DUELING AMBITIONS

The Stardust Drifters conversation had been a key that unlocked a new level of friendship between Anya and Sameer. The silence that used to hang between them in the library was no longer awkward; it was comfortable, a shared space where they could work without the pressure of small talk. Every now and then, one of them would quote a line from the show, and the other would respond with a quiet smile before they both dove back into their work.

They were walking out of a particularly grueling data structures lecture when Anya spotted it: a large, flashy poster tacked to the main bulletin board. In bold, futuristic letters, it screamed: "NATIONAL CYBER WARFARE COMPETITION: PROVE YOU'RE THE BEST."

Anya’s eyes lit up. This was it. This was the arena where she, as Nyx, would finally get her revenge on Zero for the "Capture the Flag" humiliation. Maya, walking beside her, saw the look on her face and grinned.

Maya: "Thinking what I'm thinking?"

Anya: "He's going to be there. I know it. And this time, I'm ready for him."

Her voice was low and determined, filled with the competitive fire that Maya knew so well. Just then, Sameer came up beside them, holding his own textbook. He gave Anya a small nod of greeting.

Anya: (turning to him, her expression shifting to bright and friendly) "Hey! Did you see this?" She pointed to the poster. "The National Cyber Warfare competition. The qualifiers are next month."

Sameer looked at the poster, his expression unreadable but for a slight glint of interest in his eyes. He’d known about it for weeks, of course. It was the biggest event of the year, and the prospect of facing Nyx on such a grand stage was the only thing that had made his classes bearable.

Sameer: "Yeah. I saw it."

Anya: "Are you thinking of entering? You should! You're brilliant, you'd probably do really well."

She was genuinely enthusiastic, her belief in his skills completely sincere. Sameer felt a warmth spread through his chest. It was a strange feeling, being encouraged by the very person he was most looking forward to battling.

Sameer: (shrugging casually) "I might sign up. For the challenge."

Anya: "You definitely should. I'm entering. It's going to be intense." She said it with a confident smile, the image of Zero's smug emoji flashing in her mind. "Well, if you do, good luck."

Sameer: (meeting her eyes) "You too, Anya. Good luck."

The moment was simple and sweet. They were two rivals wishing each other well, completely unaware they were preparing for the same battle.

Standing just a few feet away, Maya witnessed the entire exchange. She had to smother a laugh. It was just so perfectly ironic. Her best friend was simultaneously falling for a quiet, humble genius while plotting the downfall of an arrogant, flashy one online. The universe had a strange sense of humor. She put a hand on Anya's shoulder as Sameer walked away.

Maya: "You have a type, you know that?"

Anya: (confused) "What are you talking about?"

Maya: "Oh, nothing," she said, shaking her head as a wide grin spread across her face. "Just that this is going to be very, very interesting."

Anya just looked at her, completely missing the joke, already lost in thought about her digital showdown to come.