The Scholar System wasn't just a tool it was a lifestyle, and for both Eunha and me, it consumed everything.
Each day began with the chime of new quests. For me, the tasks were straightforward: memorize a hundred vocabulary words, solve advanced equations, and analyze a historical essay. I could finish most of them within an hour and still have time to strategize.
But Eunha... she was relentless.
I spotted her during lunch in the school courtyard, surrounded by stacks of textbooks, her pen flying across the page. She barely ate. Her focus was intense, her hand twitching every time a notification popped up on her phone. The glow of satisfaction on her face as she completed yet another quest irritated me to no end.
"Trying to take the lead?" I asked casually, walking up to her table.
She didn't even glance at me. "You should be asking yourself if you can keep up."
I chuckled. "Keep up? I'm leagues ahead."
Finally, she looked at me, her eyes glinting with challenge. "If you were, you wouldn't be wasting time talking to me."
The words stung, but I refused to show it. Instead, I smirked and leaned over her table. "Don't burn yourself out, Eunha. This isn't a sprint; it's a marathon."
She snorted and waved me away. "Then get out of my way. You're blocking my view of the finish line."
That was how it went for weeks constant one-upmanship. At school, we competed for the highest grades, both of us excelling in every subject. At home, I'd overhear her mumbling formulas late into the night. The leaderboard showed our progress:
[#7 – Seo Seojun]
[#8 – Seo Eunha]
She was catching up. I had underestimated her grit.
The system, sensing our competition, pushed harder. It offered unique challenges:
[Sibling Rivalry Bonus Quest: Outrank Your Opponent by 10 Positions.]
[Reward: 30 Intelligence Points.]
The stakes were getting higher.
One evening, I returned home to find Eunha sitting in the living room, poring over an economics textbook. Normally, she preferred to study in her room, so seeing her there was unusual.
"What's this? A new strategy?" I asked, dropping my bag on the floor.
She glanced up, her face calm but her eyes fierce. "I'm just doing what you always think three steps ahead."
"Three steps, huh? Bold of you to assume you're even one step ahead."
She didn't rise to the bait. Instead, she held up her phone, showing me a glowing notification.
[Special Event Unlocked: Entrance Exam for Zenith Academy.]
I froze.
Zenith Academy.
It was a school shrouded in mystery and prestige a place only system users could attend. Stories said it was the ultimate training ground for those aiming to dominate their respective fields. If the Scholar System was a cheat code for life, then Zenith Academy was the final boss arena.
"They only send these invitations to the best," Eunha said, her tone dripping with challenge. "Guess they noticed me."
I forced a smile. "Or maybe they just sent one to everyone ranked above 10."
She arched an eyebrow. "Then it must sting to know you're only barely in that range."
Touché.
But this wasn't just about the rivalry anymore. Zenith Academy wasn't some ordinary school. I knew what this invitation meant it was an opportunity. A chance to refine my abilities, learn the hidden depths of the system, and secure my future.
"Fine," I said, meeting her gaze. "Let's both apply. We'll see who shines brighter."