Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 49: Return Again

It had been a few days since I logged back into <Isekai> and for the first time in a while, I felt relief. I had practically almost fainted in my seat after the midterms. If I hadn't stopped to take a break in <Isekai>, my brain would've likely shut down and my performance in my exams would've been drastically bad. Thankfully, Zac offered me and Damon an ice cream celebration at our usual ice cream parlor. For once, his spending habits were useful, since the parfait I'd ordered was out of this world. Hopefully, after this, I could get the chance to relax and help out Kazuki on his last days of midterms.

However, my thoughts were interrupted as Zac gave a loud sigh and said, "Man! It feels good to get out of those exams and enjoy a large bowl of banana twist sundae with my best friends! I tell you, that the last test was complete torture! I nearly fell asleep back there!"

"Probably because you spent the whole night playing video games and <Isekai> instead of studying," Damon muttered, which Zac glared at him in response.

"Hey, I did study! I just played video games while also reading my textbooks!" Zac protested. "You're just lucky that my parents forbade me to play <Isekai> during midterms or else."

I chuckled when Zac mentioned his parents. When I first met them during our final year in middle school, I could see how strict they were towards him. It made sense since he was usually a slacker most of the time. Also, they were aware of his spending habits, so he had to make sure he didn't spend too much to the point of not having enough money for the bus after school. I can agree that their parenting methods were a bit overboard, but I kind of respect them for it. Besides, they loosened up a bit after meeting my parents, so...

"Speaking of <Isekai>, are you guys planning to do something there now that midterms are over?"

But as I asked this, Zac suddenly let out a gasp and said, "Am I hearing this right? Hayate Palmer, the stoic realist, wants to play <Isekai Online>? Did someone replace you with an alien clone or something?"

I let out a dry chuckle in response to Zac's reaction.

"It's still me, you idiot. It's just that it's been a while since we played together and since I heard that Damon already trained before the exams, I think we should party up and do some quests," I explained as I scratched the back of my head. "There no big reason why though. I just want to relax after so many weeks of studying."

Zac and Damon stared at me. I could tell they were skeptical at what I'd said. But to my surprise, the latter started laughing as he puts his spoon down on the table. "Guess you got a good point there. We've been so focused on acing our exams that I almost forgot why my brother bought the game for me in the first place. Besides, since we've done our best in school, we might as well take the time to get some rest in the game."

"Yeah! But what about your brother? He still has his exams to worry about until tomorrow," Zac recalled, at which I sighed.

"I know. That's why my mom and I have forbidden him to join me tonight unless he wants to spend the whole weekend without the game. School comes first and we don't want him to fluke on the last set of tests tomorrow."

"A bit strict, but understandable. Still, can't you use your role as his [Guardian Player] to block him from the game for a day?"

"I would, but that would be too much for him to handle. It might be better if he controls his temptations by himself. Besides, he can't enter the game without me, so I think it should be fine."

"Good point. It'll be better than hearing you complaining about him crying about not able to play the game all weekend."

"Agreed. But it's still just one more day, so I can assure you that he can endure one last day without <Isekai Online>."