Level Is Everything

Launching day

It wasn't a normal morning for everyone. Today is the launching date of 『Aaru』. It was destined from a long time ago that today will be special. Since the start of 『Syder』 selling, more than 1,000,000,000 units were sold. Taking into account of the world current population, it was a staggering 10% of the world. It was a new record for a gaming platform to garner that amount of user and the reason behind that was Schneider. His name as a legend in the virtual world still carry some weight and his brilliant cooperation with Aria Corporation was the key. People all around the world can start buying 『Syder』 from six months ago and it was guaranteed that it will be delivered at the same day as the day you make the purchase.

Even though it was the launching date, the real world still has to go through the normal fashion. Students need to go to school and white collar worker still need to go to their office. Only a part of them that is fully anticipating the game decided to forsake their duty for the day just to play the game on the opening day.

Ding dong ding dong…

It was the bell for the morning homeroom to start. The teacher entered the classroom but it was something that he didn't want to see. The class is almost empty except for two students.

「*sigh* I shouldn't have come to the school today. 」 The teacher is now regretting his decision to show up to work today. He should have just stay in his house and logging in to the game. With heart full of reluctance, he is taking the attendance list.

"So, it's only the two of you huh? Ryou and Sakura."

As soon as he opened the attendance book and took a glance at the classroom, he knew the name of the two students that is present.

"I guess we will be having a private tutoring session today." However, as soon as he finished saying that, an announcement was heard.

"Attention all students and teachers, today our school will be having a temporary vacation. Due to the number of students attending is less than 8%, this decision was made by the principal. The school will be returning to its normal activity starting tomorrow. Thank you and have a good day."

Closing the attendance book, the teacher sighed once again while happily cheering inside his heart.

「Haha, the God are helping me! I can also log in today to the game world! 」     

While maintaining his calm façade he spoke to the students before heading out as fast as he can afterwards. "Alright, class is dismissed and you can go home now."

Ryou calmly picked up his bag and stood up. Deciding to go home before a melodious voice can be heard calling out to him.

"Ryou, wait a second!"

Turning his head, Ryou found the voice comes from Sakura, his classmates who is known as her undisputed beauty amongst the tenth grader at the Sagano High School. Even the eleventh and twelfth grader, only some girls are more beautiful than her and that was mainly because of their more developed beauty. Speaking of temperament, she would be number one. Raised from a prominent family background as her father is a CEO of a big corporation, she was treated as a princess. To put it simple, she was someone that Ryou hate to interact with.

"Oh, Sakura. What is it?"

Hearing the nonchalant reply from Ryou, Sakura felt flustered.

「What's with his reply? Did I wrong him somehow? 」

"Um, I was wondering. Are you going to play the game too?"

"Hmm, what game?"

The reply from Ryou leave Sakura confused.

"Ryou, don't tell me that you didn't know about the game 『Aaru』? Most of our classmates decided not to show up at school today just so they can play the game at the opening day. The game has been hyped from the last three years. Are you living under the rocks or inside a cave for you to don't know about it?"

This is exactly why Ryou hated people like Sakura. They think that the world revolved around them and they are in a higher position than others. Even though her question seemed harmless. Ryou know there is a mockery behind it. Even though the game has been hyped, what's wrong with that? Furthermore, she only asked about the game, there are countless games out there, and how would he know that she referred to Aaru?

"Yes, I live under the rock your highness. Now, can I go home?"

"Ryou! How dare you replied to me like that! I was just asking you nicely. Just so you know, I asked my father to ask the principal to make today a holiday. I come to the school today just for the sake of keeping up my appearances as a model student. Hmph! I am totally going to play the game today too. All of our classmates knows about it before that's why they didn't come today. Aren't you curious as why nobody told you?"

"Why is that?"

Seeing that Ryou shows no concern about it, Sakura feels ticked off.

"Look at you and your reaction, this is exactly why! Do you think that anyone want to play with you? You are an insensitive piece of brick that lives under the rock!"

「Ah, so that's how it is. I was curious as to why my classmates was over excited about the game since yesterday but somehow they stopped talking whenever they seemed to reach the point where it will leak about their absence today.  But, I don't think that reason is enough. Me as an insensitive person, what does it have to do with this? 」

"Oh, and what does it have to do with playing game or telling me that today supposed to be a holiday?"

With fingers pointed at Ryou and heart full of anger, Sakura replied: "That's because nobody wants to play with you so we didn't tell you. Firstly, even though you are going to play the game, do you think that anyone want to play with you who seemed to never play any game before? Secondly, do you think that you can afford the 『Syder』 needed to play the game? I don't even understand how came the school admitted someone like you who is poor and got a scholarship out of pity?"

Finally, Sakura is revealing her true colors. It wasn't known by a lot of people but due to how big her father influence to the school, it was normal for Sakura to know about Ryou's background. Sakura who is keeping up with her appearance as a model student has hated Ryou from a long time ago. For some reason, Ryou has the highest grade at school and it can be said that he ranks among the top on the national level and his rank is always higher than Sakura. Secondly, he never bothered to maintain a friendly relationship with anyone. He seemed to be cold and detached from the people. Thirdly, he was poor and got admitted to the school due to a special scholarship. She even asked her father to revoked it but it was ignored. Those reasons make Sakura hate Ryou just like how he hates dealing with her.

"Alright then, are you finished? Can I go home now?"

"You! Hey Ryou, I am not finished yet!"

Leaving the classroom, Ryou is heading back towards his home.

「I wonder if it will be different if you guys are still with me now. 」 Walking in what seemed to be a dejected way, Ryou finally reached the bus stop. He sits down on the bench while waiting for the bus to come. Meanwhile on the air screen in front of him, he saw the commercial for the hyped game which makes the school goes on holiday today.

"Welcome to the world of Aaru. The first virtual reality game with 99.99% realism which can be considered as another 'reality'. Where monsters and magic clashed to determine the future, swords are raised and everyone has the chance to make their own legend. There's only one rule on the game, level is everything!"

As soon as the narration ended, the BGM (background music) was played and the scene changed. A blue planet was shown, with similar land to water ratio as earth but the size of it was ten times the earth. It zoomed in on a bird's eye view and Ryou saw the so called monsters of the game. Harpies, wyvern, dragons, all kind of flying monsters was shown one after another flying freely on the air while occasionally launching some kind of skills. At one point, the dragon let out a breath of fire which blocked the screen and the scene changed.

Monsters that lived on the land, monsters that lived on water, one after another being displayed on the screen while at the same time showing to the people the beautiful landscape of Aaru.

After the monster parade, it was the time of the character classes to be displayed. The game itself rumored to have more than 50 job / class that can be chosen by player. Swordsman, Blacksmith, Magician, Merchant, Thief, Assassin, Clown, Summoner, Ninja, and a lot of classes were shown on screen.

Ryou's eye however stuck at a figure when a class was introduced. He was frozen in place like an ice statue. He doesn't even realize that the bus that he was waiting for already come in and leave again. Only after checking the footage by replaying the scene on the air screen again and again, Ryou finally returned to his senses.

"Father… Is that you?"

(Extra)

Explaining of the technology used in the story. Since this was taking place in the future the first technology that was introduced today was the air screen. It was a screen projection on air that served for advertising. In the future, all of the old style screen such as monitors, TV, and billboard was replaced by air screen which is projected on air. It was common to have it everywhere and one of the advantages of this kind of advertisement air screen is that it can be replayed, be changed to another advertisement commercial, or even make purchase of the advertised object through the air screen.