Conquering The Game's World

Luis was stunned, his eyes widening in astonishment at the mention of the "Norwish Mafia" and "Nick Adams".

'Had they already been working together?' As soon as he thought of that. His mind raced, remembering all the plots related to the Norwish Mafia and the Dark Magician, connecting the dots as he processed the revelation.

'The game had never explicitly detailed the origins of the collaboration between the Dark Magician and Nick Adams. It just stated that they collaborated for the sake of interest. Now it seems they have been working together long before their plot started.'

In the game story, the Dark Magician had worked with several criminal organizations and was very secretive. At the time when Alex and his friends confronted him, the Norwish Mafia was his most useful tool.

'Well, this is also good news. Since he is already working with them, his movements and the individuals he interacts with, to some extent, should be like the game's plot. This will make it a little less difficult to locate him.'

With a contemplative expression on his face, he asked.

"Lily, can you find me the information of all the people Nick Adams has been in contact with?"

{Over the past few months, he has made only a few public appearances. So, it's difficult to track him.}

"Figures…" Luis said with a sigh, but it did not discourage him. Because he had another way to find Nick Adams, or to be more precise, he knew of an individual who could lead him to Nick, and then to the Dark Magician. That person is none other than Nick Adam's daughter, Nora Adams.

"Search for a person named Nora Adams and start tracking her."

{Got it, Master.}

Nora Adams can be called a sub-heroine-level character if measured by her beauty. However, she wasn't one. Her fate in the story made her one of the most unfortunate characters with miserable endings.

When Luis thought of Nora's plot, a deep frown etched on his face, and then a moment later, he sighed. 'If I have the opportunity and she hasn't been broken yet… I'll try to save her.'

After giving a few more instructions to Lily. Luis continued with his run, shaking other thoughts out of his mind.

***

Olav Norris, a second-year student at the Oracle Academy, was on his usual morning run. When he came across another student who was in a similar tracksuit, running with a scarf around his neck.

'Is that a first year? He seems somewhat familiar.' Olav thought as he observed that first year's face until he disappeared from his vision because Olav was too fast and had left him behind.

'Oh, I remember! Isn't he the guy who went on a date with that beautiful girl a few days ago? Tsk, wasting his youth on a girl.' Olav snorted with displeasure.

When Olav completed another round of the Academy City with his fast speed. He caught up with that first-year student once again.

'Huh? Did he only reach here by now? No, maybe he took a rest somewhere.' Olav shook his head, not thinking much about him, and made another lap.

However, this time, the same thing happened. For the time it took Olav to complete a lap around the Academy City, that first year only covered a quarter of it. So, Olav slowed down his pace to observe him and the more he watched, the deeper his frown became.

'What's with his speed and why is he already this exhausted?'

'The day has just started. If he has so little stamina that he is tired from a simple run, how is he going to cope when the practical lessons for the first-year students start?'

As he observed the 'weak student,' in front of him, Olav couldn't help but wonder, 'How the hell did he even pass the entrance exam? Is his luck so good that he didn't encounter any enemies?'

The more he thought about it, the more likely he felt it to be the case.

'Well, at least he is working hard. Maybe he wants to change and become stronger. I should cheer him up.'

***

"*Haah*… *Haah*… Ugh, this is… getting difficult." Luis said while panting.

A few minutes ago. He felt confident that he had adapted to running in 5 times gravity, so increasing it to eight times gravity pressure should be no problem. Only after he experienced it himself did he understand the difficulty.

'Maybe I should have waited a few more days before increasing the pressure.'

Although, he thought so in his mind. Luis still didn't decrease the pressure and continued running, taking each step with gritted teeth.

'Should I take a stamina potion? Nah, I should wait until my body can't hold on anymore.'

Luis broke out of his stream of thought as he noticed a presence approaching him. 'Isn't he the guy who was running since earlier what is he coming to me for?'

Olav came near him, and before Luis could ask, he started speaking with a serious expression.

"You are a first-year student, right?"

Luis felt confused, but nodded, nonetheless. "Yes, *Haah*… Who might… *Haah*… you be?"

When Olav saw Luis panting so much, his expression deepened. "I am your senior, Olav Norris. However, let's put the introductions aside. I have something very important to tell you."

Luis was just about to introduce himself, stopped when he heard his words and a slight frown appeared on his face. 'Olav Norris? I don't remember a guy like him. What important thing could it be that he wants to tell me?'

"What is it, senior Olav?" Luis asked, with his expression full of confusion. Because no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't guess Olav's intentions.

Olav's expression was solemn as he patted Luis' shoulder.

"Don't give up! As long as you persist! Not only your stamina, but you can even rank up!"

"Huh?" Luis let out a confused sound.

Olav could see that his words didn't affect him much, so he thought of another way to motivate him.

"You don't have to be confused. I know about you. You have a girlfriend, right? Remember, if you don't improve your stamina, you will never be able to satisfy her. Just think about her and give it your all."

Leaving behind those encouraging words, Olav patted the back of the dumbfounded Luis and continued running.

---

The stunned Luis only reacted after Olav's silhouette disappeared from his sight.

"The heck's wrong with that guy? Stamina? … Oh, right!"

It took Luis a moment to understand what had transpired, and a wry expression appeared on his face.

'My stamina isn't low, dude. I'm just running under eight times gravity.'

Luis shook his head and chuckled in amusement when he remembered his way of motivating him.

'What an interesting senior. Olav Norris, right? Hmm.'

***

After completing his run and recovering using a recovery potion. Luis returned to his flat and saw that Alicia was already up, exercising in the gym. He picked up Ivy from his shoulder and placed her on the floor.

"I'm back!" Luis shouted while gazing at Alicia's curves when she lifted 100 kg weights. That should be 300 kg for her because of the gravity.

"…" Alicia just gave a brief glance at him and, signaling Ivy not to disturb her, she continued lifting the weights.

"I'm back, honey!" Luis said again, while raising his pitch this time to get her attention.

"Don't shout! I heard you the first time." Alicia said in an irritated tone.

"Then you should also respond to me with a warm welcome, right? For example, 'Welcome back, hubby!', or 'Oh, I love you so much!', or 'You must be tired, let's bathe together!'. Something along those lines." Luis said with a cheeky smirk.

Alicia was speechless at his outrageous request. Especially when she heard the latter two examples. However, she didn't give him any reply and just snorted, expressing her displeasure.

This time, her reaction made him a little unexpected. 'Hmm? Why is her mood so bad? Normally, even if she is a little irritated. After my words, she would have blushed and bickered with me like usual. Then after a little teasing from me, her mood should have returned to usual.'

Luis gazed at her for a few seconds, then asked. "… Did something happen after I left?"

Alicia's arms lifting the weights paused and after hesitating for a moment, she sighed and nodded. "Sera came here."

"Sera Dennis?!" When he heard her name, a frown appeared on his face. 'Why did she approach Alicia? She was already acting weird since the entrance exam and now this?'

He had various doubts about her in his heart, but on the surface, he showed a confused frown and asked. "What did she come to you for? Tell me from the start."

Alicia frowned and shook her head. "I don't want to talk about this."

"…" Luis stared at her for a few moments, then stepped closer to her, pulling her into an embrace.