ACADEMIC PRESSURES

Hi everyone,
I am currently writing another story. It is more suited as webnovel.
If anyone wants to read first fifteen alfa chapters and give feedback.

Okey Mayuces but what is it about you ask?

It’s set in the far future, where humanity has created a pocket dimension dedicated entirely to a fantasy game. Not VR an actual moon sized planet.

Our main character is first time entry (well, nearly the first second mc entered 3 days) to enter. But then, the NPCs take control of the game, cut off the portals to the real universe, and shut everything down. The MC is stuck at level 1 in a frozen stat/leveling world.

You can click to link and give insights if you want or pm me.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/frozen-game-137967218?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

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Marcus woke to the urgent buzz of his alarm clock, his mind immediately flooded with everything Master Thymon had revealed about Malachar's electrical operations. Steam turbines, stolen copper and magnets, mysterious facilities near coal mines, the implications were staggering, and Marcus needed answers that only his modern world could provide.

"Tyler," Marcus called across the dorm room as his roommate was gathering streaming equipment for the day. "I need to ask you about electricity and how it works."

Tyler paused in his equipment organization, looking surprised. "Electricity? That's oddly specific for 7 AM. Is this for a class project?"

"Sort of. I'm trying to understand the fundamental principles, how it's generated, what it can be used for, especially in historical contexts before modern infrastructure existed."

"Dude, I need to head to class, and I'm streaming tonight," Tyler replied, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. "But I'll send you some links so you can research. Fair warning though, electricity is complex stuff. You might wanna start with basic physics videos."

As Tyler headed out, Marcus grabbed his phone and laptop, determined to spend every spare moment between classes researching electrical systems. The urgency of understanding what Malachar might be building drove him with an intensity that surprised even him.

His first class was Business Statistics, but Marcus found himself constantly checking articles about early electrical generation on his phone. "Steam-powered generators," he read under his desk. "Dynamos and alternators. Applications of electricity in the 1880s..."

The professor's voice faded into background noise as Marcus absorbed information about primitive electrical systems. The technology Malachar was apparently building wasn't impossibly advanced, it was roughly equivalent to late 19th-century innovation. That made it both more achievable and potentially more dangerous.

"Mr. Chen," the professor called suddenly. "Perhaps you could share your thoughts on statistical correlation with the class?"

Marcus looked up, realizing he'd been completely absorbed in his research. "Sorry, Professor Williams. I was... taking notes on different approaches to data analysis."

"I see. Well, since you're so engaged with note-taking, perhaps you could solve the problem on the board?"

Marcus glanced at the whiteboard, seeing a statistics problem that his distracted mind struggled to parse. He managed a reasonably competent answer, but the professor's expression made it clear that his attention had been noticed.

During the break between classes, Marcus found a quiet corner of the library and dove deeper into electrical research. Tyler's links proved invaluable, comprehensive explanations of electromagnetic induction, historical timelines of electrical development, and most importantly, potential applications that didn't require modern manufacturing.

"Electromagnetic communication," Marcus read with growing alarm. "Telegraph systems using basic copper wire and electrical impulses. Long-distance coordination of military movements..."

The implications were becoming clearer and more frightening. If Malachar could establish electrical communication between his facilities, he could coordinate attacks across vast distances in ways that medieval military commanders couldn't counter.

His Materials Science class proved equally challenging to focus on. While the professor discussed polymer chemistry, Marcus was mentally cataloguing everything he'd learned about electrical applications. Lighting systems, primitive motors, communication networks, all achievable with stolen copper and basic electrical generation.

It was during the post-class mingling that Marcus noticed something unexpected. A female classmate near the door was packing away what looked distinctly like Dungeons & Dragons books, colorful covers featuring dragons, wizards, and fantasy adventure scenes.

"Excuse me," Marcus said, approaching the girl. She was thin, wearing large glasses, with the slightly overwhelmed look of someone juggling multiple demanding courses.

"Yes?" she replied, looking up from her bag with mild surprise.

"I couldn't help but notice your D&D books. Is there a roleplaying club on campus?"

Her face immediately brightened with the enthusiasm of someone who'd found a kindred spirit. "Oh yes! We meet every Tuesday and Friday evening in the Student Union. Are you interested in joining?"

Marcus felt a surge of inspiration. "Very interested. I've been thinking lately about fantasy scenarios involving magic, technology, and political intrigue. Real-world applications of fictional concepts."

"That sounds fascinating," she said, genuinely excited. "I'm Emma, by the way. Emma Martise. Our club's in the east wing."

"I'm definitely interested," Marcus said, exchanging contact information. "I'm occupied today, but could you text me the meeting times and location?"

Emma smiled, clearly pleased to recruit a new member. "Absolutely! Fair warning though, we take our roleplaying seriously. It's not just dice rolling, it's collaborative storytelling."

"That's exactly what I'm looking for," Marcus replied, wondering if the gaming group might provide insights into strategic thinking that could help in Valdris.

After classes, Marcus headed straight to the main library, his phone buzzing with a text from Emma: "Gaming group meets Tuesdays 7 PM, Fridays 6 PM, Student Union Room 240. Looking forward to having you join us, strange bold man!"

Marcus smiled despite his stress. Emma's enthusiasm was infectious, and the idea of exploring strategic scenarios in a fantasy setting seemed surprisingly relevant to his current situation.

In the library, Marcus found a secluded study carrel and began systematic research into electricity and its potential applications in a pre-industrial setting. He created detailed lists: power generation methods that didn't require modern infrastructure, communication systems achievable with basic copper wire, potential military applications of electrical technology.

The more he researched, the more concerned he became. Electrical systems could provide Malachar with capabilities that would be nearly impossible for medieval defenders to counter. Instant communication across hundreds of miles, coordinated attacks, possibly even primitive electrical weapons.

"How do I explain electromagnetic induction to a 190-year-old wizard?" Marcus muttered to himself, taking notes on simplified explanations of electrical principles.

He sketched diagrams showing how moving magnets could generate electrical current in copper wire, how that current could be transmitted over distances, how it could be converted back into useful energy at the destination. The concepts were complex enough in his modern world, translating them into medieval terminology would be a significant challenge.

By evening, Marcus had filled notebook pages with information about electricity, potential applications, and simplified explanations suitable for Master Thymon. But he'd also realized something else: if Malachar was using modern technological knowledge, there might be ways to counter his advantages using the same approach.

"Fight technology with technology," Marcus said quietly, reviewing his notes. "If I can understand what he's building, maybe I can figure out how to disrupt it."

The thought was both exciting and terrifying. Marcus was contemplating not just innovation, but technological warfare against an enemy who apparently had access to the same modern knowledge he did.

As he packed up his research materials, Marcus reflected on how much his priorities had shifted. A few months ago, his biggest concerns had been organic chemistry grades and his parents' expectations. Now he was researching electrical systems to help defend a medieval kingdom against a technologically advanced dark wizard.

The duality of his existence had never felt more stark, or more urgent.

Walking back to his dorm, Marcus thought about the gaming group Emma had invited him to join. Six months ago, he would have dismissed fantasy roleplaying as frivolous escapism. Now, it seemed like potential training for the real challenges he faced in both worlds.

"Magic wasn't real until it was," Marcus said to himself, remembering his earlier dismissive attitude toward fantasy. Now, with Tom learning enhancement magic and Malachar building electrical infrastructure, the line between fantasy and reality had become meaninglessly blurred.

Tomorrow, he would return to Valdris with crucial information about electrical systems and their potential applications. Tonight, he would continue researching, preparing explanations and diagrams that might help Master Thymon understand the scope of the threat they faced.

And on Tuesday evening, he would attend his first D&D session, hoping that collaborative fantasy problem-solving might provide insights into real-world strategic challenges.

The academic pressures of college had taken on an entirely new dimension. Marcus wasn't just studying for grades anymore, he was literally studying for survival.

Both his survival, and the survival of everyone he cared about in two completely different worlds.