Ava, with a hint of self-mockery, praised herself for being frugal before sincerely marveling, "Honestly, the developers of this game are not only incredibly skilled but also absolute masters at making money from players."
They even know how to play psychological pricing games.
"If only there were more advanced gameplay features," she mused.
As if responding to her thoughts, a dialog box suddenly popped up on the screen.
[Player Ava Bennett, would you like to experience the full-dive mode?]
Full-dive?
New to the game, Ava had never heard of this feature before.
Such an advanced mode exists?
She hurriedly clicked "Yes."
In the next instant, everything went black. For a few seconds, she could see nothing, her whole body spinning in dizziness.
When light returned, she found herself standing before a dilapidated, barely-holding-together wooden door.
She lowered her head and saw that she was clad in a deep gray robe.
Surprised, she lifted her arm experimentally—yes, it felt just like moving her own body.
She raised her hand before her eyes. The game was impressively detailed—even the cuffs of her gray robe were embroidered with silver thread, spelling out her name: Ava Bennett.
So, this is full-dive gaming? The level of immersion was astonishingly high.
No wonder so many gamers got addicted.
Ava felt a surge of excitement.
She lowered her hand and looked at the screen.
Outside the towering stone house stood a figure clad in a gray mage's robe.
Sitting before her computer, Ava raised her hand and waved foolishly at the figure on the screen.
To her amazement, the figure in gray mimicked her exact movement.
"Oh my god, this is incredible."
"It seems that whatever motion I make, the character on-screen will replicate it."
However, just as this thought formed in her mind…
[You do not need to make physical movements. Simply imagine an action, and the puppet will respond accordingly.]
Advanced!
Far too advanced!
Ava mentally saluted the game's developers.
She surveyed the room.
Against the wall sat a simple stone bed.
In her mind, she gave a command: "Open the door, help the boy up, place him on the bed, and cover him with a robe."
The gray-robed figure…
Reached out—
With a loud "BANG," the wooden door shattered into pieces.
Ava stared at the broken door lying on the ground.
??? Wait, why is the action so violent?!
The gray-robed figure strode forward, grabbed the boy from the ground with one swift motion, carried him to the bed in just a few steps, and unceremoniously shook him before tossing him onto the mattress.
The boy groaned in pain, slowly opening his eyes.
The gray-robed figure lowered his gaze to the youth.
Then, he raised his right hand.
A pale gray cloak materialized out of thin air.
With a flick of the wrist, the cloak fluttered up and gently settled over the boy, covering him from neck to foot.
It was merely a thin cloak, yet the cold wind seeping through the now doorless entrance seemed to vanish instantly.
The boy felt a long-lost warmth.
He blinked dazedly, finally registering the figure standing beside his bed.
A mage.
Mages were symbols of mystery, power, wealth and status—beings far beyond the reach of ordinary folk.
Only nobles, emperors, and the immensely wealthy had the privilege of meeting a mage.
In an instant, he mustered the last of his strength, rolled off the bed, and landed on the floor with an audible thud.
Ava even heard the sharp crack of his knees hitting the stone.
The boy scrambled to his feet, trembling as he stood before the mage.
Fear gripped him so tightly that his voice quivered.
"R-Respected Magus…"
In Rhine Duchy, within the small city of Silverleaf, mages wielded absolute power.
If a mage felt displeased, he could kill a villagers at will.
And now, a mage had suddenly appeared in his shabby house.
Right after he'd had an unpleasant encounter with the recruiter from the branch school of Rhine Academy of Magic located in Silverleaf City, this morning!
Had this mage come… to punish him?
But wait…
His gaze fell upon the robe lying on the floor.
This mage had lifted him onto the bed and even draped a rare enchanted robe—one imbued with cold-resistant magic—over a mere folk like him.
Perhaps… this mage bore him no ill will?
He dared not look the mage in the eyes, keeping his gaze locked on the insignia embroidered on the chest.
His heartbeat quickened.
The silver-thread embroidery…
Could it be?
Was the figure before him a mid-tier mage? Or perhaps, even a high-tier mage?!
His legs nearly gave out beneath him.
He knew he should kneel and speak to this mage from the ground.
Yet, for some reason, he refused to kneel before anyone.
Trembling, he forced himself to finish his words.
"R-Respected Magus… is there anything I can do for you?"
The mage, however, stood motionless, utterly silent, as if he hadn't heard him at all.
—
Seated before the screen, Ava clutched her chest.
"My god… the expressions, the voice, the interaction system…"
She was utterly stunned by how lifelike the game's responses were.
Even the old mattress had sunk slightly when Kyle lay upon it.
This was just a video game… and yet it was capable of this level of realism?
If this was the level of quality, then honestly…
She wouldn't mind spending a little more money—just as a thank-you to the game developers.
And the moment she had that thought…
[(Limited-Time Offer) For only $10, you can provide your virtual boyfriend with a nutritious feast! Do you agree to top up your game account with $10?]
"Uh…" Ava looked at the frail boy, her heart softening.
"Yes!"
[(On sale) For $50, potential magician assessment report for your digital friend! Do you agree to top up your game accoount with $50?]
"Yes!"
[(Big Discount) For $100, furnish your virtual boyfriend's home with a full set of furniture! Do you agree to top up your game account with $100?]
"Yes!"
[Your virtual friend is overwhelmed with shock. Please wait before making further transactions~~]