My Players Are So Fierce

1215: 411.

Lumina’s Birthday Gift

1215: 411.

Lumina’s Birthday Gift

“Ah…

finally home.”

In a certain airport in the real world, Lumina, clad in a trench coat, trudges through the desolate corridors into the departure hall dragging several suitcases behind her.

She looked somewhat haggard, as the past few days of connecting flights and journeying across half the world had worn her out.

However, her natural beauty still shone through without much effort, and it was just that the escalating pandemic had led to the closure of public facilities like airports, leaving the place mostly deserted, otherwise, her appearance would definitely have attracted a lot of attention.

Although she always joked about being a “country girl,” she actually had a good sense of style,

wearing a gray trench coat lined with a patterned warm shirt, slim-fit jeans paired with high boots, sunglasses, and a mask, her long hair draped over her shoulders swaying with each step forward, exuding a cool aura.

In the empty airport, it was just them, the students returning from abroad, and the embassy staff coordinating the situation.

They couldn’t go straight home; instead, they had to stay in a hotel arranged for a month of quarantine, a situation that would have normally been frustrating, but everyone understood the severity of the circumstance and waited quietly for instructions.

Lumina had first called home to reassure her worried parents and grandparents that she had safely returned to the country, then she texted “Lady Shui,” Little Wei Ming, and Orchid along with Pomegranate to update them on her travel status.

They agreed to meet in an hour in Transylvania; once all was set, Lumina boarded the shuttle bus to the quarantine hotel.

She looked through the window at the empty streets, the city where she had grown up was never this quiet before—it felt as though the entire city had gone to sleep.

This was the first week of the lockdown policy, with the pandemic’s impact spreading worldwide, and initially, many had thought this was just another ordinary infection…

Things were changing too quickly, making a “promising youth” like Lumina feel somewhat overwhelmed.

Yet stepping back onto this familiar land brought a sense of deep tranquility from within.

She observed the somewhat unkempt roadside greenery out of the window, spotting a few brightly colored flowers that seemed out of place as if each was preoccupied with its own thoughts, blooming in different seasons.

“Finally back.”

Lumina leaned back in her seat, took a deep breath and whispered to herself before feeling around for the bag beside her—the hard helmet inside provided another layer of comfort.

“Sis, you seem to have been wearing that helmet a lot these days…”

A girl about Lumina’s age, sitting next to her, curiously asked through her mask,

“Is that some kind of sleep device?

The quality of your sleep seems really good whenever you wear it, what brand is it?

I’ve had trouble sleeping since I was young.”

“Uh, this isn’t a sleep device, it’s hard to explain,” Lumina hesitated,

“You might think of it as some sort of VR glasses.

Though they also have insomnia treating capabilities, they aren’t sold commercially yet; you could fill out an application if you need them.”

Saying this, she sent over the link to the game application.

The round-faced girl was initially intrigued, but after carefully reading the link and seeing the lengthy 99-step application process, her expression turned into one of embarrassment.

Lumina could definitely sense that the other woman was looking at her as if she was either a con artist or a marginal figure in society obsessed with gaming.

She shrugged helplessly and turned away.

During this time, she had tried to promote “Real Different World” to the people around her, but not everyone was interested in it.

After all, the technology it represented was unfamiliar territory for humanity, and any rational person would conclude that even if such tech existed, the powers that be wouldn’t just make a game out of it.

Maybe in the eyes of others, it was the “game freaks” like herself who were the odd ones.

“The day after tomorrow is my birthday, oh, this is going to be the first birthday I spend alone since I was little.”

Lumina pondered whether to treat herself to a good meal, but then remembering her terrible cooking skills, she gave up the idea.

She’s a grown-up now, capable of dealing with life’s disappointments without tearing up over a missed cake.

An hour later, in her isolation room, after a refreshing bath and devouring the lunch brought to her door, a relaxed Lumina comfortably lay on her bed, picked up the beloved helmet, and fitted it onto her head.

Hey, let the real-life troubles go to hell!

“Real Different World,” activate!

With a shimmer of light, Lumina·Sun Stain, Bard, Forest Ranger, and Alchemist, emerged from a tent just outside the city of Transylvania.

She stretched and hopped in place, eager to contact her sisters and start the busy day, but just as she activated the Calculating Pearl, she received a unique message:

[With your selfless assistance, Lady Triss has completed her first attempt in the field of ‘Otherworldly Alchemy Skill.’ This is a transmission of knowledge and a collision of wisdom.

In honor of the creation of that outstanding artifact, Lady Triss has decided to gift you something.

Please proceed to the Spiritual Energy Chamber No.

4 in Blood Vulture Corridor to collect your reward.]