Scouting For Rivals

Sol pointed out each of the three, "Carmen, the friendliest of the top. Plays the Captain class."

Carmen looked friendly too. Even as he moved towards the front Nimin caught him high-fiving people under their desks. Sol didn't allow Nimin to continue analyzing and moved onto the next person, "Hearth, a Shinobi player. No one knows much about her since she remains so quiet. However her skill is something else."

Hearth was clearly reserved as she walked a presence of refinement exuded from her. To Nimin, it seemed like she was simply trying to fit in the role of being at the top. It was the third player that caught Nimin's attention the most.

Confident. That was the first word that appeared in Nimin's mind. The player walked with an overbearing amount of confidence. Even boasting that he would obtain the highest Aim Rating of the whole class. Sol's eyes looked down as he informed, "Warrell, a Taoist player. The one who humiliated me in a duel."

"Hmmm.", Nimin spoke no words of comfort.

The three players sat at each of the computers and began to adjust the positions of the keyboards. Watching their movements the coach asked, "I presume you all are familiar with the program?"

All three nodded. The coach smiled and said, "Then I don't need to explain.", turning to the rest of the class the coach instructed, "Everyone gets two attempts each. One to adjust to the program, and the other to attempt it with everything you have. Since I was only given three computers today's class will be just this. Now, can you three start?"

The sound of clicking soon filled the lecture hall. The massive touchscreen tv began to show a changing number. It went up and down so quickly many were unable to tell what the number was supposed to be. A minute passed before the numbers came to a stop.

467 - 560 - 594

"Ohhh!", the lecture hall began to clap in awe.

These stats were already reaching close to the average of Pros! Harrell dusted off his shoulders, "Told ya!"

The coach even praised, "Excellent, with more practice you all most likely will be able to reach the six-hundred mark! Are you all satisfied or would you like your second attempt?"

Carmen stared at the number 467 and shook his head, "I'm not used to intense inputs, but this is fine with me!"

"To get this high of a number is impressive, even more so considering you play a support. Be proud!", the coach comforted.

Hearth compared her 560 to Harrell's 594. Her fist tightened but she turned towards her seat. Walking back to her desk without any words. The coach looked at the remaining two, but they followed her example and returned without a second attempt. The confidence of the members most likely to become Pros!

Harrell loudly proclaimed, "I challenge you all to beat my score!"

There was some glances, but that was it.

The coach clapped his hands to gather attention and began to divide the class, "Okay, we'll do groups of three, starting from the left column. Come up and give it a shot."

Nimin watched as his classmates all went up three at a time. He spent most of his time watching them all carefully. Keeping an eye out for potential hidden gems that could prove troublesome in his ascent to being a Pro. He wasn't cocky, after all the Sword Saint was scouted at a young age, debuting a mere few years later. The last thing Nimin needed was another Sword Saint being scouted, especially when he was on a time limit.

It was a slow process, but Nimin watched diligently. Besides the incredible show the first three performed, the average of the students averaged at around 300 on their Aim Rating. Not to say that was a poor performance. In fact the average player would only have about 100 on their Aim Rating. Scoring as high as 300 would put you on the list of skilled players.

Which went to show just how high above Pros were. The resources to their disposal, the effort and talent at their fingertips, it put them at a level above even the skilled players.

Sol sighed, "Looks like I'm up. Don't pick fun yeah?"

"Of course not, else I'll get reprimanded."

"That's your only reason?"

Nimin didn't get to answer as Sol moved up. Another few students moved towards the computer and Nimin returned to studying the ones participating. Immediately he noticed Sol's stiffness, his movements were mechanical and lacked fluidity. It could be a form of stage fright. Being scrutinized by a crowd. Additionally it could related to the humility he endured in that duel he mentioned with Harrell.

Glancing over he saw Harrell laughing among a group, but not directly mentioning anyone. He couldn't make a ruling on anything. It could very well be some friends laughing as they wait. Nimin didn't know anyone in this class, and while he acted friendly with Sol he wasn't exactly 'friends' with him.

One thing that caught Nimin's eye was Sol pausing right as the test ended. The timing was impeccable. Tapping the table with his finger Nimin looked at Sol's Aim Rating.

245

Low among the average of students, if not the lowest. Which was fine, it was only the first attempt after all. The coach started the second round and Nimin continued to watch.

It was a repeat, and Sol didn't score much higher this time.

256

A mediocre improvement. Pros needed to be able to adjust to new conditions very quickly, including the actual physical ones. Being able to perform well in exclusively the best environments does not make a good Pro.

Even the coach patted Sol's back to comfort him, but didn't make an attempt to say anything. Sol moved back to his seat keeping his head low. Slinking into his seat Sol sighed, "I expected as much."

"You're too stiff."

"I know, can't help it though."

"It'll take some experience to fight against it."

"So I've been told, but I don't have that kind of time."

The coach interrupted, "Uh, Mr. Sworn. Since you were a last second addition to my class I hadn't considered you originally. Additionally you had just joined us, so if you wish to sit this one out I will have no qualms."

Nimin stood up, "I would! Everyone here worked hard, why should I be exception?"

"Because you are new. We have studied, and others have practiced. You're naturally at a disadvantage."

"Now everybody knows that, lemme give it a roll!"

"Alright! I like the confidence. You planning on scoring high?"

"Maybe even higher than Mr. Top of the class here!"

Harrell laughed, and a few followed. Nimin shrugged casually and moved to the computer. Adjusting its position he drummed his fingers on the keys. The coach leaned next to him, "You need an explanation on how it works?"

"That's what the first attempt is for right?"

The coach agreed in a hesitant manner but stood back nonetheless. Nimin watched as the program began to warm up, a countdown starting.

Aim Rating programs were usually a simulation of Fractured Worlds itself. Instead you were to perform a series of inputs to certain prompts. Depending on your speed, and accuracy solving the prompt, your rating would increase.

As the Aim Rating program started Nimin pressed buttons slowly. Even pausing as he moved the mouse around. Like someone firsts adjusting to computers in general. His movements were slow, just missing the quick glance towards the keyboard to find the right key.

The numeral value above his head moved casually here and there, but wasn't as violent as the others. Once the timer ran out Nimin leaned back and discovered his rating.

50

A pleased look appeared on Nimin's face, "I was just about to reach fifty-one."

A scoff came from the students. The coach immediately frowned, "We are not to laugh at our fellow members."

Harrell raised a hand and hurriedly apologized, "My bad my bad, it's just he spoke so confidently about breaking my record I couldn't help myself. I don't mean anything by it."

"You are-"

Nimin interrupted, "It's true! Run it up again, I might be able to hit fifty-one this time."

Harrell called, "Going to need a lot more than one to beat my high score!"

"How much exactly?"

"A lot!"

Nimin leaned towards the coach, "I'm not from around these parts, how much does 'a lot' mean exactly in this local?"

A few snickers from the front row entered Nimin's ears but were quickly silenced by a glare from the coach. Nimin cracked his fingers and returned to the proper posture. When the timer counted down he took a breath.

The low Aim Rating was intentional. He wasn't familiar with Burning Will's program. He spent his low time to properly grasp the limits of its capabilities, and how precise it was compared to Piercing Light's. From his estimate, they were relatively the same.

Now he would actually attempt it.

A flurry of inputs filled the room, keyboard clicks and mouse movement of incredible speed quickly drew the attention of the class. Nimin's fingers moved absurdly quickly, and almost seemed inhuman.

He was always quick with his fingers, it was partly the reason why he got scouted in the first place. Around the time the programs were developed Nimin was past his peak, so he wasn't able to tell his highest Aim Rating. He certainly wouldn't be able to tell it now either, but he could aim for his previous range.

Harrell leaned forward watching the numbers continue to rise, "He-It has to be random pressing right? I mean he scored fifty the first time!"

"Quiet! He did not disturb you during your attempt, you will not do the same."

Nimin laughed, "If it was random pressing the numbers wouldn't be going up! Pop quiz for the class! Do you know why the term Aim Rating was coined?"

Nobody spoke up. Raising an eyebrow Nimin spoke, "Really? Nobody?"

A small laugh escaped his lips, "Right. So you all now that the E-I-M stand for Effective Input Measurement Rating. Yet is not pronounced Eim, but rather Aim. This was because an old Pro messed up the name in an interview. If I recall right Johnny Thornson? You can look up the interview, used to be a part of the old Team Distant Stars. He called it the Accurate Input Measurement Rating. Thus the name Aim Rating was born."

The coach eyed the moving numbers and back to Nimin casually giving a lecture whilst performing. He wasn't failing the inputs either, the numbers were still going up! Regardless Nimin continued his lecture, "The number only goes up if the inputs are effective, or accurate. They can't be random button presses. Speed may help you increase the rating, but accuracy is more important. Carmen could verify this, his movements weren't very quick but he still was among the top of the class!"

Carmen raised his eyebrows, "You saw that?"

"Course I did."

Eyes moved towards Carmen and he shrugged, "I mean he's right. I play Captain! It's not like I'm moving quickly like the DPS classes."

Nimin's fingers came to an abrupt halt. The time had run out. Turning around he asked, "Again, not familiar with the local dialect. Is this what you meant by 'a lot'?"

The numbers were for all to see, and murmurs immediately began to spread.

Nimin's score was. . .

789!