Before us stood an oval-shaped dimensional cube, its sleek, metallic surface etched with intricate circuits that pulsed with a soft, blue-green glow, it was a portal.
It's design was a marvel of engineering magic, a symphony of mana crystals and mystical energies that hummed in harmony.
As we gazed upon its shimmering surface, the air around us seemed to vibrate with anticipation, like the quiet moments before a thunderstorm.
The portal's framework was constructed from a latticework of silver and gold, adorned with gemstones that refracted and reflected the light in dazzling patterns.
The mana crystals, positioned at precise intervals, pulsed with an otherworldly energy, casting an ethereal glow across the surrounding area.
But what caught my attention wasn't even the portal, my gaze wandered to the world around me, and I was struck by the sheer majesty of the scenery.
Currently we were in The city of Alderan, nestled within the human continent of Tenaria.
The game graphics, which I had thought were breathtakingly realistic, paled in comparison to the real thing.
It was like comparing a watercolor painting to a living, breathing
masterpiece.
The sky was a deep shade of cerulean, with wispy clouds that seemed to be woven from the finest silk.
The sun cast a warm glow over the landscape, illuminating the intricate details of the architecture and the lush vegetation.
Towering skyscrapers made of gleaming metals and crystalline structures pierced the sky, their rooftops hiding in the clouds.
The streets were alive with people from all walks of life.
Men and women, both Awakened and prodigies, moved about with their day, dressed in attire that blended futuristic and ancient styles.
Some wore long, flowing robes adorned with intricate patterns, while others donned sleek, high-tech armor and lab coats.
Merchants hawked their wares, from rare magical artifacts to exotic spices and textiles.
The air was filled with the hum of machinery, the chatter of pedestrians, and the occasional burst of magical energy.
I noticed a few curious glances in our direction.
My sister and I drew attention, not just because of our snow-white hair, but also due to our identical features.
Many people knew of Lord Stark Prairie, our father, and his reputation as a prominent figure in Tenaria.
However, I think few had actually met his children in person, and I suppose our striking appearance made us hard to ignore.
Some people whispered to each other, their eyes darting towards us with interest.
Others simply nodded in acknowledgment, recognizing us as the children of Lord Stark.
I felt a flutter in my chest as the gazes lingered on us, a mix of curiosity and scrutiny that made me slightly uneasy.
I wasn't used to this kind of attention, preferring to keep a low profile.
Back on Earth, I'd always stayed behind the scenes, content to observe and learn without drawing notice.
I'd hoped to continue that approach here, especially at the academy.
The thought of getting tangled up with the main casts, of being pulled into the spotlight, made me anxious.
I preferred to move quietly, to watch and learn without being watched myself.
As I breathed in, the air filled my lungs with a sense of wonder and awe.
It was like stepping into a dream world, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blurred.
The world around me was a symphony of sights, sounds, and smells, a sensory experience that was both overwhelming and exhilarating.
The game graphics had hinted at this world's beauty, but they had been an understatement of the century.
It was like trying to describe a sunset to someone who had never seen one – words couldn't do it justice.
The real world was a thousand times more vibrant, more alive, and more breathtaking than any digital representation could ever hope to be.
By my side, my sister stood tall, her hand clasped tightly around mine.
She seemed oblivious to the attention.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she gazed up at the portal, her smile radiant and infectious.
Since my apology and reconciliation the night before, she had been clingy, refusing to let me out of her sight.
I couldn't help but feel a warmth in my chest, a sense of gratitude and love for this little ball of energy who had somehow wormed her way into my heart.
The portal's hum grew louder, its energy building to a crescendo.
The membrane began to shimmer and distort, like the surface of a pond struck by a stone.
The air around us seemed to vibrate with anticipation, and I knew that our journey to Silvermist Academy was about to begin.
But honestly, still standing there looking ahead, a sense of trepidation washed over me, like dark clouds gathering on the horizon.
The weight of uncertainty pressed upon my shoulders, making my heart heavy with foreboding.
Once I stepped through the shimmering portal, there would be no turning back, and the first arc of my journey would commence, like a ship setting sail into uncharted waters.
Echo's voice pierced the silence, her words dripping with an air of nonchalance.
{How did Eden in the game you played die again?}
she asked, her tone as light as a summer breeze.
I recalled the game's narrative, where Eden, a third-rate villain, met his demise in a most...unfortunate manner.
'Well,' I began, 'there are many routes to take while playing as any of the 60 playable characters in the game.
I mostly played as Justin Bridge. Justin, or the character the player was using, would mistakenly bump into Eden.
'The collision would spark a confrontation, and Eden, fueled by his own ego and arrogance, would demand that Justin kneel and beg for forgiveness, like a supplicant before a monarch.
However, Justin, or rather, the player's character, would refuse to back down, and the matter would escalate like a tempest brewing on the horizon.'
'As the situation unfolded, Eden's hubris would prove to be his downfall, and he would be beaten into a pulp, like a fragile vessel shattered on the rocks, in the presence of many students, both nobles and commoners.
The scene would play out like a clichéd tale, where the bully is brought low by their own pride, and the hero emerges victorious.
'And that's when Eden would seek revenge, and...uh...meet a demon, I think," I said, trying to recall the details.
'But one thing's for sure, Eden died in the first arc.'
Echo's voice chimed in softly in my head, and she offered words of encouragement,
{You don't have to worry, Snowflake, you're not that Eden. You're different now, and that changes a lot of things.}
Her words were like a warm hug on a cold day, comforting and reassuring.
I smiled weakly, feeling a bit better. 'Thanks, that helped a lot.'
But just as I was about to get teary-eyed, Echo had to go and ruin the moment.
{Nah, it's okay, I can't let you die now, can I? Then I'd stop existing too,}
I rolled my eyes, my disappointment evident. 'Seriously, you just had to ruin the moment, didn't you?'
I shook my head, chuckling despite myself.
{Hey, someone's got to keep things interesting around here!}
With a deep breath, I steeled myself.
"Ready?" I asked my sister, my voice barely above a whisper.
She nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Ready," she replied, her voice firm and resolute.
Together, we stepped forward, our hands still clasped, and the portal's energy enveloped us.
Immediately, the world around us seemed to warp and distort, like a reflection in a funhouse mirror.
The air rippled and shimmered, as if the very fabric of reality was being torn apart.
I felt a strange, tingling sensation, like a thousand needles pricking at my skin, as the portal's energy coursed through my body.
The sensation was both exhilarating and terrifying, like being on the precipice of a rollercoaster drop.
My stomach lurched, and my senses were overwhelmed by the intense, pulsating colors that surrounded us.
It seemed like I was being pulled apart and put back together at the same time, all in the span of a fraction of a second.
As the portal dissipated, I stumbled forward, my legs weak and uncoordinated.
My surroundings had transformed, leaving the bustling city of Alderan and Tenaria behind.
A wave of nausea washed over me, but I gritted my teeth and fought it back.
My sister, in contrast, seemed almost unfazed, her face set in a slight frown as she surveyed our new environment.
It was clear she was no stranger to portal travel, having likely done it numerous times before.
I, on the other hand, was still reeling from the experience. 'Guess some people just have a stomach of steel,' I thought to myself, a bit envious of her composure.
"Are you okay?" Her concerned voice reached me, her eyes locked on mine with worry.
I forced a reassuring smile and gave her an okay sign.
"I'm doing great," I lied, trying to sound more convincing than I felt.
Her gaze lingered on me for a moment before she walked closer, her thumb rubbing against a shining ring on her finger.
With a soft whisper of magic, a bottle of water materialized in her hand, its condensation glistening in the air.
I watched at first, a mix of surprise and fascination, as she offered me the bottle.
To be honest, I was shocked by the sudden appearance of the water, but it didn't last long. I knew what had happened – she had used her spatial ring, an artifact that functioned like an inventory, storing items and retrieving them at will.
The capacity of a spacials varied, graded from Common to Divine: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Unique, Mystic, Sacred, and Divine.
For a moment, I considered launching into a detailed explanation of how these rings worked, but I caught myself.
'Seriously, I need to stop explaining every little thing in detail,' God!!
"Take, drink this. It'll help calm down your nerves," she said, her voice gentle.
"Thank you," I said, collecting the water from her and taking a greedy gulp.
The cool liquid soothed my parched throat, and I felt a small sense of relief wash over me.
But the brief respite was short-lived, as my surroundings came into sharp focus.
Hundreds, possibly thousands, of teenagers surrounded me, a kaleidoscope of races and hair tones that defied explanation.
Some had skin as pale as moonlight, while others shone like polished ebony.
Hair colors ranged from fiery reds and oranges to icy blues and purples, with every shade in between.
The air was electric with excitement, anxiety, and anticipation.
Some students stood frozen, their eyes fixed on the magnificent Silver Mist Academy building ahead, their faces etched with a mix of eagerness and trepidation.
Others chatted excitedly, laughing and joking like they were on a field trip rather than embarking on a potentially life-altering adventure.
I spotted a group of students enthusiastically discussing their expectations, one of them boasting about their supposedly legendary abilities.
Another group was nervously exchanging tips on how to survive the academy, looking like they were about to embark on a perilous journey rather than attending school.
I couldn't help but smile wryly at the contrast between their enthusiasm and the harsh reality that awaited them.
Many of these bright-eyed students wouldn't make it out alive, and this very academy would be the catalyst for a disaster that would shake the world.
The thought sent a shiver down my spine.
As I gazed up at the imposing structure of Silver Mist Academy, a sense of foreboding settled over me.
The grand entrance loomed before us, its gates emblazoned with the academy's emblem.
'Yep, it's official. The game's about to start, and not everyone will make it to the next level,' I thought to myself, a grim smile twisting my lips.
The stakes were higher than these students could ever imagine, and I was about to become a part of it all.
'Damn it!!!'