Rising Tensions

The next day dawned with an electric anticipation in the air. The students of NexaCorp Korea University were on edge, each course preparing for the continuation of the selection week. The Fighters, numbering around a hundred, were the first to undergo today's testing. Among them were Soo-jin and Hana, who walked together to their class, their minds abuzz with speculation about what the day would bring.

As they entered the lecture hall, the murmur of anxious conversations filled the space. Soo-jin and Hana took their seats, glancing around at their fellow Fighters. The memory of yesterday's testing, with its barrage of questions, lingered in their minds. They tackled hypothetical scenarios and strategic dilemmas, which required them to articulate their thought processes and decision-making skills. Today, however, they sensed that the test would be different—more active, more demanding.

The tension in the room was palpable, a tangible force that seemed to tighten the very air they breathed. Students whispered amongst themselves, sharing last-minute thoughts and strategies. Soo-jin and Hana exchanged a look, silently steeling themselves for what was to come. The expectation was clear: today's test would likely require them to demonstrate their skills in real-time, to act rather than merely speak.

The door at the front of the hall opened, and a hush fell over the students. A lecturer entered—not their main instructor, Seung-hyun, but a familiar face nonetheless. The presence of any lecturer signalled the commencement of the day's testing, and the room's atmosphere became even more charged.

The lecturer moved to the front of the hall and addressed the students.

"Good morning. As you know, today is the second day of the selection process. Yesterday's assessment was just the beginning. Today, we will be testing your practical skills in a simulated environment."

A collective intake of breath swept through the room. Soo-jin felt her heart rate quicken, and she knew Hana felt the same. They had anticipated an active test, and now it was confirmed.

"You will be entering a virtual simulation within NexaRealm, where you will be placed in various combat scenarios. Your performance in these scenarios will be closely monitored and evaluated. Remember, we are looking for more than just individual prowess. Teamwork, strategy, and adaptability are crucial," the lecturer continued.

The students nodded their expressions a mixture of determination and apprehension. Soo-jin felt a surge of adrenaline. This was what they had trained for, what they had prepared for. The challenge was daunting, but it was also an opportunity to prove themselves.

"Please put on your Realm devices and prepare to log in," the lecturer instructed.

Soo-jin and Hana, along with the other students, donned their devices. As they activated the system and entered NexaRealm, the familiar virtual environment materialized around them. The hall faded away, replaced by a vast, dynamic landscape designed for their testing.

The system's voice echoed in their ears.

[Welcome to the Fighter course selection test. You will be placed in a series of combat simulations. Your objectives will vary, and you must complete them to the best of your ability. Good luck.]

The landscape shifted, forming into the first scenario. Soo-jin found herself in a dense forest, with enemies lurking in the shadows. She was alone; the system had separated all students for individual testing. The system announced her first objective: "Hold your position for five minutes against three opponents."

Soo-jin readied herself as the simulated opponents, bots programmed with the precision of real players, emerged from the shadows. She positioned herself strategically, using the environment to her advantage. The first bot attacked, and she countered with a swift strike, maintaining her ground. The next two bots flanked her, forcing her to adapt quickly. She used her versatility and tank-like endurance to withstand their assaults, parrying blows and retaliating with calculated strikes.

The next scenario shifted her to a different challenge. She was now tasked with protecting a virtual teammate, a bot mimicking a vulnerable ally. The system announced: "Ensure your teammate reaches the safe zone." Soo-jin's senses heightened as enemies converged on their position. She moved defensively, placing herself between the attackers and her teammate, absorbing hits and countering with precise attacks. Her focus was unwavering, her movements fluid and controlled.

In another scenario, the system tested her ability to rotate and adapt. "Assist your team in a simulated skirmish," the system declared. Soo-jin found herself in a mock battle, requiring her to move swiftly between different points, providing support where needed. She demonstrated her strategic thinking, assessing the battlefield, and prioritizing targets to maximize her impact.

The scenarios varied, each designed to test different aspects of her role as a Fighter. From individual combat skills to protective manoeuvres and strategic rotations, Soo-jin faced each challenge head-on. Despite the intensity, she remained composed, her training and experience guiding her actions.

Just because Soo-jin could complete these challenges didn't mean they were easy. Each task required not only skill but also efficiency and effectiveness. The system recorded her every move, evaluating her decision-making, adaptability, and overall performance.

Throughout it all, the system recorded every move, every decision. The lecturers would later analyze this data, assessing each student's performance with meticulous detail.

After what felt like hours but was likely much less, the final scenario concluded. The system announced.

[End of simulation. Please log out and remove your devices.]

Now that the testing was done, the students returned to the real world, feeling a stark contrast to the calm and relaxation of the previous day. Their mental states were drained, the intense pressure of the practical exams taking a toll. Unlike standard NexaRealm gameplay, today's challenges were fraught with the fear that every action, even the simplest decision, could hinder their chances in the selection process. The hall was eerily quiet, devoid of the usual chatter. No one had the energy to speak.

Friends from other courses, eager to know what to expect, approached the Fighters with questions. But the replies were terse and uninformative.

"Just go to class and experience today's testing yourself," was all they could muster.

These responses only served to heighten the anxiety and fear among the yet-to-be-tested students.

The scenarios varied, each designed to test different aspects of their roles. From individual combat skills to protective manoeuvres and strategic rotations, Soo-jin faced each challenge head-on. Despite the intensity, she remained composed, her training and experience guiding her actions.

Completing these challenges was no small feat. Each task required not only skill but also efficiency and effectiveness. The system meticulously recorded her every move, evaluating her decision-making, adaptability, and overall performance. The weight of these evaluations pressed heavily on all the students, contributing to the pervasive silence in the hall.

As the Fighters left the hall, Soo-jin and Hana exchanged weary glances, the day's trials etched on their faces. They walked in silence, each lost in their thoughts about the gruelling tasks they had just completed. The weight of the selection process loomed large, and they couldn't help but wonder how their performances had measured up. The fear of having made a misstep, of having shown a moment of weakness, gnawed at them, overshadowing the relief of having made it through the day.

Once outside, the cool evening air provided a slight reprieve from the stifling tension. Soo-jin glanced at her friends from other courses, who were waiting anxiously for any scrap of information about what to expect. She considered sharing her experiences but ultimately decided against it. The process was designed to test them individually, and knowing too much in advance might skew the results. She offered them a small, reassuring smile instead, hoping it conveyed a sense of solidarity and understanding. They would all face their trials soon enough.

Returning to her dorm room, Soo-jin collapsed onto her bed, her body and mind exhausted. The practical exam had been a true test of her capabilities, pushing her to her limits. She replayed the scenarios in her mind, analyzing her decisions and actions, questioning if she could have done better. The uncertainty of the selection process weighed heavily on her, but she knew that dwelling on it wouldn't change the outcome. She needed rest and a clear mind for the days ahead, where more challenges surely awaited.

Meanwhile, in the instructors' office, the evaluators were hard at work, reviewing the data collected from the day's practical exams. The NexaRealm system's meticulous recordings provided a detailed breakdown of each student's performance, making it easier to identify strengths and weaknesses. The instructors, including Seung-hyun, Ji-woo, Min-ji, Dong-soo, and Hye-won, pored over the information, discussing their impressions and observations.

The next few days would be crucial, as they continued to test and evaluate the students, determining who would advance in the selection process. For the students of NexaCorp Korea University, the journey had just begun, and the road to becoming the future champions of the World NexaRealm Championship was fraught with trials, challenges, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence.

As the day drew to a close, all students, across various roles, had undergone the testing as planned. The quiet hallways and subdued atmosphere reflected the collective exhaustion and apprehension of the student body, each member acutely aware that their journey in the selection process was far from over.