The school felt quiet—too quiet.
Like the calm before a storm.
Three days had passed since the topic of the parameter vanished from conversations, as if it had never existed.
But we knew: this was only the beginning.
A new notice appeared on the main hall screen:
> "All 2nd-year classes. The trial begins tomorrow at 09:00. Details will be revealed upon arrival. No preparation required. Attendance is mandatory."
The message was short.
But it carried a threat.
Because now, it wasn't just our class involved. It was everyone.
That evening, panic erupted in the class group chat.
— Is this a team trial?
— Are they going to split us into groups again?
— Does anyone know anything?
I stayed silent.
I knew a bit more than they did. But not enough to feel safe.
The room was dark. The wind rustled outside the window.
And in front of me — a list of names. One by one. Not just from our class. All of them.
Fifty-eight people.
And among them — at least six figures whose actions could change the entire outcome.
I didn't know all of them. But I could feel their presence.
The next morning, we were brought to the central hall — a place used only for key events.
Four classes. One hundred and nine students.
The supervisor stepped onto the stage.
— Welcome, — he said calmly. — From this moment, the Competitive Phase begins.
— You will fight for your class's honor.
— The class with the lowest result will lose one student.
A whisper rippled through the crowd.
Someone swallowed hard. Someone clenched their fists.
— Within each class, roles have been assigned. Only you will learn who you are.
— Your task is to lead your team to victory. How you do it — is up to you.
— The trial lasts for three days. Good luck.
The screen flickered.
The first task appeared.
And it started immediately.
As we left the hall, I noticed a few students from other classes exchanging glances. No words. No signals.
But one look was enough for me to know — they were already playing.
I turned to my own.
Someone was gripping a folder too tightly. Someone looked away.
In this game, the winner isn't the strongest.
It's the one who can wait.
Listen.
And strike at the right moment.