Maryknoll Essay Contest

The Loyalty Game Psychological Drama | Political Family Suspense When Governor Tunde Iroko’s mother needs a caregiver, he launches a secretive, high-stakes contest: The Loyalty Game. With a $6,000 monthly prize, candidates from all walks of life compete in a series of intense psychological tests to prove their worth and their loyalty. But this isn’t just about caregiving. It’s a battle of trust, secrets, and survival under constant watch. Friendships form, alliances crack, and betrayal lurks behind every smile. As the game unfolds, the candidates and the governor’s family must confront harsh truths about power, love, and what it really means to care. Who will win the game? And at what cost? Dive into The Loyalty Game—a gripping tale of suspense, heart, and human ethics.

Avery Carter a essayé de vivre la vie d'une fille parfaite et soumise. Cependant, un jour, quelqu'un est apparu prétendant être sa vraie fille, déclarant qu'Avery était fausse. Sans hésitation, Avery a abandonné sa position de "vraie" fille et est retournée vers ses parents biologiques. Beaucoup s'attendaient à ce qu'elle tombe en disgrâce après avoir quitté sa riche famille adoptive, mais elle a surpris tout le monde en sortant sa famille biologique de la pauvreté. Elle a transformé la vie de sa mère et de son père, les rendant milliardaires du jour au lendemain. Avec cent milliards de dollars à son nom, elle est devenue une maîtresse de la technologie et une femme talentueuse, s'élevant directement au sommet de sa vie. Mais tout a changé lorsqu'elle a rencontré Alexander Moran, un homme riche et beau. C'était un personnage influent absolu—décisif, froid et insensible. Pourtant, pour une raison quelconque, il ne pouvait s'empêcher de s'empêtrer avec elle, toujours prêt à lui donner tout son amour. Lors de leur première rencontre, il a dit : "Je me donnerai en caution." La deuxième fois qu'ils se sont rencontrés, elle a demandé : "Pourquoi devrais-je te faire confiance ?" Après de multiples rencontres, son ton a changé. "Tu n'aurais pas dû franchir cette limite, Avery, si tu ne voulais pas que ce soit comme ça." un bras robuste enveloppait son corps vacillant. Sa tête devint embrumée et un soupir chaud et intentionnel s'échappa de ses lèvres. 'Comment diable me suis-je retrouvée dans cette situation ?' pensa Avery, l'esprit tournant.

--WSA 2025 ENTRY-- Neraxis saved the people and wiped out the monsters, but instead of cheers, he faced silence and a glowing blue text: [Task Failed Successfully!] [Rating Generated: SSS-Rank] "The hell does that even mean?" he muttered, finding the situation a bit strange. Before he could process, the so-called heroes—who had hidden while he fought—emerged. He waited for gratitude, only to feel a dagger pierce his back. The only girl he loved stood behind him. She betrayed him. The crowd and heroes? They were staring at him with disdain and contempt. "You..." he groaned as a spear and sword headed for him, ending his life. But instead of dying, he was sent back to the past—specifically, to the first day of the academy, year 2367, 8 years before his death. However, many things had changed. One of the most significant was the sudden appearance of a Tower, a mysterious structure that had appeared across all the continents, granting power to those brave enough to contest its challenges. "Not again... With this chance I will end you all" Neraxis vowed to himself, embarking on his path of revenge, while also trying to give his life new meaning. ***** Disclaimer: MC is not instantly going to be a villain, as his background is that of a hero. The switch will be gradual in accordance with the events that happen along the way. Some snippets of such events have already been teased :) *****

Dummy number one barges into my life like he owns the damn place, acting like the world owes him a damn trophy. Dummy number two? Oh, he's got me on speed dial and follows me like I'm some rare Pokémon he just has to catch. Meanwhile, I'm stuck playing referee in their never-ending "who's more annoying" contest. Senior year was supposed to be chill, but instead, I got front row seats to this circus. Honestly? Please leave me alone unless you wanna fight!

WATCH FOR MY NEW BOOK CORE ANOMALY What happens if in a world where three factions rule, appears one being led by his desires and turns this world in his playground? What if this being gets a way to obtain an immense power, blessed by the Gods and reborn in a body with one of the greatest potential? Well, people will queue up waiting to kill him, but when you try to kill someone like that, you only serve as a stepping stone to his ascension. Look at our protagonist, Axel, who one day will shake the world simply by mentioning his name, or any of the titles he earns along his way to the existential apex. [ Fantasy Carnival Contest ] Author Note: english is not my first language and also first time writing, so I'll try my best and also I accept any comments to improve, because it's sure I'll have some mistakes. Cover's not mine, yet it's edited by me. R-18 content will take place in this novel. Enjoy :) My Discord: https://discord.gg/tJTJc5NJhu My ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/primedarkness812 Donate to help me write!

After centuries of bloodshed between humans and beastmen, a fragile peace is forged—through a brutal hunting festival. The prize? The human king’s youngest son, Ezra—a veiled beauty, silent and mysterious. When the triplet werewolf Alphas win the contest, they expect a powerless human omega—a symbol of peace, nothing more. What they get insted something even more dangerous: a bond. But only one of the three shares Ezra’s fated connection. As Ezra is forced into a cold, unwanted marriage, secrets begin to unravel. Because fate isn’t done with him yet. There are still two more Alphas out there— His second fated mate was the white lion Clan's crown prince, but he didn't expect that there would be a third mate too.

Mort en Héros, rené en Démon... Le plus fort des Héros du monde a tué le Roi Démon, le démon le plus puissant jamais apparu sur Terre. Il a accompli ce qu'aucun autre héros n'avait jamais réussi. Mais hélas, le Héros ne s'attendait pas à ce que sa propre petite amie, ses propres amis et l'organisation en laquelle il avait confiance se retournent soudainement contre lui et tentent de le tuer. C'était le coup le plus cruel qu'il ait jamais reçu dans sa vie. Il ne s'est pourtant pas avoué vaincu et a essayé de tenir bon, mais ils étaient venus préparés, et il fut pris au dépourvu dans leur piège. Il s'est battu jusqu'à la mort pour se retrouver transmigré dans le corps d'un démon ! Mais qui aurait cru qu'il serait le mari de la Reine Démon ! Toutefois, la vie en tant que consort royal n'était pas du tout facile. Alors lisez pour découvrir comment il va surmonter ceux qui cherchent à l'écraser et finalement obtenir sa revanche. ===== Lien Discord https://discord.gg/HjWkd4nB3z =====

Every person sees the world through their own lens. The same question can lead to countless different answers — shaped by age, experience, and emotions. In this interactive series, I ask one thought-provoking question each day. Readers from all walks of life share their personal thoughts. My goal is to collect these voices and understand how different age groups think, feel, and respond to the same idea. Join the journey. Share your truth. Let’s discover the wisdom hidden in our everyday thoughts. *This is an interactive non fiction/ essay style series.

Haruki Tenma is the kind of boy no one ever notices twice. Calm, quiet, and a little too good at staying invisible. His only real passion? Capturing fleeting moments through the lens of his camera. Miyako Hanabira is the girl everyone notices. Loud, stylish, unpredictable and way out of Haruki’s league. She’s the type who goes viral without trying and laughs in the face of rules. To her, Haruki was just a "safe friend" the background guy with a good heart and no game. Until one accidental photo submission... turns into a national contest win. And that photo? A cosplay shot of Miyako so perfect, so romantic, it gets them entered into a government-sponsored symbolic youth marriage program. Now they’re **secretly married**. Legally? Yes. Emotionally? Absolutely not. Romantically? …Well, that’s complicated. To avoid a scandal, the two agree to fake nothing, feel nothing, and just wait it out until graduation. But as they share mornings, dinners, house chores, festivals, and after-practice walks under cherry blossoms—something fragile and real starts to bloom between them. They’re not dating. They’re just married. So why does it feel like love?

Stephen Hawking, He was regularly asked for his thoughts on the “big questions” of the day by scientists, tech entrepreneurs, senior business figures, political leaders and the general public. Stephen maintained an enormous personal archive of his responses, which took the form of speeches, interviews and essays. Now, he's not here with us but somewhere in the form of tiny particles, he's travelling around in this universe or who knows maybe in any other alternate universe... He had lost some of his physical abilities due to any spinal issue ... But, in his mind, he was completely free, free to travel around anywhere, free to explore the existence itself ... In this book, I'm gonna share what I've studied, what I'm studying, what I've observed, what are the possibilities, what actually our life is ...these all things, about whom? About my favorite, "Mr. Hawking" and his theoretical physics concepts.

In a fractured multiverse where worlds collide and vanish, a mysterious and deadly game unfolds. Players from across realms—heroes, outcasts, and those lost to time—are summoned to compete in a brutal trial of survival. Each level of the labyrinth challenges their strength, cunning, and morality, pushing them ever closer to a dark unknown. At the heart of this cruel contest lies a secret: the labyrinth’s true purpose is far beyond the players’ comprehension. With each victory, the stakes rise, revealing layers of treachery, forgotten histories, and runes that bind the fates of the competitors in ways they can't begin to understand. As alliances form and break, and the game’s true architect lurks just out of reach, players must confront their deepest fears—and uncover the truth behind the labyrinth’s creation before it consumes them all. In this unforgiving world, there are no easy answers, and the path to victory is a descent into madness.

Beneath the starry sky of a new era, trade wars erupt, interstellar conflicts rage, resources are fiercely contested, and noble houses clash with ever-growing intensity. It is the best of times—an age where dreams are permitted. It is the worst of times—where all who carry ideals march forward, only to be buried by the tide. From the slums rises Lin Hai, a streetwise youth with nothing to lose. Sharp as a blade and reckless as fire, he carves open the fabric of this era with brutal defiance. In every man’s heart lies a yearning—for the stars and the sea. And so, in this world… there ought to be heroes.

Seven thousand years later, she became the Goddess of Darkness, and crowned as the queen of the United Empires of Darkness. She reigned over the United Empires of Darkness, which composed of Devil Empire, Vampire Empire, Werewolf Empire, Snake People Empire, and Dragon Island. She created the strongest army, which composed of seven royal guard regiments, dragon knight army, phoenix knight army, vampire army, werewolf army, snake people army, and dragon army. She blessed her soldiers with superpowers, and her soldiers returned her with loyalty and respect. She hosted eleven fun contests after Christmas, which were Red Wine Brewing Contest, Music Contest, Dancing Contest, Ghost Storytelling Contest, Talent Show Contest, Costume Design Contest, Cooking Contest, Dragon Riding Contest, Horror Storytelling Contest, Romance Storytelling Contest and Fantasy Storytelling Contest. She hosted resurrection ceremonies in Heaven Company for six days, threw thirty chosen souls into another world, and entered another world on her own in the last day, in search of the better self. When she came to her destiny's crossroads, she chose the path not taken, and wondered how things might have been different.

Essay...It's boring...it's dull...but never pointless. so...don't read it... p.s. . somebody tell me how to get a book cover...tried...but not working

A story of adventure and discovery. A story of bonds and fellowship. A story of mysteries and mantras. A story of a world only the brave dare to brave. The adventure of a simple young man, brave and strong. A seeker of fun, one who understand the beauty of creation. A creature shrouded in enigma, as deep as the universe. The pursuit of mankind and all creatures in existence. A game of survival, a struggle for dominance. A contest of the braves. Additional tags: Realistic fantasy, Mature, Ecchi, Guild creation, Romantic Subplots.

*This is my entry for the WSA 2025 Contest!* This story revolves around Ashton Grace, a delinquent with a brash personality and a rough past. Ashton lives day to day in an endless, boring cycle of school, beating rival gangs, and skipping on stupid, mundane homework until his 18th birthday arrives, and his life changes forever. On his 18th birthday, a cursed demon sealed within Ashton awakens, changing the course of his life and even Ashton's unknown future unexpectedly. To find answers of his existence and to rid of the demonic curse, Ashton must work with Co, an underground exorcist organization that purifies demons lurking in the human realm to rid of powerful devils within the city of Tsurugi. Now to purify the world of demons and devils, Ashton must also work with Jin Itsuki, one of the top exorcist of Co nick-named Mad Dog, and seemingly the only person who can tame the demon inside of Ashton. Unexpectedly, of course, that comes with many problems--one with being falling in love with the one man who hates demons the most. Turning 18 is the worse, ain't it? —————————————————— ADDITIONAL TAGS: #ACTION #HORROR #SUPERNATURAL #THRILLER #ENEMIESTOLOVERS #FIRSTLOVE #TRADGEY #DEMONS #ANGELS —————————————————— Chose Your Agent:

Jack Johnson is jolted awake in his dorm room by a blinding flash of light. As his vision clears, he finds a radiant woman floating at the centre of his room Deyanira, the goddess of magic. She claims he has been chosen as her champion in a divine contest: a deadly game where only one mortal representative will survive to help their god ascend and rule the pantheon. Thrust into a world of magic, rivalry, and cosmic ambition, Jack must outwit and outlast the champions of rival gods. Will he rise to the challenge, or become just another casualty in the gods’ ruthless game of ascension?

I deleted this to repost and enter the contest.

You have read thousands of stories about a player playing the VR MMORPG game about that player's life and how he soared high in his life and in the end we found that the game is just a tutorial or a product of some outer space species. but have you ever thought about what the life of a game maker will be? what if the game made is not a product of outer space species but of a simple man of our planet? what are the effects of the game on the world how many changes it can bring and how does one develop this game? this is a story about a young entrepreneur who had a dream of making a game that will leave such a long impact on history that many generations after him will know him as the father of the first and the last R MMORPG games. ----------------------------------------------------------------- the game will be completely new and will take inspiration from many other games, myths, and lore of many different cultures and religions. I have always dreamed of this whole thing and now I am just writing my dreams on this page. hope you will love it. ----------------------------------------------------------------- GUYS, I AM PARTICIPATING IN THE CONTEST SO IT WOULD BE LOVELY IF YOU SUPPORT IT AND VOTE FOR IT. AT LEAST LEAVE A REVIEW SO THAT I CAN UNDERSTAND MY FAULTS. -----------------------------------------------------------------

A romantic story about how two monsters fall in love: Joseph, the werewolf, falls in love with Angelica, the vampire, after she beats him and his sister in a singing contest. After buying a necklace that glows when his mood changes, Joseph accidentally turns himself into a werewolf. Once he turns himself into a werewolf, Angelica calls her vampire friends to destroy him, but once Angelica falls in love with Joseph, she tries to save him from her werewolf-hunting vampire friends with Joseph's sister and best friend.

In the year 2036, artificial intelligence is as ordinary as electricity—powering homes, writing essays, and replacing entire industries. But when Playtoon Co., a mid-sized South Korean tech company, unveils UPRAISED, the world’s first full-dive MMORPG, everything changes. Unlike anything before it, UPRAISED doesn’t just simulate reality—it evolves with it. Taste, pain, freedom, consequence—every sensation is real. And for Lukas, a 24-year-old convenience store clerk in Manila stuck in a loop of routine and quiet frustration, it’s more than a game. It’s a way out. Haunted by the feeling that life is passing him by, Lukas spends his savings on a NeuroDrive capsule and dives in. No plan. No class picked. Just hope. But the shadows welcomed him—and soon, so did the blade. But UPRAISED isn’t a fantasy playground. It’s alive—with adaptive AI, ruthless players, and a system that doesn’t always play fair. When Lukas is unexpectedly flagged as a Red Name—marked for death, hunted by players, and feared by NPCs—he learns the hard way: in this world, every choice has weight, and every mistake has teeth. This isn’t just a second life. It’s the only one that ever felt real. And as Lukas rises through the chaos, he uncovers a deeper truth: UPRAISED is more than a single world. Hidden within its code are sealed realms—forgotten, forbidden, and waiting. When the first portal opens, it won’t just be a new expansion. It will be war.

At Aldridge Academy, success isn’t an aspiration—it’s survival. In this elite, hyper-competitive school where ranking determines everything, students are reshuffled weekly, their futures dictated by a ruthless meritocracy. The top 20 enjoy unimaginable privileges: mentorships from industry leaders, access to classified research, guaranteed scholarships to the world’s best universities. The rest? They fight to stay afloat, knowing that one bad week could destroy everything. Liam Carter was built for this system. Rank 14. A scholarship prodigy. A perfect machine. With a mind sharper than any algorithm, he has calculated, optimized, and outperformed his way to the top. But when his flawless Ivy League applications are rejected, his entire world fractures. Now, his scholarship is on the line. The school’s administration has given him six months to secure admission to one of ten elite universities—or he loses everything. But Liam isn’t just up against a broken admissions process. Because when his best friend, Ethan Reyes—a wealthy underachiever sinking toward the bottom ranks—posts Liam’s personal statement on Reddit for feedback, it triggers something no one expected. The essay goes viral. Not because of inspirational storytelling—but because it contains something dangerous. A fragment of classified information. A half-forgotten piece of an experiment Liam doesn’t even remember being part of. And now, the wrong people are watching. The CIA believes he’s a leaked asset. A powerful tech cartel wants him recruited—or eliminated. And his biggest rival at school, Jasper Voss, Rank 9, knows Liam’s secret and is willing to use it against him. To survive, Liam must outthink everyone—weaponizing Aldridge’s brutal ranking system, manipulating the school’s elite, and uncovering the truth about his past. Because his rejection wasn’t just bad luck. Someone didn’t want him getting out. And if he fails now, Aldridge won’t just take his scholarship. It will erase him.

A game is about to begin—a ruthless contest of blood and death where mercy is a forgotten word. The weak will be trampled, the innocent will be devoured, and only the cunning, the ruthless, and the unparalleled will rise. This is no ordinary game; the wager? it's nothing less than the world itself. But isn’t that what makes it thrilling? After all, what fun is a game if survival comes easy?

Sunz was born with an unknown ability given only a sword from birth but had no idea of what to do, until one faithful day his ability got reawakened and it's his choice to live his old life or explore his new one with the help of his friend Jihu. At first, Sunz was invited by Jihu to see his Grandpa's tournament in Korea. But the invitation as a Visitor soon changed to an invitation as a Contestant. Now having a chance to compete at Jihu's Grandpa's tournament to find the next member of the Water Clan. But to have a chance at competing in the tournament Sunz needs to win against one of the Inspector. Even if he can defeat the Inspector, can he defeat the other Contestants, who are there for the same reward? An inexperienced nobody joining the World of Experts. Can he survive or will he die without achieving ANYTHING?

They’re broke. They’re emotionally unavailable. They’re probably not licensed to do any of this. But somehow… they keep saving the world by accident. Meet Kazuki Kuroda, a washed-up conman with a mysterious past, a strawberry milk addiction, and a gift for lying through his teeth. Leading a team of psychic freeloaders, demon cats, and emotionally unstable sidekicks, he takes on odd jobs no one else wants—ghost infestations, psychic toddlers, cursed ramen contests… He never means to be a hero. He just wants lunch. But when a simple errand spirals into citywide chaos, Kazuki and his ragtag crew get mistaken for world-saving legends. Again. Between possessed microwaves, fake god impersonations, accidental cult leadership, and one very emotional haunted bathroom ghost, things start getting weird. And dangerous. Because beneath the punchlines and pratfalls… something darker is stirring. And Kazuki? He’s not just lying to the world. He’s lying to himself.

Leo Kael, a 16-year-old high school student, finds his life turned upside down the day a bolt of lightning strikes him. When he wakes up, a mysterious black bracelet has appeared on his wrist, and strange shadow powers begin to manifest themselves. As he tries to understand what's happening to him, Léo discovers that he's not the only one marked by the forces of darkness... Author's note: Hello to everyone stopping by, I just wanted to let you know that I will no longer be publishing chapters of this novel (The Chronicles of the Effect). I had to republish the story under a different title (The Chronicles of Awakening) in order to participate in a contest. So if anyone is really following the story or stumbled upon it out of curiosity, you can find the rest here: ➡️ https://m.webnovel.com/fr/book/the-chronicles-of-awakening_32976010200969905 Or directly on my page. Thanks to those who read it.

On suis diva en tant que médecin et super Héroïne elle essaie de vivre une vie normale mais defois le devoir l'appele

When fire rains from the heavens, Alaric, a solitary mysterious wanderer saves an old woman and is struck down by a celestial blaze. He awakens not in afterlife, but in a world forever changed. Marked by a divine seal, Alaric learns he has been chosen as a contender in a brutal contest: to determine the next God of War.

Ichijo Hotaka sees youth as fleeting and meaningless—until he meets Ao Hoshikawa, a girl who challenges his detached outlook. After finding his discarded essay, she pulls him into unexpected conversations about life, writing, and the small mysteries around them. As their paths intertwine, Ichijo begins to question his own isolation. In the quiet moments of playgrounds and rain-soaked streets, he wonders: can youth be more than just something to endure? Blue and Endless Rains is a story of fleeting connections, introspection, and teenagers struggling to define themselves in a world that demands they fit in. Through fragmented moments of honesty, they learn that even the blandest sky holds a shade of blue worth looking at.

CUPID QUILL CONTEST Levi Quinn, a 25-year-old who recently moved to Miami, Florida, hoping to start a fresh chapter in his life, finds himself in an unexpectedly complicated situation. Upon settling into his new apartment, he discovers that his entire floor is occupied by women, making him the only male resident. Initially unfazed, Levi focuses on his daily routines—working out, reading, and managing his job under Johnson. However, his life takes a dramatic turn when one of the women invites him to a birthday party. The next morning, Levi wakes up in his bedroom to a shocking scene: he and several women are lying naked in his bed. Chaos ensues as he realizes the gravity of the situation. To make matters worse, the women have recorded compromising footage of the night and threaten to expose it unless Levi agrees to fulfill their wildest and most provocative desires. Now entangled in a web of manipulation and blackmail, Levi must navigate this precarious predicament, figuring out how to extricate himself while protecting his reputation. Collab w Darbs_Quill Group Name: Strong_Organ