Page 111 of Light Leech

She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by an announcement that read a message floating in the center aloud.

“Segement three: Luminate League. While many of you may be experienced with this game, you will now compete on a new level. Those with prior experience may have an advantage over the less experienced players, but that does not eliminate the less experienced players. As with previous tests, this tests the competitor’s mind, not a single skill. In this segment of The Standardized Test, you will compete for cognitive superiority. While the previous tests measure one’s ability to learn and persuade, this version of Luminate League will prove who is intellectually superior beyond any measure. The victors of this event prove their worth over their opponents. Those who fail are not worthy of Pure Knowledge. This is the final segment of The Standardized Test. Unlike in the previous segments, there is no guaranteed number of passing competitors. No more than four may pass, though if the final four competitors prove unworthy it is possible that fewer will pass. A victor-less Standardized Test is not only possible, but common.”

I looked at Ralia, mirroring her disgusted glare.

The announcement continued. “Each player will be given a standard twelve-legend deck with a provided selection of action cards of their choosing. Players will be placed in a standard thirty-six-person bracket, though the form is subject to change following each match. Gamble decks will be randomized and filled with Test-exclusive cards. Matches will begin simultaneously and rival matches can be seen during play as all matches occur in a single stadium. You have ten minutes to prepare for the first round. Please familiarize yourself with your main card, as the rest of your deck will be created to fit this Legend card. The rest of your deck and your optional ability cards will be hidden until the tournament begins with pre-match card selection.”

Ralia shook her head. “That still doesn’t clarify why our Gui are on the cards.”

The announcement continued with eerie relevance. “You may note the creature on your card aligns with the Light Leech given to you when you applied for the Standardized Test.”

Ralia glared at me, her eyes hinting at the discomfort of not understanding. Her perplexity deepened my anxiety. I no longer worried about how the system knew our Gui. That was a trivial concern compared to the immediate responses to our conversations. Perhaps the other rules and comments were a result of the other competitors’ questions, but I doubted that was the case.

Are you telling the system to clarify everything?

“No.“ Zhu replied.

Well?

My question went unanswered. Feeling our connection, I didn’t have to ask him. I knew he was just unsettled as Ralia by the system reading us.

Did you disguise yourself as a Light Leech?

“No.”

He wasn’t as unsettled there.

I spoke to Ralia. “What if the system just thought our Gui were Light Leeches? When Naoma and I met the therapist and Kalacia, I thought the Light Leeches were just their Gui.”

“Maybe, but I don’t like it either way.”

“Does Sha understand?” Zhu asked.

I repeated his question to Ralia.

“I don’t know. Why?”

“Zhu doesn’t like the system knowing him, either.”

She shrugged after a brief pause. “He doesn’t seem too bothered.”

Zhu snorted. “What does he understand? What do I lack?”

I ignored his complaints and focused on Ralia. “It doesn’t matter right now. If we pass the Test, I’ll ask Dokkaebi or whomever is on the other end of this.”

“Doesn’t it bother you?”

“Of course it does, but I’m more bothered by not understanding how to play this zegging game.”

“Right, right. Sorry, I’m just a little… I—“

“Frustrated because something is outsmarting you?”

She shook her head, but I knew I was hitting close to the mark. Perhaps her pride was costly, but I was going to do my best to make use of it.

“Teach me how to win.”

Chapter eighteen