Class Code: ERROR

Chapter 21.1: Before Nine O'clock

"Seryoso ba siya?!" Ranzou asked as his voice pitch rises. "Lintik na 'yan! Gusto ba niyang mamatay tayo sa oras na maubusan tayo ng HP sa sinasabi niyang duel arena tournament?"

"Baka akala niya'y nasa loob talaga tayo ng isang virtual world game gaya ng mga napanood nating anime," pakamot namang wika ni Emerson.

"Hold a minute Ranzou," Althea said while trying to make him calm. "Kailangan na muna nating pakinggan ang lahat ng detalye upang malaman natin ang nilalaman ng event na 'yan."

Huminga nang malalim si Ranzou at napatingin sa amin.

"Mukhang ganoon na nga," he smiled weakly.

Kahit sabihin pa nilang sinuri ng mga tech experts namin ang systems, nagdadalawang-isip pa rin akong maniwala. Avicta is a tricky AI just like in mama's story and we don't know what would be her next move after trapping us in the virtual world. Kahit ngayon ay gusto ko ring i-contact si Prof. Leizuko tungkol sa kalagayang ito lalo na sa supercomputer ng Sirius Tech.

Sa madaling salita, huwag magpakampante.

Habang nagkakaroon sila ng iba't ibang komento sa mga naririnig namin ngayon, nagpahayag naman ang host sa magiging mechanics ng game. I squinted my eyes as I gather every single detail of his announcement.

"Here's the mechanics: It's still similar to the online game you're playing in the real world, but this time we will having the vibes of Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game or VRMMORPG. This game, we will be having the usual elimination round, quarterfinals, semi-final round, and last round for the championship. There will be eight students whose going to compete in the duel, representing the different college departments."

The host paused for a moment and opened the faculty window. Using his left hand, he extended the width of the window to let everyone see what will happen in the duel.

"Ewan ko lang, pero sa totoo lang isang malaking kalokohan ang tournament na ito," wika naman ni Althea sa gilid. Naningkit din ang kaniyang mga mata habang nakatingin sa pinalaking view ng window.

"Sinabi mo pa, Althea," I said, crossing my arms and sighed heavily.

Just then, the host continues to explain about the said surprise event.

"Each round, there will be two participants to be eliminated until the only last two left fighting for championship. Whoever becomes the champion, the college department he or she's in will be given a box containing hundreds of healing serum, additional 15,000 cedmit, and most of all, a participant will guarantee the weapon upgrade; The second placer will grant a box with fifty healing serum and 10,000 cedmit; and the third placer will get twenty-five pieces of healing serum and 5,000 cedmit. Don't worry for those who didn't win dahil may matatanggap kayong tig-sampung piraso ng healing serum at 3,000 cedmit as consolation prize. So now, the randomizer picked eight lucky participants to join this special event. And here are the names!"

Masama talaga ang pakiramdam ko sa sinasabing randomizer. Malaki ang tiyansang mahahagip ka rin nila o mas malala pa'y gagamitin nila ang virtual identity mo at i-scan nila upang isali ka sa ganitong tournament. Huwag naman sana. Baka may makita silang kakaiba sa'kin at tiyak na hahabulin ako ng taong bayan sa autographs at death threats.

Pakiramdam ko rin ay nakapunta na sila sa Avillerius. Healing serum pa lang tunog Avillerius na eh.

Yes the prizes are great, but how about when someone loses its health parameters during the battle? Sa mga sinasabi niya, sa totoo lang mahirap pa ring paniwalaan kahit tech experts na ang sumusuri.