Two Years Later
The Bulletin Board
Kaiza stood before the bulletin board in the crowded hallway of his new school. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter, footsteps, and snippets of excited conversations. He scanned the list of names, his finger trailing down the columns until it stopped.
Kaiza – Class 1-B.
Kaiza: (to himself) Class B, huh…
He adjusted the strap of his bag, his expression unreadable. Around him, students greeted friends and exchanged stories of their summer breaks, but Kaiza moved with purpose, his eyes fixed ahead. The faintest smile tugged at his lips.
Kaiza: (thinking) A new school, a fresh start. Let's see if this place is worth my time.
With a deep breath, he pushed open the door to Class 1-B.
The Classroom
The scene inside was nothing short of chaos. At the front of the room, a boy with thick glasses scribbled furiously in a notebook, muttering formulas under his breath—the classic overachiever. In the back corner, a group of boys erupted into laughter, drawing annoyed glances from the teacher—the class clowns. By the window sat a lone figure exuding quiet arrogance—the unmistakable hotshot.
Kaiza scanned the room, his eyes flitting over each cluster of personalities. He smirked to himself as he claimed the window seat, the unofficial "main character" spot.
Kaiza: (to himself) Perfect.
The chatter around him swirled like white noise, snippets of conversations blending into a hum of energy. Kaiza leaned back, taking it all in. He wasn't here to stand out—not yet, anyway. For now, he was content to observe.
Suddenly, a loud voice shattered the buzz.
Udo: (yelling) WHO'S THE STRONGEST DOMINION PLAYER HERE?!
The room fell silent, all eyes snapping to Udo. His wild grin and untamed energy were impossible to ignore. Standing on a chair with one foot on the desk, he looked like a gladiator declaring war.
Kaiza glanced at the boy, raising an eyebrow. He wasn't sure whether to be amused or impressed by the sheer audacity.
Bry: (raising an eyebrow) Big words. What's your rank?
Udo leapt down, pointing a dramatic finger at Bry.
Udo: Plat 1,228. What about you?
Bry leaned back in his seat, his expression calm and unbothered.
Bry: Plat 1,082. Looks like I'm lower.
Udo's grin widened as he strolled toward Bry, his confidence undeterred.
Udo: Let's play later, then. I'm Udo. You?
Bry: Bry. Don't chicken out.
Their banter sparked a ripple of laughter throughout the room, breaking the tension. Kaiza observed quietly, his interest piqued. These two had an energy that was magnetic, a blend of competition and camaraderie.
Kaiza: (thinking) This class might be more interesting than I thought.
The conversation naturally shifted to Dominion, the MOBA game that dominated school life. Across the room, a group of students debated strategies, their voices rising with excitement.
Jay: (boasting) You guys should've seen me last night—five-kill highlight! Like a pro.
Udo: (teasing) Five kills? Pro-level? You sure you weren't dreaming?
Jay: (grinning) Ask anyone. It was clean. You can't fake a pentakill.
Bry: (leaning in) What build were you running?
Jay launched into a detailed explanation, gesturing animatedly. Udo and Bry chimed in with tips and counterpoints, their laughter filling the room. Kaiza leaned back in his chair, listening from a distance. The passion in their voices was contagious, but he remained an observer.
Kaiza: (thinking) They're loud, but they know their stuff. Maybe this won't be so bad.
As the day wound down, the bell rang, and students flooded out of the classroom. Kaiza lingered, packing his bag at a leisurely pace. Just as he slung it over his shoulder, Udo approached, leaning casually against his desk.
Udo: (grinning) Everyone's made friends already, but here you are, sitting alone. How long are you planning to keep up the mysterious act?
Kaiza met his gaze, shrugging lightly.
Kaiza: I'm just shy.
Udo barked out a laugh, clearly unconvinced.
Udo: Shy? Nah. You're the type who keeps people guessing. Do you play Dominion?
Kaiza hesitated, his fingers tightening slightly around the strap of his bag.
Kaiza: I'm still a beginner. I'd probably drag you guys down.
Udo waved his hand dismissively, his grin widening.
Udo: Nah, we'll carry your ass. That's what teammates are for. You might surprise yourself.
The word "teammates" lingered in Kaiza's mind, stirring something unfamiliar. He wasn't used to it—but maybe, just maybe, it wouldn't be so bad.
Kaiza: (smiling faintly) Alright. Let's go.
The school's gaming lounge was alive with energy, the hum of computers and the click of keyboards creating a symphony of competition. Udo, Bry, Jay, and Kaiza settled into their seats, the screens glowing before them.
Bry: Kaiza, you're new, so you can play support. Easiest role to learn.
Kaiza: (frowning) Support? What's that?
Udo clapped him on the back, his grin widening.
Udo: Just heal us, don't die, and stay out of trouble. We'll show you the ropes.
Before they could launch into the game, a sharp voice cut through the air.
Jesse: (mocking) Class B really lives up to its messy reputation.
Kaiza turned to see Jesse, a tall boy from Class A, sauntering into the room with an air of superiority. Flanked by two equally smug classmates, he crossed his arms, his smirk unshakeable.
Udo: (glaring) You got a problem with that?
Jesse: Yeah. Your gameplay is just as loud and annoying as your voices.
The room bristled with tension as Udo stepped forward, fists clenched.
Udo: Oh? You wanna go at it?
Jesse: Class A versus Class B. Let's see if you're all talk.
Kaiza adjusted his headset, his lips curling into a small smile.
Kaiza: (thinking) This is going to be fun.
Dominion Ranking System
1. Iron: 1 - 1- 499
2. Bronze: 500 - 999
3. Platinum: 1,000 - 2,500
4. Gold: 2,600 - 3,800
5. Diamond: 3,900 - 4,600