( Meanwhile Cervantez )
Cervantez also received important insights from his class specific information pack, the 'Magic Swordsman Pack', giving him critical insights into how he could become a 'Grand Master' of his profession.
However, what Cervantez found more interesting than the information packs themselves was how the aliens had finally started to show their real intentions.
"I wasn't a ranker in my past life, so I never knew that the aliens started to show their hand so early into the game.
I thought all these events only happened after the third evaluation, 2 years into the game, but apparently the information reached the top 1% faster than the rest…" Cervantez said to himself, as he connected many dots from his past life that he had missed previously because he wasn't a ranker back then.
"In my past life there were many theories on why everyone was given a specific class from the start, or why the path to becoming a 'master' in your profession was so hard.
But I think I get it now….
I see the whole picture now, unlike my past life where I made wild assumptions based off bits and pieces" Cervantez said, feeling enlightened as something within his head seemed to just click after he had received this information pack from the aliens.
"The price of migrating to a new planet….. President Verma, do you already know about this?" Cervantez wondered, as he resolved to test his theory by meeting the president soon and asking her directly about it.
"If my theory is correct, then this president is not the savior of humanity, but rather a glorified slave owner who has sold our futures to an alien race, in hopes of survival" Cervantez said mirthlessly as he hoped that his assumption about the president was wrong, as he did not wish to be proven right on this issue.
***********
( A few hours later, The Real World )
As Luke and Leo logged out of the game, they found Amanda waiting for the two, with a concerned frown on her face.
"Hey bab–, Amanda" Leo said, correcting his choice of words at the last possible second when he noticed that his brother was around too.
"Hey…. Before we talk about anything else, tell me why both of you have suddenly gained so many levels, the Global Forums are becoming kind of wild with theories" Amanda said, sounding worried, as Leo immediately began telling her about the 'Rankers Only Invitation Event' truthfully.
Amanda listened to the whole story with great interest, before letting out a deep sigh, as while she was happy for the gains that Leo and Luke had made, she felt worried for the fallout that it had brought.
"So, in-case the two of you have forgotten, let me remind you that the second evaluation is less than 2 days away.
And that means, tomorrow is the Ship-Wide holiday to celebrate New year's eve" Amanda said, as she reminded Luke and Leo about the small line written within their rule book that they had received in their welcome kits.
"New year's eve?" Luke asked, sounding confused, as he seemed to have completely forgotten about this event.
"Remember when we first boarded the ship, there was a line written within the rule book that said crossing between the sectors was not allowed for 363/365 days, but was allowed on 2 special days??
2 days where even the dress code was not mandatory and nobody had to report to work?" Amanda said, as when she put it this way, Luke was reminded of how there was indeed this clause written somewhere within the rule book.
"So that day is tomorrow?" Luke asked innocently, as Amanda nodded her head in affirmation.
"In the entire year, we only get two holidays, which are the new years eve and the new years.
During these two days, the canteen of even Sector E will serve luxurious food and there will be a celebratory atmosphere with no-one being forced to report to work.
For two days only, we will be allowed to wear the clothes that we carried from Earth outside our apartments and not be forced to wear the red overalls of Sector D.
However, while this sounds like a once in a year celebration, I don't think the three of us will be able to enjoy this year's event at all" Amanda said, as she alternated her gaze between Luke and Leo before continuing.
"The mafia mob of Sector E has issued a hit order on the top rankers during these two celebratory days, with 'Leo Skyshard' being their top priority.
The sudden increase in your levels has sparked outrage on the servers, and many people want to take justice into their own hands.
For our safety, I suggest we stay in our apartment during this event," Amanda said, as Leo felt slightly awkward upon hearing this.
Technically, he had done nothing wrong and felt no guilt for gaining 112 levels in the event while the average player struggled to gain a single level each day.
He had earned this opportunity through his own efforts and wasn't given it out of favoritism, and hence he did not feel like he owed an apology to anyone for the same.
Nonetheless, he acknowledged the security threat posed by an angry mob and hence agreed with Amanda's suggestion to stay at home, as although he felt slightly sad about missing the opportunity to travel through the ship aimlessly on a date with Amanda during the festivities, he understood that it was necessary for their safety.
"Well, festivals are best enjoyed with family and while I'm not really thrilled about having to stay back within our apartment while everyone else has the time of their lives outside, I would much rather spend the next two days alongside the two of you, than sneaking out anonymously" Luke said shrugging his shoulders as he came to terms with their current situation quite easily.
—-----
/// A/N - Chapter 3/3 for the day, my apologies for it being late. ///