The monitors in the viewing area flickered to life as Eunha and her opponent, Kim Jiyeon, stepped into their respective simulation chambers. A hushed anticipation fell over the other applicants as we watched the proctors explain the rules to the new pair.
Kim Jiyeon was calm and poised, her blue-tinged Charisma System aura faintly shimmering. She exuded confidence, the kind that made people instinctively want to follow her lead. Meanwhile, Eunha stood still, her face betraying no emotion. If anything, she looked bored, which I knew was just her way of masking her nerves.
The proctor's voice crackled through the speakers:
"This duel will test your ability to negotiate and lead. You will be placed in a simulated crisis where you must convince key figures to support your solution. The one who gains majority support from the NPCs in the simulation wins. Any questions?"
Eunha didn't ask anything, but Jiyeon smirked. "And if we gain unanimous support?"
"Then we will evaluate the speed and depth of your solution," the proctor replied.
The simulation began.
Eunha and Jiyeon's screens loaded identical scenarios: a city teetering on the brink of collapse. The infrastructure was failing, resources were scarce, and the citizens were divided into three distinct factions. Each faction had its own leader, goals, and grievances.
Eunha's Scholar System kicked in immediately, scanning the data and outlining the core issues:
Faction A demanded improved housing and infrastructure.Faction B wanted immediate food and medical supplies.Faction C called for better security to curb rising crime.
Jiyeon, on the other hand, approached the situation differently. Her Charisma System highlighted key phrases, emotional cues, and the personalities of the NPC leaders. She zeroed in on their motivations, tailoring her words to resonate with each faction.
[Kim Jiyeon's Interface:]
[Hint: Build rapport by addressing personal concerns before introducing solutions.]
She approached the leader of Faction A first, empathizing with his frustration over the crumbling buildings. "No one should have to live in fear of their home collapsing," she said smoothly. "I propose a solution that benefits everyone, starting with your needs."
The leader nodded cautiously, and her influence bar for Faction A began to rise.
Eunha, however, took a more analytical route. She didn't waste time appealing to emotions; instead, she mapped out a strategy that would maximize resources across all three factions. Her Scholar System flagged inefficiencies in resource allocation, allowing her to draft a plan that met each faction's core demands without depleting reserves.
Her first move was to approach the leader of Faction B. "I understand your need for food and medical supplies," she began, her voice calm but authoritative. "My plan prioritizes those, but I'll need your cooperation to redirect manpower from Faction A. If we work together, we can stabilize the entire city."
The leader of Faction B hesitated, but Eunha's precise data and unwavering confidence won him over. Her influence bar for Faction B ticked upward.
The battle of styles was fascinating to watch. Jiyeon worked on building trust and personal connections, her Charisma System amplifying her persuasiveness. By the time she moved to Faction C, she'd already secured partial support from Factions A and B.
"You've been ignored for too long," she told Faction C's leader. "My plan prioritizes security, ensuring your citizens feel safe again." Her voice softened, taking on a conspiratorial tone. "But I can't do it without you. If you back me, I'll make sure your concerns are heard first."
The leader of Faction C seemed hesitant, but Jiyeon's charisma was undeniable.
Eunha, on the other hand, faced resistance from Faction C. "Security alone won't fix the city," she argued, her Scholar System overlaying the projected outcomes of her plan. "We need to stabilize housing and resources first; otherwise, any security measures will crumble under the weight of dissatisfaction."
Faction C's leader frowned. "You're asking me to take a backseat to the other factions."
"I'm asking you to trust me," Eunha replied firmly. "If we don't act strategically, the entire city will collapse. You want security? Then let me create the conditions for it to succeed."
Her influence bar climbed slowly but steadily.
The simulation timer ticked down as both competitors scrambled to finalize their plans. Jiyeon's charisma had won her significant support, but cracks were beginning to show in her strategy. Faction B's leader questioned the sustainability of her proposals, while Faction C's leader grew wary of her promises.
Eunha, by contrast, had created a coherent, long-term solution. While her progress was slower, her factions' support was more stable.
[Eunha's System Message:]
[Hint: Reinforce your proposal with logical projections to counter doubts.]
"Faction A," Eunha said, turning to their leader. "If you allocate your resources to support housing repairs, I can guarantee that Faction B and C will stabilize within a week. Here's the data to prove it."
Graphs and charts materialized in the air, each one meticulously detailed. The leader of Faction A hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. I'll back your plan."
Her influence bar for Faction A maxed out.
In the final moments of the simulation, the scoreboard showed an almost even split. Jiyeon had a slight lead in total influence, but her factions' stability ratings were lower. Eunha's factions were fully committed, but her overall influence was just shy of Jiyeon's.
As the timer hit zero, the simulation dissolved, and both girls reappeared in their chambers. The results flashed on the monitors in the viewing area:
Kim Jiyeon: 70% Influence, 55% Stability.
Seo Eunha: 65% Influence, 85% Stability.
The room erupted into murmurs. Jiyeon had won by raw numbers, but Eunha's stability score was far superior.
Afterward, Jiyeon approached Eunha in the hallway, her expression unreadable. "That was close," she said, her voice friendly but with a hint of challenge.
Eunha shrugged. "Influence doesn't mean much if it falls apart later."
Jiyeon tilted her head, smiling faintly. "Maybe. But in the real world, getting people on your side is half the battle."
Their exchange was civil, but the rivalry was unmistakable. Jiyeon might have won this round, but Eunha had proven herself as a serious contender.
Back in the viewing area, I found Eunha standing alone, watching the monitors.
"Not bad," I admitted grudgingly.
She glanced at me, her expression unreadable. "I'll take that as a compliment, Oppa. But you should worry more about yourself. I'm just getting started."
I smirked. "So am I."
With the duels over, the final test was complete. Now, all that was left was to await the rankings and to prepare for the real challenge ahead: Zenith Academy itself.