For the second round, a round testing the mettle of teamwork, the atmosphere electrifies with a blend of hope and dread. As the holographic scoreboard flickers, executing complex algorithms, it becomes apparent that only my team has managed to pass. Still, the system has to analyze the points of each competitor, even if their team lost. A soft, mechanical voice announces the ejection of five competitors—those with the lowest scores—leaving the room tingling with a palpable aura of both relief and disappointment.
Soon, the room narrows to just sixteen competitors, each one's breath hitching in anticipation for the next trial—the test of commanding prowess.