In his past life, Lucas had hesitated to buy the pricey VR headset, joining Ice Studio's gold-grinding crew half a month after launch. He smiled faintly at the memory—there'd been a young apprentice he'd looked out for—but this time, he wouldn't settle for menial labor. With ten years of Forsaken World knowledge, he held the keys to hidden quests, exploitable glitches, raid strategies, and unrivaled combat mastery.
"I'll build the world's strongest guild, make enough money to protect my family, and repay every loyal ally," he vowed. His parents were working on a railway in a remote valley, leaving him $800 in living expenses—just enough for the VR headset. Developers had set up retail points worldwide, including one steps from campus.
Lucas stood at Havenbrook University's cream-colored gates, memories rushing back. This was where he'd first met Mia Reed—freshman year, a campus icon after her portrait went viral. She'd brushed off countless suitors, confiding her troubles only in him. "Where is she now?" he wondered. "Probably settling into her dorm."
Fate intervened at the headset shop. A girl in a flowing white silk gown brushed past him, rubbing her head in frustration. "Ugh, I can't find my dorm again!" Her sweet voice sent a jolt through Lucas. He turned—there she was, Mia, her bright eyes and cascading hair unchanged, her 5'6" frame graceful in the elegant robe.
His eyes stung; he hadn't cried in five years. "Excuse me," he said, his voice steady despite the emotion, "are you looking for the dormitories?"
Mia looked up, her confusion melting into relief. "Are you a student here too?"
"Yeah. Follow me—I'll show you," Lucas said.
They wandered under towering oak trees, the August sun dappling through the leaves. "Did you miss home too?" Mia asked, nodding at his damp cheeks. "First time away from family?"
Lucas blushed, wiping his eyes roughly. "Just got dust in them."
Mia grinned, clearly seeing through the lie. Lucas shook his head—she was just as playful as he remembered.
This time, he'd never let the darkness that destroyed their past touch her.