The morning in Aethelburg felt fresh and clean. The air was cool and made everything seem sharper. Merchants were already yelling about their stuff in the town square, you could hear blacksmiths hammering away, and there was this weird magical feeling in the air that you could almost taste.
For Null, this still blew his mind. Oblivion Online wasn't just some regular game. The sun actually felt warm on his skin, he could smell dirt and metal, and his sword had real weight when he moved. This place felt more real than his stupid hospital room sometimes. Back then he thought everyone might as well be a simulation
Stella walked beside him in her smaller form, wings folded, tail swaying gently. Even trying to be low-key, she still turned heads everywhere. I mean, come on it's a freaking dragon. People can't help but stare. Who else got something like this so early on in the game. Well some people did get lucky on lottery draws but even if they won something strong most likely they couldnt use it until they leveled up to the required level.
Null ignored the looks. He had stuff to do. He needed to get stronger, faster, better.
Not by spending money like some players but by actually earning it.
The Swordsman Training Hall was right in the middle of town, this fancy building with shiny stone towers. Inside it was quiet—weapons on the walls, old scrolls behind glass, and two glowing stands with stone tablets covered in weird symbols. Everything looks in place.
One teacher stood guard, an older guy with white hair and sharp eyes. "Here for skill training?" he asked, sounding bored.
Null nodded. "Yeah, what can I learn as a swordsman?"
The teacher pointed at the two tablets. "Start with the basics. [Whirlwind Slash] and [Charge]. Most people take hours to figure these out."
Null didn't waste time.
He put his hand on the first tablet—and immediately felt his Null-Command trait kick in. It was like his brain downloaded the information instantly. The symbols flashed once, then went dark.
[Skill Learned: Whirlwind Slash]
The teacher's eyes went wide. "That... that was way too fast."
Null just shrugged. "Guess it clicked for me." Sike this is where my cheat like trait comes in. While some people are happy with their C tier trait of having Strength or Speed boost which is combat focused. I walk around like I own the game.
Before the guy could say anything else, Null touched the second tablet. Same thing happened—power surged through him, and bam, another skill learned.
[Skill Learned: Charge]
The room got real quiet.
The teacher stared at him. "You learned both? Just like that?"
Null gave a small smile. "I'm a quick study, I guess."
He turned and walked out before the teacher could ask more questions. Stella followed quietly, her scales still glowing a little from whatever just happened.
Outside, the town was going crazy. Players everywhere, buying and selling stuff. A huge floating screen showed the money exchange rates:
Exchange Rate: 1 USD = 2 Copper Coins
Null stared at it, his jaw tightening.
"Even in a game," he muttered, "rich people still win."
He watched players lining up at payment stations, showing off their fancy bought gear—glowing armor, cool mounts, expensive potions. All bought with real cash.
"Everyone trying to buy their way to the top," Null said to himself. "But not me."
He closed the menu. "I don't have much now... but I will. If I keep grinding, I can make enough for my treatments, for my parents, for everything." I will make sure to live my life to the fullest. Nothing can stop me now.
Stella made a soft chirping noise beside him, looking up at him.
Null reached down and patted her scales. "Yeah, I know. One thing at a time."
He walked away from the crowded town, following a dirt path toward the river. The air got cooler near the water, smelling like wet earth and flowers. The area opened up into this peaceful countryside—green hills, big trees, sunlight sparkling on the river.
Then he saw it.
A small cabin sat by the river, with a garden full of colorful plants everywhere. Herbs, flowers, vines crawling all over a wooden fence. It looked way too calm for this game.
Null walked closer quietly.
In the garden, a kid who looked a bit younger than him was practicing with a training sword. But this wasn't just some random swinging—his moves were smooth and precise, like he'd been training for years.
An old man in dark robes stood watching him. The guy stood perfectly straight and had this aura of importance around him.
Null stopped at the fence. The old man looked over at him, eyes sharp and checking him out. Then his eyes moved to Stella.
For just a second, he looked surprised, but then his face went back to neutral.
"You carry something ancient with you," the old man said, his voice low. "That's... unusual."
Null nodded slightly. "Didn't mean to bother you. Just passing by."
The kid put his sword down, looking excited. "Wait you're that guy! The one who got the dragon egg everyones talking about!"
Null raised an eyebrow. "Word gets around, huh?"
The kid grinned. "Everyone's talking about it. But I didn't think it would actually hatch!"
Stella flicked her tail, looking proud.
Null chuckled. "She's full of surprises."
The kid walked closer, wiping sweat off his forehead. "I'm Astro," he said, holding out his hand.
Null shook it. "Null."
Astro's handshake was firm and confident. He looked maybe sixteen, but there was something different about him—like there was power hiding under the surface.
"Your sword work is good," Null said. "Not like the basic stuff they teach in town."
The old man answered instead. "That's because it's not basic training. He's not learning techniques—he's awakening what's in his blood."
Null looked between them. "A special bloodline thing?"
Astro smiled a little. "Something like that. My family sent me out here—away from the big cities—to train quietly. I'm supposed to 'awaken' before I go back."
Null nodded slowly. "So that's why you're out here in the middle of nowhere."
The old man gave a short nod. "Exactly. I make sure he grows without distractions."
Null's mouth curved into a slight smile. "Then me being here is probably a distraction."
"Exactly."
Astro tilted his head. "You came here for a reason, right?"
Null thought for a second, then smiled. "Wanted to see what real talent looks like, I guess."
Astro laughed. "You think just because you have a dragon, you can take me?"
Null smirked. "Sounds like you're the one making assumptions."
Before Astro could answer, the old man stepped forward, voice sharp. "No. You will not fight."
Astro frowned. "Master, I can handle this—"
"You're not ready," the old man said firmly. "Your bloodline isn't awake yet. Fighting now could ruin everything."
Null crossed his arms. "He seems pretty confident to me. Or maybe his teacher's just scared he'll lose."
Astro froze. "What did you say?"
Null kept his small smile. "If you were really that good, you wouldn't need someone holding you back."
Astro's eyes flashed with anger. "You—"
The old man sighed. "Trying to provoke him is pointless."
Null tilted his head. "Maybe. But pride matters."
Astro's hand tightened on his sword. "You want to test me? Fine. Let's do this."