A dark past to a bright future

Chapter 7

Mazoku (when Ishtar got off the chair): Are you going to log out?

Ishtar: Yeah. I'm a bit tired.

Mazoku: Sorry for keeping you up.

Ishtar: It's alright. (turn around after standing) I'm used to being up late.

(flat Souji room)

Souji (wearing his comfy outfit while sitting on his gamer chair): No wonder your red eyes are so dim.

(apartment Iris room)

Iris (coming out of the bathroom with a towel while wearing a purple knee-length dress that has short sleeves with two black cat-shaped buttons and black shorts): I'm so exhausted. (hear her phone vibrate) Who's texting me?

Souji's voice (while Iris read the message after turning her phone on): Once again it's nice to officially know your partner. I hope this doesn't change things. Ps, I hope you keep my number.

Iris (in her mind while texting): This won't change anything. In the game, Ishtar will never leave your side. (after sending a text) This is the first time I'm sending a text to someone.

(The next day college GD classroom back of class)

Iris (in her mind sitting in front of a computer looking at her phone wearing her collage outfit): I hope he doesn't mind me putting his contact name as this.

Souji (behind Iris looking at her phone wearing his collage outfit): I'm surprised we did the same thing. (quietly) Putting our real-life and gamer names together.

Iris (immediately turn around): Who gave you permission to look? Anyway, what do you want from me?

Souji (walking to the seat next to her): Rude. You know this is my seat.

Iris: Then why did the teacher tell me to sit here?

Souji (sitting down): Because I asked him if you could be my partner in class.

Iris: Aren't you a solo player?

Souji (leaning on his chair): No one could keep up with my speed (quietly) but I know you can.

Iris (looks away): Then you can watch how I play (quietly) as Ishtar?

(front of the classroom)

Teacher (walking in): Settle down everyone. (standing at his desk after the students sit down at their computers) Today we'll be grading how good Iris is. (look at Iris) Can you please come to the front?

Iris (after standing): Can you allow Souji to watch next to me?

Teacher: Of course. I don't see that as a problem. By any chance do you two know each other?

Souji (in his mind): Doing this may blow our cover.

Iris: We crossed paths during a game public event a couple of months ago. Also, may I have a keyboard?

Teacher (while Iris walks towards him while Souji stands): Don't you want to use the laptop keyboard?

Iris: I feel like I may break the laptop.

Teacher (stepping to the side): There's one at my desk. Set yourself up and head to the destination on the piece of paper. (look at Souji while Iris sits by his desk) Souji you're not allowed to do anything but watch.

Souji (at the same time sitting next to Iris): I know.

Teacher (in his mind while looking at Iris): I have to say what an interesting avatar you have Iris. It's very different from other players.

Iris (looking at the teacher): Should I start?

Teacher: Not yet. (click a button on a controller showing Iris alt account information) Iris's account is a fighter class and her subclass is fire magic.

Souji (in his mind): People who pick fighter class could use a support subclass like magic but using fire magic isn't something easy to master.

Iris (taking her gloves off): So what am I fighting?

Teacher (everyone's screen changes into a viewpoint after pressing a button): You'll be fighting a lightning bird boss. Once you enter the dungeon it will teleport you to the boss location.

Iris: I know this is a test but I like to know if there are any limitations.

Teacher: There are no limitations. We're watching how skillful you are at your strongest point.

Iris (taking her coat off): Okay. If you want to say anything just text me in the game.

Souji (Iris drops her gloves and coat on the floor): Why?

Iris (picking up the headphones): Because I'll be too in sync with my character to be hearing anyone's voice.

Souji (in his mind while Iris puts on her headphones noticing her sharp pupils): Her eyes have a different colour. It's like she became a wild beast when she's getting ready for battle.

(Universe Guardian Online forest in front of a dungeon teleport)

Shuvi (after two screens disappear): Good thing I remember that I already had potions in this account. (in her mind) It has been a week since I logged in but I still remember how I used both accounts. I hope my hands can keep up with my brain.

Shuvi has pink tail bone length hair that's tied at the bottom by a white cat face shape hairband, cat eats, and yellow eyes. She's wearing a pink knee-length dress but the back reaches to her ankle with no sleeves, two white horizontal clips near the chest, and a white belt with a bag on her back. White short coat with short sleeves, white middle-length gloves that don't cover her fingers, white short leggings, and white boots that have short heels with pink underneath. She also has pink fingerless gauntlets with a white cat face outline logo on the hand and pink leg armour.