MAETS

From the depths of Zero's contemplation, the incessant pinging of the fifth-floor chat jolted him back to the present.

Liam: "@Zero, come on, man! We need your skills. Carl is practically useless."

Carl: "What the hell, Liam? You're the one who's always at the bottom."

Liam, grinning at the chat, typed, "@Zero, remember that last game? With you, we were unbeatable!"

Isabella, her curiosity piqued, asked, "@Zero is really that skilled?"

Liam boasted, "Absolutely! Just last night, we pulled off a massive comeback all thanks to him."

Mike, with a teasing tone, chimed in, "Oh, by 'we' do you mean after you practically broke down his door, begging him to play on your account?"

Liam hastily typed, "Details, details. Nobody needs to know that. What matters is that with Zero on our team, we're invincible. So, are you in? @Zero@Zero@Zero@Zero"

*PING PING PING PING*

The chat notification sounds echoed in quick succession.

Zero sighed internally, 'Liam and his endless spamming.'

Orion, seemingly agitated, typed, "Liam, enough with the spamming."

Liam, ever the cheeky one, replied, "no."

*Orion Hale is typing...*

Before Orion could even formulate a response, Liam added, "If you can outscore me, I'll be quiet. :D"

Orion: "So if I join, you promise to shut up?"

Liam: "of course, if you can get more kills than me then yea ill promise"

Orion: "deal"

Zero couldn't help but be amused. 'Even the ever-stoic Orion is hooked on Terrorist Attack. Our game is more popular than I imagined,' he thought, feeling prideful.

MAETS had launched three games in the past one and a half months: Terrorist Attack (TA), DOFN, and Blockworld. The reception had been nothing short of phenomenal. Young children were engrossed in Blockworld, adults found DOFN appealing, and the teenagers were all about the fast-paced action of TA.

The initial reactions were cautiously optimistic, with each game designed to cater to a distinct demographic. "Blockworld," with its colorful blocks and limitless possibilities, captured the imagination of younger children. "DOFN," with its rich storytelling and strategic gameplay, appealed to the more mature audience, primarily adults who craved intellectual challenges. Meanwhile, teenagers, seeking adrenaline-fueled experiences, were immediately drawn to the rapid gameplay and competitive nature of "Terrorist Attack."

However, as with many startups, MAETS faced its fair share of teething troubles. The nascent phase following the games' launches was fraught with the mammoth task of user acquisition and building a dedicated player base.

The marketplace was saturated, and standing out felt nearly impossible. But Tom, with his uncanny knack for tech solutions. This software subtly introduced MAETS' offerings on numerous devices through tailored ads and recommendations.

It took a little while, but the strategy began bearing fruit. Slowly, discussions about MAETS' innovative games began echoing in the academy's corridors, local cafes, and online forums. Word of mouth spread, reviews poured in, and the player count surged. This not only affirmed the games' quality but also ushered in a period of financial prosperity for the company.

Back in the chat, Zero replied, "I'm not playing, I'm busy"

Liam tried to cajole him further, "You're always 'busy'. Maybe teach the newbies a thing or two? @Isabella, @Sera?"

While the chat continued buzzing with Liam's playful banter and others joining in, Zero shot a quick message to Tom.

Zero: "Tom, I need you to pick me up in 20 minutes. Front of the academy, let's go shopping."

As Zero stepped out of his room, he nearly bumped into Clara Asher, who was passing by.

Clara looked up, her eyes brightening upon recognizing him, "Hey Zero. I caught a glimpse of the group chat. you decided to ditch them?"

Zero adjusted the bag on his shoulder, "Yeah, just some errands to run. And you?"

In recent months, Clara's interaction with Zero had become notably frequent. The student council duties seemed to have warmed her up to him. Many noticed that, on the fifth floor, Clara often gravitated towards Zero, or a small circle of girls.

She let out a light chuckle, "I'm not really into the intensity of fps or DOFN. It's just not my thing." Pausing for a moment and flashing an infectious grin, she added, "However, I've spent way too much time on BlockWorld. You should see what I've built. It's pretty impressive, if I say so myself."

Clara continued, her hands now animatedly moving as she spoke, "Inside the castle, there's this grand hall with massive chandeliers made of glowstones. The walls are decorated with intricate patterns, telling stories of BlockWorld's history. Oh! And I even built a mini theater. I got the idea after watching a movie with some friends. The best part? The seats are designed like plush thrones. Isn't that neat?"

She took a quick breath, barely containing her excitement. "Outside, near the enchanted garden, there's a small pond. I've filled it with those rare blue fishes I found during an underwater adventure. And right next to it? A treehouse! But it's not just any treehouse. It's connected to the other trees with these cute little rope bridges. It feels like a little fairy-tale village."

Her nose crinkled in delight, "Oh, and I've started building a marketplace, too, with different stalls for trading and bartering. My friends have started visiting and setting up their own stalls. It's turned into a lively hub!"

There was a distinct, childlike gleam in her eyes that made her seem absolutely endearing. It was like watching a kid show off their new toy. Her bubbly enthusiasm and the slight tilt of her head made Zero think, 'She's so much like a puppy.'

He inadvertently murmured the thought aloud.

Clara's eyebrows furrowed, clearly catching a fragment of his comment, "What did you say?"

Zero cleared his throat, trying to hide the flush creeping up his neck. "kuhum, nothing important. Anyway, I've got to run. I'll catch you later, Clara."

===============================

Name: Clara *?*?*?*?*?* Asher

Age: *?*?*?*?*?*

Power:*?*?*?*?*?*

Intelligence: *?*?*?*?*?*

Stamina: *?*?*?*?*?*

Talent:*?*?*?*?*?*

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'I still can't look at her profile *sigh*

As he walked away, heading to the elevator, his phone relentlessly vibrated in his pocket. PING PING PING The notifications from the group chat continued pouring in, *PINGPINGPING* and *PINGPINGPING*

finally zero decided to mute his phone. and meets up with Tom.

Tom was leaning against his new acquisition, a Mercedes Series C. The matted black finish gave it a sleek, stealthy appearance. But what caught Zero's attention immediately was the unique car wrap design. It was a blend of geometric patterns and tribal designs that seamlessly transitioned into one another, creating a stunning visual effect. The patterns were subtly accented with deep blues and silvers, giving off an iridescent quality under the sunlight. It made the car look less like a vehicle and more like a piece of moving art.

Zero raised an eyebrow, "Again? It's your third car this week."

Tom flashed a grin, "I just can't help it, boss. Having money is dangerous."

Zero couldn't help but shake his head in mild disbelief. Just the previous week, Tom had flaunted his new Maserati GranSport 2023 and a sleek Ferrari Roma. With the addition of the Mercedes Series C, their shared garage now showcased a collection that included a robust 2023 Ford F-150, the luxurious Maserati, the sporty Ferrari Roma, a chic Audi S7, and now, the piece-de-resistance, the custom-wrapped Mercedes.