A Shared Journey

The next day dawned bright and promising at NexaCorp Korea University, with students eagerly anticipating another day of learning and discovery. For Joon-ho, the day began with a sense of excitement as he prepared for his Jungler course, eager to delve deeper into the intricacies of NexaRealm.

Unlike the previous day, their class was scheduled for the afternoon, allowing Joon-ho and Hyun-ae to meet and make their way to the lecture hall together. They followed their usual routine, converging at the intersection where the paths from the men's and women's dormitories intersected, a symbolic meeting point that marked the beginning of their shared journey.

As they walked side by side, Joon-ho and Hyun-ae exchanged light-hearted banter, their laughter mingling with the chatter of other students making their way to class. The vibrant energy of the campus enveloped them, infusing their steps with purpose and anticipation.

For Joon-ho, having Hyun-ae by his side was both comforting and invigorating. Their newfound friendship had blossomed quickly, fueled by their shared passion for NexaRealm and their mutual respect abilities. Together, they navigated the bustling campus with ease, their camaraderie evident to all who crossed their path.

Arriving at the lecture hall, Joon-ho and Hyun-ae found seats together, their anticipation building as they awaited the start of class. The familiar surroundings of the lecture hall felt like a second home to them now, a place where they could immerse themselves in the world of NexaRealm and expand their knowledge under the guidance of their instructor.

As the clock struck the appointed hour, signalling the start of the class, a new figure entered the lecture hall. It wasn't Instructor Dong-soo, who had led the previous day's session. Instead, a woman stepped confidently to the front of the room, commanding attention.

"Good afternoon, everyone," she greeted warmly, her voice projecting across the room. "I'll be your substitute instructor for today's session."

A murmur of surprise rippled through the students as they exchanged curious glances.

Without further ado, the class began. The substitute instructor launched into the day's lesson with enthusiasm, delving into the intricacies of roles and gameplay in NexaRealm.

Drawing parallels to traditional MOBA games, she described how the 5v5 arena emphasised role-centric team compositions and strategic gameplay.

"It's crucial to understand the synergy between different roles," she explained, gesturing to the diagrams on the presentation slides. "Each role has its unique strengths and responsibilities, but success ultimately depends on teamwork."

The students nodded in agreement, some jotting down notes as they absorbed the information.

Furthermore, the instructor highlighted another key difference: the absence of respawns.

"As you know, there's no room for mistakes in NexaRealm's 5v5 arena," she continued, her tone serious. "Every decision matters and the consequences can be dire."

Turning her attention specifically to the Jungler role, the instructor explored the dynamic nature of the position.

"Now, the Jungler is a versatile role," she remarked, pacing back and forth across the room. "Your primary objective is to control the fight, secure the tower for upgrade and enhancement, and provide support to your teammates when needed."

Throughout the lecture, students engaged in lively discussions, exchanging insights and sharing their own experiences with the Jungler role.

"So, what happens if the enemy Jungler invades our backline?" one student asked, raising a hand.

"Ah, excellent question," the instructor replied, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "That's where map awareness and communication with your team become crucial. You'll need to coordinate with your teammates to defend yourself and others and potentially counter-attack. This is where the other role, like the Roamer, who is a tank, can disrupt their Jungler."

The atmosphere in the lecture hall was charged with excitement and curiosity as students absorbed the instructor's explanations and eagerly discussed the nuances of NexaRealm's gameplay.

As the class drew to a close, the students left the lecture hall buzzing with anticipation, eager to put their newfound knowledge into practice in the virtual world of NexaRealm.

With the sun beginning its descent, casting a warm golden glow over the campus, Joon-ho and Soo-jin made their way back to the dorm building after class. The familiar routine of traversing the pathways felt comforting, a routine they had grown accustomed to over the weeks.

Their conversation meandered through familiar territory, with Hyun-ae once again expressing her frustration about the perceived dullness of the day's class.

"I swear, if tomorrow's class is as boring as today's, I might just fall asleep," she remarked with a sigh.

"Don't worry, I'm sure tomorrow's class will be more engaging. We'll make sure of it," Joon-ho chuckled, his voice laced with reassurance.

Just as they rounded a corner, Hyun-ae dropped a bombshell.

"Actually, I won't be attending tomorrow's class," she announced, her tone unexpectedly serious.

"Why not? We're both in the Jungler course, aren't we?" Surprised, Joon-ho turned to her, curiosity evident in his expression.

Hyun-ae nodded, confirming their shared enrollment.

"I've decided to take an elective option," she explained. "I'll be cross-coursing with the Fighter course."

Joon-ho furrowed his brow in confusion.

"But why?" he asked, genuinely puzzled by her decision.

Hyun-ae paused, considering her words carefully before responding.

"Well, I did it for a few reasons," she began. "Firstly, I wanted to expand my skill set and be more versatile in NexaRealm. And secondly..."

She hesitated for a moment before continuing, her voice softer now.

"I know Tae-young is in our class, and being the top assassin in Korea, I felt like I needed to level the playing field somehow. By cross-coursing, I can explore different roles and increase my chances of success."

Joon-ho listened intently, absorbing her explanation. It made sense, he supposed, but he couldn't shake the feeling of surprise at her sudden decision.

"Wow, I didn't expect that," he admitted, a hint of admiration in his voice. "But I guess it's a smart move. And hey, if it helps you improve your skills and compete on a higher level, then I'm all for it."

Hyun-ae smiled gratefully at his support, a weight lifting off her shoulders as she shared her decision with her friend.

As they continued their journey back to the dorm, the setting sun casting long shadows across the campus, they fell into a comfortable silence, each lost in their thoughts about the upcoming changes and challenges they would face.

As they walked, Joon-ho couldn't shake the thoughts swirling in his mind. Hyun-ae's decision to cross-course with the Fighter course sparked a whirlwind of contemplation within him. Should he follow suit and broaden his horizons? The idea certainly had its merits. By exploring different roles, he could become a more versatile player, capable of adapting to various situations in NexaRealm. It might even level the playing field with Tae-young, whose dominance in their class loomed over Joon-ho like an insurmountable obstacle.

However, as he weighed the pros and cons, a sense of reluctance crept in. Did he have the time and energy to commit to additional coursework? His schedule was already packed with classes, training sessions, and other commitments. Adding another course into the mix would only create more work for him, stretching him thin and potentially impacting his performance in other areas.

Moreover, Joon-ho questioned his motives behind participating in NexaRealm. Unlike Hyun-ae, who seemed driven by a desire to compete at the highest level and represent Korea on the global stage, Joon-ho's ambitions were more modest. He had never harboured aspirations of becoming a professional player or vying for glory in the World NexaRealm Championship. For him, NexaCorp Korea University was simply a stepping stone in his academic and personal journey, a chance to hone his skills and make meaningful connections along the way. And mainly to support his best childhood friend, Soo-jin.

In the end, Joon-ho concluded that staying true to his original path was the safest option for him. While he admired Hyun-ae's ambition and determination, he recognized that his priorities lay elsewhere. Instead of chasing after glory and recognition, he would focus on mastering his role as a Jungler and supporting his teammates to the best of his ability. After all, there was honour and fulfilment to be found in playing his part, no matter how small it may seem in the grand scheme of things.

With a sense of resolve, Joon-ho pushed aside his doubts and embraced his decision. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he would face them head-on, confident in his abilities and steadfast in his commitment to his path. As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting the campus in a soft, golden light, Joon-ho felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination coursing through him. Whatever the future held, he was ready to meet it with unwavering resolve.

As the day drew to a close and Joon-ho made his way back to the dorm, a sense of clarity settled over him. While the allure of branching out and exploring new opportunities was tempting, he found solace in the familiarity of his chosen path. With each step, he reaffirmed his commitment to his role as a Jungler and embraced the journey ahead with renewed determination.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges and adventures, but for now, he found comfort in knowing that he was staying true to himself and the goals he had set. With a contented sigh, he pushed open the door to his dorm, ready to rest and recharge for the day ahead.