With the class ending, Joon-ho and Hyun-ae decided to grab lunch together. As they made their way to the cafeteria, the conversation naturally turned to the results of the time trial. Hyun-ae couldn't help but praise Joon-ho for securing the eighth place among the fifty.
"Seriously, Joon-ho, eighth place is amazing," Hyun-ae said with a genuine smile. "You must have been training hard."
"Thanks, Hyun-ae. But don't sell yourself short. Nineteenth place is impressive too," Joon-ho laughed, a bit embarrassed by the praise.
"Nineteenth place isn't that commendable, especially considering the competition of the top ten. I thought I could do better," Hyun-ae shook her head, her expression turning more serious.
"Look, today's trial was just a personal university record, not an actual selection test. The record was based on a time limit. Tomorrow might be different. We could have a damage record testing or something else entirely. The rankings will change," Joon-ho stopped and looked at her, his expression earnest.
"You're right. I shouldn't get too hung up on it. It's all part of the process," Hyun-ae sighed but smiled at his encouragement.
"Exactly," Joon-ho replied, patting her on the back. "The rankings were shown to spark competitiveness. Tomorrow is a new day with new challenges. Just because you're nineteenth today doesn't mean you won't be higher up tomorrow."
They arrived at the cafeteria and found a quiet corner to sit. The usual hustle and bustle of the cafeteria were subdued, a stark contrast to the intensity of their earlier trials. As they sat down with their trays, Joon-ho noticed Hyun-ae still seemed a bit preoccupied.
"Hey, let's not worry about it too much right now," he said, trying to lighten the mood. "How about we focus on enjoying our lunch and recharging for tomorrow?"
"Yeah, you're right. Let's just enjoy the moment," Hyun-ae nodded, finally allowing herself to relax a bit.
They dug into their food, the comforting familiarity of the cafeteria meal helping to ease some of the tension. As they ate, they talked about other things – their favourite games, funny moments from past classes, and plans for the weekend. The conversation flowed easily, a welcome distraction from the competitive pressures of their training.
"Remember that time in study week when Kang-dae tried to impress everyone by juggling and ended up dropping everything?" Hyun-ae said, giggling.
"Oh yeah, that was hilarious. And then Soo-jin tried to one-up him and almost broke a window," Joon-ho laughed.
The lighthearted memories brought smiles to their faces, reminding them that despite the intense competition, they were still students, friends sharing a journey. The weight of the upcoming tests felt a little lighter with each shared laugh.
As they finished their lunch, Joon-ho felt a renewed sense of camaraderie. They were all in this together, facing the same challenges and striving towards the same goal. No matter what the next test brought, they would face it head-on, supporting each other along the way.
"Thanks for the pep talk, Joon-ho," Hyun-ae said as they stood up to leave. "I needed that."
"Anytime," Joon-ho replied with a smile. "We've got this. Let's just keep pushing forward."
With that, they headed back to their dorms, ready to rest and prepare for whatever challenges the next day would bring. The journey was far from over, but with friends by their side, they knew they could face anything.
As Joon-ho and Hyun-ae reflected on their time trials, it became evident that similar trials were occurring across all other courses. Each group of the top fifty students in their respective roles—Assassins, Fighters, Roamers, Mages, and Marksmen—underwent their unique time challenges. Though the nature of their tasks differed, the underlying objective was the same: to gauge their speed, efficiency, and adaptability under pressure.
For the Fighters, the time trial tested their ability to quickly move through a series of obstacles and engage targets with precision. They had to demonstrate not only their physical prowess but also their strategic thinking. The trial required them to navigate complex terrain, simulate combat scenarios, and complete their tasks within a strict time limit. The Fighters' leaderboard showcased those who could balance speed and strength most effectively.
Roamers, on the other hand, faced a trial centred around their primary role—mobility and map control. Their challenge involved reaching various checkpoints scattered across a large area as quickly as possible. The trial tested their ability to traverse the terrain efficiently, utilizing any means necessary, whether it be parkour-like movements, using grappling hooks, or employing speed-enhancing gadgets. The best Roamers were those who could cover the most ground in the shortest time, proving their worth as essential members of any team.
Mages approached their time trial with a different set of skills. Their trial emphasized the use of spells and magical abilities to speed up their travel. Mages had to navigate through a series of magical gates and barriers, using teleportation spells, flight, or other speed-enhancing magic. Their leaderboard highlighted those who could seamlessly combine their magical knowledge with swift execution, demonstrating the true potential of their arcane arts.
For the Marksmen, the trial focused on repositioning and quick target acquisition. They had to move through a shooting range, hitting targets with precision while constantly on the move. The challenge tested their accuracy under pressure and their ability to find the best vantage points swiftly. The top Marksmen were those who could consistently hit their targets while maintaining high mobility, showcasing their expertise in long-range combat.
Across all roles, the trials were not just about raw speed but about smart decision-making and efficient execution. The students' rankings reflected their ability to perform under pressure, with the top spots going to those who could balance quick thinking with flawless execution.
At the end of the day, the 250 students, fifty from each role, had a clearer understanding of where they stood among their peers. For some, like Tae-young, who held the top spot among Assassins with immaculate speed and precision, the trial was a testament to their skills. Others, like Joon-ho, who secured eighth place, and Hyun-ae, who ranked nineteenth, found a sense of relief and determination, knowing they had performed well but still had room to improve.
The rankings, prominently displayed, served their purpose—to ignite a competitive spirit among the students. The promise of selecting only the top ten from each role loomed large, pushing everyone to strive harder. The trials were just the beginning, a prelude to the more rigorous tests that lay ahead. The real testing was yet to come, but for now, the students had a taste of the challenges they would face.
Joon-ho and Hyun-ae, after their lunch, decided to head to the common area where students from other roles were congregating. The space buzzed with conversations, some enthusiastic, others more subdued. It was a melting pot of nerves and camaraderie, where everyone shared a common goal but knew that only the best would advance.
Soo-jin, Hana, Kang-dae, Kyu, Jin-kyong and Sang-hee joined them, forming a circle of friends who, despite their different roles, shared a close bond. They exchanged stories about their trials, each bringing a unique perspective to the table.
Soo-jin, a Fighter, recounted her obstacle course experience.
"It was tough," she admitted. "Not just the physical part, but figuring out the best route to take. Some of those obstacles were tricky, and you had to think on your feet."
Hana, who was also a Fighter, nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, the wall climbs and target dummies were no joke. But it was fun, in a challenging way."
Sang-hee, as Mage, talked about their magical gateways and barriers.
"It was all about timing and precision," she said. "One wrong spell or a mistimed teleport, and you were out of sync with the course."
Feeling the like of talking, Sang-hee continued further.
"It tested our control over our magic. Speed isn't just about how fast you can move, but how efficiently you can cast spells and adapt to obstacles."
Jin-kyong, a Marksman, shared his experience from the shooting range.
"Hitting the targets while constantly moving was the hardest part. You had to find the perfect balance between speed and accuracy."
As they continued to share their stories, it became clear that despite the different challenges each role faced, the essence of the trials was the same: to push their limits and reveal their true potential. The rankings, while a source of stress for some, also served as a benchmark to strive towards.
The conversation shifted to speculation about the upcoming tests. Would they face similar trials? Would there be new elements introduced? The unknown added to the tension but also fueled their determination.
"It's all about staying sharp and being ready for anything," Joon-ho said, summarizing their collective mindset. "Today's trial was just a glimpse. We need to be prepared for whatever comes next."
"We can't let today's rankings define us. We have to keep improving, keep pushing," Hyun-ae agreed.
The group fell into a contemplative silence, each lost in their thoughts about the challenges ahead. The day had been long and gruelling, but it was only the beginning. The road to the top was paved with relentless trials, and only the strongest and most dedicated would make it through.
As the day concluded, the instructors and the director could see the spark of determination in their students' eyes. The trials had set the stage for the next phase of the selection process, bringing them one step closer to identifying the best candidates to represent Korea in the upcoming World NexaRealm Championship.