Chapter 23

Mat was sitting at his desk listening to music while reading a textbook article about the Great Lakes for a Geography assignment when he felt a slight tap on his shoulder.

"Oh...Hi!" he said surprised while pulling out his headphones. Next to him was standing his old friend Swen. He was a bit chubby with short snow-white hair and short stature. This was their first conversation in high school even though he was just going to the classroom next door.

"Hi!" he replied obviously feeling awkward.

"Hello!" Thomas also greet him and pulled out his headphones. He then offered Swen his hand.

"Hi, Swen nice to meet you,"

"Thomas, you are Mat's friend?"

"We know each other from elementary school,"

"Cool..."

"What do you need Swen?" Mat asked.

"Well, I was wondering if you know about the Free convention,"

"Isn't that the planet-wide legal propaganda mill for pirates?" Thomas asked confused and Mat laughed.

"It is just for everybody that loves freedom. Anyway, there will be few speakers in the city nearby and my parents told me I cannot go alone. Since this might be something that can help you with getting rid of the planet I thought you might want to come," Swen explained.

"Oh...hmmm, what kind of speakers?"

"There will be some people from Free societies like the Scientology group or the Amish group,"

"No pirates?"

"I wish, but even though there are few surprised guests, I doubt any would be a free pilot,"

"When is this?" Mat asks.

"Next weekend,"

"You really are thinking about this? Can I come with you guys?" Thomas asked.

"Sure, you want to listen to propaganda?"

"Could be fun propaganda, don't they focus on the young man? Maybe they will give me free shit,"

"Oh, they definitely will!" he laughed.

"Give me your WW, let's connect," Thomas asked and Swen flinched.

"What?"

"He is a very private person..." Mat smiled and Swen looked away and raised his arm.

"Do it,"

"So much drama..." Thomas connected and nodded.

"I send you the details and thanks!"

***

Thomas spends the rest of the day talking with his other friends. Mat knew that Thomas was actually pretty popular, but normally he did not just abound him for the whole day. Not even after Mat told him he will not get anything from his planet. It was weirdly confusing for Mat. For once his day was pretty calm and quiet, for another he felt annoyingly alone.

"Can I join you?" Mat looked at the voice and saw a tall slim upper classmate with long dark hair and muscular facial features. Mat was just enjoying lunch and listening to music, he just nodded and quickly turned it off. Meanwhile, the classmate put his trace down.

"I hope I am not a bother, my name is Liam,"

"Hello, Mat,"

"Right, I know… I…"

"You want to talk about the planet?"

"Planet? Oh, right. No…actually, I read one of your articles about the virtual fantasy game Akashird!"

"Ohhh!" Mat said genuinely surprised.

"You still have a copy?"

"Of the demo? I sill have it,"

"Would you be so kind and lend me it? I would love to try it! I will pay! I am a giant fan of it!"

"I cannot sorry, it is locked via my WW credentials,"

"Fuck," Liam barked loudly.

"The game is pretty niche and first in the franchise, why do you even know about it?"

"Well, I read your article. It was bundled with some random news I get about virtual games. It looked interesting!"

"I was not impressed!"

"What a waste!"

"Well I understand that it could be interesting for somebody, but I get enough programing in school so trying to create new spells by using a gimmick like a programing language…"

"Being able to create your own spell based on how you program it sounds so fucking cool though! Normally these games are pretty restricted by the world capacity and such, but scaling the world in a small map of a school just to duel others is so simple and elegant,"

"I get it, I get it. If you want I can send you my footage. Most of it was not used in the article!"

"Oh! I know! You can stream it to my WW and I can watch you play and we can create magic together!"

"Th…That could work," Mat hesitated.

"Oh sorry, I don't want to force you! I will pay you, don't worry!"

"It is fine, just…my WW is being monitored," Mat said in low voice.

"I see, no problem with me,"

"Well then fine, I will check the terms of service and send you a DM," Mat raised his WW and Liam gladly gave him his.

"Also we should be quick, the license is not for forever,"

"Sure!" Liam nodded and finally took the first bite.