The Extra-dimensional Pioneer Of Fiction [Draft]

Two weeks had passed since Arlo began his training with Aria, and every part of his body screamed at him to stop. Every muscle ached, every joint felt like it had been tested beyond its limit, and yet he knew there was no stopping. The relentless training was necessary—if he couldn't handle this, there was no way he'd survive a real quest.

Arlo wiped the sweat from his forehead as he sat cross-legged on the padded floor of the private training room. The last two weeks had been a crash course in survival, adaptability, and combat. Aria had drilled every lesson into him with the precision of a military instructor. And when she wasn't teaching, she was sparring with him—though "sparring" felt like a generous term. It was more like Arlo getting pummeled while trying to keep up.

The survival lessons were intense. Aria had taught him how to identify edible plants, purify water with minimal tools, and build shelters from nearly nothing. She simulated countless scenarios—getting stranded in a desert, surviving a night in a frozen tundra, or finding food in a dense jungle.

Every challenge was meticulously crafted, and Arlo had to think fast to avoid "failing."

"Survival isn't about brute force," Aria had said during one lesson, her tone sharp. "It's about outsmarting the situation. Brains beat brawn nine out of ten times."

Arlo had taken that advice to heart, though it hadn't made the tasks any easier. His brain felt like it had absorbed more in two weeks than in his entire college career. He could now start a fire using unconventional methods, create makeshift tools, and navigate without a map. It wasn't glamorous, but he was starting to see how these skills could save his life.

Combat, however, was another story. Every day, Aria sparred with him, and every day, she utterly destroyed him. Her movements were fluid, calculated, and devastatingly precise. No matter how hard Arlo tried, he couldn't land a single clean hit on her.

"Stop relying on brute force," Aria had snapped during one of their sessions, effortlessly dodging his punch and sweeping his legs out from under him. "You're predictable. If I can read your moves, so can your enemies."

Arlo groaned from the floor, glaring up at her. "You make it sound so easy."

"It is when you practice," she replied, holding out a hand to help him up. Her tone was sharp, but he noticed the slightest glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "Get up. Again."

Despite the constant beatdowns, Arlo could feel himself improving. His Hand-to-Hand Combat skill had ranked up three times, and the movements that once felt foreign were starting to come naturally. He was faster, stronger, and more precise—but still leagues behind Aria.

"Why are you so good at this?" he had asked once, after she'd pinned him for the fiftieth time. "Did you train with some interdimensional kung-fu master or something?"

Aria had smirked, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Something like that. You'll get there eventually."

His stats had improved as well. Each sparring session, each simulation, seemed to push his limits further.

His Strength had increased by +2, and his Endurance by +3. He felt it in the way he could keep going longer, hit harder, and recover faster.

Also his [hand to hand mastery] level up by +2 and [Linguistic Mastery] level up by +3.

It wasn't much in the grand scheme of things, but it was progress. Arlo look in to his stats and it was progressing well.

[Stats info]

Strength: 7

Dexterity: 6

Intelligence: 8

Charisma: 4

Luck: 5

Endurance: 9

Wisdom: 8

Arlo's inner monologue often compared his journey to the early grind of an RPG. It's like I'm still Level 1, but at least I'm not stuck with the default starter stats anymore. Strength +2, Endurance +3… not bad for two weeks of constant pain.

Despite the grueling nature of the training, he couldn't deny the results. He was starting to see the bigger picture—the importance of adaptability, the necessity of survival skills, and the brutal efficiency of combat. Every lesson was designed to prepare him for the unknown, for worlds that could either welcome him or kill him on sight.

Aria stood a few feet away, watching him as he caught his breath. "Two weeks in, and you're finally starting to look like a descent Trainee,"

She said, her tone neutral. "Don't get cocky, though. You're just getting started."

Arlo chuckled weakly. "Don't worry. I'm too sore to be cocky."

Arlo stood across from Aria in the training room, expecting another grueling session. To his surprise, her expression was calm, almost relaxed—an unusual sight.

Now, lounging in his apartment, Arlo realized just how rare this downtime was going to be. He stared at the ceiling for a while, his mind drifting.

Finally, he decided to take Aria's advice. There was still so much of Ataraxis he hadn't seen, and a part of him was itching to get out and explore.

....................

[Ataraxis's Nature Park]

His first stop was the nature park. The walk there was a spectacle in itself, with towering skyscrapers and glowing walkways framing his path. When he finally stepped into the park, the contrast was almost jarring. It was a sprawling expanse of greenery, bordered on all sides by the gleaming architecture of the city. Trees with crystalline leaves shimmered in the sunlight, their colors shifting subtly with the breeze. Flowers bloomed in vivid, almost unnatural hues, and a network of clear streams wove through the park, their surfaces reflecting the surrounding greenery like glass.

"This place looks like something straight out of Xenoblade Chronicles," Arlo muttered to himself, wandering along one of the pathways. "Nature meets sci-fi in the most over-the-top way possible."

The park wasn't just visually stunning—it was alive with subtle sounds. Holographic birds flitted between branches, chirping melodiously. Occasionally, a soft hum would emanate from the ground, as if the park itself was breathing. It was clear this wasn't just nature—it was nature enhanced by technology, a perfect harmony of the organic and the artificial.

Arlo found a bench beneath a tree and sat down, letting the tranquility wash over him. For a moment, he could almost forget the intensity of the past two weeks. Here, in this pocket of peace, the overwhelming weight of his new life as a Pioneer felt distant.

He closed his eyes, listening to the gentle babble of the stream nearby. If this is what the Hub offers for relaxation, maybe I could get used to this.

After a while, he stood and stretched. There was more of Ataraxis to see, and he wasn't about to waste his day off on just one spot. As he walked back toward the city's main thoroughfare, he couldn't help but glance back at the park. It felt like leaving behind a different world, one where time moved slower.

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Arlo leaned back on the bench in the nature park, letting out a deep breath. The serenity of the place was nice, but his curiosity was tugging him elsewhere. He'd seen glimpses of Ataraxis's shopping district during his training breaks, and today felt like the perfect time to explore it fully. Activating his BrainLink, he summoned a taxi with a quick mental command.

A sleek, driverless hover-taxi arrived within minutes, its door sliding open with a quiet hiss. Arlo climbed in, the interior humming softly as the vehicle connected to his BrainLink for navigation.

"Shopping district," Arlo instructed, leaning back as the taxi smoothly lifted off.

The cityscape of Ataraxis unfolded beneath him as the taxi soared through the air. The buildings were a mixture of sleek modern designs and neon-lit signs, their reflective surfaces gleaming under the ambient light of the Hub. It reminded Arlo of a cross between Cyberpunk 2077 and Star Wars' Coruscant—a futuristic blend of commerce and chaos.

..................

[Shopping District: Merchant Street]

When the taxi gently landed at the edge of the shopping district, Arlo stepped out and immediately felt the energy of the place. The streets were bustling with activity, a maze of stalls, storefronts, and street performers. Vendors called out to passersby, advertising their wares with enthusiastic pitches, while holographic signs floated above the crowd, displaying everything from food deals to enchanted weaponry.

"Alright," Arlo muttered, rubbing his hands together. "Let's see what this place has to offer."

The district was a sensory overload. One stall sold shimmering fruits that seemed to glow from within, while another displayed rows of enchanted daggers that pulsed faintly with magical energy. A food vendor flipped skewers of meat over a glowing, rune-etched grill, the aroma making Arlo's stomach rumble. He grabbed a skewer, savoring the spicy, smoky flavor as he wandered further into the district.

What caught his attention most were the shops that combined magic and technology. One displayed a pair of boots that promised levitation for up to ten minutes, while another sold a bracelet that could project a holographic map and cast minor light spells.

"It's like someone mashed up Harry Potter with Mass Effect," Arlo said under his breath, grinning as he admired a device that looked like a smartwatch but promised to double as a shield generator.

As he moved deeper into the district, a small, unassuming shop caught his eye. The sign above the door read "Fantastic Alchemy." The shop's aesthetic was entirely different from the sleek, modern buildings around it. Its exterior was made of rough wood and stone, with ivy creeping up the sides, giving it a distinctly medieval vibe.

"Huh," Arlo murmured, intrigued. "Definitely not what I expected to find here."

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, he stepped inside and was greeted by the scent of herbs, smoke, and something faintly metallic. The interior was cramped but cozy, with shelves lining every inch of the walls. Jars of powders, liquids, and dried plants were crammed into every available space, along with strange tools and bubbling cauldrons.

"This is like something straight out of The Witcher," Arlo said, his gaze darting from one shelf to another. He noticed a small brass bell on the counter and pressed it, the soft chime echoing through the shop.

A loud clatter sounded from somewhere in the back, followed by a muffled voice. "Just a moment!" A few seconds later, a woman appeared behind the counter, nearly tripping over a stool as she rushed forward.

Arlo's first impression of her was that she seemed out of place, yet oddly fitting for the shop's aesthetic. She was slim, her messy, long curly hair falling in wild waves around her face. Her red eyes peered out from behind round glasses, which she kept adjusting nervously. She wore a simple tunic-style dress, with faint smudges of ash on the sleeves. 

"Uh, hi!" she stammered, her cheeks flushing as she fumbled with a jar. The jar slipped slightly in her hands, but she managed to catch it at the last second, setting it down with an audible sigh of relief.

"You alright there?" Arlo asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes! Fine! Totally fine!" she said quickly, pushing her glasses up and trying to smooth her hair. Her movements were panicky, and Arlo couldn't help but notice her awkward but endearing demeanor.

"This your shop?" he asked, leaning casually against the counter.

Maria nodded, her expression softening slightly. "Y-Yes. Welcome to Fantastic Alchemy. Everything here is handcrafted… or brewed."

Arlo glanced around again, his curiosity growing. "Gotta say, your place stands out. Feels like it doesn't belong in Ataraxis."

"That's… kind of the point," Maria said, adjusting her glasses again. "Alchemy is old magic. It doesn't really fit with all the tech and metal out there."

Arlo smiled. "Fair enough. You've got a good thing going here." Her cheeks turned pink, and she ducked her head slightly.

"Th-Thanks. Let me know if there's anything you're looking for." her voice still a little wobbly. "We sell all sorts of alchemical items and ingredients for… well, whatever you might need."

"Cool," Arlo replied, leaning slightly on the counter. "I'll be honest, I just got curious about your shop. It kind of stands out, you know? Everything around here is so sleek and futuristic, and then there's this—" he gestured to the wooden shelves and bubbling cauldrons "—which looks like it's straight out of a fantasy world."

Maria's lips twitched into a small, shy smile. "You're not wrong," she admitted. "Ataraxis is known for its advanced technology, but magic is a huge part of what powers it. Most of the tech you see around here wouldn't work without magical integration."

"Wait," Arlo said, tilting his head. "You're telling me that all of Ataraxis's tech runs on magic?" Maria nodded. "That's right. They've perfected the combination of the two. Technology provides structure and scalability, while magic adds versatility and power. It's why Ataraxis can do things that seem impossible."

Maria nodded. "That's right. They've perfected the combination of the two. Technology provides structure and scalability, while magic adds versatility and power. It's why Ataraxis can do things that seem impossible." 

Arlo let out a low whistle, the gears in his head spinning. Magic-fueled tech? That's some next-level sci-fi fantasy fusion. He couldn't help but think of Arcane and the invention of hextech.

"That's insane," he said. "I thought this kind of thing was only possible in fiction."

Maria chuckled softly. "It's what makes Ataraxis unique from the other states. Combining magic and technology lets us create tools and systems that neither could achieve on their own." "Okay, color me impressed,"

Arlo admitted. "So, what exactly do you sell here?" 

"Well," Maria said, pushing a stray curl out of her face, "my most popular items are health potions and mana potions. Pioneers buy them in bulk—they're essential for survival on quests"

Arlo's ears perked up at that. Health potions? That sounded like exactly the kind of thing he'd need.

"How much for a couple of health potions?" he asked.

"For low-level health potions, it can heal at least 100 HP, it's 50 credits each," Maria replied, pulling two small vials from a nearby shelf. The liquid inside shimmered faintly, a deep red color that almost seemed to pulse with energy.

Arlo considered the price. It wasn't exactly cheap, but it wasn't outrageous either. And if these potions could save his life, they were worth every credit.

"I'll take two," he said, handing over his payment through his BrainLink.

Maria smiled as she accepted the 100 credits and she packed the potions into a small cloth bag. "Good choice. These will help you recover quickly if you're injured."

"Thanks," Arlo said, taking the bag. He hesitated for a moment before asking, "What else do you sell here?"

Maria's expression brightened slightly. "I also craft more specialized alchemical items, but those are… expensive. They range from 500 to 2,000 credits, depending on the complexity."

Arlo's eyes widened at the numbers. "Yikes. Why so pricey?"

"They're difficult to make," Maria explained, her voice more confident now that she was in her element. "Each one requires rare ingredients and a lot of time to craft them. Only people with crafting Jobs can make these kinds of items, and even then, it's not easy."

Arlo nodded, understanding. Makes sense. High-level items in games always cost a fortune, and it looks like it's no different here. He gave her a small smile. "Well, maybe I'll come back for the fancy stuff when I'm not broke."