Farouk stormed through the corridor, his footsteps loud against the polished floor.
"Impossible…!"
His fists trembled with rage.
"How did I lose to that nobody?!"
The image of the match replayed endlessly in his mind — Daniel's calm adjustments, the sudden shift in tactics, and the devastating comeback.
3–2.
His pride couldn't accept it.
Farouk kicked a nearby chair, sending it sliding across the hallway.
Then he noticed someone walking down the corridor.
Martins Adeyemi.
Behind him was his usual group of followers, laughing and chatting casually as if the tournament was nothing more than a game to them.
Farouk's eyes widened.
He hurried toward him.
"Martins!"
The group stopped.
Martins looked down at him with mild curiosity.
Farouk spoke quickly.
"You saw the match, right? That Daniel guy—he just got lucky. If someone like you helped me analyze his tactics, I could crush him next time."
Martins stared at him silently.
Then… he smirked.
The people behind him chuckled.
"You lost," Martins said calmly.
Farouk clenched his fists.
"I just need another chance—"
Martins stepped closer.
His expression turned cold.
"And now you're begging for help?"
Farouk froze.
Martins laughed quietly.
"That's even worse than losing."
Before Farouk could respond, Martins shoved him aside with his foot.
Farouk stumbled and fell to the floor.
"Pathetic," Martins said.
His group laughed as they walked past.
"You're useless if you can't even handle one unknown opponent."
Farouk remained on the ground.
His hands trembled.
Tears of frustration formed in his eyes.
But beneath that humiliation…
A burning hatred for Daniel grew stronger.
Later that evening…
Daniel and his roommates walked into the cafeteria.
The place buzzed with conversations as competitors relaxed after the day's matches.
Tunde grabbed a tray.
"I'm starving."
"You're always starving," Ayo replied.
They sat down together and began eating.
Chinedu leaned back.
"So… today was crazy."
Tunde grinned proudly.
"I won my match."
Daniel nodded.
"Nice."
Ayo and Chinedu glanced at each other.
"…We drew," they both said at the same time.
They looked at each other again—this time with competitive smiles.
Before Daniel could comment—
"Boo!"
Two arms suddenly wrapped around him from behind.
Daniel jumped in shock.
"Huh?!"
A girl had hugged him from behind, leaning over his shoulders.
His face instantly turned red.
It was Fatima.
His roommates froze for half a second—
Then they stared with wide eyes.
Fatima smiled playfully.
"So you're Daniel."
Daniel stuttered.
"Uh… y-yeah?"
She leaned slightly closer and spoke teasingly.
"You're the talk of the entire facility right now. That comeback against that arrogant Farouk? Pretty impressive."
Daniel scratched his head awkwardly.
"It's nothing… I just followed my instincts and tried to read the flow of the game."
Fatima watched him carefully.
Then she smiled in a slightly teasing way.
"You know… when you mutter like that, you look kind of cute."
She lightly traced a finger along his jawline.
Daniel froze completely.
Tunde almost fell off his chair laughing.
Ayo covered his mouth trying not to laugh.
Chinedu shook his head with a huge grin.
"Bro is finished."
Fatima finally stepped back.
"Well," she said, turning to leave, "I just wanted to meet the guy everyone's talking about."
She looked back over her shoulder.
Her eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Keep playing like that, Daniel."
Then she added softly:
"I've got my eyes on you."
She waved and walked away.
The moment she disappeared—
Daniel's roommates exploded with laughter.
Tunde slammed the table.
"BROOOO!"
Ayo wiped tears from his eyes.
"You just got hugged by the top player of Group C!"
Chinedu leaned forward.
"Daniel… what kind of main character life are you living?"
Daniel buried his face in his hands.
"…I just wanted to eat."