Capítulo 8: 8: Managing time [pt2]
The morning classes were hell. Nicolas did not let Olivier go until he had finished all his spreadsheets and re-remembered a lot of useless facts inside his head.
Once his tutoring was done, Olivier had been given even more work to make him catch up with his age mates. It was a hectic time for everyone involved.
But by the end of the day, Olivier was allowed to go back to his room and relax. Olivier managed to fall asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
When he woke up the next day, the sun was already up brightly in the sky.
In his tired state, Olivier had missed a whole day of gaming and gaining exp. It was a big disaster that would come back to bite him later. It would impact his overall exp pool and affect Olivier's chances of getting the exp-boosting necklace.
'Shit, what the hell? Was I worn out by studying all things? This cannot go on. I cannot waste any more time on studying when my exp item is at risk here.'
The thing was, items for boosting exp were not something the game often released. It only happened twice a year and Olivier was lucky one such event was happening right now.
He needed to capitalize on this chance. Otherwise, he will have to wait half a year for such an event to happen.
"I need a plan. I hit lvl 20 so I can participate in this event. But I am still very low-leveled to stomp this competition. I need companions who can carry me until I am high enough level to compete on my own."
Having a team to carry Olivier would also be extremely helpful overall. He will not have to be physically present to gain a lot of passive experience.
But the problem was - how to find these teammates who will carry him?
Olivier remembered that there used to be old forums that one could go to if they wanted help. But it had been years since he last checked those forms.
Once Olivier had hit the 'big leagues' he no longer had a reason to visit those old forums. He was not even sure if they still existed.
The only other choice Olivier had was to call his aquatics and ask them to carry him in the game. But that would be a bad idea for a lot of reasons.
First, he was legally dead, and getting a call from someone dead could spook someone out.
Seconds, even if someone understood what happened to him and did not get spooked, who would Olivier explain what happened to them?
'Well, back to the forums it is then. I will have to dig deep and hope to find something worth looking into.'
That was how Olivier's journey into a new gaming world began. And that was also how he discovered just how many more resources there were in the world for gamers now.
The form he had used a long time ago had been closed for a few years now. But it did have a link to another server site that Olivier dared to open.
And there he met like-minded individuals who did not mind carrying him through the competition.
Especially once they realized he was a young teenager.
Life was alright once more.
...…
Time passed too quickly. Olivier managed to get his exp-boosting necklace but barely. And by the end of the week, the time for Olivier to join a school was fast approaching.
Usually, his timetable did not allow Olivier to spend time with his uncle, aunt, or even Natasha. It was a peaceful time for him until now.
But not that day.
It was the 1st of the month and a Monday to boost. It was a combination of the worst possible time for a student like Olivier's current self. He had woken up at the crack of dawn once more after sleeping for a short time.
But something was different about today.
Today, his aunt and uncle, as well as Natasha were at the dining table. Their presence made Olivier want to turn back and go back to his game.
"Olivier, come and sit down. I hope your stay has been comfortable thus far in our home. Now, we talked with your instructor Nicolas, and he agrees that it is time to send you to school."
Olivier's heart dropped as soon as he heard those words. He did not want to waste his time in school when he could be improving his gaming.
The people Olivier had been gaming with recently had been impressed with his skills. As such, they had helped Olivier register himself under their local team and play in a match. The first prize was money as well.
Olivier did not need to go to school to earn money when he could just be playing games.
"Now, I do not care if you are like your father or not. You might be good at games and it might be becoming a profitable business. But it is far below the dignity of our family. If you want to keep your PC, then you better follow our orders."
Olivier opened his mouth to protest and closed it the very next second. He did not want to have his PC taken away before he had enough funds to buy a new one.
"So, Olivier, are we clear about your future?"
As much as Olivier hated it, he knew he had to fold in front of his uncle and aunt. They had control over his PC time and Olivier could not afford to lose it.
Natasha made a scoffing noise that told Olivier that she was laughing at him without opening her mouth.
"I understand. I will work hard in school to not embarrass you and our family name."
Olivier spoke the words he knew his aunt wanted to hear from his mouth. But his uncle and Natasha had complicated expressions on their faces.
"Olivier, we are doing this for your good. School will open new opportunities for your future and you will also be able to choose what you want to do. Natasha, take Olivier with you today since you are both going the same way."
Olivier did not speak up after that. He could see his aunt's look of disgust as she stared down Olivier. But Olivier did his best to ignore his aunt in this situation.
They both knew they were not going to get along well with each other. So, the best thing to do would be to avoid each other completely.
"Alright kid, finish up your breakfast, and then we can go catch our ride to the school. Mirai said that she would give me a ride to school but I am sure she would not mind having you accompany us."
Natasha sounded confident in her friend and Olivier allowed her to drag him along.
He was not sure why, but the thought of going to school made him nervous. Maybe because Olivier had never liked his old school teacher and classmates. They had never taken his gaming seriously.
'I guess it's time to repeat the same cycle over and over again.'
Natasha threw a small bag school bag toward Olivier she had been carrying by her side for some time now. Olivier only noticed it once it was in his hand.
"It has your course books and other important documents. Show your school ID at the front desk and a helper will get to you eventually."
Olivier nodded with a calm face and followed his cousin.
Outside the door, Mirai was already waiting for them to arrive. The older girl was currently busy with her phone but she looked up as soon as she noticed the sound of footsteps.
"You took your sweet time coming out, Natasha. And who is that? The cousin you mentioned before? Now that I look at him, I think I have seen you before."'
Mirai looked Olivier up and down with curious eyes. She was unable to recognize Olivier despite having seen him before.
It was rather tragic but Olivier did not hold it against her. He was also someone who had trouble remembering physical features.
You could show him a face thirty times but Olivier would not remember it for the next time until it was important to him.
So naturally, when Mirai did not recognize him, Olivier did not hold it against her. Even if it did annoy him a little note to get recognized by Mirai.
"Mirai, you have seen Olivier before. Do you remember the gaming session a week ago? The one where you tried to make me learn Echoes? He was there and he played with you as well."
Natasha sounded a lot more annoyed than Olivier felt.
Mirai's face was a mix of embarrassment and something Olivier could not recognize. But in the end, he decided not to egg her on and continue with his business.
"Ah yes, I do remember now. Sorry kid, but adult life is too busy. I will try to remember you for the next time."
Mirai brushed everything off with an easy shrug off her shoulder. Olivier was sure he heard Natasha say, 'adult life, as if. We are 17, not 70.'
The car ride was mostly silent after that and the school arrived sooner than Olivier expected. It hardly took any time for the car to reach the massive building.
Looking at the school Olivier had been enrolled in one thing was clear. This was a private school because the government would never be able to afford such an infrastructure.
"Let us go in kid. I will drop you at the front desk and you can follow their instructions from there."
Natasha took hold of Olivier's wrist and dragged him after her. Mirai waved her hand in the universal manner that said 'bye' and went away.
Olivier tried to pay attention to where he was going, but it was difficult to do when one was getting dragged.
A lot of people stopped to stare at Olivier and Natasha. But Natasha was unphased as she kept on moving in a certain direction.
Finally, they reached the front desk and Natasha rang the bell.
Olivier's eyes took in the oldest lady he had ever seen in his life. The desk lady looked to be well in her late 90s with her skin sagging over her bones.
It was a miracle how such an old person was even alive and walking.
"Miss Clair, are you the one on duty today? That is unfortunate but expected, I guess. Olivier, I am sorry but you will have to take over from here."
Natasha looked to be in a hurry suddenly. Olivier could not help but feel like there was a story behind Natasha and this 'old lady Clair.'
But before he could ask Natasha any more about what happened, she was fleeing away from the front desk with an unimaginable speed.
It left Olivier looking at a pair of sharp eyes and his heart skipped a beat.
Old Lady Clair might look old, but the look in her eyes was anything but sharp and alert. The way she looked at Olivier made it seem like he would be eaten alive.
Olivier gulped and took a step toward the old woman who was here to help him out. He was sure nothing would go wrong.
"E-Excuse me. I was told that I needed to submit my papers here and you will help me out?"
Olivier stuttered and he was surprised as well. For someone who had faced multiple challenges and intimidating situations, this old lady should have been nothing.
Olivier should not be feeling half as fearful as he was feeling right now.
But there was something about that sharp stare that was making Olivier lose his confidence. He could not look away from that harsh gaze looking his way.
Finally, after what seemed like a century, the old lady blinked and the spell that had been cast on Olivier seemed to be broken. He was able to move again and he quickly brought his papers out.
If Miss Clair made Natasha feel half as terrified and uncomfortable as she had made Olivier feel, then he could understand why Natasha had run away so fast.
"Alright, dear. Give your papers here and I will check them out."
The old voice was weak but clear. And somehow, it sent shivers down Olivier's back.
Presentes
-- Presente
recebido Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder