​The atmosphere inside the grand hall shifted. What had once been a relaxed evening of music and conversation had turned into something else entirely a stage, a test, a battlefield without fists.​Students gathered in a loose circle, whispers spreading like wildfire. Phones were raised, and eyes locked onto the center. Leo Carter. Marcus Whitmore. Two names that, until recently, had never belonged in the same sentence. And yet, here they were, facing each other.​Professor Daniels stepped forward slowly, adjusting his glasses. “If we’re doing this,” he said, “then it will be done properly.”​The room quieted. He turned toward one of the assistants. “Bring the laptop.”​A student quickly hurried forward and placed a laptop on the table at the center. The screen lit up: rows of data, charts, and numbers. Marcus glanced at it briefly, then smirked.​“This should be interesting.” He turned toward Leo. “Let’s keep it simple.” His tone was calm, but there was a sharp edge underneath. “You f