Tea With Daphne's Parents: They Haven't Changed

The next day, Loki and Daphne were down in the VR combat system room. It was already filled with other students, and they had barely managed to snag the last two spots. Loki's Xp was now 30/1200 Xp, and he hoped to up it even faster through the VR fighting.

"We need to enter 5 credits for an hour," Daphne said, scanning her watch. "Would you like me to pay for you? My parents sent me my monthly credits."

"It's okay, really," Loki tried to refuse. "And your parents sent you credits? Why?"

"I'm alive now, so we our agreement is back on," Daphne ignored Loki's protest, leaning over and scanning her wristwatch and paying the 5 credits for Loki. "After an hour, if you still want to play, I'll be happy to pay more. Anyways, I'll probably be spectating you."

Loki didn't answer as the the system turned on.

{Hello, UltimateSystem. Would you like to start the game?}

"Yes please. I would like a random battle with any Level 1."

{Are you sure? You're already Level 2}

"Yes. I want to have an easier to fight."

{Random Battle being assigned: Player found}

{UltimateSystem will be going up against G.E.M}

Loki materialized in an arena where another girl was standing. Loki had already changed his outfit so that no one could see his face. He noticed that Daphne was in the stands, spectating them.

"Why does a Level 2 wants to fight a Level 1? Looking for an easy fight? I won't go down that easy," G.E.M cracked her knuckles. "I'm choosing to fight barehanded."

Loki chose a pair of speed boots that would boost his speed as his combat booster, deciding on using a simple dagger.

{Ready? 3...2...1... Begin!}

Loki quickly ran towards G.E.M., the boots allowing him to land a strike before G.E.M could dodge.

G.E.M gave a small snarl, throwing out a punch that Loki easily avoided, thanks to the boots. He twisted around and stabbed G.E.M in the chest with his dagger, quickly ending the match.

"Urgh... That hurt," G.E.M muttered, clutching her chest on the ground. Loki ignored her, watching his Xp go up.

[Secret Combat Quest Completed: +20 Xp]

[50/1200 Xp]

"Nice one!" Daphne called from the stands. As Loki turned to her, the combat system informed him of a battler request.

{Pro_Gamer challenges UltimateSystem to a battle}

"Accept battle request," Loki said, appearing in another arena with Pro_Gamer waiting.

"Seems, like you've leveled up," she grinned. "Can't wait to beat you and level up myself." A bow and a quiver of arrows materialized next to her.

"You sure about that?" Loki challenged, picking the same pair of boots as his combat booster. "I'm going with a sword."

{Ready? 3...2...1... Begin!}

Loki quickly took of running at her. Pro_Gamer managed to keep him at a distance, shooting arrows at him, but he easily dodged as he closed the distance between them. Once he was close range, Pro_Gamer gave a small huff of annoyance and pulled an arrow out of the quiver, trying to stab Loki with it. He quickly disarmed her, pointing the blade at he neck.

"I surrender," she sighed.

[Secret Combat Quest Completed: +20 Xp]

[70/1200 Xp]

"One day, I'm going to be better than you," Pro_Gamer grinned. "Just you wait."

Loki went around fighting Level 1 for the next few hours, Daphne always insisting on paying for him each time. Loki had just finished defeating another opponent, staring at his screen.

[Secret Combat Quest Completed: +20 Xp]

[490/1200 Xp]

His opponent was saying something, but he ignored it as he heard Daphne tell him through their mind link, 'Leave the combat system, go get showered and dress up. You have half an hour, I want to be at least 5 minutes early.'

Loki sighed and exited the system, heading back up to the dorms, cleaning up and changing into a royal blue shirt and white jeans.

He went downstairs to the entrance of the school where Daphne, Terrence and Seraphine was waiting.

"Took you long enough! Let's go!" Daphne said once she spotted him. She took the three of them to a small cafe not to far from the marketplace.

"Table for 6, please," she told one of the waiters.

Once they were seated, Daphne gave a small sigh.

"Why are you hurrying so much? I didn't know you cared so much about being punctual," Seraphine commented.

"I just wanted to get here early so that I could control where we were sitting," Daphne said. "I wanted to feel like I had some control over something my parents did."

Just then, Mr. and Mrs. Phoenix walked in. Mrs. Phoenix noticed them already seated and wrinkled up her nose as the the two of them walked over and sat at their table.

"You know I hate these window seats," Mrs. Phoenix said. "And aren't you going to greet your parents?"

"... Mother, Father, I see you must have sleeping well despite your daughter being trapped in another world," Daphne finally said.

"We had hoped that it would change your mind, but obviously, you need more convincing," Mr. Phoenix stared at her pointedly. Daphne returned it with a defiant glare.

"Hello? What would you like to order?" A waitress came up to the table.

After Mr. and Mrs. Phoenix had ordered their food, Mrs. Phoenix started, "Well, dear, I was hoping that you would be dressed more...formally. What did I say about looking your best when meeting us?"

"I dress up when I think the people I'm meeting deserve it," Daphne answered coolly.

"You will shut it this instant, young lady," Mr. Phoenix said. "Now, first of all, why did you bring those people along? I made it clear that I don't want your ragtag group of friends to be here."

"They're my bodyguards, Father," Daphne gritted out. "You hired them. Remember?"

"Oh, right," Mrs. Phoenix said. "And such a great job they did, letting you play with mana crystals."

"You know that's not what happened-" Daphne cut herself off. "Doesn't matter. You hired them, which means you have to pay them. 100 credits a week, remember?"

"Oh? And you expect us to pay them for the two months you weren't here?"

"No, just the one week after school started," Daphne quickly added as her father opened his mouth to say something. "And the reason why you won't fire them and will pay them is because if you don't, our agreement is off. We both know that you need me to play nice more than I need your credits."

"...Very well," Mr. Phoenix said at last. "However, don't think that you threatening us will go unpunished."

Daphne ignored them and stood up. "Come on guys, let's leave. I've said whatever I've need to say."

As they got up to follow Daphne, Loki head Mrs. Phoenix whisper to Mr. Phoenix, "We have to take care of that brat, fast."

"We will soon, honey," Mr. Phoenix whispered back. "And when we do, she'll regret ever defying us."

"Loki? Hurry up!" Terrence called. "We're going!"

As Loki hurried to catch up with the others, the feeling of dread in his gut grew. He wondered just what Daphne's parents had meant by that.