The arena vibrated. The violet sky pulsed as if alive, reflecting the tension below. Ethan, Sky, and Claire watched from Group Five’s platform, each pulse of light sending tiny shivers through their bodies. A chime echoed through the system. > “TRIAL ONE — COMBAT SIMULATION INITIATED.” The floating platforms shifted, rotating slowly to face the center of the arena. A low hum filled the air. Then, from the center, a pillar of light shot upward and split, forming five separate arenas, each unique, isolated, and immense. The system’s voice continued: > “Each group will face a singular simulated adversary. Survival depends on coordination, strength, and ingenuity. Failure is not optional.” Ethan’s jaw tightened. He could feel the familiar cold edge of anticipation cutting through his veins. Sky muttered, almost under his breath, “Not optional… That doesn’t sound fun at all.” Claire gave him a side glance. “Sky, focus.” The platforms descended slightly, placing Group Five

Dorm Sector A did not sleep.Not really.Even after most lights dimmed and the glowing cubes softened into a gentle blue haze, the room buzzed with restless energy. People shifted in bunks, whispered quietly, argued in hushed voices, or paced the metal floors.But Group Four…Group Four was awake on purpose.They had claimed a section of the upper level, the beds clustered around them in uneven patterns like a chaotic nest. Their presence radiated a strange, unpredictable aura—half danger, half excitement, entirely impossible to ignore.Rook, their unofficial leader, sat on the edge of his bunk sharpening a long, curved blade. His red streaked hair caught the dim blue light, making him look like he glowed.Pixie twirled her pink bat—bright, neon, chipped, and decorated with stickers. Every spin made the metal whistle. “Rook, tell me why we’re awake,” she demanded. “Because if it’s for something boring, I’m smacking you.”“You smack everyone,” Ash muttered from his bunk, hidden behind

THE GOLDEN HAND OF MARCUSThe eastern wing of Dorm Sector B was silent.Not the silence of fear.Not the silence of rest.A colder silence—controlled, disciplined, heavy with expectation.This was where Group One and Group Three stayed, far removed from the chaos of the other groups. Organized minds and trained bodies filled the space, and Marcus walked among them like a king among soldiers.A golden shimmer faintly trailed behind him as the door hissed shut.“Gather,” he commanded.No shout.No force.Yet they obeyed instantly.Group One lined up first:Kira… Tello… Mina… Borik… Ginny… Rafe… Oriel… Dana… Jax.Group Three followed behind them:Professor Lorne… Eira… Samir… Dr. Yana… Tian… Lani… Paz… Vanta… Ferin.Marcus surveyed them.These were his new weapons.Not chaotic, not balanced.Not unpredictable.These two groups were moldable.“Tonight,” Marcus said, voice smooth as steel, “I teach you how to win.”He stopped in front of Kira first.THE SOLDIERKira’s back straightened a

TRIAL TWO: THE MAZE OF ATTRITIONThe lights never came on gradually.They snapped.Cold white illumination flooded Dorm Sector A without warning, slicing through half-formed dreams and aching bodies. A sharp tone followed—short, mechanical, merciless.> “ALL PLAYERS—WAKE.”Sky jolted upright, nearly falling off his bunk. “WHAT—oh come on, we just slept.”Claire was already on her feet, fingers glowing faintly as she checked the room instinctively. Ethan sat up slowly, fully awake in an instant.The system didn’t wait.> “TRIAL TWO COMMENCING.”“FORMAT: MAZE OF ATTRITION.”“GROUPS WILL ENTER SEQUENTIALLY.”“FAILURE RESULTS IN TERMINATION.”Silence followed the announcement.Then—> “GROUP FIVE—PREPARE FOR TRANSFER.”The floor beneath their bunks began to hum.“Of course it does,” Sky muttered, grabbing his gear.Ethan was already moving. “Everyone on your feet. Check weapons. No panic.”Grant strapped his gloves tighter. “Maze trial. Means traps, separation, pressure.”“Or monsters,”

Ethan walked to his bunk, everyone was still eating, but he needed some time alone to process things.This new system wasn't interested in points and rewards, ten what was the motive, he was still thinking when he heard footsteps. He turned, Marcus was in his dorm “What are you doing here"“Relax,I came to see my former playermate” Marcus said chuckling “Instead of saving us all you decided to rise to power”“Do you think if I have picked save all of us, the system would have granted that request?“ “Bullshit” “You need to start thinking with your head Ethan, for the smartest you're very dumb” “At least I'm not a psychopath killing machine, you sold yourself to the system, I thought you were just a childhood bully but it seems that's just who you are" “I lost people too”Marcus said quietly Ethan only gaped at him “I want you to stay the fuck out of my way and don't test me Cole” Marcus said walking out of the dorm Marcus watched from above.The observation le