The game's reputation preceded it: Eternal Realms was notorious for its brutal difficulty and merciless storyline.
But what really set it apart was its vast open world, comprising seven continents:
Goru, Aqulian, Feywyn, Tenaria, Elyria, Lunaria, and Wulfgar.
However, hardcore gamers like myself knew a secret: there was an eighth continent, hidden in plain sight.
And it was none other than Silver Mist Academy, the very place I was standing in.
I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all.
Calling Silver Mist Academy an academy was like calling the Grand Canyon a pothole.
It was a whole continent masquerading as a school, and if anyone dared to call it a country, they'd probably be sentenced to a lifetime of studying in the library's basement.
The sheer scale of the deception was mind-boggling, and I was both impressed and intimidated by the complexity of it all.
As I gazed out at Silver Mist Academy, I was met with a breathtaking sight.
The buildings before me were a mix of ancient architecture and modern design, with towering spires and grand domes that seemed to stretch on forever.
The structures were adorned with intricate carvings and ornate details, gleaming with a soft, ethereal light that seemed almost otherworldly.
But what struck me most was the sheer scale of the academy.
What I could see was just a small fraction of the school, with the rest stretching out into the distance.
Beyond the academic buildings, I caught glimpses of bustling cities, teeming with people going about their daily lives.
Streets were lined with shops and market stalls, merchants hawking their wares, and civilians living their lives.
As I looked out, I saw towering skyscrapers and majestic palaces, their rooftops hiding behind a veil of mist.
The sound of merchants calling out their wares, the clanging of hammers on metal, and the chatter of people filled the air, creating a cacophony of noise that was both overwhelming and exhilarating.
Despite the enormity of the academy's size, everything seemed meticulously maintained, with not a single speck of dust or dirt out of place.
The atmosphere was alive with energy, and I could feel the pulse of the academy beating in time with my own heart.
"Attention everyone!"
"Eh?"
I was cut short from my thoughts as a sudden voice boomed around the crowd of students, drawing everyone's attention to a lady who stood before us, her voice resonating through the air.
She was dressed in a well-tailored corporate outfit, her attire neat and precise.
Her face was composed, with a neutral expression that revealed neither emotion nor sentiment.
She wasn't smiling, and she wasn't frowning either, her features set in a calm and collected demeanor that exuded professionalism and authority.
I knew who she was.
That was Archon Elara Vex, a formidable adversary whose very presence seemed to darken the air around her like an eclipse casting a shadow over the sun.
She was the main antagonist in the game's 3rd to 4th arc, a master strategist with a reputation for crushing her opponents beneath her heel like an unyielding juggernaut.
Defeating her had required every last vestige of power, a symphony of alliances, and a delicate dance of debuffs, all orchestrated with the precision of a maestro.
Her very name sent tremors through the gaming community, a harbinger of chaos and devastation that left even the bravest warriors quaking in their boots.
I know I was already fucked from the moment I knew I was in the game, but seeing one of the game's characters now In person, saying I was fucked was an understatement of the century.
I mean, Archon Elara Vex standing in front of me was like finding out your cat can not only talk, but also bench press twice its body weight and plot world domination.
Yeah, I was more than just fucked – I was royally, spectacularly, and creatively screwed. The odds were against me.
"All of you gathered here are touted as the crème de la crème, Elara began.
"The prodigies, the paragons of excellence from your respective houses and realms. Some of you may hail from noble bloodlines, bearing the titles of princes and princesses, while others may have risen from humbler beginnings.
But let me be crystal clear: within the hallowed halls of Silver Mist Academy, such distinctions are rendered null and void.
Here, your lineage, titles, and wealth hold no sway.
You will be judged solely on your strength, your resolve, and your unwavering dedication to excellence."
"I don't like her," one student whispered to another, their voice trembling with fear.
The student beside them nodded vigorously, their eyes wide with worry.
"Who is she?" one student whispered, their voice barely audible.
"I don't know, but she's terrifying," another student replied, their eyes fixed on Elara.
"I will not tolerate any sense of entitlement, any whisper of superiority, or any display of weakness that stems from your upbringing.
Whether you are a noble brat or a commoner, you will be held to the same unyielding standards.
Your worth will be measured by your deeds, your prowess, and your unrelenting will to succeed.
Anything less will be deemed unacceptable.
"So, I warn you all: leave your arrogance, your complacency, and your excuses at the door.
For in Silver Mist Academy, only the strongest survive, and only the most resilient thrive.
You are here to prove your worth, to hone your skills, and to emerge as the best version of yourselves. Anything short of that will be... disappointing."
As Elara spoke, some students were left speechless, their faces a picture of shock and awe.
One student's mouth hung open so wide, it looked like it might just detach from his face and make a break for it.
Another student's eyes bulged out like they were about to pop out of their sockets, while a third student's face turned a lovely shade of green, as if they were about to turn into a human-sized frog at any moment.
One student turned to another and whispered, "Do you think she's always this... intense?"
The other student shook their head, looking just as bewildered.
"I have no idea, but I think I'm going to have nightmares about her."
Elara's words cut through the crowd like a hot knife through butter, leaving some students wincing in discomfort.
Her bluntness was like a splash of cold water to the face – it was refreshing in its honesty, but also made you gasp in shock.
She was painting a grim picture of the academy, where survival would depend on strength, strategy, and a healthy dose of ruthlessness.
It was a world where the weak would get trampled, and the strong would reign supreme.
I couldn't help but think about the game, where these students were just background characters, fodder for the protagonist's journey.
But now, standing among them, I saw the faces, the fears, and the hopes.
These were real people, with their own stories and motivations, and many of them would soon face challenges that would test their mettle.
The thought sent a shiver down my spine. Lord have mercy, indeed.
I glanced around, wondering how many of these students would make it through the grinder that was Silver Mist Academy.
Some looked determined, others looked scared, and a few looked like they were about to faint.
I couldn't blame them; Elara's words were not exactly reassuring.
As I stood there, frozen in thought, my sister squeezed my hand, as if sensing my unease. I looked at her, and she gave me a reassuring smile.
I hoped her optimism was contagious, because right now, I could use a dose of it.
"Come on, Elara, you're scaring the children."
The tensed atmosphere was suddenly broken by a voice that was like a warm breeze on a chilly day.
A man with a rugged yet kind face, his mid-40s age evident in the wisps of gray hair sprinkled across his temples.
He had a simple, affable air about him, and his worn leather jacket and scuffed boots suggested he was more comfortable with hands-on work than with grandstanding.
He seemed like the kind of guy who'd rather fix a broken engine than deliver ominous speeches.
As the man spoke, Elara's gaze flicked towards him, her expression unreadable. Without a word, she turned and walked away, leaving the students staring after her in a mix of fear and trepidation.
He watched her go, a wry smile on his face, before turning back to us.
"Ahem, ahem," he cleared his throat, "sorry about that.
She's always like that, but don't worry, you'll get used to it."
His words were meant to be reassuring, but they only seemed to heighten the sense of unease among the students.
One of them murmured under their breath,
"Used to it?" The phrase hung in the air like a challenge, implying that getting used to Elara's brand of toughness might not be something to look forward to.
"My full name is Professor Augustin Grimestone, but please, call me Gus or Mr. Gus – whichever suits your fancy."
He chuckled, "I'm a professor here at Silver Mist Academy, and I lecture in the Department of Ancient Magical History and Artifact Studies."
"And eh, the lovley lady that just left here now, is Professor Elara Vex.
She's the Head of our Magical Department, overseeing the study and application of advanced magical principles."
While gus was now addressing us, my mind was elsewhere.
I was still trying to wrap my head around the situation, wondering how this academy thing was going to play out.
As I glanced at him, I thought to myself, if he was a key player in the game, I'd probably remember his face even if I skipped most of the cutscenes.
But since I didn't recall seeing him, he was likely just a minor character or an NPC.
I shrugged mentally, not really caring about his role in the grand scheme of things.
I had more pressing concerns, like what was my role in all these and figuring out what was going on.
With the gates finally ajar, we stepped forward in unison, forming a dignified procession as we entered the hallowed grounds of Silver Mist Academy.
The lengthy speeches from Professors Gus and Elara had been a precursor to this moment, and now the real adventure was about to unfold.
In a testament to our collective discipline, we marched into the academy in a well-ordered line, our footsteps synchronized as we left the exterior world behind.