October 11th. Wednesday, 1:09 PM.

Two weeks have passed since the students received their results from their first challenge. Everything continued as usual. There were no chances to get more points; it was just studies. The students were given an assignment due in late November and offered a maximum of 50 points. The students also had an exam next week that offered a maximum of 50 points. Other than that, the students weren't informed about upcoming challenges. To be fair, no student complained because everyone was drained the week after the first challenge. After a week of exams, the majority of students were walking around campus like zombies and acted like zombies in class. Absences were appearing, not a lot, but one or two here and there. Many of them hoped that the future challenges were nothing like the first because if they were, they were sold a dream. Other than academics, no major drama has occurred either. It was like everyone became content with each other and accepted being close to a different class. Energy was running low, but what else would you expect from a school setting? However, we all know one guy with some energy,

"I'm rich, you know?" Malakai randomly said, staring into space.

Delilah looked at him, not sure if he meant in credits, actual money or chatting shit. "What do you mean?" She questioned anyway.

"I got like 3000 credits", he said proudly, looking at her.

"So do I", Delilah confusingly replied.

"How?" Malakai asked, with a shocked look on his face.

"I had 500 credits saved from last month".

"Oh", he disappointingly realised that the credits carried over.

"Did you save 500 credits as well?" She asked, thinking Malakai was responsible.

"I had nothing left. They gave me 3000 credits", he replied.

"3000? I got 2500, it's probably because you're first", Delilah said, figuring it out.

Malakai put his head on the table, "I thought I was balling".

"You're not broke, at least. How did you spend all 2500 credits?" Delilah questioned, resisting the urge to touch Malakai's hair.

"On the PlayStation. You should come over and play", Malakai offered, turning his head to the right to look at Delilah with his head still resting on the table.

"Why? Does no one play with you?" She asked.

"They do, but everyone's shit!" Malakai said shit with emphasis.

"No, you're just a nerd", William said, turning around after hearing Malakai's comment.

Malakai lifted his head, "That's your excuse every time. Think of a better one", he said with a toothy grin.

Benjamin turned around to see what they were talking about,

"Is he a nerd?" Delilah asked Benjamin to get a second opinion.

"I don't know", Benjamin replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"Ben's too scared to play me; every time I ask him, he thinks of an excuse", Malakai said, pointing at him.

"Didn't you say you all played one game together? The game you all met on, do you play that game?" Delilah asked, recalling their meeting story.

"Na, that game died out like a year ago. We can still play it, but it's not good", Benjamin answered.

"Who was the best?" Delilah wanted to know, knowing it would cause an argument. Benjamin and William stayed quiet while Malakai was smiling with his teeth out.

Delilah noticed, "I'm guessing it was Malakai" it didn't cause an argument.

"I don't know. You have to ask these two", Malakai said, wanting to hear it from their mouths.

"This guy sweated that game; he played it nonstop", William moaned, sounding bitter.

"See, they're still hurt", Malakai teased.

"Shut up, man", Benjamin said, not wanting to hear Malakai take the piss.

"Quiet at the back!" Ms Green said, walking into the class. "You four at the back are always talking", she complained, looking at them. Everyone looked towards the four of them.

"It's Malakai miss", William said, pointing at Malakai, making it awkward for him.

"What?" Malakai said in disbelief.

"You can even ask Delilah miss", Benjamin added, involving Delilah.

“Huh”, Malakai looked towards Delilah.

"No comment", she said, looking down, avoiding Malakai's eyes.

"I'm not surprised", Ms Green said, trying not to smile.

"Miss, I've been stabbed in the back. Can I go home?" Malakai said in a voice like he was in pain, putting a hand on his back.

"No", she bluntly replied.

"Okay. Wait, miss, why are you here? I swear we have Biology now", Malakai asked.

Ms Green walked around her desk to stand in front of it.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"There's been a change of plans".

"There's been a change of plans", Mr Saint announced to his class.

"The higher-ups have decided that to keep all you students on the ball and sharp, there needs to be more point-based activities and not just academics".

Alexander's ears were caught. He stopped looking out the window and moved his focus to Mr Saint; even Frank noticed.

"Today, there will be something called minigames where you can earn some points".

The students were switched on now, hearing the words points.

"How many points?" A student asked, interrupting Mr Saint.

"I don't know, we haven't been told much ourselves. All we've been told is that it will be at 1:30".

"So you don't know nothing?" Another student questioned.

"No, the only thing we know is that the minigames will be split into two groups. Class 1-A and 1-B will be together alongside 15 students from 1-C to evenly split the students. And in the other group, there will be 15 students from 1-C and both 1-D and 1-E".

The students needed to figure out what to think; they'd never been told about minigames.

"They've specifically said minigames and did not call it a challenge, so I'm guessing there won't be a massive amount of points on the line", Mr Saint informed them.

"How many points do you think they will offer us?" A girl asked.

"There will be 75 of you there, so if I had to guess, it would be 75. Maybe 100".

That was good enough for the students—anything to climb the leaderboard.

Frank turned to Alexander, "Did you see this coming?" He asked, seeing he was actually listening for once.

"No. Never heard of minigames", Alexander replied.

"They must have added it this year", Frank said, scratching his head.

"Doesn't matter, another 75 or 100 points for me either way", Alexander said, looking at Frank.

"He said there will be 15 people from 1-C. Do you think Malakai will be in our group?" Frank asked, hoping he knew who he was talking about.

"Who?" Alexander seriously questioned.

"The guy at number one", Frank replied in disbelief he had forgotten already.

"Oh. I don't care. I'll overtake him", he said, waving his hand and facing forward.

"I'm sure you will", Frank quietly said to himself, smiling.

"I'll need to split the class in half. Half of you will go with the two higher classes, and the other half will go with the lower half", Ms Green said.

"Is it going to be randomly selected?" David asked.

"No, I will choose".

"Are you allowed to do that?" Lucas questioned, looking at his teacher.

"You're my class, aren't you?" Ms Green said with her arms out. "If I call your name, stand up. You will go to the workshop with 1-A and B".

At the back of the class.

"Where do you want to go?" Delilah asked Malakai, leaning to the left a bit so Malakai could hear her.

"The lower one", He replied.

"Really?" Delilah was shocked by his answer. "I thought you would've wanted to go to the higher one".

"Na, that's long. Everyone there is going to be a try-hard", he said.

"True. Wait, David and Lucas are standing", Delilah said, looking towards the front. Malakai started laughing, but not too loud. Names were being called out, Malakai noticed Ali and Tanisha also standing.

"William", Ms Green announced.

"Wwhhhyyy?" William whined, standing up.

"Ha ha", Benjamin mocked.

"Benjamin". Ms Green called.

"Shit", Benjamin joked too soon.

Malakai and Delilah were both giggling. Fourteen names had been called; the last was about to be called.

"Delilah".

"Noo!" Delilah cried.

"Yesss!" Malakai celebrated. "Miss, I love you", Malakai happily said.

Ms Green smiled.

"That's not fair, miss. He's number one already. He's easily going to get more points", Lucas complained, pointing at Malakai.

"He's my student. A student in my class is number one; of course, I will help him". Ms Green justified.

"Exactly, why you hating Lu. Think of it this way she chose you cuz she thinks you're intelligent" Malakai said it in a way that even though he was saying something nice, it sounded like he was taking the piss.

"Shut up, man", Lucas said, shaking his head.

"He's not wrong; I do think you can do well against the higher classes", Ms Green said. Malakai looked to see who else was sitting down and saw Ray and Maria sitting down. With that, it was decided.

David, Lucas, William, Benjamin and Delilah were going to the workshop with 1-A and 1-B.

Malakai, Ray and Maria were going to the workshop with 1-D and 1-E.