The much-anticipated week of selection had finally arrived at NexaCorp Korea University, setting the campus abuzz with excitement and tension. Students from every role—Assassin, Fighter, Mage, Marksman, and Roamer—were eager yet anxious, knowing that only a select few would advance to represent Korea in the upcoming World NexaRealm Championship.
For the Assassins, including Joon-ho and Hyun-ae, the first day of testing was shrouded in mystery. Instead of their main instructor, Instructor Dong-soo, another lecturer stepped in and announced that today marked the beginning of the selection process. The students were instructed to remain seated, don their Realm devices, and log into NexaRealm for a unique examination.
As they entered the virtual world, the system's voice guided them through the test. This wasn't a typical exam; it involved situational analyses and tactical questions. Joon-ho found himself in various scenarios, such as protecting a teammate in Artefact Hunt and devising strategies in Deathmatch. Each response he gave was crucial, as the instructors would later analyze his decisions.
The test covered a wide range of topics, from in-game tactics to team dynamics, pushing the students to demonstrate their skills and strategic thinking. The stakes were high, and every decision mattered. This was just the beginning of a rigorous selection process, one that would determine who among them would move forward in their quest to represent Korea on the world stage. The journey had begun, and the pressure to perform was immense.
After answering the series of intricate questions, the environment within NexaRealm began to dissolve back into a state of blankness. The system announced that the test was complete and students were now free to log out. It wished them luck as they started exiting the game one by one, removing their Realm devices.
As students re-entered the real world, the hall filled with a low buzz of whispered conversations. Friends leaned towards each other, comparing their responses, eager to gauge how their peers had tackled the complex scenarios. There were no absolute answers, but the curiosity to understand different perspectives was palpable.
However, Joon-ho and Hyun-ae chose to remain silent about their answers. They agreed, to which they realised that their responses were personal, reflecting their strategic thinking and individual experiences. They didn't want to risk judging each other or influencing their future decisions based on today's test.
Once all the students had returned, the lecturer's voice rose above the murmur of conversations. They thanked the class for their cooperation and reminded them that tomorrow would bring the next phase of the selection process. The anticipation of what was to come hung in the air as the students were dismissed.
Slowly, they began to file out of the hall, each student lost in their thoughts, contemplating their performance and the challenges that lay ahead. For Joon-ho and Hyun-ae, this was just the first step in a week that would test their abilities, resilience, and determination. The journey to represent Korea in the World NexaRealm Championship had truly begun.
As soon as the Assassin course students had finished their test, a flurry of messages, direct messages, and calls came pouring in from students in other courses. The curiosity and urgency to understand what to expect from their upcoming tests were palpable. Friends from Fighter, Marksman, Roamer, and Mage courses reached out to their Assassin friends, trying to glean any information that might give them an edge or simply prepare them mentally.
In this tidal wave of inquiries, some students joked about keeping the details a secret, relishing the momentary power they held. Others, more empathetic, willingly shared the structure and nature of the test, understanding that everyone would eventually face the same challenges.
Among the group of eight friends, the reactions were mixed. Soo-jin eagerly asked Joon-ho and Hyun-ae for insights, her curiosity driven by both anxiety and excitement. Sang-hee and Kang-dae, however, took a more principled stance. They preferred not to know the details, believing in the fairness of experiencing the test as intended without prior knowledge.
Despite the varying responses, it became clear that the first test's secrets would not stay hidden for long. Word spread quickly across NexaCorp Korea University, and soon, the details of the initial testing were common knowledge. The anticipation built up among the students, and they prepared themselves for the challenges ahead, knowing that their time was coming soon.
As the week progressed, each course would undergo similar scrutiny, and the initial tension began to blend with a collective determination. The students, regardless of their roles, understood that they were all in this together, each striving to be among the elite chosen to represent Korea. The air buzzed with a mix of anxiety, camaraderie, and a shared goal, forging a unique bond among the competitors.
With the first day's testing concluded and the students filed out of the hall, the real work began for the lecturers and instructors. The daunting task of evaluating hundreds of responses loomed ahead, but they were well-prepared. The director, Director Hye-su, was notably absent from this initial phase, focusing on her broader responsibilities as both the Director and CEO of NexaCorp Korea. It would have been impractical for her to dive into the minutiae of student evaluations given her extensive duties.
Instead, the lecturers and instructors relied heavily on the sophisticated capabilities of the NexaRealm system to streamline their workload. This system, an integral part of their operations, was designed to analyze and categorize the vast array of student responses. The system's first step was to gather all the answers provided by the students during the test. It then employed advanced algorithms to sort and categorize these responses based on various criteria.
The system differentiated the responses by focusing on key behavioural and cognitive traits. For instance, it grouped responses into categories such as self-focused versus team-focused, logical versus emotional, and confident versus arrogant. This granular classification allowed the instructors to quickly identify patterns and trends in the students' answers. Responses that were overly self-focused or showed signs of arrogance were flagged, while those that demonstrated team awareness, logical reasoning, and humility were highlighted for further consideration.
Each lecturer and instructor had their own set of preferred qualities they looked for in potential representatives. For example, Instructor Dong-soo, the Assassin course instructor, valued tactical acumen and situational awareness. He sought out responses that showcased a student's ability to think on their feet and make strategic decisions under pressure. In contrast, Instructor Hye-won, the Mage course instructor, prioritized creativity and adaptability, looking for students who could innovate and adjust their strategies dynamically.
Using the lists generated by the NexaRealm system, the instructors could easily tick off the responses that met their criteria and cross out those that didn't. This method significantly reduced the time and effort required for the initial evaluation, allowing the instructors to focus more on the nuanced aspects of the student's answers.
For instance, when evaluating responses to situational questions like the Artefact Hunt scenario, the instructors paid close attention to the reasoning behind each student's decision. A response that involved a well-thought-out plan to distract the opponents while ensuring the teammate's safe return to base was rated highly. On the other hand, a response that lacked a clear strategy or demonstrated a poor understanding of the game mechanics was marked down.
The NexaRealm system also helped in identifying trends across the entire cohort. It could highlight common misconceptions or areas where many students struggled, providing valuable feedback to the instructors on potential gaps in their teaching. This data was used not only for evaluation but also for refining future lessons and ensuring that students were better prepared for subsequent tests.
As the lecturers sifted through the categorized responses, they discussed their findings with each other, sharing insights and observations. This collaborative approach ensured a holistic evaluation process, where different perspectives were considered, and the best candidates were identified based on a comprehensive assessment of their abilities.
Meanwhile, the students, unaware of the detailed evaluation process unfolding behind the scenes, continued to speculate and discuss their experiences. The chatter about the first day's test filled the university grounds, with everyone eager to know how they had fared and what to expect in the coming days. The anticipation and excitement were palpable, driving them to hone their skills and prepare for the next phase of the selection process.
In the midst of this, the eight friends kept in close touch, sharing their thoughts and feelings about the test. While Joon-ho and Hyun-ae had chosen not to disclose their specific answers, they were still very much part of the broader conversation about the testing process. Their friends from other courses were equally curious and anxious, creating a sense of camaraderie and mutual support as they all faced the same challenges together.
The meticulous evaluation process, powered by the NexaRealm system, ensured that only the most capable and well-rounded students would move forward in the selection process. This rigorous approach was essential for identifying the future representatives of Korea in the World NexaRealm Championship. As the week progressed, the anticipation only grew, with everyone striving to prove their worth and secure their place among the elite few.