Redefining the META at VRMMO Academy 4
“Here goes! Follow me, Ren! Yukino, Hijirisawa—you do the same!”
With that, Akira closed in on one Cocytus Treant.
Akira attacked.
Dealt 140 damage to Cocytus Treant!
Akira attacked.
Dealt 152 damage to Cocytus Treant!
Akira attacked.
Dealt 144 damage to Cocytus Treant!
Now her normal attacks really packed a wallop!
“Take this! Ultimate move: Aerial Cresceeent!”
Scooping the enemy up as she slashed with a crescent moon effect, Akira sent the Cocytus Treant flying up near the ceiling of the dome. Then, she unleashed her second crescent moon strike! Thanks to her dual-wielding, she also got a third shot in.
It was hidden by the graphics, but there was yet another hit due to Skyfall’s shockwaves. Big damage was sure to result.
“Now’s your chance! Slip through!”
With an enemy thrown into the sky, there was now a hole in the wall.
Nice job, Akira! Things have improved dramatically!
Yukino, Hijirisawa, and I broke through the enemy defenses.
Chakatachakata!
Once we had infiltrated their defenses, the Cocytus Treants gave up on their incessant guarding and moved to remove us from the circle.
Hijirisawa activated her art. “Move aside! Cyclooone Scythe!”
A cyclone whipped up, blowing away the Cocytus Treants!
So knockback does work when they aren’t guarding!
Then, Yukino unleashed her ultimate on Froi!
“Ultimate move: Infinite Reversal!”
“Tch!”
Froi guarded, stopping the Infinite Reversal in place. It broke his guard a little, but as long as he kept guarding, it wouldn’t do much damage. Maybe 50 guard break per hit. Froi was even tankier than his trees!
“But your back is wide open. Allow me to chop you in half! Ultimate move: Reaping Double-Cross!”
Her ultimate attack struck four times, creating two overlapping Xs. She landed a powerful direct hit on him from behind.
Aiko activated Reaping Double-Cross.
Dealt 1,640 damage to Froi Jasin!
“Nnngh! Damn you! Only cowards attack from the rear!”
“Hah. You flatter me! Thanks for the compliment!”
Seeing this, I activated my own skill.
“Final Strike! And here comes my ultimate!”
I unsheathed my Canesword, threw it up high, and then sprang into the air.
As Froi bent backward and stopped guarding from the pain of the strike to his back, Infinite Reversal started dealing direct damage.
Yukino activated Infinite Reversal.
Dealt 187 damage to Froi Jasin!
Yukino activated Infinite Reversal.
Dealt 187 damage to Froi Jasin!
Yukino activated Infinite Reversal.
Dealt 187 damage to Froi Jasin!
Yukino activated Infinite Reversal.
Dealt 187 damage to Froi Jasin!
Yukino activated Infinite Reversal.
Dealt 187 damage to Froi Jasin!
Yukino activated Infinite Reversal.
Dealt 187 damage to Froi Jasin!
But we weren’t even close to done!
“Eat this! Descending Azure Dragon!”
Ren activated Descending Azure Dragon.
Dealt 5,735 damage to Froi Jasin!
“Gaaaaah?! Damn yoooou!”
His HP bar was below half now.
Froi’s Cocytus Fall will activate in 15 seconds!
He was still up, though, and we didn't have much time. We had to finish him off all at once. I speedily forged a new Canesword and moved to change my equipment. Meanwhile, Yukino heaped on even more attacks.
“Haaaah! Ultimate move: Shooting Star Rush!”
On top of the effects of Infinite Reversal, she began her shining, consecutive-kicking attack! Damage logs gushed like a waterfall, filling the log window!
While I was more of a maximum-damage one-shotter, Yukino was more of a rush attacker. What a ridiculous amount of hits!
As a result, her ability to grind him down was just disgusting.
Froi’s Cocytus Fall will activate in 5 seconds!
But he still hadn’t fallen!
Hijirisawa was attacking as well, but we needed one more hand on deck. I finished my preparations and charged Froi.
This is when Akira does her thing.
“Ren! Sword Samba!”
Akira activated Sword Samba.
All of Ren’s skills are now available for use!
Yeah, I knew she'd come through! That's my best friend!
I wanted to watch her dance in Angelic Charm, but I didn’t have the time. Sadly, I wouldn’t be able to gawk at this one.
Now, it was up to me to land the final blow! I crouched down, unscrewed the top of the Canesword, and unleashed a Quickdraw.
“It’s over! Ultimate move: Dead Eeend!”
Smaaaaash!
A purple glow covered the sword as I swung it, tearing through Froi.
Ren activated Dead End.
Dealt 4,279 damage to Froi Jasin!
Ren has defeated Froi Jasin.
“Damn you all! You’re not half bad, let me just say that!” Froi shouted.
His body began to flicker and eventually disappeared. At the same time, the magic circle of Cocytus Fall faded.
“Bawk? Hey, I can move, bawk! We're saved! Thank you, everyone, baaawk!”
Nice. We were just in time.
I sighed in relief. “Man, we were cutting it close.”
Akira came dashing over. “We did it, Ren! Kokoru and the NPCs are all safe now!”
“Yeah, we did!” High-five! “Oh, uh, sorry we couldn't keep you hidden.”
As much as I loved Angelic Charm, this was surely gonna ruffle her family’s feathers.
“Ah, well. This was the only way we could win. I don’t regret it!” Akira said with a smile.
My best friend is such a good girl.
◆◇◆
“I’m so sorry!”
Akira swiftly bowed her head to Arima in apology. We had met up with him in the audience stands.
Arima sighed and looked at her with disdain. “Milady, even if this is a video game, a daughter of the Aoyagi family mustn’t dress like that in front of others. I’ll have to report this to the head of the household. Do you have anything to say for yourself?”
Akira hung her head in silence.
Akabane was furious. “Now, you hold on right there! Akira did that only to protect the lives of others! Don’t you think that makes it worth turning a blind eye to?!”
“I have no particular issue with it myself, but the Aoyagi family has standards for their daughter’s attire. Unlike yours, her family values modesty and celibacy.” Arima answered, not faltering in the slightest. His tone was sharp.
I figured it was because Akabane was wearing the Sword Dancer gear. For the Aoyagi family, that was a hard no.
“Excuse me? Do you mean to call my family a bunch of shameless attention-seekers?! Even when it's merely a video game?!”
I mean, your brother definitely takes it too far!
“It may just be an item in a video game, but the fact that you keep something like that on hand begs the question of whether you lack self-awareness. That sort of issue extends beyond a virtual world.”
“What a blockhead. You’re far too close-minded!” Akabane angrily turned away.
“I am here to represent the head of the Aoyagi household, and thus I serve as an extension of their values.”
Put simply, Arima believed that Akira’s family would be enraged to see her like that. This was bad. Akira herself had said that if she wasn’t careful, she could be pulled out of school.
I couldn’t just let slide after all she’d done for Kokoru!
I stepped forward, taking Akabane’s place at the bat. “Er, excuse me. Can I butt in?”
“You are... Takashiro, correct?”
“Uh, yeah. So, about the clothes, I’m the one who told her to use them. I’m the one who told her to use the class I wanted, too. So basically, it’s all my fault! Sorry for that! Don't get mad, please!”
“You?”
“Yeah. She was against it at first, but I begged and begged.”
“Then I suppose there won’t be an issue if you stay away from her from now on?”
“What? No, that’s not fair! It was my choice to be a sword dancer, anyway!” Akira turned sharply toward Arima. “Arima, please! Don’t tell Daddy and the family about this! And it’s not Ren’s fault, either, so don't do anything crazy!”
“Milady, listen—”
“Please! Just this once! If you don’t, then...”
“Erm, yes?”
“I’ll... I'll do whatever I can to get you fired!”
Incredibly, she invoked her power over him! I had to wonder about how ethical this was, but Akira was very serious. She stared him down, as if daring him to defy her.
“Milady... Ahahaha. Hahahaha!” Arima burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?! I’m serious!”
“Ahaha, nothing, I’m sorry. You’re normally so passive when it comes to family matters, so I thought you were just trying to avoid dealing with them. But for you to go so far, to use your family’s power to try to keep my lips sealed, you must have really come to love this establishment.” He seemed happy; he must’ve been worried about Akira in his own way.
“Yes! I have more fun here than anywhere else, so I want to stay!”
“I always thought you so despondent at home, like a caged bird. But here, you’re so very lively and excited. It’s wonderful, honestly.” He sighed. “Very well, your secret is safe with me. But this is my own arbitrary decision, so do not expect others to do the same. Be careful.”
“Thanks, man!”
Arima looked at me. “I imagine she’s this outgoing because of your presence. I could tell as much from watching. Therefore, allow me to offer my thanks. But don't make her wear such embarrassing outfits, please.”
“Uh, okay.”
And with that, it seemed Akira’s family situation would be okay after all. We could live happily ever after!
A closing ceremony was held, putting an end to this competitive guild mission and the parentally supervised battle royale.
It had been one heck of a day.
Just before the forced logout time of 10:00 PM, I relaxed on the balcony of the guild house and gazed at the sky.
“Man, so much happened today. I’m beat.”
“Good work out there, Ren.”
I heard a voice from behind me. Upon turning around, I saw Akira standing there with a radiant smile.
“Oh, hey, Akira. I figured you’d logged out by now.”
“I did. But I figured you were still here, so I came back.” She sidled up next to me. “Thanks for earlier. I’m really happy you covered for me.”
“Nah. It was you who made it work, anyway.”
“I did have to force it, though... but at least Arima has some sympathy. That wouldn't have worked with Daddy. Besides, I bet the only reason Arima listened to me was because of you.”
“Huh? Think so?”
“Yeah! He saw us having so much fun and decided it would be too sad to put an end to it. And, well, the reason it’s so fun is because you’re here. That’s why I’m so thankful to you.”
“Hey, no prob! But I gotta say the same to you. I can only have this much fun because you’re here, Akira.”
“Then let’s keep going on adventures together!”
“Yeah!”
We exchanged another high-five.
“We really should think about a way to deal with the sword dancer gear, though. I never thought it’d be that big of a deal.”
“Yep. But we'll figure it out.”
Instead of pulling her hand away from mine, she gave it a squeeze. My heart skipped a beat at the sensation.
“Uh... What's up?”
“Hm? It’s fine, isn’t it? We're gonna get kicked off soon, so let’s just stay like this until then.”
The two of us held hands until the clock struck ten.