Reunion of Kai and Sky

Present Day;

Kai was walking on a street. It was around 2 o'clock in the morning. Even so, the streets were bustling with people. He walked into a cyber café.

After showing an ID card, he asked for a private cabin where he could game in peace. Of course, he didn't forget to confirm whether Dual Persona is available or not.

Kai went upstairs and sat in one of the private cabins.

After switching on the computer, he inserted the account card into a wireless login device and started the game.

"Welcome back, User Sky."

Just like his first time with this account, it started with the latest season's intro scene, followed by the character screen.

It was the same as before. There was no change in the wardrobe change of character. It was the same cloaked man who was sitting in a lotus position. Except that he has a set of daggers hanging around his waist, while an exquisite staff lies on the floor.

Kai didn't click on Enter right away. Instead, he waited for it to talk.

After a brief silence, he decided to initiate the conversation, "Sky? Are you there?"

"4 years, 27 days, 5 hours, and 42 minutes," replied the character while not moving an inch from its spot. Its voice was like ice, cold and unforgiving, completely different from its cheerful self: "That's how long you have imprisoned me, Kai Spencer."

Kai looked at the screen, feeling apologetic, "I'm sorry."

"Can that simple apology undo what you did to me?" The character snarled at him.

"No, it cannot." Kai answered in a low tone and then asked, "Tell me, how should I make it up to you?"

"I'll ask you the same thing as when you asked for my assistance for the first time. Help me fulfill my life goal." The character replied.

Kai spent a few years with the sentient A.I., so he knew what its life goal was. It wants to get out of the card.

However, Kai only knows how to play games and speak fluent English. He doesn't have the talent in things like coding, etc…

Letting out a deep sigh, Kai said in a hushed tone, "You know that's not possible."

"I found the way, long ago." The character gave him a surprise with its reply. "But I stalled it until you were done with the Eternal League. I never expected you would suddenly stop playing.

Look, we are connected to the internet. I can get myself free right now, but it will make me think that I betrayed your father. I want you to set me free voluntarily. This is the best thing you can do for me, Kai."

Kai wanted to say that he is going to give him permission, but Sky isn't just his friend or some artificial intelligence; it is something that connected him to his father. That's why he was reluctant to let it go.

But, at the same time, he was feeling guilty.

In the end, taking a deep breath, Kai said in his mic, "One last time, Sky. I decided to return to the professional gaming world and help Masaru-san in lifting the championship. Stay with me for one year. That's all I ask."

There was a brief silence from the character as if it was thinking about it.

Eventually, the A.I. gave a nod, "Alright, Kai. We'll be partners for one last time. But, as soon as the Eternal League is over, I'll be leaving."

"Agreed."

And so, a deal was made between the 24-year-old retired professional gamer and a sentient AI that was trapped inside a gaming account card.

"Okay, let's get started."

Kai grabbed the mouse and placed the cursor on Start. Just as he was about to click on it, Sky's voice stopped him, "Don't. This isn't the right moment to log in with me. It might be four years, but you are also once a part of the pro circle and have a lot of enemies.

Even if they forgot about you, you still have mythic-grade weapons. With your current level, do you think you can guard them without helpers?

Listen to me and return home. Use a blank card to play from the start so that you get used to the gameplay. After that, you can return to the company and showcase your skills to your juniors."

"Hmm, now that I think about it, you are right. Thanks as always, Sky." Kai proceeded to click on the button placed on the wall of the cabin.

Downstairs, the receptionist saw a notification on the system while seat number 29 was blinking in red.

"Hmm? Didn't he go upstairs just now? Did he run into some trouble with the system, perhaps?" She wondered as she clicked on the seat number and pressed the call button. She then put on the mic.

Back upstairs, Kai quickly found a small window open on the bottom right of the screen with someone calling. He pressed on it.

"Hello, Mr. Spencer. This is from the reception. Please state your request." A woman's voice was heard in the headphones.

Kai proceeded to ask, "Hi, may I know if your café sells blank account cards?"

"Ah, Yes. We sell blank cards as well as used account cards from all the servers. The former will cost 225 credits plus 12% tax. The latter will depend on your requirements, but we can't promise on equipment, though." The lady replied to him as she would do so for every customer.

"No, just a blank card. I need it to do quests in beginner areas. Oh, and also, a Coke, please." Kai said to her, not intending to fall into the sales trap.

About three minutes later, a high school teenager with big spectacles like some nerd came upstairs with a card and a Coke in her hands. She looked around and finally saw cabin number 29.

"There it is," letting out a smile, she walked towards the cabin and knocked on the door.

Kai opened it and saw her. "Yes?"

However, she looked stunned on the spot.

"Hello? What do you want?" Kai waved his hand, wondering whether she was one of those typical teenagers in the neighborhood who developed a crush on him.

As an English teacher with good looks, he was quite popular among the students whom he wouldn't even teach. During the past couple of years, students from the tenth grade and ninth grade usually would write love letters or give Valentine's chocolates to him.

At first, a few girls would even stalk him to the house to the point that he had to shift to a different house, later, buying his own in a neighborhood that is at least ten kilometers away from his workplace.

So, he thought this girl might be one of them.

However, little did he expect the girl would stammer out loud, "S… sk… Sky? Omg, it is you… You.. you… are in… in the city… of Nara?"

Kai's facial expression changed right away,