was I who came on short notice.”
“Don’t even say.” –said mom. –“You know you are always welcomed here.”
“You even brought us cake.”
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Amelia has mom totally on her pocket. She even calls her ‘mom’, for crying out loud. –thought Ricardo, while munching on his lunch.
Their meal passed in a constant talk, mainly among Amelia and mom. Minerva just gave short responses when asked anything.
“You should go out the three of you together one of these days. It is your summer break after all.” –said mom, while eating her cake. –“I’ll drive you if you want.”
“That sounds great.” –said Amelia, enthusiastic, looking at Minerva from the corner of her eye.
“Sorry, I don’t feel too well.” –interrupted Minerva, excusing herself.
“I guess I should be going too.” –said Amelia, deflated.
“Do you need a lift?” –asked mom.
“Don’t worry.” –answered Amelia. –“Besides, I’ll make a stop on the way.”
After Amelia left, mom closed the door sighing.
“She is such a nice girl, don’t you think?”
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“Enjoying yourself, don’t you?” –said Amelia, with a big smile on her face.
After lunch break, Milana reconnected with a quarter health bar. Thankfully, the hogs weren’t strong enough to kill her in the 5 second penalty for disconnecting.
This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
I shall take revenge on you lot! –thought Milana, starting to shoot hogs again.
She leveled with the first one, but she still needed a few to finish the repeatable quest.
Soon she started to make poses while shooting, even winking after a successful attack.
And that’s when Amelia appeared.
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“You could have told me you were coming for lunch.” –said Milana, embarrassed.
“Hehe.” –laughed Amelia. –“I did it on a whim.”
“I was walking by a pastry shop, and thought Minerva would like some cake.”
“I get it.” –said Milana, suddenly saddened. –“Sorry that Minerva wouldn’t accept the invitation. Good try, though.”
“I’ll keep trying!” –exclaimed Amelia.
“I wouldn’t mind if it was only us, though.” –added Amelia, teasingly.
“I wonder what mom would think if she saw you like this.” –said Milana, grinning.
“She sees you as such a smart, demure and humble girl.”
“I do have the best grade average of my class, thank you very much.” –said Amelia.
“See what I say?” –said Milana, smiling.
“Hahaha.”
“Just so you know, I am only like this with you.”
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After delivering the quest, Amelia and Milana went to the Torinelo City Clothing Shop.
“I guess I should take off the costume.” –said Milana, changing in a flash.
“Geez, you have such a nice skin.” –said Amelia, laughing.
Milana’s robes had ripped when she was forcefully disconnected. Of course, they had been hidden by the Magical Girl costume.
“I swear. Whoever developed this game must be a pervert.”
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Having finished shopping, Amelia and Milana were walking towards the Dating center.
It took around an hour, but they finally could settle on two clothing combinations. The first one was black leather reinforced form fitting jeans, with a sleeveless white top and a cherry-toned leather jacket. That went with a pair of black low boots.
And the one she had on. A short aquamarine one-piece, with white shoes and leggings. Milana had been reluctant to buy that one, but she had to admit it looked gorgeous on her.
“I should change into the other clothes.” –said Milana. –“Those have better defense after all.”
“Nooo. These are your battle clothes!” –exclaimed Amelia. –“Don’t worry. Armor won’t degrade on a duel or date.”
“But, I thought the other ones were…”
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“Ok, now you just need to click on the ‘Instant blind date’ button and the system will match you.” –said Amelia.
In the Dating center you needed to fill a questionnaire to register for the first time. It was for the matchmaking system to calculate your compatibility with potential date partners. Then, the system would calculate your best matches with the people who were logged at the time, among registered players. Those results were in a list you could check at the center.
To date someone, you could try to contact anyone on the list, or press the ‘Instant blind date’ button. That would connect you with the best match among people who had done the same.
“Well, here goes nothing…”
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Red button started to pulse, but now it was heart-shaped.
Milana stared at it.
Closing her eyes, she extended her arm and pressed it.
Actually, Ricardo didn’t have much dating experience in real life. And to do a blind date as a female was totally out of his comfort zone.
“Hello.” –said a male voice in her ear.
A couple seconds passed.
“Hello.”
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“I am Natsu.” –said the boy. –“I am currently level 9 and I just finished my basic training.”
The voice wavered a bit. It was probably his first ‘blind date’ too.
“I am Milana, currently at level 10.” –said Milana, now with a light smile on her face, since she noticed the guy was more nervous than her.
“Are you ready or do you need some time?” –asked Milana, as taught by Amelia.
After the first contact, a pink button with ‘go to exp date’ would appear. When both pressed it, they would be transported to the date instance.
“I am ready.”
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“Hello again” –said Milana, with an uncomfortable smile. She was in danger of breaking into laughter.
Both Milana and Natsu appeared on the center of an ornate ballroom. The pink button now read ‘start’.
“You are really cute!” –exclaimed Natsu, openly staring at Milana.
Natsu was a short boy with brown eyes. The rest you couldn’t know.
He had long spiky blonde hair, and his chest was uncovered. It was unnaturally ripped.
Super Saiyan.
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“So you got a costume?” –asked Milana, to break the silence.
“Cool, isn’t it?” –said Natsu, proudly. –“It has good stats too.”
“It must.” –said Milana, laughing a little bit.
“When I saw it at the store, I thought I must have it.” –said Natsu, happily. –“Getting these muscles for real would be impossible.”
No kidding, dude.
“Wanna touch them?” –asked Natsu, pointing to his chest.
“I think I’ll pass.” –said Milana. –“By the way, what weapon do you use?”
Natsu extended his hands…
“KAMEHAMEHAAAA!”
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“You are a mage?” –said Milana, a little disappointed. Having a party of two mages wasn’t ideal.
What came out of Natsu’s hands was a small white sphere.
In other words, a Force bolt.
“The costume overrides the staff visuals.” –said Natsu, beaming.
I guess I need to use it after all. We need all the help we can get.
Milana changed into her own costume.
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“Wow! You look like the real thing!” –said Natsu, excitedly.
“Since we are both mages, we should attack non-stop since the beginning.” –interrupted Milana, repeating Amelia’s advice.
“If we are stingy with the mana, we risk getting overwhelmed. A close-quarters fight is game over for us.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you with my life!” –exclaimed Natsu.
“Protect yourself. If you die, I’ll probably be dead soon afterwards.” –said Milana, all businesslike.
She had gone through several scenarios with Amelia. In all of them, one death meant certain failure.
And finally, the exp date started.
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First wave: Ten rabid rabbits.
“Force bolt should be enough for this round.” –said Milana, thinking Natsu should have similar stats as her.
“Ok.” –said Natsu, shooting a rabbit.
They were bigger and more aggressive than wild rabbits, but they died in one shot all the same.
“Yeah, we did it!” –exclaimed Natsu, after clearing the first wave.
There were 30 seconds between waves, so they had a little respite.
Maybe their last one.
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Second wave: Nine frenzied hogs.
“Time to use Mana bolt.” –said Milana, killing a hog.
“Yes ma’am.” –said Natsu, doing the same.
Third wave: Eight crimson bears.
Milana killed the last hog, as the bears started to appear.
Now they should try to kill as much monsters as they could before dying in a blaze of glory.
“Let’s shoot them together.” –said Milana, pointing to the one in front of them.
“Mana bolt!” –yelled both of them, shooting two white spheres.
The bear received them and died.
“2 o’clock!” –yelled Milana, shifting to the next bear.
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Fourth wave: Seven twilight bats.
Just as they were killing the last bear, the bats appeared.
They were more difficult to aim at, but they died in one Mana bolt shot.
Trouble was, they didn’t have too many of them left.
Milana killed three bats quickly before running out of mana.
Natsu was in the same trouble, and there were two bats left.
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Fifth wave: Six cursed lizardmen.
The first humanoid monsters, they had a dark green lizard skin and held crude bone daggers.
“Let’s change to hit-and-run.” –said Milana. –“Focus on not getting hit.”
“Roger.” –said Natsu.
Both of them only had Force Bolt now. Which was fine, since it was the one attack they could do chantless.
They started to shoot together the monster which was the closest, to immediately run away.
Like that they killed one lizardman and the two remaining bats, before the next wave appeared.
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Sixth wave: Five blood-eyed lizardmen.
The new enemies were lizardmen with slings.
They had to run non-stop to evade the melee lizardmen, so they didn’t have the luxury to focus on the ranged attackers.
Another of the persecuting lizardmen finally died, but it would be the last one.
The stones were raining on them, reducing their health quickly. Lizardmen didn’t care if they hit their own kin.
And then Milana was hit on the side and fell.
Seventh wave: Four goblin fanatics.
The new enemies started to appear, but it didn’t matter anymore.
She saw the lizardman as he was swinging his dagger, and closed her eyes.
“Argh.” –said Natsu, who fell over her legs.
He had received the hit and instantly died.
Fool.
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They reappeared one after the other in the now empty ballroom.
“So you died too.” –said Natsu. –“Sorry I couldn’t protect you.”
“You didn’t need to.” –said Milana, smiling. –“It was obvious that at our level we would be killed at some point.”
“You were awesome!” –exclaimed Natsu. –“Do you date a lot?”
“I mean exp date.” –added Natsu, blushing.
“That was my first date.” –said Milana, laughing.
“Wow!” –exclaimed Natsu. –“You must be a genius!”
“Haha. Not really.”
“My friend taught me everything about it.” –said Milana. –“She has been playing for a long time.”
“Still, you are awesome.” –said Natsu. –“Can I add you as a friend?”
“Ok.”
Even though Natsu wasn’t too good as a date partner, she didn’t dislike the boy.
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Back in Torinelo City, Amelia was sat on a bench, waiting.
“It must have been a good date, to last this much.” –said Amelia, laughing.
“We lasted until the lizardmen.” –said Milana. –“I heard the seventh wave announcement just before dying.”
“Wow, you are really good at this!” –exclaimed Amelia.
“On my first date we died with the bears.”
“It was all thanks to your advice, and this costume.” –said Milana, embarrassed.
“My partner also had one.”
“I see, still. The lizardmen are level 15, and the ranged ones level 16.” –said Amelia. –“So it should have netted both of you quite an amount of experience.”
“Yup, I got to level 11, half way to leveling again.” –said Milana, smiling.
Milana checked her friend list one last time, still no Angela.
“I guess I am calling it a day. I don’t want to miss dinner, since mom must be angry about lunch.” –said Milana.
“Sorry about that.” –said Amelia, smiling like an angel.