Chapter 15: Epilogue

A challenge revisited;

The setting sun painted the HARDEX University campus in soft amber tones, the final whispers of daylight settling over the courtyard where the group lounged. The Decoding Test Contest had passed, and life was returning to normal—except for one glaring issue.

Biggie lay sprawled across a bench, arms dramatically flung over his head. "This is ridiculous," he groaned. "Jenny and Alphonse, all lovey-dovey now. Carly and Essel? Practically a power couple. And me? The intellectual champion of HARDEX, sitting here as the fifth wheel in my own success story."

Carly chuckled. "Don't be so dramatic, Biggie. You make it sound like you're cursed."

"Cursed?" Biggie scoffed. "This is worse than a curse. It's a travesty. A betrayal by the universe."

Alphonse smirked. "Or maybe you were just too busy bragging to notice someone."

Biggie shot up, eyes narrowing. "Excuse me?"

Essel leaned forward, an amused glint in his eyes. "Come on, Biggie. You really don't remember?"

Biggie blinked. "Remember what?"

Essel sighed, shaking his head. "You seriously forgot about her?"

Carly smirked. "Oh, this is going to be fun."

FLASHBACK

A few weeks earlier, during the Decoding Test Contest, Biggie had been at his absolute best—charming the crowd, throwing in jokes between answers, and making his competitors sweat.

But in the middle of his moment of glory, a voice had called from the audience.

"You're good," the girl had said, arms crossed, eyes full of challenge. "But you rely too much on theatrics. What happens when your charm isn't enough?"

Biggie had turned, eyebrow raised. "Oh? And who do we have here? A non-believer?"

The girl smirked. "Nadia. Literature and philosophy major. And let's just say, I prefer substance over flashy distractions."

The audience had laughed, but Biggie had been momentarily thrown off his game.

"Oh-ho! We've got a critic," he had replied, quickly regaining his composure. "Tell me, Miss Philosophy, if I'm all theatrics, why am I the one winning?"

"Because," Nadia had leaned forward, voice dripping with confidence, "no one has figured out your pattern yet. But I have. You hide your weaknesses behind humor. If I were competing, I'd have already beaten you."

Biggie had grinned. "Oh yeah? Prove it."

Nadia had chuckled. "Maybe next time, champ."

BACK TO PRESENT

Biggie stared at Essel, blinking as the memory hit him like a thunderbolt. "Oh. My. Genius."

Jenny giggled. "Now you remember?"

Biggie scratched his head. "Nadia! The sharp-tongued bookworm who thought she could outsmart me?"

Alphonse smirked. "The very same."

Biggie waved his hand dismissively. "Bah! She was probably just talking big. No way she could actually—"

"Actually what, Biggie?"

The familiar voice cut through the air, and the group turned. Standing just a few feet away, arms folded with a smug grin, was Nadia herself.

Biggie froze. "Oh. You again."

Nadia smirked. "Disappointed?"

"More like… mildly surprised," he said, crossing his arms. "I thought you only existed in myth and legend."

"Funny," Nadia said, stepping closer, "because I could say the same about your love life."

Carly choked on laughter, while Essel and Alphonse exchanged amused glances. Jenny grinned. "Oh, I really like her."

Biggie tilted his head. "You like her? Excuse me, Jenny, but this is a hostile takeover of my personal space."

"Hostile?" Nadia raised an eyebrow. "Please. You were the one who challenged me back at the contest. Or have you suddenly lost your competitive edge?"

Biggie narrowed his eyes. "Oh, now you're asking for it."

Nadia smirked. "What's wrong? Afraid of losing?"

Biggie stood up, pointing dramatically. "Impossible! The great Biggie never backs down from a challenge."

"Then let's make it interesting," Nadia said, tilting her head. "A wager."

Essel leaned in. "Oh, this is getting good."

Biggie folded his arms. "Name your terms."

"If you can impress me with your genius, I'll go on a date with you," Nadia said.

The group gasped collectively, eyes darting between them. Biggie raised an eyebrow. "And if I don't impress you?"

Nadia smiled sweetly. "Then I get to pick your punishment. And trust me, it'll be legendary."

Biggie hesitated for only a fraction of a second before extending his hand. "Deal."

Nadia took it, shaking firmly. "Good."

Jenny whispered to Carly, "I think Biggie just met his match."

Carly giggled. "And he knows it."

As the laughter filled the air, Biggie looked at Nadia and, for the first time, felt a challenge he wasn't sure he could win.

Not just because she was smart.

Not just because she was witty.

But because, deep down, he realized something terrifying—

He actually wanted to win her over.

Maybe, just maybe, his greatest competition was only just beginning.