1 Chapter 1.1

September 1, 2031

Ring* Ring* Ring*

I woke up at the sound of my phone alarm ringing. I reach out to the small table beside my bed where I usually put it. It's still too early, I have 2 hours before my class. I turned off the alarm and went back to sleep.

*A couple of minutes later

My phone rang again albeit with a different tune.

"What is it this time." I pondered irritably

Bleary-eyed, I took a look at my phone. I reflexively straightened my back when I saw my mom calling. She's probably checking to see if I'm already awake. If I don't answer this, she will think I'm still asleep and get the scolding of my life the next time we meet.

I answered the call

"Honey, have you already prepared for school? It's your first day at the university and I'm gonna be mad if you're late again." She inquired.

"I-I'm almost done"

Shit, my dry and croaking voice probably gave away that I had just woken up.

"Katherine Katyusha, if you don't get out of your bed this instant, ill halve the allowance I'm sending you." She said in a cold and intimidating voice.

How was she even so sure that I'm lying! She even used my whole name, sending chills down my spine. I instantly hopped out of my bed.

"I'm already awake! Let's not be too hasty mom." I said placatingly

She sighed

"Honestly, you should grow out of your habit of staying up late at night. It's your first day in your college and you would've been late if I didn't wake you up again. I worry about you living alone in that apartment." She said worriedly

"I'm fine now Mom I'm old enough to handle myself. I'm gonna get ready for school now. Bye! Love ya!" I said quickly

I hung up immediately so that she would not transition her call to an hour-long scolding, which in turn would definitely make me late for my first class.

After my morning stretches, I took a quick shower to get my blood running.

Then after drying with a towel, I positioned myself in front of the mirror to get changed into my attire.

In front of me is a 5'⁹ tall black-haired girl. Ocean blue pearls encased in a sharp eye, white skin due to lack of sunlight, marble-like nose, and mature looks with a fit body shape and moderate breasts.

After dressing up in my casual wear and brushing my shoulder-length black hair to look more presentable, I went to the mini kitchen in my apartment and prepared breakfast. Bacon and eggs were the obvious choice, easy to make and satisfying to eat.

I placed the meal I cooked in front of the dining table and called out in a moderately audible voice.

"T.V. on"

The television which was prompted by my voice command turned on. Technology nowadays is more convenient than ever, I thought as I watch. The channel seems to be focused on news and current events. Since I currently don't have anything I want to watch, I ate while listening to the newscaster's voice.

"In other news, the prize pool for the popular VR MMORPG Champions of Andartha's Andartha Cup was revealed. It has yet again surpassed the record for the highest prize pool in a single tournament in the history of e-sports. The current prize pool is a whopping 47 million dollars for the whole tournament!" The newscaster exclaimed.

"They outdid their selves again huh," I murmured

Nowadays, the rising popularity of e-sports made it comparable to normal conventional sports. It is not that unusual to see it being headlined in the news, especially those tournaments with a huge prize pool. Compared to being debated as a 'real' sport back then, it is a major improvement for gaming fans alike.

"But that has nothing to do with me."

After finishing my breakfast, I put the plates and utensils in the sink for me to wash later. I brushed my teeth and did my final preparations before going out the door and pressing the button on the elevator in the hallway. I am currently on the 8th floor of the building so walking down would be quite tiring. After waiting for a while, the elevator opened revealing 4 people riding it. It is a little bit cramped but what can you do, it is a busy morning after all so the majority of people go to work or school this time of the day.

"Excuse me," I said politely as I entered the elevator.

As the elevator door shut, I waited for it to arrive on the ground floor while trying my best not to yawn.

After arriving at the ground floor, I walk briskly to the exit of the high-rise apartment complex passing by the guard who voiced a quick morning greeting (to whom I nodded in acknowledgment), I walk into the underground station just around the corner of the street.

A part of why my parents decided to pick the apartment complex was that it was well-guarded and close to the train station on a crime-free street. They're quite overprotective I know, but every parent who cares for their child's wellbeing is the same.

There are many people in the station due to the rush hour but thankfully it is offset by the fact that there are more than 10 payment terminals. I flashed my phone and it scanned instantly prompting a confirmation in deducting money from my account.

I don't carry any wallets since it has become obsolete nowadays due to the ease of payments using e-wallets. It's also harder to steal your money as it needs confirmation from you.... unless they cut off your finger and brutally torture you to use your voice to bypass security.

Just as I bypass the terminal onto the railway, I hear the bullet train fast approaching. I rode the semi-crowded train while pondering what the first day of my college life has in store for me.