Role-Centric Orientation

Upon reentering the hall, a noticeable shift awaited the students: the seating arrangement had been restructured to align with the five main roles of NexaRealm. From left to right, the sections were designated for Junglers, Mages, Marksmen, Roamers, and Fighters, each presided over by a specialized instructor.

Seung-hyun, a stalwart presence, helmed the Fighter section, exuding a blend of authority and approachability as he prepared to impart combat techniques and strategic wisdom.

Adjacent to him stood Ji-woo, a seasoned veteran in the Marksman role, his gaze sharp and focused as he readied himself to guide his students in the art of precision and ranged warfare.

Min-ji, a seasoned Roamer, led her section with a calm yet firm demeanour, emphasizing adaptability and versatility as essential traits for success in her role.

Hye-won, a master of arcane arts, commanded the Mage section with an aura of mystique and wisdom, poised to share her knowledge of spells and incantations with her eager students.

Completing the lineup was Dong-soo, a shadowy figure renowned for his expertise as a Jungler, his presence evoking an air of stealth and agility as he prepared to mentor his students in the art of reconnaissance and ambush tactics.

Together, these instructors formed the cornerstone of the orientation, guiding the students along the path to mastery in their chosen roles within NexaRealm. With anticipation buzzing in the air, the students eagerly awaited the next phase of their journey, ready to embark on new adventures and forge their destinies in the world of competitive gaming.

As Dean Man-shik's voice echoed through the hall, calling for students to group themselves according to their designated roles, a sense of inevitability settled over Joon-ho and his friends. Without hesitation, they understood the need to disperse and join their respective sections, each aligning with their chosen paths within NexaRealm.

"Looks like we're splitting up," Joon-ho remarked, a tinge of disappointment evident in his voice as he glanced at his companions.

"Let's make the most of it. We'll meet up afterwards and share what we've learned," Soo-jin nodded, her expression determined.

"Agreed. We'll reconvene later and compare notes," Sang-hee offered a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, mate. We'll crush it in our classes and come out even stronger," Kang-dae clapped Joon-ho on the shoulder.

As the group began to disperse, Kyu remained rooted to the spot, his gaze distant and contemplative. Joon-ho frowned, noticing his friend's hesitation.

"Hey, Kyu, what's up?" he asked, stepping closer.

"I'm not sure where I belong," Kyu shook his head slowly, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

"It's okay. Take your time to figure it out. We'll catch up later," Soo-jin placed a reassuring hand on Kyu's shoulder.

With a grateful nod, Kyu watched as his friends dispersed, each heading toward their designated sections with a sense of purpose and determination. As he stood alone amid the bustling hall, he resolved to explore his options and find his place within the world of NexaRealm.

As Soo-jin, Sang-hee, and Kang-dae made their way to their respective seating areas, they each found themselves surrounded by classmates who shared their roles. Soo-jin, the fighter, took her place among fellow fighters, her presence exuding strength and determination.

Sang-hee, the mage, settled into her seat with an air of quiet confidence, her focus already on the magical lessons to come. And Kang-dae, the roamer, found himself among other students eager to hone their skills in movement and strategy.

As Joon-ho made his way toward the seating designated for the Jungler role, his eyes caught sight of Tae-young already seated, his presence commanding attention even from a distance. Directly in front of Tae-young sat Dong-soo, their teacher, his gaze meeting Tae-young's with an intensity that sent shivers down Joon-ho's spine.

Whispers rippled through the hall as Joon-ho approached, the female students in particular expressing admiration for both Tae-young and Dong-soo. Their voices carried praise for their striking appearance and formidable skills, with many expressing a desire to befriend them.

As Joon-ho settled into his seat beside Tae-young, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe mingled with apprehension. The dynamic between Tae-young and Dong-soo was palpable, their silent exchange conveying a depth of understanding and respect that was both impressive and intimidating.

"Quite the pair, aren't they?" a nearby student murmured, her eyes lingering on Tae-young and Dong-soo with undisguised fascination.

"Yeah, it's like they're in their league," another replied, her voice tinged with admiration.

Joon-ho nodded in silent agreement, his thoughts swirling with a mixture of admiration and curiosity. Despite the whispers and attention surrounding them, Tae-young and Dong-soo remained focused, their unwavering gaze locked on each other as they prepared for the lesson ahead.

As Joon-ho settled into the back of the group, his attention shifted away from Tae-young and Dong-soo, opting instead to observe the dynamics unfolding around him. He noticed students eagerly chatting with their classmates, forming bonds and alliances within their respective roles. However, his focus was abruptly redirected when he caught sight of Kyu still standing alone, seemingly unsure of where to go.

Concern flickered across Joon-ho's face as he watched Kyu's hesitation, wondering why his friend hadn't yet found his place among the groups. Before he could dwell on it further, the unexpected arrival of Director Hye-su drew everyone's attention. The sight of her approaching Kyu sent murmurs rippling through the hall, puzzling Joon-ho and his peers.

Whispers filled the air as students speculated about the interaction between Kyu and the director, their curiosity piqued by the unusual encounter. Joon-ho's brow furrowed with confusion as he tried to make sense of the situation. He had never noticed the solitary chair before, nor did he understand the significance of Kyu's connection to Director Hye-su.

As Kyu obediently followed the director to the isolated chair, Joon-ho couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over him. There was something peculiar about the exchange, something that hinted at a deeper connection between Kyu and the director than he had ever realized. Unable to unravel the mystery, Joon-ho's thoughts lingered on his friend's enigmatic demeanour, a sense of foreboding settling in the pit of his stomach.

With Joon-ho settled into his seat, a woman suddenly occupied the empty chair beside him, her presence cutting through the tension in the air. He couldn't help but overhear her muttered rant about Tae-young and Dong-soo, the disdain evident in her tone. Though Joon-ho didn't share her intense feelings towards them, he listened attentively as she expressed her frustrations. Her words painted a picture of resentment and animosity towards those who excelled, viewing them as arrogant and entitled.

"Can you believe those guys?" she muttered, her voice laced with frustration. "Already acting like they own the place."

Joon-ho couldn't help but overhear her muttered rant about Tae-young and Dong-soo, the disdain evident in her tone.

"They think they're so special," she continued, her voice growing louder with each word. "Just because they're good at that stupid game."

Though Joon-ho didn't share her intense feelings towards them, he listened attentively as she expressed her frustrations.

"Yeah, it's like they don't even care about the rest of us," she added, shaking her head in disbelief.

Her words painted a picture of resentment and animosity towards those who excelled, viewing them as arrogant and entitled. As she noticed Joon-ho's attentive gaze, the woman turned to him, her expression expectant, seeking validation for her grievances.

"Can you believe those guys?" she muttered, her voice tinged with frustration. "Always acting like they own the place."

Caught off guard by her sudden outburst, Joon-ho offered an unexpected response, admitting,

"Honestly, I'm just here to support my friend. I don't really care about all that competition stuff."

The confession seemed to catch the woman off guard, her eyebrows raising in surprise.

"Really?" she asked incredulously. "But don't you ever get tired of them always being one step ahead?"

"I guess I've never really thought about it like that," Joon-ho paused, considering her question before responding,

The woman's reaction was a mixture of amusement and disbelief, evident in the way she chuckled before extending her hand in greeting.

"I'm Hyun-ae Seob," she introduced herself, a glimmer of recognition flickering in Joon-ho's mind.

As he shook her hand, Joon-ho's thoughts raced, recalling the name Hyun-ae from conversations he'd overheard between Soo-jin and Sang-hee. The realization dawned on both of them simultaneously, their faces lighting up with surprise and curiosity.

Hyun-ae couldn't believe she had been sharing her frustrations with none other than Joon-ho, the friend Soo-jin spoke of so fondly. Likewise, Joon-ho was amazed to discover that the woman beside him was the very roommate he had heard so much about.

Their eyes met an unspoken acknowledgement passing between them as they realized the connection. Hyun-ae's lips curled into a faint smile of disbelief, her gaze flickering with a mix of surprise and curiosity.

"You're Joon-ho Kang?" she asked, her voice tinged with incredulity.

Joon-ho nodded, returning her smile with a hint of amusement.

"Yeah, that's me," he confirmed his tone light. "And you're Hyun-ae, Soo-jin's roommate."

Hyun-ae's smile widened, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.

"Small world, huh?" she remarked, shaking her head in disbelief. "I can't believe we've been ranting to each other without even realizing who we were."

Joon-ho chuckled in agreement, a sense of camaraderie blossoming between them.

"Guess we were both too caught up in our frustrations to notice," he remarked, his voice tinged with amusement.

Their brief exchange felt oddly comforting, a shared understanding bridging the gap between them. As they settled into their seats, a sense of camaraderie lingered in the air, a silent acknowledgement of the unexpected connection they had forged.