Chapter 1226 - The Newcomer is in the Far Past
One year is 365 days x 24 hours, which by simple calculation is 8,760 hours.
It has been a little over four years since that principle, which should have been immutable in such a world, was destroyed for humanity alone. For the approximately thirty million players... the users of the ark to the virtual world, [Arcadia], time is currently no longer something bound by the usual number of 8,760.
—And so, whether I should say at last, or in the blink of an eye.
Having crossed the line of my first anniversary since my virtual world debut a short while ago, honestly, when it comes to my perceived time, it is not a matter of a single year. Not at all.
The time that flows in the virtual world runs at a speed fifty percent faster compared to the real world.
In other words, one hour in the real world becomes one and a half hours in the virtual world... and even if someone strictly adheres to an ascetic-like commandment such as one hour of gaming per day, compared to a non-player, with +365 days x 30 minutes, their additional perceived time is over 180 hours per year.
That is to say, they calculate to be spending more than a week's worth of longer time.
In other words, if it is a person who casually plays for over a dozen hours a day—that is the story. If you also combine the fact that the days spent in the virtual world are chaotic in various senses compared to reality, there are probably not a few who feel the density of everything to be, without exaggeration, more than double.
I am the same. Far from double, frankly, my memories and recollections are such a massive flood that I doubt reality to the extent of thinking, "Hasn't it actually been several years already???"
Therefore, no matter what I look at or from what angle, I cannot call it "just one year". Having lived and run through such a time different from others... —the present I have arrived at.
And the other me who arrived thus.
From Haru Kasuga (Haruka Nozomi) of the real world, to [Haru] of the virtual world.
Receiving and bearing the name of [Acrobat], and soaring further to [Crown].
Having gone through a 'one year' that was by no means short. While it is embarrassing, I, who like my current self quite a bit, look back on the past where I dashed forward with legs literally faster than anyone else...
Taking all the prefaces and facts into account, I still declare what must be declared.
No, even so, that journey should have taken several years—
"Can I put it bluntly?"
"Yes!!! Please do!!!!!"
"Two points."
"Out of how many points total?!"
"Two points out of a hundred."
"That's bluntly harsh, gah!!!!!"
Saying such things... now, having ended up in a position where I am adored by countless people as it should be, and have an overwhelmingly large admiration directed at me.
While delivering a pompous evaluation with a cool, nonchalant face to a lively, presumably older man who claims to be my absolute biggest fan, I, whose stomach is aching slightly, think what must be thought.
As I thought, I'm really not suited to standing above others—
—Thus, the time is early April. The world is virtual, and the place is the inverted land of the sky.
Namely, at the venue of [Starry Paradise], Alvnikro, Mirror Sky Realm, during the regular event of the first half of even-numbered months, which is now familiarly known as the vacation event.
As for what I am doing... that goes without saying.
"First, you shouldn't force yourself to switch so much. It's only creating openings."
"But doesn't switching rapidly, even if forced, put on more pressure?"
"Right now, rather than snappy, it's more like messy."
"Meaning?"
"From my (enemy) perspective, it just looked like you were getting confused all on your own..."
"You're gouging me deep. Give me more."
"It's so disastrous that you'd honestly be better off bare-handed."
"Harsh!!!!!"
The first day's recreation, which before I knew it had turned into a regular event within the regular event.
Right in the middle of conducting what should be conducted for the Fistfight Acrobat (Meet-and-Greet Clown) corner, a meet-and-greet social gathering with invited guests that apparently has immense demand, much to my embarrassment... or rather,
this is the flow of me mercilessly yet sincerely beating up those who wish to spar, wielding what is apparently called the 'True [Acrobat] Build' that has exploded in popularity with the implementation of Extense.
...Really, if the me from a year ago saw the current me, he would have pointed and laughed.
After laughing, he would have probably gone to sleep with a blank mind to forget the hallucination, completely repulsed while thinking, "Are you some kind of approval-seeking monster with a twisted desire to rise in the world? What happened to me, what went wrong..."
I feel sorry for the past me, but I would like him to give up and accept reality (the present).
"However, your main weapon (lance) and sub-weapon (stiletto) were utilized to some extent. ...Though it's precisely because they were utilized that the gap makes everything else feel like nothing but a downgrade, so you have no choice but to use them all thoroughly and get used to them. Or so I thought."
"I barely managed to do anything, so how did you figure out my main and sub? Scary..."
"Well, I can generally tell just by looking at your grip. I think neither the lance's charge nor the stiletto's surprise attack aiming for the legs was a bad choice of technique for the situation—"
"Why did you even crush my telegraphing movements and still see through my choice of skills? Scary..."
"That's intuition. —Overall evaluation, it's two points for now, but your enthusiasm is a perfect score. Considering your base ability, if you take your time, it will definitely take shape. Please, continue to devote yourself."
"And being nice at the very end is just unfair. —I will devote myself! Thank you very much!!"
For someone who is an introvert at heart, being feted seems like a massive lump of hardship, but even so, it is not as if I cannot find a single shred of joy or fun in it.
If I just behave as if things will work themselves out...
"Now... —Alright, next person, please!"
Since coming to this virtual world (here), a year has passed. Accumulating various encounters, incidents, and experiences.
It's not all bad... because the current me is certainly enjoying himself.
Now then, Chapter Six, Section Four, let's go with high spirits.