Chapter 98 - Skip This Scene?
Yes ◁ No
First, let me make one thing clear: I have absolutely no intention of neglecting my new life as a university student just because I'm engrossed in [Arcadia].
When I think about my high school years, dedicated to part-time jobs and studying, I too have a desire to reclaim even a little of the youth I spent saving up for a VR headset.
That's precisely why, even though I'm in the middle of preparing for my debut match, that's that, and this is this. I, personally, went into this past week with the wholehearted intention of enjoying the rest of my student life to the fullest.
Eh? Why does that sound like it's in the past tense?
Well, just wait. I'm about to unveil the prologue to my "fun university life starts now!" story, and the dazzling future that awaits—in three lines.
The crowds were insane—I was crushed.
The atmosphere was insane—I was annihilated.
The energy was insane—I was instantly killed.
I'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from pedantic comments like, "That's three words, not three lines."
Seriously, it's tough. I've managed to get a bit of a foothold and start getting used to it over the past week, but honestly, as someone who's an introvert at heart, it's all I can do to keep from being left behind.
What's that? What am I talking about, when I'm so hyper in the virtual world? Does anyone actually live their daily life with the same level of excitement as a day at an amusement park?
"At any rate, I survived... I survived...!"
For now, the preliminary briefings, entrance ceremony, and guidance sessions are over. My current post-return-home routine involves an immediate shower followed by a near-death flop onto my bed.
Mercifully, today is Friday. It seems university students get Saturdays and Sundays off like normal, so I should be able to approach tomorrow's selection match with plenty of time to spare.
I grabbed a bite to eat on the way home, so my preparations to return to the virtual world are already complete.
What? Don't I need a break? A dive is pretty much like sleeping, so playing [Arcadia] is practically the same as resting, right? (Flawed logic)
—Besides, I can't take it anymore. My brand-new equipment, which I just received from Kagura-san this morning, is waiting for my return!
After trying to leap out of bed with the agility of my inhuman avatar and failing spectacularly, I crawled across the floor to my [Arcadia] rig and, with my heart racing, spoke the activation key.
"Drive On."
...This activation key is so on the nose it's a little embarrassing. Maybe I should change it to something less conspicuous— With that final, trivial thought, my consciousness was drawn into the virtual world.
◇◆◇◆◇
"—Hmm, overall..."
The finish was excellent, with nothing to complain about. After getting a feel for all my new equipment, I nodded, looking down at my newly outfitted avatar.
――――――――――――――――――
◇Status◇
Name：Haru
Lv：100
STR(Strength)：300
AGI(Agility)：350
DEX(Dexterity)：100
VIT(Vitality)：0(+50)
MID(Mind)：0(+250)
LUC(Luck)：300
◇Skill◇
・All Weapon Aptitude
《Blink Switch》
《Flip Stroke》
《Gusty Limb》
《Exchange Voltate》
Greed's Precept
・《Reflect Blowal》
・《Tremble Slide》
・《Ignition》
・《Floating Leaf》
・《Foreknowledge Eye》
・Embodied Protection
・Combo Accelerate
・Awakening Blow
・Heavy Attack Manipulator
・Adamant Sky Dash
・Rabbit Run
・Fataless Jumper
・Rhinos Heart
・Trickery Precept
New!
・Guardian's Cradle
・Telepathy
――――――――――――――――――
First, my armor. The [Desert Moray Leather Gloves] and [Desert Moray Leather Boots] that had protected my hands and feet for a long time... well, for about a month, were now honorably discharged.
Crafted from a special ore material called [Floating Meteor Fragment] and materials from a rare monster, the [Misty Snake], a new pair of gloves and boots are now equipped on my hands and feet.
Their names are [Stake Gauntlets] and [Stake Boots] respectively—both are pieces I'm quite fond of, with great visuals.
It was well worth the trouble of gathering the materials.
The [Floating Meteor Fragment], which just floated in the sky, was no problem for me, but that snake... it would disappear without a trace, make clones of itself, and on top of that, use those clones as decoys to escape...
Anyway, their performance is quite impressive, befitting the rarity of the materials.
Each piece provides a VIT+20 status bonus, and the two-piece set effect adds another +10. A total of +50, which is equivalent to five levels' worth of stats. Based on the standard Nia taught me the other day, it's safe to call this 'first-class' gear.
As for their appearance, they both have a deep blue base with accents of stardust-like white specks—a calm color scheme reminiscent of the night sky.
The [Stake Gauntlets], despite their name, have a sleek design, with ore plate reinforcement only on the back of the hand.
As always, the fingerless design satisfies both practicality and my inner edgelord. Very nice.
They are shorter than the [Desert Moray Leather Gloves], which covered my arms up to the elbow, reaching about halfway between my wrist and elbow. I'm still getting used to the feel since I was so accustomed to the former, but I'm sure I'll adjust quickly.
The shape of the [Stake Boots] is a very simple boot style. The toe area is reinforced with the ore material, which apparently gives a very slight bonus to actions like kicking.
It might have some minor synergy with a new skill I acquired. It's just a bonus effect, but it's not like it hurts to have it.
What's truly noteworthy is their lightness. Despite using metal, they're slightly lighter than my previous equipment made from [Desert Serpent] materials.
Well, that stuff was floating...
Speaking of floating, unlike the moray leather which blended in nicely, these clash a bit with my current outfit... but apparently, Kagura-san and Nia coordinated on that, so I was told not to worry. I appreciate it, and I'll look forward to the outfit Nia is tailoring for me.
—Now then. Next up are the weapons. I have a total of three new additions: the great axe I ordered, plus a spear and a shield.
Well, a shield... a shield? Can you even call that a shield?
There's one problem child that's a bit hard to explain simply, but I'll set that aside for now and start with the great axe and the spear.
First, the great axe—the [Giant's Hand Axe].
My previous store-bought [Iron Great Axe] was a long-handled, double-bladed axe. In contrast, this [Giant's Hand Axe] is a short-handled, single-bladed hatchet type.
However, while 'hatchet' usually refers to a lightweight, small axe used for camping and such... this is a giant's hand axe, after all.
Its size easily surpasses my former [Iron Great Axe], and in terms of volume, it's probably more than twice as large as [An-ri Galta].
What's particularly noteworthy is the ridiculous scale of the blade. If I hold it sideways, the surface area of the blade alone is enough to cover my body, and it spreads out to be about the same length as the handle, as if it were a knuckle guard on a sword.
The material it was made from is a special type of rock called [Black Dragon Scale Rock]. This great axe, created by maximizing the material's properties of being "just incredibly heavy and ridiculously durable," boasts a ridiculous weight to match its ridiculous scale.
Its weight is several times that of the [Distorted Iron Lump Hammer], which was once my de facto main weapon. It even surpasses the also abnormally heavy [An-ri Galta], and I'm told its single-hit power probably exceeds that of the legendary armament.
As if by right, this one weapon ate up several dozen percent of my and Sora's shared inventory capacity. I'll have to apologize to her with the utmost sincerity later.
By the way, it has no special effects.
Apparently, all those resources were poured into durability. I don't dislike that kind of meathead design at all.
Next up is the spear. Aside from the very beginning in the 'Mushroom Forest,' it's a weapon type I've never used seriously, but it's now become one of my main armaments.
Its name is [Demon Horn Spear: Crimson Valor]—...I guess she couldn't come up with a cool phonetic reading, huh?
I'm told I can just call it 'Gurenburu' as is, but as the name suggests, it's a long spear made using that [Ruby Rabbit Demon Horn].
It has a simple, crimson shaft. The blade, or 'ho,' makes full use of the raw material's majestic form, and the crimson glow with its engraved spiral pattern is dazzling to the eye.
There's a fluttering red cloth-like object at the boundary between the blade and the shaft, but this isn't just some decoration; it's a proper effect. It's not just for visuals either; it serves as an indicator for a certain special ability the weapon possesses.
That special ability is related to the fragment of the demon horn used on the butt of the spear, the opposite end of the head—well, I'm looking forward to trying this one out in a real fight, too.
Finally, the problem child, the shield... or shield-like thing. I don't know.
In fact, I don't even know if this really is a shield. Due to a design issue where I can't even test it without an opponent, I don't yet have the understanding to talk about this thing—the [Revolving Shield of Rotation].
Visually, it looks like a straightforward buckler, and the materials used are a monster material called [Moonlight Turtle's Hexagonal Shell] and a rare mineral called [Resonating Blue Crystal].
It has a great look, with a shimmering blue, flame-like light dwelling in a blue crystal set in the center of a polished, blue-silver turtle shell.
When I grip the handle, it covers the back of one hand. It seems to be designed for parrying and deflecting rather than blocking, but...
Well, I'm looking forward to trying this one out in a real fight too... maybe? Can I really use a shield effectively with my durability...? I feel like the specs on paper should be fine, but... for this one, I'll just have to trust in the skills of my personal magitechnician.
—And so, with all that.
"Now that I've come to an understanding with you, too... preparations are complete."
I looked up at the sky, nudging the sheathed crimson dagger hanging from the new sword belt I'd fastened at my waist.
The day would come tomorrow—I couldn't suppress the smile that spread across my lips, and I found the rhythm of my racing heart to be strangely pleasant.
Did you think the university arc was about to start? This chapter is no time for slice-of-life!!
Please wait until the next arc for the real-life side!