The exam hall buzzed with quiet anticipation as students filed in, their shoes clicking against the polished marble floor. Each desk was equipped with a sleek tablet glowing faintly, a countdown timer displayed at the top. I took my seat near the front, glancing briefly at the competition around me. Some looked nervous, others focused, and a few exuded quiet confidence.
Eunha walked in a few moments later, her chin held high and her eyes scanning the room. She didn't look at me directly, but I could feel the sharp edge of her presence as she sat down a few rows behind me.
"Welcome to the Zenith Academy entrance exam," a voice boomed through the hall. A tall woman with sharp glasses and a no-nonsense demeanor stood at the podium. "The first part of the exam is the Academic Evaluation. This section will test your ability to think critically, solve problems, and apply knowledge in real-world scenarios. Your systems will assist you, but only to the extent of your own capabilities. You have two hours. Begin."
The moment the timer started, the tablet lit up with the first question:
[Question 1: Solve this logic puzzle to open the encrypted safe.]
A series of numbers flashed on the screen, forming a convoluted pattern. I let out a slow breath. This was nothing new. The Scholar System had trained me for moments like this.
[Quest: Solve Question 1 in under 5 minutes.]
[Reward: +1 Focus Point.]
I analyzed the numbers, letting my enhanced memory and pattern-recognition skills kick in. In my mind's eye, the digits rearranged themselves into a grid, and the solution clicked into place.
[Quest Completed: Focus +1.]
The next question appeared instantly.
[Question 2: Develop an economic model to optimize resource distribution for a city.]
I paused. This one was trickier. The question wasn't about memorization; it required creativity and strategic thinking. I mentally mapped out the city's infrastructure based on the data provided, breaking down population demographics and resource allocation.
The Scholar System chimed in as I worked:
[Hint: Focus on renewable resources.]
Hints were rare, and I took them seriously. Adjusting my model, I finished just in time to see the screen flash green.
[Quest Completed: Intelligence +2.]
By the halfway mark, I'd tackled questions on cryptography, advanced calculus, and theoretical physics. Each one felt like a battle, but the Scholar System kept me sharp. I risked a glance at the timer. One hour left.
That's when the questions ramped up in difficulty.
[Question 15: Write a persuasive argument on the ethical implications of system usage.]
This wasn't my strong suit. Persuasion wasn't a skill the Scholar System emphasized, but I focused on logic and structure. I crafted an argument about the potential for systems to widen societal inequality, sprinkling in real-world examples from my previous life.
Eunha's voice echoed in my mind: "You think you're the only one who understands this world?"
The thought made me grit my teeth, my fingers flying across the tablet screen.
As the timer ticked down to the final minutes, the last question appeared:
[Question 25: Analyze and solve this real-time crisis scenario.]
The screen displayed a simulated city facing a cascading series of disasters a blackout, a water shortage, and a cyber-attack. Each decision I made altered the course of the scenario, creating new problems or resolving existing ones.
I leaned in, fully immersed. The Scholar System's augmented processing power allowed me to predict outcomes faster, but even with its help, every choice felt like walking a tightrope. Restore the power grid first, but reroute water supplies to hospitals. Quarantine affected areas without cutting off supply chains.
The simulation ended with a score: 92%.
[Quest Completed: Focus +3, Intelligence +2.]
When the timer hit zero, a chime signaled the end of the test. I sat back, flexing my fingers. My brain buzzed from the mental workout, but I felt confident.
The proctors began collecting tablets, and I took the chance to glance at Eunha. She leaned back in her seat, her expression unreadable. But the slight upward tilt of her lips told me she was satisfied with her performance.
As we left the hall, students whispered nervously about the questions. One boy groaned, "That last scenario was impossible! I barely got 60%."
Another girl sighed. "Forget that. The logic puzzles killed me."
Eunha and I said nothing. Our competition wasn't with them it was with each other.
Later that evening, the results came in. I opened my system interface, my heart pounding.
[Academic Evaluation Results: Rank #5.]
I let out a breath of relief. Top five. That was a solid start.
A notification appeared, and I couldn't help but smirk.
[Sibling Rivalry Bonus Activated.]
Eunha's name flashed in my vision:
[Rank #6 – Seo Eunha.]
Not bad, but not good enough to beat me. I expected her to be furious, but when I glanced over at her across the room, she simply raised an eyebrow.
"Enjoy it while it lasts, Oppa," she said. "We're just getting started."
The Academic Evaluation was only the beginning, but it made one thing clear: Zenith Academy wasn't for the faint of heart. The competition was fierce, and every step forward required precision, grit, and unrelenting focus.
And for Eunha and me, the stakes were personal.