The Elite Game

Chapter 2. All That Glitters isn't Gold.

As I walked down the path laid out before my eyes, along with several other students, I grinned ever so brightly.

I had only dreamt of this day, but I never thought I would actually be accepted.

‘The best chance to turn everything around… the best institute for learning that can guarantee me a better life…'

“Tch! To think nobody like you got in as well.”

Zane walks out from behind me, and I have to admit, I'm pretty impressed, I didn't think he had anything in that head of his. 

I chuckle, tapping him lightly on the shoulder, “I’m surprised they now admit failures, this is a real shocker don't you think.”

“Hey!”

His eyes are glaring at me with death threats, his fist tightly clenched, but all his actions were nothing if he couldn't do them. 

We were being watched, there was no way he'd be glad to return back to that hell.

“You should be careful Zane, you're in Division one, who knows, they might get fed up with you and send you back.”

That said I proceed inside the building, allowing him to process his thoughts.

As my eyes beheld the towering building and vast compound, I grew even more excited and determined. This was it!

‘… The Academy of my dreams!’

I can hardly sleep a wink, the anxiety of my first day in school had gotten the best of me that I couldn't wait for tomorrow. 

~yawn~

Or so I thought. 

****

"Ugh!”

It hurts! A sharp pain was the first thing that came to memory.

“My head…”

I woke up with a splitting headache, one that felt like my brains were about to explode.

"Where the hell am I?" I asked myself as I looked around the unfamiliar room.

I was sure I made it to my dorm yesterday—the dorm of the Elites—and it looked nothing like this white room.

"You're awake."

With shock, I sprang from my position and turned towards the speaker.

A teenager around my age, comfortably relaxed on his bed as he stared up at the ceiling. 

“Who are you?” I asked, approaching him with caution.

"Your roommate." He answered as he stretched out his hand for a handshake.

"Congratulations, you've been out for almost two hours."

‘Two hours?! I don't nap that long, wait, what exactly is the time?’ My head frantically bobbed as I took a good look around me.

That was when I noticed…

‘… This isn't my uniform.’

What was going on?

"Wait, why have my clothes changed and how did I get here?" I asked curiously.

"You're asking me, I got here the same way you did.” My ‘roommate’ said, with a scoff.

‘What in the—?!’

"Ladies and gentlemen!” A loud voice suddenly boomed, nearly throwing me off balance.

I frantically looked around the room and, other than me and my newly made acquaintance, it didn't hold another soul.

‘Oh, wait, there are speakers in the room…'

As I was still pulling my thoughts together, the voice continued in a calm stride.

"Please head out to the dining hall with order. Be careful, and don't rush."

At the sound of an alarm, the door unlocked and was slowly opened.

It felt like we were being watched. 

I looked around, unable to find any hidden cameras, yet, I could not shake off my ominous feeling. 

‘’I should be careful…'

My roommate and I walked out, unsure where we were going.

We were met with a vast hallway, a seemingly endless corridor.

Suddenly there was a holographic symbol, showing us symbols and arrows for directions.

Apparently, our destination was the dining hall. 

Upon making our last turn, we arrived at the appointed area, and it sure was a dining hall—just as the instructions stated.

The chairs and long table were nearly arranged to give off an ambiance of class and dignity. If I wasn’t in my current predicament, perhaps I would appreciate the sight a bit more.

However, more than the luxurious hall, I saw something else that made my eyes widen in surprise—and relief.

There's thirty of us, some whom I recognized as fellow Elites, littered the hall, donning nearly the same expression as me.

Everyone looked confused as they murmured in awe. 

"Does anyone know how we got here?" Some voiced out, while others made careful observations.

One of the very calm students was a guy my age, with dark hair and a tall height.

His eyes never left the surroundings, every bit of the room was being scanned by him. 

"We're wondering the same thing."

The rest replied in equal confusion.

"What the hell is going on…?!"

>Clack!<

>Clack!!<

>Clack!!!<

All eyes moved upwards at the sudden sound that temporarily distracted us from basking in our confused state.

A man looked down at us from an elevated platform. A staircase was arranged to reach it, but he seemed visibly out of reach.

‘Hold on, that man looks familiar…'

"HEADMASTER!!!”

With the roar of the students, I confirmed my suspicion.

‘At least we're saved, so long as the headmaster is here, it means we're in good hands…'

I was certain this sentiment was shared by many of us.

‘Phew! Can’t believe I got worked up there for a sec…'

"Welcome, students." The headmaster greeted the relieved faces that stared at him.

‘Hm?’

"Be grateful, for you have been chosen to participate in the one activity that will determine your worth…”

‘Something is off…'

“Your education and etiquettes will be taught separately from the rest of the students…”

‘… Why is he…?’

“You will participate in chosen challenges to build your combat, psychology, resistance and more…”

‘…. What is he talking about?’

“… So, students, welcome to the Elite game!" His voice boomed with a tone of finality.

‘Wait what?!’

An Elite game?

‘I'm pretty sure that part wasn't included in the school's handout…’

“And it’s a game?” My lips parted as I formed a whisper.

‘Aren’t we supposed to be learning or something. Could this be an extra activity?’

My mind told me that was false. Something had to be up…

‘Perhaps, it's a test?’

I knew better than that, but…

‘Yes, let's call it that! Just a test!’

... Whatever this game was… 

‘… I have to win!’

But I was too naive then to know what lurks behind closed doors.

Little did I—no, everyone—know, this was a far more intricate and deadly event that exceeded all the bounds of common sense and logic.

It was the start of something… utterly sinister.

Still, though, my motive from the start never changed.

To survive, there was only one condition.

I had to stay alive first.