Sam watches as Aria is defeated in the simulation, a smile spreading across his face. He turns to Adder, who is clearly fuming. "Looks like I won the bet," Sam says smugly, savoring his victory.
Adder grits his teeth, his expression darkening with frustration. He had been so confident in his simulation, but Aria's performance in Sam's creation has proven him wrong.
"A deal is a deal," Adder says, his voice stern. "I'll give you one of my skills, as agreed."
Sam turns to see Yuna and Cedric approaching. Yuna's face is alight with a relieved smile. "Sam, congratulations! I have to admit, I was worried there for a second," she says, her words tinged with a hint of sheepishness.
Cedric nods, his expression one of quiet approval. "You've outdone yourself, young man. I have never seen Aria struggle that much before."
Sam grins, basking in the praise. "Thanks, you two."
Adder's face twists in a scowl, his eyes narrowing as he glares at Sam. "Don't get cocky, Genesis! I may have lost today, but I won't lose to you next time!" he spits, his voice laced with venom.
Sam chuckles, his confidence unwavering. "Hah! Keep dreaming, Caliban. Since you can't defeat me now, you will never be able to defeat me." He crosses his arms, a smug grin plastered across his face.
Adder's scowl deepens, his grip tightening as he glares at Sam. "Just you wait!" he spits, his voice dripping with venom.
Yuna leans in, her voice lowered. "He is really competitive, isn't he?" she murmurs to Sam, her brow furrowed with concern.
Sam chuckles, shrugging nonchalantly. "Yeah, but he seems to be a decent guy. I'm sure we can work things out." His gaze shifts to Adder, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.
Aria takes off the simulation helmet, and Cedric says, "Good work." Cedric then asks Aria, "What are your thoughts about the simulation?"
Aria pauses, considering the experience. "I liked it. The combat, the characters, the powers – they all felt so vibrant and real." A small smile tugs at the corners of her lips. "And I have to admit, I felt a connection with Bayonetta. Her confidence and skill are quite captivating."
Cedric nods, his expression approving. "I'm glad you found it engaging. This simulation could be an intriguing opportunity for you to explore."
Aria's gaze shifts to the helmet in her hands, her fingers tracing the sleek surface. "Yes, I'm quite interested in delving deeper into this world."
Sam heard Aria's positive comments and felt a sense of pride swell within him. Cedric then turned to the two developers, his gaze shifting between Sam and Adder.
"So, who is the winner of this competition?" Cedric asked, his voice calm and measured.
Aria contemplated the simulations for a moment before speaking. "Both have their strengths and weaknesses." She glanced at Sam. "Genesis' simulation is incredibly polished and immersive. The attention to detail in the characters, environments, and combat is truly impressive."
Aria then turned to Adder. "Caliban's simulation offers a unique blend of technology and magic, creating a captivating cyberpunk setting. The gameplay is solid, and the mission structure is engaging."
There was a bit of suspense, and Aria ultimately announced the winner.
"After careful consideration, I believe the winner of this competition is Genesis," Aria declared, her gaze shifting between Sam and Adder. "His simulation was truly exceptional, showcasing an unparalleled level of detail and immersion. Caliban's work was also impressive, but Genesis' execution and the captivating world he created set him apart."
Sam couldn't hide the satisfied grin that spread across his face, while Adder's expression darkened with a mixture of frustration and begrudging acknowledgment.
Adder had faint hope that he still had a chance to win. Despite his frustration, he couldn't deny the quality of Sam's simulation. Sam held out his hand to Adder, his expression surprisingly free of gloating.
"You put up a good fight, Caliban," Sam said, his tone sincere. "That simulation of yours was no easy feat."
Adder eyed Sam's outstretched hand for a moment, his pride warring with a begrudging respect. Finally, he reached out and grasped Sam's hand, giving it a firm shake.
"You're not bad yourself, Genesis," Adder replied, the edge in his voice softening. "Looks like I've got some work to do to catch up to you."
Aria stepped forward, drawing the attention of the group. "Caliban, while Genesis' simulation may have been the winner, your work was truly impressive as well." She turned to Adder, her expression earnest. "I would like to award you for creating a wonderful simulation."
Adder was taken aback by Aria's words. "I... Thank you, Ms. Silverstone," he replied, his voice tinged with a rare note of humility. "I'm grateful for your acknowledgment. It will only push me to work harder and create something even better next time."
Aria stepped forward and presented Sam with a gleaming, ruby-red Simulation Gem. "Genesis, your work has truly impressed me. As a reward, I'd like to award you with this B-Rank Gem."
Sam's eyes widened as he accepted the Gem, its power pulsing with a warm energy. "Th-thank you, Ms. Silverstone. I'm honored." A grin spread across his face. With this B-Rank Gem, he could now create even more immersive and complex simulations, pushing the boundaries of what was possible.
Yuna clasped her hands together, her eyes shining with excitement. "Wow, Sam! This is incredible. Just think of all the amazing things you can do with that Gem."
Cedric nodded approvingly, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Indeed. I look forward to seeing what you will accomplish, young man."
Sam thanked the Silverstones again for the opportunity and the reward. "I'm truly grateful for this chance and the recognition. It means a lot to me."
Aria nodded. "It was well-deserved. Now, I believe a celebratory dinner is in order. Wouldn't you agree, Father?"
Cedric smiled. "Indeed. It's been a long and eventful day. Why don't you all join us?"
Yuna beamed. "That sounds wonderful! I'd love to."
Adder, despite his earlier frustration, gave a slight nod. "Very well. Lead the way."
The group followed Aria and Cedric, ready to continue their conversation over a shared meal.
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Advance chapters in my P@|r$0n/Najicablitz