Nico found himself scrambling towards his condo back in Manila. He'd asked the employee in charge to allow him a ride back home before leaving. Apparently, a candidate for each program is assigned a "manager", for the lack of a better term. He was a nice man – a little over forty. He was silent but not indifferent.
He packed his bags and turned off the main switch. The mortgage apparently was taken care of by Rosen as well as the other utilities. He'd be safe with his other stuff inside the condo for a year. Nico thought to call his relatives as he waited for his ride. He began dialing their number one by one. Only two of his 5 aunt and uncles answered. They were the ones who helped him the most. Distant as he felt, he still explained to them what was happening. After tying up some loose ends, he steeled himself.
The program would last a year. This much was explained by Robert – his manager.
The entire ride and even as they boarded the plane in the evening was a blur to Nico. Everything was smooth, fast, and efficient. The food was also delicious – far from what he'd be able to taste, maybe in his lifetime.
"Feels like a last meal?" Nico joked. Robert smiled mysteriously for a moment then answered. "Nonsense. This is simply a selection. If you pass – you'd have work. If you fail – you'll still be unemployed. Maybe even worse off than you already are now.
"That doesn't sound comforting, Robert."
"Its Rosen, its not supposed to be comforting."
After a few hours, Nico and Robert arrived in England. They'd been ushered immediately into a black car and for an hour and a half, they drove till the car stopped at what seemed to be an old Mansion. Nico had no idea about England's geography. He watched in wonder as the gray setting was replaced by abundant greens.
"Nico, listen." said Robert in a more serious tone than usual. "I like you, kid. I heard about your circumstances, and I echo Marjorie's opinion that you do not belong. But – I'd like to believe you'll be able to pass the screening. I always root for the underdog."
"I still have no idea what this selection is about or what job I'm applying for. Thank you, anyway, for the faith."
"The particulars will be explained in an hour. For now, enter the garden and wait on one of the benches."
Nico nodded. Lifting his moderately heavy suitcase, he headed towards the lush flower garden. He was shocked to see more than 100 people. Each of them was of different nationalities.
People in white suits handed everyone contact lenses and a small circular object similar to an earpiece. Nico inspected it for a few seconds before putting them on with little difficulty. He was used to contacts due to his increasingly blurry vision and the earpiece was straightforward.
A few moments later, a prompt appeared from thin air. I've heard of this technology. Amazing. Rosen Technologies. Wow. The prompt read.
"Greetings, Nico Garcia of Philippines. Please pay attention to the presenter as she explains the process."
The famous Rosen technologies opening tune reverberated through his ears. A screen appeared replacing the prompt. In it was a beautiful woman that looked human but clearly wasn't.
"My name is Ella; I am Rosen's Assistive AI. I will be explaining the selection process, your task and what is expected of you."
"Rosen is among the global leaders of virtual reality. In fact, we dare say that Rosen is the leading authority on it. This selection process will make use of this VR project with you as testers and at the same time, company aspirants – "
"Rosen has developed a Virtual World for you to perform for this selection. Your task is to Build a Kingdom. Failure constitutes in the immediate expulsion from the program and forever being barred from entering the company. The conditions for Failure shall be itemized in – game. Do you have any questions?"
An Asian man's voice echoed from the crowd. "What kind of selection process is this? And building a kingdom? I didn't come here for a game."
"Neither did I"
"My time will be wasted."
Numerous voices rose in opposition, pretty much decrying the selection process.
"I will answer your questions one – by – one." Said the AI without emotion. "First, what kind of a selection process is this? The answer to that is that it is unique. And to follow – up, this selection will determine a candidate for one of the managing positions in Rosen. Or, if you truly succeed, maybe an executive position will be opened."
Murmurs erupted from the crowd. Nico was stunned. This was too good to be true. A manager or higher? That would secure anyone's future for life!
"Please be quiet." the AI commanded. The murmurs disappeared. "As for time wasted, be at ease. A year in that world is equivalent to 1 week in the real world. That means, you have 52.143 years to build a Kingdom. There are 110 individuals in the current selection process, that means there are 110 possible countries – 110 competitors."
"How many will be selected?" A western man asked immediately after.
"There will be 10 people among you selected as candidates for each open managerial or maybe an executive position in Rosen. "
"So, we have a 9.1% chance of being accepted into Rosen after a year and 0.001 percent of being a higher officer." said an Indian man after a few seconds.
"Correct." Said the AI.
"What of our sustenance and families?" Asked another man from far back.
"Rosen's best scientists and doctors will take care of your body while inside the world. You will be cared for in the best way possible. You will be given a chance to call your families once a year, every December in that world. To them, you'd be calling every week."
Nico didn't care much about the other details. Even if the statistics is dismal, he'd be an idiot not to do his best. After all – everyone here must have been rejected by the hiring process in Rosen. They're all the same. Hence, they have equal chances of succeeding. He was very excited.
"Before we start, let me first congratulate you from arriving at this selection process." The AI paused for a moment. "All of you are touted the best of the best in each of the applicants in your respective countries. Some of you have been directly recruited."
Nico's excitement fizzed almost immediately.
"This time's selection process has been refined to people of high pedigree. Some of you are actual princes – thus have a knack at managing lands, sons and daughters of major companies, or heirs of the richest families in the whole world. We expect the competition to be fierce."
His eyes started to water due to anxiety.
The AI seemed to be looking at everyone but for a moment, it was so realistic that Nico felt the Ella's gaze burn through him. "If any of you feel like you are incompetent, a prompt will arrive after an hour reconfirming your participation. Decline if you feel you do not belong or are unbefitting to be here."
Okay then. Never mind. I simply do not belong here. I thought this process was a second chance – not THE CHANCE! Nico felt tricked. He was wrong, though. Laura did not say this was a second chance. His cheeks were burning.
Nico met up with Robert after the briefing. He demanded another set of explanations, but Robert simply smiled. "I was shocked, too. But Rosen is Rosen. Common sense does not exist in our company. Besides, a chance like that is like winning the lottery 5 times in one betting."
"Hey, Robert. These people are the cream of all tops, correct? They're already rich. Why are they even here?" asked Nico in a defeated, almost depressed tone.
"Are you joking, kid? Even if they're already rich outside, if they work as an executive in Rosen, that will make them even richer than a country."
"It's all about money, then?"
"Why of course. Why else would anyone try to get employment at Rosen?" Exclaimed Robert proudly.