The log-in screen on the headgear was as crisp as it has always been. The gentle winds can be heard blowing in the background, while digital leaves fall in front of Jamie. The silhouette of Zenith City’s Grand Cathedral looms in the background as he enters his username and password.

  Enter.

  As soon as he pressed the button, the world around him instantly changed. Gone was the grid-like pattern of the Omnimovement Controller as well as the mundane life that was his real-life dorm room. What replaced it was the sound of gears grinding against one another, the rush of winds blowing through the air, and the beautiful skyline of Zenith City in the background.

  Striker - his in-game username and avatar - walked around the cobblestone paths that break up the green roofs of the emerald city with purpose, the smell of street foods cooking filled his digital nose. His blunderbuss hangs loudly on his belt, ready to be drawn at a moment’s notice.

  Of course, PvP is forbidden in Zenith City except for within the Arena, but you could still draw weapons in a dramatic fashion if you so desire. Not that someone like Striker would ever need to do such a thing. He adjusted blunderbuss so it didn’t move as wide as much as it did.

  After all, the prestige and power of Striker’s character can be seen plain as day in the HUD of the game, showing that he’s taken down some of the toughest dungeons it has to offer and that he did it alone.

  Right now, he’s about to do it once more, his target being the high-level dungeon in the Verdant Nexus zone, Undergrowth Catacombs. His goal is to acquire a higher level pet than his current Zenithian Boar that drops from the boss of the Undergrowth Catacombs. While his current pet does have its purpose, the Verdant Monstrosity’s defenses should prove to be an excellent tank for Striker.

  Still, despite his skill, this should prove to be a long night of grinding against the creatures of the Verdant Nexus. Doesn’t help that tomorrow is another exam in Apex Gaming Academy. Still, nothing would come between Striker and his new pet.

  ***

  The next day started as it usually would for the first few periods, with a couple general education classes from 8:00-9:00 and again from 9:00-10:00. 10:00-11:00 is the first deviation from the regular schedule, where instead of their usual third period they had an early lunch instead. Then from 11:00 onwards their special examination takes place - the MMORPG Track of Apex Gaming Academy uses Omnirealms Online, the most popular MMORPG in the world, as their main mode of education. As part of their curriculum, at the end of the first quarter, they are to participate in a special test that would determine their standings in the rest of the School Year.

  Iris Ashford stands at the exam hall watching the other students take their turn, having already finished her exam early on thanks to her surname starting with the letter A. At the moment, it’s currently on the letter S, having already passed multiple students. None of the others have had as much precision as Iris did, though there have been some interesting ones that earned brief murmurs, though none of the applause she got.

  The current student on the stand, Jamie Strider, has just logged in to his account. His character seems to be a middle-of-the-pack Hunter based on his gear and the virtual HUD that lets one see the game being played by others, earning whispers and scoffs from the other students. Strider paid them no mind. The exam consists of multiple physical, skill-based challenges to determine one’s placement based on their ultimate time.

  Strider started off with the target practice minigame, which seems to be his best as his aim was impeccable. The next was combat practice, where he summoned a Great Boar pet to tank the attacks of the hostile AI, protecting him from damage while he used his blunderbuss to wail on the enemy. It took a bit of time, but he managed.

  The next exam placed the player in an obstacle course that tested their dexterity. Strider was able to quickly finish it off with as minimal trouble as possible.

  It is by this point that Iris began to suspect something is amiss. The person currently taking the test is clearly skilled in the game, almost as skilled as she is. But why is it that this guy is only at the level he is, when he clearly should be higher? Why does their gear not reflect their skill in the game?

  These questions nagged Iris as the person continued to ace every part of the exam, until his final time came - 10 minutes and 41 seconds. It still puts him in the middle of the pack compared to Iris’ top scoring 7 minutes and 12 seconds.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  The thing is, and Iris is certain that others have noticed it as well based on their facial expressions - one teacher even watched Jamie’s performance intently, being the advisor for the Omnirealms Online Competitive Team of the school - that Jamie Strider, by all means an average student, has played the exam so skillfully that he achieved the human limit for the gear he has.

  ***

  Iris watched as Jamie walked out of the exam hall after his turn, not wanting to stay longer than he needed to. Iris followed the peculiar player, her interest in him growing by the minute. It’s clear to her and anyone good enough in the game that this guy is skilled.

  “Hey!” she called out, causing Jamie to stop walking. “Nice performance out there.”

  Jamie eyed her up at first, glancing over her entire body as if he didn’t have an inkling of an idea as to who she is. “Thanks,” he finally said before turning away and continuing his walk back to his dorm.

  Iris panicked internally, not used to holding conversations herself. “Um… I’m Iris,” she said.

  Jamie looked confused as he turned back, as if he didn't know what to do with that kind of information.

  “I saw your performance today, would you like to play together sometime?” she asked.

  Jamie still maintained his eerie quiet for a moment, before finally responding in the most dismissive tone that Iris ever heard. “No.”

  Upon hearing that, something seemingly snapped within her. It’s not just being told ‘no’ in response to her cordial invitation, she could handle that… probably. But that’s besides the point.

  The point is the way Jamie so dismissively declined her invitation, his voice filled with what seems to be disgust. As if Iris is not even worth his time for her proposal to be considered. Her.

  Iris is one of the top players in the school as shown by the exams earlier. She’s been one since before she even entered Apex Gaming Academy this fall. And she’s been declined with such repulsion that the small crowd that gathered to watch their little conversation has begun to murmur.

  “Fine,” she said, eager to save her reputation. “At least play me in a duel. I would love to experience your skills for myself!”

  Jamie lets out a quiet sigh of exasperation. “But why, though?” he said in the same dismissive tone that he had before. “What’s the point?”

  “What, you’re scared?” Iris mocked. “Is that why you don’t want to play?”

  “No, I just don’t want to play with others.”

  The crowd’s whispers grew louder, proportional to the growing size of the gathered spectators. Some are barely distinguishable from the general chatter but the sentiment is clear - a fight is brewing and neither player will be walking away without betting their pride.

  ***

  Jamie could hear the crowd mumbling as he tries to formulate a way to escape his current predicament without attracting too much attention to himself. The small crowd that has gathered around them has grown larger, and simply declining is no longer an option.

  His mind raced as he considered his options - he really, really didn't want to play with anyone at the moment. Especially not this annoying brat in front of him. But he also can’t just decline without drawing what might be a career-ending amount of negative attention towards himself.

  “Heh, I guess that kid really is nothing then. Shame!” he heard one of the seniors say. “I thought we’d at least get a spectacle out of this but it seems he’s too much of a chicken to even fight.”

  Something snapped within Jamie upon hearing that.

  Him, a chicken? Him? The guy clearly doesn’t know what he’s talking about, and Jamie isn’t just gonna let that slide.

  “Fine,” he finally said, much to Iris’ surprise. “I’ll take you up on that challenge, but don’t cry when you lose.”

  The crowd erupted at his response, with people cheering and jeering the two competitors. Some have even started betting. One thing is clear, though - this thing is bigger than either of them intended it to be.

  ***

  Iris was surprised when Jamie finally agreed to her challenge. She didn’t think she’d get this far, but she did and now she has a duel in her hands. A challenge she issued at the heat of the moment that, looking back now, seems incredibly stupid and insensitive of her.

  But the die is cast and there’s no way to take it back.

  The crowd watches in quiet anticipation as she and Jamie negotiate the terms of their duel - the whens, wheres, and whats. Unbeknownst to either of them, the adviser for the Omnirealm Online Competitive Team is watching their exchange with keen interest.

  Iris is a given, but would Jamie prove to be just as interesting as he thinks?