Game's Extra

Aiden sat on his bed, staring at his new quantum watch as he prepared for his first foray into the Game of Ascendants. With a deep breath, he activated the watch.

"Alpha, bring up the roulette for game selection," he commanded. A holographic panel appeared in front of him, displaying a wheel divided into various game modes. Each segment was brightly colored and labeled with modes such as Battle Royale, Capture the Flag, and King of the Hill.

He clicked the "Spin" button, and the wheel began to spin rapidly, its colorful segments blurring together. After a few moments, the wheel slowed, and the pointer landed on Battle Royale Mode. Aiden grinned, satisfied with the result.

"Good start," he muttered. But his excitement wasn't over yet. A second roulette appeared, this time for the specifics of the Battle Royale Mode. Aiden clicked "Spin" again, and the wheel spun before finally landing on Duo Mode.

A notification popped up: [Game Mode: Battle Royale Duo. Randomly selecting your partner...]

A tense pause followed before the name "FieryLady" appeared on the screen.

Aiden tilted his head. "FieryLady? Let's see who I'm working with."

He clicked on her profile. A small window expanded, showing her stats: [Games Played: 8 | Wins: 3 | Losses: 5].

He sighed. "Why do I get a partner with such a low win rate? Looks like I'm carrying."

Meanwhile, in a massive, opulent mansion, a man with a commanding presence sat in a sunlit dining hall, sipping tea. The room was adorned with intricate golden chandeliers, polished wooden furniture, and a grand marble fireplace that exuded warmth. The man, muscular with fiery red hair, sharp red eyes, and a scar running across his cheek, checked his quantum watch and sent a message.

"Ava, come down and eat your lunch," he said, his deep voice reverberating through the room.

In her equally luxurious bedroom, Ava lay sprawled on her large, plush bed, staring at the ceiling. The room was decorated with soft pastel tones, a stark contrast to the intensity of her personality. Posters of legendary fighters adorned the walls, and trophies lined the shelves, marking her as a seasoned competitor.

Her mind, however, was elsewhere. She couldn't shake the memory of her loss to Aiden in the combat test. She clenched her fists, frustrated.

Her quantum watch vibrated, notifying her of a new message. She checked it and saw the notification from the Game of Ascendants: [You've been partnered with LukewarmWater.]

Curious, she clicked on his profile: [Games Played: 0 | Wins: 0 | Losses: 0].

She sighed deeply. "A total newbie? Great," she muttered sarcastically before rolling over on her bed. "Guess I'll have to do the heavy lifting." Still, her thoughts drifted back to Aiden, the person who had bested her in hand-to-hand combat. She frowned. "I'll make him pay for that."

Back in his dorm, Aiden logged out of the Game of Ascendants, the holographic interface fading from view. Stretching his arms, he stood up and decided to head to the academy gym for a workout.

The academy gym was a state-of-the-art facility, filled with the hum of advanced exercise equipment. Machines lined the walls, each designed for specialized training, while the center of the gym housed free weights and open mats for combat practice. The air smelled faintly of disinfectant and rubber, a testament to the facility's cleanliness.

Aiden stepped onto a treadmill and began his cardio routine. After an hour of running, he moved on to bodyweight exercises: push-ups, pull-ups, squats, and curl-ups. By the end of his two-hour workout, sweat dripped from his forehead as he collapsed onto a bench to rest.

The gym doors hissed open, and Ava strode in, her fiery red hair tied back in a ponytail. She was clad in a sleek, black athletic outfit that hugged her athletic frame. Her sharp eyes scanned the room until they landed on Aiden. Her expression hardened, and a surge of determination flared within her.

She marched up to him, her footsteps echoing in the gym. Aiden, resting on the bench, looked up lazily as she stopped in front of him.

"You," Ava said, her voice dripping with challenge. "We need to settle something."

Aiden raised an eyebrow. "Settle what?"

"Don't play dumb," she snapped. "You humiliated me in the combat test. I want a rematch."

Aiden sighed, leaning back on the bench. "If you lose, you lose. Move on."

Ava's jaw tightened, her pride stung. "I don't move on. I get even."

Aiden regarded her for a moment before shrugging. "Fine. But no skills. Just physical."

Ava smirked, cracking her knuckles. "Deal."

The two moved to the open combat mat in the center of the gym. Aiden stretched his arms casually, while Ava bounced on her toes, her fiery determination evident. Other students in the gym noticed the brewing rematch and began to gather around, whispering excitedly.

"This is going to be interesting," one student murmured.

"Think Ava can win this time?" another asked.

Aiden and Ava ignored the growing audience, focusing entirely on each other. As they squared off, the tension in the air was palpable.

"Don't hold back," Ava said, her eyes blazing.

Aiden smirked. "I wasn't planning to."