The morning lecture ended just before noon.
As students packed their bags, Professor Carter closed his notebook and looked around the classroom.
"Don't forget your assignment. I expect it on my desk by Monday."
"Yes, Professor," the class answered.
The bell rang.
Benny placed his notebook into his backpack while Daisy waited beside his desk.
"Ready?" she asked.
Benny nodded.
"Professor Lewis asked us to report to the Advanced Technology Laboratory after today's lectures."
"I know."
Daisy smiled.
"I have a feeling he isn't planning to go easy on us."
The two walked out of the classroom and headed toward the cafeteria.
Since Ethan and Ryan were third-year students, their lectures were in a different building. As usual, they agreed to meet at the laboratory after everyone finished their classes.
After a quick lunch, Benny checked the time.
"One more lecture."
"Then practice."
Daisy stretched her arms.
"I miss having free afternoons."
Benny laughed.
"You'll survive."
"I hope so."
Three thirty in the afternoon.
The Advanced Technology Laboratory.
When Benny and Daisy arrived, Ethan and Ryan were already there.
Ryan sat quietly in front of a computer, reading through several pages of network traffic logs. His expression remained calm as his eyes carefully scanned every line.
Ethan looked up.
"You're on time."
"We came as fast as we could," Daisy replied.
A few moments later, Professor Lewis entered the laboratory with Professor Thompson following behind him.
The room immediately fell silent.
Professor Lewis placed a stack of folders on the desk.
"You've done well so far."
"But doing well isn't enough."
"The university selection round is in four days."
Everyone straightened.
"For the next four days..."
"You'll train exactly as you would during the competition."
Professor Thompson switched on the projector.
A digital clock appeared on the screen.
Three Hours
Professor Lewis continued.
"You'll face different cybersecurity scenarios."
"No hints."
"No assistance."
"If one person fails..."
"The entire team fails."
Ryan adjusted his glasses.
"So the pressure just increased."
Professor Lewis looked at him.
"It has always been there."
Ryan simply nodded and said nothing more.
Professor Lewis divided the folders among them.
"Ethan."
"Continue leading the team."
"Yes, Professor."
"Ryan."
"I want detailed network monitoring."
"Understood."
"Mia."
"You'll manage recovery and system integrity."
"Yes, Professor."
Finally, his eyes rested on Benny.
"You'll focus on threat analysis."
"You've shown excellent instincts."
"Now prove you can do it consistently."
Benny nodded firmly.
"I will."
Professor Lewis pressed a button.
The monitors came alive.
A new simulation began.
Unlike yesterday, this one was much more complicated.
Within seconds, dozens of security alerts flashed across every screen.
Ryan remained composed.
"Traffic spike from three locations."
Mia typed rapidly.
"Backup systems are stable."
Ethan pointed toward Benny's monitor.
"Benny."
"Anything unusual?"
Benny stared silently at the code.
His fingers moved across the keyboard.
He zoomed into several encrypted packets before shaking his head.
"They're trying to distract us again."
"But this attack is different."
Ryan looked over.
"Different how?"
Benny highlighted several lines of code.
"The fake attacks are changing every thirty seconds."
"They're adapting."
Professor Thompson quietly smiled.
"They noticed."
Ethan crossed his arms.
"Suggestions?"
Benny thought for several seconds.
"If we keep chasing every fake attack..."
"We'll lose."
He looked toward Ryan.
"Can you isolate only the packets that change their encryption keys?"
Ryan didn't question him.
"I'm on it."
Within moments, the monitors cleared.
Almost half of the alerts disappeared.
Mia's eyes widened.
"That reduced the workload by nearly fifty percent."
Ethan smiled.
"Nice thinking."
For the next two hours, the four worked almost without speaking.
They had begun understanding each other's rhythm.
Ryan quietly monitored every change.
Mia recovered compromised systems before anyone asked.
Ethan coordinated every decision.
Benny searched for patterns hidden beneath the chaos.
When the timer finally reached zero...
A green message appeared across every monitor.
MISSION COMPLETE
Professor Lewis folded his arms.
"Better."
"But still not enough."
The four students exchanged tired glances.
Professor Lewis continued.
"The competition won't forgive mistakes."
"You have four days."
"Use them wisely."
No one complained.
Each of them understood exactly how important the coming days would be.
As the others packed their bags, Benny looked at the clock.
4:45 p.m.
He quickly slung his backpack over his shoulder.
"I have to get to work."
Daisy smiled.
"Go."
"We'll see you tomorrow."
Ethan nodded.
"Don't overwork yourself."
Ryan finally spoke, his voice calm as always.
"Get enough sleep."
"A tired analyst misses details."
Benny smiled gratefully.
"I'll be fine."
Leaving the laboratory, he hurried toward the café.
As he walked across the campus, only one thought occupied his mind.
The competition was getting closer.
And no matter how difficult life became...
He couldn't afford to lose either his job...
Or his chance to prove himself at Crescent University.