A Developer’s Interview

Paul landed his rear into the cushioned seat Sophia offered him. The two of them, after having legally become mother and child mere hours ago, sat face to face in Sophia's office inside the academy, her large desk serving as a divider between them.

It was the first time Paul had ever stepped foot inside the room, but it wasn't the first time he'd seen it. The office, just like the academy itself, had appeared as part of the background during the demo's opening slideshow. Still, seeing a 2D image and being in a 3D space were vastly different experiences, experiences Paul hadn't imagined himself going through when he had left for school that morning.

Regarding Paul's current situation, Sophia, after releasing him from a locked broom closet, had expressed her desire in his adoption.

 Afterwards, Sophia informed the caretaker of the orphanage of, not only Paul’s existence, but also, her intentions of taking him with her.

At first, Paul worried that he wasn’t going to be allowed to leave the orphanage, considering the fact that there was no record of him at the orphanage, he doubted the caretaker would allow such an adoption to occur without going through the proper processes and paperwork.

What he had failed to realize is that the world inside the demo was far more similar to his old world when it came to getting things done.

Sophia waved a bag full of gold coins in front of the caretaker, which resulted in the sudden creation… no… the sudden reappearance of his documents, expediting the adoption process as the caretaker quickly handed over all rights over his guardianship to Sophia. All of the information on the documents were written exactly to Sophia’s liking; money talked and the caretaker listened.

Basic corruption aside, Sophia, once she, Brenda, and Paul piled back into her private carriage, enlightened Paul with the basics of the new world that the two from Earth now had to share. 

Sophia kept her explanations simple and understandable for Paul to follow along while also speaking vaguely enough as to not make Brenda grow suspicious of their conversation. For her part, Brenda was too busy being ecstatic, peppering in words of affection towards Paul while also expressing her desire and hope to him, excited for the day he'd be comfortable enough to let them both into his heart.

Once at the academy, Sophia asked Brenda to give her a moment alone with their new son. Wrongly interpreting it as a sign of Sophia wanting to immediately bond with Paul, Brenda accepted the request without any reservation.

Paul and Sophia took every minute they shared alone together to exchange information inside of the Headmaster's office. Sophia revealed her true identity, that of having been the head developer of the demo, while Paul explained the circumstances leading up to his arrival inside the game’s world. Though their talk was thorough, Paul learned that Sophia, just like him, had no idea how the world inside the game had managed to become a reality.

“I don’t know what to tell you. One day, I’m busy working on the game until midnight, the next, I wake up in this very office at the start of the academy’s term last year.”

“And all I remember is ignoring the pre-built character and making my own.”

“You chose the character creator over Ellanor?" Sophia's question sounded more like a verdict of guilt rather than being an inquiry into his actions. Paul nodded. "Foolish choice, though I suppose it was the right one. Who knows what would've happened to her if you'd picked her?" It seemed that Sophia was more bothered by his choice in selecting a character rather than the mysterious powers at play. What sorcery had made the game come to life?

“I doubt there’s any point in asking, but, you wouldn’t happen to know a way out of this world, would you?”

Sophia shook her head. “Afraid not, though, even if there is a way, I’m not sure I’d want to go back. Working endlessly for my old scraps of pay and praise? Why go back when I get to fool around-I mean, get to focus all my attention on this academy? I’d sooner get erased with this world’s data than go back.”

“Easy for you to say. You mentioned that your character was created to be all-knowing and rich? Who wouldn’t want to stay here with such a comfortable life?”

Sophia chuckled. “Quite right you are, though you seem to be forgetting something. That life that you praised-”

“I didn’t praise it exactly-”

“Fine, that you talked up, it can all become yours. You are my legal son now. All of this,” Sophia said as she gestured at the grand office, “may one day be your's.”

Though that potential future Sophia was talking about wasn’t one Paul had ever imagined having, he kept any and all reservations he had to himself, taking a moment to truly consider the proposition. At the same time, Paul wasn’t a fool, he knew that all impossibly good things came with strings attached.

“What’s the catch?”

"The catch? The catch is I get to go into retirement with my loving wife and you don't bother us during that initial honeymoon phase."

"Thats it, all I have to do is help you retire?"

In response to his question, a very smug smile formed Sophia's face.  "That comes after, first comes this," she said, clapping her hands together three times in quick succession. 

The doors behind Paul burst open. In came Brenda in a maid outfit as she ran over to Paul, pulling him to his feet and taking his measurements with a strip of fabric measuring tape.

“I’m sorry, what’s going on? Mrs-erm?” Paul stammered, trying to recall the last names that were listed on his adoption forms. The surnames of his new parents.

Sophia brought her hands together as she laid her elbows on top of her desk, a bright glint flashing in her eyes as she chuckled. “Confused, are you? Brenda, come here for a moment will you?”

“As you wish,” Brenda said. Brenda gave Paul a slight nod before running over to the other end of the silver office where the smug Sophia sat. Sophia opened up her arms to which Brenda jumped into them, wrapping her arms gingerly around Sophia's shoulders.

“We are the dynamic duo of Amor Academy, Sophia Noichi and-”

“Brenda Noichi.”

Paul stared at the couple in disbelief.

“What? Don’t believe us? Brenda, show him the proof of our truth.”

“Bam,” Brenda said in a playful tone as she flashed a gold ring on her ring finger. Sophia did the same.

“Still having a hard time understanding?” Sophia said, placing her hand on her forehead as if all of the universe’s knowledge was locked away inside her skull.

“No, I get that you two are in love and married, I wasn't confused by that at all." Paul shook his head. “Although, I suppose I should apologize to you Brenda, apologies for forgetting your full name.

Brenda slipped out of Sophia’s grasp, shaking her head. “No apology needed, I’m just happy you're so readily accepting of our relationship. Now, allow me to continue with your measurements,” Brenda said as she began striding back towards Paul.

"Hold on a second, I still haven't been told why I'm getting my measurements taken."

Brenda stopped in her tracks, turning to Sophia with a confused look on her face. “Dear, you've spent all this time talking with Paul and you still haven’t told him already?”

Serena jumped out of her seat, running over in order to hold Brenda’s hands with her own. “Brenda, darling, I promise I was getting to that. I wanted it to be a surprise that we could spring on him together.”

“Really? I find it hard to believe, rather its more likely that you wanted to toy with the poor boy by leaving him in the dark."

“Erm-well, let's just say we also got very engrossed in our earlier conversation and I couldn't find the time to squeeze in an explanation."

Brenda laughed. “Now that I can believe. I do always find it wonderful whenever I see you happily engaging in vigorous conversation with students after all.”

“Speaking of students, can I trust my most beautiful wife in taking care of our son’s uniform?”

Brenda sighed. “Of course.” Brenda gave Paul and Sophia a bow before quickly exiting the office.

Sophia turned on her heel and pointed an accusatory finger at Paul’s chest. “You almost got me in hot water with my beautiful wife for no reason, all because of your unnecessary questioning.”

“You still haven’t answered my question.”

“I did not, for I had hoped that you’d be smart enough to figure it out on your own. I want you to become one of the academy’s students while also becoming friends with one of the greatest students this academy has ever had the honor of housing and teaching. But further details can wait until tomorrow.”

Without skipping a beat or allowing Paul to question the answer to his question, Sophia clapped her hands once more, a familiar signal, to which Brenda entered the office once again in response to. Brenda dropped a uniform into Paul’s hands, latching onto his arm with a warm embrace.

“Yes, honey?” Brenda said as she turned to Sophia.

“Escort our little Mr. Henderson to his room, and ask Mr. Achates to fetch him in the morning.”

“Understood. Paulie, come with me.”

Paulie?

Before they could leave, Sophia let out a loud cough to catch Brenda's attention, launching a mildly-shy side glance at Brenda with a fluttering of her eyelashes. “Could you also have a small snack prepared for me? I’ll be heading to the manor shortly.”

Brenda offered Sophia a warm smile, letting Paul go for a moment in order to land a soft peck on Sophia's cheek. “You make it very difficult to say anything but yes to your requests."

With all loose ends wrapped up between all parties, Brenda returned to Paul's side, pulling him along with incredible strength, as if there were a tow-truck pulling him along. Without a pause or break, Brenda led Paul throughout the academy’s halls until they arrived in front of a large dorm room.

“Well, this is you Paulie. I’ll leave you to settle in for the night, goodbye.” In the time it took Paul to blink, Brenda disappeared without a trace.

Perhaps it was because Paul had been accustomed to Amy’s retelling and summarization of stories that revolved around traveling to other worlds, or maybe it was just because his body truly couldn’t handle a single waking moment longer, but Paul found himself getting over his situation as he was drawn towards the pink colored bed in the room. Allowing himself to sink into the fluffy comforters, Paul fell asleep with little hesitation.

The next morning, a short and wide man who, Paul could only assume was Mr. Achates, arrived at his front door, offering to serve as his escort and tour guide of the school. The tour, having made the pair lose their track of time, forced them to high-tail it to their homeroom classroom, resulting in Paul being late for his first day.

Though his mind was racing with millions of thoughts, as he entered the classroom, Paul's mind went blank as he laid his eyes on the lonesome girl sitting at the back of the classroom. 

It was the same girl that had been on the character-select screen. Her dark hair fluttered in the air as the morning breeze blew in through an open window.

Ellanor Evergreen.