The first figures on the board

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.