(AN : This chapter is susceptible to change.)

[[ System notification :

Logging out from Infinite Real…

Disconnecting from the Heavenly System Universal server…

Disconnecting Neurolink…

Awakening process beginning…

Prepare in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 ]]

“Ha, ha, ha.” Taking deep breaths, Sato managed to bring his blood pressure back to normal.

The awakening process from Infinite Realm is quite special. Because it’s only the consciousness of the player that is needed, the body is put in a stasis lock. During this period, apart from some unconscious activities like the heart pumping blood and digestion, the other functions of the body are shut down. This is why despite the players controlling their hands to move, their actual body doesn’t move but instead, their avatar’s body does.

In order to awaken the consciousness within the body and align it to suit perfectly without deteriorating (due to the difference in time), a special vibration frequency is applied to the player’s brain and with a somewhat strong jolt, their consciousness awakens in their body. The process isn’t actually dangerous, as the technology has already been perfected over time, however, it is quite unpleasant. This can be avoided or reduced by buying a more advanced VR system like a VR cabin. Sadly, our MC can’t afford one, yet.

“Haha. It’s been awhile since I have felt that shock.” Laughing at his little predicament, Sato stood up from his bed and took off his VR helmet, placing it on the desk beside his bed.

5 : 47 am Saturday 22 July 21**

‘It’s still early…’ Looking at the holographic projection from his futuristic clock that displayed the time, Sato walked over to a corner of his room and began performing his morning exercise routine which consisted of press-ups(AN : But the Americans call it push-ups), Squats, Fist punches, jumping jacks and some others.

He went on till a knock sounded at the door.

*Knock* *Knock*

“Brother it’s time to wake up.” With that, Hayami opened door and walked in.

“Oh! You’re awake?” She asked with surprise. She had actually performed her previous lines as a form of respect but in actual sense, she had expected her brother to still be playing Infinite Realm however Hayami was shocked by the sight in front of her.

A half naked Sato, with only a pair of boxers on, was propelling himself up with a pull-up bar fixed at a corner of his room. Sweat was dripping on his back and his godly styled abs which appeared to be the result of extreme dedication to hardwork. His muscles were lean but packed with power. His body wasn’t extremely muscly nor were his muscles bursting out exaggeratedly. Rather, Sato’s body was like a miraculous sculpture that was designed with determination, dedication and proper care, even surpassing those of athletes.

“It’s time already? Alright, give me a sec let me wash up and come down for breakfast.” Dropping himself from the bars, Sato picked up a white towel close-by and wiped his sweat.

“You really should stop running around naked in the house.” Hayami said with a little blush on her cheeks and immediately left while banging the door behind her.

“What’s up with her this morning? Plus this is my room…”

Ignoring her little tantrum, Sato wore a pair of shorts before heading to the bathroom in the hallway, where he took his bath. Once he was done, he went downstairs for breakfast and met a slightly old lady.

“Good morning Grandma.”

“Good morning. How was your night?” The ‘old lady replied. Despite being a grandmother, she looked anything but old. She looked like a lady that was in her mid 40s rather than a weak old granny. She had a kind smile on her lips that was similar to that of a mother looking at her son. With her mature looks, Alice would have looked nothing like a grandma if not for the light wrinkles underneath her eyes alongside the mature look in her eyes that one can only get after experiencing the vicissitudes of life.

“Didn’t you know? I was playing Infinite Realm.” Sato looked at her with puzzlement.

“Oh look at me and my old self. I must have forgotten. But even so, don’t tell m you didn’t get any rest?”

“Physically speaking, I’m alright but mentally, I need to take a break.” Sato folded his arms above his head as he walked towards the kitchen. “So what’s for breakfast?”

“Chicken toast.” Mrs Noguchi smiled.

“Really?”

“You’d still have to wait for your grandfather to be up first.”

“He isn’t up yet?”

Mrs Noguchi shook her head. Looking at Sato’s face, she said “don’t worry about it; Hayami has already gone to wake him up.”

“Wake who up? This old man is as healthy as a horse.” A rough voice sounded from the stairs.”

“Morning love.” Mrs Noguchi smiled even more brightly.

“Morning Alice-chan.” Old Juro smiled at her as he walked towards the sitting room. He sat on the couch then faced Sato and said with a laugh that wasn’t so funny “Oi little brat, get ready. After breakfast, there’s training. You got exempted yesterday ’cause we took a work but today, there’s no excuse, not even your game.”

“Don’t worry about it old man. Infinite Realm is undergoing an upgrade so it’s me and you today.” Sato smiled back.

“Huh, an upgrade already?” Old Juro looked a little bit surprised. “Didn’t it go online just this morning?”

“Yeah. I don’t know why they decided to undergo an upgrade already but I don’t think there will be major changes to it.”

“Alright, let’s eat. You can talk about your game later.” Mrs Noguchi walked out from the kitchen with a tray filed with dishes. Accompanying her was Hayami, who also had a tray filled with dishes on her hand.

Breakfast in the Noguchi household was quite simple but wasn’t as formal as that of rich families. They all chatted about their various experiences, stories and updates on current events. In summary, it wasn’t only a sumptuous breakfast but also a jovial and relaxed one.

After the meal, Sato and his grandfather headed behind their home, where little private dojo in a little garden. Yes, a private dojo.

Even though the Noguchi household isn’t a rich big family, Old Juro was actually a well-known experienced professional engineer in his days. With the money he had made in his youth, he retired from the public eye to the city of Shinjuku were he bought a nice plot of land and built a house alongside a little dojo.

Despite being such a small family, the Noguchi family has its traits in martial arts with a lot of such geniuses being born from them. These geniuses had gone far, being able to actually create a bunch of martial arts techniques, of which the Lotus Sword art was one such technique made by a descendant of the Noguchi family.[1]

“So what are we doing today?” Picking up a wooden long sword that was hanging on a rack in the dojo, Sato swung it a little bit to get his hand tuned to its weight.

“Today? Well, you have already learnt most of the sword arts I can pass on to you, so we’re going to have a spar.” Old Juro responded as he also picked up a wooden long sword.

Sato’s face crumbled a bit “Tch. That’s so unfair; bullying the younger generation.”

“Hehehe. If I don’t bully my grandson once in awhile, then what is there to live for?” Old Juro smiled. “Get ready, I won’t go easy this time. Show me what you have learned so far.”

“This time I’ll surely win. So old man, get ready! ”

With that, Sato charged forward.

AN :

I just thought of something. Why the hell did I design futuristic doors to still require you to shut them yourself? Well, cause I felt like doing so. Shutting the door behind you is a ritual…

Once again, no incest ideas. I men how would you feel when you see your elder bro exercising with only a pair of underwear with his stuff clearly visible from the tightening around the edge…

I want to be a martial artist.