“Wait,” Anika said, standing from her seat in the second row. “Does that mean I could be grouped with someone boring without my consent? I won’t allow it!”
“This approach aims to pair you with students of comparable skill levels, ensuring that you have both a learning partner and someone to relate to,” Nicole replied. “It’s beneficial for all five students in the long run.”
“So you’re saying there’s no other way for us to pick other group members? Seriously?” A girl in the row behind us said with a groan. “What a pain in the ass.”
“We have a system in place if you feel it’s necessary to learn with groups you’re more comfortable with. If you can gather a group of five students, we will permit you to form an instruction set.”
After the announcement, a cacophony of footsteps shook the floor, along with excited giggles and laughter. Groups of two or three compromised with those of similar numbers to even themselves out. It was exceptional how much cooperation ignited as students grouped with their unfamiliar classmates. I’m sure this was another test for our leadership potential.
I glanced back at the girl who was full of resentment. Despite her having a darker shade of hair, it glistened atop her head and shoulders, giving it a sleek look. She didn’t wear the blazer, only a white shirt and loosely knotted tie with rolled-up sleeves. She slouched in her seat, kicking her feet onto the bench, while her slanted eyes were glued to her Proatrix screens.
Our eyes met, and she bucked her head with a smack of her teeth. “The fuck do you want?”
Her reaction surprised me, so I sheepishly nodded and then turned around.
She didn’t seem friendly, nor did she jump up like the other students to find their group of friends. Did she make a fuss about the group formations just because? This class had all types, huh?
“You’re considering asking her to be our fifth, Tiger?” Kimberly asked, now sitting atop the next bench over.
“Oh, yeah. With us four, we’ll need someone else if we want to stay together.” Chase said.
Four groups of students were already paired, while others lingered, either sitting idly by or waiting for someone to pick them up.
Paige pointed to the frontmost row. “Why not ask Reina?”
Reina was looking back, surveying all the groups with mere glances. Was she keeping track of the groups of students? I suppose it would be beneficial in spotting out potential alliances forming, but who would think so meticulously when everyone else was having a bit of fun? It’s apparent that she was already thinking ahead, and it would be a waste to have her in a random set other than ours.
I rose from my seat and walked down the aisle, watching the last few students join groups in scarce numbers.
“Yo, Reina,” I called out.
She looked up with those sharp gray eyes of hers. Her thoughts were inscrutable, but it was clear she was contemplating something. Her eyes shifted off me, and she glanced over to Isabella, laughing in a group of five students.
“I saw you two walking with some other girls. Guess I’m not the only one making friends.” I said.
Reina lowered her eyelids as if saying, Are you seriously trying to make small talk with me right now?
Her social skills could use some work.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
“Anyway, I wanted to ask you to join our group. We haven’t found a fifth member yet.”
“What did the others pick as their core subjects?” She asked. “But before that, what did you pick?”
“Math, Scientific Inquiry, Wellness, and Diplomacy,” I answered. “Paige picked creative writing, journalism, and something else, and I’m not sure what Chase or Kimberly chose for theirs. Why? Does it matter?”
Reina’s eyes widened as if I had said something appalling. “That’s it? Did anyone of you read the student handbook?”
“No, but I assumed they would’ve explained everything, eventually.”
Had I forgotten some crucial detail? Nothing the program director said seemed out of the ordinary. She said to choose our subjects wisely, but I thought that was just prudent advice.
“Sure, but you’ll have to use your time thoroughly, I guess,” Reina said, standing from her chair.
We walked back to the others and sat down. I turned to Kimberly, and she shot me a smile. Her black hair made her verdant eyes stand out, like dark sand protecting emerald pearls. And that smile would make any dude get the wrong idea, but she was just a sociable person. The type of friendly girl you’d meet at a cafe or airport and never see again.
“What subjects did you pick?” I asked.
Kimberly tilted her head up with a thoughtful hum. “Uhh, I picked Mental Health, Journalism, Language Studies, Ethics, and Global Perspectives.”
“And what about you, Chase?”
“Quantitative Literacy, Language Studies, Business Studies, Wellness, and Ethics.” He answered.
I looked at Reina, but she seemed disinterested, crossing her arms with closed eyes. She didn’t make things easy with the distance she put between people. I would’ve liked to know what she meant by her previous statement.
“Alright, I’ve given you all enough time,” Nicole said, still standing atop the platform. “Each person will be grouped based on their similar subjects. Also, I forgot to introduce someone. Cleobelle.”
A set of white blocks materialized beside her, then merged into a slim-figured albino woman with pale skin and white hair. Her eyes extruded a white-gradient glow as she bowed her head. The AI wore a dark-blue skintight bodysuit with the heels and feet exposed.
“Hello. My name is Cleo. I am the metaverse management AI for the Alexandria Complex. My primary duties are to oversee the regulatory functions of the space. If you ever want to talk, I’m always available to listen.”
She then pointed to each formed group, creating a numbered hologram above us. She appointed our group as number two.
“I will now enter your data into the system to pair you with the most eligible instructor,” Cleo said, as her eyes shone green. “Done. Group 2, please report to Constantinople Room-B.”
We rose from our seats, following a set of holographic red arrows leading us to a glass-cubed elevator shaft. After we boarded, the cube descended upward.
“Why did you ask us about our subjects? Do you think it will hinder the environment we’ll learn in?” Chase asked.
“Reina. Would you mind explaining yourself?” I asked, glancing at her.
She sighed and crossed her arms. “The program director said that there’s 24/7 access to the Vatican rooms, sure, but why would the administer such a plan if they wanted students to learn?”
“Perhaps because they want to give us leeway to make our own decisions. If we fail classes because of overtime in the game world, then that can lead to expulsion because of negligence,” Chase said.
Sure, that’s a plausible excuse. However, I didn’t think that’s what Reina was trying to probe. Negligence aside, they’ve been pretty hands-on with the entire program’s process. Although we could pick our subjects, even that could’ve been calculated because we had specific preferences as to what we wanted to learn. If that’s the case…
“Then there’s something else that could hinder our game time,” I said.
Reina nodded. “The amount of time you're given in-game is based on your placement and the amount of classes and difficulty you set for yourself. Even if your placement is low, if you chose a diverse subject load, it could even out, and vice versa.”
Of course, that’s what they planned it to be. It was simple, allowing us to be steady with our choices, but there had to be a pay-off.
“How much time is knocked off depending on both factors?” Chase asked.
“I don’t know. And why would I? CT-S1 has unlimited availability to The Vatican, so it doesn’t influence me.” Reina said.
Well, I guess that’s as much kind advice we’d receive from her.
The time we dedicated to learning influenced the time we had to shape our gaming lives. And we didn’t even know if the subjects we picked could hinder our individual rankings as well. It was like they’d constructed some elaborate equation that tested our mental endurance.
As we got off the elevator, the second-floor balcony was similar to Plato Hall, but the floor changed colors with each of our steps in ripples. We walked down the corridor, stopping in front of Constantinople Room B.
I opened the door and never expected this to be a learning environment.