Chapter 1

2022, Japan, Tokyo District.

The new-generation civilian terminal known as "NERvGear," developed by the major electronics manufacturer "ARGUS," was finally released to the public.

This allowed for full-dive virtual reality space to be utilized in general online games.

Sword Art Online, abbreviated as "SAO," was the first large-scale VRMMO to utilize this advanced technology.

A certain black-haired teenager who had just stepped out of a department store was holding an unopened NERvGear civilian terminal in his hand, and just as he was preparing to go home to experience it, the phone in his pocket suddenly rang.

"Shengzai, you managed to snag a NERvGear helmet today, right?"

Shengzai had only just answered the phone when a rather anxious male voice came from the other end.

Just listening to the voice, it wasn't hard to tell that the other person was about the same age as Shengzai, likely around middle school age.

"I originally didn't have a chance to buy one, but the sales clerk seemed to happen to be a senior from our school working a part-time job.

She helped me pull some strings because I'm a cute junior.

Plus, this senior was quite polite and slipped me a small note, saying it was her contact information, and that if there was anything I didn't understand, I could call and ask her?

I have to say, big companies are just different; even the part-time clerks provide such attentive service."

Upon hearing what his friend was saying at that moment, Kazuto Kirigaya on the other end of the line couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Because he's a junior? Big company service attitude? Someone slipping you a note is clearly just because they took a liking to your face!

Regarding the special treatment Shengzai received, although Kazuto Kirigaya was quite speechless, he wasn't overly surprised.

Because he had seen too many things like this around Shengzai over the years.

Shengzai's full name is Aunt Wenren Shengzai, a name with a very island-nation flavor, yet he is actually Chinese.

Kazuto had also asked Shengzai why his name was like this, and the latter explained that "Aunt Wenren" is a compound surname.

And in the ancient East, "Sheng" represents holiness and beauty, while "Zai" is a modal particle.

Shengzai's parents had an accident when he was very young, and he was raised by his grandfather, though his grandfather passed away not long ago.

Shengzai's family runs a sword technique dojo, and both Kazuto Kirigaya and Suguha Kirigaya are students of the dojo.

However, Kazuto Kirigaya gave up kendo when he was seven because he felt it was boring.

Shengzai and Suguha Kirigaya, on the other hand, both persisted, and Shengzai perfectly inherited the mantle of the "Aunt Wenren Sword Technique School."

When he was still in his first year of middle school, he participated in the National Kendo Tournament and defeated many second and third-year middle school students who were one or two years older than him, ultimately winning the national championship.

Because they grew up together with Kazuto Kirigaya and Suguha Kirigaya since childhood, the three of them can be considered childhood sweethearts.

Setting aside the somewhat strained sibling relationship between Kazuto and Suguha, Shengzai's relationship with both of them is actually quite good.

Not to mention Kazuto, who is like-minded, Suguha Kirigaya practically worships Shengzai as an idol.

After all, winning the national kendo championship at the age of a first-year middle schooler—for a girl like Suguha who loves kendo, Shengzai was simply born for kendo.

Although he is still in middle school now, Suguha knows that her "Shengzai brother" has even reached the level of "License of Full Transmission" in the Aunt Wenren Sword Technique School.

Even if he were to participate in the high school kendo tournament at his current middle school age, he could easily achieve a very good ranking.

And ever since Grandpa Aunt Wenren passed away, the dojo has been closed; if Shengzai could achieve a good ranking in the high school kendo tournament, combined with his "License of Full Transmission" level, he would be fully capable of inheriting the sword technique dojo.

Not only is he handsome, but he is also a young kendo champion, and his academic grades are extremely excellent; one doesn't even need to think to know how popular such a Shengzai is at school.

This is also the reason why Kazuto Kirigaya is not at all surprised by the special treatment Shengzai receives.

Because apart from his own sister who is a fangirl, Shengzai has never lacked pursuers since he was a child.

And having such an excellent friend, Kazuto can only say it is his luck, but also his misfortune.

The lucky part is that Shengzai is very reliable; when there's something that needs help, he really steps up, and there's rarely anything he can't handle.

The unfortunate part is that having such a friend puts him under immense pressure, to the point where Kazuto Kirigaya's biggest role at school nowadays is helping others pass messages or love letters to Shengzai.

The reason he gave up kendo at the age of seven wasn't just because he felt it was boring, but also because he felt the pressure was too great.

Everyone was practicing kendo, and they were the same age, and both were boys, yet Shengzai's progress was advancing by leaps and bounds.

But he could only bully Suguha, which made Kazuto feel that he might not have a talent for kendo, so he finally chose to give up decisively.

Of course, although Shengzai is excellent in every aspect, it doesn't mean that Kazuto Kirigaya is useless.

After giving up kendo, Kazuto Kirigaya unexpectedly discovered that he had a talent for playing games.

And only when playing games is Kazuto not completely crushed by Shengzai, and can even manage to win more than he loses.

The teenager who originally liked playing games has now found the only area where he can defeat his good friend, and naturally, he enjoys it even more.

SAO is the first large-scale VRMMO released using NERvGear.

As a game, the attention it has received is undoubtedly unprecedentedly huge, and as a gamer, Kazuto Kirigaya naturally couldn't help but be interested.

And not only is he interested, but he was also lucky enough to be selected as a beta tester and became one of the first batch of SAO experiencers.

Now that the open beta of SAO is imminent, NERvGear has also become exceptionally sought after; as a beta tester, he naturally doesn't need to worry, but for his best friend Shengzai, it won't do if he can't grab a virtual helmet.

As a "beta tester," he had long since experienced the charm of SAO; in that world, he might really be able to rely on sword techniques to defeat Shengzai.

He was already good at games, and this time he is entering the open beta as a "beta tester"; even if there is a mainstream profession like swordsman in this game, he shouldn't be unable to beat Shengzai, right?

In short, Kazuto has been worried about Shengzai not being able to grab a helmet, partly because he's worried about losing his only good friend to play games with.

On the other hand, he wants to show off in front of Shengzai!

That's right, his friend is too excellent, and Kazuto Kirigaya is under a lot of pressure; in the past, he could only rely on games to regain a little dignity.

This time, no matter what, he must win back a round in the field where the other party excels, even if it's just in a game!

(End of chapter)