Achylys and all the first-year students are gathered at the school hall. As they settled down,
The school president stepped onto the stage, his voice steady as it carried across the packed hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to our university. It is my honor to congratulate each of you for earning your place here. You now belong to one of the most rigorous institutions, home to the brightest minds and state-of-the-art facilities."
Polite applause rippled through the hall, though a few students exchanged impatient looks. Everyone knew what they were really waiting for.
The president's lips curved into a faint smile. "But I also know the true reason many of you chose this university."
A murmur swept the crowd.
He paused just long enough before saying, "Hacker's Island."
The hall erupted—gasps, whispers, even shouts of excitement.
"Yes," he continued, raising a hand to steady the room. "The rumors are true. Hacker's Island does exist."
The noise doubled. Students clapped, some even whistled. A group in the back shouted, "I knew it!"
"This," the president said firmly, "is why I am proud to introduce you to our second campus—the renowned Hacker's Island. A place of excellence, innovation, and technological mastery. But not all of you will see it. Only the top students each semester will earn the right to step foot on its grounds."
The cheering dimmed into tense silence. Determination flickered across faces, shoulders straightened.
"That," he finished, "is your challenge—and your opportunity."
The island resembles excellence, innovation, and technological prowess. It the place where only for top students in each semester, will have the opportunity to qualify and gain entry.
The island is once home of the great researchers, software developers, even billionaires. but most notably the great hackers around the world.
The island serves as a hub for cutting-edge research, groundbreaking discoveries and unparalleled opportunities.
So I encourage each one of you to set your sights on this remarkable goal. Push your boundaries, and strive for excellence.
Thank you and, and may you all have a fruitful and enriching academic year!"
After the event, Achylys promptly departed the campus. Meanwhile, Frances checked her schedule and swiftly realized that it was Saturday, leaving her no obligations for the day.
As a dedicated young woman who felt restless when idle. Its been a tiring week for her, constantly monitoring and keeping watch at the hacker M.v.E
So she made an spontaneous decision to to venture out and explore the city.
And it was been quite some time since she last immersed herself in the city.
Frances strolled thought the city, she couldn't help but to notice a familiar gaming pub. It brought back memories of her childhood, she used to hang there, she smiled and remembered her days when she was one of the best in the game of MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) in that pub.
Curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to stop and enter the shop.
Inside the pub was full of people. Frances looked around, trying to find an available gaming unit. To her surprise, she found an empty one right next to Achylys, the guy who made her feel embarrassed a couple of times. However, he didn't seem to notice her.
Frances settled her things and booth up the PC to play the MOBA game she used to play before. Coincidentally, Achylys had just finished his match and was about to queue got the next match.
Unbeknownst to both of them, they ended up queuing at the same time and were placed on the same team.
Frances couldn't feel nervous as she peeked at Achylys unit, she had always felt this strange mix of nervousness and irritation whenever she was around with him.
Meanwhile, Achylys notices Frances but choose not to say anything.
The match has began , and their team was winning. Frances couldn't resist checking Achylys stats on the game and realized that he had better stats than her. Her competitive spirit kicked in, and she become determined to be the MVP of the match.
After a long and challenging game , their team emerged victorious, with Achylys earning the MVP title. Frances couldn't help but to feel annoyed at Achylys once again. His presence made her feel lesser and helpless which is very unusual for her, she is used to be always the best.
Achylys stood up to leave, Frances clicked her tongue and stood up sharply.
"Wait," she said—more out of reflex than thought.
He paused, half-turning back.
Frances stepped forward, eyes narrowing. "One match. Just you and me."
Her voice started tight with irritation, but as the words left her mouth, her tone steadied, sharp and cold.
For a split second, there was silence. Then the entire gaming pub erupted!
"OHHH!"
Chairs scraped. Players twisted around in their seats. Phones came out. Someone even started setting up a stream.
Frances barely reacted. She held her ground.
"You win, I'll give you a thousand," she added, her voice firm now—controlled.
Achylys gave a slow shrug.
She didn't blink. "Two thousand."
That shut down the chatter fast. The crowd stilled, like it just got real.
with nothing else to do at he moment, Achylys accepted the offer.
More cheers broke out as they sat down, players circling to watch.
The tension buzzed through the air. When Frances locked in her hero, someone from the back muttered, "Oh, she's serious."
They dove into a heated 1v1 match. It was close, but Achylys pulled ahead in the final minutes and claimed the win.
Frances stared at the screen, silent for a moment—then straightened.
"Again."
They played three more rounds. And in each one, Achylys widened the gap, picking her apart with ease. By the end, the whole gaming pub was watching, murmurs of disbelief and awe filling the room.
Devastated by the result, Frances stood up without a word.
Her face was flushed—red from the sting of defeat, her pride burning hotter than the screen in front of her. Her brows were tight, lips barely moving as she reached into her coat pocket.
Without meeting his eyes, she pulled out the folded bills and handed them to Achylys.
"Take it," she said flatly.
Achylys didn't gloat. He simply accepted the money with a slight nod, his expression unreadable.
The crowd was still murmuring, but Frances didn't care. She turned and walked out of the pub, Its already night and the cold breeze of the air hitting her like a slap. It didn't cool her down—it only made her more aware of the heat rising in her chest.
Her fists clenched as she walked, quick and angry.
"Why him?" she muttered.
"Why is it always him?"
She hated how her heart raced after every encounter. Not from excitement—but from rage, confusion... and something she refused to name.
No matter what she did, no matter how prepared she was—Achylys always stayed one step ahead. And she couldn't stand it.
Meanwhile, Achylys counted the money he had won from defeating Frances, And shook his head in disbelief.
He stared at the money for a moment. And immediately headed home.