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e-arveldis · 16 days ago

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Milena's Kosmos - Chapter Two

༘⋆₊ ⊹★🔭๋࣭ ⭑⋆｡˚When there are more to a story than you’ve read...

To become is to learn and breathe it. ༘⋆₊ ⊹★🔭๋࣭ ⭑⋆｡˚

Rating: Mature -> Explicit. | Minors DNI | Warnings: Will contain depictions of violence, gore, and sexual interactions. | Tags: LaDS, isekai/transmigration, alternate universe, alternate timeline, futuristic, reverse harem, video game world, system, OFC, OOC MC, Caleb Xia, Zayne Li, Xavier Shen, Rafayel Qi, Sylus Qin.

Wordcount: ~3 k

Chapter 1 | < Navigate | Chapter 2

Stepping through the entrance of Axio Hospital felt a bit jarring. Not only was the name of the hospital not what she expected (inter-dimensional Chinese Whispers, anyone?), but the heat of the summer was a few degrees hotter than what she was used to. The change from oppressive heat to the cool-conditioned air, was almost as shocking as it was refreshing.

Like almost all hospitals, there was that unmistakable atmosphere lingering in the air - of fatigue, hope, and unsteadiness, masked in order and liveliness to do good. There was always a method to the chaotic madness that lay within, the staff almost frenzied in their rush to a call or fit in a well-deserved break before it was pried away from them too soon.

Elysia felt it was still surreal. Walking around, immersed in a life she thought was pure fiction, in a body that was hers but frighteningly new. Her countenance seemed the same - the same blemishes, same hue to her cheeks when she blushed or over-exerted herself. But there were also new differences that she had become acquainted with since this good morning. Is it good for you? For me? Or is it just a good morning because the day is good?

For a start, walking felt like settling into a new gait after a chiropractic adjustment or a deep tissue massage. She could feel the aches from this morning’s workout, but it was overshadowed by the feeling of a different set of movement constraints she wasn’t accustomed to. Imagine being right-hand dominant; a ball is thrown your way out of the blue, and your reflexes respond with your left hand to catch it perfectly. ‘If this was actually my body, I would be absolutely knackered and need to lie-down.’

When bathing, she found familiar scars from falling off bikes and hiking trails as a child. Grey never was too adventurous, so her battle scars could be counted on one hand. This body? There were scars from who knows what, on her abdomen, thighs and upper arm. One obvious scar was a mid-sized line along her sternum. Overall, none were noticeable, probably why the MC in the game looked blemish-free despite her hazardous occupation. ‘This body probably has good regeneration.’ Aether core regeneration… An alien traveling in a not-so-small blue box came to mind.

Passing the corner into the Cardiology department, Elysia thought she might’ve heard the voice of a certain witty, brunette nurse. Looking toward the front desk, however, none of the smiling faces looking up resembled her.

“Hi, Elysia, how’s the hunter training going for ya?” The bubbly nurse was finishing a data entry task, before pushing himself on the chair, across the corner desk to face out into the reception.

“Hey-” Perfect eyesight is much more forgiving for finding name tags in tight situations. “Adam. It’s- you know, the usual. Hope they’re not running you ragged.”

“Oh, it actually hasn’t been too bad, but- oh, I might have just jinxed it.” Snapping his fingers, there was that ‘darn it’ expression on his face. “What brings you here?”

It seemed like this interaction might be normal for Elysia and Adam, or so she hoped. “I’m here for that appointment with Dr. Noah at 2:45.”

“Oh, yes.” Looking at a monitor, there was movement then a notification alerted him. “He is expecting you. Just knock on his door, Elysia.” Smiling back at him, she wasn’t sure whether to be glad or not, that the game never really used the nickname that players input on the first day. It would have made things easier to adjust to. On the other hand, being called ‘Elysia’ helped her to get into ‘character’ and remind her that this was an actual alternate universe.

Three dull thuds fell on the opaque glass door.

“Come in!” A slightly raspy voice called out.

Stepping into the room, she was still surprised by how big the doctor’s office was. Sure there were cutscenes showing a lavish sitting area, open layout to the desk, with a partly enclosed, screened examination area with a bed. But, golly, did this scream: PRIVATE. Money definitely fueled this place, and if she remembered correctly, Dr. Noah is supposedly the chief medical officer at this moment.

In her world, a doctor’s office resembled nothing like this, not even for the head of a department. Clearly, even the private hospitals she knew in her timeline, never came close to the tax bracket of this ‘public’ hospital.

“Elysia! Come sit down. I took the liberty of having already brewed tea for us.”

Questions swam in her mind. She decided to be tentative in her approach for this agenda. Nothing was detailed about the ‘handover’. “Thanks, Dr. Noah. What tea is it today?” Hopefully it was the right response to his eager greeting - his brow furrowed slightly, before he shook it off with a smile.

“It’s this new oolong grown near the peaks of Mt. Eternal. Whom better to try it with, than my fellow tea connoisseur.” Laughter rang in the room as the sun filtered briefly brighter through the curtain wall.

Elysia giggled back, a confusing emotion of having found that a friendly character was indeed friendly, and semi-hysterics with trying to figure out how close this relationship was. “Well, thank you for sharing. It smells heavenly already.”

Taking the initiative, she poured the teapot contents into their respective mugs before sitting down across from the old man. ‘This doesn’t seem to be the regular check up I expected… is this not to discuss my case handover for his retirement?’

“Hmmm, indeed, the scent is quite refreshing. The friend who sent me this tea, said it was a new strain developed to survive even the strongest metaflux bursts, and of course, the cold of Mt. Eternal winters. As you know, that is a necessary trait since the peaks-” Pausing, it seemed he mulled about continuing his train of thought. “Well… This resulted in a higher menthol content - very refreshing indeed. Hmmm.”

Following his lead, she took a sip. Immediately, a sensation permeated her entire body - of drowsiness being blown away by fresh chilled air; as if stepping out onto the alpine patio during the first snowfall. “Wow.” Eyes were now wide to see Dr. Noah smiling brightly.

“Hahaha, that was exactly my impression when I tried it for the first time. I thought you might like it.” She understood how Dr. Noah reached this position.

Not only was he a great researcher, (if what the game had divulged was true about him overseeing many lead investigators), but, as his eyes crinkled with pure joy, she also saw the humanity of his soul. A quiet gentility under a steel mind, that a stubborn 14 year old prodigy would undoubtedly have no qualms to learn from. If there were to be any plot twists, Dr. Noah being evil, seemed the most unlikely.

“You always have the right connections, Dr. Noah. Is this out in the market now?”

“No, not yet. They get a small yield as the other saplings haven’t matured yet for higher production. This was the first batch of their final successful breeding.” Both of them seemed relaxed on the office couches. “Tell you what, when I retire to the mountains next year and someone visits me, I’ll send you some tea when they go back. Convenient, since I will hand over your case to them before I go.”

A system notification rang. In the most respectful way, why do old people put on mischievous tones in the middle of nowhere? If it were possible, his eyes sparkled. Elysia would guess who that ‘someone’ was, except there really weren't many possibilities of it being anyone else.

“I am thanking you in advance, then. I can already see this tea being one of my new favourites to have after a long day in the field.” She raised the mug toward the doctor.

`~```~`

<Sat. June 01, 2048 - Agendas>

+̶ ̶C̶o̶m̶p̶l̶e̶t̶e̶ ̶p̶h̶y̶s̶i̶c̶a̶l̶ ̶t̶r̶a̶i̶n̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶a̶s̶s̶i̶g̶n̶e̶d̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶s̶c̶h̶e̶d̶u̶l̶e̶.

+̶ ̶C̶o̶m̶p̶l̶e̶t̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶p̶a̶p̶e̶r̶ ̶a̶s̶s̶i̶g̶n̶m̶e̶n̶t̶ ̶o̶u̶t̶l̶i̶n̶e̶d̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶s̶c̶h̶e̶d̶u̶l̶e̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶g̶e̶t̶ ̶a̶ ̶m̶i̶n̶i̶m̶u̶m̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶7̶0̶%̶.

+ Complete hospital check in for case handover (initiated >>> in progress >>> information unlocked).

Loading…

`~```~`

Looking out the window, the view of the bustling city seemed as grand as it did in the game. It gave her the perfect ruse to read the system notification in front of Dr. Noah, and see what had changed. ‘Dr. Noah must have triggered a hidden storyline… Or-’

`~```~`

[WARNING! Compulsory to graduate and important for future team allocation.]

Students at the Hunters Academy of Linkon University are mandated to intern in their final semester.

(Placements are given at institutions that are affiliated with the Hunters Association).

Specialisation is appointed by the programme to best utilise the candidate in the field. Consideration includes the class and level of their Evol, their test scores - irrespective of the Hunter Specialisation - and is subject to their undergraduate major.

Complete the agenda, “hospital check in for case handover” to receive a probationary designation from your newly appointed supervisor.

`~```~`

“Speaking of handovers,” Dr. Noah’s voice quickly diverted her attention. “We should get to the reason for our meeting today. Something you have no doubt been wondering about for this irregular appointment.”

Doing something on the side panel of the coffee table, a holographic screen appeared between the two individuals. Folders of foreign SOPs lay before Elysia’s eyes, and her bracelet beeped as Dr. Noah continued to speak.

“I must say, I was surprised to see your name put down under Axio’s programme by the Hunter Academy. I never expected for the papers you’ve taken at Lincoln University to align with this discipline.”

The bracelet projected a small hologram with a notification entailing a brief overview of her new access to the files before her. It muted her question.

“As you know,” his words took a more serious tone, “the Hunter Academy’s senior internship is mandatory before graduation, like most specialised professions. However, what is not known to the public or prospective hunters, is that the internship provided is more… calculated.” He pushed his glasses back into place.

“Calculated?” Elysia thought back to the system prompt. The senior internship is…important for future team allocation.

“Yes. Calculated.” His elbows rested on his knees, as he leaned toward Elysia with clasped hands.”You see, for some hunter candidates, they will be allocated a senior hunter to shadow - getting a taste of what the profession truly is. This includes the admin, I’m afraid.”

The doctor saw Elysias' face sour briefly at the word ‘admin’. He chuckled in agreement.

“When they enter the Hunters Association and are assigned to a team, they will already have the necessary experience to transition smoothly from a candidate to a professional rookie.”

Reflecting back his grin with a tilted head, Elysia brought forth her question. “You said some hunters. What about the others?”

“Other candidates, who have met the prerequisites as you certainly have, will be allocated to intern with a senior designated hunter.”

Her mouth slightly parted to question, but she withheld it as Dr. Noah would probably continue to explain. He grinned.

“The Hunters Association has divisions - who respond to categorised situations - and teams within; the primary combatants, data analysts, armament technicians… it goes on. These roles may be applied for by qualified hunters and are given ranks, but each division is assigned. The divisions are similar to the past military, if you remember your secondary schooling social studies.”

‘Right, like there are differences in what the army, navy, marines and air force will respond to.’ Nodding, Elysia tried to predict where this conversation would go. Dr. Noah was keeping her on tenterhooks with his way of explaining.

“Being allocated an internship with a senior designated hunter, is essentially the Hunters Association’s method for screening potential candidates that may fit within specialised divisions and their specialised teams.” Dr. Noah scrunched his forehead. “Unlike their standard counterparts, they receive the special missions that ordinary hunters are incapable of dealing with.”

It suddenly dawned on her. Was this how MC got assigned to the Alpha team of the UNICORNS division? She cleared her throat. “Just to clarify whether I am comprehending this correctly: the results of this internship are what determines which division and teams candidates are assigned to after graduation?”

“Correct. There is a caveat: the difference between the hunters in teams versus specialised teams. The designation.” He made gestures at the holographic display, and a flow chart of the organisation began to appear.

“There are smaller numbers of specialised teams compared to ordinary teams. They may be dispatched to handle missions alone, that are; outside the city limits, covert, undercover, highly dangerous - in areas with little to no access to outside assistance or other units.”

The flow chart flowed down as more branches appeared. It zoomed to highlight an example of a specialised team. The word ‘combatant’ appeared numerous times under the team heading, but each ‘combatant’ held another role.

“Which means that individuals must also have a specialisation that benefits and sustains the team for when they are isolated. Their designation.” Elysia sighed. “Why are we discussing this? You are my doctor, not a hunter.” Still confused, she shrugged a little and offered a half smile (hoping it wasn’t a grimace).

“Axio Hospital is one of the primary hospitals of Lincoln City, and some of our staff are associates under the World Evol Organisation. By extension, we work alongside the Hunters Association within certain scopes. I took it upon myself to be your overseer when I saw your name on the list for Axio. Bear with this old man, wanting to do one last worthwhile thing, before he retires.”

Swiping across the holographic display once more, a profile of candidate ‘Elysia Grey’ appeared.

“You had been required to choose papers that fit your undergraduate course at Lincoln University, whilst also choosing requisite papers for your hunter license examination, as a candidate of the Hunter Academy. For the breadth of papers you have chosen- you have scored well in both theoretical and practical tests.”

Elysia’s papers were highlighted by two categories.

“Another factor to be considered was your Evol class: Anhausen. Very rarely seen.” Elysia saw in the Hunter Academy profile, that her Evol class and level (undetermined) was heavily underlined. “The ability to resonate, essentially amplifying or modifying control of other Evols. Taking your Evol with your results, you fulfil both criteria to become a melee/supporting hunter, and also train to be a field medic. The potential to excel in both puts you in a good standing for field placement, if you choose to be further trained and qualify.”

Her head started to throb. ‘Is this going to lead to the mentioned ‘options’ given by the system? Not just ‘quests’ to complete?’ The suggestion to become a designated, was not lost on her.

“As only a combat medic, it would be a waste of an ability - its full potential for combat, not utilised. As only a hunter, the knowledge you have gained loses its potential to become useful in grave situations, when a combat medic is unavailable or deemed unsuitable for a mission.”

Dr. Noah minimised the hologram into a smaller tablet-like display that inclined toward her. A stylus was pushed forth.

“If you accept an internship with Axio Hospital, as part of your programme to graduate the Hunter Academy, your case handovers to a subset candidacy under designation if you pass the final examination. As this would both be intellectually and practically intensive, interning with a senior hunter of your possible designation is unfeasible. Coincidentally, there are not many in this designation that are available to train you, at this given time.”

He looked straight into Elysia’s eyes with a grandfatherly smile, as if he already knew what her decision would be. How can he know? Elysia would have never been able to anticipate the trajectory of this meeting. In other words, the ‘case handover’ she imagined, was the one of her changing primary care physicians. Not this, otherworldly definition.

“I would oversee your training with a combat medic of this hospital, as well as your theoretical obtainment in the discipline necessary to gain a medic licence befitting your assigned designation. Your assigned combat medic will oversee that you gain the practical skills and experience to handle cases that you may encounter in the field. Unless, that is, you choose to have your interning case handover be an ordinary, senior hunter, giving you general candidacy at your license examination.”

`~```~`

<Sat. June 01, 2048 - Agendas>

+̶ ̶C̶o̶m̶p̶l̶e̶t̶e̶ ̶p̶h̶y̶s̶i̶c̶a̶l̶ ̶t̶r̶a̶i̶n̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶a̶s̶s̶i̶g̶n̶e̶d̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶s̶c̶h̶e̶d̶u̶l̶e̶.

+ Complete hospital check in for case handover (in progress).

[WARNING! Compulsory to graduate and important for future team allocation.]

Students at the Hunters Academy of Linkon University are mandated to intern—//—Complete the agenda, “hospital check in for case handover” to receive a probationary designation from your newly appointed supervisor.

`~```~`

Elysia began to mull over her choices. Accepting would practically be adding another full course load within her final semester, on top of training to become a hunter. That would definitely compound with her need to condition herself mentally and physically to fight in this new body. ‘No wonder the MC stressed out so much before graduating university.’

For some, it would be a quick decision. If this was only a game, Grey Elysia would have quickly accepted the internship with Axio Hospital. Playing is one thing - living it, another. Elysia was trying to be practical in choosing what she’d be able to handle.

After all, getting the designation would be contingent on her actually passing the final examinations at the end. Nothing in the game mentioned what the final hunter license exam consisted of. ‘I can handle normal exams, but one given by the Hunter Academy? And add on getting another qualification?’

“May I think about it? I might need fresh air.”

‘What if I don’t choose?’

Chapter 2 | Navigate > | Chapter 3

AN: I hope this didn't feel like a filler. I'm in the middle of setting up how Elysia will come to interact with the LI's in the AU. Let me know what you think! If you'd like to see more from me, you can click here. Thanks for reading. Stay happy and healthy :)

Please do not repost any of my content, but reblogs and comments are welcome.

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e-arveldis · 16 days ago

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Milena's Kosmos - Chapter One

༘⋆₊ ⊹★🔭๋࣭ ⭑⋆｡˚When life wakes you up in an alternate world, just dive right in.

Weekends are just a construct. ༘⋆₊ ⊹★🔭๋࣭ ⭑⋆｡˚

Wordcount: ~3.2 k

Odder things seem to happen when you are sure to expect the norm. Every day wasn't necessarily a repeat, as you get used to the uncertainty when it comes to research. But there is a knowledge that some things are just too unbelievable to happen, and that's why some ideas like trans-dimensional travel and temporal displacement, become an escape for those who like to imagine. What if I hadn't said those words? Would they have never left? It's sometimes easier to let your mind wander to far off places, than to truly reflect and change. Would I still be here if I had done that instead?

This was just another average day, in the average life of a postgraduate student. The only good thing, being that it was the weekend. An actual weekend, where no experiments were scheduled, so she could finally sleep past 5 am without the guilt of sleeping in, or the wary crawl and sluggish awakening to start the day.

Something illogical, as waking up in another world you had only seen glimpses off a screen, would never really happen to a person. Grey expected to wake up to another sunrise, overlooking a city she had known for the past 7 years, peeking through her open curtains. She expected her room to be chilled from the overnight frost that finally started to settle as winter approached with full force. As she opened her blurry eyes to the sunrise, enjoying the warmth of the blankets, snuggling into her pillow with abandonment of the time, she had to take a double look across the room.

The door leading to her bathroom wasn't there. Blinking wearily, Grey stared at the view of verdant trees lining a condominium garden to the left of her bed. Blinking further ahead, her eyes grew as the peaks of what she assumed to be townhouses and other household units blended into tall skyscrapers. 'What in the world? Where am I? Am I still dreaming?' She closed her eyes and buried her head into the pillow she clutched onto. Holding her breath, she expected to feel something different - a change in the atmosphere to alert her that she was finally awake, maybe?

No jolts. No change in lights. None of the cold air she was expecting creeped past the open blankets from when she abruptly moved. Nothing changed, and she gasped for breath as her need for air finally won out. Looking up to the ceiling, she quietly croaked with a morning voice, "Tell me I'm dreaming and this is just one of those vivid, lucid dreams." But as time ticked on, she started to feel the prickles that were swarming up and down her arms, something she had only become accustomed to in the past few months when waking. Never when dreaming.

Panic jolted her. A thud sounded the room as a body twisted in blankets joined the floor, and another groan filled the quiet air. 'Perfect, if this was a horror, I have definitely just given away my position. If this was a kidnapping, there goes the surprise escape.' Waiting for any response to the noise, nothing came and Grey gradually rose onto her feet.

The room was now bathed in the golden light of the morning sun. There was a different nightstand next to the bed. Where she expected her kettle and mug (ready to make her morning tea), there lay a bedside lamp and a small indoor plant. Turning on the balls of her feet, there was something familiar about the room. This definitely was not her place, but at the back of her mind, something niggled its way to the forefront.

Pink and red were never her favoured aesthetic. She grew to like them just fine, but blues and greens were more her alley. Black and grey furnishings. No bare wooden furniture in sight. An open wardrobe by the window, hung a familiar uniform shirt with a black embroidered winged-emblem and stripes, standing out amongst the other colourful attires. She would never be caught dead with an open wardrobe outside of a closet. Then a holographic display above the headboard, showing the date, glared at her with an unbelievable year: 2047.

Tentatively, she walked out of the bedroom, and peaked past door frames into new rooms, each giving Grey mixed feelings of jamais vu. There were no signs of another person residing or being present in this apartment - a small reprieve to the already, chaotic morning. Walking back to the room she woke up in, she searched the bedside table for a phone. 'If this is another time and place, I'm probably not looking for a normal looking mobile phone. If I were in the future, which I supposedly am according to the date, what would a mobile even look like?'

Two strips of metal bars with small flower engravings sat on a small rectangular platform. It was the length of a pen and looked as if it were clipped side-by-side. The platform looks eerily like a wireless charger? There were indents sitting in the middle of both bars, creating a groove for where she imagines fingers would sit, and it made her think.

Flabbergasted with a theory, Grey took hold of the metal between the side of her index fingers and thumbs, but it didn't budge as she tried to pull it apart. Sliding her fingers to rest on the indents underneath, a barely noticeable glow appeared across the top face. The metallic bars gave way, allowing her to slowly pull it apart.

A futuristic sight appeared, when what she can only associate as nanobots or some other self-forming polymer seemed to appear and elongate itself ('to form a screen?'). From what only seemed to be a metal bar, there was now a solid, full sized mobile. Because she couldn't feel resistance from whatever allowed the bars to be pulled apart, Grey continued to try increasing the distance. To her surprise, it continued to work until the mobile turned into a tablet.

'This must really be the future,' she thought, before pushing the now-tablet back into the size of a phone. Luckily, the homepage and user interface looked very similar to what she was used to, with the call and messaging options on the bottom widget. Swiping across for a first impression of what was available, Grey found no applications that she thought she'd find. Not a single social media application remotely sounded like the ones she'd known to be available. An icon resembling a shutter of the camera piqued her interest. She filed it away for later, it was labelled 'Moments'.

Opening up the dial page, she tried to call her mum, one of the only numbers she ever bothered to memorise. An automated operator told her the number was not recognised. She tried adding on the country code for good measure, but it was for naught. The same monotone voice replied with the same answer. Desperate curiosity began to crawl up her spine... Time passed as she first pulled up the search engine, Polaris, discovering an analogous world.

This world's timeline was similar to what she knew, but it diverged from her mind's present timeline, with different names and slightly different geography. The popular encyclopaedia here was Spacepaedia. Countries with different names were either still present with slightly different boundaries, or completely non-existent and replaced with unfamiliar land masses or new bodies of water. More anomalies were present in the environment, not just effects of global warming, leading to more advancement in technology.

Searching for the weather report using her location, she found that she was in a suburb called the West Garden Ward. It sounded so familiar. Looking further, West Garden Ward was located in a city called Lin-

"Linkon?!" Minimising the search, she looked for the gallery. Swiping through images, she saw what looked to be herself in them, posing next to things and people in places she had never been in. On what was past the tenth image, she finally saw two familiar faces resembling two characters in a game. An elderly lady, gracefully aged with curly hair, sat next to her doppelganger, and behind them, holding onto their shoulders and grinning between them, was a young man with mahogany hair and striking purple eyes.

"What the fuck? This cannot be happening-"

She quickly entered the 'Moments' application, and it looked like the social media application of a certain game. Scrolling down, all usernames were strangers to her, until she reached a certain post tagged at the DAA showcase. Two of the commenters made this situation hit home, for alongside the jibes of what only close friends would give, were the names 'Flyer' and 'Gideon'.

She tried to remember if she had, just maybe, mistakenly taken anything remotely like amphetamines that would make her hallucinate. Nothing came to mind, and it wouldn't explain how detailed and sensory this experience was to her.

She ran to the bathroom she had located earlier, and gazed into the mirror as she clutched to the edge of the sink. Her facial features were the same. The colour of her hair, her hairstyle, down to her frizzy morning hair were the same. Everything was the same, except her eyes? Leaning closer to the mirror, maybe the shine and the texture of her iris were what she was used to, but not the green and purple seeping through the brown.

It then dawned on her - everything was clear. She wasn't wearing glasses and things were clear. "How did I get into 'LaDS' out of all the improbable things that could happen-"

'Ding!' Out of nowhere, a panel suddenly maximised itself in front of her. Recognition flooded her vision, as she spotted options to view an inventory, profile, and other game related features usually associated with RPG games.

`~```~`

Congratulations!

Elysia Grey has successfully entered and bound the system for 'Love and Deep-space'.

Complete agendas to earn rewards.

Failure to complete main objectives will result in punishment which may affect the 'you' in the alternate timeline.

Upon the completion of this storyline, you will gain access to Wish.

`~```~`

Grey found that her in-game name was probably applied upon binding the 'system' as checking her system profile and ID linked to (what is now) her phone did not show her actual information, but that which she had used in her character's creation. Same nickname, different full name; same birthday, different year.

"How can I complete the storyline when the game is still ongoing? Have the developers cemented the game's full storyline?" Her voice echoed in the acoustic room, and she felt like she was going crazy.

`~```~`

System Error: Invalid input has been detected >>> Queries denied.

Failure to complete main objectives will result in punishment which may affect the 'you' in the alternate timeline.

Further information will only be given when the storyline is triggered or when achievements are made.

Loading…

As you have already completed the tutorial for the overall progression of 'Love and Deep-space', please complete today's agendas to receive the novice pack:

+ Complete physical training assigned in your schedule.

+ Complete the paper assignment outlined in your schedule and get a minimum of 70%.

+ Complete hospital check in for case handover.

`~```~`

"Ugh, this is so frustrating. Today was supposed to be the weekend. I didn't want to exercise. Why does this game hate me? I preferred you when you were stuck in my mobile." Grey glared at the hovering system. "System, do I at least get some assistance so I can find things or places I'm supposed to know? I know there's a map, but that's honestly useless when it only gives me a general location and direction."

A few moments passed with no response.

"I can only blend in and not look like a lunatic if I know where things are. You've already given me the option of viewing not only my own profile but others too. An actual guide showing me how to get to things or places I should already know won't be any different, right?"

`~```~`

Navigation assistance may be turned on at player's instructions.

`~```~`

'Small mercies. One point to me.' Logically thinking, the rewards from completing agendas will probably give her items or boosts that would allow her to complete the main objectives - probably the events that happened in the main storyline. With navigation assistance, there was one less thing to hinder her completing agendas or progressing through the objectives of the storyline. This was the first day in a familiar yet unknown world. The only guidance being given by a system without any options for gaining further information at this current moment. With one less obstacle out of the way, she could only begin to familiarise herself with Elysia's schedule. Sighing, she got ready for the long, tiring day. 'At least I won't get lost.'

Time ticked onwards, and three hours after her awakening, her muscles burned from use. Sweat glistening down her temples, Grey sat leaning against the wall of the gym located in her apartment complex. Cooling down from the extraneous activity felt killer. She was now beyond exhausted upon completing a three kilometer run, on top of the weight training outlined in that dastardly schedule of 'hers'. The maximum she had ever done while weight training was probably 30 reps: this stupid schedule asked for 100. Never in her wildest dreams did she want to put herself in a position that required high physicality; now it was no longer an option.

Grey was not one to resign to fate - this peculiar circumstance was so bizarre that it was instinctual to first adapt and survive before doing her own sleuthing outside of the 'storyline'. Becoming Elysia meant she had a high probability of also inheriting not only the protocore syndrome, but the aether core that caused it. The medications she had to take after breakfast, outlined by a phone reminder, gave no hope for it being otherwise. A few of the medications she could associate with heart conditions. And if this reality resembled anything of what she had thus far learnt from the gameplay of 'LaDS', she needed to be able to protect herself.

`~```~`

<Sat. June 01, 2048 - Agendas>

+ Complete the paper assignment outlined in your schedule and get a minimum of 70%.

+ Complete hospital check in for case handover.

+̶ ̶C̶o̶m̶p̶l̶e̶t̶e̶ ̶p̶h̶y̶s̶i̶c̶a̶l̶ ̶t̶r̶a̶i̶n̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶a̶s̶s̶i̶g̶n̶e̶d̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶s̶c̶h̶e̶d̶u̶l̶e̶.

`~```~`

Slowly standing up to continue her day, she could only wonder about what type of assignment she needed to complete. Hopefully the last two tasks on her agenda go smoother. 'This novice pack better be worth it.'

After a much needed hot shower, 'Elysia' checked the profile function of the system whilst having lunch. Looking at her own profile, there were general status given for resource-related statistics (like health and energy points) and attributes (like intelligence and charisma). Elysia noticed that a stable status for 'Aether core' existed below her health bar and value, which answered an obvious question she had.

The point values for her attributes seemed worryingly low to survive the life of a future huntress/ex-experimentee/star-crossed character in hiding. Most of the stats were in the low tens, with the exception of intelligence and agility that were in the mid twenties. Curiously, this reflected her real self in the 'alternate' timeline - she studied her interests and read as a hobby, and preferred aerobic exercises compared to other forms.

Hopefully, the novice pack will help elevate her stats to fit into the hunter programme that Elysia was enrolled in and close to finishing. G̶r̶e̶y̶ Elysia didn't remember the exact timeline of the game 'LaDS', with only a few details remembered, such as the storyline had begun with the MC finally indoctrinated into the Hunters Association in 2048.

This meant she had at least six months to get accustomed to fighting and assuming Elysia's identity. And how could she almost forget about Evols. The MC was an Anhausen Class, and G̶r̶e̶y̶ Elysia was now objectively speaking, a new Evolver who now had another mission to learn how to control and manipulate her Evol. Maybe she could also test whether she could alter any events in the storyline... A glimpse of a cardiologist flashed across her mind, and she thought, 'Maybe with that last agenda today...'

On the navigation panel for 'Profiles' she found the familiar names of characters, but they were all greyed out. It must mean they were only accessible after first encountering them in this now-reality. In otome games, when viewing the character profiles, you can view their preferences and other statistics like affection. Elysia wondered whether each information would only appear after she had an encounter related to said information, even though technically she had experienced them before.

She digressed, jumping off the kitchen stool to do her dishes. She should start that assignment. Placing herself at a desk with a recessed keyboard and an odd looking mouse, she tried to find an ON/OFF button, or something similar to the mechanism that opened the phone. Another thing that was different from the game. The technology seemed to be more advanced than what was shown.

Finally, she noticed that the wall in front of her had a glass panel? A glass panel with a frame, and a gold jasmine, filigree symbol inlaid midway near the bottom. Placing her thumb on the symbol, maybe the frame can be pulled like an adjustable A-frame? With another faint glow, a short, happy-sounding tune prompted her to pull the panel out - it now felt free to be positioned in front of her as a monitor. 'Neat!'

Displaying a start screen, it asked for a second authorisation password... Scratching her head, she had no clue what Elysia's password could be. Trying her own, didn't work. She pulled up the system to view her profile. It was the right choice, as an information icon she hadn't noticed before, proceeded to list her character's private information like banking and schooling details - and most importantly, passwords for logins which she needed at this moment.

Using the given data, she navigated her way onto the Linkon University dashboard, easily locating the Hunter Academy's student portal as it was its main affiliated programme. Now onto the assignment page. 'Phew, it's only a quiz.' The assignment was under a paper marked in blue.

Lady luck must be on her side, it seemed like past theoretical assignments were similar enough to what she had to undergo in her own undergraduate courses. For some, the past Elysia had given more in-depth information than what she had learned (probably due to the timeline difference), but this was a minor issue that reading would fix. She won't be totally clueless, graduating with a fake qualification.

Only a third of the papers had disciplines that were more specific for the Hunter profession like 'Armament Specialisation' and 'Combat Tacticality.' These specific papers were marked in red, and it made her assume that colour was how they distinguished between the requisite (red) and non-requisite (blue) courses.

The quiz was for 'Applied Field Medicine', which wasn't too bad considering this was an open book test. The subject itself didn't deviate much from the theoretical biology she had already known. Using the information available to her and common sense, she managed to score a 95. 'Good job, me.' The system notification rang in her mind once again.

`~```~`

<Sat. June 01, 2048 - Agendas>

+ Complete hospital check in for case handover.

+̶ ̶C̶o̶m̶p̶l̶e̶t̶e̶ ̶p̶h̶y̶s̶i̶c̶a̶l̶ ̶t̶r̶a̶i̶n̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶a̶s̶s̶i̶g̶n̶e̶d̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶s̶c̶h̶e̶d̶u̶l̶e̶.

`~```~`

It was time to head to the hospital.

Chapter 1 | Navigate > | Chapter 2

AN: I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. The pacing might go slowly at first, as I'll be trying to settle the character into this alternate reality. Let me know what you think! Stay happy and healthy :)

Please do not repost any of my content, but reblogs and comments are welcome.

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