First period after lunch was math, usually I wanted to cut class because of how boring the teacher was. Mr Hosler was an older suited man, wiry and with a nasally voice. His dull lessons being repetitive teachings of this equation or that formula. But now I was hoping it would just be an ordinary lesson.
The bell rang once more, shit, I was going to be late. I opened the door to the hall, arm starting to get numb as the bracelet got to work during my trip. The building reshaping to a marble maze. Floor shining and smooth, pillars connecting them to the mausoleum like roof. I recognised it, the Astidian Network? I never managed to come here, but it was one of the main hub zones for spellcasters. The doorways replaced with rifts and portals. I could make out what was through them more often than not.
One leading to a forest grove, moon shining down as a centaur druid teaches his flock besides a lake. A light mist around them, glowing a pale blue as magic starts to spark from the teachers hands.
Another goes to a dingy looking catacombs. Torchlit and damp, an altar at the far end with corpse sprawled across it. Robed onlookers watching, a demon like creature at the front as he gestures to each part of the deceased. Claws starting to dig into the body, dark energy being transferred from creator to createe, as the corpse gasps and springs to life.
That’s right... These portals directly lead you to your classes training grounds. If this is still following the school’s setup, then math should be in the next portal. Though if this is also following the Networks setup, then it should instead be... I count to myself, including what I saw. ‘Nature, Shadow, Summoning.’
I freeze, finally arriving at the portal. Just like I thought, there’s students gathering on the other side for a lesson. A few of them are humans, but most aren’t. Some orcs, a drow, lizardfolk and kobold amongst other creatures. The lot of them organising themselves in a circular plain that looks to be in the aether itself. Mist-like energy obscuring the ground, knee height for most of the average sized students. The energy changing colour as it moves throughout the room, from blue to purple to green to red. Connecting with itself at the classes edges to make a hardlight wall. Rising up far into the sky where bright light shines down upon the students. Each of them taking a seat, chairs forming from the same energy that permeates the room. Teacher finally walking into my sight.
It’s Mr Hosler, but there’s a shimmer over him. The more I look, the more his older appearance shifts significantly. His pecs pressing forward to form two rotund breasts. Hips becoming wider and leading to a round ass. Wrinkles on his skin smoothing out until he’s pale and flawless. Bald scalp suddenly having flowing brown locks, eyes gaining a faint glow to them, and ears pointing to the sides.
The new flawless woman was an obvious nymph to anyone familiar with the game, her garments reforming to be more accurate to her work. A single strapped dress covering her chest, made of an assortment of leaves that extends all the way to her legs. Held around her waste by a cord of leather, the teacher leaning forward to greet the class for their lesson. The front row of humans entirely spaced out and dormant, my bracelet starting to unload new sensations and temptations as I feel a need to join the others at the front.
I stepped inside without a further moment of thought. Just settling in next to the others in the front as I was still seeing the mix of the illusory game and real school. The lesson straight underway as Miss Hosler says something about magic that I can barely understand. I’m too numbed by the bracelet. Only able to focus on the students behind me. A weak kobold that looks like he needs someone to protect him, a burly orc looking for a person to pin down, and a regal drow that gives an aura of superiority. I look to the other students to check them over, but by the time that I’m glancing at the next guy, my vision goes dark.
Miss Hosler has pulled a VR set over my eyes. The games HUD on full display as I’m in the Summoning training hall, and still just my level 15 self. The other students logging in, Miss Hosler going to the back of the class, finger in the air.
“Now find your human and practise your new skill, students.”
Shit. Why did I have to zone out during the class? What did they plan to do? The other humans were still just staring at the wall, easy pickings for the other students. Meanwhile I at least had my senses back, I could maybe pick or at least direct the creature that might be easiest to resist. Though I don’t even know what I’m resisting.
Out of all of the options, it’s the kobold that looks the simplest to overpower. They’re not exactly known for their strength, and this one is no different. Light green scales hidden underneath a black and blue tunic. It’s a one piece garb, the hinges trimmed with silver. The soft cloth accompanied by a few metal strappings that cover his arms and legs. Tail swaying absently and a few horns crowning his head. It’s Starter get up, there’s no guild symbol. I felt confident in my choice, the kobold looking at my approach and offering a wave.
“Oh hello! Did Miss Hosler pair you with me?” I nodded, might as well play along.
“Yeah. She was worried you would be too scared to pick someone.”
“Haha, well that’s nice of her! Guess we should party up and get this started.”
The prompt to party shows on my screen. I agree to it and the kobold appears underneath my own status.
‘Viz’
’Dragon Channeler (73)'
Level 73? I navigated the menus to check his gear, shit he had it all glamoured. There’s no guild under his name at least, but I’ve picked a difficult fight.
“Miss! Can you bind us?”
The teacher walks over, clasping something over my left wrist and doing the same for the kobold. I can tell this isn’t just happening in game, there’s something cold and metallic pressing against my skin. Through VR it looks grand, strands of energy that are binding me to the kobold. We’re locked by this chain, ten feet of magic connecting the two of us as the kobold starts to focus.
“Okay, I’m gonna start turning you into my protector.”
He’s going to turn me into his protector? That’s one of the creatures bound to a summoner. I can’t just let him weave whatever spell he’s casting into me.