The morning after the final test results were posted, I sat in my room, staring at my system's glowing interface. The Scholar System's steady stream of notifications filled the air like a drumbeat, urging me forward.
[Current Rank: #5 – Seo Seojun.]
[Accepted to Zenith Academy.]
A smirk tugged at my lips. I'd made it in and not just barely. Yet I couldn't shake the nagging thought of Eunha's progress. She was right behind me, her rank solid at #6. It wouldn't take much for her to overtake me if I wasn't careful.
I opened a spreadsheet on my laptop, mapping out my strategy for Zenith Academy. Connections were going to matter as much as skill. Building relationships with system users whose abilities complemented mine would be crucial.
And that's where Jiyeon came in.
The Charisma System wasn't just about charming people it could influence social hierarchies, sway opinions, and open doors that might otherwise remain closed. Jiyeon had shown her strength during the duel, securing victory through sheer persuasion. With someone like her on my side, I could dominate the Academy's competitive environment.
Later that day, I found her in a bustling café near the testing center. She was seated at a corner table, her posture elegant and confident as she scrolled through her phone.
"Mind if I join you?" I asked, sliding into the seat across from her before she could answer.
She raised an eyebrow but didn't protest. "What do you want, Seojun?"
I leaned forward, keeping my voice low. "I want you to work with me at Zenith Academy. We both know the competition there will be fierce. Your skills and my strategy we'd be unstoppable."
Jiyeon's lips curled into a faint smile. "Flattering, but I don't work for free. What's in it for me?"
I expected the question. "You're a Charisma System user. Connections are your lifeblood, right? Imagine having access to the Academy's top scholars, engineers, and strategists. I can help you build those connections and more."
For a moment, Jiyeon seemed to consider my offer. Then she shook her head. "Tempting, but no. I don't make alliances lightly, and I'm not interested in being someone's pawn in a sibling rivalry."
Her blunt refusal stung, but I wasn't giving up. "Then what would make it worth your while?"
She leaned back in her chair, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "I have my own goals, Seojun. If you want my help, you'll have to offer something concrete."
Meanwhile, Eunha was plotting her own moves.
At the other end of town, Kang Minho sat in a crowded gym, effortlessly bench-pressing weights that most people couldn't lift with both hands. His Fitness System aura shimmered faintly as he completed another rep, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead.
"Still overcompensating, I see," Eunha's voice called out, cutting through the noise.
Minho set the bar down with a clank and glanced her way, his expression unimpressed. "What do you want?"
"I want you to help me crush my brother at Zenith Academy," she said bluntly, sitting on the bench next to his.
Minho let out a short laugh. "Pass. Your sibling drama isn't my problem."
Eunha expected his rejection, but she wasn't deterred. "Don't dismiss me so quickly. Your Fitness System has limits, doesn't it? It enhances your physical abilities, but it doesn't give you the strategy or connections to use them to their full potential. That's where I come in."
Minho grabbed a towel and wiped his face, his expression unreadable. "And what's in it for me?"
Eunha leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You want to be more than just the guy who lifts heavy things, right? Help me, and I'll make sure you're seen as a leader, not just a brute."
Both siblings had planted the seeds for their alliances, but neither Jiyeon nor Minho was ready to commit. The game was far from over, and the next moves would determine who gained the upper hand.