The next day, Joon-ho and Hyun-ae walked into class with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. The air was thick with tension, and it was clear that the competitiveness sparked by yesterday's time trial had only intensified. Even friends eyed each other warily, each one determined to secure their place at the top.
Instructor Dong-soo stood at the front of the class, his demeanour as serious as ever. He welcomed the students, acknowledging the palpable tension in the room.
"Good morning, everyone," he began, his voice steady. "Yesterday's time trial was just the beginning. Today, we will focus on another crucial aspect of being an Assassin: damage output."
The room fell silent, every student hanging on his words. Dong-soo continued.
"A great Assassin is not only swift but also deadly. Your ability to inflict maximum damage in the shortest amount of time is essential. This isn't just about having the best equipment, but about your skill composition, timing, and accuracy. The best Assassins in the world, like Léandre Blaise, the current number one, excel in all these areas."
A murmur of recognition spread through the room at the mention of Léandre Blaise, the young Frenchman renowned for his impeccable skills. He was the epitome of what every Assassin aspired to be, and his name alone was enough to inspire both awe and determination.
"Today," Dong-soo continued. "You will be tested on your damage output. This is not the actual selection, but rather a record-taking exercise for NexaCorp Korea University. It will help set a benchmark and provide valuable data for your development."
The students nodded, their focus sharpening. Dong-soo instructed them to adorn their Realm devices and prepare for the test. The familiar process of logging in began, with the device using eye detection to log each player into NexaRealm. The system welcomed them, and after the initial load, they were transported to the Citadel of Nexa.
Unlike usual, the students were immediately redirected to a private room, thanks to Dong-soo's authorization and the backing of Director Hye-su. The system explained the transfer, ensuring everyone understood the process.
In the private room, the setting changed to a lush, green plain, a stark contrast to the bustling Citadel. Instructor Dong-soo's appearance reflected his role as an Assassin, his attire sleek and dark, blending seamlessly with the environment. Joon-ho glanced down at his attire, a dark purple cloak with his twin daggers, Duskblade, by his side.
Dong-soo addressed the group.
"Your goal is to inflict as much damage as possible on the target dummies within a given time frame. Remember, this is about precision and skill, not just brute force."
A list of names, alphabetically ordered, was projected into the sky. The list included the 50 chosen students, along with their current rankings on the NexaRealm leaderboard across Korea. Joon-ho saw his name at rank 17, while Hyun-ae was at 19. They exchanged glances, a mix of relief and determination in their eyes. As though, yesterday ranking in time trial was not used today because it was only for record taking, and not the actual selection
The first name was called, and the trial began. One by one, students stepped up to the challenge, their peers watching closely. The pressure was immense, and each student was keenly aware that their performance would be scrutinized not only by the instructors but also by their fellow competitors.
Joon-ho's performance in the damage output trial was nothing short of elite. His consistent practice, focusing on timing and skill rotation, paid off significantly. He had always been meticulous about his technique, ensuring every strike and ability was executed with precision. This dedication was evident as he secured the fifth spot in today's trial, a marked improvement from his eighth-place finish the previous day.
Joon-ho's background as Daehan Academy's sole representative in the interschool competition had honed his skills. He had relied on himself for practice, pushing his limits to ensure he stood out. This self-driven training had made him a formidable competitor, capable of adapting and excelling under pressure. His rise to the fifth spot was a testament to his hard work and strategic approach.
Hyun-ae, too, showed remarkable improvement. While her nineteenth place yesterday had been a bit of a disappointment, today she secured the tenth spot, bringing a renewed sense of confidence. Hyun-ae's dedication to her lessons significantly improved her understanding of her skills and how to maximize her damage output. She had learned to stack her abilities effectively, timing each move to optimize the impact.
Many Assassin students possessed knowledge of skill rotation, understanding which abilities to use first and last. However, few understood the underlying reasons behind these strategies. This lack of deeper understanding often led to haphazard execution, with skills being spammed or timed poorly, negating the benefits of passives and modifiers. Hyun-ae's improvement showcased her growing mastery of these nuances, setting her apart from her peers.
Without a doubt, Tae-young, the current number one in Korea, remained the standout performer. His immaculate technique, precise strikes, and unparalleled damage output set a high bar for everyone. His reputation as the best Assassin in Korea was well-deserved, and his performance today only reinforced his position at the top.
Other notable performances followed, with each student showcasing their unique strengths and techniques. The atmosphere in the training ground was a mix of tension and determination, as each competitor pushed themselves to their limits. The damage output trial was not just about raw power; it was a test of strategy, timing, and understanding of one's abilities.
Joon-ho felt a surge of pride as he reflected on his performance. Securing the fifth spot was a significant achievement, and it validated all the hours he had spent practising and refining his skills. He glanced at Hyun-ae, who was positively beaming. Her joy at securing the tenth spot was palpable, and it was clear that today's success had lifted her spirits.
Instructor Dong-soo concluded the session with a few final words.
"Today's trial has shown me that many of you are not just skilled, but also dedicated to improving. Keep this momentum going. Tomorrow will bring another challenge, and I expect you all to bring the same level of determination and focus."
As the students logged out of NexaRealm, the sense of accomplishment hung in the air. Joon-ho and Hyun-ae walked back to the real world with a renewed sense of purpose. They knew the journey ahead was still long and filled with challenges, but today's success was a step in the right direction. They were ready to face whatever came next, armed with their skills, knowledge, and a relentless drive to be the best.
As Joon-ho and Hyun-ae exited the training room, the weight of the day's achievements and challenges settled over them like a comforting blanket. They walked in silence for a while, each lost in their thoughts about the trials they had just faced and the impending challenges that lay ahead.
Joon-ho glanced at Hyun-ae, who seemed to be deep in thought.
"Hey, you did amazing today," he said, breaking the silence. "Tenth place is nothing to scoff at."
"Thanks, Joon-ho. I guess I'm still processing everything. It feels surreal, you know? Yesterday I was the nineteenth, and today, the tenth. It's a big jump," Hyun-ae smiled, though a hint of doubt still lingered in her eyes.
"It is," Joon-ho agreed. "And it shows how much you've improved. Don't let one day define you. Tomorrow's another chance to show what you've got."
They made their way to the cafeteria, the smell of food inviting and familiar. As they filled their trays and found a table, the conversation turned to their classmates and the day's performances. The names and faces of the top performers lingered in their minds, each one a potential rival and ally in the days to come.
"Do you think Tae-young ever feels pressure?" Hyun-ae mused, stirring her soup thoughtfully.
"With the way he looked and acted, I doubted it. But still, he's human, so he must. But he hides it well. That's part of what makes him so intimidating. He's always composed, always perfect. But even he started somewhere. We just have to keep pushing ourselves," Joon-ho chuckled.
The cafeteria buzzed with conversations about the trials. Students shared their experiences, their hopes, and their anxieties about the final selections. The competitiveness of the previous day had given way to a camaraderie, as everyone realized they were all in this together, facing the same pressures and striving for the same goals.
As they finished their meal, Joon-ho and Hyun-ae received a notification on their NCK app. The message was simple but loaded with anticipation:
"Tomorrow's session will be the final selection to determine the top 10 students who will move on to the next round of selection for the best 3 to represent Korea in the World NexaRealm Championship. Be prepared."
The words hung in the air between them, the reality of the situation sinking in. Tomorrow was the day that would decide their immediate futures, the culmination of all their hard work and dedication.
"I guess this is it," Hyun-ae said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Tomorrow we find out if we've done enough."
"We have. And whatever happens, we've given it our all. That's what matters," Joon-ho nodded, a determined look in his eyes.
They spent the rest of the evening in quiet preparation, reviewing their skills and strategies, mentally gearing up for the next day. The campus, usually buzzing with activity, was eerily quiet as students focused on their preparations.
Night fell, and the tension in the air was almost palpable. Joon-ho lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind racing with thoughts of the trials to come. He knew sleep would be hard to come by, but he also knew that he needed to be well-rested for the challenges ahead.
Across the dorm, Hyun-ae was having similar thoughts. She replayed the day's events in her mind, thinking of what she could improve and how she could bring her best to the final selection. The uncertainty of tomorrow weighed heavily on her, but she was resolved to face it head-on.
As the night deepened, a sense of calm eventually settled over them. They had trained, they had persevered, and now they were ready to face the ultimate test. The path to the World NexaRealm Championship was within reach, and both Joon-ho and Hyun-ae were determined to seize the opportunity with everything they had.