Meanwhile in the future:

As I walked down the hallway with Jason I examined the card in my hand.  It was a white plastic card that was completely blank except for a silver stripe embossed on the bottom in an irregular pattern.

"So what exactly is the Four Kings tournament?" I asked Jason.

"I keep forgetting you aren't from around here," he replied.  "The Four Kings tournament is a competition that takes place in the Virtual Realm."

"'Virtual Realm.'   Is that something like Virtual Reality?"

"I... don't know what that is," Jason said uncertainly.  "Virtual Realm is just a name. It doesn't mean anything.  When somebody enters the Virtual Realm they get a temporary body.  You can get injured and even die in the realm, but it doesn't affect anything here in the real world.  When you're done there you return to the real world in your old body."

"And the tournament?"

"The Four Kings Tournament is a competition between Radia Academy and three other schools spread out across the continent: Arcturus, Megalosembria, and Josei."

"That sounds pretty far away," I said.  "How am I supposed to get there?"

Jason shook his head.  "Distance doesn't matter in the Virtual Realm," he said.  "You'll understand in a few minutes."

"In a few... wait, we're going there now?" I asked.

Jason chuckled.  "Of course!" he said.  "Where did you think we were going?"

"To the library, like we normally do," I answered.

Jason grinned at me.  "Nope!  You know, you happen to be in luck.  When it comes to the Virtual Realm I've logged more hours than almost anyone else here.  It's a pity I won't be able to compete for the school's honor," he added wistfully, "but I wouldn't mind teaching you everything I know."

If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

I couldn't help myself; I grinned from ear to ear.  Jason saw this and good-naturedly punched me on the shoulder.

We arrived in a large room dominated by a circular platform with a polished blue surface set within a thick white rim.  A similar platform was set directly above it in the ceiling.  A large pipe connected to the bottom platform travelled across the floor and into a wall.  Next to where the pipe connected with the wall was a wooden door.

"There you go!" Jason said.  "Just step onto the platform with the card the headmaster gave you and the platform will take you to the Virtual Realm."

"Yeah, yeah," I said distractedly.  "In a minute.  First I want to see where that pipe leads."

"It just connects to a storage room," Jason said.  "I've seen it myself.  There's nothing there but a bunch of grey boxes."

"Still," I insisted, "I want to see."

Jason shrugged.  "Suit yourself.  I don't think they ever lock the door."

I crossed the room and opened the wooden door.  What I saw on the other side took my breath away.

"Oh, sweet merciful crap," I whispered.

----------------------------------------

Author's note: Sorry about the small chapter but I want to hear what you guys think Alex sees on the other side of that door.  The first person to guess correctly gets to name an upcoming character.